Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:9

Today I focused on preparing the presentation I will be using to lead Sunday school exploring James 5:7-11. The lesson starts by looking at the three examples of patience James offers for believers to follow.  See also post here. One of these examples is Job who of course is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of patience in suffering; he never curses the Lord even though his own wife wants him to and he sees God in all circumstances (see Job 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:7).  I then point to: 

• other places in scripture where God sets what seems like an impossible standard: John 13:34 (love), Ephesians 4:32 (forgiveness)
• other places where the Word talks about patience or patience in suffering: Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 8:18, Hebrews 11:1
  

There is of course much to unpack in James 5:7-11 so I look forward to a great discussion in class on Sunday!

Before I wrap my study today - I reflect on how I feel challenged to not grumble against my fellow believers as I wait on the Lord as I must be patient with various matters in my life.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

 

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:8-9

I continue a pause of my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  Yesterday, I reviewed James 5:7-11 and documented my thoughts based on an unassisted review (no commentary).  This morning, I lean on commentary provided by the Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for this book. 

Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The theme of this part of the letter is clear: patience is mentioned twice in verse 7 and once each in verses 8 and 10 while the words “endured” and “endurance” are used in verse 11. James gives us three pictures of patience to encourage us."
• The three pictures of patience described in the commentary (and in the text) include (1) "like a farmer: waiting for the harvest," trusting in God in circumstances we cannot control - like the weather - to provide just the right balance of weather needed for a harvest, understanding that too much, too little rain, too much heat, or too much cold could have deleterious effects on the harvest, and "honoring God with what you can control" avoiding grumbling and complaining as an example from v9; (2) "be patient like a prophet: speaking the truth.  Much like the farmer, the prophet reminds us that patience does not necessarily mean inactivity. A farmer doesn’t just sit back waiting for the rain: he works. Likewise, a prophet in the middle of persecution stood boldly and spoke out against injustice. In the middle of hardship, we are to speak about the goodness, the greatness, the judgment, and the mercy of God. Times of suffering are often the most golden opportunity to speak a word for the glory of God;" and (3) "like Job: hoping in God’s purpose.... Remember that it took 42 chapters for the purpose of suffering in Job’s life to be revealed, and only at the end did he confess, “I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This is a good reminder for us: Whatever you are walking through is not the end of the story. The end will reveal that the Lord is indeed “very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). You can’t see it, but be patient, hoping in God’s purpose."

Jesus wants us to be completely dependent on Him, and scripture makes it clear that obedience to Him can ONLY be through Him.  For example, Jesus sets what appears to be an impossibly high bar for how to love - love one another as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  Here, in James, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit (through James) seeks for us to be as patient as Job - once again an incredibly high bar but we must remember that it is not through our own efforts that we love as Jesus loves or be patient as Job is patient, but through loving, trusting and surrendering our lives to Jesus, allowing Him to mold us into more of His image. #Sanctification.

 

Comment and discuss this post.

 

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

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.

James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. James 5:8

I pause my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  This morning, I focus on an unassisted review of James 5:7-11.  The heading for the text in the ESV translation refers to this text as Patience in Suffering.  V7a starts with a call to all brothers and sisters in Christ to "be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord."  Before we proceed to v7b, we must look at why we must be patient because the text that we should be patient...therefore - referring to previous text.  James 4 provides warnings against worldliness and arrogance/pride.  James 5:1-6 provides a warning to those who have lived lavishly, luxuriously, and self-indulgently, trusting in their riches and treating poorly the laborers who have worked their fields.  Similar to Egypt where God heard the cries of the suffering Israelites (see Exodus 2:23-25), "the cries of the harvesters [working the fields of the rich] have reached the ears of the Lord of hosts" (4:4).  James 4:5b-6 describe how the rich have "fattened [their] hearts in a day of slaughter....[and] condemned and murdered the righteous person.  [The righteous person] does not resist [the rich who condemned and murdered]."  James 4:6 describes suffering on the part on the righteous person.  Jesus of course should be described as righteous and holy as He lived a sinless and perfect life.  He did not resist going to the cross - suffering on behalf of believers who also suffer but receive eternal life.  James 4:7 references the righteous person condemned and murdered in v6.  We want justice for the condemned and murdered person, but we must wait for the Lord to deliver this justice and this will come but we don't know when so we must be patient.  Patience is described in more detail as waiting for the "early and late rains" as a farmer does before the harvest.  We are also urged not just to be patient but to not grumble and complain against "one another" (v8), to avoid God's judgement.  In a further description of the patience we should have, we are urged to demonstrate the same patience as others who suffered yet remained patient and steadfast, including Job (vv10-11).  The book of Job chronicles incredible suffering of the book's namesake and yet Job never cursed God.  At the end of the book of Job (chapter 42), Job is restored, as God blesses him for his patience and steadfastness.  Believers will also be rewarded in Heaven for their faith, patience, steadfastness, and perseverance.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who went to the cross so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity with You.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.      

