Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

Judges 10-12

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

Day 78 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) primarily focuses on Jephthah, a mighty warrior who rose to lead the Gileadites (a tribe of Manasseh). During this time, Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord and "sold them into the hands of the Philistines and the Ammonites" (Judges 10:7).  Civil conflict also arose with Ephraim (Judges 12:1-4).  Jephthah overcame both the Ammonites and Ephraim in battle. 

DesiringGod.com has a great post on how Jephthah, along with Gideon, Barak, and Samson from the book of Judges, are captured in Hebrews - the faith hall of fame. The post references commentary* from Tremper Longman and Ray Dillard:

What a collection of human beings in the book of Judges! Strange heroes they are—a reluctant farmer, a prophetess, a left-handed assassin, a bastard bandit, a sex-addicted Nazirite, among others. It is easy at a distance to point out the foibles and failures of the leading characters in this downwardly spiraling story. 

But lest we get too proud, Paul reminds us, “That is what some of you were” (1 Corinthians 6:11). With similar mixtures of ignorance, frail obedience, and tangled motives, we, like them, were “washed, sanctified, and justified” by the grace of God. For all of their flaws, we are to learn from their faith. For it was in faith that Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, and Samson “conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised”

*An Introduction to the Old Testament, Longman and Dillard

 Longman and Dillard reference 1 Corinthians 6:11 where Paul talks about conflict and sin among believers and he specifically calls out cheating and lawsuits among believers.  Paul then goes on to write how we should not be quick to be proud among such a crowd, assuming we are righteous while others are not:

Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 

Longman and Dillard go on to encourage us that even though all of us as believers are broken, God called up for us one (Jesus Christ) who redeems our sin and uses it for His glory. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who rescued me...flaws and all!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love and such a gift.  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.

"Even if someone is not redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God."

Exodus 23:10-11-Leviticus 21-22, 25

"Even if someone is not redeemed in any of these ways, they and their children are to be released in the Year of Jubilee, for the Israelites belong to me as servants. They are my servants, whom I brought out of Egypt. I am the Lord your God." Leviticus 25:54-55

Day 53 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 to focus on Moses Laws, including laws for the priests, Sabbath for the land, and a Year of Jubilee (every 50 years) - during the Year of Jubilee, there is a redemption of servants.

My commentary* indicates that the redemption of servants during the Year of Jubilee represents "both a nobly humanitarian provision and a foretaste of even greater spiritual redemption in the era of the Messiah".

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

While it is important to read the entirety of the Bible, including the OT laws given to Moses through God, we must recognize that through Christ we have redemption, which implies Christian freedom - and John Piper provides many posts about what this means, including this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided freedom from slavery to sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a redemption - 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.

And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah.

Genesis  37-38

And he was named Perez. Then his brother, who had the scarlet thread on his wrist, came out. And he was named Zerah. Genesis 38:29-30

Day 17 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 the early years of Joseph (and his brother's sale of him to the Midian merchants/Ishmaelites who ultimately sell him to Potiphar in Egypt) and the story of Judah and Tamar.

The story of Joseph is just beginning at this point, and I will come back to it for sure in the coming days.  As well, the story of Judah and Tamar (Genesis 38) is just unfolding because we know that Jesus is a descendant of Perez, whose parents are Judah and Tamar (see genealogy in Matthew 1).  It is for this reason I pause on their story - because time and time again we see God redeem sin and use broken and sinful people as part of His story to save us.

My commentary* indicates: "The most important aspect of this seemingly insignificant story will come to light only after many centuries have passed. At that time it will become evident that a descendant of Judah (through Perez) will become God’s messenger to all mankind—the Messiah".

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

Additional insights and thoughts on this from DesiringGod.com include Prostitutes, Mistresses, and the Messiah, and The Best of the Boring Parts of the Bible.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has adopted me into Your family despite my sin and brokenness - thank You Jesus!  I am in awe of Your love for me.  I am undeserving.  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.

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.”

Genesis  34-35

Then Jacob said to Simeon and Levi, “You have brought trouble on me by making me obnoxious to the Canaanites and Perizzites, the people living in this land. We are few in number, and if they join forces against me and attack me, I and my household will be destroyed.” Genesis 34:30

Day 15 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 the rape of Dinah (daughter of Leah) and the angry revengeful response by two of her brothers (Simeon and Levi); despite all of this God renews His promise to Jacob.

As I posted last week, God works through pain and with family dysfunction and redeems it all.

