Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:2

I continue my pause on my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Yesterday my focus was an unassisted (no commentary) study of 2 Thessalonians 1.  Today, I read this text once again, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series volume for 1-2 Thessalonians for assistance to unpack the text. The commentary broadly breaks down the text as:

1. Good News about God’s Church < 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5
   
2. When God Balances the Books < 2 Thessalonians 1:6-12

To align with the schedule below, where yesterday was Week 1/Day 1, today my focus will be Good News about God’s Church < 2 Thessalonians 1:1-5.

The commentary's main idea for the text: "[w]hen a church is grounded in its faith it will be fruitful in its work." The commentary's introduction for the text further develops on this thought by sharing, in light of Paul's first letter where he acknowledged the Thessalonians for welcoming the gospel as an infant church, Paul is now boasting (v4) about them in this second letter as he is encouraged and thankful (v3) for their growth and steadfast faithfulness (in the face of persecution and affliction - v4) - again this is a church he, Silas, and Timothy started.  The commentary then unpacks today's text (2 Thessalonians 1:1-5) in four divisions:

1. A Faith That Is Real (1:1-3a): The commentary highlights the growth of the Thessalonian church and how this led to attacks from Satan in the form of persecution, etc. Paul commends the church for their steadfast faith in the faces of these attacks.  He focuses on how the foundation of faith is based on believers acknowledging the amazing grace Christ gives us through salvation.  This grace gives us peace to persevere. "A church must never tire of speaking about and resting in the grace and peace of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. No challenge is too great for any church that remains anchored to these wonderful truths." Paul also commends the Thessalonians for their growth in Christ.  He seeks for them to be encouraged to keep growing.  "Based on the enthusiastic way in which Paul applauds their growth in the first four verses, one can imagine that His words of encouragement must have brought much relief to this weary church."       
   
2. A Love That Grows Strong (1:3b): The commentary refers to James 2:14-18 and how the text their highlights how faith produces fruit or good works. In the text for today Paul commends the Thessalonians for their love for one another.  The commentary then describes how "[f]aith and love work together," and we are referred to John 13:34-35 where John highlights how love is evidence of Christ.
   
3. A Hope That Goes Deep (1:4): The commentary describes hope as the view of "affliction and suffering through the lens of an enduring hope— not the kind of endurance that waits to thank God when the trial passes, but the kind of endurance that thanks God even if the trial does not pass." This certainly is the view of the Thessalonians. 
   
4. A Future That Is Secure (1:5): God's righteous judgement (v5) gives us hope that whatever suffering we endure now is only temporary as He is saving a place for us in Heaven where there will be no more suffering or tears (Revelation 21:4).  With such guaranteed security, we should not be grumbling about "miscarriage of justice" as Satan was almost certainly tempting the Thessalonians. "As strange as this may sound to our ears, their suffering was evidence that God loved them, not a sign that He had abandoned them. Paul is reassuring them that their suffering has an eternal purpose." 
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I need You desperately in my life for all things and for Your protection against Satan's attacks.  I know You give me everything I need to defeat sin in my life and You will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.

Hebrews 5

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Hebrews 5:11

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 5:11-14, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the first division "The Diagnosis: Dull Hearing," which looks at Hebrews 5:11. Here, the commentary describes how the author pauses a discussion started in chapter 4 about how Jesus is an infinitely better Great High Priest, and while the author seeks to continue on this topic (writing we have much to say) - appears to be frustrated with the audience who has "dull become of hearing."  The commentary writes: "Those who are trained in Scripture and are progressing in the faith are better equipped to understand Christ’s priesthood, but those who shut their ears to God’s Word regress in their faith and fumble in their comprehension. Spiritual concepts like Christ’s priesthood are difficult only for the spiritually immature, those who have become “too lazy.” The spiritually mature, on the other hand, have the energy to investigate and understand spiritual concepts that are hard to explain." The commentary goes on: "In the case of the Hebrews, the congregation became intellectually sluggish by their own negligence. Their spiritual immaturity was their fault. They grew intellectually dull because they became sluggish of heart. Christ’s priesthood became difficult to understand because their hearts became indifferent to Scripture. Thus, the author must stop explaining Christ’s priesthood in order to admonish his people and prod them out of their lethargy." Believers, we are urged to shake off our lethargy and to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), and to, as John Piper puts it, "savor [H]im above all else."  Pray that God give you this hunger and thirst for righteousness!

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done an amazing transformation in my heart, and life and You have saved me - from eternal damnation and so much more! 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.

