But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall.

Malachi 4:1-6

But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. Malachi 4:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on a commentary-assisted review of 4:2, the commentary's second division for the text.  Title and excerpts from the commentary for this division:

• The Rising of the Sun and the Vindication for God’s People: "When the Lord comes, He will bring perfect, righteous judgment with Him similar to the rising of the sun. His appearance will be both a blessing and a curse."  The use of "sun of righteousness" in this verse "is the only occurrence of in the entire Bible.  It conveys images of the brilliant morning sun projecting rays and providing warmth and comfort to those privileged to find solace under it. Malachi reveals that the sun of righteousness will rise also “with healing in its wings.” In Malachi this sun is not an inanimate object, but a person. It is God Himself. It is the manifest presence of God....Malachi states the sun of righteousness will appear with healing in His garments; that is, His arrival will be associated with the healing and restoring of His people."  This healing is both physical and spiritual - and the prophecy in this verse refers to Christ. 
  

All of humanity needs both a physical and spiritual healing.  We all decay and ultimately die.  We also all sin and scripture shares how the wage of sin is death (see Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, and Romans 6:23).  Those who fear God, confess their sin and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior will be saved (Romans 10:10). Those who do not fear and accept God as Savior will be thrown into the lake of fire and condemned eternally. It is certainly not pleasant to know that there are some who will be condemned eternally - therefore God tells us in Jude 22-23 "to have mercy on those who doubt, snatching them from the fire."  At the same time, believers can take great comfort in knowing how God will heal both physically and spiritually.  My 16 year old son Dustin has Down Syndrome, is partially verbal, and on the lower end of function.  I pray with him before he goes to bed and I tell him that I love him, as does his mom and his big brother.  Most importantly, I tell him that Jesus loves him, more than I or anyone else ever will.  While I used to worry about whether I would see Dustin in Heaven, based on readings (including here and here) over the past several years, I am confident that I will and this of course means Dustin will not have any cognitive disabilities (see Revelation 21:4) and our time together (eternity) in Heaven will be a joyous one indeed where we will gather with other friends and loved ones who will also be saved.  This is certainly worthy of leaping for joy like calves from the stall.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - particularly for those who fear You and accept You as Savior.  Thank You Jesus for this grace and compassion, and for saving me - and for saving Dustin!  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.

On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light.

Zechariah 14:4-9

On that day there shall be no light, cold, or frost. And there shall be a unique day, which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but at evening time there shall be light. Zechariah 14:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 14:4-9, which the commentary outlines as the third of four divisions for the text 13:2-14:21 (13:2-9, 14:1-3, 14:4-9, 14:10-21).  The text continues to unfold God's message to His people through Zechariah regarding a prophecy of end times.  V4 refers to on that day, consistent with preceding text on how this day refers to the Battle of Armageddon.  V4 describes how Jerusalem will be split in two and v5 shares how God's people will flee the earthquake described as similar to the earthquake during King Uzziah's reign (see Amos 1:1).  Revelation 16:18 also describes an earthquake, which of course will be "such as there had never been since man was on the earth, so great was that earthquake."  V5c then shares how God will come, "and all the holy ones with him."  V6 then describes the new creation (see also Revelation 21) that will result after God's final victory over Satan.  The day is described as unique - known to the Lord - but of course unique and unseen by earthly bodies.  V8 describes living waters that flow east and west from Jerusalem - these living waters seem reminiscent to the waters in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2) implying how with the New Creation in Revelation, God's people are restored to the state in which they lived before the Fall.  V9 concludes the text for this division by sharing how God reigns over all and how He will be one and "his name one."  Once again, believers can take great comfort knowing that God has already won the victory over sin and death and that we are saved and He is saving a place for us in the New Creation!  Take comfort and rejoice!

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My Prayer: Father God, what an amazing Father You are that You love and care for me, protect me, give me comfort, guide me, provide for me, and You save!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this amazing grace!  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.   

...in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

1 Timothy 1

...in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted. 1 Timothy 1:11

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy, using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for these books. Today, I look at 1 Timothy 1:8-11; this video is part 3 of 3 on this text.  Excerpts from the video entitled What Difference Does God's Happiness Make?: 

• This video of course builds on the previous two videos that examine unhealthy and healthy teaching and the second of the third video refers to one of the criteria as being in accordance with the gospel
  
• The core focus of this message is John Piper's exploration of the word blessed in v11 where Paul refers to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God. The original Greek word from scripture here is makarios, which is defined as "happy, blessed, as a noun it can depict someone who receives divine favor."
• For similar references by Paul of makarios, see also Titus 2:13, Romans 4:7-8, 1 Corinthians 7:40, where this happy, blessed is also used; Piper's concise definition of is happy, joyful, content, or profoundly satisfied; in the text it is God who is happy, etc. 
• See John 15:11, Matthew 25:23, Matthew 17:5 for other text where God's joy is also discussed; in particular Matthew 17:5 where God is speaking and refers to Jesus and God is "well pleased" with Jesus and Piper refers to this as massive and the highest and most essential joy of God.
  