Once again, we don't know why things happen (particularly bad things) or how God will use our circumstances/pain, or how God will keep a promise, but we know that God is working in everything, He is Good, He has a plan and He is faithful.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and how has worked IN the pain, and with the pain for Your glory and my good...I have experienced this with my own life.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I love You.  I am undeserving 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.

The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.”

Genesis  27-28

The Lord said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you will be separated; one people will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23

Day 12 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 Jacob's conspiracy with Rebekah (whose plan it is) to deceive his father Issac to obtain the blessing promised for Esau.

Once again, we see deception at work in the lives of those who are ultimately used by God as part of a broader plan - in this case God redeems the sins of Rebekah and Jacob to forward His plan to bless Abraham and his descendants by making them into a great nation.

What is interesting here is how Rebekah fails to remember how God told her prior to the birth of Esau and Jacob that the "older will serve the younger" - see Genesis 25:23 - we often doubt God's ability to fulfill a promise yet there should be no doubt that God always keeps His promises.

For no word from God will ever fail. Luke 1:37

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are faithful indeed as I have experienced in my own life how Your promises always come true.  I am grateful. Yet I am undeserving.  I worry and I get caught up in the world - failing to resist temptation for many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him.

Genesis 18-19

For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that the Lord will bring about for Abraham what he has promised him. Genesis 18:19

Day 7 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 the back half of the story when angels who visit Abraham and Sarah and deliver once again the message of their coming child and as well the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (including Lot's escape).

As the angels visiting Abraham and Sarah leave, the Lord delivers this very convicting message about the role of fathers - Genesis 18:19. My day yesterday included the sin of rage of a father over his son - and I have asked both God and my son for forgiveness and both are full of grace.  My own dysfunction is echoed further in the story of Sodom and Gomorrah's destruction when in Genesis 19 a conflict ensues at Lot's house about men storming his door to have sex with the angels visiting him.  Lot seeks to spare the angels but strangely enough offers his own daughters as an alternative.  God...in all of His grace spares Lot and his daughters - but not Lot's wife who disobeys God strict command to not turn back - she is turned into a pillar of salt.  Lot and his daughters are spared but they don't focus on God's grace and instead turn to their own powers in an effort to extend their line. 

DesiringGod.com has this great post about family dysfunction and how God redeems it all.

I am grateful indeed how God uses it all and seek to turn to Him - I want to become more like Him every day.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who uses all of my dysfunction and sin for Your glory...and You are so full of grace and mercy.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my rage and help me overcome and turn from my impatience and rage 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.

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. v13

Paul uses his encouragement for self discipline (see post yesterday) to then discuss temptation and how we can resist and fight temptation as a means to endure in our race. We have the Holy Spirit, God's grace, and the power of redemption to spur us on, even when we stumble.  There is a battle for our soul but with God on our side - we will defeat sin and be free from the sting of sin and death.

Read more about John Piper's thoughts on this here.

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

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here.

Luke 11

The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and now something greater than Jonah is here. v32

The Book of Jonah tells us the story of a prophet commanded by God to go to the sinful city of Nineveh and preach to the inhabitants to repent of their wicked ways. Jonah refuses and runs from God - in his arrogant opinion he does not believe those in Nineveh deserve God's grace.  It's certainly not our job to judge others as God alone is judge.

Yet we know the rest of Jonah's story as He is swallowed by a giant fish after he flees God - and God rescues Jonah.  Jonah then goes on to preach to Nineveh as God requests and the city is spared from God's wrath.  

This is a great story of redemption - not just Jonah but also Nineveh...and all of us.

We all have regret and shame over sin in our past but God will still use us and He loves us. 

I am so thankful that God sent His One and Only Son.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great and gracious God - thank You for sending Your Son Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened.

Jonah 3

When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened. v10

This morning I am reminded of how God's grace and mercy is available to us all - even when we believe we have sinned beyond where God would provide such grace and mercy. See also verse 5:

The Ninevites believed God. A fast was proclaimed, and all of them, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth.

"[T]he greatest to the least" infers not just social, economic and political stature but also the degree to which people have sinned and disobeyed God.  You see...if we repent, salvation is available to ALL.  Paul was a murderer (Acts 7-8)...as was Moses and David (by way of conspiracy).  

Additionally, God redeemed the sin of these biblical heroes through the death of His Son Jesus Christ and used these people for something ONLY God could design and create.  I think also of Chuck Colson.  We should not question God's plan to save as we don't know God's plan for those He is saving (see also Isaiah 55:8).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an incredible God You are that You are able to use broken and sinful people like me to do incredible things.  I have seen the miracles in my own life that You have done.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry, am harsh with others, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the Lord?”

