“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.

We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things.

1 Corinthians 4

We have become, and are still, like the scum of the world, the refuse of all things. 1 Corinthians 4:13

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 4:6-13. As a starting point, the commentary* provides as it main idea for the text: "[b]ecause Christians have received every good thing from God, they should avoid superiority, expect opposition, and live humbly."  It* then, in the introduction, further outlines Paul's intent for the text: "[t]he Corinthians had both a pride and an unbelief problem. They were taking pride in particular spiritual leaders and were arrogant in terms of who they thought they were and what they had achieved. Paul knew how deadly these twin sins can be in the body of Christ, the local church. So he confronts them."

The commentary* then outlines and provides details for the following divisions:

1. Be Careful about Being Prideful about Whom You Follow (4:6-7): Paul first warns the church of Corinth, and by extension all believers, about misunderstanding the "nature" of the gospel, the "role of the Christian minister," and the "attitude of the Christian minister." He starts by sharing how the church leaders live life humbly so that they serve as a model for the church - he builds on text going back to 1 Corinthians 1:10 with analogies referring to the leaders as servants, co-workers, and managers/craftsmen sent and gifted by God. The leaders are mere vessels to advance God's kingdom and unworthy of worship - it is Jesus alone worthy of our worship.  The commentary* writes about the "cult of personality," arrogance/pride, etc. that consumed the church in Corinth: "[Paul] does not want the church to be arrogant, prideful, or puffed up, choosing favorites like worldly political parties do. We need to hear the same warning. Don’t be seduced by the ways of the world when it comes to your leaders."  Additionally, the message on boasting is reinforced as Paul reminds us that all we have is by grace not through our own efforts as "[e]very good gift and every perfect gift is from above" (James 1:17). As a result we are no better than anyone else.
   
2. Be Careful about Being Arrogant about Who You Are (4:8-13): Paul then moves, using sarcasm and self-effacing language about himself and the other church leaders, to admonish the church about their arrogance and focus on "cult of personality."  He provides a contrasting portrait of the church leaders (spectacle of shame, fools, weak, dishonored, hungry/thirsty, poorly clothed/homeless, roughly treated, mere manual laborers, reviled, persecuted, slandered, scum, and garbage) vs the church body in Corinth and how they felt about themselves (arrogant and prideful). We are referred to Lamentations 3:45 as scriptural support for Paul's reference to the faithful as scum and garbage. Focus on Christ for Your identity - not the world!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God who humbled himself so that I could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - simply incredible.  Thank You Jesus!  I am OF COURSE not deserving.  My sin persists...daily.  Please forgive me for my sins of both commission and omission.  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it 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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

1 Corinthians 3

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. 1 Corinthians 3:18

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 3:18-23. As Paul wraps this chapter, he concludes by returning to wisdom and a contrast between Godly wisdom revealed by God alone to whom He chooses, and worldly wisdom, which is described as folly.  Using similar language in 1 John 1:8 where John warns us to avoid deceiving ourselves by claiming to be without sin, Paul also warns the church in Corinth to avoid being deceived by claiming to be wise (v18).  He shares the counter-intuitive but Godly thought that we should instead strive to become fools - emptying ourselves of worldly sin and influences and allowing ourselves to be filled by the Holy Spirit that takes captive our every thought (2 Corinthians 10:5).  God sees all of our thoughts, motives, plans, etc. and He knows our heart and "catches the wise" as they pursue wicked and ungodly pursuits - ultimately the paths of the wise are proven futile.  To illustrate his point, Paul refers us to Job 5:13 and Romans 1:21-22.  The text wraps by commanding us to avoid boasting in men or worldly wisdom - because we all belong to God and He is in control.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - revealing Yourself and wisdom to me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this and the many other 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 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.

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, that God has prepared for those who love him”[.]

