Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died, and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean.

Numbers 19:1-22

Whoever touches a dead person, the body of anyone who has died, and does not cleanse himself, defiles the tabernacle of the LORD, and that person shall be cut off from Israel; because the water for impurity was not thrown on him, he shall be unclean. Numbers 19:13

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 19:1-22 - God describes purification laws (ceremonial law) for the people.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Impurity is a big deal to God, and the text today lays out many of the Old Testament criteria or conditions that trigger impurity.  Old Testament law ultimately became twisted by the Jewish leaders who focused on the actions of purification vs the heart condition that God really seeks through purification.  Sin is really what drives impurity and this is the great equalizer because we all sin (Psalm 14:1, Romans 3:10, 23, 1 John 1:8).  The gospel of Jesus Christ, allows us to confess and be cleansed of sin and therefore be justified or declared "not guilty" or not accountable for the sin we committed as this would have if guilty led to death (Romans 6:23).  God wants us to love Him with all of our heart and allow Him to change us from the inside out - heart and life transformation.  All are deserving to hear the gospel and of the work He does in us.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Purification laws at one point were twisted by Israel to avoid association with those from other lands.  Yet we know that God never intended this as even in the Old Testament, God sought to save those beyond the borders of Israel - one such example is God sending Jonah to save Nineveh.  In the New Testament we see Peter (see Acts 10:28), based on his vision from God, make clear God's intent to not to exclude anyone not from Israel from the church - deemed unclean based on purification laws.  The gospel extends to the Gentiles and to all corners of the world (Matthew 20:19-20).   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid excluding anyone from hearing the gospel.  Claim the promise that Jesus came to seek and save the lost - all.  Follow the example of Peter, Paul and so many others who seek to bring the gospel to all tribes and nations.  Go into the world and bring the Good News everywhere.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and seeks to save everyone - all sin and fall short of the glory of God and all are worthy of hearing the gospel to be saved.  You save!  Thank You Jesus for saving me.  I am not deserving...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him.

 John 7:10-13

Yet for fear of the Jews no one spoke openly of him. John 7:13

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:10-13, where Jesus, although initially remaining in Galilee and not going to Judea during the Feast of Booths, does go to Judea - albeit "privately" to avoid greater attention from the Jews seeking to kill him. Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The text is not explicit why Jesus initially does not go to Judea during the Festival of Booths (see vv1, 8) and the other gospel accounts do not discuss this episode. Yet here Jesus apparently changes His mind - and because Jesus acts with intent and there is a plan, one can only surmise that there is a reason why Jesus goes to Judea and this is part of His plan.  Looking just at this text we are left with mystery as far as Jesus' intent. Perhaps text elsewhere in John in this and other chapters will give us more clarity.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In Jerusalem, the Jews continue to look for Jesus - again seeking to kill him.  Among the people in Jerusalem, there was much chatter about Jesus both for and against Him. V13 shares how "no one spoke openly of Jesus" out of fear of the Jews.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We know ultimately that Jesus will be arrested and crucified - and the disciples scatter.  In John 16:33, the disciples are told by Jesus to take heart as He has overcome the world (in the face of persecution).  Jesus does not want us to be living in fear but instead to speak openly of Him and how He saves.  We must follow His example and command (Great Commission) to take the Word everywhere. We (believers) too have overcome the world - claim this promise!

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My Prayer: Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You have overcome the world and give me the gift of eternal life and the power to defeat sin in my life.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin 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.

So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.”

John 4:39-42

So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them, and he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, “It is no longer because of what you said that we believe, for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” John 4:40-42

