“I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;and I will cut off from this place...those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.”

Zephaniah 1:4-6

“I will stretch out my hand against Judah and against all the inhabitants of Jerusalem;and I will cut off from this place...those who have turned back from following the LORD, who do not seek the LORD or inquire of him.” Zephaniah 1:4,6

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, I move on and do an unassisted review of vv4-6. My first two posts on Zephaniah, covering vv1-3, describe how God is angry at Judah and His wrath and judgement is forthcoming.  In vv4-6, we understand why.  Judah has pursued idol worship, have turned their back on the Lord and no longer seek Him.  This is a message for all of humanity, for believers and non-believers alike.  For non-believers, You are urged to turn to God, to repent of Your sin and be saved to experience the joy and grace Jesus Christ.  For believers, we are urged to go to God daily for his mercies that are new every morning and never cease (see Lamentations 3:22-23).  We must not only be saved but we must continue to abide in Him that saves and develop a daily, lifelong personal relationship with Jesus.  If we don't, we must look long and hard at how we are spending our time, perhaps pursuing earthly comforts and activities and not God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You for being my personal Lord and Savior.  I am not deserving of such amazing grace that is new every morning and never ceases.  My sin continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel.

Isaiah 7

 In the time of his distress he became yet more faithless to the Lord—this same King Ahaz. For he sacrificed to the gods of Damascus that had defeated him and said, “Because the gods of the kings of Syria helped them, I will sacrifice to them that they may help me.” But they were the ruin of him and of all Israel. 2 Chronicles 28:22-23

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  Today, I continue with Isaiah 7, looking again at Ahaz's response to God's call for him to be firm in his faith (Isaiah 7:9). For additional details on Ahaz, we are referred to 2 Chronicles 28. Ahaz saw that his efforts with the king of Assyria did not help, nor did Ahaz's turn towards foreign gods help either - but he doubled down nonetheless. In Isaiah 7 we see that God's anger burned not just for Ahaz and the people that followed him, but also for the land as it was devastated with "briers and thorns" (v23, 25). Our study asks us to closely examine where we have allowed "foreign gods" to rise in prominence in our lives.  Worthy question indeed.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who reigns over everything - my life and every where under the universe.  You give me life, provide, and protect me, and You never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet my sin is great and it persists daily - I allow idols and foreign gods to distract me from worshiping You.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all.

Isaiah 7

If you are not firm in faith, you will not be firm at all. Isaiah 7:9

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  Today, I continue with Isaiah 7, looking more closely at the extent to which Ahaz truly was firm in his faith.  The study refers us once again to 2 Kings 16, where we see a more detailed account of Ahaz's response to the threat of Rezin (king of Syria) and Pekah (son of king of Israel). From an earlier reading of 2 Kings 16, we saw that Ahaz "did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord his God" (v2), so it should be no surprise that his faith was not firm at all. Ahaz instead hatched a plan of his own - and he initiated an alliance with Assyria and Assyria overtook Damascus, killing Rezin (v7-9).  Ahaz went as far as create a worship space modeled after that which he found in Damascus (v10-11) - idol worship! We all have our idols in life, that which we worship, including other people - the key question is the extent to which these idols are at or above the One True God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve - far too many blessings to even count or describe.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these blessings.  My sin is daily and it is great.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

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 if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Deuteronomy 1-4

But if from there you seek the Lord your God, you will find him if you seek him with all your heart and with all your soul. When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your ancestors, which he confirmed to them by oath. Deuteronomy 4:29-31

Day 44 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' words to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land - he recaps how God rescued the Israelites out of Egypt, provides for them, disciplines them, and protects them through victories over enemies.  Moses also ensures the Israelites are aware of how faithful God is as He has kept His promise to make the Israelites a great nation and to give them the Promised Land.  Moses also shares lament over His own sin and how this prevented Him from entering the Land.  He encourages the Israelites to stay near to God and to obey His laws and decrees.  Moses knows that he is about to die and pass on the baton of leadership to Joshua.

Moses believes idolatry is a great threat and he warns the people of how they will face God's anger should they worship "any kind of idol" (Deuteronomy 4:25-28).  Sensing the Israelites likely will worship idols, Moses offers encouragement for those who repent.  We all sin - but God is full of compassion and mercy.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has offered me great mercy and compassion as You have rescued me from the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift...I am harsh to others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please 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.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

1 John 2

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. v15-17

As a corollary to yesterday's scripture where John warned us about hate and hating other believers, today John talks about love "of the world" which is to love creation but not the Creator - of course with the latter referring to God.

