For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Romans 1

For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Romans 1:21

Today I pause both my study of 1 Corinthians and my study that accompanies participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Instead, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today explores the root of ingratitude.  John Piper uses Romans 1:21 (see also John MacArthur commentary introduction to Romans) where Paul writes to believers in Rome, including both Jews and Gentiles, and in v21 and surrounding verses (vv18-32), Paul shares how Gentiles specifically had no excuse in acknowledging a divine Creator.  They pursued idol worship and this is where John Piper picks up today with the devotional.  Piper starts by pointing to yesterday's devotion where a gratitude towards God results in magnification of Him and a desire to bring Him glory.  He then looks at why we don't show gratitude towards God - he shares: "there is a very good reason that human beings by nature do not want to magnify God with thanksgiving or glorify him as their benefactor. The reason is that it detracts from our own glory, and all people by nature love their own glory more than the glory of God. At the root of all ingratitude is the love of one’s own greatness. For genuine gratitude admits that we are beneficiaries of an unearned bequest. We are cripples leaning on the cross-shaped crutch of Jesus Christ....[W]hile a man loves his own glory, and prizes his self-sufficiency, and hates to think of himself as sin-sick and helpless, he will never feel genuine gratitude to the true God and so will never magnify God as he ought, but only himself." This is the futility of thinking Paul writes about.  Piper concludes the devotion by pointing us to Mark 2:17 where Jesus said "[T]hose who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace - I KNOW I need You - for everything - including my salvation and how You intercede for my continuously and forever through prayer.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and I am in DESPERATE need for You...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 it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper discusses how a life of humility and gratitude glorifies God.  Piper starts by positing that when we express our gratitude to God, we are the beneficiaries - we receive grace (and other blessings) and we in turn we are thankful. Piper then states that a posture of humble gratitude leads us to "acknowledge our need and God’s beneficence," glorifying the giver (God).  This is the key, according to Piper, as he uses Paul's words to the Corinthians to stake his claim: "this is Paul’s final goal in all his labors. Yes, his labors are for the sake of the church — the good of the church. But the church is not the highest goal....God’s all-supplying glory in giving and our humble gladness in receiving are not in competition. Joyful thankfulness glorifies God." So, believers, we should - not just on Thanksgiving (yesterday) - daily be joyfully thankful for God's grace and blessings.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of my gratitude - daily!  You died for me and You never leave or forsake me and Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path!  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 accept 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 understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.

2 Timothy 3

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which focuses on the corrosive power of ungratefulness.  John Piper first starts the devotion by referring us to Paul's words to Timothy regarding what we can expect during the last days.  He then pivots to the anti-dote of this last days heart condition - and he points to the how ungratefulness is found at the end of v2.  Exploring this anti-dote, Piper moves to Ephesians 5:4, where Paul says "[l]et there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving."  Piper sums up the devotion by stating that the reason gratitude is the anti-dote "is that the feeling of gratitude is a humble feeling, not a proud one. It is other-exalting, not self-exalting. And it is glad-hearted, not angry or bitter. Bitter thankfulness is a contradiction in terms. The key to unlocking a heart of thankfulness and overcoming bitterness and ugliness and disrespect and violence is a strong belief in God, the Creator and Sustainer and Provider and Hope-giver. If we do not believe we are deeply indebted to God for all we have and hope to have, then the very spring of gratitude has gone dry."  Gratitude must extend beyond the upcoming holiday of Thanksgiving, and be part of a daily discipline of humbly going to God, recognizing that He is our provider and sustainer - without Him we can do nothing.

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.  John 15:1-5

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the great Provider and Sustainer - in You and through You we have it all, including abundance in this life and eternity and in Heaven.  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.