1 Corinthians 2

“What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, that God has prepared for those who love him”[.] 1 Corinthians 2:9, Isaiah 64:4

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 2:1-9. Here Paul builds on the discussion in chapter 1 where he contrasted God's wisdom vs worldly wisdom.  From the get-go, Paul shares how he came to Corinth a humble vessel seeking to be used by God to deliver the Good News (gospel). While Paul is known to be a gifted (by God) writer, he claims here to be less gifted in speaking (v1).  He sought to empty himself so that he could be filled with the Holy Spirit and its power.  Like any of us serving God, we seek to bring glory to Him and not to ourselves and we seek to make this abundantly clear (v2-5).  Paul continues by sharing that whatever wisdom is imparted - he attributes it to God alone as He alone reveals His wisdom to us (v6-7).  V8 amplifies v7 by describing how God's wisdom existed and was decreed "before the ages" and that if men in power knew this (which they did not by God's choosing) they "would not have crucified the Lord of glory." V9 gives me hope for the many prayer requests I have - 2 Corinthians 1:20. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your Wisdom - Your Word - the Holy Spirit, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ for helping me understand Your Word for me.  I am not deserving of the wisdom 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 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 because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:26-31.  The commentary* provide three (3) divisions for the text:

1.  God Calls the Unlikely (1:26): Here, the commentary emphasizes how God seldom calls the intelligent, influential and important of this world to Himself.  God wants it to be clear to the world that He is more intelligent, influential, and important than any other being in the universe and that His glory does not need anyone or anything.  God uses the most unlikely of those in the world to show that He is able to do anything through those He calls.  These are ordinary, humble people who surrender their live to Jesus. 
   
2.  God Chooses the Unimpressive (1:27-29): Counted as the unimpressive, the commentary shares how God chooses the foolish, the weak, the insignificant, the despised, and the "nobodies" of this world to do His work to bring glory to Himself and others to Him. The commentary refers us to Deuteronomy 7:7 where it is described how God chose Israel - an insignificant and weak nation - as His own and the foundation of His church. Additional examples from scripture provided by the commentary* include David ("a shepherd boy named David whom he made a king"), Amos ("an uneducated farmer and tender of sycamore trees named Amos whom he made a prophet"), and Anna ("a prophetess and who testified to the redemption of Jerusalem when she saw the baby Jesus (Luke 2:26-38)....All of them are insignificant to the world but not to God."
   
3.  God Changes the Unworthy (1:30-31): The commentary* reminds believers that "every good thing we have comes to us from God through his Son the Lord Jesus Christ." It shares that "wisdom delivers us from sin's perspective, righteousness delivers us from sin's penalty,  sanctification delivers us from sin's power, redemption delivers us from sin's presence, and boasting in the Lord delivers us from sin's pride."
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who is able to do it all because You paid it all - for me and for anyone who calls upon Your Name.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and 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 other.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

1 Corinthians 1

“Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 1:31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:26-31. As Paul closes this first chapter of 1 Corinthians, he builds on verses 18-25 where he contrasts worldly wisdom to God's wisdom, and shares how:

1. believers should remain humble as God called us not because of who we are (attributes, etc.) or what we have done (accomplishments) but out of His grace alone
2. God calls and uses the lowly, weak and foolish according to worldly standards so that what is done by God it will be clear to whom should get the glory - God alone
3. If any are to boast, boasting (praise!) should be about God

Paul concludes the chapter - verse 31 - by referring us to text originally found in Jeremiah 9:23-24. 

Avoid arrogance - remain humble.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen Your hand in my life to accomplish what I am unable to do on my own and You alone deserve the praise, honor and glory!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You work in my heart and life - my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed[.]

Romans 15

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed[.] Romans 15:17-18

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter twenty-eight - Unrivaled Success as a Missionary, with No Conceit.  Here, John Piper loves and admires Paul for how he demonstrated "one of the most courageous, sacrificial, effective missionary careers in the history of the Christian church,*" yet remained humble and gave all the glory to God vs taking credit for the fruit of his efforts. Piper first describes Paul's as a missionary to reach "not where Christ has already been named" (Romans 15:20).  He then shares how Paul was historically successful in establishing "churches from Jerusalem to northern Italy that would endure for centuries of empire-wide significance*."  Piper then shares how - despite this historic success - Paul remained humble and gave all the glory to God, pointing to numerous examples of scripture, including Romans 15:17-18, 1 Corinthians 1:31, 3:5-7, Galatians 6:14, Philippians 3:3, and Colossians 1:28-29. Piper closes the chapter by summarizing: "[t]herefore, a life of dependence on the power of Christ was the key to Paul’s beautiful combination of stunning missionary successes along with no boasting in himself.*" 

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and Your works are amazing and I have seen Your hand in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of what You have done in my 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.

...I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief[.] The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.