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:11-14

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 5:11-14, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Here, the author of Hebrews pivots from a discussion of how Jesus is a great High Priest to a clear  admonishment and warning to the readers (who at the time were Jewish believers well versed in the Old Testament), to, with urgency, grow their faith into maturity. The desired end state is to - as v14 says - "have [our] powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil."  Key spiritual disciplines include daily time with God in study and prayer, fellowship with other believers who can support and encourage us in our faith journey, corporate worship, service, etc.  Hebrews 3:12-14 reinforces how fellowship is key.  Today's text is also reinforced by Romans 12:2 where it is expected that our spiritual disciplines (with daily time in study in prayer being key) enable transformation of the mind to "discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."  Today, I am also reminded of Paul's exhortation from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 that we think of ourselves as running a race or as a boxer training with focus and an aim.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who provides Your Word for me to know You, become more like You, etc. as Your Word feeds me and sustains me...and it moves me to maturity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of 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 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 God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 1

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I pause my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus is Ephesians 1 in its entirety, with a specific focus as well on v1-14.  Chuck Swindoll provides this excellent overview of the book, and he describes how Paul writes this letter to the church in Ephesus from prison in Rome and how unlike other letters he has authored where he seeks to address a specific problem in a local church, here Paul is laying down foundational truths of the gospel with an eye towards encouraging growth and maturity of believers in Ephesus. In v1-14, Paul shares with us the spiritual blessings believers experience in Christ, including:

• how "he chose us in him before the foundation of the world" (v4)
• that He sees us as "holy and blameless before him" (v4)
• that "he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ" (v5)
• ..."In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses" (v7)
• ..."In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it[.]" v13-14

We must grab hold of these blessings and drive towards maturity, never forgetting them.  Chuck Swindoll reminds us also that fellowship with other believers in daily living is key towards achieving maturity. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who blesses us as believers with a rich inheritance You give us faith and salvation, You seal us with the Holy Spirit and guarantee our inheritance - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great...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.

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly.

Proverbs 25-29

Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly. Proverbs 26:11

I continue my study of Proverbs week 9 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 25-29.  My focus for today is questions 5-7 from my workbook, which cover (1) how the lack of self-control leads people into the hands of Satan (Proverbs 25:28, Galatians 5:16-24); (2) how believers can recognize and respond to a fool (Proverbs 25:28-26:12, 2 Peter 2:2); and (3) warnings about being a sluggard (Proverbs 26:13-16).  The themes and teachings of question (2) and (3) for today are particularly striking this morning for me as the workbook emphasizes how we are to learn and grow in our journey with Christ and how being "wise in own eyes" stymies learning and growth.  We must remain humble to avoid such traps and to grow and mature in our relationship with Christ. Key to this growth and maturity is to draw (and stay) near to God.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst.

Isaiah 5

Therefore my people go into exile for lack of knowledge; their honored men go hungry, and their multitude is parched with thirst. Isaiah 5:13

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 10 of my study, I wrap my look at Isaiah 3-5, focusing on Isaiah 5. Today, the takeaway comes from Isaiah 5:13 where God shares how His people "go into exile for lack of knowledge."  The lack of knowledge is knowledge of God - understanding of God's Word, which in turn creates an appreciation of who God is and what He has done for us, which in turn causes us to love and seek Him more. The Precepts study had us look at Hosea 4:1-6 as Hosea was a contemporary of Isaiah.  Hosea 4 does highlight God's disappointment of God in Israel's lack of knowledge: 

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. Hosea 4:6

It is of course important to be saved but it is also important for believers to grow in their relationship with the Lord and this is done through study of God's Word.  For many years, I attended and served in church regularly - without reading God's Word.  How sinful - I worshiped a God I barely knew!  I am grateful that God nonetheless drew my closer to Him since then. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You.  Thank You for welcoming me into Your arms despite How I for many years kept my distance from You.  I am not deserving of Your grace and compassion. 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. 

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’

Introduction: Pages 17-28

I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Isaiah 46:9-10

This morning, I started John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) and read the introduction, where Piper offers four invitations: (1) into a world of counterintuitive wonders, (2) to penetrate through [Biblical] words into reality, (3) into a God-entranced world, and (4) to know God.  Piper further describes his aim of the book: "to help as many as [he] can know the God of all-embracing, all-pervasive, invincible providence...Nothing can stop [H]im from succeeding exactly when and how [H]e aims to succeed."

I seek to grow in my relationship with Christ, to deepen my love for Him, and to become more like Him - all with the understanding that He is charge and that He is the one working in my heart and life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who I know is working not just in my life but in all things.  I am grateful for how You have and continue to work in my life - and I know that You never stop working - for all of humanity for all of eternity.  I am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me and for how You never stop working for me.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow 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.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

Matthew 14

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.” Matthew 14:29-33

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This afternoon, I continue with the story of "Peter: Gospel of the Second Chance*".