[Give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5

[Give] thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:20

I continue my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I stay in Ephesians 5, examining v15-21 in more detail. In relation to v14, v15 pivots from an exhortation to make full use of how we are (vs just doing) light (vs darkness), to - in light of being a light and the responsibility it is - be on on guard for Satan and how evil influences pervade our world (v16b). We are to be wise and careful (v15), to make the best use of our time, (v16a), to not be foolish (v17a), and to understand what the will of the Lord is (v17b).  We are urged to be filled with the Spirit (v18b), and to address one another (within the church) as members of the church all worshiping/revering God, submitting to one another (serving), and praising and giving thanks to God what who He is and what He has done.  This DesiringGod.com video describes pairs of negatives/positives in v15-18, and what the implications are for being filled with the Holy Spirit (v19, 21).  It zooms in on v20, which, if read and more fully understood, says give thanks "for everything," and in the video John Piper points out how this means the good and the bad, enabling (if filled with the Holy Spirit) us to not just understand the will of the Lord is but also to follow/submit to it.  Piper then ends the video by emphasizing how such gratitude becomes the "root" (see also Ephesians 5:4) of obedience to Christ. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome incredible God who helps me see good in all times, in all circumstances - thank You Jesus!  You are worthy of my praise and worship and I know that is why I exist.  I know I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please 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.  Please provide energy and wisdom to Lisa and myself. 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.

 

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder[.]

2 Peter 3

This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder[.] 2 Peter 3:1

I continue a short pause on my study of Isaiah to listen to John Piper's devotional for today that focuses on a need to remind ourselves of how amazing it is WHO Jesus is and what HE has accomplished - for us.  We are urged to never allow ourselves to be dulled by Jesus' resurrection and what it means for us. We are reminded by Piper that (1) "[b]ecause of the resurrection of Jesus, we are born again to a living hope" (see also 1 Peter 1:3) and (2) "[b]ecause of Jesus’s resurrection, he now has the glory for which we were made. Our ultimate destiny is to see him as he is" (see also 1 Peter 1:21 and John 17:5, 24). Piper uses 2 Peter 3:1 as means to demonstrate how we need reminders of God's glory.

When we grow dull to who Jesus is and what He has done for us - it is then that we begin to think and live dangerously.  For example, we may think to ourselves that we don't need Jesus - every day.  This is dangerous indeed.  See also my post yesterday.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, YOU are amazing and YOU have done amazing things...for me!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues and it is 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 this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end[.]

Lamentations 3

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end[.] Lamentations 3:21-22

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on what Piper refers to as "the great battle of [our lives]."  He unpacks this great battle by first stating that "[o]ne of the great enemies of hope is forgetting God’s promises." The antidote is the constantly remind ourselves of the "greatness and grace and power and wisdom of God." Otherwise, Piper writes how "we languish...[by] wallow[ing] in the mire of godless messages in [our] head."  We are referred to John 14:26 where Jesus promises the Holy Spirit and says that the Holy Spirit "will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you."  We are also referred to Psalm 77:11-12 where it says:

I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.  I will ponder all your work, and meditate on your mighty deeds. Psalm 77:11-12

I am indeed grateful for all that God is and for all that God has done.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and all that You have done is great and You have done much, and in fact You have done it all as You are the source of all things and my life.  Thank You Jesus for giving me life to the full and for eternity with You in Heaven.  I am not deserving of these blessings...not by a long shot!  I sin daily...worry, 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 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.

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel."

 Leviticus 23

“Remember these things, Jacob, for you, Israel, are my servant. I have made you, you are my servant; Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you.” Sing for joy, you heavens, for the Lord has done this; shout aloud, you earth beneath. Burst into song, you mountains, you forests and all your trees, for the Lord has redeemed Jacob, he displays his glory in Israel." Isaiah 44:21-23

