But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold.

Mark 4:1-20

But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold. Mark 4:20

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 4:1-20, moving to vv13-20 which is the text for the third (of three) division per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's third division:  

• "[Jesus] starts with a mild chiding. His words note the essential and foundational nature of this parable. If they do not understand this one, they will struggle to understand the others."
• "The sower in this story is Jesus, or anyone who shares the gospel, and the seed is the Word of God. The path represents hard-hearted or tough-minded individuals. The Word comes to them, and “immediately,” as soon as they hear it, Satan snatches it away. They are resistant and thus unresponsive. They suffer from what might be called “gospel deafness.” Like skeptics, they dismiss the Word without giving it careful consideration."
• "The next soil is welcoming but not substantive enough to maintain the growth of the seed. The people represented by this soil hear the Word and receive it with joy. They endure for a while and even show signs of maturity, just as the plant sprouts quickly, grows well at first, and looks promising. However, these people are shallow and have no roots. Soon tribulation and persecution—seen in the “sun” of Jesus’ parable—come because of the presence of the Word. When (not if!) oppression comes, these people “immediately” fall away (4:6,17)."  
• For the next group, "they eventually get distracted by worry, wealth, and craving for other things. Theirs is a partial commitment, which is, in reality, no commitment at all. This present life is more important to them than the life to come, and stuff is more important than the Savior."  
• "The final soil is noticeably different from the first three. It represents those who hear the Word, accept it, and bear fruit. Tribulation and persecution do not deter them. Worries, wealth, personal desires, and sinful cravings do not distract them. Their hearing is active, not passive. They aggressively pursue the Word, allow it to take root, and then rejoice in its abundant growth."  
• To emphasize the promise is v20, we are referred to John 15:5 where Jesus shares how we will bear fruit of we abide and remain in Him as He is the True Vine.  The stark truth from the commentary is that if we are not producing fruit we are not connected to God's Word.   

We should develop a hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) so we can claim the promise that we will be satisfied.  Of course at the same time we should time to time, perhaps with the help of a spouse, family, member or brother/sister in Christ, assess whether we are truly bearing fruit.  If not, this is a wake up call because we must avoid not being connected to the True Vine - Christ. We don't want to be tossed about during a storm of persecution, hardship, or suffering.  We seek a firm foundation - to build our house of faith on the Rock of Christ.   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that provides Your Word and the Holy Spirit to enable us to read the Bible supernaturally - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, Your Word, nor how You help me understand Your Word.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’”

Mark 4:1-20

And when he was alone, those around him with the twelve asked him about the parables. And he said to them, “To you has been given the secret of the kingdom of God, but for those outside everything is in parables, so that “‘they may indeed see but not perceive, and may indeed hear but not understand, lest they should turn and be forgiven.’” Mark 4:10-12

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 4:1-20, moving to vv10-12 which is the text for the second (of three) division per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary's second division:  

• "Verses 10-12 are something of an interlude between telling the parable (vv3-9) and explaining it (vv14-20)."
• "His answer [to why He taught in parables] constitutes what some would classify as one of the “hard sayings” of Jesus. It requires consideration and reflection. Addressing the Twelve and those who want more of Him and His teachings, He says they will be granted access and insight to the secrets of the kingdom of God. In contrast, those on the “outside” will get no explanation but only more parables."
• Jesus quotes Isaiah 6:9-10 and emphasizes how His teaching in parables and the difference in how some understand yet others do not is fulfillment of scripture.  
• The commentary refers us to v25 and shares: "[l]ove the Word and you will get more satisfaction and understanding in who God has revealed Himself to be. Refuse the Word and even the understanding you do have will be taken away." 

Believers understand how the Word is God (John 1:1) and how all scripture is God breathed (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  Jesus died on the cross, but He gave us the Holy Spirit, and His Word so that we can know Him, love, seek Him, become more like Him, and so much more!  See also Matthew 5:6 (ESV) where Jesus promises us that if we seek Him, we will be satisfied/content.  Jesus saves and satisfies like no other - drink of the Living Water and never thirst again (John 4:14)!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your Word and for softening my heart to hear and receive Your Word...and of course for saving me!  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.   