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:39-42 using the Sword Bible Study Method. After a brief focus on the disciples reaction to Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well (vv27-30), including their urging that He eat (vv31-37), the text for today comes back to the Samaritan woman's response to Jesus as well as to the response of the Samaritans townspeople.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: The text emphasizes God's attribute as omniscient - v39.  Yes, God does act with intent and a plan, but He also responds to requests (aka prayer).  While v40 is not explicitly a prayer per the text, we must see how the Samaritans' request that He "stay with them" as at least something akin to prayer (see also this Bible dictionary entry on prayer).  Jesus is also identified as Savior of the world (v42) and this is key as the gospel message unfolds both in subsequent chapters of John, the other gospel books (Matthew, Mark, Luke), and throughout the New Testament (particularly Acts and Paul's writings based on His mission journeys.  Jesus seeks for us to take the message to "all nations" (Matthew 28:20).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The Samaritan's testimony is described as powerful - v39. All believers have a powerful story to tell about how they came to faith.  We may be tempted to not see our story as dramatic or glamorous, but this is nonsense!  God saved each of us while still an enemy and hostile to Him - Romans 5:10 is a powerful reminder to this as this verse shares that we are not only reconciled to God through Christ but also saved...each of us has sin that traps us and God sets us free if we submit to Him and allow Him to work in and through us (see John 15:5). Time with God (vv40-42) is seen as powerful - if we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid the sin of omission by falling prey to the false belief that your testimony is not worth hearing.  Follow the Samaritan woman's example by sharing your testimony and the townspeople's example to seek God and to interact with Him.  Claim the promise that Jesus is Savior of the world!  Obey God's command to share the gospel with the whole world.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who loves, saves and works in and through us to make believers like me more like You - 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 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.  

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?”

 John 4:27-30

Just then his disciples came back. They marveled that he was talking with a woman, but no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?” John 4:27

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 4:27-30 using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: The disciples marvel that Jesus was talking to a woman, but as I posted yesterday and the day before, Jesus does not care about racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries - all sin and are deserving to hear the gospel and be saved.  Note as well this article on the general position of women in historical context from Smith's Bible Dictionary. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The text emphasizes how the disciples marveled that Jesus was talking to a woman, no less a Samaritan woman, yet despite how they marveled at the interaction, the text shares "no one said, “What do you seek?” or, “Why are you talking with her?" If all scripture ultimately points to Jesus, it is implied that the disciples should have asked the questions as noted, particularly because they "marveled" at what He was doing akin to a "sign" or an insightful teaching worthy of "teachable moment." The woman ultimately was so moved by the interaction with Jesus that she went back to town to tell people about it, sharing "[c]an this be the Christ?" The townspeople then went out to go be with Jesus.          
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid neglecting people based on racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries, follow Jesus' example to share fellowship and the gospel message with everyone.  Be part of the Great Commission wherever you are.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves, saves regardless of racial, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries - all are sinful (including myself) and worthy of hearing the gospel. Thank You Jesus for softening my heart and saving me!  I am not deserving of how You save nor bless with the church.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your messages for me today and every day. 

 

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father.

 John 4:1-26

The woman said to him, “Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshiped on this mountain, but you say that in Jerusalem is the place where people ought to worship.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. John 4:19-21

I continue my study of John, and today, I build on my review of John 4:1-26 by summarizing the text via an outline/divisions and a main point for the text.

Main point: God wants us to live intentionally for Him in worship and to seek and save the lost.  

1. Jesus acts with intention - there is nothing aimless about what He does as all is orchestrated with divine purposes. We should live with intent, leaning on God to understand His will for our lives.  Lean into God through daily study and prayer of God's Word to renew your mind so "that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2). 
2. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman helps us see that regardless of race, ethnic, economic, social, or cultural boundaries, we all sin and are in need of a savior.  The most important commandments are to love God, and to love others (Matthew 22:34-40).  As we love others we seek to save.
3. Worship of God is not dependent on a physical location or a church building and God designed us for both individual and corporate worship. As the Holy Spirit dwells within us, believers become the temple.  See Matthew 18:20, 1 Corinthians 3:16-17, 6:19-20.  Worship God anywhere, individually, AND go to church!      

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves, saves and provides others, including the church for us to live as You designed to worship both individually and corporately.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save nor bless with the church.  My sin is great and it continues....daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your messages for me today and every day. 

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.”

John 1:43-51

Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?” Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!” Jesus answered him, “Because I said to you, ‘I saw you under the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these.” John 1:48-50

I continue my study of John, and today, I take another pass at unpacking John 1:43-51 using the Sword Bible Study Method, and I summarize my thoughts from both yesterday and today on the text by providing an outline/divisions and main point for the text.  