1 Timothy 1

...I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief[.]  The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost. But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 13, 15-16

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter twenty-seven - Admitting Imperfections and Turning Them for Love.  Here, John Piper loves and admires Paul for how he is "open about his imperfections, [and how] he actually turns them for the comfort and encouragement of others....Paul’s vulnerability here is for our hope, as we imperfectly pursue holiness*."  Piper starts by pointing out Paul is in elite company as an apostle, yet he freely admits that he is far from perfect and shares his weaknesses and battle against sin as a message of hope for others doing the same (all of us!).  Piper provides a number of scripture examples of how Paul does this:

• God brings people out of spiritual darkness (2 Corinthians 4:4-6)
• grants them to repent and believe (2 Timothy 2:25, Philippians 1:29)
• unites them to Jesus Christ (Romans 6:5)
• counts them as having the very righteousness and perfect obedience of Christ (Romans 5:19)
• gives them the gift of the Holy Spirit and the gift of eternal life (Romans 8:9, 6:23)
• begins the process of making them like Jesus, from one degree of glory to the next (2 Corinthians 3:18)

Piper notes how Paul shares the details of his battle with sin by referring us to 1 Timothy 6:12 and 1 Corinthians 13:9-10, 12, and also in Romans 7:15,18,22-25.  Piper closes the chapter by pointing to Paul's own admission of his heinous sins of persecuting Christians in 1 Timothy 1:13, 15-16 where we see how Paul "believed that God saved him the way he did and when he did so that people who despaired that they were too sinful to be saved might have hope.*"

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good and so full of mercy, providing Paul rich mercy and using him as a beacon of hope for believers everywhere - thank You Jesus for Your mercy for me...and for helping me in my daily battle with sin.  I am not deserving of how You bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

Galatians. 1:1, 11–16; 1 Corinthians 14:37–38; 15:1–9, 20–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17

For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 1 Corinthians 15:9

Today, I start a new study looking at the life of Paul, and using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I start with the Introduction.  I am compelled to look more closely at Paul because of his stature in scripture - he wrote 13 books of the New Testament - and because his words specifically reach deep into my heart to challenge me, sharpen me, encourage me, etc. In the Introduction, Piper writes how Paul does not claim to be Lord, but he "does claim to be an authoritative and truthful apostle— an   authorized representative and spokesman— for Jesus Christ, whom he says has been raised from the dead and is reigning over the universe and will come again in glory (see also Galatians. 1:1, 11–16; 1 Corinthians 14:37–38; 15:1–9, 20–25; 1 Thessalonians 4:13–17)."* My objective is to better understand Paul, and in so doing, love and admire Paul as John Piper does and ultimately to grow in how I see Jesus as the "supreme Treasure of [my] life."

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good and Your Word is good and perfect - and I seek to better understand Your Word by examining Paul who wrote much of Your Word as a divine prophet and message speaking on Your behalf.  I am not worthy of how You reveal Yourself to me...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word.

Isaiah 66

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word. Isaiah 66:2

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at - once again as it did yesterday on a broader perspective - what kinds of prayer pleases God.  John Piper first looks at what kind of prayer does NOT please God, and he points us to Isaiah 66:3-4.  Here Piper emphasizes God's word where He says in reference to the Israelites that disappointed Him: "when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight." These words reveal an arrogant posture towards God - when God calls and we don't answer - this reflects a heart where one feels that they don't need God or that they can hide from God.  Either way, such an attitude is fool hearty as we all need a Savior and God sees everything.  In contrast, we see in verse 2 an attitude of humility, where God describes the prayer that pleases Him.  It comes from those whose heart is humble and contrite - and who tremble at God's word, showing God the respect He deserves as the One True God. Piper also points us to Psalm 51:17 where David is explicit in answering this morning's question:

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17

Remain humble! 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me. I know all comes from You and You are faithful, providing for all needs.  I am not deserving of how You save and how You provide - Your grace is amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  Please help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  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 by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

Romans 12

For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. Romans 12:3

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the implications that arise for our prayer based on Paul's text in Romans where he exhorts believers to avoid thinking of themselves more highly than they ought to think. Piper explains that we can avoid pride by seeing that not only whatever gifts we possess are by the grace of God, but so is the very "faith with which we use those gifts." Both, as expressed by Paul, are "according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."  God is the One doing the assignment. Piper than pivots to prayer where he refers us to Luke 22:31-32 where Jesus prays for Peters faith - that it be strengthened and that it not fail.  Piper also refers us to Mark 9:24 where the man of the epileptic son cries out to God to help him with his unbelief - to heal his son. Bottom line - as highlighted by Piper as he wraps the devotion - is that we must "acknowledges that without God we cannot believe as we ought to believe." Humility is core to our faith as it gives us an ability to submit to God, not just for our salvation, but also daily for forgiveness, our daily bread, to be equipped to serve, etc. Be humble!

