And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover.

Mark 14:12-25

And the disciples set out and went to the city and found it just as he had told them, and they prepared the Passover. Mark 14:16

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is per the commentary, the first division of the text from Mark 14:12-25 - vv12-16.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv12-16: (1) God in the text: we see Jesus moving forward willingly with the Father's plan to become the sacrifice needed to atone for all of the sin for all of humanity throughout redemptive history.  Annual animal sacrifices were not ultimately what God desired as He seeks our heart and our obedience - see Hebrews 10:1-18 and Psalm 40:6–8, Isaiah 1:11–15, and Jeremiah 7:21–23. This was a plan Jesus both knew about in advance and orchestrated as He is in control - of course He could have stopped His own death but He did not; (2) people in the text: We see the disciples being obedient in following Jesus' instructions for preparation for the Passover.  We also see the disciples claiming not to betray Jesus.  While it is true that only Judas betrayed Jesus to the extent that got Jesus arrested, the disciples all scattered and sought anonymity and protection upon Jesus' arrest.  (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: we should stand our ground allowing Jesus to steel and strengthen us during times of persecution - we should not hide our faith.  If we understand God's will for our lives we should follow it - regardless of the cost.  

 Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division (vv12-16): 

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "The King Prepares for His Passion," and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv1-11) is "Jesus is both the Suffering Servant of the Lord and the Sacrificial Lamb of God, who would die for the sins of the world according to the will of God."
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Jesus Was in Control of the Events Leading to His Death." 
• "Little did [the disciples] know that an even greater Passover was unfolding as Jesus prepared Himself to be sacrificed as our Passover Lamb (1 Corinthians 5:7)."
• "The cross did not catch Him off guard. No, it was a divine appointment scheduled, as Peter would write, “before the foundation of the world” (1 Peter 1:20)."

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

And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in of her.

Mark 14:1-11

And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. Mark 14:9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 14:1-11.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of four) division (vv6-9):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Extravagant Acts of Love Will Be Remembered." 
• Jesus reprimands those who are indignant (vv4-5) in v6. 
• "Here in Mark 14:6-9 we see our Lord in effect standing up for another faithful servant, a woman who has showered Him with a sacrifice of extravagant love only to be ridiculed by those who should have known better."  
• "Some readers misread verse 7, supposing Jesus to be insensitive toward the poor. We should do good for the poor. Jesus believed and taught that. The issue here is between “always” and “not always.” The poor are always there, but Jesus would not be. The opportunity to show Him this kind of personal love and affection would soon be gone. Further, Jesus is God, and the first of the great commands always trumps the second[.]"   
• "Jesus indeed asserts His preeminence above all others (cf. Colossians 1:18). This might help: Put these words in the mouth of any other human person, and they sound scandalous, self-centered, even narcissistic. Put them in the mouth of the Son of God who “for your sake . . . became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich” (2 Corinthians 8:9), and they make all the sense in the world. Care for the poor, but worship the Savior!" 
• "Jesus makes three striking observations about Mary. (1) “She has done what she could.” She held nothing back! (2) Her act of extravagant love had prophetic and symbolic significance: “She has anointed My body in advance for burial.” Did she fully understand what was about to happen? Probably not. Did she have greater insight into our Lord’s coming passion than the 12 apostles? Of this I have little doubt. (3) Jesus makes a promise that her sacrifice of extravagant love will never be forgotten as the gospel advances throughout 'the whole world.'"

The commentary starts by referring us to Stephen, the first martyr who died for Christ - the ultimate expression of love (see also John 15:13). Mary makes a different yet still significant expression of love - this is what Jesus emphasizes here from the text - that we love God above all others and our lives should express love and worship of Him (see Romans 12:1).

Comment and discuss this post.