Main point: Jesus is Father/Son/Holy Spirit who saves, and we must share the Good News with others. 

1. Jesus' acts with intent to seek and save the lost - vv43, 47-50, 51
2. Believers should have a right and true understanding of who Jesus is - vv45, 49 
3. Believers should act with intent to share the gospel with others - v46 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus found Philip and called Philip to follow Him; Jesus acts with intent and singular purpose to seek and save the lost, as He is not aimless and did not just "find" Philip; He was directed to go to Galilee to find Philip specifically as He was calling The Twelve (Luke 19:10, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27) - v43; same story with Nathanael.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Philip shares the gospel - even before He has a more complete understanding of what the gospel is - with Nathanael; he invites Nathanael to "come and see" this Jesus and experience Him as Philip did; God gave him the words to use to describe who he met (the Promised Messiah) and prompted him to invite Nathanael to see for himself - v45-46.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should be clear who Jesus is, and we should study scripture and know God to equip ourselves to share the gospel with others.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who saves and gives life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings He pours out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.

Mark 16:14-20

And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs. Mark 16:20

At the urging of pastors at my church and my wife Lisa, I continue my study of Mark - without assistance of a commentary.  Today, I explore Mark 16:14-20 which primarily focuses on the Great Commission:

Main point: While Jesus forgives temporary unbelief, eternal condemnation awaits those who reject the gospel message.

1. Disciples rebuked for temporary unbelief (v14)
2. Disciples charged to share the gospel to whole creation (v15)
3. Believers of gospel saved, while eternal condemnation awaits unbelievers (v16)
4. Salvation is a miracle (vv17-18)
5. Holy Spirit and miraculous signs will help disciples confirm gospel (vv19-20) 

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: After appearing to Mary M and Mary (mother of Jesus), Jesus then appears to the "eleven" disciples (everyone except Judas who had yet to be replaced see Acts 1) - v14a. Jesus then rebukes the disciples for their initial unbelief and hardness of heart regarding news of the resurrection as shared by Mary M, Mary, Cleopas, and his traveling companion - v14b.  Jesus charges His disciples to share the gospel globally and to the whole of creation - v16.  Jesus will provide miraculous signs to accompany salvation and those who believe - confirming that salvation is a work of God - vv17-18, 20 (see also Ephesians 2:8-9).  After the resurrection, Jesus ascends into Heaven to be seated at the right hand of God - v19 - but He will remain (Holy Spirit) with the disciples as they embark on the mission given to them to share the gospel globally - v20.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There will be periods when our faith will be tested and weakened, yet Jesus wants us to maintain faith so as to not fall away.  We can take heart because Jesus has overcome the world - John 16:33.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): While the disciples temporary unbelief and lack of trust in God is sinful, it is forgiven.  Scripture shares that there is unforgivable sin - see Matthew 12:31-32, Mark 3:28-30. God wants us to believe and to share the gospel globally - all true belief and salvation is accompanied by miraculous signs as believers bear spiritual fruit for abiding in God as directed in John 15:1-10.  We must obey the charge to share the gospel - locally and globally.      

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, what an awesome God You are that You save and work in me to bear fruit - without You I am nothing, certainly not saved.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You work in my heart and life.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Mark 13:24-37

And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 13:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division (vv24-27):

