And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:13-17

And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:17

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 2:13-17, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Observations from the text using the Sword Method:

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus taught the Word - it was important that when he was with people that they understood who He was, why He came (His purpose), and to deliver the gospel message - this was a priority. Jesus understood that spending time with others as key to disciple building so he shared a meal with Levi (Matthew).  Jesus came to seek and save the lost - sinners per v17 (see also Luke 19:10).     
• What do we learn from the passage about people: Many have hardened hearts and believe they are not sinners and/or not in need of salvation - we can deliver the gospel message but then pray that hearts are softened to the gospel.  All sin and are in need of salvation. For the scribes their arrogance and pride got in the way of them seeing that God wants everyone to be saved - every tribe and nation regardless of social status, ability, etc.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey?: God wants us to show hospitality to others and build relationships with others so that we can understand their story, pray for them and of course share the gospel - this is the Great Commission.  All are spiritually dead (sick per v17).  We must understand the Gospel and scripture - this is why He teaches it to us and often through parables so that we understand not just the teaching but the application as the parable itself reveals our own spiritual condition.  We must avoid pride and arrogance lest it get in the way of being a light to others.  

God wants all believers to be part of the Great Commission to take the gospel to all nations - of course including to our own neighborhoods.  Building relationships with others is key to both sharing the gospel and developing relationships with others to disciple to them.  As part of our church's efforts to launch a new campus, I recently learned of the Bless Every Home smart phone app as a tool to identify my neighbors, pray for them, share meals with them, and most importantly share the gospel.  I pray that God would work in my heart to put me in motion to bless my neighborhood. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - giving me mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  You give me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, great teachers and resources to help me understand You and Your Word, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  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.

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.

 Mark 1:29-34

That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. Mark 1:32-34

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 1:32-34, which is the text for the second division for 1:29-34 per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• "A distinction is made between those “who were sick and those who were demon-possessed” (v32) and those “who were sick with various diseases” (v34). All disease and sickness is the result of sin, but not all disease and sickness is the result of demonic oppression or activity. Satan and his demons may inflict physical illness, but not all physical afflictions are demonic in origin. The ancients were not as naïve and ignorant as they are sometimes accused of being."  
• "The last phrase of verse 34 is instructive. Men may be confused as to the identity of Jesus, but never so with the demons: “They knew Him” and they feared Him. What a contrast with foolish, fallen, and unbelieving humans!"
• Jesus' instruction to the demons not to speak is referred to in the commentary as the "Messianic Secret", as Jesus sought to "conceal His Messiahship during His ministry."  The commentary offers seven observations on this question: (1) "Jesus wanted to avoid the impression of being a mere miracle worker or a magician. Those who conjure up tricks seek attention for themselves. Jesus is different. He came to defeat the power and effects of sin in the whole world" (2) "Jesus wanted to avoid unhelpful publicity to have more moments of private teaching with His disciples." (3) "Jesus wanted to avoid the people’s misconceptions about the Messiah. His Messiahship was characterized by service and suffering, not sensational displays of miraculous activity that would excite political-Messiah fever." (4) "Jesus wanted to express His humility as the Suffering Servant of the Lord." (5)  "Jesus wanted to inform us that only through the medium of faith, ultimately in a crucified and humiliated Savior, is His messiahship personally apprehended (1 Corinthians 1–2)." (6) "Jesus wanted to avoid recognition from an undesirable source such as the demons and the hypocritical religious leaders." (7) "He wanted His identity concealed to point to the hostility of the religious and political leaders of the day. There was a stark contrast between Jesus’ humble love and the Pharisees’ look-at-me religiosity."
• "[W]e can confidently affirm that the Messianic Secret arose from Jesus Himself. He self-consciously identified with the Suffering Servant of the Lord in Isaiah’s prophecy, and He knew the need to guard His messianic identity from premature and false understandings."    