John echoes Jesus' words spoken in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:19-24 where Jesus warns us to avoid storing up "treasures on earth".

We must remember that just as posted yesterday, our love of Jesus and others must surpass all else - including family.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I love You.  Yet I am undeserving of such a God.  I worry and I have others sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority.

1 Thessalonians 2

We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. v4-6

As Paul describes his ministry and the opposition he faced (v2) he goes on to remark about how it does not matter whether he faced opposition or not because he knows that God wants him to continue doing what he is doing and it does not matter how others feel about his ministry as long as it pleases God.  

Many of us seek earthly recognition, status, etc. and this is a powerful idol.  This begs the question of how do we know if what we are doing is pleasing to God.  Renewal of the mind is key.  This is a significant area of study - John Piper has many thoughts on this topic.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided great clarity for me in many areas of my life and Your will - thank You Jesus.  I depend on You for direction and clarity and without it I would be utterly lost!  I am undeserving of Your wisdom and love.  I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me 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.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.

Romans 1

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. v25

As I begin my study of Romans, it helps for me to better understand some of the background and structure of this letter by Paul.  The linked resource (overviewbible.com) breaks down Romans into the following sections:

- How our sin makes us enemies of God (Ro 1:18–3:20)
- How Jesus reconciled us with God (Ro 3:21–5:21)
- How the Spirit changes us from sinners to sons of God (Ro 6–8)
- How God glorifies Himself in salvation (Ro 9–11)

One key aspect of sin highlighted in v25 is how we focus on the created vs the Creator. We are all guilty of this sin and in the U.S. this is particularly true; David Platt is known well for addressing this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and You created me - You also saved me and adopted me as Your family and as a child of God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin - I am selfish...among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Luke 19

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” v8

In contrast to the rich young ruler in Luke 18 who went away sad, recognizing that he could not have both salvation and love/idolatry of his wealth, Zaccheus was willing to give up his love of money in return for salvation.  Note that Zaccheus did not give up ALL of his wealth but 50% of it.  The rich young ruler, in contrast, was asked by Jesus to give up all of his wealth to have eternal life.  The difference between the two from Jesus' perspective was their heart condition and views on wealth. Zaccheus did not place his wealth above God (or even at the same level of God) but the rich young ruler did.  Heart condition matters.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me with treasures that surpass earthly profit.  You are worth SO much more than gold or silver - and You bless me with faith, Your Word, the church, my brothers and sisters and Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark - I often seek to bring glory to myself.  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 the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days.

Hosea 3

For the Israelites will live many days without king or prince, without sacrifice or sacred stones, without ephod or household gods. Afterward the Israelites will return and seek the Lord their God and David their king. They will come trembling to the Lord and to his blessings in the last days. v4-5

All of us sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8) and turn to other Gods from time to time.  Yet we have a God who welcomes us back with open arms – we must first repent and ask for His forgiveness.  God is full of grace and mercy and He will forgive us.  However, even though God forgives us, we will all be held accountable for our actions – either in this life or on the Day of Judgement when we die or when Jesus returns. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, mercy and second chances – You forgive even though I am undeserving.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of such forgiveness.  I worry.  Please forgive me 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.  Please 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.

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.

Ezekiel 21

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it. v26-27

We all want to be recognized - to feel worth, to be exalted.  Yet we often chase idols - other people, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. We often want the crown on our own head and and we often place our own desires ahead of those of God - we fail to recognize that we exist to glorify God.  God is our King of Kings and He deserves the glory!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love of mercy and compassion for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  I often place myself and idols before and above You. Please forgive me!  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.

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

Ezekiel 7

Their silver and gold will not be able to deliver them in the day of the Lord’s wrath. It will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs, for it has caused them to stumble into sin. v19

God does not dislike wealth - He created it.  Yet wealth cannot stand in our way of or replace our relationship with Jesus.  We cannot idolize wealth.  In Ezekiel here we see how it caused Israel to "stumble into sin".


In the Bible God often deals harshly with those who put wealth above or in place of God.   

Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5)

Yet even Jesus knows the truth about how hard the rich find it to part from their wealth (see Luke 18:18-30)

John Piper talks about being rich in good deeds.

See also wealth.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am undeserving of how You have blessed me.  I have too often placed my security in money and this is sinful!  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.

“Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.’ I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.”

Jeremiah 43

“Remnant of Judah, the Lord has told you, ‘Do not go to Egypt.’ Be sure of this: I warn you today that you made a fatal mistake when you sent me to the Lord your God and said, ‘Pray to the Lord our God for us; tell us everything he says and we will do it.’ I have told you today, but you still have not obeyed the Lord your God in all he sent me to tell you. So now, be sure of this: You will die by the sword, famine and plague in the place where you want to go to settle.” v19-22

Just as Jeremiah prophesied, Babylonia sacked Jerusalem, took King Zedekiah captive (Jeremiah 39), left a remnant behind in Judah: "some of the poor people, who owned nothing; and at that time he gave them vineyards and fields" (Jeremiah 39:10).

In chapters 40-42, we see fear in the eyes of the remnant as Ishmael son of Nethaniah kills Gedaliah, the appointed governor over Judah.  Many begin to flee Judah to Egypt (Jeremiah 41) and in chapter 42 we see Jeremiah deliver a message from the Lord warning the remnant not to flee to Egypt.  This warning goes from verse 7-22.

In chapter 43 we see Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah accuse Jeremiah of lying to them regarding the Lord's message (see v1-7) and in direct disobedience to God lead the remnant to Egypt.

The question in my mind is when fear strikes do we trust in the Lord or in man?  

For the leaders of the remnant here it seems a bit more clear cut in that Jeremiah was clear in his words from the Lord that going to Egypt was a bad idea - and Jeremiah has a track record of being on the up and up.   

For the rest of us, we must a reverent fear of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who leads me when times are good and when times are bad - thank You for carrying me through valleys of darkness.  You are truly a great God.  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I often fall down in my faith and trust in myself, others or in idols.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my faith.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept Jesus as their Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land. In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness.

Isaiah 16

The oppressor will come to an end, and destruction will cease; the aggressor will vanish from the land.  In love a throne will be established; in faithfulness a man will sit on it—one from the house of David—one who in judging seeks justice and speeds the cause of righteousness. v4-5

We all seek something of the world - that is our sinful nature.  The Israelites sought a king (1 Samuel 8) because God alone was not sufficient.  God ultimately gave us His Son Jesus Christ as the King of Kings...and He did so just as Isaiah 16:4-5 indicates.  He did so out of love.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

We don't need to ask for anything of this world, certainly not for a king.  God loves us and He will provide what we need and what we ask for given we ask in the name of God. 

And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:14

Jesus, give me a heart not after this world, but after You.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me - this I know.  You gave me Your Son Jesus Christ!  Thank You!  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am lazy.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please 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.

Do not put your trust in princes,in human beings, who cannot save.

Psalm 146

Do not put your trust in princes,in human beings, who cannot save. v3

I've been worrying about something to happen in my work life - relying and trusting in others.  Sinful!  I needed this morning's reminder that I should trust in God first and foremost - above others and not idolize others.

God provides for all of my needs.  Moses' words ring so true this morning:

You may say to yourself, “My power and the strength of my hands have produced this wealth for me.” But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:17-18

And yesterday's post and posts here also serve to remind me of how God is REAL and that I need not worry.


I need not trust in myself or others above God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me - You provide for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  You overwhelm me with Your love.  I am not worthy of such love.  I worry and trust in others often above You.  Please forgive me!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please 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.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. v37

God does not mind that we enjoy earthly things - however, we are never to place them as high as or above God.  We cannot idolize them. It is a heart matter.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

Lord Jesus, help me avoid any focus on things and instead fix my eyes on You.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, what an awesome God You are that You have blessed me beyond what I deserve, despite my brokenness. Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I continue to 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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please 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 server You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash.

2 Kings 14

The Lord had seen how bitterly everyone in Israel, whether slave or free, was suffering; there was no one to help them. And since the Lord had not said he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven, he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam son of Jehoash. v26

God goes to great lengths to get our attention, demonstrating that we don't get what we deserve (wages of sin is death - Romans 6:23) and we do get what we don't deserve (grace is gift - Ephesians 2:8-9).  As part of this, we see God as someone who once again always keeps His promises, and this stops Him from destroying or allowing the destruction of Israel.