But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death.

1 Samuel 2

But they would not listen to the voice of their father, for it was the will of the Lord to put them to death. 1 Samuel 2:25b

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how God sometimes goes against His will, and in this case His will is "to seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). In today's devotion, John Piper uses the story of Eli's worthless sons from 1 Samuel 2 to illustrate his takeaway. He starts by describing from the story that "[t]he sons of Eli the priest would not obey their father when he rebuked them for their sin."  He then unpacks how there are three points we should see from the text.

1. It is possible to sin so long and so grievously that the Lord will not grant repentance. See also 2 Timothy 2:25, Hebrews 12:17, and Luke 23:43.
2. Sometimes God does not permit a sinning person to do what is right.
3. Sometimes our prayers for God’s revealed will to be done will not be done because God has decreed something different for holy and wise purposes.
   

Piper wraps the devotion by offering words of encouragement when we cry out to God for God to save someone, as I have my son Zach.  We are urged to see how God does love us and that we can trust in Him that He is working and while I may not see what He is doing - He is working and He DOES love us. Today's devotion goes hand in hand with yesterday's post and its focus on patience. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

...God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.

Genesis 45 and 50

...God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors....you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today. Genesis 45:7, 50:20

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at the life of Joseph in Genesis 37-50 (at the same time my church is looking at these very chapters).  Here in the devotion, John Piper seeks for us to model Joseph and grow in our patience through "faith in the sovereign, future grace of God."  Most believers are likely to know the story of Joseph well, yet all of us have needs to stretch and grow in some areas as I do in patience.  Piper wants us to see how God is always at work, and working in the "unplanned places" and "unplanned paces" of our lives - including those that are painful to endure. He sees these as "key to our patience."  God please help me take this to heart!

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 and You are always working!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You work.  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.

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Proverbs 17

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.  Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:27-28

As I continue my study of Proverbs, I move on to week 7 of my study workbook, which looks at Proverbs 17-22:16.  For today, my focus is restrained speech – of course an act of humility.  My struggles with arrogance and pride have led me to speak without listening, and as a means to bring glory to myself.  My speech of course should bring glory to God by offering encouragement and love in my relationships – including in both my personal and work life – and by leveraging my God given gifts (spiritual gifts) at work (again to bring glory to God).  God, please help me with restrained speech!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me by helping me with my speech – thank You Jesus.  Yet I know I am not done in this department as my sin with speech continues – please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.

Luke 24 and Acts 1-2

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. Luke 24:49

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Peter: Gospel of the Second Chance*".

*Title of lesson nine from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day four of my study focuses on the ten days between when Jesus' appearance after resurrection ended and Pentecost - see great timeline infographic here. During this period, the apostles are told to wait (Luke 24:49) for the Holy Spirit. Lucado discusses how this was likely a nerve-wracking time for the apostles as waiting in and of itself can be difficult but is even more difficult when danger lurks, as was probably the case because lives were in danger for followers of Jesus.  Waiting is something that God often makes us do and Lucado gives us other scriptural examples where we can draw strength:

• Psalm 27:13-14
• Lamentations 3:25
• Micah 7:7
• James 5:7-8
• 2 Peter 3:9  

Lucado wants us to understand that waiting does not mean inactivity - we pray and we remain both watchful (for the Lord) and obedient.