Indeed, believers are urged to vigorously study scripture to - as fully as possible on this side of Heaven - understand who Jesus is.  While the Old Testament pointed to, sometimes very explicitly, Jesus, when He arrived, many Jews who understood the law did not think He was the Promised One. In contrast to those whom Jesus instructed not to talk about His identity, Jesus makes no such command for believers.  Believers of today are to not only talk about Jesus and to proclaim the Good News, they are do so boldly with Peter as an example in Acts 4:20 where he shares while under arrest: "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You loved me and saved me while I was still an enemy and hostile to You.  You continue to pour our mercy and grace on a daily basis.  I am SO undeserving.  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. 

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

 Mark 1:14-15

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:14-15

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 1:14-15, which is the text for the first of three divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• Believers are encouraged to "fish for people" by proclaiming the Good News
• There are four components of Jesus' message: "(1) [t]he time is fulfilled, (2) the kingdom of God is near, (3) repent, and (4) believe in the gospel."
• "With the appearance of the Messiah-King, the “kingdom of God” has drawn near. In the person of Jesus Christ, men are confronted head-on with the kingdom—the reign of God. What should be our response? Jesus gives His hearers two commands."
• The first command is to repent, which is "to change [one's] mind leading to a change in behavior."  Of course, we must turn towards God.
• The second command is to believe.  Repentance is complemented by belief - this is how we turn towards God. This turn towards God is not a one-time event but a "life altering change" as we become a new creation. "[a] King has arrived who rightly demands that we follow and radically obey Him. This is the unchanging and uncompromising message and vision of the eternal kingdom of God."  

As the commentary implies, this message of repent and believe requires something not just of a new believer, but all believers over the course of their entire life.  Despite being "born again" (aka regeneration), we continue to have sin until glorification when we meet Jesus face-to-face in Heaven.  On a daily basis, we must go to God to continue a work in us through sanctification.  Sanctification only works if we remain and abide in Him - see also John 15:1-8 and this post from John Piper on DesiringGod.com.    

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God, You are an awesome God who saves, provides mercies that never cease and that are new every morning, and who is full of grace and patience to continue a work in me through sanctification. I am undeserving of my salvation and for all that You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...sometimes in very frustrating ways.  Please forgive me 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.

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.

 Mark 1:14-20

Now after John was arrested, Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:14-20, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Here the text shares/describes:

• that John the Baptist is arrested
• that Jesus went into Galilee, sharing the Gospel - "repent and believe"
• how Jesus calls the first disciples: brothers Simon (Peter) and Andrew, and brothers James and John  

Jesus' preparation for His ministry includes going to temple and learning God's word (see Luke 2:41-52), His baptism, His time in the wilderness (experiencing the temptations humanity faces), and of course His experience growing up with faithful families (Mary and Joseph, Elizabeth and Zechariah) who modeled faith for Him.  Jesus knew that His ministry was a fulfillment of prophecy so part of the Good News is to remind the Jews that He is the One promised in Old Testament scripture.  This point reinforces my post from a couple of days ago that we must understand how all of scripture points to Jesus.  Core to the Good News is humility and repentance - we all sin and need salvation or forgiveness of sins (not just an annual offering at the altar but a one time sacrifice of our life devoted to God and submitting to Him). Of course we should be struck by how both of the sets of brothers immediately (see both v18 and v20) left the safety of their fishing business and followed Him, not knowing what that truly meant.  If we read our Bible and are faithful, we will see the sanctification process unfold as Jesus makes us more like Him - the renewing of the mind per Romans 12:2.  As our thoughts become more like Jesus, we can see His will for our lives and His desires for our lives and dropping everything for Him becomes easier as we first and foremost seek to please Him vs ourselves. See also 1 John 5:3 where John shares how obedience to God is not burdensome.  Repent, believe, submit to Him, and watch God work in your heart and life!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that not only forgives sins, but You also save, provide the Holy Spirit, Your Word, and the church to equip us to become more like You because that is our desire.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving...my sin continues every day - anger, etc.  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 word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