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

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12:1

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

This morning, I pause my study of Haggai to prepare for leading Sunday school tomorrow where our focus will be on Old Testament prophecies of Jesus - The Life of Jesus (Part 1 of 2). One of the OT prophecies comes from Psalm 40:6-8 and discussed in Hebrews 10:14 where Jesus is the perfect sacrifice.  I am then drawn to Romans 12:1 where Paul exhorts believers to offer their bodies as a living sacrifice.  John Piper, in this post on DesiringGod.com, draws on this to share that while mercy to others is important, worship of God is first and foremost and that "Before Paul describes our new life in Christ as merciful, he describes it as worshipful. Before you think that the Christian life has everything to do with being merciful to people, realize that it has everything to do with being worshipful toward God....Before we give ourselves away in mercy to man, we give ourselves away in worship to God. This is crucial to see. We must never let the Christian life drift into a mere social agenda. I use the word “mere” carefully, because if God is left out, our mercy will be mere social agenda. We do no one good in the end if we are not worshiping and leading them to worship in the acts of mercy that we do. If our good deeds are not expressing the worth of God, then our deeds are not worship, and in the end, will not be merciful. Making people comfortable or helping them feel good on the way to everlasting punishment, without the hope and the design that they see Christ in your good deeds, is not mercy. Mercy must aim to make much of Christ. No one is saved who doesn’t meet and make much of Christ. And not to care about saving is not merciful.  Therefore, it is absolutely essential that Paul put worship before mercy and that he define the Christian life as worshipful before he defines it as merciful." 

Amen!  We exist to worship and bring glory to God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God worthy of my worship and I know I exist to worship You and bring You glory.  You are SO good...and SO good to me. Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the mercies that are new every morning and never cease.  I am undeserving.  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 Dsutin.  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.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few.

Ecclesiastes 5

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Religion Is Meaningless without Jesus - the first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Religious Ritual without the Fear of God Is Meaningless.  Here the commentary describes the woeful state of American Christianity, which has become consumer oriented-focusing on the satisfaction of the worshiper vs God who of course should be the object of a worship.  The commentary shares: "religion has become a means to use God for what we really want rather than an experience of standing in awe of the living God."  As the commentary digs into the details of Ecclesiastes 5:1-6, it shares how empty rituals of sacrifice are not pleasing to God - God wants a heart of repentance and trust and faith in Him.  Our church attendance must not be simply out of habit but truly a time of going to God in awe of who He is and being grateful for the amazing grace He has poured out for us.  On the subject of church ritual and sacrifice (i.e. tithing, etc.) God wants us to offer our bodies as a "living sacrifice" (Romans 12:1) as we should do everything for the glory of God.  We are also referred to 1 Samuel 15:22 that describes how God wants obedience to His commands not empty ritual.  The commentary then moves to the topic of prayers and how we are to approach prayer as part of worship.  Pointing to vv2-3, the commentary refers us to Matthew 6:7-8 and shares "[t]he person thinks because of how they pray, what they pray, or how many words they use that God will be favorable toward them. Some people think they must pray in King James language for God to actually listen and answer. Others think they have to be casual and refer to God as “Daddy” to be heard. What you say or how you say it is not the issue. The issue is your heart. But we so often think our heavenly Father is like earthly parents who can be asked at the right time or in the right way and we can get the answer we want."  The commentary concludes for this division's text by exploring vows in vv4-6.  We are warned not to make empty vows with God as it shares: "Solomon says in verse 5 that it is better not to make a vow than to vow and not pay it. Hold your tongue. Keep your mouth shut. One example in our culture where we make vows is marriage. It is better to be single and unmarried than to get married and break your vows. In addition to marriage vows, we make private and public promises to God—like dedicating ourselves that we will raise our children to know and love Jesus, that we will be a better spouse, that we will give to some church campaign, or that we will not lose our temper anymore with our children—but we fail to keep our promises. We dedicate ourselves in front of God and the church to raise our babies right, and we start out so well, but once they grow up and ball games or recitals start happening on Sundays, we get out of church. You make a promise not to yell at your kids on Sunday, but by Wednesday you are tired, and they grate on your nerves so you explode. Solomon says not to let your mouth make you sin and not to tell the messenger it was a mistake to make that vow. The messenger most likely refers to a temple official who ensured vows were fulfilled (Enns, Ecclesiastes, 68)."  Breaking a vow with God angers Him and this is dangerous indeed - see Acts 5 for the story of Ananias and Sapphira as an example of God's wrath for those who do not deal honestly with God.  We should not try and manipulate God but instead revere Him and worship Him with a true and repentant heart that is grateful for His amazing grace.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and whose mercies are new every morning and never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such incredible 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 energy.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

