And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed.

Acts 13:48

And when the Gentiles heard this, they began rejoicing and glorifying the word of the Lord, and as many as were appointed to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48

While I have completed my study of Zechariah and it's time to transition to Malachi (as part of my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book), I pause before moving to Malachi to study Acts 13-14 as preparation for my Sunday school discussion this upcoming Sunday. For today, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at Book video for Acts 13:48 (Part 1 of 2) where John Piper unpacks the text looking at the doctrine unconditional election.  The key question at hand is who or what was the decisive cause of our faith? The text is clear on this question - not just with this verse which describes how many Gentiles "were appointed to eternal life [and] believed."  It is God who is of course doing the appointing or election and this election is unconditional because there is nothing we can do to earn this election.  Piper refers us to John 10:26-27, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Ephesians 2:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:24-26 which support this doctrine.  To conclude the lab, Piper then shares how there are several takeaways from the text in terms of how it should move us: (1) we should be humble because we know it is God who gives us faith and it is not of our own doing, (2) we should be thankful because it is a gift God gives us to us and it is of course of value (an understatement!) and a blessing, and (3) we should have hope for others, even the hardest of sinners because there is no obstacle to faith that God cannot tear down for someone to come to faith.  This also reinforces a key theme I've been looking at with Acts 13-14 - that Paul and Barnabas, as the travel on their 1st missionary journey, are persistent in sharing the Good News with others, even when some reject it.  When you allow the Holy Spirit to work through you to speak boldly about the Good News of Jesus Christ, it is Christ who is the decisive cause of whether someone listening will become one of God's elect.  When someone does not believe, it does not change our mission to continue sharing the gospel - our job is to share the Good News, not to soften hearts, bring someone to repentance, or to bring about election - these are all the job of God and Him alone.  We may be an instrument of His but not the decisive cause.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and my Savior! Thank You for the gift of my faith!  I am not deserving!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my 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 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. 

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.

 Haggai 2:1-5

Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel, declares the LORD. Be strong, O Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land, declares the LORD. Work, for I am with you, declares the LORD of hosts, according to the covenant that I made with you when you came out of Egypt. My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not. Haggai 2:4-5

I continue my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a unassisted review of Haggai 2:1-5, which the commentary outlines as the first division for Haggai 2:1-9. More encouragement delivered through Haggai from the Lord!  In chapter 1 we see God express His disappointment and anger in Israel as they focus on their own lives while the temple lies in disrepair and ruin.  He works in the hearts of leadership and the people and they turn towards the Lord and begin work on the temple - and God shares how He is with them.  Encouraging!  Here in chapter 2, the Lord continues to encourage the governor, the high priest and the people.  He first encourages them to remember the former glory of the temple (v4).  All believers should have top of mind all that God has done, not just in our own lives but everywhere throughout redemptive history.  Our hearts should be filled with gratitude as we recall all that God has done and we should draw nearer to God stay there - in fellowship with Him.  God then encourages us to be strong - there is hard work ahead of Israel to rebuild the temple - there will be days when they grow weary or are otherwise discouraged or afraid to proceed - in the face of this God is with them (vv4-5).  God says to be strong and fear not - the people are to recall God's faithfulness as He shares the covenant He made with them as they left bondage in Egypt - leading them to the promised land. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a faithful God, always keeping Your promises and You are always with me, and I can never be separated from Your love.  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.

[B]y the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.

1 Corinthians 15

[B]y the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. 1 Corinthians 15:10

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today emphasizes God's grace, and in John Piper's words, how it is "ont only God’s disposition to do good for us when we don’t deserve it. It is an actual power from God that acts and makes good things happen in us and for us."  The highlighted text from 1 Corinthians 15 shares how Paul believes that God's grace worked within him to make him work hard.  Piper next refers us to Philippians 2:12-13, where Paul "adds" that for believers, God's grace "works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that God's grace "is past and it is future. It is ever-cascading over the infinitesimal waterfall of the present, from the inexhaustible river of grace coming to us from the future, into the ever-increasing reservoir of grace in the past."  Piper's final words for the devotion include a proper response to God's grace: "[t]he proper response to the grace you experienced in the past is thankfulness, and the proper response to grace promised to you in the future is faith. We are thankful for the past grace of the last year, and we are confident in the future grace for the new year."

Be thankful and faithful!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has freely distributed grace to me in an indescribable number of ways and for this I am thankful.  Yet I know that 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.

 

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."

