And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. ...And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him."

 Mark 1:21-22, and 27

And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes. ...And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, "What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." Mark 1:21-22, and 27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 1:21-22, and 27, which is the text for the first division of the text Mark 1:21-28. Excerpts from the commentary:

• The commentary urges all of us, believers or not, to see Jesus as absolute authority in our lives.
• "All of us have a source of authority in our lives that will determine how we think and live. For some it is reason—I live the way I live because I think. For others it is experience—I live the way I live because I feel. Still others rely on tradition—I live the way I live because we have always done it this way. Finally, someone might look to revelation for their authority—I live the way I live because God says so."
• For those who do see Jesus as their absolute authority, "we understand it to take the form of a proposition and a person—a written Word and a living Word. The written Word we call the Bible. The living Word we know as Jesus. One we love. The other we love and worship. The written Word points us to the living Word, and that One has the right to demand complete and absolute lordship in our lives. Why should Jesus have absolute lordship in your life? Mark 1:21-28 provides two of many reasons."
•  The first of these reasons - because of his teachings - is found in this first division vv21-22 and v27. 
•  "The people immediately saw a contrast between the teachings of Jesus and those of “the scribes.” The scribes, also called “teachers of the law,” were skilled in the exposition of the Torah, the law of Moses. This much-respected and celebrated group of scholars traced their origin back to Ezra (Ezra 7:6,11)."  The scribes were "greatly respected, "however, they stood in opposition to Jesus and His ministry. Jesus will not challenge the legitimacy of their office, but He will call out their legalism, hypocrisy, and pride."
• "Mark is careful to contrast the authority of Jesus with the scribes’ lack thereof (vv. 22,27). The scribes derived their authority from the “tradition of men” (see 7:8-13). By quoting the fathers of Judaism, they rested on the famous and respected teachers who had preceded them. Not so with Jesus. Like the prophets His authority came directly from God, His Father (1:11)."      

Jesus is the Son of God and He is the King of Kings.  He reigns over all of creation and over all matters - see Colossians 1:15-20.  He has complete providence over all the details of my life, and He knows everything about me, including my sin.  Despite knowing everything about me from before I was born, He came for me, dying on the cross to save me, loving me while I was an enemy and hostile to Him - as I was a slave to my sin.  He saved me from eternal damnation and gave me life to the full now and for eternity.  Amazing grace indeed!  I follow Jesus because He is the One True God and because His teachings - the Word of God, the Bible - is His Word for me to know Him and to know how to please Him. I seek to please Him because that is why we all exist - to bring Him glory.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of grace and compassion for us.  Thank You for my salvation and for Your Word that You provide for me to know You and to please You.  Thank You for the Holy Spirit that is with me and guides me.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel.

Malachi 4:1-6

“Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. Malachi 4:4

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on an unassisted review of 4:4, the commentary's third division for the text. Malachi 4:1-6 broadly encourages believers to not worry about the wicked and evildoers as God's perfect justice will consume those who do not fear God will be eternally condemned.  Instead believers should focus on the hope offered by God based on how He saves and how He is saving a place in Heaven for us.  For believers, Heaven indeed will be a place where there will be no more tears and no more pain - despite how on this side of Heaven our bodies decay and we continue to sin, God provides both spiritual healing and upon our death we will be physically healed and be with Jesus and our believing friends and loved ones for eternity.  For now, however, Malachi reminds believers to hold fast to our faith and to God's Word, which reveals who God is and his message for us, our sin, and it sharpens and equips us to be who God intends for us.  While Malachi 4:4 was originally directed towards Israel (law as given to Moses and God's people at Mount Horeb), it is just as useful today for believers as is all of scripture (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Remembering the law implies that we go to it for our daily bread, and meditate on it day and night (see Psalm 1:2, Joshua 1:8).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are the Word and the Word is Truth.  Thank You Father God for giving me Your Word and Yourself so that I can know You, love You, and of course most importantly please You!  I am not deserving of the blessing of Your Word and how You softened my heart to the Good News and saved me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

“Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.”