1 Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16

The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.... I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 1 Corinthians 1:18 and Romans 1:16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #43: To Unleash the Power of God in the Gospel.  The devotion today opens describing gospel as good news (see also Greek dictionary) and as "something significant [that] has happened that will make people happy."  The gospel of course is that Christ died but rose again. The devotion then refers us to 1 Corinthians 15:1-7, and shares that the "heart of the gospel" from this text is that "Christ died for our sins . . . was buried . . . was raised . . . and appeared to more than five hundred people." Piper uses this text then as he shares that "[t]he fact that he says many of these witnesses are still alive shows how factual the gospel is. He meant that his readers could find some witnesses and query them. The gospel is news about facts. And the facts were testable. There were witnesses of Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection life."  As Piper continues, he builds on yesterday's post, which describes how Christ defeated Satan as the "great accuser."  Yet, while Christ did defeat Satan, Piper uses this devotion to share (pointing to 2 Corinthians 4:4) that until Jesus returns again (second coming), Satan continues to exist and for many "blinds the minds of the unbelievers to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ."  1 Corinthians 2:14 provides additional text describing how non-believers cannot see the gospel as good news.  The devotion begins to wind down by reminding believers of the grace and mercy of God, as He removed the blinders, allowing us to see the gospel as good news. In John Piper's words, "satanic blindness and natural deadness must be overcome by the power of God" - this of course was done on the cross and through the resurrection. The devotion wraps by referring us to 1 Corinthians 1:24 as the text describes the "merciful act [of Christ who gave believers] the blood-bought gift" of faith and salvation.  Rejoice in the greatest gift of all time!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for removing the blinders from my eyes so that I could see the good news.  I am not deserving of this gift - the greatest gift of all time.  My sins are great and they continue...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.

Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined!

Zechariah 11:1-3

Open your doors, O Lebanon, that the fire may devour your cedars! Wail, O cypress, for the cedar has fallen, for the glorious trees are ruined! Wail, oaks of Bashan, for the thick forest has been felled! The sound of the wail of the shepherds, for their glory is ruined! The sound of the roar of the lions, for the thicket of the Jordan is ruined! Zechariah 11:1-3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 11:1-3, which the commentary outlines as the second of four divisions for the text 10:1-11:17 (10:1-12, 11:1-3, 11:4-14, 11:15-17). Building on my last two posts yesterday and the day before, Zechariah provides God's people with warnings about leaders who worship false gods and preach false teachings.  Of course, all sin and remain in bondage to this sin now and for eternity (in Hell) unless saved - and of course the Good News of Jesus saves!  False gods and teaching are pervasive and we are warned throughout scripture - 1 Peter 5:8 where we are warned us that Satan is simply waiting on us for an opportunity to pounce - and believers are encouraged to remain alert. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 warns us about false teachers. Believers we are encouraged to remain in Jesus - see John 15:1-11. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives me all that I need - the whole armor of God - to protect myself against Satan and false teachers/gods.  Thank You Jesus for being my strength, refuge, and rock.  I am not deserving of how You save, love, and protect.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me remain in You.  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.

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

1 Timothy 1:18–20

By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Timothy 1:19b-20

John Piper has posted a new video lab of 1 Timothy 1:18-20 (Part 3) on DesiringGod.com, so I resume my study of this book. Excerpts from this video:

• Note the connection of faith and a good conscience, and if you reject one you reject both; further exploring the connection of conscience and faith, Piper shares that if we reject a good conscience, we are thereby rejecting things that are good for us.
• Paul seeks to fix Hymenaeus and Alexander by teaching them not to blaspheme; see also 1 Timothy 1:10-11 where Paul discusses how the law is being misused and not used for healthy teaching which "accords with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God."  Faith is wrecked by rejecting healthy teaching as described.  You are also blaspheming - essentially saying that the Good News is not good.  
  
• Paul's remedy is to hand over Hymenaeus and Alexander to Satan which is discussed in the forthcoming part 4 lab video on this text; in the meantime, pursue both a faith and a conscience that aligns with the gospel as Good News. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, the Good News is good indeed!  All of what comes from You is good, true, and perfect.  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out for me.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  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.

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.]