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”

Mark 2:1-12

And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 2:1-12, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Observations from the text using the Sword Method:

• What do we learn from the passage about God?:  Spreading the Good News is important - just as He did in chapter 1, we see Jesus teaching others (v2).  Jesus has compassion and He heals (vv4-5, 10-12).  He has power and authority (vv10-11) - Jesus reigns over all (see also Colossians 1:15-17).  Jesus also understands scripture - as He is the divine author (see John 1:1)!
• What do we learn from the passage about people: We must demonstrate faith trusting Jesus that He can heal others both spiritually and physically.  We must have compassion for others just as Jesus did - notice how the paralytic's friends were desperate to get Jesus to see and heal him (see vv3-4).  We must understand that we have sins of the heart or sins, God sees all of our sin (Leviticus 19:17) - notice how God understood the thoughts of the scribes (vv6-8).  We must love others as God loves us.  We must also recognize God for who He is - as God not only has power to forgive sins but over everything. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey?: Sins to avoid: questioning the authority of God or not fearing God. Promises to claim: Jesus forgives my sins and His mercies never cease and are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  Examples to follow: According to our role at home and in the church, we must teach God's Word. We must also demonstrate compassion to serve others in need. Commands to obey: Love and forgive others as Jesus loved us.

Just as the paralytic's friends were desperate for healing for him, we must also be desperate for the spiritual healing as we are all broken, sinful and in need of a Savior.  Jesus is this Savior.  He will forgive and save, pour out mercies ceaselessly that are new every morning, and He will live in your heart changing you from the inside out to become progressively more like Him every day.  "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied (Matthew 5:6)." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your rich mercies and grace that are inexhaustible, and of course 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.  

"I came to cast fire on the earth[.]"

Luke 12:49

"I came to cast fire on the earth[.]" Luke 12:49

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 18: The Enthusiasm of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "In the speech of to-day, enthusiasm is a noble word. It is fervor of mind, ardency of spirit, exaltation of soul. It is passion, heat, fire. Though the word is absent, the thing itself is present. Jesus bums with fervent heat. His very words are sparks which kindle conflagrations."
• "When a boy he visited Jerusalem with his parents, and slipping one day into the Temple to hear the 229 scholars discussing the great problems of religion, he lost himself. He forgot what day of the week it was, and what hour of the day it was. His father and mother and brothers and sisters and friends all passed completely from his mind. He plunged headlong into the discussion of the doctors, gave himself up completely to the subject of the hour, allowed himself to be swept along on the tide of thought and discussion, until all at once his mother's face appeared at the door and he was reminded of the place he had left vacant in the caravan which had started toward Galilee. In this temple experience we see a nature sensitive and impressionable, capable of being heated to high temperatures."
• "Jesus is so full of feeling after the experience which came to him in his baptism that he cannot linger near the homes of men, but must at once rush away into infrequent and dessert places where he can meditate upon the strange thing that has happened to him, and ponder the steps which he must next take. From this time on we have a man before us who is being driven. Even when a boy he used a word which expressed the intensity of his feeling, " Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" He never ceased to use that word 'must.'"
• "He felt that his life would be short and so he kept saying, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work." How intense his life was we can see in what is told us of his habit of praying. He was always praying. He arose early in the morning in order to find more time to pray, he stayed up late at night in order to increase the hours in which he might speak to God."
• "Men were astounded by the magnitude of his labors. Sometimes he did not take time to eat. Even when he went away for a season of relaxation he gave himself up to the crowds which pursued him. His words have in them an energy which burns. Again and again we catch expressions in which we can feel his great heart beating:"I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," "O woman, great is thy faith!" "I thank thee, O Father!" "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often!" All these are out of the throat of an enthusiast, a man surcharged with feeling. At the distance of nineteen hundred years from the day on which they were spoken our heart leaps when we listen to them. The rains of the centuries have not put out their fire."
• "He stirred men up wherever he went. They crowded him off the land upon the water. They pushed him off the plain up the hillside. They crowded the houses in which he tarried, they pressed round him as he walked through the streets. Again and again the excitement rose to fever heat, and Jesus slipped away and hid himself. Near the close of his career the crowds went wild in their tumultuous joy, shouting, singing, casting their clothing in the dust that the animal which Jesus rode might have a carpet for its hoofs like unto that furnished for triumphal processions of kings. No man can set a crowd blazing unless his own soul is ablaze."
• "A still finer evidence of this is found in the character of the men whom Jesus attracted to him as his intimate friends. The apostles were all men of fire. Do not believe the pictures when they paint the twelve as limp and pallid men. They were full-blooded, virile, mighty men, full of fire and passion, drawn to Jesus because in him they saw a man who satisfied them.  Peter had a seething soul, his words roll out of him like molten lava. John and James were called Sons of Thunder. The disciple whom Jesus loved was so passionate that he wanted to burn up a whole town which had insulted his Master....They loved Jesus with such an intensity of devotion, such a passionate self-abandon, that they were ready at any moment to lay down their lives for him. No man can win and hold the ardent devotion of strong men unless he has a soul which is hot. Jesus from first to last was surrounded by enthusiasts because he himself was enthusiastic."
•  "If you ask for the cause of this enthusiasm, you will find that it has three roots.  Put these three things together — a sensitive and inflammable nature, a clear and glorious vision, and a fiery and indomitable purpose —and you have the ingredients which go to produce the divine flame which is known as enthusiasm."
• "Higher than all enthusiasms is the fire that burns in souls in love with God. To know Him, to serve Him, to glorify Him, this is the highest ambition of which the soul is capable, and the soul when possessed with this ambition burns with a fire that cannot be quenched. This was the enthusiasm of Jesus." 