• Psalm 135:6, 115:3, Isa 46:9-10, Psalm 149:4, Zephaniah 3:17, Jeremiah 32:40-41 where God is pleased and He rejoices, including with His people 
  
• See also book by Piper, The Pleasures of God
• God's happiness matters because in Heaven, Believers get to enter into the pleasure of God - unbelievable!
• Also, we must remember that we exist to pursue the glory of the blessed or happy God!
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who gives me satisfaction and a living water where I no longer thirst for anything above You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  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.

I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.”

 Revelation 5

 I began to weep loudly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. And one of the elders said to me, “Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that he can open the scroll and its seven seals.” Revelation 5:4-5

This morning, I pause once again my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today offers believers a glimpse of the final days and Heaven from Revelation.  John writes how he is distraught about how the scroll with seven seals cannot be opened because there is no one worthy.  But one of the elders tells John that Jesus is able.  John Piper shares how, "[b]y dying on the cross, Jesus had earned the right to open the remainder of redemptive history and lead his people victoriously through it...So, now the Lamb is worthy to take the scroll of redemptive history from God’s hand and open it. This is such a kingly act that the twenty-four elders of heaven (God’s worship council, as it were) fall down before the Lamb in adoration."  Piper not only wants us to see this picture of Jesus victorious over sin and death in Heaven, worshiped by all creation, he also wants us to see how God is pleased by the pleasant aroma of the saints' prayers in v8 as he shares that "[he is] strengthened and encouraged to pray all the more often and all the more vigorously when [he] thinks that [his] prayers are being assembled and stored up in heaven and offered to Christ repeatedly in heavenly acts of worship." We are encouraged to rejoice and God's victory, know that the victory is already won on our behalf, and to keep praying!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I am strengthened by knowing You have already won the victory over sin and death - for me and all believers.  I am also strengthened and encouraged by how You hear and enjoy our prayers as pleasantly smelling incense.  Thank You for the strength and encouragement You provide with my salvation, Your Word, etc.  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.

[H]e has prepared for them a city.

 Hebrews 11

[H]e has prepared for them a city. Hebrews 11:16c

As I continue to ponder what to study next, my Bible study this morning once again leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the city, Heaven, God has prepared for those who believe and have been saved by Him.  There is certainly much in the present world to be sad about and John Piper describes some of this.  Yet, in the present, God is with those who believe and have been saved by Him. God provides the Holy Spirit, the Word, the church, my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. to give me comfort and to help continue to run the race when God calls me home or Christ returns.  The city God prepares for us is indeed perfect and it is described in Revelation 21.  Piper describes this city: "[t]he city of God will be perfect, because God will be in it. He will walk in it and talk in it and manifest himself in every part of it. All that is good and beautiful and holy and peaceful and true and happy will be there, because God will be there.  Perfect justice will be there and recompense a thousandfold for every pain suffered in obedience to Christ in this world. And it will never deteriorate. In fact, it will shine brighter and brighter as eternity stretches out into unending ages of increasing joy." Piper seeks for believers to desire this city "above everything else on the earth." This brings glory to God who is also the builder of this new city.

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

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one.

 Hebrews 11

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Hebrews 11:15-16a

As I continue to ponder what to study next, my Bible study this morning once again leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at saving faith, and what this means.  John Piper uses Hebrews 11, which as much as any other chapter of the Bible gives us examples of this saving faith, including Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, the Israelites that crossed the Red Sea, and Rahab.  Hebrews 11 shares attributes of those have this saving faith, including:

• "died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth" v13
• "seeking a homeland" promised and spoken of in prophecy but not seen v14

Common to all of these attributes is a desire to be with God - to be with Him.  John Piper shares of those seeking this saving faith:  "They had been so gripped by God that nothing short of being with God would satisfy.  So, this is true saving faith: seeing the promises of God from afar, and experiencing a change of values so that you desire and seek after and trust in the promises of God above what the world has to offer."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who lives, never changes, and is always there for me - I can call on You always and I know You listen, respond, and move.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worthy nor deserving of such a God with such 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.