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter twenty - Celebrating Our Relationship with the Sovereign Lord of Time  - covering Leviticus 23:1-44, looking specifically at the introduction and first theme for the chapter - Look at the Old Covenant Celebrations God Established.  In the introduction, the commentary states that, upon a reading of Leviticus 23, we are to observe and understand how God is sovereign over time, "and He calls us to order our time around Him, and go into His presence to regularly worship Him, thank Him, commit to Him, and seek His forgiveness....God's Word compels us to build all of life around Him and direct all of life to Him"; this includes work, family, free time, good times and bad times - all our time should center around and revolve around Him as we demonstrate spiritual disciplines of worship, prayer, service, and love of God and others.  Looking specifically at the theme for today, the commentary then describes the Old Covenant celebrations found in Leviticus 23:

• Passover v4-5: celebrates how God rescued Israelites infant boys from the final plague sent from God as He demonstrated His wrath against Egypt in preparation for delivering the Israelites from bondage
• Festival of Unleavened Bread v6-8: celebrates how the Israelites rushed out of Egypt and were rescued from bondage and in their hasted could only bring unleavened bread
• Festival of Firstfruits v8-14: celebrates the beginning of the harvest
  
• Festival of Weeks v15: celebrates the harvest
• Festival of trumpets v23-25: celebrates the coming of the new year
• Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur)
• Festival of Booths (Tabernacles - Succoth) v33-43: celebrates how Israel survived the wilderness on their journey from Egypt to the promised land (see also Nehemiah 8:14-16)  

The commentary wraps but asking why believers should learn about these festivals.  It states that "[f]irst this information is important because it is in the Bible.  Second, the old covenant festivals are important because of what God did in salvation history during those festivals and how that salvation history relates to us." 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You an amazing God who loves me and who is full of mercy and grace for me - I am not deserving of such grace.  I have sin...daily...of worry and other sins.  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.

Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes?

Moses

Ask now about the former days, long before your time, from the day God created human beings on the earth; ask from one end of the heavens to the other. Has anything so great as this ever happened, or has anything like it ever been heard of? Has any other people heard the voice of God speaking out of fire, as you have, and lived? Has any god ever tried to take for himself one nation out of another nation, by testings, by signs and wonders, by war, by a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, or by great and awesome deeds, like all the things the Lord your God did for you in Egypt before your very eyes? Deuteronomy 4:32-34

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Moses: A Glimpse of God's Glory*".

*Title of lesson four from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado with Aaron confronting Pharaoh to "let my people go (Exodus 5)". Although not without resistance - Pharaoh ultimately let's the Israelites leave Egypt.  His heart hardens once again as he sends his army into the wilderness to capture the fleeing Israelites.  God of course parts the Red Sea, closes it up once Israel passes through to dry ground, and then swallows up the Egyptian army (Exodus 14).  Throughout this whole process, God demonstrates His power - plagues and miracles.  His miracles and love fail to relent as Israel soon forgets how God did all this for them and they grumble about a lack of food - God provided for their needs in ways unimaginable for them so once again they could be clear about the source of their provision (Exodus 16).  Some however, failed to trust God.  

Lucado points how God designed a daily collection process (of manna) and this daily dependence on God is His intent.  We are to daily go to God for first and foremost spiritual provision and of course provision for all things. He created us, sustain us, and God wants us to embrace this through a daily, lifelong relationship with Him.

Our daily "collection process" with God must include an element of gratitude and worship - similar to Moses' words for what God for Israel. 

Once again, John Piper provides this great post on worship and why it is important - Piper points out that we cannot be merciful to others without being "worshipful" - otherwise our actions simply become another "social agenda" to do good. 100% agree!  Worship serves many purposes - of course to direct our hearts towards God and from there God directs our hearts towards others.  Our worship must be daily and a key focus must include gratitude for what He has provided - and the list should be long for all of us!

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed not only for what You have done for me personally but for what You have done for so many people I know - what a great God You are!  Thank You for the daily provision You provide and SO much more - I am not deserving for all that You do for me.  I worry and I have many other sins 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.

You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.