 1 Corinthians 6

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 6:12-20. The main idea for this text provided by the commentary*: "God purchased our bodies by the resurrection of Christ and united us with him so that we would be his temple and glorify him."  The commentary's* introduction for the text shares that "God is not indifferent to what we do with our bodies. They matter to him, and they matter a lot." It refers to 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 where it describes how the church in Corinth "reasoned...[that] the body and food and drink and sex are going to be destroyed in the end. There will only be free spirits. So, the body does not matter."  Paul tackles and refutes this view in today's text.  The commentary* unpacks the text via five divisions:

1. God Has Principles for My Body (6:12-13): Paul admonishes the Corinthians' laissez-faire view of the gospel where "all things are lawful."  He challenges them by rhetorically asking them whether all things are "helpful" in building up the church and supporting its mission, and whether it is possible you idolize something you do over God.  He reminds them that we were made for a purpose - of course that purpose is to glorify God. 
   
2. God Has Plans for My Body (6:13-14): We are referred to Romans 12:1 where we are commanded to offer our bodies as living sacrifices to the Lord - for His glory. Paul points us forward where believers' bodies will rise with Jesus in glorification when He returns.  The commentary then states that "[w]here we are headed in the future should impact how we live today. What God will do with my body in the future should affect what I do with it today."   
   
3. God Has Protection for My Body (6:15-18): Quoting Shreiner, the commentary shares that: "[t]he relationship between believers and Christ is remarkably intimate such that believers represent Christ in what they do with their bodies." It also quotes (slightly modified) Rick Warren's "10 Commandments to Help Church Staff Maintain Moral Integrity."
   
4. God Has Proprietorship of My Body (6:19): The commentary* reminds us that believers' bodies are "important and valuable" and "at conversion [God] makes [them] his home, his temple, his holy place."  This is of course an "honor", "privilege", and "gift".
   
5. God Has Paid for My Body (6:20): Paul concludes the text by emphasizing how believers' were bought and redeemed for a great price - such that we can glorify Him with out bodies.  See also 1 Corinthians 10:31. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

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

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

Acts 20

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter three - Steady in His Calling through Incomparable Sufferings.  This chapter describes Paul as "utterly devoted" to Christ despite and through "incomparable sufferings."  Piper shares how Acts 20:24 highlights Paul's single minded devotion to sharing the gospel. Paul's single mindedness to his mission as given to him by God is further clarified in Romans 15:20 where Paul shares how he seeks to share the Good News of Jesus Christ "not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation."  Broadly speaking, Philippians 1:20 describes Paul's mission to glorify God regardless of whether through life or death - this is how he is able to endure the incredible suffering as he described in 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.  Believers should all live on mission to glorify Christ as this is why we exist and do as Paul does to live with such single-mindedness (and with intention) that we are able to push through anything, including suffering.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who lived with singular focus - to live a perfect life, to save others, to die on the cross, and to rise again so that those who believe can be saved and sealed forever.  Thank You Jesus for the life You led and for giving us other examples such as Paul for how to serve as You desire all of us to do.  I am not worthy of how You save and for the grace You pour out.  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.

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how we are to worship, as worship is biblically defined not just by church worship services, but by all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). Eating, drinking, working (see also this post and Ephesians 6:7-8), hobbies, etc. We must remember that as the text today is written, God bought us with a price (His life), we received through grace forgiveness of sins, fullness of life now and for eternity, and as such we should respond through worship - yet not just on Sunday morning.  Every day...every moment. Paul expresses this also in Romans 12:1 where he says "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship." We exist to glorify God - plain and simple.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Now may the God of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever.