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "What Did Jesus Say About the End Times? Part 2" and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv24-37) is "[a]lthough we don’t know the exact moment, we do know with certainty that Jesus will come again, and therefore we must be alert."
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Come Again to Gather His People." 
• "Jesus employs end-times, or eschatological, vocabulary and imagery in these verses. That Jerusalem is not mentioned is a death knell for those who would apply these verses to its destruction in AD 70."  
• We are referred to scripture elsewhere that highlights end times descriptions: "[u]ltimate cosmic upheaval and universal cataclysmic judgment will signal that the end has come. In heaven and on earth, the cosmos will be rocked and shaken as God prepares to come in judgment in the person of the Son (cf. Isaiah 13:9-10; 34:4-5; Ezekiel 32:7-9,15)."  
• "Then . . .(v. 26)—what a wonderful word of anticipation. “They will see the Son of Man,” the great eschatological figure described in Daniel 7:13-14, “coming in clouds with great power and glory.” Edward Adams well says, “It is highly likely that Mark would want his readers to understand this reference to the coming of the Son of Man in the light of the previous mention at 8:38. The Old Testament allusions and associations in 13:24-27 fit a picture of the advent of God, with Jesus as the Son of Man in the main role” (Adams, “Coming,” 57)." 
• We are referred back to v10, and encouraged to continue proclaiming the Gospel as it will not be in vain for when Christ returns - He will come back to reap the harvest of these efforts for all of His elect. See also Revelation 7:9-10.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and You came first in the flesh, as a meager child who then live a perfect life yet willingly died for the sin of all humanity for redemptive history.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him.

Mark 2:13-17

He went out again beside the sea, and all the crowd was coming to him, and he was teaching them. And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax booth, and he said to him, “Follow me.” And he rose and followed him. Mark 2:13-14

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 2:13-14, which is the first division (Jesus Calls the Seemingly Unlikely to Follow Him) of the text 2:13-17 per commentary.  Excerpts from the introduction and first division per commentary:

• "This section of Mark, what some have called “the scandal of grace” (MacArthur, “Scandal”), has the potential to bring great conviction to the hearts of many of us. Why? First, many if not most of us do not spend much time with sinners." 
• "In this text we see Jesus, the friend of sinners, as He reaches out to the seemingly unlikely, the socially undesirable, and the spiritually unhealthy. Look carefully at all the characters in the story and ask, 'With whom do I most identify? Am I loving and serving sinners as Jesus did?'"
• "[T]o reach the lost, you have to be with the lost, and you must share the gospel."
• "Tax collectors were notorious in that day and were hated by the Jewish people as traitors and abusers of their own people. They were a mafia-like organization in the first century. They served Rome, the Gentile occupying power of Israel. They were like dishonest IRS agents who overcharged the people for their own profit. The Jewish writings known as the Mishnah and Talmud set them beside thieves and murderers. They were expelled and banned from the synagogue. The touch of a tax collector rendered a house unclean. Jews could lie to a tax collector with impunity. With money as his god, Levi was a social pariah who was spiritually bankrupt, having sold his soul to sin and self. His was a soul in need of a touch from Jesus."
• "Why would Levi leave everything and follow Jesus? Even more, why would Jesus invite such an outcast to do so? Levi saw something in Jesus that he wanted to join, and Jesus saw in Levi what he could become. Jesus saw a sinner in need of salvation, not a lowlife deserving condemnation. Jesus saw not the wicked life of a tax collector and extortionist but the changed life of a disciple, an evangelist, an apostle, and a Gospel writer. That’s the scandal of grace! Jesus sees in us what no one else can see and turns us into what we were intended to be—mature image bearers who reflect His glory."    

Believers are called to share the Good News with all people, regardless of wealth, social standing, ability, etc. As scripture shares and the commentary emphasizes - we must go to the places where people are lost; this includes not just our neighborhoods but where there is struggle, hardship, pain, loss, etc. This is a convicting message for me as I too often fail to leave the comfort of my own home.  Father God I beg You to help me become more like You in all ways, including going into the world to be a light for those who desperately need it!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace for me as I was an enemy and hostile to You but You loved me first and saved me.  Thank You Jesus - but I am undeserving of such grace, mercy and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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. 

