And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord.

Numbers 16:1-50

And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the LORD has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord. Numbers 16:28

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 16:1-50 - we see God's harsh and deadly rebuke of those who rebel against God's appointed leaders.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God's name, the LORD, appears more than 25 times in this chapter.  God listens to Moses, His appointed servant and leader over the people (v15).  God spoke to Moses and prepared (vv20, 23-24) him and the rest of the people to separate from from Korah's rebellion (250 leaders among men per v2) as they will be consumed (punished).  In vv31-35, God caused the earth to swallow up the households of the rebellious men, and consume the rebellious men with fire.  In vv36-40, God instructed Moses to use the metal from the censers carrying incense and fire as a covering for the tabernacle altar as a reminder to avoid the sin and punishment that befell Korah and the other rebellious leaders.  In response to the people's grumbling against Moses and Aaron (v41), the glory of the LORD appeared and He spoke to Moses (v44) to prepare himself for the punishment of those rebelling against His appointed leaders.  The LORD then caused a plague that killed 14,700 among the people.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We know that Moses and Aaron are God's appointed leaders over the people - yes, they are not perfect as only God is.  We've also learned from Numbers 12 that Moses is a very humble man (Numbers 12:3) and God sees him as "faithful in all my house" (Numbers 12:7).  Korah and his rebellion falsely accused Moses of "exalting" themselves above the assembly of the LORD (vv3, 13), and of killing the people of the LORD (v41).  They also held Moses and Aaron responsible for their suffering in the wilderness (vv13-14) - another false accusation.  Among other sin (grumbling and complaining about God), this rebellion was guilty of breaking the ninth commandment not to bear false witness (Exodus 20:16).  Moses demonstrates His humility in v28. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid grumbling and complaining against God or His appointed servants (leaders in your church); similarly, we should also avoid bearing false witness.  Claim the promise God works in all things for good and that our circumstances - including difficult circumstances - are for good.  Follow the example of Moses who humbly submitted to the Lord's will and His guidance.  Love God and support/pray for the leaders appointed over you.  

Comment and discuss this post

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

And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them....According to the commandment of the LORD through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the LORD commanded Moses.

Numbers 4:21-49

And they shall do all that needs to be done with regard to them....According to the commandment of the LORD through Moses they were listed, each one with his task of serving or carrying. Thus they were listed by him, as the LORD commanded Moses. Numbers 4:26b,49

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 4:21-49, the Lord spoke to Moses and gave him instructions for a census among the sons of Gershon, Merari, and Kohath (from 30-50 years old) and then to give them duties for care of the tent of meeting.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The tent of meeting (later tabernacle) is where the priest would meet with God and as such represented an important structure.  God provided for instructions with regard to care for the tent as a reflection of how Israel treasured Him as their God.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Similar to the tent of meeting, in today's church, many volunteer and serve behind the scenes with much detail as a reflection of their love and treasure of God.  God sees all of this and blesses those who serve in such ways based on the promise from Luke 13:30 that some "who are last will be first."  The focus should be to glorify God vs self and on eternal rewards.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid focus on self.  Claim the promise that eternal rewards await those who put God first and self last.  Follow the example of Jesus who humbly took on flesh, suffered and died for all of humanity such that those who confess Him as Lord and Savior have live to the full now and for eternity.  Focus on glorifying God and treasuring Him above all, including self.  

Comment and discuss this post

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

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof.

Luke 7:1-10

“Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof. Luke 7:6

This morning, I take a short side trip to Luke 7:1-10, text for my Friday AM study with three other guys.  Here a centurion's servant is healed by Jesus.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The centurion sees Jesus as someone with authority, whose words and commands have power to make things happen - in this case to heal his servant. Jesus is also seen as higher "worth" or status than the centurion.  What's amazing is that Jesus humbled himself by taking on flesh to be the incarnate Son of God and the centurion sees himself as less worthy than Jesus - in contrast to how the world saw the centurion.  Here we see two amazing portraits of humility.  Humility is one of the most important attributes we should have in our journey with Christ.  We must have humility to acknowledge our need for salvation and for Jesus, and then we must every day go to Him for our daily bread to provide all things - most importantly our spiritual needs.  Jesus marvels at the centurion.  Just as God was well please with Jesus at His baptism, we seek for God to be pleased with us.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Jewish elders (v3) are used in this story by Jesus to bring glory to God and Jesus rightly shares in v9 that the centurion has more faith than the Jews even though the Jews should have seen Jesus as fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy as the promised Messiah.        
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not seeing Jesus for who He is and placing ourselves or an earthly idol above or in place of Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus is King of Kings whose Word is God (John 1:1) and how He is in all and over all things, and that He alone saves (even though we are not worthy).  Follow the example of the centurion who saw Jesus as more worthy and that we are not worthy...but that Jesus alone is worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.  Understand and act with intent that we exist for His glory.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You alone are worthy of all praise, honor and glory.  Thank You for saving me and giving me the gift of salvation.  I am not deserving - 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.