Hebrews 13

Now may the God of peace...equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Hebrews 13:20-21

Today, I wrap my study of Hebrews, as my focus is the concluding verses 15-25 of Hebrews 13.  I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines five divisions for this text:

I. Offer Up Pleasing Sacrifices (13:15-16): The commentary emphasizes how the author of Hebrews is focused on Jewish converts to Christianity, and these readers are familiar with the Old Testament.  The OT required animal sacrifices, yet with Christ, WE are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices (Romans 12:1) by modeling Christ and doing good out of our love for Christ. This includes praise and worship - both corporate and through our own testimony and evangelization to others.

II. Submit to Your Leaders (13:17)

III. Pray for Us (13:18-19)

IV. A Remarkable Benediction (13:20-21): The commentary describes the text here as "one of the most beautiful prayers ever uttered by a Christian." It also highlights how the text shares that it is God who equips us - not in our own strength.

V. Final Words (13:22-25)

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You allow me to come to You directly - without an intermediary, and I don't need animal sacrifices - and You forgive and save!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You do all of this for me...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.

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.

Hebrews 13

Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. Hebrews 13:15

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:15-25, and my unaided observations of the text. Use of the word "then" at the start of v15 seeks for us to build on what has already been said in this chapter such that we read this verse as an imperative with the reason already defined in previous verses. The imperative here is to "continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God" - because of what Jesus did for us on the cross (outside the camp - v12) we should follow Christ (v13) and praise Him for what He has done for us.  In v16, we are also exhorted to "do good and to share what [we] have," as God sees these sacrifices as pleasing. V17-19 seek for us to support and encourage church leaders as they "watch over [our] souls." The concluding verses (v20-25) of the chapter include a benediction and final greetings from Paul.  The benediction reminds us that it is God who equips us (v21) to do his will. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who offered Himself such that I could have life - to the full now and forever - 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.

For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 13

 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:31-39

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:1-6, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines five divisions for this text:

I. Love toward Saints: Enduring in Brotherly Affection (13:1): Here the commentary emphasizes how the text seeks to have believers see other believers as family - brothers and sisters...in Christ.  Thus, in v1 we are encouraged to love our brothers and sisters in Christ. 

II. Love toward Strangers: Showing Hospitality (13:2)

III. Love toward Prisoners: Remembering the Imprisoned and Mistreated (13:3)

IV. Hold Marriage in Honor (13:4) 

V. Hold Money Loosely (13:5-6): The commentary writes here how is "a call to live out the tenth commandment. Of the Ten Commandments, the tenth—do not covet—is perhaps the most difficult for us to fully comprehend, even though it tells us specifically what we should avoid coveting: our neighbor’s wife, our neighbor’s animals, or our neighbor’s belongings."  The text wraps with why we can be content with what we have - "[t]he source of our contentment is not the security and comfort we get from owning enough things; it’s that we serve a God who takes care of us. We serve a God who will never leave or forsake us. God himself has promised....[Hebrews 13:6] reflects the same confidence in God’s abiding character that the apostle Paul displays in Romans 8:31-39."

Broadly speaking, the commentary shares how chapter 13 addresses "personal and practical concerns in order to encourage people in the faith and exhort them to grow in holiness."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?

Hebrews 13

The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me? Hebrews 13:6, Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, and Isaiah 51:12

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 13:1-6, and my unaided observations of the text. As the concluding chapter of Hebrews - where the primary focus of the book overall is to encourage Jewish believers, familiar with the Old Testament and the heroes of the faith as described in chapter 11 (aka the "hall of faith") - the author of Hebrews pivots to encourage readers with practical ways to lead a Godly life, one pleasing to Christ.  We are encouraged to: 

• love our brothers and sisters in Christ (v1)
• show hospitality to strangers (v2) 
• support and encourage the persecuted (v3)
• hold up marriage as honorable and that it be "undefiled by sexual immoral[ity] and adulter[y]" (v4)
• avoid love of money and envy (v5)

The text for today concludes (v6) by exhorting readers to heed words similarly spoken in Psalm 27:1, Psalm 118:6, and Isaiah 51:12.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord, You are a great God full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your amazing grace 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.