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

Mark 2:13-17

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

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

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

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

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - giving me mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  You give me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, great teachers and resources to help me understand You and Your Word, etc.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad....And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

John 11:51-52 and John 10:16

[Caiaphas] did not say this of his own accord, but being high priest that year he prophesied that Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad....And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd. John 11:51-52, John 10:16

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #46: To Gather All His Sheep from Around the World.  Piper opens this devotion by sharing how God often uses His creation who unwittingly speak on God's behalf.  His first example is from Numbers 22:28 where a donkey speaks for God.  His next example is from John 11:50-52 where the high priest of Israel - Caiaphas - unwittingly prophesied that "Jesus would die for the nation, and not for the nation only, but also to gather into one the children of God who are scattered abroad."  Piper then shares how Jesus Himself said the same thing as Caiaphas - see John 10:16.  Emphasizing this specific prophecy, the devotion then remarks how Jesus works as "astonishing [because] [t]hey teach that all over the world there are people whom God has chosen to be reached and saved by Jesus Christ....This means that God is very aggressive in gathering a people for his Son. He calls his people to go make disciples, but he also goes before them. He has a people chosen before his messengers get there."  As the devotion begins to wind down, Piper highlights the importance of missions as he refers us to John 10:3-4.  The devotion then concludes and nets out the key response for those readers who are believers: "Jesus suffered and died so that the sheep could hear his voice and live...He gave up his life to gather the sheep. By his blood he bought the mercy that makes his voice unmistakable to his own. Pray that God would apply that mercy to you, and that you would hear and live."

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is in control and You have a perfect design and plan to reach all nations and peoples. Use me Father God in this plan - help me understand and answer Your call to serve and help.  Thank You for the incredible grace and mercy You poured out for me as shed blood so that I could live now for You and for eternity.  I am not deserving of such blessings...not by a long shot.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation[.]"

Revelation 5:9

“Worthy are you to take the scroll and to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation[.]" Revelation 5:9

I agree with this post on DesiringGod.com that states that Holy Week is the most important week in all of history. While Holy Week and Easter have passed, I do want to read to completion John Piper's 50-day devotional Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die. Today I read reason #45: To Ransom People from Every Tribe and Language and People and Nation.  Building on yesterday's devotion where Piper shared how Christ's death on the cross tore down the wall of hostility between different races and ethnicities, today's devotion emphasizes how Christ came to save people from all nations and tribes.  The devotion opens by describing end times prophesied in Revelation 5.  John shares how he saw a scroll sealed with seven seals - Piper describes this scroll as "signif[ying] the unfolding of world history in the future - and John weeps because he did not think there was anyone  to open the scroll.  John then hears a voice from a heavenly being that Jesus, who is now visible to John, because He has conquered through His death and resurrection, is able to open the scroll.  The heavenly beings then worship Christ and sing a new song - Revelation 5:9 - that "announces that it is the death of Christ that makes him worthy to open the scroll of history. The implication is that Christ’s death was necessary to accomplish God’s global purposes in history....Christ died to save a great diversity of peoples. Sin is no respecter of cultures. All peoples have sinned. Every race and culture needs to be reconciled to God. As the disease of sin is global, so the remedy is global."  The devotion then points to scripture that amplifies this claim - see John 12:32, Psalm 22:27, 67:4, Luke 24:6-7, and Matthew 28:19.  The devotion winds down with Piper first sharing that "Jesus Christ is not a tribal deity. He does not belong to one culture or one ethnic group" - see also John 1:29 and Romans 10:12-13. The final words of the devotion then encourage non-believers to repent, be saved, and to "join the great global band of the redeemed." Amen!

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My Prayer: Father God You are an amazing God who is able to bring about peace and unity like no other - and You are able to bring about peace in my heart such that I can bring my cares and concerns to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me. My sin is great and it is daily.  Please forgive me, and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord.

Acts 13:1-12

 Then the proconsul believed, when he saw what had occurred, for he was astonished at the teaching of the Lord. Acts 13:12

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 continue a 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 sermon delivered by John Piper covering Acts 13:1-12.

• Acts is narrative of how the book of Acts is a transition from how God sent His Son Jesus into the world to how Christ sent the church into the world. Churches out to be not in maintenance mode but in mission mode.
  
