O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 4 of my study, the key takeaway comes from Isaiah 2:5, highlighted also in this post from John Piper.  Isaiah 2 is filled with prophecies of how God will bring low the haughty and proud, those who spurn or forsake God. I have seen in my own life how such a spurn leads to ruin and I don't seek this for myself or anyone.  Such ruin is not only in this life but also for eternity as spurning God leads to eternal damnation.  Instead I seek to "walk in the light of the Lord" all the days of my life. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is a light unto my path - thank You Jesus for being my light in a world full of darkness.  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin of worry and other sins 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.

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

 John 12, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” John 12:35-36

Day 312 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 morning focusing on the final week of Jesus' life and ministry, starting with Palm Sunday (Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey) through Monday of this final week where scripture for this morning ends. My commentary* indicates how Jesus enters Jerusalem on Passover which celebrates how blood on the Israelite doors in Egypt spared those inside from a plague brought from God to the Egyptian first born. "As the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus himself is about to be slain for the salvation of all who would recognize and accept the power in his blood....Jesus knows, however, that most of [the disciples] still do not understand the true nature of his messiah-ship and deity, and that there are many more who still do not believe in him at all. As Jesus is now given the greatest welcome of his ministry, his enemies fear his popularity and let him have his day of glory."  As those who oppose Jesus plot the appropriate time to capture Him, Jesus continues to teach, with particular attention on what is about to happen and why.

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

Just as Jesus is about to leave Jerusalem on that Monday of the final week, He calls on believers to focus on what is to happen with His death and they should believe and walk in the light.  The world is full of darkness indeed, and Jesus is the light.  I am reminded of how God is light and His words from Psalms and Luke:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Luke 11:33-36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is light - without You I would be lost and in darkness, and condemned.  Thank You Jesus for giving me light.  I am not deserving of Your love and the light You are and provide.  My sin is great - including a focus on my own comfort and desires above 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.

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance....Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 2

Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance....Do not let anyone despise you. v2, 15

Building on my post from a couple of days ago regarding hypocrisy and how we are to be a light to others, Paul encourages Titus to encourage those in his church to live lives worthy of respect and emulation by those who see them.  Paul addresses multiple roles, including older men (of which of course I am at this point), older women, younger women, and younger men.  Paul also addresses and slaves, yet this is a topic onto itself, including a discussion regarding Biblical views on slavery (sin) and joy in work (see also this post) - on the latter MacArthur believes the use of the term slaves in the Bible should be applied to "all employees".   

In v15, Paul reinforces my post from a couple of days ago by charging Titus to live in such a way that you cannot be accused of hypocrisy as this is believed to cause great harm within the church. ng

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who lived a spotless life - yet You willingly surrendered Your life for me - thank You Jesus!  This is the greatest gift of all time.  Of course I am undeserving of such a gift as 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.

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

John 11

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” v9-10

This morning I started reading the story of Lazarus (v1-43), Jesus' friend who fell sick but was raised from the dead by Jesus.  Jesus, in conversation with His disciples, remarks how He is light.  A few days ago, I posted as well on how Jesus is light.  I don't know how others can go through life without Jesus.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is light and so much more - You are everything, in everything, create everything and You love me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I worry and I have other sin.  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. 

See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.

Luke 11

See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. v35-36

John Piper encourages us to use our eye to value God for who He is and to treasure Him.  We must value God as infinitely more valuable than anything on earth - otherwise we are prone to allowing darkness and sin to overcome our body.  I am reminded of a post from a few days ago on filling our lives with Jesus vs earthly influences.  We cannot remain "empty" of God - again, otherwise darkness will fill the void.

Jesus, please help me be filled with Your Greatness, Love, Mercy, etc.  Help me feast on the Word of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who daily gives me live...to the full - thank You Jesus!  My cup overflows.  I am undeserving of the rich blessings You pour out on me.  I daily miss the mark.  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 result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.

1 Peter 4

As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. v2

We are called to be a light for others to see and to be set apart.

For us to do this, we must renew our minds:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1

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

For us to renew our minds, we must - daily - seek out God in prayer and in study of His Word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love, compassion, kindness, patience, etc. for me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I am not worth such efforts.  I continue in my sin - please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You - daily.  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.  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.

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

1 Peter 3

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. v15

We are called to be a light.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

We are also called to be unashamed of our faith.

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. 2 Timothy 1:6-8

The Great Commission calls us to bring others to Him so we must be a light, attract and bring others to Him.

I don't know when I will encounter trouble or suffering but I am certain it will occur - I am hopeful that I can be the light that God calls me to be.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God and I am deeply grateful that You have come to rescue me, forgive me from my sins and to always be with me until the end of the age. Thank You Jesus.  You are indeed a great God.  I love You.  Please forgive me for my lack of patience and harshness with others.  Help me turn from my sins towards You and 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.  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.