1 Peter 3

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.] 1 Peter 3:18

Today, I pause my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today - courtesy of John Piper - provides "a summary of the gospel to help [us] understand it and enjoy it and share it!"  Piper outlines the gospel as follows, with included scripture references:

1. God created us for his glory - see also Isaiah 43:6-7.
2. Therefore, every human should live for God's glory; we must love God, trust Him, be thankful to Him, obey Him, and treasure Him above all things - see also 1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 22:37, Romans 4:20, Psalm 50:23, Matthew 5:16, Philippians 3:8, and Matthew 10:37.
3. Nevertheless we have all sinned; [n]one of us has loved or trusted or thanked or obeyed or treasured God as we ought. - see also Romans 3:23, Romans 1:21-23.
4. Therefore we all deserve eternal punishment - see also Romans 6:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 25:46.
5. Yet, in his great mercy, God sent his only Son Jesus Christ into the world to provide for sinners the way of eternal life - see also John 3:16, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 3:18.
6. Therefore eternal life is a free gift to all who will trust in Christ as Lord and Savior and supreme Treasure of their lives - see also Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:8.

As Holy Week and Easter approaches next, believers should all be mindful of the Good News Jesus brings, write these words on our heart (Hebrews 8:10) so that we can be constantly present to this Truth.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gospel, the Good News, and how it saves and gives me life to the full now in SO many ways that it is indescribable!  I am not deserving of my salvation and the blessings of being a child of God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus for my sin today and every day - I know I fall short.  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 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.

And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete.

1 John 1

 And we are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. 1 John 1:4

This morning, I am embark on a study of 1,2,3 John with the assistance of the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  My study today focuses on 1 John 1:1-4.  John writes about the Word of Life, embodied in the Son Jesus Christ, who came as flesh in blood to save humanity from its sin and to give those who believe in Him eternal life.  As John describes the Good News of Jesus Christ, he ascribes attributes:

• from the beginning (v1); it was always the plan that Jesus who be the incarnate Son of God, to die on the cross for all of humanity's sin, and to rise again after 3 days
• it was real and evident (v1-2); heard and seen by many, including himself; John walked with Jesus and touched Him
• Jesus was from and with the Father (v2)
• it unites those who believe into a body of believers for fellowship, encouragement and strengthening (v3)

John writes to believers about the Good News so that his joy may be complete - echoing similar sentiments that he and Peter spoke to the Jewish elders, scribes, and rulers in Acts 4:20 that "[they] cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."  It is out of an outpouring of love of God to share the glory and Good News of Jesus Christ. Our joy is only complete when we share this joy with others - it cannot be contained.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done much - paying the ultimate price - for me, completely out of grace and love for me.  Not because I am deserving because I am not - 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 put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Romans 3

...God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. Romans 3:25-26

This morning I pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Here, John Piper refers to the text for today as possibly "the most important verses in the Bible. God is wholly just! And he justifies the ungodly! Really? A just judge acquitting the guilty! Not either/or! Both! He acquits the guilty, but is not guilty in doing so. This is the greatest news in the world!"  Piper then refers us to other text to amplify his point and to support the text:

• 2 Corinthians 5:21
  
• Romans 8:3
• 1 Peter 2:24
• 1 Peter 3:18
• Romans 6:5
  

Piper weaves this text together into a powerful summary of the gospel: "He takes our sin. We take his righteousness.  Whose flesh? Christ’s. Whose sin condemned in that flesh? Ours. For us then? No condemnation!...If the most terrifying news in the world is that we have fallen under the condemnation of our Creator and that he is bound by his own righteous character to preserve the worth of his glory by pouring out his wrath on our sin...Then the best news in all the world (the gospel!) is that God has decreed and enacted a way of salvation that also upholds the worth of his glory, the honor of his Son, and the eternal salvation of his elect. Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." 

 

The gospel and what is ultimately offers is not only the greatest news but also the greatest gift.  

Comment and discuss this sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You offer the Good News - which is the greatest news and the greatest gift of all time!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my election and salvation.  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.