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

Romans 5

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today shares details of the eternal damnation of those who spurn God's love and reject Him as Lord and Savior.  Piper starts the devotion by sharing 1 Thessalonians 1:10 where Paul describes the hope he has in Jesus who delivers believers from "the wrath to come."  Piper then provides several verses that share the ominous details of what it will be like for those damned for eternity: Romans 2:8, Ephesians 5:6, Revelation 14:10-11, Revelation 20:15, Revelation 19:15, and Revelation 14:20.

Besides 1 Thessalonians 1:10, Piper provides Revelation 22:17 and 21:4 to encourage believers with what awaits them in Heaven.  

As Piper concludes the devotion for today, he urges believers with: encouragement and a message to save others from the fire: "I tremble with joy that I am saved! But oh, the holy wrath of God is a horrible destiny. Flee this, brothers and sisters. Flee this with all your might. And let us save as many as we can!" 

[H]ave mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 22-23a

Comment and discuss this post.

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

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

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 15 of Advent, and today John Piper explores how the Christmas season finds many grieving over loss, and this season, our family is grieving over the loss the Marit, our dear niece who within days of turning 15 died of brain cancer.  During these seasons of loss, John Piper encourages us to not be bitter, or to mask our feelings of loss, as he correctly shares that it is when we allow ourselves to feel loss and submit to circumstances orchestrated by God, this is when we will experience God's love and see Him at work. Piper writes: "[w]hat is love for, if not to intensify our affections — both in life and death?"  This is life in abundance now.  We are also encouraged to look forward to Heaven where we are not only reunited with our loved ones who believed.  Rejoice in abundance now and forever!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good father - who is with us during difficult seasons and good seasons...and You save a placed in Heaven for us.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide such abundant 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 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 to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Hebrews 4

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which focuses on how, for believers, death is gain.  Here, John Piper provides five reasons from scripture that support his claim:

1. Our spirits will be made perfect (Hebrews 12:22-23)
   
2. We will be relieved of the pain of this world (Luke 16:24-25)
   
3. We will be given profound rest in our souls (Revelation 6:9-11)
   
4. We will experience a deep at-homeness (2 Corinthians 5:8)
   
5. We will be with Christ (Philippians 1:21-23)

I have a niece - Marit, who is going to be 15 years old in a few days - and she is dying of brain of cancer. My wife and I pray constantly for a miracle of healing - we don't want Marit to die, nor do we want her to suffer or be in pain.  I struggle with this and in my struggle I selfishly believed that my words could bring Marit comfort as I talked to her on the phone a few days ago (not knowing whether it would be the last time I talked to her).  Since then, upon reflection, I sense that Marit is better served by us simply spending time with her, and it will be through these final moments where the Holy Spirit will be working to comfort her.  If we are at peace about where Marit is going, the Holy Spirit will do the rest - to comfort Marit in ways that we, through actions or words, cannot. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who comforts like no other - thank You for the peace and comfort You provide by giving us a glimpse of Heaven and telling us that You are saving us a place in Heaven.  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  My sin is great and it continues.  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 serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.

Isaiah 64-66

I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress. Isaiah 65:19

This morning I completed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, as today marks day 5 (of 5) of week 23, which examines Isaiah 64-66.  On this final day (at least for now) of my examination of Isaiah, I start with a look back at the entirety of Isaiah, and how it presents a complete portrait of the gospel and all of redemptive history.  With this video (part 1 of 2) from Southeastern Baptist Seminary, I better understand this portrait as the speaker shares that: "the book of Isaiah tells the entire redemption story. The literary shape of this book is one story from creation to the new creation through the redemptive work that is personal and comprehensive[.]"  We see multiple cycles of sin, judgement, and redemption and renewal. Today, I also think back and reflect on Isaiah's role in prophecies that range from Judah's captivity, its redemption and renewal, the coming Messiah (Jesus), and ultimately, prophecies of the end times that will bring about a New Heaven and New Earth where all of God's saved - the remnant - will live in eternity in glorious praise of the King of Kings Jesus Christ. This New Heaven and New Earth is described in Isaiah 65-66, as well as in 2 Peter 3:13 and Revelation 21.  At the same time, Isaiah closes (Isaiah 66:24) with a description of the eternal damnation that awaits those who hearts are hardened and fail to submit to Him.  I am referred to several scripture passages that describe this eternal damnation (unquenchable fire, lake of fire), including: Mark 9:42-48, Matthew 3:11-12, 13:36-48, 18:8-9, 25:36-41, Jude 7, and Revelation 19:19-21, 20:11-15, and 21:8. While it is important to understand the fate that awaits those who spurn God, I am going to close on a hopeful note, which is part of how Isaiah depicts the New Heaven and New Earth (New Jerusalem as described in Isaiah 65:19). 