Part of today's commentary covers the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, and of course we know this is an incredible event. Lucado ends by reminding us that God blesses those whose patience and trust remain in Him.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You have blessed me tremendously as my trust in You has grown. Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not deserving of such blessings.  I know there is more work for me to do and more work for You to do in me and through me - I also continue to sin - worry, etc. Please forgive me for my sins and help me overcome and turn from my sins 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 church, my family, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold....They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea....They did not destroy the peoples as the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them.

Psalm 102, 106, 123, 137

But they soon forgot what he had done and did not wait for his plan to unfold....They exchanged their glorious God for an image of a bull, which eats grass. They forgot the God who saved them, who had done great things in Egypt, miracles in the land of Ham and awesome deeds by the Red Sea....They did not destroy the peoples as the Lord had commanded them, but they mingled with the nations  and adopted their customs. They worshiped their idols, which became a snare to them. Psalm 106:13, 20-22, 34-36

Day 262 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 complete a quick review of the Psalms my commentary describes as prayers for those in exile who "[l]ike Job...have fallen from prosperity into shame".  Yesterday, I covered six of these prayers, and today I cover the remaining four. 

In the midst of these prayers we find sources of God's anger, the sin which aroused God's anger. While not exhaustive, the Psalm 106 contains a few key highlights. 

God wants us to love others as He loves us (John 13:34), and this includes being patient - yet Israel fails to remain patient.  We too often assume that God is not at work in our suffering, yet He is always at work. When we lose our patience, we fall prey to snares and sin creeps into our lives. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO patient with me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your patience and the many blessings You pour out for me.  I too often lack patience with 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.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.

Genesis 15-17

“Your slave is in your hands,” Abram said. “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.  Genesis 16:6

Day 6 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 God's renewal of His covenant with Abram that from Abram will be a "great nation" (Genesis 12) and on the birth of Abram's son through Hagar (Ishmael) as well as the coming birth of son through his and Sarai's own blood (Issac).

About 2.5 years ago, I posted on Abram's passivity as a man when Sarai's patience for fulfillment of God's promise ran thin.  I do agree that Abram should not have agreed to Sarai's plan and both should have been more patient.  Yet this morning my focus is on patience and the havoc we wreak when we seek to impose our will vs God's will - particularly when we know God's will.

This is a contrast in patience - Abram and Sarai while largely patient, demonstrate at least a moment of impatience; yet God is perfectly patient, slow to anger and abounding in love. 

We know that Ishmael and his descendants live in hostility with those of Issac, God even foretells of this hostility (see Genesis 16:11-12). This hostility rages on with intensity to this day!  That's how off the rails Sarai's plan took things.

John Piper helps us this morning with this post, and by pointing us to Isaiah:

Blessed are all who wait for him! Isaiah 30:18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who love me and who has poured out so much grace, compassion, and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I speak ill of others - 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 accept 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 he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades".

Revelation 1

Then he placed his right hand on me and said: “Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades". v17-18

Session #2 of  David Platt - Revelation: The Hope of Glory (requires login which I have though my church) focuses on Revelation 1:9-20.  Platt reminds us, as he did in the introductory video message, that we should avoid over analyzing the imagery of Revelation but instead grab hold of the over-arching messages Christ sought to convey to the 1st century church which was in the midst of great persecution.  Revelation is the "most majestic portrait of Jesus ever"; we have an indescribable Christ in all of His glory and an "unshakeable foundation for our lives" which should encourage us today, especially if we are weak, sorrowful, confused, afraid, weary, timid, etc.