Believers of course are called to share in and demonstrate this enthusiasm.  In response to those seeking to trap Him with the question what is the most important commandment (see Matthew 22:34-40), Jesus answers: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment."  For believers who have earnestly taken the time to get to know God, this is the natural response to who Jesus is and what He has done for us.  Peter's response on his arrest after Pentecost (Acts 4:20) demonstrates such enthusiasm when in his defense he states: "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."  It is this enthusiasm that should motivate us to do what He seeks for us to do - with one example being the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose enthusiasm I now have inside inside of me via the Holy Spirit.  Thank You God for giving me an intense desire to love, please and find joy and satisfaction in You above all else.  I am not deserving of how You do this.  My desire for You is sometimes weak and this of course breaks the most important commandment.  So I know there is more work for You to do in me and through me.  Please forgive me for my sin 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.  

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD.

Zephaniah 2:3

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility; perhaps you may be hidden on the day of the anger of the LORD. Zephaniah 2:3

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 2:3, which is the text for the third division - entitled Judgment May Be Avoided If God’s People Will Seek Him - per the commentary. Excerpts:

• Vv1-3 are a call for repentance and v3 specifically defines what God seeks for repentance: humility, obedience, and righteousness.  These "are evidence of a life given over to Him."
• "Our natural bent is away from humility and toward pride, and pride is the mother of all sin. In order to walk with God, the people of Jerusalem would need to die to themselves and trust in Him, which sounds surprisingly like Jesus’ gospel call (see also Luke 9:23-24)[.]"
• Confession and humility alone won't cut it: "It is not enough simply to acknowledge (or confess) sin; they must also change their behavior....No matter the sincerity of their intent, if their intentions were not followed with actions, they were of no value (see also 1 Samuel 15:22)."
• Use of the word seek in v3 implies a pursuit - and here we are exhorted to pursue God and His righteousness.  See also Matthew 6:33. 
• "Verses 1-3 are a breath of fresh air after the devastatingly difficult judgment and condemnation of chapter 1. Yes, God is just and His judgment is coming, but thankfully God is also loving and gracious, and repentance is possible....God is good, even when it seems like the time is bad. Judgment is coming, but so is grace, so take hold of grace (see also Romans 5:8). 
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good, and You offer grace, hope, love and salvation to all - thank You for giving me these gifts.  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.

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively.