Deuteronomy 32:46-47

“Take to heart all the words by which I am warning you today, that you may command them to your children, that they may be careful to do all the words of this law. For it is no empty word for you, but your very life, and by this word you shall live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-47

Given I have caught up with and am now ahead with where John Piper is in recording his videos on 1 and 2 Timothy for DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book series, this morning I lean on the Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores how believers must hang on to the Word of God as a matter of life and death.  

Excerpts from the video:

• Our physical life depends on the Word of God; see also Psalm 33:6, Hebrews 11:3, 1:3
• Our spiritual life begins by the Word of God; see also James 1:18, 1 Peter 1:23
• We go on living and are sustained by the Word of God Matthew 4:4, Deuteronomy 8:3
• "So our physical life is created and upheld by the word of God, and our spiritual life is quickened and sustained by the word of God. How many stories could be gathered to bear witness to the life-giving power of the word of God! Indeed, the Bible is “no empty word for you” — it is your life! The foundation of all joy is life. Nothing is more fundamental than sheer existence — our creation and our preservation."   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, indeed, I know that the Word is You and I have the Word that gives me life and sustains me through all things and carries me through to the end when I will meet You face to face - thank You for giving me Your Word and for speaking to me through Your Word.  I am greatly blessed....beyond words.  Thank You.  Yet I am undeserving of such a blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh.

 Ecclesiastes 12:9-14

The words of the wise are like goads, and like nails firmly fixed are the collected sayings; they are given by one Shepherd. My son, beware of anything beyond these. Of making many books there is no end, and much study is a weariness of the flesh. Ecclesiastes 12:11-12

I continue to wind down my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus remains the commentary exploring 12:9-14, which are the last five verses of Ecclesiastes.  Using the commentary's one final chapter entitled The Preacher on Preaching (Wisdom from a Wise Wordsmith), I reviewed the second division discussed in this commentary chapter is Ecclesiastes 12:11-12.   

Excerpts from this division in the commentary: 

• "Wise words are like goads. They prod the sluggish and hesitant into action. They have a power to provide a mental and spiritual stimulus, a spiritual shot in the arm. These collected saying are like well-driven nails. They stabilize on the one hand and on the other give us something to hang things on."
• "The end of verse 11 is a direct declaration of divine inspiration. The “knowledge” of verse 9 and the “words of truth” of verse 10 are given by one Shepherd, the Lord who is my Shepherd (Psalm 23), the good shepherd, Jesus Christ (John 10). The Christological signal is too obvious to ignore or neglect."
• "Solomon the realist knows there is no end to book making. Just imagine if he were alive today! And yet he is not down on books, study, or knowledge in principle. He is down on it as an end in itself. Knowledge is not the same as wisdom. It is possible to be smart but not intelligent. It is possible to know a lot but not be wise. God’s design for our lives is not to make us smart sinners but godly saints!"
• "If we are not careful and wise, we can linger too long at the “Vanity Fair of Knowledge” only to miss out on the wisdom of God and on a life that is really worth living."
• "Some of us have stayed too long at various Vanity Fairs in life (knowledge, power, sex, popularity, wealth). We have played the fool and given our lives to the wrong things. There is a better way. Let God’s Word guide your priorities. Let God’s Word chart the course of your life. “Fear God and keep His commandments.” That is where Solomon is taking us as he ends his book."

 Amen!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - giving me Your Word as lamp to my feet so that I know how to please You and this blesses my life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Every word of God proves true[.]...Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.