• Acts 13 is a great example of mission mode. 
• God's mission heart started at Advent to send His Son that extends to His church to save cannot be stopped.  God softened the heart of leaders such as Sergius Paulus who pave the way to lead others to Him (v7, 12). He also removes obstacles such as Bar Jesus/Elymas that seek to stop God's mission (vv6-11).
• The straight paths of the Lord vv8,10 represent God's mission to bring Good News to the world and to bring many to Himself in faith.  God has straight paths - He gives wisdom and He removes obstacles. We pray, we fast, we seek and God provides straight paths. 
  
• The proconsul believed - this is the straight path in this text.  God used Elymas as a means to demonstrate His might to Sergius Paulus.  God uses these obstacles for His purpose to bring about His plan. 
• Grow, press on in mission mode. Don't slip into maintenance mode.
• Don't let the Elymas characters of the world stop you - there are these characters in our lives; trust in God, pray, seek Him and God will make straight a path to His purpose. 
  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God and my Savior!  I have seen how You have made straight the paths in my life to bring about Your purpose in my life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.

Acts 13

But they shook off the dust from their feet against them and went to Iconium. And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit. Acts 13:51-52

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.  Acts 13-14 comprise Paul's first missionary journey, as depicted by this map shows - from Antioch to Cyprus, to southern Asia Minor, and back to Antioch.  In Acts 13:16-41 Paul boldly proclaims the gospel to Jews in the synagogue at Antioch in Pisidia.  Many followed Paul after he spoke and this led to "almost the whole city gather[ing] to hear the word of the Lord" (v44). This led the Jews to be full of jealousy of Paul (and Barnabas his companion) and "began to contradict what was spoken by Paul, reviling him" (v45).  This led Paul and Barnabas to respond boldly in v46-47 that because the Jews rejected the Good News, were turning to the Gentiles who "rejoic[ed] and glorif[ied] the Word of the Lord as many as were appointed to eternal life believed" (v48). The Word then began to spread throughout the region (v49). The Jews incited persecution (v50) and drove Paul and Barnabas out.  But Paul and Barnabas shook the dust from their feet and went to Iconium (v51) and the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit (v52).  We are encouraged to know God's Word as Paul - notice how Paul confidently drew on his knowledge of the Old Testament and Biblical patriarchs/matriarchs - did and to proclaim the Good News boldly.  While we should strive to be clear and bold in the delivery of the Good News, we are not responsible for people's reaction.  If people reject God's Word, we are to continue to proclaim the Good News boldly.  We are to shake the dust from our feet and to continue sharing the Gospel. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and You are my savior!  Thank You for Your Word, the the Good News that helps me know You better, including what pleases You.  I want to please and glorify You because You are worthy and it's because I exist.  I am undeserving of my salvation and how You speak to me through Your Word.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

John 17

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:18

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 18.  Here, John Piper highlights missions and how "Christmas is a model for missions. Missions is a mirror of Christmas."  Just as Christ came into the world on Christmas Day to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10), we are to go out into the world - to all nations - to proclaim the gospel (Matthew 28:18-20).  The mission field is often very dangerous as there are many places where proclaiming the gospel or starting a church is against the law and persecuted harshly.  Piper shares how Jesus encountered resistance but we are go out just as He did: "Christ came to his own and his own received him not. So you also. They plotted against him. So you. He had no permanent home. So you. They trumped up false charges against him. So you. They whipped and mocked him. So you. He died after three years of ministry. So you."  Piper then shares the greatest danger - to lose faith and trust in God: "[t]he greatest danger a missionary faces is not death but to distrust the mercy of God. If that danger is avoided, then all other dangers lose their sting."  He concludes with hope and encouragement for those facing danger by stating that if believers "Conquer [temptation to distrusting God's mercy] and nothing can harm you for a million ages."

