[T]hose who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.”

Zephaniah 3:9-20

[T]hose who are left in Israel; they shall do no injustice and speak no lies, nor shall there be found in their mouth a deceitful tongue. For they shall graze and lie down, and none shall make them afraid.” Zephaniah 3:13

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:13, which is the text for the fourth division for the commentary's chapter on 3:9-20 (six divisions in total).

• Once again, as Judah's story of restoration continues to unfold, we see God in all of His glory and attributes turn from anger and wrath towards love and grace - which is of course the core theme of the gospel.  We all sin and need a savior and Jesus Christ is that Savior and He willingly died on the cross - taking God's wrath for our sin upon Himself - so that we could be free of the sting of sin and death.
• The text starts by referring to a remnant - God will keep His promise made to Abraham by saving the faithful few (narrow door).
• The faithful few experience incredible blessings; among them include obedience to God - righteousness - rest and peace.
  

Excerpts from the commentary relating to 3:13:

• "[God's]...promise underlines what we ought to know but so often miss. So much of our stress and turmoil is a result of sin. As sin is eradicated from our lives, we find ourselves able to rest in the peace of God. God’s presence, His holiness, His righteousness, brings us peace." See also Isaiah 53:5.
  
• Christ's "wounds from the crucifixion are the gateway to our peace."  This is imputed righteousness. See also 2 Corinthians 5:21.
  
• Freedom from fear in the text is also referenced in Psalm 23:1-5.
• "That God would love us so much that He would go to the lengths He did in order to secure our redemption, and then would go on to secure the restoration of all things, allowing us to lie down in peace with no fear of danger, speaks to His infinite grace and mercy. However, all of this becomes even more meaningful when you realize that God had to satisfy His own justice in order to extend grace, which means that God Himself would suffer, through His Son, in order that He might accomplish this grand work of redemption among His people and the rest of His creation."
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good and You took God's wrath upon Yourself - that needed to be paid for the sin of humanity - so that I could be saved.  Thank You Jesus!  And you give me rest and freedom from hear.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor these 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 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 makes me lie down in green pastures.

 Psalm 23 and Genesis 22:9-14

He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:2a

I continue my pause of my study of Jude to use Tony Evan's The Power of God's Names sermon outline series - maintaining focusing on Message Four: Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh.  Today, I review the sermon illustrations - specifically looking at two illustrations:

• Our Shepherd is a Full-Service God: Tony Evans shares the analogy of everything these days is self-service and how we can do things on our own - for example we can use Web search engines, AI, or YouTube.  There is so much we can do on our own that we are easily tempted to forget how God provides for all of our needs and how apart from Him we can do nothing (Psalm 23:1, John 15:5).  We should go to God first for wisdom and direction through prayer and He will provide.  His response may not be what we initially sought, but God does provide and we should understand His thoughts and ways are not our own (Isaiah 55:8). 
  
• Our Shepherd Gives Us Rest: Evans challenges us to see how God may be creating or allowing circumstances in our lives that force to depend on Him.  Evans writes: "Have you ever thought maybe the reason God hasn’t changed your situation is He’s forcing you to lie down? He’s making you stay right where you are until you have learned total dependency on Him." See Psalm 23:2a. 

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 - providing for me, giving me rest, and blessing me in SO many incredible ways.  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 Your 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.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 4:1-13, and my initial unaided observations of this text.  Once again, just as it did in Hebrews 3, the text in Hebrews 4 starts with "therefore," connecting this chapter with the previous, and in Hebrews 4 the text starts with a warning to fear God and fear falling away so that we can "enter His rest." The text describes how the first generation Israelites did not enter His rest by saying in v2: "[f]or good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened."  The implication is that we should be, as Hebrews 3 emphasizes, and per my post yesterday, in fellowship and community with other believers - let us exhort and encourage one another daily. God's rest is defined in Hebrews 4 in v9-10 as the rest God had on the seventh day of creation, after laying the foundation of the earth: "[s] then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his."  The implication here is that believers can rest from a focus on faith based on works and instead receive rest through faith alone in Jesus Christ.  The word "today" is mentioned twice, implying urgency for us to follow the warnings of the author to not fall away.  The text wraps by sharing why believers should fear God - it is because He is all knowing - and all of us will have to account for our lives upon final judgement, either upon death or when Jesus returns a second (final) time.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - You give me rest and peace of mind like no other - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing, nor of any the blessings You pour out for me, including my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome 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. 

