Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me.

Numbers 22

Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, with his drawn sword in his hand. And he bowed down and fell on his face. And the angel of the LORD said to him, “Why have you struck your donkey these three times? Behold, I have come out to oppose you because your way is perverse before me. Numbers 22:31-32

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 22 - we see one of the more odd passages of scripture where God works through a donkey to deliver His message to the pagan prophet Balaam, who was hired by king Balak to curse Israel.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In v12, God is clear to Balaam that Israel is blessed and that Balak’s desire to curse Israel will not be allowed.  We must understand that once we know God’s will, nothing we can do will thwart God’s will.  To emphasize that God is at work in chapter 22, we see God refer to His will as “angel of the LORD” ten times in the text. It rarely is clearer that God is at work – when we see God at work so clearly, we must pay attention – perhaps there are distractions that blind us.  In fact, we see Balaam disobey God in v21 and leave on his own accord.  In v22, God shows his anger for this disobedience, and in vv23-30 we see God work through an angel of the Lord and Balaam’s donkey to prevent movement.  God even goes to the extent of speaking through the donkey to be clear to Balaam.  This apparently was not enough for God to get his message (and will) across to Balaam.  So in vv31-35, we see God open the eyes of Balaam so that there is no question that God does not want Balaam to pass. In v33, we see God’s great mercy as He shares that Balaam deserved to die (as we all do as we all sin and the wages of sin are death – Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8, Romans 6:23). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: God’s will is pervasive in scripture, including the ten commandments (Exodus 20), and the most important of these commandments – to love God, and to love others (Matthew 22:34-40).  When we understand God’s will in our lives, we better be sure to follow His will.  When we willingly controvert His will, be prepared for harsh punishment – God will do what it takes to get your attention.  When you don’t have clarity regarding God’s will, saturate yourself in the word – see Romans 12:2 where Paul encourages us to be transformed by the renewing of the mind “that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.”  Study God’s Word, wrestle with it, pray for wisdom (as Solomon did in 1 Kings 3:9), and practice spiritual disciplines (corporate worship, fellowship with other believers, etc.).
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): If God’s will is clear, do not willfully disobey Him!  Claim the promise that renewal of the mind will help you understand God’s will.  Follow the example of Solomon who asked God for wisdom.  Love God – and if you love God obedience to God’s commands are not burdensome (1 John 5:3).

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, and is full of mercy that never ceases, providing new mercies every morning.  I am not deserving of Your mercies nor my salvation.  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.

While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him.

Numbers 15:32-36

While the people of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day. And those who found him gathering sticks brought him to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation. They put him in custody, because it had not been made clear what should be done to him. Numbers 15:32-34

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 15:32-36 - where a man gathering sticks on the Sabbath day, deemed a Sabbath-breaker by both the people and God, is executed.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God takes His commandments seriously, and the 4th commandment from Exodus 20:8-11, to observe the Sabbath through rest and worship, is just one example of how He takes these commandments seriously.  More broadly, the intent here is that God is seeking love and worship of Him, and love of others as the most important set of commandments (Matthew 33:34-40).  The punishment here could be considered harsh, yet God's justice is perfect and only He knows the heart of the man punished.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Some may point to Jesus and accuse Him of also being an Sabbath-breaker (see Matthew 12:9-14, John 5:1-18), yet Jesus was healing on the Sabbath and for this there is no law (see Galatians 5:22). Those who accuse Jesus of Sabbath-breaking focused on man-made rules that went beyond scripture and God's intent. Healing on the Sabbath reflects love of others. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): See also this video on the Sabbath from John Piper and DesiringGod.com. Avoid legalistic focus on the Bible or adding to or subtracting from the Bible.  Claim the promise that Jesus came to fulfill the law and to make us more like Him.  Follow the example of Jesus who healed on the Sabbath and by doing good, etc. Seek God, allow Him to renew your heart and mind such that obedience to Him is not burdensome and such that pleasing Him is your desire. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, forgives, and saves. You entered my heart and mind and transform me daily in more of Your image. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love and save!  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.