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You indeed are great and I know You are saving a place for me in Heaven - which is glorious indeed!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any blessing You pour out 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 in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4-5

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I continued a pause of my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how we endure the many trials in our lives which we inevitably will face (see also John 16:33), and how we endure the toll these many trials will take on us physically and emotionally. John Piper points to Paul's letter to the church in Corinth and how he looks to the things unseen (heaven) and how our faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) helps us endure.  Piper also shares with us how we rely on the same light that gave us ears to hear and eyes to see when God gave us our salvation (2 Corinthians 4:6).  We should be encouraged to endure.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me eyes to see, ears to hear, and my faith and salvation. Thank You Jesus for this light.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great - gossip, among them - 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.

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.

Revelation 22

Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book. Revelation 22:7

This week marks (meeting Monday nights) the final week of my D-Group's study of Revelation for - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide. For this week's study, we are collapsing the Epilogue (week 11) and the Summary/Conclusion (week 12) into a single week. One of questions this week asks about the divine blessing in Revelation 22:7, and what it means to "keep the words" of this book and why it may be important.  Earlier scriptures indicate that, for believers, our citizenship is in Heaven (see Philippians 3:20-21), so for me, citizens have an obligation to learn about their home.  Keeping these words also implies that I maintain confidence and assurance of what is to come - final victory over sin and death, and a world where there is no mourning, crying or pain.   

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself. Philippians 3:20-21

He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your words are true and faithful and You give me great confidence, assurance, and peace - knowing that You are saving me a place in Heaven - in such a glorious place!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing and for my salvation.  My sin is daily and it is 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.  

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment.

Revelation 21-22

And he said to me, “It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the spring of the water of life without payment. Revelation 21:6

I wrapped my D-Group's study of Revelation for the week - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide. This week's study - week 10 - focused on a vision of Heaven, as John's letter of his vision of end times comes to a close at the end of chapter 22. Revelation 21:6, in particular, is an awesome portrait of God's grace and love as He freely gives salvation to those who are desperate, and panting for Him (thirsty). Other key takeaways, including another hint that describes Heaven as better than Eden is how Heaven has two trees of life (vs one) - one on either side of the river of the water of life (Revelation 22:2). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for freely giving me salvation, and for giving me the confidence and hope to know that my home is truly in Heaven and that You are saving a place for me.  Incredible - thank You Jesus and I know I am not deserving.  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.

 

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life....No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him.

Revelation 21-22

But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life....No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. Revelation 21:27, 22:3

I continue my D-Group's study of Revelation - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide - for week 10, we are looking at Revelation 21-22:5 where we see John's vision of the New Heaven and New Earth. As I continue to progress with week 10, a key takeaway is how we must be clear that Heaven is even BETTER than the Garden of Eden from Genesis.  In the Garden, we did see unclean influences as the serpent was present and of course tempted Adam and Eve into sin.  In Heaven, we will have no such uncleanness or sin. 

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

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Revelation 21-22

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:3-4

I resume my D-Group's study of Revelation - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide - for week 10, we are looking at Revelation 21-22:5 where we see John's vision of the New Heaven and New Earth. Here, as this vision unfolds, we experience perhaps a spectacular portrait of Heaven as believers long to endure through an earthly life that is full of challenges, hurts, pain, suffering, trials, etc.  God is with us and all of these challenges pass away and we are reunited with God in the new garden of Eden in perfect harmony with Him.  No sin, no death, and subsequently none of the consequences of a fallen world where these things exist.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is saving a place for me in Heaven where I will see all of my tears wiped away and I will see You face to face - what a glorious moment this will be!  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  Of course I am undeserving...my sin is great, it continues, and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Isaiah 24-25

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 2, the focus is again on Isaiah 24.  Similar to my focus and post yesterday where I discussed how believers are citizens in Heaven, my focus today contrasts how the sinful of Isaiah's day put their faith in cities built by human hands. We are referred to Hebrews 11:10 where Abraham is provided as an example of faithfulness.  Abraham is one example of many in this chapter of Hebrews - a chapter that is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." This chapter contains many examples, from Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, etc. to detail how heroes of the faith persevered through challenging times and the unknown by focusing on something that they could not see and would not see in an earthly lifetime.  My commentary outlines this chapter as having the following divisions:

1.  God's judgement on the entire earth (v1-6)
2.  End of worldly joy (v7-12)
3.  Reaction of righteous (v13-16)
4.  Inescapable judgement outside of Christ (v17-22)
5.  Finale: God's glorious city (v23)
   

Clearly, we see a prophecy of end times and there is much to fear for those who are not in Christ.  Yet for those who are in Christ, we can rely on the certainty that this life is not the end and we are to persevere and endure through this life and its trials - and place our hope in Heaven which will be glorious indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord, You are glorious indeed and You have saved a place for me in Heaven - something I know is glorious and I am grateful.  Yet I know I am not deserving.  I have 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.

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

Hebrews 9

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. Hebrews 9:27-28

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how Jesus' death on the cross means that our own death is not punitive.  Because Christ died for our sins, believers avoid eternal damnation and instead have eternal life in Heaven with Jesus Christ and other believers.  What a glorious salvation indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who willingly went to the cross for me - not because I deserved it - but because You loved me despite my sin and in light of my sin - so that I could have freedom from the punishment of sin, now and for eternity!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin of worry continues as do 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.

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.

1 Thessalonians 1

...Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

This evening, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on the terrible eternal wrath of God that awaits those who spurn God's call to submit to Him.  At the same time it highlights how believers are to tremble with joy over our salvation...how Jesus rescues us from eternal damnation and saves a place for us in Heaven.  Joy indeed!

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are too great for words, and You are full of compassion and mercy for me - You loved me and saved me while I was an enemy of You and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin continues...daily...including 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.

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Leviticus 25

By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:9-10

 

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - wrapping up chapter twenty-two - A Theology of Things  - covering Leviticus 25:1-55, looking specifically at the sixth and final theme for the chapter - God Will One Day Give Us Eternal Possessions.  Here, the commentary starts by describing how Israel never was obedient to God's commands for the Sabbath rest of the land. It points to 2 Chronicles 36:20-21 where Israel is taken into exile where during the exile God forces the Sabbath rest. The commentary then points to how our sin is no different than Israel's - we all sin and focus on earthly concerns, our material possessions, etc. We are then encouraged to store up treasures in heaven vs here on earth (Matthew 6:19-21).  As the theme for today aptly describes, Heaven is so much more glorious then our life in our earthly bodies. We are provided the following verses:

• Revelation 21:4: No more tears in Heaven
  
• John 14:2-3: God is preparing a place for us in Heaven
  
• Hebrews 11:9-10: We look forward to the "city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God 
  

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God and I know You are saving a place for me in Heaven - thank You Jesus for creating such a place and for sealing me for eternity.  I am not deserving of such a God nor deserving of such a place.  My sin is great and it is daily - worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love Your 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 we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope...For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”

Leviticus 21-22

But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope...For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13, 1 Corinthians 15:53-54

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter eighteen - Holiness and Leadership - covering Leviticus 21-22, looking specifically at the introduction and second theme for the chapter - God Calls Us to Reflect His Truth in Our Grief.  This theme of the commentary encourages us to see Leviticus 21:1-6 and 10-12 as God's call for believers to grieve and mourn death differently and set apart from how the world views death. The commentary's author leans on sources that indicate "[i]t is likely that one main reason God told priests to be separate from funerals is that such rules made Israel's priests different from priests in pagan religions.  Priests in pagan religion were involved in ceremonies for the dead.  The religions of Canaan, Egypt to the south, and Mesopotamia to the north had extensive cults of the dead and ancestor worship. Some funeral rites sought to maintain contact with the deceased and to give the deceased provisions like food and drink for the afterlife....The way [believers] behave after death of a loved one reveals what we believe about life, death, and God."

We are referred to 1 Thessalonians 4:13 and 1 Corinthians 15:53-54 for scriptural examples where believers are called to be hopeful and believe God has providence over death and He gives believers eternal life.

I am deeply grateful that I will get to see my mom in Heaven as she accepted Jesus as here Lord and Savior at 81 years old after being Jewish her whole life (video1, 2, 3).  This was a miracle indeed as did this in 2014, then died - and went to Heaven! - 3 years later.  I want to as many people as possible to Jesus so that I can see them in Heaven as well.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. Jude 1:22-23

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who snatched me from the fire - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving - I was an enemy of You, hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You for my salvation and for eternal life.  Thank You for saving my mom!  Yet again I am not deserving...nor are any of us who believe.  My sin is great and it continues - 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.