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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

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 looks at gratitude to God and how it glorifies Him.  John Piper starts the devotion by sharing that "[g]ratitude to God is a joyful emotion. We have a sense of joyful indebtedness for his grace. So in a sense in the very emotion of gratitude, we are still the beneficiaries. But by its very nature, gratitude glorifies the giver. When we feel thankful, we acknowledge our need and God’s beneficence, God’s fullness, the riches of his glory."  Piper goes on to describe how Paul, even though he labors for the church, his ultimate goal (see also 1 Corinthians 10:31) is the glory of God.  In the verse in 2 Corinthians 4 that Piper highlights today, Paul describes how, as each new person is saved, God gets more and more glory as each new person saved thanks Him for his or her salvation - as salvation is of course a gift of which all believers are undeserving.  Believers be grateful to Him and bring glory to God - this is why we exist.

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God and worthy of all glory - You freely give me salvation and pour out Your mercies every day.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of any of this.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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.   

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth[.]

Titus 1

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God's elect and their knowledge of the truth[.] Titus 1:1a

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 2, the focus is Titus 1 and a review of this text assisted by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary: 1 & 2 Timothy and Titus.  The first chapter of the commentary explores Titus 1:1-4.

From the commentary:

• Main idea: The salvation we have received in Jesus Christ leads to a life of godliness and service to God our Savior.
• Excepts from the introduction to the commentary for this text: The text today is "one of Paul’s longest introductions [to any of his letters]....[the book of Titus is] sound in doctrine and zealous for good works are twin themes that tie this short, powerful epistle together....We could consider the theme [of the letter] to be “An Apostolic Manual for Church Planting.” Here is a blueprint for planting and building churches that will survive and thrive for the glory of God." 
  

Divisions from the commentary:

1. We Are Servants of Our Lord (1:1): Paul "demonstrates the humility that should characterize our lives as servants of our Lord." It is noted that while Paul was not of the original twelve disciples, he soon became one Christ's core disciples "'but one abnormally born,' placed into the office at a different time and in an unusual way (see also 1 Corinthians 15:8)." All believers should consider themselves sent by God to go wherever He calls us - this gives us authority to do His calling.  "[Paul] says his apostleship exists for “the faith” (here is human responsibility) “of God’s elect” (here is divine sovereignty). Paul sees no dichotomy, no contradiction between the sovereignty of God and the human responsibility of man....The child of God is to live a sanctified life, a holy life, a pure life, and a godly life. Here the genuineness of the truth of the gospel is lived out for all to see. This speaks of our maturity as followers of Christ and further describes the purpose of our ministry. As servants of God, we exist to seek both the salvation of the lost and growth in godliness in the life of the believer."   
   
2. We Are Secure in the Lord (1:2-3): "Paul understood that radical service for the Lord Jesus Christ must be grounded in a security in Christ that sets us free to serve Him with an otherworldly abandonment that knows, no matter what: I am His!".... Paul here addresses one of the great promises of Scripture, placing all its weight on the character of God. Note the wonderful “chain reaction”! The saving faith of those who belong to God leads to a knowledge of the truth [(the Word)], which will lead to godliness, all of which rests on the hope of eternal life in a God who cannot lie! What a promise! What a hope!"
   
3. We Are Separated unto the Lord (1:4): As the letter's opening salutation mentions Titus, the commentary emphasizes how Paul and Titus (as did Timothy) shared a common faith, and it describes how the word savior "appeared 12 times in the New Testament", 6 in Titus alone, suggesting "[t]he question of who is Savior must have been an issue on the island of Crete." V4 also shares how because of the common faith we share with Paul, Titus, and Timothy, "we are family[, and] we are loved by our Father and our Savior. Flowing from that love are the three Christian blessings of grace, mercy, and peace."

Excerpt from the commentary's conclusion: "Grace inspires godliness. Salvation inspires service. Those who understand that God’s love for them and His desire for their salvation originates in eternity past and continues through eternity future will be compelled to love Him and serve Him. They will do so not out of obligation but out of gratitude[.]"

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My Prayer: Lord You are SO good, and worthy of my worship, love, and service - for eternity. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are good to me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

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.

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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

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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. 

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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.

 

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love.

Isaiah 61-63

I will recount the steadfast love of the Lord, the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord has granted us, and the great goodness to the house of Israel that he has granted them according to his compassion, according to the abundance of his steadfast love. Isaiah 63:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 4 (of 5) of week 22, which looks at Isaiah 61-63.  Day 4 focuses on observations of Isaiah 63.  My commentary describes the main idea of this chapter (which the commentary groups with 64:1-12 as well) as "God’s passionate response to sin, both in wrath for the nations and discipline for his people, [and how such a response] should call forth persistent and fervent prayer from God’s people."  The commentary describes how this chapter is a foretaste of end times, describes an "intercessor," and  includes the following divisions:

• The intercessor recounts the Lord’s history of love (63:7-9). 
• The intercessor confesses sin (63:10). 
• The intercessor prays based on the Lord’s history (63:11-16). 
• The intercessor laments over the Lord’s disciplines (63:17-19). 
• The intercessor pleads for God to descend (64:1-5a).
  