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Mark 10:46-52

And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” And many rebuked him, telling him to be silent. But he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Mark 10:47-48

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:46-52, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: True to His Word (v45) where Jesus shares how He came to serve, Jesus sought those who needed both a physical and spiritual healing.  While many sought to silence Bartimaeus, Jesus sought to see and speak to him.  See vv49.  Jesus goes even further, asking Bartimaeus what He can do for him.  Jesus gives Bartimaeus what He seeks - his sight.  Jesus attributes this miracle to Bartimaeus' faith that he could be healed - this is what God seeks from us - faith and belief that God can do anything, that we can bring any request to God we seek - not that He will grant it but that we have faith that He is able.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: We should not presume that we know Jesus'  intentions. See v48 where many rebuked Bartimaeus for calling out to Jesus - the assumption is that those rebuking Bartimaeus might not have felt Bartimaeus was worthy of an encounter with Jesus....or that they somehow knew that Jesus did not want such an encounter. People often claim to know God's will - without truly knowing God.  Also, Bartimaeus was desperate, hence he cried out to Jesus to have mercy on him - twice - see vv47-48.  Bartimaeus believed that he somehow deserved his blindness - as he asked for mercy, which is different than compassion.  We all need mercy because we should be reminded that we all sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can only know God's will if we submit to Him, and allow Him to direct our steps and plans - see Proverbs 16:9, 19:21, 20:24. We can take comfort that our faith can make us well - v52 - whether it be during this life or in Heaven when all believers receive their Heavenly boy and are healed from all earthly infirmities. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that serves and heals - You are able of all things and You are worthy of all praise, honor, and glory.  Thank You for my salvation and for the mercies and blessings You pour out every single day for me.  I am not deserving.  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. 

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.”

Mark 6:1-5

Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. And Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor, except in his hometown and among his relatives and in his own household.” Mark 6:3-4

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 6:1-5, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv3-4): 

• The commentary's title for the second division is "When You Consider Jesus, Are You Offended?"
• Those from Jesus's hometown in Nazareth could not grasp His true identity.  The commentary notes that "Jesus’ teachings and miracles do not automatically produce faith." We are referred to 1 Corinthians 1:23 where Paul notes that Christ crucified serves as a "stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles."  
• "In spite of overwhelming evidence [the Nazarenes] will not believe He is the Christ, the Son of God....They knew Him but could not explain Him, so they rejected Him. His hometown, His relatives, even His own household cast their ballot against Him....Sometimes we spend so much time with someone that we no longer appreciate them. For those of us raised in a Christian environment, this is certainly an ever-present danger we must guard against. In a sense we should never get comfortable with Jesus. His goal is not to make us comfortable. His goal is to bring us to repentance and faith, humbly falling at His feet confessing Him as Lord and God. He is not your homeboy, your buddy, or your soul mate. He is not your genie in a bottle obligated to grant your every wish." 

The commentary for the text emphasizes Jesus' identity, and that we should never lose sight of who He is - the One True God.  It is wholly appropriate then that out of reverent fear we rush to Him as our refuge.  He saves!  We must also worship Him with the entirety of our lives (vs animal sacrifice) and seek renewing of the mind through a daily lifelong relationship with Jesus where we go to Him daily in study and reflection on His Word as He renews our minds and makes us more like Him.  As He makes us more like Him, He brings about greater and greater obedience to His will (Romans 12:1-2). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that saves and provides Your Word so that we can know, love, and please You.  Thank You!  I am not deserving of how You save and how You bless.  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. 

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

As I am in between studies, having just wrapped up my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today looks at where Paul focuses to remain hopeful as he grows old and more feeble.  Piper describes how Paul gains hope by focusing on how his inner self is renewed daily - this is also unseen. Piper then points out how this somewhat contradictory focus is further clarified by Paul in the next chapter of 2 Corinthians 5:7: "for we walk by faith, not by sight." Piper shares that this clarification "doesn’t mean that [Paul] leaps into the dark without evidence of what’s there. It means that for now the most precious and important realities in the world are beyond our physical senses.  We “look” at these unseen things through the gospel. We strengthen our hearts — we renew our courage — by fixing our gaze on the invisible, objective truth that we see in the testimony of those who saw Christ face to face." Piper wraps the devotion by pointing back to chapter 4:6 where Paul writes: " [f]or God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." This previously unseen knowledge of the glory of God is now seen by us because God revealed it to us - praise God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who revealed Yourself to me and gave me the power to see things unseen that provide eternal hope!  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.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I continue with Ephesians 4, focusing on v17-24. In this text, Paul reminds the church of Ephesus to avoid the sin they used to practice and is still largely practiced by those around them (see also this description of the church in Ephesus and the city).  This sinful life was the "old self" (v22) and they are a "new" self/creation (v24) in Christ Jesus.  Paul clarifies and further defines this new self as focusing on a renewing of the minds - see also Romans 12:2 where this renewing of the mind is also mentioned.  Read and study the Bible daily to better understand Him and His intent for our lives (corporately and individually).  This renewing of the minds is part of the sanctification process where God and the Holy Spirit in us day by day are molding us into more of His "likeness...true righteousness and holiness" (v24).  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me Your Word and sanctifies me so that I can shed my old self - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  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 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.