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven.

Hebrews 12

See that you do not refuse him who is speaking. For if they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, much less will we escape if we reject him who warns from heaven. Hebrews 12:25

I continue my study of Hebrews, and today my focus is Hebrews 12:25-29, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines three divisions for this text. 

I. He Who Speaks and Warns (12:25): The commentary describes, and it is important for believers to constantly remind themselves of this, how the gospel is not just an offer but a command: "[i]t is presented as an ultimatum, as something to be either received or rejected." For those that reject the gospel, they face eternal condemnation - Jesus will return as He promises and His wrath against those who reject Him will be terrifying!

II. All That Remains (12:26-27): The commentary shares how the author of Hebrews in this text refers back to Exodus 19:18, Judges 5:5, and Haggai 2:2-9 as these passages describe how the earth shook on Mount Sinai and how God will once again shake the earth but also the heavens and all of creation - and only God's elect will remain in New Jerusalem.

III. An Unshakable Kingdom and Its Holy King (12:28-29): The commentary focuses on how the author of Hebrews ends the text to encourage believers to be grateful for the amazing grace and abounding love of God and for believers to remain serious about their faith and reverent towards God - not flippant nor haphazard. We are also referred to Romans 12:1 where Paul appeals to believers to offer themselves as a "living sacrifice."

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who saves because of Your amazing grace and abounding love - even for those who are broken and sinful as I am.  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.

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20

I paused again my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on why, in John Piper's words "why [does] God go to all the trouble to dirty his hands, as it were, with our decaying, sin-stained flesh, in order to reestablish it as a resurrection body and clothe it with glory and immortality?"  Piper then provides the answer: "[b]ecause his Son paid the price of death so that the Father’s purpose for the material universe would be fulfilled, namely, that he would be glorified in it, including in our bodies, forever and ever."  Bottom line, believers exist to glorify God now (in this life) and for eternity.  I am reminded of additional texts on this topic, including 1 Corinthians 10:31 (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) and Romans 12:1 (I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is so FULL of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I fall short but You still love me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace or love.  My sin continues - too much of it and every day...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.

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing!

Isaiah 47-50

Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! Isaiah 49:13

I resumed my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 4a, which focuses on Isaiah 49:1-13. Having already started a study of Isaiah 49 within this lesson on day 3, and having reviewed my commentary on this chapter, I now recognize Jesus as being the key speaker in Isaiah 49:1-13. In 8-13, we see Jesus as:

• answering/helping us (v8)
  
• as a covenant to the people (v8)
  
• establishing the land (v8)
  
• freeing prisoners from sin/bondage (v9)
  
• feeding us (both spiritually/physically) (v9)
  
• not hungering or thirsting (including spiritually/physically) (v10)
  
• protected (v10)
  
• led/shepherded (v10)
  
• provides a path to God (v11)
  
• comforts and has compassion on us (v13)

My commentary describes how Jesus is praised by the "heavens and earth [v13], set free at last from decay [Romans 8:19]."  For this and more, we should recognize Jesus as worthy of praise, honor and glory forever and ever! (1 Timothy 1:17, Revelation 5:13, 7:12).  Our lives should reflect such praise, honor, and glory - Romans 12:1.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory, forever and ever!  I am not deserving of the love and blessings You pour out for me - daily.  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 energy.  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, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 3

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God...And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3

This afternoon, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on giving us purpose - every day.  This is particularly appropriate, given the approaching new year.  We may seek resolutions, but more important than any earthly aim we may have, we are encouraged by Piper to seek a heavenly aim....to seek Him and to seek the glory of God through our lives each and every day.  We are encouraged to do so also so that we may avoid the aimlessness that occurs when we build our houses on sand (Matthew 7:24-27).  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who serves us as my rock and foundation - the Cornerstone of my life and for all things - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily, worry being a persistent 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 as her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.”....I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Leviticus 21-22