Isaiah 14-17 and 34 

You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain. Isaiah 17:10-11

Day 181 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 study of the prophecies of Isaiah. This morning my focus is Isaiah's judgement of Israel and Judah's neighbors. My commentary* reminds me how King Ahaz of Judah (2 Kings 16) "[became] "a vassal to Assyria, paying tribute and doing in effect whatever Assyria demands".  It also goes on describe the implications of Judah's dependence on Assyria and how God uses Isaiah to deliver a judgement and warning to neighboring nations: "[d]ependence upon Assyria has become necessary because Judah is once again vulnerable to the Edomites and Philistines. Although Isaiah knows that invasions by foreign nations are part of God’s plan for punishing Judah, he is also aware that these nations are acting from their own wicked motivations, and that God will ultimately bring about their destruction as well. Therefore Isaiah pronounces God’s judgment against several nations at this and later times".

Isaiah delivers judgements and warnings to "all nations" (Isaiah 34), including Assyria (Isaiah 14), Moab (Isaiah 15-16), and Syria (Isaiah 17).  

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

Once again, as I posted yesterday, I am reminded how important it is to worship and go to God daily so that we can remember all that God has done for us and maintain a heart of gratitude.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has paid the ultimate sacrifice - for me - and You continue to and always will be there for me doing so much for me.  I know that You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I worry, am full of anger and often harsh with others.  PLEASE forgive me Jesus.  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 will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.”

Isaiah 10-12, 2 Kings 16, and 2 Chronicles 28 

"I will praise you, Lord. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away and you have comforted me. Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation.” Isaiah 12:1-2

Day 180 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 study of the prophecies of Isaiah.  This morning my commentary* describes Isaiah's prophecies (1) God's anger against those who claim to follow God commands for justice but don't in practice (Isaiah 10:1-4), (2) God's anger for Assyria who has overrun the northern kingdom of Israel (Isaiah 10:5-19), (3) how God will save the few faithful in Israel and Judah - referring to them as the remnant (Isaiah 10:20-23), (4) how God will help Israel and Judah overcome captivity (Isaiah 10:24-34), (5) of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 11:1-16), and (6) how Israel and Judah will praise God for deliverance from captivity (Isaiah 12:1-6).

My commentary also discusses King Ahaz's (Judah) response to Isaiah's prophecies: "Ahaz must surely consider Isaiah a crazy dreamer. He probably does not even begin to understand Isaiah’s message regarding the coming Messiah. Moreover, he does not have enough faith in God to believe that he could actually defeat Israel and Syria (and even Assyria, if necessary) simply by trusting God. Foolishly, Ahaz will trust his own military strength instead".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Because Ahaz does not fully trust in the Lord - Judah is defeated by Israel and Syria (2 Kings 16 and 2 Chronicles 28) and taken captive by Israel.  What is remarkable about this turn of events is how God convicts the hearts of Israel to return the Judean captives:

But a prophet of the Lord named Oded was there, and he went out to meet the army when it returned to Samaria. He said to them, “Because the Lord, the God of your ancestors, was angry with Judah, he gave them into your hand. But you have slaughtered them in a rage that reaches to heaven. And now you intend to make the men and women of Judah and Jerusalem your slaves. But aren’t you also guilty of sins against the Lord your God? Now listen to me! Send back your fellow Israelites you have taken as prisoners, for the Lord’s fierce anger rests on you.”  Then some of the leaders in Ephraim—Azariah son of Jehohanan, Berekiah son of Meshillemoth, Jehizkiah son of Shallum, and Amasa son of Hadlai—confronted those who were arriving from the war. “You must not bring those prisoners here,” they said, “or we will be guilty before the Lord. Do you intend to add to our sin and guilt? For our guilt is already great, and his fierce anger rests on Israel.” 2 Chronicles 28:9-13

Ahaz's unfaithfulness and how he led Judah into sin is summarized:

The Lord had humbled Judah because of Ahaz king of Israel, for he had promoted wickedness in Judah and had been most unfaithful to the Lord. Tiglath-Pileser king of Assyria came to him, but he gave him trouble instead of help. Ahaz took some of the things from the temple of the Lord and from the royal palace and from the officials and presented them to the king of Assyria, but that did not help him. 2 Chronicles 28:19-21

This morning I see God's message how we must  maintain a heart of worship and gratitude towards Him as a core spiritual discipline.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS and IS ALWAYS doing great things for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I worry and have other sin. 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.