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

[B]y grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Ephesians 2

[B]y grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how the New Testament bounds faith and grace together so that we understand God's grace is solely the fruit of faith. We also must understand that faith is not the fruit of our own efforts, thereby we have no basis to boast about what we have done as it is God alone is His sovereignty over all things that acts to give us faith and His grace. To further amplify his exhortation that we not boast about what God has done, John Piper points us to 1 Corinthians 1:26-31 where Paul seeks for the church in Corinth to remain humble and boast only in the Lord.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have done great things, including giving me faith, continuing a sanctifying work in me, and giving me blessings abundant, including brothers and sisters in Christ that point me to You and encourage me in my faith.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues.  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.

But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him.

Daniel 5

 But when his heart was lifted up and his spirit was hardened so that he dealt proudly, he was brought down from his kingly throne, and his glory was taken from him. Daniel 5:20

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 5 as I lean on a commentary for its observations of this text. Building on my post yesterday, the commentary for Daniel 5 describes Belshazzar's actions in v2-5 as an act "intended to mock the God of Judah and to celebrate the gods of Babylon as being superior."  The commentary goes further to highlight two themes throughout Daniel: "Yahweh’s supremacy over all earthly powers and the importance for Jews to remain loyal to their God even in exile." It also highlights - serving as a warning for anyone mocking God - how it is dangerous to mock God..."[t]he Babylonian king had challenged and mocked the Most High God, and it was no contest."  Belshazzar's punishment was swift. We are referred to Proverbs 1:22-26 and encouraged to remain humble.  We are also encouraged to see how Daniel points to Christ: "[g]iven that Daniel has been off the historical scene for many years, it is almost as if he has risen from the dead. He is a man of impeccable character who cannot be bought or seduced by the idols of this world. Why? Because in this man of unsurpassed wisdom is the Spirit of the Holy God....his life looks forward to the ultimate mediator between God and humanity, the Lord Jesus Christ."

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

And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored.

Daniel 5

 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored. Daniel 5:22-23

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 5 and my unaided observations of this chapter. Here, the text shares how King Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, assumes the throne in Babylon, and during a feast for a thousand, Belshazzar leads the attendees to praise idols (v2-4).  Then, fingers and a hand appeared to write a message on the wall of the palace, which Belshazzar actively saw as the message was written.  The king brought wise men to interpret the message but none could (v5-9).  The queen brings in Daniel, and Daniel interprets the message - first humbly denying gifts offered to him, then admonishing Belshazzar for his lack of humility (unlike his father who ultimately did acknowledge the One True God and how He reigns) (v17-28).  In v30, we see Belshazzar killed the same night Daniel interpreted the dream.  V22-23 concisely summarize a key application for us all - to remain humble and acknowledge that God reigns, provides for all and every aspect of our lives are in His hands.  We must go to Him and seek Him for forgiveness and salvation.

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

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.

Daniel 4

 Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble. Daniel 4:37

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 4:28-37 as I lean on a commentary for its observations of this text. Numerous and amazing lessons are clear from this text.  The commentary starts by highlighting how the text shows how in v30 Nebuchadnezzar "had forgotten who is the Most High and who had given him his great kingdom. He forgot or chose to ignore Daniel’s warning and call to repentance."  Of course, this leads (see v28, 33) to Nebuchadnezzar punishment which was foretold to him through a dream which Daniel interpreted.  This is both an admonishment and warning to believers to go to God daily praising Him for all that we have, including our salvation, and to seek His intercession for the brokenness and sin we will experience daily in our own lives and in the world around us until we reach Heaven. The commentary sums up the arrogance of Nebuchadnezzar: "[t]he one who thought he was superhuman became subhuman."  The commentary refers us to James 4:6 and 10.  The commentary also quotes a key insight from John Piper about how we should see Jesus in this text - arrogance vs humility: "Jesus came into the world to convert people from God-like dependence on self to child-like dependence on God." The commentary then concludes with three takeaways:

• "[I]t reminds us to remember who is God and who is not, who is King and who is not."
• "[W]e see Christ in striking contrast with Nebuchadnezzar."  (see also table from commentary below)
• "God gives kingdoms “to anyone he wants and sets the lowliest of people over [them]."
  

Know God and be humble!

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