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’”

Hebrews 3

Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart; they have not known my ways.’ As I swore in my wrath, ‘They shall not enter my rest.’” Hebrews 3:10-11

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 3:7-19, as I build on my post yesterday, and lean on commentary for this text.  I start with the commentary's overview of this text "Exhort and Encourage for the Sake of Faith," and then move to what the commentary describes as the first division "Learning from a Bad Example," which looks at Hebrews 3:7-11. The commentary highlights the text's first few words that follow "therefore", which sadly I overlooked in my initial reading yesterday.  These words are "as the Holy Spirit says," and the commentary indicates: "[the author of Hebrews] prefaces a quotation of the Psalms with the words, “as the Holy Spirit says.” In doing so, the author dramatically affirms the divine inspiration of Scripture."  The commentary then outlines how the use of these words accomplish two tasks: "[f]irst, it teaches us that God is the author of Scripture. It teaches us, “men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit” (2 Peter 1:21)....When we hear Scripture, read Scripture, study Scripture, or encounter Scripture in any way, we can be confident God is speaking to us.  Second, it affirms the living character of Scripture. The author does not use the past tense. He does not say, “The Holy Spirit said.” He uses the present tense. Every time we open the Bible, the Holy Spirit speaks. Even though the biblical authors recorded these words long ago, they are still living words.  The author of Hebrews explicitly argues this in the next chapter: “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword” (Hebrews 4:12)."  The commentary then shares how the text uses the word "today" in v7 and how this emphasizes the urgency of believing today, not to put off any decision of faith.  It then moves to share why the author used the story of how the Israelites wandered through the wilderness and lost faith - we are exhorted to remain faithful.  "[The author] wants [readers] to make it to the true land of rest." Of course this true land of rest is through faith in Jesus Christ. The commentary defines rest as "safety, security, and salvation."  The commentary wraps its examination of Hebrews 3:7-11 by indicating the serious and sobering nature of either not believing or losing faith as the Israelites did in the wilderness: "[j]ust as he did with Israel, God will shut out from his rest those who rebel, walk in unfaithfulness, and presume on the grace of God. Like faithless Israel, those who presume on the grace of God will die on the wrong side of the Jordan. We must hold firmly today lest we wake up outside God’s eternal rest." Hold firm in your faith!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God - thank You for how You help me remain firm in my faith - by providing Your Word, the Holy Spirit, my church, brothers and sisters in Christ, etc.  Thank You Jesus for these blessings.  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.

So we see that they were unable to enter [His rest] because of unbelief.

Hebrews 3

So we see that they were unable to enter [His rest] because of unbelief. Hebrews 3:19

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. My focus this morning is Hebrews 3:7-19, and my initial unaided observations of this text. Starting tomorrow and through the day after that, I will lean on my commentary and how it describes and unpacks this text.  The text starts with "therefore" - which of course forces us to examine how this text connects with the previous text in Hebrews 3:1-6 where the primary themes (see yesterday's post and posts just prior to yesterday) are how Jesus is greater than Moses, and how Jesus is faithful.  In light of how Jesus is faithful, believers are encouraged to avoid turning away (apostasy) or losing faith/trust in Jesus in the same way that many of the Jews did in the wilderness as Moses led them through the wilderness after escaping bondage in Egypt.  Inviting sin and evil into our lives allows for such turning away and v13 speaks of these influences. Lack of faith itself is indeed a sin. V12-13 exhort believers to encourage each other, and to help other believers stay strong in their faith.  The text twice (Hebrews 7:11, 15) refers to Psalm 95:7-11 in the warning the author of Hebrews uses to "if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."  The text ends by describing the consequences of falling away or losing faith - no rest! As an antidote to such falling away or losing faith, as it says in v14, let us "hold our original confidence [in Him] firm to the end."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You ARE faithful and I need Your provision and my brothers and sisters in Christ to help me hold firm to You until the end.  I know things get very hard but You will never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such faithfulness.  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.  

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

Romans 8

Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Romans 8:33

Today I pause in my study of Isaiah to look at John Pipers Solid Joys (www.desiringgod.com > Features > Solid Joys), where the post for today unpacks the implications of God's justification of us.  In the Exalting Jesus in Romans commentary, Tony Merida states that in Romans 8:31-39 Paul's focus is for us to celebrate the security of God's love for us.  When we are saved, it is God who does the saving (Ephesians 2:8) as He welcomes us into His family as one His elect. In Romans 8:33, Piper, in his devotion, encourages us to see that first, it is GOD who has elected us - not any earthly power and not any divine power but the God of the Universe and the King of Kings!  There is no higher power!  Piper then wants us to see that such a declaration of our election and of how God sees us as justified in His eyes, then no one can take this away or overturn such a decision that God has made.  We are justified in God's eyes - end of story.  Piper writes: "[i]f God is the one who acquits you — declares you righteous in his sight — no one can appeal; no one can claim a technicality; no one can call for a mistrial; no one can look for other counts against you. God’s sentence is final and total."  The implication (and application) Piper wants us to see is "unshakable security" in the face of suffering or whatever the world throws at us.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You have made me one of Your family, one of Your elect and I am justified in Your eyes and with this I gain great peace, security, confidence, etc. - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - my sin of worry, anger, etc. continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

Conclusion: Pages 650-669

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

This morning, I completed John Piper's book Providence (purchased from Amazon Kindle Store) after reading the conclusion. Here Piper recaps the extent of providence: "God's eternal plan includes everything-from the most insignificant bird (Matt 10:29), to the movement of stars (Isaiah 40:26), to the murder of his Son (Acts 4:27-28).  It includes the moral acts of every soul-its preferences, choices, and deeds. Neither Satan at his hellish worst nor human beings at their redeemed best ever act in a way that causes a revision in God's all wise plan.  Whether God planned to permit something or planned to be more directly involved, nothing comes to pass but what God planned as part of the process pursuing his ultimate goal.  Therefore, the extent of this providence is total."