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.....Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.....

Psalm 70, 71, 77, 83, and 86

From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother’s womb. I will ever praise you.....Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds.....Psalm 71:6, 17

Day 111 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 with "Psalms of the Troubled Soul".

Today's psalms focus on prayers for the urgency for God's deliverance, for God's presence even in old age, for the comfort of knowing God's record of deliverance, for punishment of oppressing nations, and for mercy in the face of enemies.  Praising God during the good times comes to mind as a critical spiritual discipline.  Gratitude, even for God's blessings from our childhood or from years ago, serves as, according to John Piper, "an essential guardian of the soul, and therefore we should guard ourselves with as gratitude. He goes on to day that, "[e]vidently we are fair game for the devil when we don't abound with thanksgiving".  We must build the muscle of gratitude. 

David does this in the Psalms, with Psalm 71 being my example.  David experienced difficulties, like we all do, and as Jesus promises (John 16:33). Yet David was able to draw upon his heart of gratitude to protect himself and to keep himself close to God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done SO much for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...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 the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him.

Genesis 4-5

But the Lord said to him, “Not so; anyone who kills Cain will suffer vengeance seven times over.” Then the Lord put a mark on Cain so that no one who found him would kill him. 4:15

Day 2 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith).

This morning's study focuses on the first family of creation with the birth of Cain and Abel (later on with Seth).  The study continues through the birth of 10 successive generations through Noah and his sons.  The study highlights the story of Cain and Able and their offerings to God where Abel's offering is pleasing to the Lord (4:4) yet Cain's is not (4:5).  Cain is punished but like Adam and Eve they are spared their lives and Cain is protected by the mark God places on him (4:15).  The study focuses on God's mercy indicating*:

"Although God punishes Cain for his wrongdoing, the text gives some interesting insight into the character of God by indicating that, despite Cain’s great sin, God nevertheless shows mercy to him. This is not to be a unique act of grace. God’s mercy will be seen time and again. Unfortunately, Cain apparently does not respond favorably to God’s mercy, at least if his descendants are any reflection of Cain’s continued character."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

Questions worth reflection include (1) to what extent have we experienced God's mercy - I am only on day two of my year-long study and I have already encountered two great instances of God's mercy! (2) to what extent am I grateful and do I respond appropriately in worship of God's mercy?

Think about what could have been the result of Cain's life should he repented of his sin and turned towards God - there are ample examples of repentance and how God used sinners (all of us) to bring others to Him.  Think Moses and Paul (both murderers!).  Another great example is Chuck Colson - from Watergate to Prison Fellowship - what a turn!

This is the nature of God's mercy - we don't deserve it, but God time and time again pours out it for us, including through death on the cross of His Son Jesus!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - I grumble and complain and often gossip - 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 and 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.

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.”

Luke 17

Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” v17-19

Once again, I lean on John Piper to gain a deeper understanding of this passage in Luke where Jesus heals 10 lepers. Jesus rightly asks the question about how the other 9 lepers completely miss the point of Jesus.  The point of course being that it's not about what God has done for us or gives us but instead that Jesus is God and our focus should be on WHO Jesus is not what He has done for us.

Piper uses Romans 8:32 to further illustrate

He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things.  Romans 8:32

There is also James 1:17:

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.  James 1:17

See also posts on [apart from God] "no good thing".

We must take the time to get to know the greatness of God!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You have given me many great blessings most importantly You gave me Your One and Only Son Jesus that He would live in my heart and life as my personal Lord and Savior!  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of such a gift.  I daily 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 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.