Jude

But these people blaspheme all that they do not understand, and they are destroyed by all that they, like unreasoning animals, understand instinctively. Jude 10

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 8-10, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the third division per the commentary - v10.  The commentary emphasizes how humans often have "wrong thinking": "[a]rrogant and ignorant, [people] slander what they do not even know or understand—a reference to the angels of verse 8. Talking without thinking, without all the facts, and from emotion, pride, and selfish desires, they make themselves look like fools as they talk like fools." The commentary then goes on to describe how the fruit of wrong thinking which is the product of a heart not focused on God - we are referred to Proverbs 23:7.  The commentary then describes how false teaching can warp our heart towards God: [c]laiming a higher spiritual understanding, [false teachers] knowledge does not rise even above that of the animals. Claiming liberty and freedom, they are slaves and prisoners of their own lust and basic instincts. Claiming to be right, they could not be more wrong. Claiming to live for God, they live for themselves. Claiming to rise higher, they actually sink lower. Saying, “We are free in Christ,” they become chained and shackled by their own selfish desires, wants, and passions. Professing to exalt Christ, by their lives they embarrass him and bring shame to his name."  We are instead encouraged to be slaves to God as He owns us and this provides true freedom in Christ: "He died so that you and I would live for him (Philippians 1:21), and this will require that we are transformed by the constant renewal of our minds (Romans 12:2). Thanks be to God that he did not leave us in our ignorance!"  We are encouraged to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion giving me a heart towards You.  Thank You Jesus! Yet I am undeserving of how You give me faith and 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 help love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my love, hunger and thirst for You and glorifying You.  Help Lisa and myself 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.

[Y]ou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.

2 John 1

[Y]ou will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:32

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, I continue exploring, with commentary assistance, 2 John 1:1-13, specifically focusing on a review of the entirety of the text, and the main idea, introduction, and fourth division per the commentary: "We Must Long for the Truth (vv12-13)." John living out the love God calls for believers, wants to continue pouring out his heart through this letter but instead longs for "face to face" (v12) interactions with his brothers and sisters in Christ.  "[T]he truth about Jesus brings together brothers and sisters from every tribe, language, people, and nation (Revelation 5:9, 7:9). We are one big family with the same Father, Savior, and Spirit. Nothing should tear down the walls of sinful bigotry and prejudice like the gospel of Jesus. Love and truth flow freely from Him to us all. Love and truth should flow freely from all of us to one another." The commentary for 2 John 1 ends with a reminder for us to love, live, know and long for the Truth that is Jesus Christ.  We are referred to John 8:32.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are Truth and Love and You indeed set me free!  I am no longer condemned, no longer slave to sin, and provided life to the full now and for eternity with You!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings...my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.

John 20

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. John 20:30-31

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 22.  Here, John Piper seeks to awaken the souls of all believers who, at least from time to time, maintain a sense of spiritual lethargy upon a reading of the Christmas story.  Piper shares: "You can read every fairy tale that was ever written, every mystery thriller, every ghost story, and you will never find anything so shocking, so strange, so weird and spellbinding as the story of the incarnation of the Son of God.  How dead we are! How callous and unfeeling to your glory and your story, O God! How often have I had to repent and say, 'God, I am sorry that the stories men have made up stir my emotions, my awe and wonder and admiration and joy, more than your own true story.'"  Piper continues as he prays: "Oh, how I pray for a breaking forth of the Spirit of God upon me and upon you; for the Holy Spirit to break into my experience in a frightening way, to wake me up to the unimaginable reality of God." He then describes how likely it will be at the end of times, when things get really crazy, chaotic and scary, that we will be surprised how we could ever have had any emotional dead-ness in the face of such an unimaginable portrait of God throughout all of redemptive history.  Piper concludes the devotion with: "[t]hese things are written — the whole Bible is written — that we might believe — that we might be stunned and awakened to the wonder — that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who came into the world." We should all pray that we always have a sense of wonder and excitement when we encounter the Word the God.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I am grateful for a sense of excitement and wonder you have given about Your Word.  Yet I know there is more work to do - my sin 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.

 

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?

 Psalm 42

As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? Psalm 42:1-2

For my daily study, I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at Psalm 42 and how the psalmist is not seeking relief from trial or challenge but instead is seeking God Himself.  John Piper shares "[i]t’s not wrong to want relief, and to pray for it. It is sometimes right to pray for the defeat of enemies. But more important than any of that is God himself.  When we think and feel with God in the Psalms, this is the main result: We come to love God, and we want to see God and be with God and be satisfied in admiring and exulting in God." Piper then explores what is meant in Psalm 42:2 where it asks "when shall I come and appear before God?"  Piper explains how this question can be translated into “[w]hen will I come and see the face of God?"  He points to John 14:9 and 2 Corinthians 4:4-6 where the answer is provided as the face of Christ.  Piper wraps the devotion by charging believers to seek that "the Lord increase [our] hunger and [our] thirst to see the face of God. And may he grant [our] desire, even today, through the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.