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

1 Corinthians 15

For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:3-9

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter one - From Angry Killer to Apostle of Christ.  The emphasis in this chapter is the remarkable - and of course, divine - transformation of Paul.  The chapter starts by ensuring we know about Paul as a Jew.  He was born a Pharisee (the strictest sect of Judaism - see Acts 26:5), and studied Jewish law and traditions under Gamaliel (one of the most esteemed teachers among all Jews - see Acts 22:3, 5:34).  Paul was also known for his "radical commitment to the strictest traditions" (see Galatians 1:14, Philippians 3:5-6) - his pedigree was unmatched among his peers and considered advanced. Yet, as he sought to bring followers to Jesus to trial (and ultimately death) (see Acts 9:1-2), Paul encountered the living Christ on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:3-5). Christ gave Paul a mission to preach the Good News to the Gentiles (see Acts 9:15-16). Paul was transformed in an instant and expressed the same zeal he had persecuting Jews to preach to the Gentiles (see Galatians 1:13, 23-24) - it was of course noticeable. Paul's life became a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) and his testimony was of course compelling. At the end of the chapter, John Piper refers us to 1 Timothy 1:16 where Paul describes his mission:

But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost [sinner], Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 

God wants ALL believers to show how others how His perfect patience lives in us as an example to others....so that they may believe.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and Your Word is perfect in all ways that I may be sanctified by it and made more like You.  Thank You Jesus for the blessing of Your Word.  I am not deserving of such grace.  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.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.]

Hebrews 12

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 1:22-23a

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, the text starts (v12-13) with an encouragement to endure and persevere, particularly through suffering, pain, trials, difficulty, weakness, etc. It is God who never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20) and He provides and strengthens us in all of our circumstances (Philippians 4:12-13). V14 seeks for us to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives.  V15-17 provide us with an encouragement to share the gospel with others that God may bring them to faith and salvation through Jesus Christ.  The author of Hebrews uses Esau as an example of someone who "despised His birthright" and failed to inherit the blessing of his father Isaac (Genesis 25, 27).  Esau's line ultimately led to the Edomites (Genesis 36) and Jacob's line of course ultimately led to Jesus (Matthew 1).  While God is sovereign and it is He that hardens hearts and softens them, bringing some to faith and others not, believers nonetheless share a responsibility to share the gospel and their own testimony with others.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - giving me faith and You sustain and strengthen me - particularly during difficult times.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such 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 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.

Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity.

Daniel 4

 Therefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable to you: break off your sins by practicing righteousness, and your iniquities by showing mercy to the oppressed, that there may perhaps be a lengthening of your prosperity. Daniel 4:27

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 4:1-27 as I lean on a commentary for its observations of this text. The commentary highlights three divisions for this text:

• v1-3 It Is Good to Honor Our Great and Sovereign God for Sorrow That Leads to Repentance: these verses describe Nebuchadnezzar's praise of God in reaction to seeing how God rescued Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago from the fiery furnace (chapter 3); the commentary, in particular notes how the words used by Nebuchadnezzar echo biblical terminology and reflect praise of God found elsewhere in scripture, including Psalm 145
• v4-18 It Is Good When Our Great and Sovereign God Troubles Our Hearts in Order to Get Our Attention: here, the commentary describes the reaction Nebuchadnezzar had to his second dream and how he falls back into old ways going not to Daniel first to interpret the dream, but to his pagan wise men, but as to be expected these men could not and Daniel was then brought in
  
• v19-27 It Is Good When Our Great and Sovereign God Exposes Our Sin and Calls Us to Righteousness: here, the commentary discusses Daniel's reaction to the dream and his inner turmoil upon hearing how the dream reflects how God will punish Nebuchadnezzar - clearly a man whom at this point is someone the commentary shares that Daniel cares about; the commentary emphasizes how believers, when confronted with bad news that we must deliver about someone else's sin, particularly those we care about, we must be prepared to deliver God's message for both repentance and hope

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good God who offers hope and grace, in spite of our sin - thank You Jesus!  I am of course not deserving...my sin 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.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Matthew 24

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Matthew 24:14

As I focus on my church's men's disciple/small group study of Daniel - which lays out a plan to study Daniel five days a week, I maintain a pause of my study of Hebrews, filling in this two-day a week gap by using DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which this morning looks at Jesus's promise made in Matthew 24:14 regarding how the Good News will be proclaimed before the end of the ages with certainty.  In a broader prophecy of end times, Jesus shares with His disciples how the temple in Jerusalem will be destroyed and how there will be other signs indicating the end of the ages is near (Matthew 24:5-12).  Jesus then reassures (v13) the faithful with a promise that "the one who endures to the end will be saved." Jesus's promise of how the Good News will (not should) be proclaimed is a precursor to Matthew 28, where He shares the Great Commission.  In today's Solid Joys devotion, John Piper wraps by sharing: "[t]he cause of world missions is absolutely assured of success. It cannot fail. Is it not reasonable, then, that we pray with great faith, that we invest with great confidence, and that we go with a sense of sure triumph?"