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord. “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

Haggai 1

This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.  “You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. v7-9

Haggai is a prophet who admonishes the Jews for their lack of focus on God after they gained their freedom from 70 years of Babylonian captivity. We should not forget what God has done in our lives - we should daily express our gratitude for Him and worship Him for who He is and His role to give us life and freedom from the sting of sin and death.  Don't ignore God and seek Him only when times are tough.  Go to Him daily, especially when times are good.

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who died for me. Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worthy of such a gift.  I daily 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 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.

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us.

Isaiah 26

Lord, you establish peace for us; all that we have accomplished you have done for us. v12

In the midst of God's anger - his perfect judgement - we see God's love and how He loves us and provides for us. We should be full of gratitude for all that God does for us as apart from Him we can do and have no good things:

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who provides for ALL of my needs and SO good to me - 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. 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.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

Psalm 105

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. v5-6

This Psalm causes us to recall how God is faithful - how he made and kept a covenant with Abraham, Issac, and Jacob and how he rescued Israel from Egypt.  

We should praise God for what He has done - not just for what we know is Truth in the Bible but for ourselves specifically in our lives.  God sent His Son Jesus to die on the cross for me - this I know but of course there is so much more.  He has transformed my heart and my life to be more like Him - I am less angry, more patient, etc. I still worry - but less so.  All "fruits of spirit".  I have more to go...the race is not over.  I must endure.

We work hard with our own hands. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly. Acts 4:12-13

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has worked wonders in the world and for me specifically - thank You Jesus!  My cup for sure overflows.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry...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.

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!

1 John 3

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! v1

We have been blessed indeed.  We have a Father that knows everything about us, including our sin, yet He chose to live as we do, suffering and dying in our place.  We are blessed indeed!

Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteousness that the LORD your God is giving you this good land to possess, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:6

 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. 2 Corinthians 8:9

 

We should be content with what we have and because we have such a God!

 

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126:3

 

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17

 

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

My Prayer: Indeed - You are Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior!  King of Kings and Lord of Lords...all knowing and all powerful.  You DO know everything about me...yet You chose me as Your son...and gave me blessings that are overwhelming.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such showers of love.  I am selfish, lazy, worrisome, etc.  Please forgive me and 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, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Psalm 136

Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever. v26

In our worship we should be - as best as possible - mindful of all of the ways that God is great and how His love endures.  I say as best as possible because I don't think we can fully grasp the depth and breadth of God's love for us - He is THAT great. This should prompt us to live a life as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1) to God and to be grateful for who He is and what He does and will always continue to do for us.

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God full of love and compassion for me and all of Your children...and Your love endures forever!  Thank You!  I am not worth such love...I am harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. v3

We should not wait for certain times of year (Passover, Thanksgiving, Christmas, etc.) to celebrate all of the great things God has done for us.  We should go to God daily with our praise and worship.  There will never be a shortage of gratitude in our lives.  Our love for God should grow as our appreciation of His blessings are more present in our live.

My Prayer: Lord, You are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords and You are my personal Lord and Savior, You came for me, died for me, and You give me life to the full - thank You Jesus...amazing that You have done all of this and that You continue to bless me and be so full of compassion for me.  I am not worth such love.  I worry, I am impatient, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus, help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob.

Psalm 105

Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced, you his servants, the descendants of Abraham, his chosen ones, the children of Jacob. v5-6

God is indeed worthy of our worship and praise.  Friday I posted how God created and reigns over all of creation.  This morning, my focus is on how we must be remember all that God has done, for His wonders never cease, and His power and hand is present in all of our lives, in the world, all of the time.  Many times we cannot recognize that suffering is either a miracle in itself for what is produces or it is a precursor to a miracle.   

We must be mindful that God has not only done wondrous things but He continues to do them and will always be full of miracles - it is in His nature.  God wants us to be in awe and in fear of Him and He also wants to love others as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  We are to be remember and be grateful.

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God full of love, kindness, generosity, patience, etc. for me...thank You Jesus.  I know I am not deserving of such love.  I am impatient, selfish, etc.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Praise You for a great appointment Lisa had on Friday.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.