And you shall not profane my holy name, that I may be sanctified among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who sanctifies you, who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God: I am the Lord.”....I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Leviticus 22:32-33, Romans 12:1

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter nineteen - Holiness and Leadership - covering Leviticus 21-22, looking specifically at the fourth theme for the chapter - God Calls Us to Present Acceptable Offerings to Him.  Here, the commentary encourages us to examine a very important question - to what extent am I surrendering my life to Christ? It starts by looking at Leviticus 22:17-30, where the Lord is speaking to Moses, and communicating His commands for acceptable offerings.  The command to offer only sacrifices without blemish is described four times in these verses, underscoring God emphasis that God seeks our best.  The commentary states that we are to offer our best because "He is God.  When we recognize His greatness and glory, we give offerings that are great and glorious--the best we have."  This is a challenge for all believers, myself included.  It was certainly a challenge for the Israelites as the commentary points out scripture is replete with examples where the Jewish people in the Old Testament failed to give their best to God.  As just one example, the commentary refers to the book of Malachi, where in Malachi 1:6-14, the Lord responds to those who doubt His love as He questions Israel's love for God as they repeatedly presented "polluted offerings" to God. The commentary writes how, here in Malachi, the Israelites "would not offer second rate gifts to their governor.  They naturally respected their governor, and if they respected God, they would not bring their leftovers to Him as offerings." The commentary recommends a book by Vance Havner, Lord of What's Left, and discourages us from offering only what is leftover in our lives to God - instead we must offer the best of everything we are and every we do to God. It writes: "[t]o profane God's name is to misuse His name, to desecrate His name.  God's name represents His character; it represents God Himself, and desecrating God is a serious sin....Sub-standard sacrifices, second rate offerings, profane God's name.  We give Him the best, the first, and we give Him obedience because He is God."

The commentary refers us to the following scriptures for us to better understand how we are to offer to God only our best - the Old Testament references below describe how "God says that He sent His people into exile to prevent them from further profaning His name."  Paul, then, provides the example in Romans.

• Isaiah 42:24-25, 42:27-28
• Jeremiah 7:30-34, 27:15
• Ezekiel 43:8
• Romans 12:1

 Of course, with Christ, God presented the perfect sacrifice.

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Leviticus 3

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter three - Peace with God - covering 3:1-17, looking specifically at the theme We Bring Our Lives to God.  My commentary ends this morning by urging us to look at Romans 12:1 and how Paul seeks to have believers offer our lives "as a living sacrifice."  Leviticus 3 specifically discusses the peace offering and how animals served as a substitute for the sinner as the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). The commentary also emphasizes how it was expected that confession of sin accompanied sacrifice and how the sacrificial system (still in place now albeit via Jesus Christ vs Old Testament ceremonial sacrifice) included:

1. acknowledgement of (and confession) sin
2. affirmation that God's just penalty for sin is death
3. acknowledgement of the principal of sustitutionary sacrifice - the animal took the worshiper's place
4. seeking of atonement and peace with God

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who provides a path for atonement and peace with You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You forgive me and provide a path for forgiveness and reconciliation with You.  My sin, of arrogance, worry, impatience, harshness, etc. 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.

“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord.

Leviticus 2

“When anyone brings a grain offering as an offering to the Lord, his offering shall be of fine flour. He shall pour oil on it and put frankincense on it and bring it to Aaron's sons the priests. And he shall take from it a handful of the fine flour and oil, with all of its frankincense, and the priest shall burn this as its memorial portion on the altar, a food offering with a pleasing aroma to the Lord. Leviticus 2:1-2

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - moving to chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Enact Dedication to God which focuses on v2:1-3.  Leviticus 2 overall looks at the grain offering vs the burnt offering described in Leviticus 1. The commentary offers up minchah as the Hebrew word for the grain offering.  It is defined further as a tribute or gift one might offer to a king - see examples 2 Samuel 8:2,6 and 2 Kings 17:3-6 of how tribute was offered and withheld respectively.  In the Old Testament such tributes were offered by subdued/servant nations and given to the conquering/overlord nation. Unlike the burnt offering, the grain offering was given not for atonement but for worship, to demonstrate gratitude for how God provides all things and to demonstrate allegiance to God. The commentary urges us to not only feel dedication/allegiance but to demonstrate it.  Giving to God and others is also urged as a means to demonstrate our worship of God.  It is also described how God wanted the grain offering to consist of fine flour - signifying an offering of the best we have -  frankincense and oil, all of which were very expensive at the time and not readily available to the nomadic people of Israel who had yet to settle in the promised land.  