And God spoke all these words, saying,“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.“You shall have no other gods before me.

 Exodus 20:1-3

And God spoke all these words, saying,“I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.“You shall have no other gods before me. Exodus 20:1-3

This morning I continue my short side trip from my study of John to look at Exodus 20:1-3 to prepare for leading small group time this morning at church.   I've pulled off and parked again to dig deeper in the text where we see God giving Israel the 10 Commandments starting with most important commandment - to love God and to not have any other gods before Him.  Here are my observations of the text using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In chapter 19, we God setting limits on how Israel should approach Him.  In chapter 20, God expands on how Israel should live - giving Israel 10 commandments.  In the chapters following chapter 20, God gives more details on rules for worship, including how the worship space should look and be equipped.  But before we even get to these rules, God gave us the 10 commandments and the first of which is that we should not have any God's before Him.  Before He gave us this commandment, God wanted to set our hearts right by exhorting us to see what He has done for us - He delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt and He delivered all believers from bondage to sin (spiritual death).    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Unfortunately, we know that the Jewish leadership ultimately worshiped their own abilities to understand the law and their claim to obedience to the law as an idol.  Yet they failed to grasp how God alone grants understanding and God seeks humility.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeing your own understanding of scripture or Jesus as an idol.  Claim the promise that Jesus delivers us from spiritual death.  Follow the example of Jesus who humbled Himself in obedience to the Father.  Know that all comes from God.  Love God as He who saves and provides all things.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  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.  

Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!”

 Mark 9:14-29

 Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” Mark 9:24

This morning I am taking a short side trip from my study of John to look at Mark 9:14-29 in support of my Friday morning men's Bible study group. Here the text looks at Jesus' healing of a boy with an unclean spirit (whom the disciples could not heal). Here are my observations of the text using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus is once again sought by crowds as He has been teaching and performing miracles - including healing a deaf man, a blind man (chapter 7,8) and feeding the four thousand (chapter 8).  Here, Jesus is among a crowd after the Transfiguration (vv2-13) and a father seeks to heal his son whom the disciples were not able to heal (despite how Jesus sent them out in Mark 6:7-12 and gave them authority over the unclean spirits) - see vv17-18. Jesus rebuked the crowd generally (including the disciples and the father) for their lack of faith - v19.  Jesus then specifically rebukes the boy's father who was not fully convinced Jesus could heal his son - vv22-23.  Then, Jesus rebukes the unclean spirit and the boy is healed.  In response to the disciples who questioned Jesus why they could not heal the boy,  Jesus shares that "[t]his kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer" (v29).  It seems that Jesus wants His disciples to be clear that it is not their power that is doing these miracles but the Triune God who works through them.  Yes, Jesus did give the disciples authority over unclean spirits, but that does not make them God, and they remain 100% dependent on God - we are reminded of this and in why we need to pray.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: This is humbling and v29 reminds us to pray and always act in utter dependence on Him.  Contrast the father of the boy with the disciples as the father "cries out "I believe, help my unbelief."  This is the kind of posture and prayer Jesus seeks from us - He gives us the power of the Holy Spirit but at the same time we must "pray ceaselessly" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that heals and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving - there are many times where my faith is weak - please help me with my unbelief.  And my sin is great...daily.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from and repent of my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

 