Takeaways from session #2:

• We are a family of brothers and sisters in Christ that spans generations, locations, etc.; an army engaged in battle; John writes to seven churches during a period of intense persecution; and we share (companion) in sufferings (that we experience from obedience to God) - see v9; this suffering does not cease; we are not following a "health and wealth" savior; Christ is suffering savior and we are suffering saints; John for example is exiled on Patmos 
• Although there is a price to be paid for following Christ we should not stop proclaiming His Word (Revelation 6:9, 12:17, 20:4) as we participate in Christ's reign, experience victory over sin and death and lead others to Christ; John writes to us to endure (see also Romans 8:28-30  Romans 6, Philippians 1:12-14) we experience victory over sin and lead others to salvation we endure in power of christ - John writes to us to encourage patient endurance
• We can endure patiently by participating in Christ's reign and by fully appreciating the majestic portrait of Christ as written in v12-16; these attributes include
• Jesus as man
• Jesus as God
• Infinitely wise with knowledge of all things who searches our hearts and is aware of all we may like to hide
• Is the Alpha and Omega (see references)
• Holy with no error
• No equal
• Voice that resounds with authority over all things
• Declares eternal salvation 
• Decrees final judgement 
• Face radiates with light
• Has both the first and last word with creation (Colossians 1) - the sole force behind all of human history 
• Was dead for a time but alive for all time; 
• Death controlled by him (v18)
• No one or nothing compares to Him  
• Just as prophesied in Zechariah 4, He is in our midst, present among us just as with the seven churches and using churches as light to world  - He holds us, guards us, possesses us, protects and guides us, and has a purpose for us to be a light to the world.

We should feel compelled to fall down in worship; non Christians should have much fear; Christians should not have fear but should rise up as witnesses, compelling us to radically complete our mission given to us by Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE majestic and I know You ARE in my midst - thank You Jesus for standing with me.  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5

Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. v7

James wants us to be patient. We all live expectantly - like we deserve something.  Yet in v7-11, James is spot on that lack of patience leads to other sins - such as complaining and grumbling (see v9).  We should be content both with what we have and with our circumstances. James references Job's perseverance.  Of course, Job is an extreme example of suffering and hardship, but when we fix our eyes on Jesus, we are better able to see Jesus in all of the every day moments where we might not otherwise be looking for Him.

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

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Luke 6

Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. v36

This is often difficult for me as I can be arrogant, judgemental, and harsh. Yet I am thankful that over time, God has helped me be more patient and merciful with, and forgiving of others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You not only came to rescue me but You are ALWAYS with me and You hear and respond to my cries - thank You Jesus!  Thank You for molding me into someone more like You.  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving because I know that daily I 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.

Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you.

Jeremiah 25

Turn now, each of you, from your evil ways and your evil practices, and you can stay in the land the Lord gave to you and your ancestors for ever and ever. Do not follow other gods to serve and worship them; do not arouse my anger with what your hands have made. Then I will not harm you. v5-6

The Lord sent many of his servants (v4) to deliver this message to the Israelites who had turned away from God.  Yet they did not listen (v7). God is extremely patient with us, full of grace and mercy, slow to anger and abounding in love, yet He does NOT have unlimited patience.

What is great is that we DO have a God who sent His Son to drink from the same cup of wrath taken by others before Him such as those who did so as described here in Jeremiah 25 and elsewhere in the Bible.

We all have earthly fathers we love but we none of us have an earthly father who can do what Jesus did for us at the cross.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You have done for me what no earthly father can or could ever do.  Thank You Jesus. Thank You for my earthly father and thank You for being so full of grace, mercy, and love for me.  I am not worthy of such love.  I miss the mark daily.  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 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.

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.

Ecclesiastes 7

The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride.  Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools. v8-9

I need patience in my life - several different types of patience:
- patience and grace for others
- patience for God to reveal to me His desires for me

In the absence of patience, I often get frustrated and/or angry.  I need God's help to become more patient.  

Paul's words to Timothy are instructive in that I can look to God's patience for me as means to allow others to see patience in me.

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 1:16

Jesus I know You are patient - help me see Your patience for me so that I can be more patient myself.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is full of grace and patience for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and patience.  I am broken.  I worry and I am not often patient with 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 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.

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.

Proverbs 18

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. v13

As a follow up to yesterday's post, I am reminded of how we should be quick to listen and slow to talk and be angry.  In many instances, what we don't communicate says much!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You are so patient and You listen to ALL of my prayers and respond as well - it is not always the response I expect or initially desire but I know You love me and have great plans for me - not for harm but to prosper me and for a future.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I often fail to listen.  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.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them 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 one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. v27

I have often used words to criticize others - including those in my own family.  