We all sin and need a Savior, and our prayers should never cease to thank Him for His amazing grace, and for His help to become more like Him.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God whose love knows no bounds for me and whose grace is amazing indeed!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.

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.

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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.

“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.

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility....Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

Leviticus 3, 7

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility....Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ….Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. Ephesians 2:14, Romans 5:1, John 14:27

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - wrapping up at chapter three - Peace with God - covering Leviticus 3:1-17, looking specifically at the final themes We Express Thanksgiving to God, We Give Our Best to God, We Share Our Lives with the People of God, and We Find Peace with God. Here, my commentary describes the peace offering in Leviticus 3 and 7 (ESV) as the fellowship offering, and a quick check of the NIV translation reveals how these translations (ESV and NIV) both refer to the same offering - peace (ESV) and fellowship (NIV).

Aligning with the themes for today, my commentary urges us to see how the peace/fellowship offering:

• offers thanksgiving to God for providing a path to atonement and communion with Him
• represents how we are to give our best to God as the fat portions of the animal are seen as rare and as such a delicacy at the time of the Old Testament - an offering of fat was to be giving God our best
• describes corporate worship and fellowship both with God and with other worshipers - in the presence of God, eating of meals together from the fellowship offering; we are to share our lives not just with God but also with the people of God; the commentary urges us also to look at how we are to pray for one another (James 5:16), encourage one another (Hebrews 10:25), bear one another's burdens (Galatians 6:2), exhort one another (Hebrews 3:13), love one another (John 13:34), serve another (1 Peter 4:10), be kind to one another, and forgive one another (Ephesians 4:32); "[c]learly God intends for us to share our lives with His people."
  
•  in the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, provides the perfect sacrifice for sin and Jesus is our peace (Ephesians 2:14, Romans 5:1, John 14:27)

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who provides peace - with God, with others, and peace of mind - thank You Jesus!  You are truly amazing and I am not deserving how You reconciled me to Yourself...I continue to sin.  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.

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness....But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Leviticus 2

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness....But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. Romans 6:13, 1 Corinthians 15:20-23

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Exalt Jesus, the Center of Our Worship. Here, the commentary looks at how the grain offering as described in Leviticus 2 points to Jesus and how we are to exalt Jesus in all aspects of our worship. 

• We demonstrate gratitude for how God provides
• We demonstrate dedication to God as our Lord and Savior, including dedication to how God expects us to repent from our sins and ask Him for forgiveness
• We are reminded that with the sacrificial system, first given here in the Old Testament with Leviticus and then done away with as Jesus died once and for all, God is not interested in empty worship rituals but in our heart condition - see post from a few days ago

The commentary emphasizes how Jesus makes possible our dedication by giving us a new self and new life.  Romans 6:13 is referenced how we are to dedicate ourselves to God and righteousness/holiness - we can do that through the life and new creation Jesus makes possible. 

We are urged to see how Paul uses Levitical language (see Leviticus 2:12, 14) in 1 Corinthians 15:20 where he refers to Jesus as the "firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."  The commentary states: "the resurrection of Jesus is the first of a great harvest of souls who will be gathered in heaven for worship."  We are urged to reflect on how our worship here on earth, and how despite how we may strive to dedicate ourselves in worship now, it cannot compare to the worship we will experience in Heaven.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is worthy of my full attention, dedication, and white hot worship...You loved me and saved me, even though I was an enemy of God; and you still love me and never leave me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - not at all!  My sin continues and I am easily distracted by the world and I often seek my own comfort first above You.  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.

“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Leviticus 2

“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Leviticus 2:1-2

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - moving to chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Enact Dedication to God which focuses on v2:1-3.  Leviticus 2 overall looks at the grain offering vs the burnt offering described in Leviticus 1. The commentary offers up minchah as the Hebrew word for the grain offering.  It is defined further as a tribute or gift one might offer to a king - see examples 2 Samuel 8:2,6 and 2 Kings 17:3-6 of how tribute was offered and withheld respectively.  In the Old Testament such tributes were offered by subdued/servant nations and given to the conquering/overlord nation. Unlike the burnt offering, the grain offering was given not for atonement but for worship, to demonstrate gratitude for how God provides all things and to demonstrate allegiance to God. The commentary urges us to not only feel dedication/allegiance but to demonstrate it.  Giving to God and others is also urged as a means to demonstrate our worship of God.  It is also described how God wanted the grain offering to consist of fine flour - signifying an offering of the best we have -  frankincense and oil, all of which were very expensive at the time and not readily available to the nomadic people of Israel who had yet to settle in the promised land.  