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

 John 13:36-38

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” John 13:38

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 13:36-38, where Jesus prophecies Peter's denial.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V36 shares Jesus' response to Peter who seeks to understand Jesus and where He is going in reference to v33.  Believers know that Jesus - at this point in John - is soon going to be arrested and then tried and crucified.  Jesus shares with Peter that not only can Peter not go (not yet) with Jesus (to die on the cross), but also that Peter will die as Jesus did (see here) - but not yet as Jesus is not done with Peter, as Peter will be foundational to the new church (Matthew 16:18).  In v38, we see Jesus slapping down Peter's arrogance as Jesus prophecies Peter's denial of Jesus upon Jesus' arrest. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Also in v36, we see Peter rightly trying to understand what Jesus said in v33.  This is a good and right motivation.  For believers, the primary objective of daily study of God's Word is to know God, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that God can continue (sanctification) and finish (upon death and glorification) the process of making our thoughts and desires more like His - see Romans 12:2.  In v37, Peter confidently asserts that he can handle what Jesus is going to experience - of course not knowing what is going to occur - even sharing how he will lay down his life for Jesus.  We should be very careful with such arrogant and confident assertions of our own ability - instead we should be humble in our own abilities and be confident in Jesus' abilities. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid arrogant and confident assertions of your own abilities. Claim the promise that apart from Jesus we can do nothing - John 15:5 and the corollary with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Follow the example of Jesus who humbly takes on human form and DOES lay down His life as the price for all humanity's sin - be humble and serve.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that laid down Your life....for me and all of humanity as the price for all of our sin....so that we could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.

 John 7:14-24

So Jesus answered them, “My teaching is not mine, but his who sent me. If anyone’s will is to do God’s will, he will know whether the teaching is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. The one who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory; but the one who seeks the glory of him who sent him is true, and in him there is no falsehood.  John 7:16-18

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 7:14-24, where Jesus, now that He is in Jerusalem during the Feast of Booths, starts teaching in the temple.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Although initially hesitant to go into Judea from Galilee because "His time had not yet come" (vv6,8), once there Jesus goes straight to the temple to teach (v14).  RC Sproul identifies preaching of the Word is central to a church and Jesus squarely focuses on teaching as a priority with His ministry.  In response to the Jews who marveled at Jesus' "learning" without "stud[ying]," Jesus responds humbly and shares (vv16-18) that His learning and teaching is not His own but that of the Father who sent Him.  He then shares that anyone seeking to follow the Father's desires will "know" (with certainty or a promise implied) whether Jesus' teaching is from God or not.  This echoes words from Romans 12:2, where Paul writes that as we read God's Word (seek Him and His will for our lives), He renews our mind and gives us the ability to know the inerrancy of God's Word and His will for our lives.  Jesus then challenges the Jews (leadership) as He shares that they share falsehoods and act with hypocrisy because they seek their own authority/glory (v18) and not the will of the Father who authored the very Word they claim to follow.  Jesus' final statement (v24) in response to the Jews is quite pointed as He shares that they judge by appearances (external behaviors) vs understanding someone's heart and intent.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People often seek their own glory and emphasize their own authority vs that of God.  This drives pride, arrogance, envy, anger, etc.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid seeking your own glory and emphasizing your own authority.  Do not judge on appearances.  Claim the promise that if you seek His will, You will understand the authority of God and the inerrancy of His Word.  Follow Jesus' example in humility to know where our learning comes from - in fact - every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17).  Understand and do God's will.  Study His Word to discern His will and allow for the renewing of your mind.     

Comment and discuss this post

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

"I can do nothing on my own."

 John 5:30-47

"I can do nothing on my own." John 5:30

I continue my study of John looking at John 5 and Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18 and continues through v47).  Yesterday I focused on vv25-29, and today my focus is vv30-47; here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares in v30 that He can do nothing on His own - which clearly is not intended to lead us to believe that He is dependent on anyone or anything as He is God (Triune God).  Yet as the Incarnate Son of God who was sent by the Father and about whom John bore witness, Jesus wants the Jews - those seeking to persecute and kill Him - to understand that He is the Promised Messiah spoken about in the OT - the same OT that the Jews supposedly knew intimately.  To reinforce His message, Jesus (see vv46-47) refers us to Deuteronomy 18:15-18 where Moses prophecies about Jesus.  Going back to v30, the point I see Jesus making is that all three identities and persons of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) work together not as one without the other.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: John the Baptist is seen as "a burning and shining lamp" (v35).  Many of the Jews, most prominently the Jewish leaders seeking to persecute and kill Jesus, do not believe in Jesus nor do they have the love of God in them.  They also seek glory for themselves and from one another vs seeking glory from and for God.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not seek glory for yourself - seek glory for God alone.  Claim the promise that Jesus is the one all of scripture points to as Lord and Savior for all.  Follow the example of John who humbly "decreased" so that Jesus could "increase."  Also follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father who sent Him.  We are to do the will of Jesus.  Do everything for the glory of God.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and who saves....You are the Promised Messiah that all of scripture points to. Thank You Jesus for loving me first and saving me.  I am not deserving of such love and salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You 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.