We are urged to give our best in worship and with our lives every day - see John Piper on this latter point. 

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You deserve my very best - yet there are times, like today, where I don't start my day with You and lose focus with distractions. Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome my sin of conforming to the world 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.

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Romans 12

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1 

 

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I started chapter sixteen Living in View of God's Mercy, which covers Romans 12:1-16.  My focus today is Romans 12:1-2, which my commentary refers to under the heading Offer Yourself to God. On the heels of Paul's closing marks in Romans 11, where Paul marvels at the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God, as well as His judgements and ways, Paul then pushes us to - therefore (v12:1) - be a living sacrifice - to serve and love God out of an outpouring of gratitude for what He has done for us and continues to do for us as He provide for all of our needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual.   We are also cautioned to avoid conformity to the world, but instead to seek Him and how nearness to God can help us avoid this by directing our thoughts and desires to be more in line with Him. 

My commentary describes how Romans 12 moves from the "indicatives (the grammar of certainty and actuality)" of the gospel to the "imperatives (the grammar of commands)." We are to "rejoice in the glorious indicatives of the gospel!  The facts of the gospel have caused us to soar in worship throughout Romans, and now they give the proper basis for practical obedience.  God's grace should not make us lazy or passive but passionate and devoted to God, and this passion is 'rooted in faith and energized by the power of the Holy Spirit.' We are to see how Romans 12:1 echoes words expressed by Paul in Romans 6:13 and 6:19. The commentary describes how Paul highlights 'living sacrifice' as a form of dedication - the use of the word "sacrifice" along with "temple," and "priesthood," is used "without the actual physical apparatus associated with them...sacrifice is metaphorically applied to Christian service."  We are encouraged not only to offer our bodies to God (v12:1), but also our mind (v12:2).  We must avoid how worldly influences lead to a "polluted mind...[and] life." If we are able to orient our bodies and minds to God through scripture, worship, prayer, service, etc. then "we will be able to recognize and appreciate what honors God, and we can then set ourselves to obey his will."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - what an awesome God You are that You offer the Holy Spirit to advocate for me and to assist me...with all things.  Thank You Jesus for the Holy Spirit and for how You never leave or forsake me and how You have molded me...it has not always been easy but that is not what You promise.  I am blessed by all that You have done and what You continue to do.  Yet I am not deserving.  My sin of worry, etc. 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.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy....And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good.

Titus 1-3

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy....And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. Titus 3:4-5, 8

Day 351 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 I read the Paul's first letter to Titus. My commentary* indicates: "Titus is apparently facing some of the same challenges as Timothy in his efforts to preserve doctrinal purity and to establish effective local congregations. Therefore, Paul’s letter to Titus bears a resemblance to his letter to Timothy in its emphasis on false teaching, church organization, and instruction in Christian living."

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

The latter words of scripture from Titus remind me of a book I recently read by Tony Merida, Ordinary: How to Turn the World Upside Down. The book discusses that God's love should be understood as so "deep and wide" that we are both overwhelmed and compelled to love Him and others in return.  We so deeply care to serve Him and others that our lives become "living sacrifices" through daily acts of justice, love, hospitality, care, advocacy, and humility. It is through these daily acts that the world see in us something that is supernatural and people are drawn to Him. 

My hope and prayer is that I am and can demonstrate what Pastor Merida discusses in his book and what is clear from scripture.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loved me while I was still sinning, and loved me even before I even existed, knowing everything about me, including how I am broken.  Yet You love me and You died for me...thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time...and completely undeserved.  My sin is great - worry, gossip, 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 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.