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 29

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. v11

God wants me to be the "light of the world", so I must demonstrate patience, kindness, peace, etc. (fruits of the spirit).

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

If I am and demonstrate Jesus to others (see Romans 12:1) one would see the fruits of the Spirit:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God whose love knows no bounds and who is quick to listen and slow to anger.  I am thankful for such a God because I am broken and I know I often fail to be the man You intend for me - yet You love me all the same.  Thank You Jesus.  Please forgive me 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 and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve You, my family, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done?

Proverbs 24

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? v11-12

There are those in my life who I know are being led away towards death...those who are staggering towards slaughter.  Yet I not only know this is going on, I have done little to nothing about it.  Shame!

God wants me to be a light and to share the light with others.

 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Read The Great Commission in Matthew 28.

See also Ezekiel 2, and Jude 1.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God worthy of my life as a living sacrifice and my full attention.  There is no God like You and I desperately need You to save me my the sting of sin and death and to direct my steps and my path. Thank You for snatching me from the fire.  Forgive me for not being the man You intend for me.  Help me be that man.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal  and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family and serve You and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory.

Psalm 149

For the Lord takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with victory. v4

Humility is very important - we must not allow our plans, our desires, our selfishness, or our ambition to be what people see in us.  We must deny ourselves and allow Jesus to be seen in us - others must see in us the Light that is Jesus Christ.

Also key to this verse is that we race for crown that is not of this world - we should strive for glory and victory for Jesus.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Jesus, please help me be humble so that I can run the race You set before me and run it to win the crown that lasts forever. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love, compassion, patience, etc. for me, even though I am not deserving. Thank You Jesus for Your love and great mercy.  I often fail to love others as You do.   Please forgive me and help me overcome my lack of trust and faith.  Help me overcome my unbelief!  Help me turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path.

Psalm 119

Because I love your commands more than gold, more than pure gold, and because I consider all your precepts right, I hate every wrong path. v127-128

God protects us from sin just as He did with Jesus in the wilderness.

Your statutes are wonderful;
    therefore I obey them.
The unfolding of your words gives light;
    it gives understanding to the simple.
I open my mouth and pant,
    longing for your commands.
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
    as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
    let no sin rule over me. v129-133

Rick Warren reminds us that everyone needs light, both physical and spiritual.  Jesus is that light.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the light of my life...You direct my footsteps, give me understanding, and so much more...thank You for being my God!  I can do no good things without You.  I am desperate for You.  I need You for forgiveness as my worry persists.  Please forgive me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

1 Timothy 1

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. v16

God redeems our sin and uses it for His glory.  That is what Paul is referring to when he writes Timothy in this letter.  God uses and redeems MY sin and uses it to demonstrate to others (perhaps with the same or similar sin or who otherwise might feel "touched" or "connected" to your story) His grace and power - SO THAT others can come to know and accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.  We are but instruments of God.

My Prayer: Lord, what an awesome God You are.  You are the one and only true God...worthy of my praise.  You have redeemed my sin and the sin of others for Your glory and so that others can receive the Good News of Jesus Christ.  You are so full of love, mercy, patience, gentleness, etc...for me. I am not deserving of such gifts.  Thank You anyway Jesus.  I am desperate for You in my life.  I am weak and broken...quick to anger, and slow to listen, lacking in patience. Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me be a light to others and draw them to You.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  Encourage her.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak. For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols?

1 Corinthians 8

Be careful, however, that the exercise of your rights does not become a stumbling block to the weak.  For if someone with a weak conscience sees you, with all your knowledge, eating in an idol’s temple, won’t that person be emboldened to eat what is sacrificed to idols? v9-10

Our life should be a witness to others, and we are not be slack in our ways or a hypocrite...even in the slightest or smallest "insignificant" ways.  Unbelievers will use our ways to justify their own wicked ways.  

I am the Lord, who brought you up out of Egypt to be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy. Leviticus 11:45

My Prayer:  Lord, You ARE Holy...pure, holy and blameless.  Yet You willingly came to earth, for me, and then suffered and died for me.  You rose again to beat death, so that I would no longer be a slave to sin, I would have forgiveness for my sin, and that I would have new life and life in Heaven forever with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  How awesome You are.  I am not all of what You have done..or any of it.  I have lust in my heart, I am selfish, quick to anger and slow to listen, impatient, harsh with my thoughts, words, and actions...and there is more.  Thank You that You love me anyway but please forgive me for my sin and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do and help me grow in my faith.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.