*Title of lesson nine from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day two of Peter's story focuses on several themes, but key for me today is how Peter is called out of his comfort zone to walk on the Sea of Galilee, how Peter follows this call, and how Peter personally feels and experiences Jesus' power as the Son of God. God wants all of us grow in our trust in Him and to grow and mature in our faith - this requires us to go beyond our comfort zone. 

On this topic, check out this great video from John Piper on how spiritual growth for believers is not an option.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has helped me grow and stretch in my faith - I am grateful!  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me and for always providing me the words and strength needed to go beyond my comfort zone and to seek You guidance and assistance in this process.  I am not deserving of how You help me - my sin continues - selfishness, 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.

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

Matthew 1-2 and Luke 1-2

When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus. Matthew 1:24-25

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I start the story of "Joseph: Shaky Limbs and Unanswered Questions*".

*Title of lesson six from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day one starts with Max Lucado speculating how the angel Gabriel might have felt when he learned of the task to deliver a message to Mary that she would be the mother of Jesus.  Lucado then pivots to how her fiance Joseph must have felt. Scripture tell us that when Joseph learned of Mary's pregnancy, he quietly thought of divorcing her (Matthew 1:19), but an angel also appeared to Joseph to deliver a similar message to the one delivered to Mary.  As so many Biblical heroes have done, Joseph then "did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him" (Matthew 1:24) and he took Mary home as his wife and named the coming baby Jesus.  Lucado highlights Joseph's ordinary, stable and comfortable life and how God uses regular and ordinary people - He calls them out of their comfort zones and we are encouraged to do so as well.  I am reminded that God calls us to grow in our relationship with Him - it is to be an evolving relationship where we grow closer to Him and more like Him.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and how has both given me faith and helped grow in my faith and blessed me throughout my journey with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You have equipped me and blessed me over these many years.  I am often harsh with others.  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 sposues 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 though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10-13

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

Day 338 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 further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is the final 3 chapters of Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth, and these chapters include what MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) notes as a change in tone from chapters 1-9 and what my commentary* refers to as Paul's defense of his ministry and a follow up to his "severe letter" (referred to in 2 Corinthians 2:4) as the church in Corinth began to follow false teachers seeking to undermine Paul's credibility, apostleship, and authority. See also additional commentary on 2 Corinthians here from John MacArthur.

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

Paul's opening words in these 3 chapters provide great encouragement for how we are to approach those who seek to attack us. While John Piper's post indicates Paul's audience for demolishing arguments and for taking thoughts captive is others attacking him, all believers are subject to the same "destruction" for our own good and sanctification.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me with my understanding of scripture - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of Your love and blessings that You pour for me.  My sin is great and it continues - including worry, gossip, etc.  Please forgive me.  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.

After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Matthew 2 and Luke 2

 After three days they found him in the temple courts, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. Luke 2:46

Day 292 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 my commentary* moves further into the New Testament - focusing this morning on the early life of Jesus up through the time before He starts His ministry. This includes a visit from the Magi, Joseph/Mary/Jesus' escape to Egypt under threat of Herod's order to kill all male children in Bethlehem, and Jesus' growth and maturity.  The commentary* notes: "Little more is known of Jesus’ first 30 years. It is known that Jesus has at least four brothers—James, Joses, Judas (Jude), and Simon—and also some sisters, who are not named. Because there is no further reference to Joseph, it appears that he probably died while Jesus was still a relatively young man. The support of his mother and younger brothers and sisters, therefore, would naturally fall upon Jesus as the firstborn. For many years, then, Jesus evidently has provided for his family by working as a carpenter, having learned the trade from his father."

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

Jesus' listening and asking questions among the teachers in the temple give us instruction on how all believers, regardless of age or maturity, are to "gr[o]w in wisdom and stature" (Luke 2:52). 

While John Piper, in this post, urges pastors in particular to take heed of this call for wisdom, Piper uses the text to call all of His children to strive for wisdom and stature in the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is the source of all wisdom and knowledge - without You, I would have nothing and I would be completely lost and damned as well. Thank You Jesus for giving me light and life - I am grateful...and undeserving.  My sin continues.  Please forgive me for my worry, lack of action, etc.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. v10-11

Building on my post yesterday, John Piper gives another stem-winder of a post encouraging us to grow - using 2 Peter 1:5-11 as the basis for his post.

I know I must grow in my ability to pray - for more requests more of the time - among other things.

Please God help me become a prayer warrior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen the power of prayer in my own life and in the life of others - thank You Jesus for hearing and responding to all of my prayers.  I know You do.  I am not deserving.  I know I could pray more...and continually.  Please forgive me for falling down in my prayer life.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.

2 Peter 1

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. v5-9

Both the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) and the Summaries of Every Book in Bible indicate that this general epistle written by Peter is primarily to help believers avoid damage to their faith (and the church) by falling prey to false teachers and teachings.  This last letter by Peter to the church seeks to push the church and believers to grow stronger and by wary of weakening influences.