Proverbs 30-31

Every word of God proves true[.]...Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5a-6

I continue my study of Proverbs with my final entry for week 10 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 30-31:9.  My focus for today is the commentary and a review of the text for this week.  The commentary provides six themes expressed in the text for this week, including:

• how God is our shield and refuge (Proverbs 30:5b)
• how scripture describes the ideal king, yet only Jesus meets this ideal (Proverbs 31:2-9)
• how, even though we may claim to be, none of us are clean (we all sin), and Jesus is the only one who can wash us clean (Proverbs 30:12)
• how barrenness in life ultimately leads to hope for those who believe (Proverbs 30:15-16)
• how God's Word is perfect and how we are not to add to or subtract from it (Proverbs 30:5a)
• how God works, often in contrast to how the world works, including how Jesus came as a conquering King but died on the cross (Proverbs 30:24-28)

The more I study the Word of God the more I see the truth in Proverbs 30:5a - how God's Word is perfect and how we are not to add to or subtract from it. The commentary also points us to Psalm 18:30 and Deuteronomy 4:2 and 12:32.  Through such text I am encouraged to further "incline my ear [to] hear the words of the wise, [and to]...apply [my[ heart to [God's] knowledge[.]" Indeed, I am experiencing the blessing of having God's Word "within me...and ready on [my] lips (Proverbs 22:17-18)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and You provide Your Word, which is a lamp unto my feet and it is indeed pleasant to keep them within me and ready on my lips!  Thank You Jesus for Your Word!  I am not deserving of Your Word, nor any of the blessings You provide to help me understand Your Word - certainly the Holy Spirit, commentary, teachers, brothers and sisters in Christ who help sharpen my understanding, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these incredible blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 22:17-24:34

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I continue my study of Proverbs, specifically wrapping week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24:34. Today, the study provides commentary for this text and I reflect on application based on this commentary. From the commentary, two points in particular strike a chord this morning, including how this text (specifically Proverbs 24:16a) - with additional text from Hebrews 6:9-12; Jude 24-25; John 6:37, 39, 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philemon 1:6 - encourages perseverance, and how inclining our ear to God's Word (Proverbs 22:17-18a, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 119) is the primary mechanism used by God to sanctify and mold us into His image.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me and who gives me Your Word, that I can be guided, encouraged and molded into more of Your image - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You help me persevere and how You sanctify.  My sin is great and it continues - daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8

[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:9

I completed my study of Proverbs for the week, where I examined chapter 8. Today, the commentary focuses on how chapter 8:

•  portrays "wisdom [as]...integrally present at creation...[and how it] points to the eternal Son of God"
•  describes wisdom, and thereby Jesus Christ, as "the way to life...and to miss her is to love death" (v35-36)
• describes wisdom and how "God wove wisdom into the created order so that it would function as coherent system...those who submit to God and His ways-the wise-are able to participate in the rationality at the heart of created things" (v9)

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You provide Your Words - wisdom - and You give me ears to hear and eyes to see so that I can understand and have life. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your Word.  It is more valuable than silver and gold.  Again I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

Romans 15

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4

This morning, I focus on John Piper's Solid Joys devotional, where Piper seeks for us to experience an "outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon our church and ourselves that fills us with indomitable joy and frees us, and empowers us, to love those around us in ways so authentic that they are won to Christ[.]" Piper writes how God's Word (authored by the Holy Spirit) and the promises contained in them are to be claimed and captured in our hearts as the basis for this joy and hope. We know that God is with us...until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20).  We also know that although in this life we will experience challenges, we can take heart because God overcame the world (John 16:33), and our experience in this life is not the end because God give us eternal life (John 3:16).  These are, of course, just a few of the many, many promises God gives in Scriptures so "we might have hope." One more that I have claimed and keep in my heart is how believers are "filled" through a "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has filled me with hope, joy, and encouragement.   I am blessed indeed with how You have given me Scriptures that are the basis for my hope - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin of worry and other sins are great - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Psalm 119

I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Psalm 119:11

Day 121 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue today with the group: "Psalms of Joy and Praise".

Today's psalm focuses on praise for the insight and guidance of God's laws - it:
- describes how God's word protects us from harm, including any sin that might cause us harm
- acknowledges how important it is to be obedient
- reinforces how scripture reading, study, and in particular memorization, keeps us from sinning (see also John Piper on this)
- describes how believers should seek God's word as we would food and water to sustain our lives (see v103, 131)
...and more!