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.

Proverbs 19

Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way. Proverbs 19:2

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 how God directs our steps and guides us in our daily lives.  Through planning, prayer, a close relationship with the Lord, we can avoid impulsive actions and decisions that take us away from Him and also cause us and others harm.  My study encourages me to meditate on Psalm 73:25, Proverbs 8:11, 10:24, 18:1, 1 Corinthians 14:1, Philippians 1:23, 1 Timothy 6:9, James 1:14-15, 4:1-4, and 1 John 2:16-17.  Thank You Jesus for guiding me and keeping me on Your path!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is a lamp for my feet, You guide me, help me stay on the path and You pick me up when I stumble – thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of the love and blessings You pour out for me. My sin continues 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 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.

[We] take every thought captive to obey Christ[.]

Proverbs 10-16

[We] take every thought captive to obey Christ[.] 2 Corinthians 10:5b

As I continue with my study of Proverbs, remaining in chapters 10-16, the next five questions for this week (week 6) from my study workbook focus on God's providence over poverty (injustice, sloth, punishment, mystery - see also Proverbs 13:23, 6:9-11, 28:19, 10:2-3, 13:25, and 22:2), how God works in our mind with sanctification (see also Proverbs 14:15-16, Romans 12:2, and 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Hebrews 4:12), how we should be slow to anger (see also Proverbs 14:17, 29, 15:18, 16:32, and 19:11), how God's providential rule should be seen as comforting (vs frustrating) (see also Proverbs 16:1, 3, and 33), and how the New Testament more fully describes wisdom vs what we see in Proverbs (see also Proverbs 10:11, 13:14, 14:27, 16:22, and John 4:1-14, 7:37-39).  I worry quite a bit about Zach and Dustin so the examination today how God's providential rule should be seen as comforting DOES give me comfort - thank You Jesus!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who reigns over all details of my life - I see the good in Your reign.  Thank You Jesus for how You reign and for the sanctification process and renewing of my mind that allows me to see You at work.  I am not deserving of this or any other blessing You pour out for me.  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. 

Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

Genesis 24

Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.” Genesis 24:12-14

Day 10 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 Abraham's efforts to find a wife for his son Issac.

Abraham seeks to find a wife for Issac who is not from among the local Canaanites as the Canaanites worshiped pagan gods, so he sent his senior servant (Genesis 24:2-10) back to his father's land in Mesopotamia to Ur (see map here).

Of note here is the faith of Abraham's servant - who prays for a sign from God that he has indeed found the one who is to return with him to marry Issac.  This calls to mind the topic of how to divine God's will in decision-making.

I have often referenced Romans 12:2 as the key verse to draw upon for how a God-pleasing decision is made.  John Piper's post here also helps greatly in terms of expanding on thoughts I have on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus for blessing me beyond what I deserve by giving me more patience, etc.  I love You.  Yet I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me.  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.  Plae provide Godly friends ans 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 I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary.

Philemon 1

But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. v14

In this short letter, a prison epistle from Paul to Philemon and his church in Colosse, Paul focus primarily on urging Philemon to forgive his former slave Onesimus from stealing from him and running away.  Onesimus ends up in Rome and meeting Paul where he becomes a believer.  Paul sends Philemon this letter through Onesimus - and it is a picture of Christian love.  For more on this book, see OverviewBible.com and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase).  

Paul is in a position to force Philemon to forgive Onesimus but rather he uses this as a teaching moment - he wants this to be voluntary.  As such, Paul uses scripture to encourage Philemon to exercise Christian love and grace with Onesimus.

Just as Christ willingly surrendered His life for us, Christ wants us to willingly exercise love with others. 

Christ does the same thing with money - we are to be a cheerful giver (see 2 Corinthians 9:7).

This is not a natural act as we are born sinners but with renewal of the mind, believers can love and forgive others as Christ does for us (see also post yesterday).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who willingly laid down Your life for me - thank You.  Without a doubt, the most amazing gift of all time - not just for me but for all of humanity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and a gift.  I am selfish...among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

1 Thessalonians 2

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

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided great clarity for me in many areas of my life and Your will - thank You Jesus.  I depend on You for direction and clarity and without it I would be utterly lost!  I am undeserving of Your wisdom and love.  I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

Colossians 1

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. v16-17

Much like Galatians, Paul's letter to the church in Colossae serves to warn the believers there of .  In his attempt to do, per OverviewBible.com and the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), Paul seeks to (1) remind believers of who God is and their identity in Christ, and (2) provide practical advice on Christian living.