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:35-40

“Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 12:35-40, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is the fulfillment of prophecy - vv35-37 - He is both the Son of God and the promised messiah from David's line.  See also 2 Samuel 7:9-17.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People are sinful and broken and without God they seek glory for themselves - vv38-40.  They also fail to obey God's Word (see yesterday's post as an example) to love others and as a result the poor and widows suffer (see v40).  The scribes' hearts are hardened towards God and ultimately will be eternally condemned. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should not seek glory for ourselves but instead for God - we exist to bring Him glory. See 1 Corinthians 10:31.  This means we are assume a posture of humility, to pick up our cross daily, and to deny ourselves - loving God first then others. Of course Christ is our example.  

The text emphasizes humility.  Yes we are encouraged to understand God's Word.  But the scribes and Jewish elders used God's word to "puff" themselves up as described in 1 Corinthians 8:1-3.  Our understanding and knowledge of God's word should be used to renew our minds as described in Romans 12:2 such that His desires and will become our desires and will. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields.

Mark 11:1-11

And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. Mark 11:7-8

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 11:1-11.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of five) division (vv7-8):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Worship the One Who Embodies Humility."   
• "Coming in this way our Lord now proclaims openly what He has forbidden until this moment: I am your King! Jesus with purpose and intentionality presents Himself as the Messiah, knowing that it will provoke the Jewish leaders resulting in His crucifixion. Nevertheless, His declaration also is bathed in gracious humility.  The paradoxical kingship of Jesus shines so bright at this moment! He is royalty and deity wrapped in a single person, yet He moves forward in His declaration to be King in lowliness, weakness, and service. He does not come in pomp, but in meekness and lowliness; He comes in humility and simplicity."  
• The commentary refers us to Sinclair Ferguson's commentary on Mark which contrasts what those familiar with Rome typically see among its leaders and their grandeur, pomp and circumstance, with that of Jesus.  Jesus came as King of Kings but not as the Jews expected - in humility and not as a conquering king.

John Piper offers powerful thoughts on the subject of humility, including how knowledge puffs us up (1 Corinthians 8:1), and how we can manage and defeat pride.  Piper warns us about pride: "[p]ride is an enemy of the soul that is so insidious it will stalk you down no matter how many outward strategies you devise to avoid it."  He then offers five "weapons of humility" that he has used to fight pride.  Of course chief among any battle plan is to daily abide in Him (John 15:1-11) and to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God, You are an awesome God that has already defeated sin and death and You are with me always.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving that You saved me and that You never leave or forsake me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’”

Mark 11:1-11

“Go into the village in front of you, and immediately as you enter it you will find a colt tied, on which no one has ever sat. Untie it and bring it. If anyone says to you, ‘Why are you doing this?’ say, ‘The Lord has need of it and will send it back here immediately.’” Mark 11:2-3

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 11:1-11, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus continues towards His death on the cross, fulfilling prophecy from Zechariah 9:9 where the text shares how "your king is coming to you; righteous and having salvation is he, humble and mounted on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey." There are no signs that He is not willing nor will He not fulfill all of scripture including His gruesome death.  Once again we have a faithful God - He says how He fulfills the law and He is accurate. All of the prophecies pointing towards Jesus and His crucifixion are about to all ring true.  2 Corinthians 1:20.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The disciples are growing in obedience to Jesus as they grow closer to Him - they do what He asks without question more of the time.  Here they do not question Jesus' request to find and get the colt/donkey Jesus rides into Jerusalem.  Others initially question the act (v5) but ultimately obey hearing how it is Jesus who is requesting the colt/donkey (v6).  Some may question God but not Jesus - an appropriate response to Jesus' call.  Similarly we see those who greet Jesus as He enters with praise and worship (vv8-10) - again an appropriate response to Jesus.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God wants to obey Him - to do what He requests.  Just as Jesus was humble, we are to be humble.  We can claim and rest on Jesus' faithfulness; just as Jesus fulfills all prophecy every other promise He makes will come to pass.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who is faithful - we can rest knowing that all of Your promises will come to pass - praise Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your faithfulness nor how You save.  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. 