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

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:1-2

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 7.  Here, John Piper unpacks Matthew 2:1-2.  Piper first contrasts Matthew's account of the gospel with Luke's (see Luke 2:8-18 and also post yesterday). Piper shares: "Unlike Luke, Matthew does not tell us about the shepherds coming to visit Jesus in the stable. His focus is immediately on foreigners — Gentiles, non-Jews — coming from the east to worship Jesus."  Piper then highlights how Matthew's gospel both starts and ends with a focus on how Jesus "[was/is] a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews."  Piper continues: "Here the first worshipers are court magicians, or astrologers, or wise men not from Israel but from the East — perhaps from Babylon. They were Gentiles. Unclean, according to the Old Testament ceremonial laws."  Of course we know from Matthew 28:19-20 Jesus's words from the Great Commission that gospel is not just for Jews but "all nations."  The devotion then refers us to Isaiah 60:3 as the devotion pivots to how Matthew's focus on non-Jews not only opened the door for Gentiles to be saved, "it added proof that [Jesus] was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing that "Matthew adds proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus for including me in Your plan to be saved and so many others.  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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 the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.]

Titus 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.] Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)

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 5, the focus is Titus 2:11-13 and scripture memorization for this text.

• For the grace of God has appeared: God is real and His presence manifests through God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Word...and in all things (Colossians 1:16-17).  This is of course true for believers but it is also true for non-believers as Romans 1:20 states that even for those who deny God, they clearly perceive Him "[and] his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature...ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
• God brings salvation for all people: Believers must profess and share God's Word with everyone per the command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).  John Piper shares that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was perfect except it lacked a public presentation of the gospel to all nations - this is the role of believers - to go into the all corners of the world and to share.  God brings salvation through His people - the saints. 
  
• This grace also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives as we battle the dark forces of sin in this world and seek to bring the Good News into this world.
• While believers seek to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, we are waiting for our blessed hope - the second coming of Jesus Christ as He promises to return at the end of times. This blessed hope helps us endure through whatever is thrown at us - we know that this life is temporary and God is saving a place for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You give me my salvation that trains me and You give me a blessed hope - thank You!  I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus, and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

1 Corinthians 9

I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:23

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 9:19-27.  Here, Paul builds on the text from vv1-18 (see post yesterday) where the salvation of others is of "first importance" for not just pastors but all believers.  This is reinforced by Paul in v23 where he writes how he does "it all for the sake of the gospel." The all is described in the previous verses vv19-22 where Paul meets non-believers exactly where they are, and it is in this humble posture where love is demonstrated.  As believers, we are no better than any one else and we must check our ego each time we engage with others such that we demonstrate love, patience, (fruits of Spirit) etc. Others are watching us and they will of course see us as hypocrites should we profess the love of Christ but not act in a way that demonstrates the love of Christ.  In vv24-27 Paul then pivots to how believers are to act as like athletes/runners that practice both self-control (battle against destructive habits, temptation and sin) and self-discipline (i.e. practice positive habits of Bible study, prayer, corporate worship, etc.). There is also an implication of a vision and a plan as Paul refers to avoiding "running" aimlessly or boxing "as beating the air" (v26).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - even when I have fallen down and not acted with humility.  Thank You Jesus for this grace and compassion.  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. 

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

Matthew 24

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

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

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My Prayer: God, You are good and all of Your promises come true - You are faithful.  As such, I can pray with great faith, invest with great confidence, and go with a sense of sure triumph - thank You Jesus!  What peace!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus. Help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.

John 17

As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. John 17:18

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 18 of Advent, and today John Piper focuses on how Christmas is a model for missions. The Great Commission in Matthew 28 calls believers to go out and make disciples of all nations.  Regardless of whether we as believers are personally engaged in the global mission field, we are called to support - through prayer, financial assistance, etc. - missions.  Missionaries often place themselves in harm's way by venturing deep into places where sharing the gospel is a known danger based on previous persecution of Christians. For those facing this danger, Piper quotes mid-16th century missionary Francis Xavier (1506–1552) and encourages missionaries to avoid "distrust[ing] the mercy of God."  Piper then goes on to share that if this "danger is avoided, then all other dangers lose their sting. In the end God makes every dagger a scepter in our hand. As J.W. Alexander says, 'Each instant of present labor is to be graciously repaid with a million ages of glory.'"  This serves as an encouragement for all believers to live fearlessly as whatever fear of man we may have, pales in comparison to the danger many missionaries face every day. Be bold!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and grace for me.  You are my refuge and so much more....thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You protect and provide refuge.  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.