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

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

Hebrews 5

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

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

Comment and discuss this post. 

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

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word....The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Isaiah 66, Psalm 51

But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word....The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Isaiah 66:2, Psalm 51:17

This morning, I pause on both my study of Isaiah and my study of Proverbs, to listen to John Piper's daily devotion on DesiringGod.com.  The focus of the devotion is a question which should interest all believers - "[w]hat kind of prayer pleases God?" Piper first answers in the negative by looking at God's word in Isaiah 66:3-4 - the prayers of those who go through the motions of worship (i.e. ritual, heartless sacrifice and worship) but do not seek God's word.  I was once in this latter category and I am grateful that God grew my love of Him.  Piper then moves on to the affirmative where he emphasizes how humility and a contrite heart - our recognition of our brokenness and a God that loves us and seeks to redeem us. We must DAILY seek Him and hunger and thirst for righteousness as we ALL sin and need a Savior - that Savior is Jesus Christ and our need of a Savior should drive us into the arms of Jesus, manifesting itself in a daily, lifelong personal relationship with Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.

Revelation 20

Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law. Psalm 119:18

This week marks (meeting Monday nights) the final week of my D-Group's study of Revelation - using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide. For this week's study, we are collapsing the Epilogue (week 11) and the Summary/Conclusion (week 12) into a single week. For today, I wrapped my viewing of the video An Evening of Eschatology. 

Building on my post yesterday, I viewed the balance of the video, and as the video began to wrap, I watched as John Piper suspected that most viewers - as I did - would feel overwhelmed and challenged by how to both follow and apply the messages discussed.  In light of this, Piper asked each of the panel participants to end the talk by offering one thought of encouragement to not be overwhelmed and refuse to "dig in" to difficult aspects of the Bible.

1. Don't give up - continue to read the Bible and use the powers given to You by God and the Holy Spirit to better understand the Bible - Jim Hamilton
   
2. Keep the Gospel message front and center - Doug Wilson
3. God is honored when we sharpen our thinking by examining different Biblical interpretations - Sam Storms
   

Yesterday, I highlighted a passage from 2 Timothy - about how all scripture is breathed out by God and profitable.  Indeed I believe this and feel let to highlight another passage by scripture.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Revelation 1-3

I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:9-10

I continue with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide.  With a focus again on Revelation 1:9-3:22, at the prompting of my study I examine how Christ is addressing the church in Smyrna in Revelation 2:9-10; and the commentary looks at how Jesus wanted to avoid how the Jews focused on external manifestations of faith but instead on the internal - our heart condition. The world satisfies itself with "stuff" or earthly status.  Jesus instead wants us to focus on eternal rewards and how we should "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6), seeking to fill and satisfy ourselves with the "living water" (John 4:13-15).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has graced me with faith and never left or forsaken me - thank You Jesus!  Thank You also for the sanctifying process - I am grateful.  I am not deserving for these blessings and so much more that I cannot describe with words.  I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin continues - worry, anger, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  help me grow in faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.

2 Corinthians 4-9

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

Day 337 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth; given how much ground is covered in my commentary* (chapters 1-9), I broke the reading into two days, yesterday starting with chapters 1-3 and today with chapters 4-9. 

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

Yesterday, I started a post with comments on how we as believers may feel impatient with the process of sanctification and how a hunger and thirst for righteousness serves to carry us through this impatience as we learn to love the process itself, regardless of how long or slow it may be.  Today I read an awesome post by John Piper on why God sanctifies us slowly.  Piper essentially says that God does this because "f[i] God didn’t do it this way, [we]’d get uppity about it. [we]’d think [we] had it made. [We]’d think [o]ur strength was coming from [ourselves]".

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

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.

2 Corinthians 1-3

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

Day 336 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is Paul's second letter to the church in Corinth; given how much ground is covered in my commentary* (chapters 1-9), I broke the reading into two days starting with chapters 1-3.  For the entire letter (13 chapters), my commentary* focuses on Paul's sense of "fulfillment in his ministry" and in the church in Corinth personally. 