Colossians is also a prison epistle. 

I have many times referenced Colossians 1:16-17 to remind myself of how God is in control and on the subject of free will.  Both are weighty topics and underscore the importance of renewal of the mind.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You ARE in control and thank You for it!  My life would be a mess otherwise!  Being in control otherwise would mean less of You and more of me - again leading to destruction!  Thank You Jesus for what You have done to transform my heart and life to make me more like You.  I am blessed beyond what I deserve.  Thank You.  Yet...again...I am undeserving.  I am selfish, etc. Please forgive me Jesus as my sin is great and daily.  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 to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.

Philippians 1

 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. v21

Both Overviewbible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) describe the "joyful tone" of Philippians.  Indeed, Paul is writing this letter from prison in Rome to the church in Philippi. For more on Paul's imprisonment and the "prison epistles", check this out.

Paul is joyful because of his freedom in Christ - as v21 captures this joy.  It is essentially a no lose situation for him.  As long as the gospel is advanced, he is good with that.  Paul is at the center of God's will - this is true joy and freedom in Christ.  John Piper also describes this freedom in Christ: "Freedom is doing what you love to do, if what you love to do is what you ought to do, and transformation is the change of our hearts, so that what we love to do is what we ought to do."  Piper describes how we can achieve this transformation of our hearts and minds here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who HAS transformed my heart and life - this I KNOW!  Yet I know this work is still in progress and there is much to do.  Thank You Jesus for the miracles You have worked in my life.  I am not deserving for the many, many blessings You pour out for me.  I sin...daily.  I am selfish, lazy, 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. Provide 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 weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10

The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. v4-5

Drawing contrast to unbelievers who wage war with earthly weapons that cannot match God's might, Paul emphasizes how the Holy Spirit, prayer, and scripture provide divine power to "demolish strongholds".  All of us fight strongholds of sin in our lives and we have the same power that raised Jesus from the grave.  It is for us to be transformed by the renewing of the mind to "take captive every thought" for Christ.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who provides us with power to demolish strongholds of sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  I am selfish and I struggle with sin daily - please forgive me Jesus for falling short and help me turn from and overcome sin - help me 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.

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

Romans 12

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. v2

I have many times posted or referred to Romans 12:2 as it is to me a foundational verse.  Paul instructs on two matters: (1) to avoid conformance with the sin and evil of this world; this is very similar to repentance; (2) to focus on renewal of our minds - how we do that is daily study of God's Word and through prayer.   There is then a promise - that if we do (1) and (2) we will be able better understand God's will in our lives both over more contemplative decisions and spontaneous decisions.  John Piper has great posts on these topics -  The Renewed Mind and How to Have It, and What is the Will of God and How Do We Know It?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has both transformed my heart and life and given me a great taste of the fruits of the Spirit and many other blessings - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I worry and I have much more sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

Romans 6

But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. v17-18

In Romans 6:15-16, Paul challenges us to obey God and become slaves to righteousness.  We should desire to please God now that we have accepted Him into our heart and as a result of our renewing of our mind (see also post yesterday) we do not conform to the patterns of this world and knowingly sin just because we know God is full of grace and that we can expect grace in light of our sins of commission.  This would be pure arrogance - see also a post of mine from another blog.

God detests sin and we focus with great vigor a path to renew our minds and hearts to be "after God's heart". 

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

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and is full of grace for me - You have transformed my heart and life to be more like You.  I know there is much work to do and I must finish the race - yet I am grateful for what You have done for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of the blessings You have poured out for me.  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.

He must become greater; I must become less.

John 3

He must become greater; I must become less. v30

I've spent time this weekend with my son Zach and there has been much discussion about the world, desires, and God's will for our lives.  We all have desires but we must surrender our lives and desires to Him and He must come first.  This is counter to the worldly view that we must pursue what we believe is important to ourselves - to follow our dreams.

We must understand that God has a plan for our lives and that we must align ourselves with this plan.  Alignment to God's plan for our lives is a process that involves renewal of the mind through daily study of His Word and prayer.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has a plan for me that is great and I am amazed that You would use me - even though I am broken, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am undeserving of such a God.  I worry and I am selfish.  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.