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My Prayer: God, You are good and all of Your promises come true - You are faithful.  As such, I can pray with great faith, invest with great confidence, and go with a sense of sure triumph - thank You Jesus!  What peace!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus. Help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn 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.

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.

Hebrews 4

So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his. Hebrews 4:9-10

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 4:1-13, as I move on to what the commentary describes as the second division "Entering by Urgency," which looks at Hebrews 4:3-10. The commentary describes how the text, since Hebrews 3:7, maintains an emphasis on how believers can only enter "God's rest" through believe and faith in Jesus Christ.  It states that this repetition is important because "[t]his is a message stubborn sinners need to hear over and over again."  The commentary then highlights how the text uses the word "today" (2x in v7) to urge those hearing the gospel message to not delay in placing their faith in Christ: "God has appointed today for us so that we might respond to his call in faith and not harden our hearts. We cannot presume upon tomorrow. Today may be the only day we have left. But as long as you have today, you have an invitation to faith." The commentary wraps for this division by stating: "[l]ike John 3:16, Hebrews 4:10 powerfully captures the message of the gospel in a single verse. The gospel is not morality. The gospel is not external religion. Nor is it a seven-step program for obtaining a better life. The gospel is the message of Christ’s accomplishments on our behalf so that we might “rest” from our works by trusting in his work. When we trust in Christ’s work, we rest from trusting our own."  Believe in Jesus Christ, who died for the sins of all humanity, so that You can enter God's rest! 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for giving me rest from a works-based salvation and rest for eternity!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  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. 

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.

Hebrews 4

Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. Hebrews 4:1-2

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 4:1-13, as I build on my post yesterday, and lean on commentary for this text.  I start with the commentary's overview of this text "Let Us Enter His Rest," and then move to what the commentary describes as the first division "Entering by Faith," which looks at Hebrews 4:1-2.  The commentary for this text starts by exploring what is meant by God's rest and it shares: "The [promised] land was indicative of God’s promise to Abraham and signified God’s plan to restore creation after the fall corrupted it....It meant enjoying and entering God’s plan of salvation and inhabiting the very place where God set his dwelling....While [the Israelites] may have physically entered the territory of Canaan, they never truly entered into the spiritual rest that the territory typified." The author of Hebrews uses this text to remind the audience of how their ancestors failed to enter God's rest when the entered the promised land, and also to warn them that now that the Good News of Jesus has been preached, they should not fail to believe and trust once again.  The first key point raised by the commentary indicates that "simply hearing the message of the gospel is insufficient for salvation." We are referred to Matthew 13:10-15 (which in turn refers to Isaiah 6). The second key point is that "the only appropriate response to the gospel is faith. Israel heard the promises and warnings of God but did not respond with faith. As a result, they perished in the wilderness." The third key point is that intellectual understanding of the Good News is not enough - you must believe and have faith.  The final key point raised by the commentary for the text this morning is that "the message of salvation was not different for those in the Old Testament....This text, however, demonstrates that the same “good news” preached in the new covenant was also preached in the old covenant. Of course, now that Christ has come and fully revealed the Father (John 14:8-9), new covenant believers have a fuller picture and a greater understanding of how God has acted to save. Nevertheless, old covenant saints were saved by faith in the promises of God just as we are today. Paul makes this clear in Romans 4:1-25 when he argues that Abraham was justified by faith." Pray to God to "spiritually hear His Word, have faith - believe, and lean on all of scripture both the Old and New Testament as the inerrant Word of God.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You for giving me Your Word and for my salvation!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?