I am drawn to how Jesus used scripture in the wilderness to prevent temptation by Satan - through scripture hidden in his heart.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, sustains me, protects, encourages me, saves me, and so much more...my words are insufficient to describe Your greatness.  I am not deserving of how You adopt me into Your family and how You provide for me.  I am harsh with others, and I worry, among my many sins committed daily!  I am grateful for Your compassion and mercy but I need You to extend this daily!  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same.

Mark 14

But Peter insisted emphatically, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the others said the same. v31

God encourages us to interact with him, perhaps even to metaphorically "wrestle with God", yet at no time should believe that any word from God is not true.  Peter and the others challenge Jesus - allowing their arrogance to blind them from what God is saying and doing in their lives.  Jesus wants Peter to know that He KNOWS Peter will disown Him but that He is still going to die for His and everyone else's sin.

We should understand that the Bible IS God and everyone word and teaching contained within the Bible is true.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 

Scripture is perfect.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God and Your Word has brought me closer to You, giving me a better understanding of who You are and I have grown closer to You through Your Word - thank You Jesus for giving me Your Word and so much more!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words.

Ezekiel 13

Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. Even though the Lord has not sent them, they say, “The Lord declares,” and expect him to fulfill their words. v6

It is important that our actions and our words are consistent with God's word and His will for our lives.  We must KNOW God's Word and spend time with God to build a relationship with Him, and through this we can be transformed to better know His will for our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

However, there are many in this world who misuse God's name claiming God speaks certain words when He does not.

We are to beware of such false prophets in this world and surround ourselves with others who can help us strengthen our relationship with Jesus to help us better understand His Word and will for our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me greater faith and others to strengthen my faith.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love as I often miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, You will not serve the king of Babylon,for they are prophesying lies to you. I have not sent them, declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name.

Jeremiah 27

Do not listen to the words of the prophets who say to you, You will not serve the king of Babylon,for they are prophesying lies to you. I have not sent them, declares the Lord. ‘They are prophesying lies in my name. v14-15

The world is full of lies - planted by great deceiver - Satan. We must be aware of this.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Satan made his presence known throughout the Bible.  We are warned repeatedly about false prophets.  We must surround ourselves with Truth by reading the Bible, understanding what it says (in both an absolute and a personal sense), by worshiping corporately on Sunday at church, by participating in Bible studies, and by surrounding ourselves with others so that "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).

Submit to God and the Word, (Romans 12:2).

Live and breath the word (Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 11:18-20)

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.  Deuteronomy 6:6-9

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God who has given me Your Son and Your Word - Truth - so that I may have a path to righteousness.  Thank You Jesus!  I am in desperate need of Your cleansing and Your Word.  I am unclean - I miss the mark daily. I worry WAY too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it.

Jeremiah 6

The word of the Lord is offensive to them; they find no pleasure in it. v10

While I know I can be closer to God and my relationship with Jesus can be better, it's certainly better than it used to be as God has grown in my heart and life significantly - only through the grace of God (see Ephesians 2:8).  We must all get to a place where we find "pleasure" in God's word as it means we find pleasure in God Himself because the Word is God (John 1:1).  

We should all pray that He gives us a deep desire to get to know Him and to find more pleasure in Him and His Word - ALL of us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have done much to grow my desire for You and Your Word.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God as I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose Jesus as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever. v8

Isaiah warns Hezekiah of hard times to come in his kingdom (see Isaiah 39:5-7) - such hard times befall all of us (see last post and John 16:33) and too often we look to the world for our comfort - I know I do.  Yet it is God who will comfort us - and first and foremost we most go to God's Word as his words and their permanence steady us and provide comfort as chaos in the world surround us.