Peter warns of how we can become "ineffective and unproductive in [our] knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v8).

The words "add" and 'increasing measure" are key here as growth and spiritual maturity are, in John Piper's words, "not optional".  Piper uses Peter's own words from his first letter.

We must grow in Christ.

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

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

1 Peter 2

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.  Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. v1-3

On the heels of chapter 1 which ends with Peter sharing attributes of Christ as imperishable and enduring, we have another "therefore" (see also 1 Peter 1:13), followed by instructions in response to who Christ is.

When we begin to understand who Christ is and what He has done for us, we should response with a craving for more - a hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

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

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. v12-14

Hebrews' author continues (see also post yesterday) to describe Jesus as high priest in the order of Melchizedek - however, we are to understand that, according to John Piper, " Jesus Christ, God's Son, has not just come to fit into the earthly system of priestly ministry as the best and final human priest, but he has come to fulfill and put an end to that system and to orient all our attention on himself ministering for us in heaven".  This description of Christ's priesthood continues into chapter 10 and here in chapter 5 the author pauses to describe spiritual maturity (which extends into Hebrews 6:1-3).

I am reminded from previous posts that John Piper, a pastor I respect and follow, writes how spiritual maturity for believers is not optional. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done away with animal sacrifices and similar ceremonial laws - giving me access to a personal Lord and Savior that I can approach with confidence without such ceremonial laws. I am grateful Jesus that You are my PERSONAL Lord and Savior and that You reign forever and throughout the heavens and the universe.  You are Lord of Lords and Kings.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God that You died for me and that You continue to love me.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

2 Thessalonians 3

We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. v7-9

Paul warns the Thessalonians about some in the church that are idle.  The definition includes those "avoiding work", "without purpose", or those who are inactive.  On the subject of laziness, this post at DesiringGod.com indicates that "Paul does not soft-pedal laziness. It is profoundly unchristian. It betrays a gospel that does not demand our activity up front but always produces activity in and through us. And laziness dishonors the power and strength that has come to dwell in us in Christ: God the Spirit himself".  

We must not "tire of doing what is good" (v13) but instead work "night and day".  

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

We must examine our time and push ourselves to direct more of it towards the glory of God.

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

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. v1

Paul is pleased with the church in Thessalonica but just as God seeks spiritual growth in all of us, Paul is pushing the church to grow.  Before I get into the specifics of where Paul seeks this growth, I am pausing today to focus on the general topic of spiritual growth.  I have previously posted how growth is not an option (per John Piper).  We are called to grow closer to God and become more like Him.  This starts by assessing where we are and surrounding ourselves with others that can push us and support us in our areas of growth.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rite, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

See also

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Ephesians 4

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. v16

As Paul pivots from discussing our identity in Christ, he encourages us to be both united and mature in our faith.  In chapter 4, he starts by encouraging us to "live a life worthy of the calling you have received" (v4).  He then writes how Christ gave us "the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people" for us to have unity and to become mature (v11-13).  The call for maturity is then echoed again in v14 (that we no longer be infants in our faith), v15 (we grow and mature), and v16 (how growth and maturity supports a healthy vibrant church). 

We find this call for growth and maturity elsewhere in scripture.

I am reminded of John Piper's statement that we should not "ever think that growing through the word of God is optional or marginal in the Christian life. Spiritual growth is absolutely necessary for every believer."

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God - You have fed me every day of my life and helped me grow in my faith - I am deeply grateful for the work You have done in my heart and life.  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my faith 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 I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.

1 Corinthians 13

When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. v11

As Paul moves from spiritual gifts in chapter 12 (see post yesterday), he level sets with us that the use of spiritual gifts without love means nothing (v1-3).  He then defines love (v4-8) and encourages us in our spiritual growth as John Piper indicates "[r]ight knowing or right thinking, the right use of your mature mind, is for the sake of child like faith. We should grow up in our thinking, so that we can grow down in our humility, so that we can have faith like a child".  The implication I believe is that we focus on emptying ourselves of our childish ways, grow closer to God, love Him more, and love others more. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have helped see my childish ways and helped me shed much of these ways - You have transformed my heart and life and I am grateful!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love. I worry and I have other sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly.

1 Corinthians 3

I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. v2-3

Paul continues to admonish the church in Corinth for their overemphasis on which of the church leaders to follow (Paul, Peter, Apollos, etc.) and on worldly wisdom.  He expects this of new believers whose faith is perhaps weaker and still developing. The implication of course is that we must grow and mature as believers. Peter also references spiritual milk and encourages us to grow:

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good. 1 Peter 2:2-3

The author of Hebrews also encourages growth:

In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:12-14

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rite, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

This post also provides a decent summary of what spiritual growth looks like.

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