We are urged to give our best in worship and with our lives every day - see John Piper on this latter point. 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You deserve my very best - yet there are times, like today, where I don't start my day with You and lose focus with distractions. Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome my sin of conforming to the world 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.

I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.

Psalm 44, 74, 79, 8, 85, 89

I put no trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever. Psalm 44:6-8

Day 261 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 as I move to a study of the Psalms about those my commentary indicates as those in exile who "[l]ike Job...have fallen from prosperity into shame".  As they face "ridicule and even death[,] [t]heir prayers in the midst of captivity and exile reveal a people reflecting seriously upon their predicament and the sins which brought it about. Confession is a central theme, and hope for deliverance is their prayer. The...ten psalms [six from today's reading] expose the agonizing loneliness of not only these captives but anyone who has ever awakened to the harsh realization that he or she is in spiritual exile."

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

Psalm 44, in particular, focuses on a heart of gratitude with regards to humility and acknowledging where our victories come from and the source of our strength. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my strength and it is only through You that I have experienced victory.  You are my defender and my refuge...my All in All. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your love nor am I deserving of being adopted into Your family.  My sin is daily - gossip, worry, harsh words and actions, 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.

And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord.

 Ezekiel 19-22

And you have forgotten me, declares the Sovereign Lord. Ezekiel 22:12

Day 229 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 with my study of Ezekiel. My commentary describes today's reading "[a]s a lasting reminder of how the wicked are brought down[.] Ezekiel writes a lament for two of Judah’s kings who were taken by Judah’s oppressors. It has been some 17 years since Pharaoh Necho led King Jehoahaz away to captivity in Egypt, and some six years since Nebuchadnezzar brought a subdued King Jehoiakin to Babylonia. Their capture and exile are witness to Judah’s vulnerability to God’s judgment."

Ezekiel also delivers from God words of judgement on both Israel and Judah. The puppet king Zedekiah is warned as is the Ammonites.

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

Sticking out like a sore thumb this morning are God's words how Judah failed to remember all that God had done for Judah, including all of the grace and patience God demonstrates over many generations where sin and disobedience to God continued, albeit with certain periods of obedience and love for God. 

Worship and a heart of gratitude are critical for our journey with God. God has done SO much for us and we must recognize this and praise Him daily.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who has done so much for me my whole life and even today - how You give me life and life to the full.  I am not deserving of how You are so full of love and grace for me.  My sin continues.  Forgive me Father.  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."

 Isaiah 43-45

“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

 

Day 194 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 with my study of Isaiah. This morning, Isaiah's message seeks to remind those in exile who God is, that He is the one and only true God, that He is omnipotent, that He is great and worthy of praise, that Babylon will fall, that He will use King Cyrus of Persia as an instrument to deliver those in exile, that He will forgive sins, and He pour out His spirit on those suffering in exile.

 

It is important to remember who made us, why we exist, and that our Creator is full of mercy and compassion - it should compel us into worship. 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with life - to the full - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  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 an 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.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

2 Kings 17-18

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Day 188 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 as this morning we see Israel's (northern kingdom) fall. My commentary* describes "one of the darkest hours of God's chosen nation" and how "[d]espite prophetic warnings, Israel still rejects God, and the end is at hand for the northern tribes. Last-minute desperation will lead to an alliance with Egypt in an effort to stave off Assyria, but the cause is hopeless. After a three-year siege, Samaria will fall and many of the people of Israel will be led captive to Assyria. Their lands and homes will be occupied by settlers sent in from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new Samaritans will become a hybrid people and will develop an unusual mixed religion."

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

Detailed thoroughly in today's reading, there are many factors leading to Israel's fall, but in my mind lack of gratitude and humility are key - we must be thankful for all that God has done and that all that we are and have are from Him alone and not of our own doing.  We express our gratitude through daily worship and time with God.

I am struck with how BOTH Judah and Israel were complicit in Israel's fall.  From my reading this morning God "removed them from [H]is presence" (2 Kings 17:18, 23). We should never want this to happen!  Unity, encouragement of one another, and accountability in our faith are also important. 

God desires to get the attention of both kingdoms and so instead of a single kingdom as we see under David and Solomon, we get the divided kingdoms as today's reading refers back to 1 Kings 11 where Israel is "tore away" from Judah:

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 2 Kings 17:21

Today's reading is also a stark reminder how the church and believers must remain united in love of the Lord.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:12:26.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me and who continues to be with me - always!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I continue to 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.

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.