Our response to such grace should be one of repentance.  We should turn towards God. 

Yet according to the Macarthur Bible Commentary, Israel enjoyed prosperity not experienced since the days of Solomon but failed to turn towards God.  Instead, Jeroboam and Israel rested in material wealth.

This is our story - we too often place our faith in ourselves, others, and in earthly possessions and material wealth.  

Lord Jesus, please help me trust in You alone!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are - You save me from the sting of sin and death and You provide eternity in heaven.  Thank You Jesus - You are the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  I worry - FAR too much.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

“The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.”

2 Kings 2

“The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” v15

I see symbolism in Elijah's life that points us to Jesus.

Elijah is taken to heaven but He is not the promised Messiah - Jesus is.

When Elijah dies, Elisha tears his cloak in two. When Jesus dies, the curtain of the temple is torn in two (Matthew 27:51). 

When Elijah dies, others look for Him for three days but they do not find him.  When Jesus dies, he returns in three days and He is seen by many.

When Elijah dies, a double portion of God's spirit rests on Elisha.  When Jesus dies, the Holy Spirit is provided to the disciples at Pentecost and to all of us.

Bottom line: there is significance in Elijah's life and his life is worthy of study as is all of the Bible - but in particular Elijah.

Great commentary on Elijah here.

From this commentary:
"The world today still has its Ahabs and Jezebels. The present age also has its idolatry, though it is more subtle than that of Elijah’s day.

The shrines of pagan worship may not be as visible in a basically Christian-professing society, and there may be very few carved images that people actually worship, yet millions are following after the gods of this world. Today’s idols can be riches, fame, pleasure and the pleasant-sounding fables that occupy the hearts and minds of many who are unwilling and disinterested in learning about God."

The commentary also says this about Elijah:
Elijah is considered one of the most important prophets of the Old Testament. He faithfully carried out God’s mission in the face of danger and hardship. His was a singular voice of “one crying in the wilderness” to rebuke sin in the land and to expose the false prophets and false religions of his day.


Believers such as myself may also, as Elijah does, feel alone and discouraged sharing the Gospel and living as Christ commands us to.  Yet if we earnestly seek Him and cry out to Him as Elijah does (see 1 Kings 19).  

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You will never leave or forsake us and You always hear and respond to our call.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done.

1 Kings 14

By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than those who were before them had done. v22

We see here that God is a jealous God, as He is angry with how those in the kingdom of Judah who worshiped other gods besides the One True God.  Israel worshiped other gods as well - see 1 Kings 12:30.

God is referred to as a jealous God throughout scripture - primarily the Old Testament.

Yet this is not a human jealousy as God's thoughts and ways are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8).

Paul refers to Godly jealousy in his letter to the church in Corinth:

I hope you will put up with me in a little foolishness. Yes, please put up with me!   I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.  2 Corinthians 11:1-3

Charles Spurgeon describes Godly jealousy here with an excerpt below.


"Not that God is jealous so as to bring him down to the likeness of men, but that this is the nearest idea we can form of what the Divine Being feels—if it be right to use even that word toward him—when he beholds his throne occupied by false gods, his dignity insulted, and his glory usurped by others."

Lord Jesus, please help me avoid worshiping other gods and love You alone.

My Prayers: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me - I know from time to time I have worshiped other Gods. Yet You have been slow to anger and abounding in love - thank You Jesus! Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard.

1 Samuel 21

So he pretended to be insane in their presence; and while he was in their hands he acted like a madman, making marks on the doors of the gate and letting saliva run down his beard. v13

David is certainly a man who has a heart for the Lord - yet he was not perfect.  Just as Moses or anyone before David or anyone after David (Paul, Peter, etc.), we must recognize that God alone is pure and sinless.  Jesus lived a sinless life and did not deserve to die, yet He willingly submitted to God's will (John 3:16).

While we, from time to time, place faith in other people to give us hope, encouragement, etc., we must recognize that God alone is source for all and He will provide for all of our needs.

But remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your ancestors, as it is today. Deuteronomy 8:18

 

 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy such love.  I often worry and I place my hope in people or earthly things - I know this is sinful.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please 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.  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.