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Mark 10:32-45

For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Mark 10:45

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:32-45.  Excerpts from the commentary's fourth (of four) division (v45):

• The title of the fourth division per the commentary is "Consider Christ When Being a Servant." 
• "There is no thought in the Bible that the ransom was paid to Satan. At the cross Satan received only one thing: his defeat and ruin. Also, the price Christ paid was not taken from Him." See John 10:18.  
• "“For even” emphasizes the remarkable humility and service of One who should by all rights be honored and served. The “Son of Man” title (Daniel 7:13) is wed to “ransom for many” language (Isaiah 53:12), which radically redefines who and what Messiah would be. He is a suffering Messiah, a servant Messiah. The man for all men, the Man from heaven, the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve."  
• "We needed a ransom because we had all gladly and willingly sold ourselves into the bondage of slavery to sin. When He purchased us, our slave masters—sin, death, hell, and Satan—had to set us free!" See 1 Peter 1:18-21. 
• "The greatest and best person who ever lived and walked on this earth was a humble servant. He got down low so that He might lift others up. He, as Philippians 2:3 says, “consider[ed] others as more important than [Himself],” all the way to the death of the cross. And now He calls us, those who follow Him, to do the same." 
• 'If we are going to do the Lord’s work in the Lord’s way, we must take Jesus’ teaching seriously: He does not want us to press on to the greatest place unless he himself makes it impossible to do otherwise. . . . If we have the world’s mentality of wanting the foremost place, we are not qualified for Christian leadership.' Commentary quoting No Little People, Francis Schaeffer. 

The core of Christian leadership is the inverse to much of our worldly leadership where the focus is on self-glory.  Love God, and love others.  For those in leadership, the greater accountability there is to remain humble and to serve others. See also Philippians 2:3.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves - serving all of humanity above Yourself.  Thank You for being the final sacrifice for sins - taking upon Yourself the penalty I should have paid.  I am not deserving of my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all.

Mark 10:32-45

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. Mark 10:43-44

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:32-45.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of four) division (vv41-44):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Consider the Conflict in Being a Servant." 
• The other disciples are angry at James and John, likely because at least some of them also want glory for themselves and certainly do not want James and John to experience more glory than themselves - jealousy is aroused.   
• Yet Jesus shares that more power in His Kingdom results in more service to others - more power from God brings great responsibility to a good steward of this power in service of His will, not one's own.  The commentary points us to Romans 12:2 where we must seek not conformation to the world but renewal of the mind to understand His will. 
• "You want to be great, do something great for God? You want to please and honor the Lord Jesus with your life? Then become a diakonos (servant; v43), a doulos (slave) of all (v44). Become a table waiter, a household servant. Become a slave. Such a person will have the mind of Christ, esteeming others better than himself, not giving attention to their own interests, but to those of others (Philippians 2:3-5)."

It's not about us - we exist to bring all praise, honor and glory to God.  It is through us that others may see God and be drawn to Him. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves - as You laid down Your life for me so that I could live now with fullness, and forever in Heaven with You.  The greatest gift of all time - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.”

Mark 10:32-45

“See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” Mark 10:33-34

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:32-45.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first (of four) division (vv32-34):

• The title for this chapter of the commentary is: "Sent to Serve (Why Did Jesus Come)," and the main idea is: "[o]ur Savior came calling us to serve others just as He served us."
• "Mark 8–10 is the most sustained and specific teaching on discipleship in the New Testament. In each chapter there is a passion prediction of our Lord’s death and resurrection (8:31-32; 9:30-31; 10:32-34); a foolish response by the disciples (8:32-33; 9:32-34; 10:35-41); and a lesson on discipleship, service, and true spiritual greatness (8:34-38; 9:35-37; 10:42-45)."  
• "Our Lord’s instruction on spiritual greatness reaches its climax in 10:45: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” This is the key verse of Mark’s Gospel, the ultimate reason Jesus came. This gets at the heart of the gospel, the pattern for all who would follow Christ. We are sent to serve, even laying down our lives if God ordains it, just as He ordained it for His Son."  
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Consider the Cost of Being a Servant." 
• "He leads the way, and it unnerves them. He knows where He is going and what He will do, but they do not. They watch our Lord in amazement and fear, even though they have no idea what is happening and what awaits Him. That may have contributed to their fear. Jesus knew, and He knew fully. He considered the cost even as others misunderstood. Know that it will be the same with us."  
• "Privately, with the Twelve Jesus provides the most detailed and precise prophecy of His passion. His words reflect texts like Psalm 22:6-8 and the mocking of the Righteous Sufferer; and Isaiah 50:6, one of the Servant Songs, and the Suffering Servant of the Lord." 
• "God orchestrates the steps of our lives, down to the final detail, the last breath of life. There are no accidents, no surprises with our God....God has a plan for your life crafted to the last detail, the last breath, the last beat of your heart. He was sent to serve. He sends us to serve. Count the cost!"