More on God's word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God's whose word lasts forever - thank You Jesus for providing Your Son, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word for to save us and to comfort us.  I am not worth such love - as I worry too much and too often.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself and wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

Psalm 145

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. v18

We often feel that God is not there or that God is elusive or far away.  Yet we should know that God never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20), and He gives us the Holy Spirit (John 14:26) and His Word (John 1:1).  

We can also see God in the church and in other believers.

God is real.  He has done great things in my life and He blesses me well beyond what I deserve.  Yet I often fall down, I sin...with worry, anger, etc.  Today's scripture is for me.  I must be daily, more often even, reminded of God's love and His presence.  I am reminded of my dear brother and sister in Christ Terry and Dave Monaghan from Newtonville, MA and how they shared the words of Brother Lawrence.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has filled my heart and transformed my life - blessing me well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.

Psalms 1

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. v1-2

Over the past 10 years, I have indeed felt the blessings of God as my desire for God, for His Word, and for a deeper relationship with Him have all grown.  For sure there is more work to do, but I am certain that we can count on God's promises for how he will bless us as we draw close to Him.

Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not disregard it. Blessed are those who listen to me, watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway.  For those who find me find life and receive favor from the Lord. Proverbs 8:33-35

See also post here.

The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him. Lamentations 3:25

  
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed faithful - all of Your promises come true and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love or blessings.  I worry and I am selfish.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 35

The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem. v18

We must remain present to the Lord.  What we find in 2 Chronicles 34-35 is that during the repair of the temple, the Book of the Law was found.  According to the MacAthur Bible Commentary, it is likely that the Book of the Law went missing during the reigns of Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon - three kings who preceded Josiah (Hezekiah between Ahaz and Manasseh).

With the Book of the Law missing, I am sure it became even more difficult to remain present to God.  Written copies of it were rare and for one to go missing was likely a big deal - one would think it would surely be missed.

As a follow up to yesterday's post, we must find ways to remain present to God.  We must be in God's Word daily in study, reflection, and prayer - scripture memorization is also a good spiritual discipline.  We should maintain a heart of gratitude.  As part of a heart of gratitude, we should - as Josiah (and Hezekiah) does here - take time on special occasions or holidays to celebrate what God has done for His people and for us individually.

This short book - Practice of the Presence of God - is worth a look (see also here).

Ultimately, we are called (see Romans 12) to be a living sacrifice.

Of course, easier said then done - but with God's help all things are possible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is with me always and whose words are in my heart.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry - far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt.

2 Chronicles 5

There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets that Moses had placed in it at Horeb, where the Lord made a covenant with the Israelites after they came out of Egypt. v10

God's Word stands alone.  Nothing or no one is greater than God, God is the Word, and the Word is perfect.  As such we should be careful to interpret God's word for Truth.  We should be careful not to add to or subtract from the Word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  I know that without You I would be lost and would be unable to do anything good.  Thank You Jesus for loving me and for rescuing me.  I am not worth such a God - especially so given You came to rescue me, knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Please forgive me for my selfishness.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life.

Deuteronomy 32

Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. v46-47

God's word IS our daily bread - without it we lack sustenance.

[M]an does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:3

Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens. Psalm 68:19

Give us each day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

Two things I ask of you, Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God. Proverbs 30:7-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - giving me many, many second chances - You are SO patient!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such efforts because I fail to give others such second chances.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

Haggai 2

Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’ v4-5

God made a covenant with Abraham (see Genesis 12) and this covenant rested on obedience to the law.  When God sent Jesus to walk the earth, Jesus gave us a new covenant:

In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you. Luke 22:20  

He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. 2 Corinthians 3:6

We should be thankful that this new covenant is based on grace and not on deeds.  Yes we will be judged according to what we have done but our faith and trust in God is primary (Matthew 22:37-40).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that You will never leave me.  Your Word and Your Spirit remain with me at all times and I desire to draw near to me and You will draw near to me when I draw near to You.  Thank You for Your love and that You will never leave me.  I am not worth such love and attention.  Please forgive me for sloth and my selfishness.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.