James is instructive here as well: 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 

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

I need God to give me restraint.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO patient with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I often lack patience with 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 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.

Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.”

1 Kings 21

Have you noticed how Ahab has humbled himself before me? Because he has humbled himself, I will not bring this disaster in his day, but I will bring it on his house in the days of his son.” v28-29

Over chapters 18-21, we see God exercising amazing patience with Ahab and Israel.  In chapter 18, the Lord, through Elijah, demonstrates his power to those who worship Baal by burning up the altar and by bringing rain to drought savaged Israel. 

In chapter 19, we God encouraging Elijah by providing for him, by appearing to him in person and by providing a successor Elisha.  

In chapter 20, God delivers the armies of Ben-Hadad to Ahab.  Contrary to God's instructions (v42), Ahab spares Ben Hadad's life.  One of the Lord's prophets (unnamed), condemns Ahab.

In chapter 21, Ahab and his wife Jezebel conspire to kill and steal Naboth's vineyard.  Elijah confronts Ahab and once again Ahab is condemned (v20-24). Despite very strong words describing the sin of Ahab and Jezebel (v25-26), Ahab is spared.

God is indeed slow to anger and abounding in love. We should not claim that our sin is any less than that of Ahab - our sin may just be different.

[F]or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God[.] Romans 3:23

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 1 John 1:8

Thank You Jesus for Your amazing patience!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You are so patient, slow to anger and abounding in love.  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.

How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions?

Exodus 16

How long will you refuse to keep my commands and my instructions? v28

  
As the grumbling and complaining continued, the Lord became impatient.  The Israelites were rescued from Egypt and God had been providing for their needs, yet the Israelites lacked faith - they would not follow His instructions because they did not believe or trust Him fully (which is the most important commandment - see Matthew 22:37).  God is indeed a patient God but His patience is not unlimited. 

See the story of Ananias and Sapphira - both held onto their money tightly, and God desires us to be a cheerful giver.

As well, we don't know when Jesus will return and we need to be ready.  In Revelations, God is angry with the church at Laodicea - that they are luke warm in their faith and clearly not "ready". 

Jesus, help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and run the race with endurance - being ready and not dropping my focus on You - on good days and bad.  I know You are with me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God!  Thank You for loving me and adopting my mom and for saving a place for her in Heaven where she is not enjoying everlasting life and peace.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet I fail to be more bold in sharing You with others.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me be more bold.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  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.

When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now?

Genesis 37

When Reuben returned to the cistern and saw that Joseph was not there, he tore his clothes. He went back to his brothers and said, “The boy isn’t there! Where can I turn now? v29-30

Reuben, perhaps because he was the oldest of Jacob's sons and possessed a level of maturity his other sons did not have, sought to avoid harsh treatment of Joseph.  Yet he was not able to stop what his other brothers wanted to do - to get rid of Joseph.  For sure this was sinful and even though he was not present when it happened, Reuben had a hand in Joseph being sold into slavery.

As well, the Macarthur Bible Commentary suggests that Jacob may have been punished now for sins committed earlier in his life - such as his trickery of his father and brother.

Regardless if this is indeed that case - there is no doubt that we are to live in reverent fear of God.  

He knows all - that nothing is hidden from Him.  We may believe that we can "get away" with sins but we pay a price one way or another.  Our belief that we can get away with sin is playing with fire.  Avoid sin...period!

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. 1 Peter 1:17

See also posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who knows and sees all....including all of my sin.  You are full of grace, compassion, and patience.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I am not You intend me to be.  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 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.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.

Jude 1

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. v22-23

Jude wants us to stand firm in our faith in the face of those who corrupt the church.  As we do this, we must be careful not to judge or be harsh.  Instead we are to be merciful.

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.  Matthew 7:1-5

Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door! James 5:9

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister. Romans 14:13 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a merciful God, full of love, patience, compassion, kindness, etc. for me even though often I am not for others.  Thank You Jesus for such love but please forgive me for my sin 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 strength and wisdom.  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.