The world emphasizes how we are to seek our own glory...that we are to serve our own interests.  Yet believers must understand first and foremost what Jesus did for each one of us and upon reflection on the cost Jesus paid for us, we must then respond by serving and loving Him.  This is our response...and He provides a helper to equip us - the Holy Spirit.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who saves. Thank You for saving me while still a sinner.  I am not deserving of how You save....my sin is great and it continues.  Help me turn from and overcome this sin and turn towards You as my daily bread and living water.  Help me love You as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me with my unbelief!  Please give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

Mark 9:30-50

And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.” And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.” Mark 9:35b-37

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:30-50.  Excerpts from the second (of four) division (vv33-37):

• For the first division, the title is: "Service to Others."
• "In spite of what He has taught [the disciples] about self-denial, dying to self (8:34) and losing their lives for Christ and the gospel (8:35), they still aspire to be sovereigns and not servants. They remain deaf to what He has said about the road to true greatness. Serving others out of an overflow of “gospel gratitude” has still not sunk in."  
• "Jesus confronts them about what they had been talking about. They admit they had debated “with one another about who was the greatest” (v. 34). Matters of rank and recognition were important to the Jews of Jesus’ day. The nature of man and the times have not changed all that much. Pride and the cult of personality arise even among the people who follow after the lowly Jesus." 
• The commentary exhorts to deeply examine ourselves for signs of pride. 
• We are referred to Proverbs 11:2 and James 4:6 where the text urges us to avoid pride (one the most prominent and dangerous of sins) and instead to be humble. 
• "Jesus does not repudiate greatness. He redefines it. Be great in things that matter to God not man."
•  "Jesus says you will only find real and lasting happiness (joy) when you do serve someone, not because you have to but because you get to and want to." 
• "Jesus does say there is a position you should aspire to obtain: a diakonos, a waiter of tables, one who washes others’ feet (John 13:1-20) or changes their soiled undergarments. The work is not glorious in man’s eyes, but it is great in God’s! Here is a posture and position worthy of heaven!" 
• "Effectively, “Treat well those who have no standing in this world (children, lepers, AIDS victims, the mentally impaired, the physically disabled, the aged), and you will receive an audience with My Father!” Jesus points the way to true greatness: Die to self, serve others, care for those no one else cares for. Receive them in Jesus’ name, and you receive Jesus—and His Father too!"

Arrogance and pride has long been a sin of mine and God working in me has helped me, and while there is work for God to do within me to "move this along" I am grateful for what He has done.  It's no wonder that the tag cloud for my blog both directly and indirectly ranks humility and related variants as the top topic during my bible study over the years. 

 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves....You came to earth as the Incarnate Son of God and to die - willingly laying down Your life - in a gruesome and violent manner - so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  The greatest gift of all time.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and of such a gift.  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. 

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Mark 3:22-30

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:28-30

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:28-30, which is the text for the third (of three) division of 3:22-30 per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary for the third division:

• "Jesus declares the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God in forgiving sins. “All sins,” literally, “whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme,” will be forgiven. All sinners can find the forgiveness of God if they will come to Him in repentance and faith."
• "However, verses 29-30 note the one tragic and fearful exception. If someone speaks against the Holy Spirit verbally and continually, with willful and malicious intent that reveals a hardened heart beyond the possibility of repentance, there is no forgiveness, and they are 'guilty of an eternal sin.'"
• "In this historical context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit denotes the conscious and deliberate rejection of the saving power and grace of God released through Jesus’ word and act...The considered judgment that his power was demonic, however, betrayed a defiant resistance to the Holy Spirit. This severe warning was not addressed to laymen but to carefully trained legal specialists whose task was to interpret the biblical law to the people. It was their responsibility to be aware of God’s redemptive action. Their insensitivity to the Spirit through whom Jesus was qualified for his mission exposed them to grave peril (Lane, The Gospel of Mark - The New International Commentary on the New Testament)."
• "The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart. (1) It is a sin of full knowledge. (2) It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. (4) It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus. (5) It is rooted in unbelief. (6) It is a sin a Christian cannot commit. (7) It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it."
• "There is a boundary of sin where, once passed, there is no possibility or hope of return. Do not even think of going there. Instead, run to Jesus in faith and repentance. You will find open arms there! You will find forgiveness free and eternal."       