Hebrews 2

Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable, and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation? Hebrews 2:1-3a

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 2:1-3a, the first of three divisions in Hebrews 2:1-9, and this first division exhorts believers to - in light of how Jesus and His messages are more superior than angels (Hebrews 1) - heed the "warning signs of spiritual drift."  The commentary describes this drift as a nautical image whereby such drift is not one wave at a point in time but instead a slower, meandering process, where we fail to take Jesus' words to heart.  This of course happens both corporately (by churches that water down theology in an effort to gain believers) and individually by those who fail to drop "the anchor of our souls in the deep waters of the Word of God" and allowing for reading of God's Word supernaturally, and enabling spiritual hearing which the commentary defines as "believing, obeying, and submitting to what is heard. Right hearing is more a matter of the heart than a function of the ear. We must hear with our hearts."  The devotion ends with with both good and bad news. "The gospel is good news. The good news is only good, though, when it is accepted in place of the bad news. The bad news is we are truly deserving of hell for our transgression of God’s righteous requirement. The really bad news is we will be even more accountable to God if we reject Christ. The seriousness of the gospel cannot be overstated. The gospel is good news for those who repent of their sin and trust in Christ. It is terrible news for those who do not."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great, great God and Your Word is worthy of my close attention as it is Good News!  Thank You for sharing this Good News with me and saving me.  I am not deserving.  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.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5b of Lesson 19, my focus moves to Isaiah 53 we see as clear a picture of the gospel - albeit as prophecy of Jesus during Isaiah's day - as we see anywhere in scripture. We all sin, we all need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.  Jesus, led a sinless life and willingly laid down His life for all of humanity, bearing all of our sin as a sacrifice, and in so doing, drank the cup of wrath meant for us.  This sacrifice gave us forgiveness of sin.  Jesus did not stop there of course, He rose from the grave, is seated in Heaven and saving a place for those believe and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Indeed - the greatest gift of all time!

Thank You Jesus!

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My Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me the greatest gift of all time - my salvation.  Of course I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 4 of Lesson 19, my focus is on Isaiah 52:13-15 through chapter 53. Clearly, this text focuses on Isaiah's prophecy of Jesus - the coming Messiah.  My commentary shares the following divisions for this text:

1. Christ repulsive but redemptive then exalted (52:13-15)
2. Christ the "Arm of the Lord" but human and despised (53:1-3)
3. Christ rejected but our atoning substitute (53:4-6)
4. Christ innocent but willing to be slaughtered (53:7-9)
5. Christ crushed so we could be justified (53:10-12)

The commentary then describes and debunks alternative views how "Israel is the suffering servant" using both Isaiah 53:8 where the text states that He was "stricken for the transgression of my people" - Israel was the transgressor not the suffering servant who was struck and pierced - Jesus was.  The commentary then uses Acts 8, where Philip meets the Ethiopian eunuch who is reading Isaiah 53:7-8 and asks for help understanding the text - who is this prophet that is the subject of the text? Philip then unequivocally shares (Acts 8:35) the Good News of Jesus Christ. The commentary then proceeds to states that "the central message of Isaiah 53 is substitutionary atonement. This was the central message of the whole animal sacrificial system, that the blood of a substitute can remove the death penalty for sin." Just as Israel needed animal sacrifice to approach God (Leviticus 16:21 per the commentary), all of us needed Jesus to die on the cross for us to be reconciled to God.  The commentary then bluntly states: "[t]hough this transfer of guilt is mysterious, God claims the right to do it, and without it we have no hope."  Believers must reflect on this and let it sink in - our only hope is Jesus and because of what He did for us on the cross.  Reflect on this and be grateful because we are NOT deserving as all of us sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23).

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God - I was hostile and an enemy to You but You loved me first and died for me so that I could have life both abundantly now and forever with You in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving!  My sin 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.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Isaiah 51-53

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - on Day 3 of Lesson 19, I move on to Isaiah 52. The focus of this chapter is salvation - both for Israel in exile, but also for all nations as v10 states the "eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God" - a clear reference to Jesus Christ.  The study refers me back to Romans 10:1-15 where Isaiah is quoted in v15, referencing how Jesus and the Holy Spirit are used through believers to bring the Good News of Jesus to all.  In Romans 10:14-15 Paul asks - rhetorically - "how are [non-believers] to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless [believers]...are sent?"  God wants all of us the spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who sent His Son to die on the cross for me so that I could have salvation - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation - my sins are great and they continue...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.