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

In the early part of this letter, we see an unfolding focus on Paul's defense of his ministry. Towards the end of chapter 3 we see Paul focusing on the source of his boldness and he introduces the process of sanctification.  Many of us, myself included, often find ourselves impatient as God transforms our hearts and lives into more of His likeness.   Thus faith (trust in Christ) and sanctification go hand in hand as it may feel as if we are watching paint dry.  For myself, I believe that "hunger and thirst for righteousness" plays a key role here also because when we wait for God to transform us and He does so slowly, we should at least enjoy the process - that is spending time with God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life and helped me grow in my hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing.  I fail often to make You first in my life.  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.

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

1 Samuel 28, 31, 1 Chronicles 10:13-14, and 2 Samuel 1, 4 

Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14

Day 93 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Saul and Jonathan's death, as well as David's reaction.  1 Chronicles 10:13-14 states the reason for Saul's death.  On the other hand, we have David who is a "man after God's heart" (see 1 Samuel 13:14, and Acts 13:22).

Saul sought affirmation and satisfaction from others.  Instead, God wants us to seek Him out and to gain satisfaction from Him.

This reference includes many verses about how God cares about a heart for Him.

We are all longing for something and too often we seek satisfaction from creation, not the creator. We should hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) as ONLY God will satisfy and fill the longing we all have. See John Piper on this.

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:13

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

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you.

Exodus-Leviticus-Deuteronomy 12-13, 17-22, 26-28

You are not to do as we do here today, everyone doing as they see fit, since you have not yet reached the resting place and the inheritance the Lord your God is giving you. Deuteronomy 12:8-9

Day 47 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses' laws which my commentary* describes as "some of which he gives here for the first time—or at least they are recorded here for the first time—and some of which he has already given but now further explains or reemphasizes. (As indicated earlier, all the laws previously given have been held in abeyance until this section in order to bring the total together in one collection organized by subject matter.) Although these laws are traditionally known as the Laws of Moses, it is of course God who is their source. However, because there will be other laws of Israel as the nation becomes more fully developed, it is appropriate to distinguish these early commandments by referring to them as Moses’ laws".

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

Much of the focus here is God's 2nd and 3rd commandments (see Exodus 20) where:
- "You shall have no other gods before me." Exodus 20:3
- "You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments." Exodus 20:4-6

To that end, God (through Moses) warns us of being seduced by "the world" as we will sow the seeds of destruction.  The more we grow comfortable with the world, the more we sow these seeds.  Instead we are to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6) and be "doers" of the Word as James exhorts us. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me Your Word, the Holy Spirit, and so much more so that I can be filled - as I have been!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings because I know I am not righteous as You are.  I sin...daily..with arrogance and other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

Exodus 5-8

But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go. Exodus 8:32

Day 23 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Moses and Aaron's confrontation with Pharaoh over a request from Moses that he take the Israelites into the wilderness to offer sacrifices to God.

During this time, Pharaoh's heart is hardened five times - despite it becoming clear to readers that God is working in the plagues demonstrated in Egypt and even Pharaoh's magicians indicated that “This is the finger of God” (Exodus 8:19).  

All of us may have experienced hardness of heart towards God at one time or another or we know others in our lives who have.  We need hope that God can soften hardened hearts.

For a perspective on this - check out John Piper's post "Does God Ever Soften a Heart He Has Hardened?".  See also this post for thoughts on how a hunger and thirst for righteousness ignites a "greater and greater flame of passion for God in our hearts".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has softened my heart towards Yourself and towards others - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of Your mercy.  I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

1 Peter 2

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

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

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

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

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

Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

James 4

Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. v4

All of us believers live in the world but the challenge of course is not to become OF the world in the sense that we want to avoid "conform[ing] to the patterns of this world" (Romans 12:2).

The anti-dote lies in our desire to come near to God so that He can transform our heart and life from the inside out.  James indicates as much in verses 7-8:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to nail my sin...and the sin of all humanity, to the cross...You willingly laid down Your live for me so that I would no longer be slave to sin - thank You Jesus that You did this and SO MUCH MORE for me.  I am grateful.  Of course I am undeserving.  I sin...daily...sometimes much more than I often am willing to admit.  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.