It is remarkable that such learned men, knowledgeable of the law, would act in such a way as to blaspheme God's name.  They were so blinded and hard hearted that their own status as supposed experts in the law was threatened by Jesus and this prevented them from actually seeing who Jesus truly is - the one promised in the Old Testament.  Those of us who truly seek to deeply understand God's Word should be careful that such study and the resulting knowledge should not become an idol as it did for the scribes.  We should all remain humble and our humility should acknowledge that whatever knowledge we do have it comes from God and whatever gifts God gives us in wisdom, teaching, etc. also come from God and it is God working in and through us.  God gets the glory - not us!  Thank You Jesus for the mercies You pour ceaselessly.  I pray that I can remain humble knowing that I continue to sin and that it is You alone that forgives, provides, is in control, and deserves the glory.  We exist to glorify God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who saves and whose mercies never run out and are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise.  Please forgive me for my sin as it continues...daily.  Help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!”

Malachi 1:2-5

Your own eyes shall see this, and you shall say, “Great is the LORD beyond the border of Israel!” Malachi 1:5

I return to my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book, moving on to Malachi, the last book of the Old Testament.  Today, I complete a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 1:2-5 by reading the text accompanied by the commentary's introduction to this book, as well as commentary specifically for 1:2-5 - which has three divisions.  

In the introduction, the commentary shares the following excerpts:

• "Throughout Malachi we will see how God, as a loving Father, confronts, corrects, and challenges the people of Israel about straying from Him. No one is excluded."
• "Malachi is a call for Israel to return to God before the Messiah comes to earth, for it was written to a people who lived in expectation of Him, but who had not yet seen Him."
• "Fortunately, the message of Malachi is not only for those who hadn’t yet encountered the Messiah, for its message is not merely, “shape up, because the Messiah is coming”; it is, “evaluate yourself, for you are not measuring up to what is required of you.” Just as the people in Malachi’s day were to introspectively evaluate their walks with God, we must take an inventory of our lives as well."
• Malachi in the text is referred to as "My Messenger" or "My Angel," and this reference has multiple meanings including word of the Lord to Israel, word of the Lord to the priesthood, the forerunner to the Messiah, and the Messiah Himself.
• Malachi was a contemporary of Nehemiah - see also this overview of the book of Nehemiah.
• The audience of the book is a unified Israel and written during 450 and 430 BC after Cyrus of Persia's decree that all Jews return to the land of their forefathers. 
• The temple has been rebuilt and the priesthood reestablished.
• Moral degradation is at all-time high.
• Malachi looks forward to the Messiah.
  

Looking at the text 1:2-5, the commentary outlines the following divisions:

• 1:2a God substantiates His love for His people through His declaration: Although throughout the OT Israel often misses it, God repeatedly asserts His love for His people by protection of Israel and punishment of its enemies.  One such example is how God rescued Israel out of bondage from Egypt while Pharaoh and his armies drowned in the Red Sea.  Of course, there are MANY others! For believers, we should be reminded that God loved us first and while we were still sinners, hostile and an enemy to Him!
• 1:2b God substantiates His love for His people through His election: Our actions do not determine our faith - instead our faith is a gift from God delivered as a result of God's purpose alone.  The commentary points to how the text uses the example of Esau and how Paul describes God's love for Jacob (vs Esau) in Romans 9:10-12 and shares: "God’s election, then, is not influenced by human interaction or cooperation. He chose Abraham out of all the people of the world. He chose Abraham’s son, Isaac, instead of his half-brother, Ishmael. He chose Jacob over his older brother, Esau. He chose the Israelites over all other nations. But He did not choose them based on their merit....The point is not that God loved Jacob more than Esau, but that He desired to make a covenant with Jacob instead of Esau. Consequently, the reason why election is referred to in Malachi 1 is not to create a sense of exclusion. Instead, election is deployed by the prophet to comfort and reassure the people of God."  
  
• 1:3-5 God substantiates His love for His people through His rejection: "God’s rejection of Edom is a response to their wickedness. There is a contrast in the text between wicked Edom and blessed Israel....God’s love for Israel should not be left to speculation. He pointed the people to a historical event to prove His love: the people of God had been brought back from Babylonian captivity while the land of Edom remained in perpetual ruin."
  

The doctrine of election is intended to humble us, reminding us that God's love for believers is not the result of anything we did or do.  We should not respond with a sense of entitlement nor arrogance and we should not be self-reliant as God alone provides - John 15:5 reminds us that apart from God we can do nothing.  We should also see how God loves us even in our punishment, and that He welcomes back those who repent as the commentary closes with a reference to the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and love me - not because of anything I do or did, but simply because You are full of grace.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me. My sin is great and it 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.

Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

Acts 14

Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. Acts 14:15

While I have completed my study of Zechariah and it's time to transition to Malachi (as part of my study of the last four books of the OT using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book), I pause before moving to Malachi to study Acts 13-14 as preparation for my Sunday school discussion this upcoming Sunday.  In Acts 14, we once again see Paul speaking boldly.  Many believed (v1) but we also see opposition and persecution from the Jews (v2).  But Paul and Barnabas remained in Iconium and continued speaking boldly despite opposition and threats (vv3-4), including an effort to stone them (v5).  Undeterred, similar to Peter and John's response to the Jewish leaders who called them before the Council (see Acts 4:20), Paul and Barnabas pressed forward in their mission to share the gospel (vv6-7).  After healing a crippled man (vv8-10), those in the crowd felt compelled to worship Paul and Barnabas (vv11-13).  Yet Paul's response in vv14-15, draped in humility, exhorted the crowd to believe in the One who sent them and gave them the power of the Holy Spirit to perform such signs, wonders, and miracles.  Once again, opposition arose and Paul was dragged out and stoned (v19).  But Paul rose up and moved on - continuing to preach (v20)!  Amazing Paul and Barnabas could not be stopped!  This is clearly the hand of God.  As they continued the text shares how Paul encouraged the believers to endure in their faith despite how they will experience many tribulations (v22).  The believers (vv23-28) encouraged one another and glorified God in what He had done. Key themes in the text include (1) how Paul and Barnabas continued to preach boldly despite the threats to their physical safety; (2) how Paul and Barnabas remained humble despite having the great power of the Holy Spirit working in them (this is the same power that raised Christ from the dead - see also Ephesians 1:19-20 (NLT)); (3) fellowship among believers remained critical for encouragement and discipleship; and (4) how believers will face trials and challenges as we strive to live on mission (we will overcome - see John 16:33).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God, thank You for the example of Paul and Barnabas and Your Word.  I spend time with You, grow closer to You, and I am prayerful that I can become more like You and please You.  I am not deserving of how You love, save and bless me with Your Word.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses.  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.

[F]or then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD[.]

Zephaniah 3:9-20

[F]or then I will remove from your midst your proudly exultant ones, and you shall no longer be haughty in my holy mountain. But I will leave in your midst a people humble and lowly. They shall seek refuge in the name of the LORD[.] Zephaniah 3:11b-12

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:11b-12, which is the text for the third division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total).

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:11b-12:

• God has already passed judgement on how Judah (and all of humanity) suffers from arrogance and pride, relying on their own powers for all of their needs - trusting in self vs God. 
• As an act of grace towards Judah, God transforms his people and their heart by giving them humility.  This transformation is "simply acknowledging the truth about ourselves—namely that we are not good by nature, nor are we able to save ourselves. We are mortal, fallible, and in need of help, and because of God’s grace, that help is provided."
• As we do this, we can take refuge in God for all of our needs as the text describes in v12. We are referred to Psalm 91:1-2, 46:1-3. Psalm 46:1-3 in particular describes how, "[a]s a result of their position, under God’s refuge, they were able to face whatever might come with great confidence, peace, and resolve. In a very real sense this is one of the most prominent distinguishing characteristics of the children of God. Our ability to trust in God when the world crashes around us is radically different from the response of the world."
• We are encouraged to seek refuge in God in response to fear and anxiety. See also Psalm 56:3. 

Take refuge in the Lord and experience a peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)!

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 - giving me a heart for You and for saving me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings 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.

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

 1 Corinthians 15

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed. 1 Corinthians 15:10-11

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to an unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 15:1-11.  Here, Paul provides an unequivocal delivery of the core gospel message:

• Christ died for our sins - v3
• He rose and was seen by many, including Paul - vv4-8

Paul then goes on to share both gratitude and humility for the grace Christ poured out to him, that despite how Paul persecuted the church (v9), God was gracious (v10) and this grace was not in vain as Paul worked on behalf of the gospel as hard as anyone (though Holy Spirit working through Paul) to bring this gospel to others so that they also may be saved (v11).

It goes without saying that 1 Corinthians 15:1-2 provide an important exhortation that our salvation depends on holding fast to the gospel - daily study and prayer. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of so much grace and compassion for me - like Paul I am so undeserving of the grace You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.