Jeremiah 37

Then King Zedekiah sent for him and had him brought to the palace, where he asked him privately, “Is there any word from the Lord?” v17

We know from elsewhere in the Bible (2 Chronicles 36, Jeremiah 52) that Zedekiah did not do what is right in the eyes of the Lord:

He did evil in the eyes of the Lord his God and did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet, who spoke the word of the Lord. He also rebelled against King Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him take an oath in God’s name. He became stiff-necked and hardened his heart and would not turn to the Lord, the God of Israel. Furthermore, all the leaders of the priests and the people became more and more unfaithful, following all the detestable practices of the nations and defiling the temple of the Lord, which he had consecrated in Jerusalem. 2 Chronicles 36:12-14

Yet, at the same time we see Zedekiah inquiring about the Lord's will from Jeremiah - there can be no other explanation than Zedekiah was misusing the name of the Lord.  

We all rebel against God at various times and points in our life, including any time in our life when we we are not believers.  We have a God - in Jesus Christ - who want us back and who welcomes our return to Him.  While we are not immune to any punishment for our sins, either during our time on earth or at our judgement day, we can return to Him and He can redeem our lives for something new.  This is true even for those who feel like they are the worst of the worst.

Think of the Prodigal Son, Paul (Acts 7:58-8:3, Acts 9), Franklin Graham and Chuck Colson to name just a few examples. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is always there to welcome me back - no matter what I have done.  Thank You Jesus for so much grace!  I am not worth such love.  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 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.

She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah.

2 Samuel 12

She gave birth to a son, and they named him Solomon. The Lord loved him; and because the Lord loved him, he sent word through Nathan the prophet to name him Jedidiah. v24-25

Through Nathan, the Lord strongly rebukes David.  Yet, at the same time God is full of grace. 

Nathan replied, “The Lord has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. v13

Within this grace - David does not escape consequences.

But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the Lord, the son born to you will die.”  v14

Yet within the consequences, we can see God at work - in v24-25, David and Bathsheba have a son, Solomon, and this son is loved by the Lord and will go on and do great things for the Lord.

This chapter is a great example of God's perfect justice.

We are forgiven - yet we don't escape consequences for our sin.  God gives us grace - which we don't deserve, and we don't get what we do deserve.  And God redeems us and our sin for His glory - as He is able to take a broken and sinful world and use it for His purposes.  We cannot fully understand how God works (Isaiah 55:8), yet we can come to understand and appreciate God as perfect in all ways.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You!  I am not deserving of such compassion because I often fail to show compassion to others. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You 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 for them.  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.

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption. He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Psalm 130

Israel, put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.  He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins. v7-8

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Yet as the author states, we have a God - in Jesus Christ - that fully redeems our sins.  He saves us by paying the price for our sin (Romans 6:23).

We should wait for Jesus' return as the author does and as Jesus warns us to - to be ready (Parable of the Ten Virgins).

I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
    and in his word I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord
    more than watchmen wait for the morning,
    more than watchmen wait for the morning. v5-6

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God and I know You saved me by paying the price for my sins - You suffered and died for me on the cross.  Thank You Jesus and I know my words are insufficient for what You did and for Your love.  But my words and my life are all I have to give You - please accept my worship and my life.  I love You.  Forgive me for my harshness and impatience with others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you.

Psalm 51

Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. v12-13

We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  Yet God is so great that He is not only able to forgive us, but He is able to redeem our sin for something much more valuable - His glory!  Incredible.  God want us to use the grace, mercy, patience, compassion, etc. He pours out on us by helping others with similar sin.

Confess our sins and use our words to build one another up (not to tear others down).

Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. James 5:16

 

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

 

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God - You are able to use broken people such as myself for Your glory and others' good.  You bless me by allowing me to bless others.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me in this way. I am not worth the love and blessing You pour out on me because I worry and I often fail to encourage others with my words.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

1 Timothy 1

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

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

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

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.

Ephesians 5

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. v13

Paul encourages us to avoid sin and evil by taking such actions as avoiding "partnering" with those who willingly commit sin (v7).  Another implied message here by Paul is that sin, when confessed to Jesus, becomes visible, and when we repent from our sin and ask Jesus to forgive us, God can use our sin or redeem it for His glory so that we become a light for others.

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed and incredible God, the one and only God and my Lord and savior.  You beat death, You have done, and You are able to do all things...Phil 4:13.  You can take my sin and use it for good...and You have.  How great You are!  I am not worth such a God and worth the blessings You have provided and will continue to provide.  I am lazy, disobedient, etc.  Thank You for Your blessings and love but please forgive me Jesus!  Help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please cure and heal her Jesus.  Help me serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.