Piper also shares with us "ten examples of the effects that knowing and loving this providence will have," including how "seeing and savoring this providence: 

1. awakens awe and leads us into the depth of true God-centered, Christ-exalting, Bible-saturated worship."
2. makes us marvel at our own salvation and humbles us because of our sin."
3. causes us to see everything as part of God's design-everything as from him and through him and to him, for his glory."
4. helps protect us from the trivializing effects of culture and from trifling with divine things."
5. helps us be patient and faithful amid the most inexplicable circumstances of life."
6. shows us that the "problem" of God's sovereignty in suffering is more than relieved by the sustaining purpose and power of his sovereignty through suffering."
   
7. makes us alert and resistant to man-centered substitutes that pose as good news."
8. makes us confident that God has the right and the power to answer prayer that people's hearts and minds would be changed."
   
9. shows us that evangelism and missions are absolutely essential for people to be converted to Christ, because God makes them the means of his work in creating saving faith."
   
10. assures us that for all eternity God will be increasingly glorified in us as we are increasingly satisfied in him."

While all I have experience all of these effects to a certain extent, one in particular rings true this morning - #5 and #6. As a father of a special needs child (Dustin), I prayed that God would equip me to be the man, parent, and husband needed not just by Dustin, but by my other child Zach and by my wife Lisa. God's providence has seen to it this prayer has been answered and for the praise and glory of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior!  More often than not, when I encounter challenges and trials, I know God is in control and God loves me, that He will never leave or forsake me, and that His ways are good and perfect...and that I can rest.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, Your thoughts and ways are indeed unknown, but they are perfect and good.  I can rest in knowing this.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such rest and of all the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin continues...selfishness, etc. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day.

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Psalm 127

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

Day 144 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 with a study of Solomon's contributions to scripture.  Solomon authored both Psalm 72 and Psalm 127 and this latter psalm is my focus today.  With this psalm, the focus is praise for God as the Giver of all things.  John Piper provides this great video and encourages parents to rest in God as the Builder, Watchman, and Protector of our family, and he further point us to Matthew 11:28-30 as parents often need the rest that only He can provide.

I am grateful for Psalm 127 and for John Piper's encouragement based on this psalm - I needed this today.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, I am so thankful for how You build, watch over and protect me as a father and husband.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for the blessings of marriage and fatherhood You provide.  I often fall down in these roles.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins in these areas.  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 family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him.

Psalm 61, 62, 64, and 69

Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Psalm 62:5

Day 110 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 my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue with "Psalms of the Troubled Soul".

Today's psalms focus on prayers for God's defense and shelter, that God is our only strength, for relief from conspirators against us, and for end of scorn. With today's worries about the covid-19 virus, the economy, etc. there is much that is likely to concern us.  We may be physically or emotionally tired, or both.  We need rest - we will find it in the comforting arms of our Lord Jesus.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who provides rest - both physically and spiritually - thank You Jesus!  I know that You will never leave or forsake me - that I can always come to You and find rest.  Yet 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.

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest.

Isaiah 32

My people will live in peaceful dwelling places, in secure homes, in undisturbed places of rest. v18

I often feel restless - my thoughts wander to chaos and worry.  I know God does not want me, or any of His children to worry or feel restless.  He wants us to have peace - that is why He sent His Son Jesus...so that we could have freedom from the sting of sin and death and the peace that is promised as a fruit of the Spirit.

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

But I have calmed and quieted myself, I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content. Psalm 131:2

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:6

 

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord, You are so very good to me...providing rest in a chaotic world.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry too often when I should be at peace.  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.

But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me?

Exodus 6

But Moses said to the Lord, “Since I speak with faltering lips, why would Pharaoh listen to me? v30

Even the greatest amongst us have self doubt and fear.  Moses, who in Deuteronomy 34:10-12 is known as only lesser to Jesus himself, had his doubts.  God want us to rest in Him and know that He is with us - He says this to Moses and all of His children.

We can find rest from our concerns, doubts, and fears, in God. 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 

God will equip us and give us confidence also.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - what an awesome God You are!  In my times of worry, concern, doubt, etc. You have provided rest, confidence, and peace.  Thank You Jesus - thank You for being with me always.  I am not worth such love.  I speak harshly to others and I am selfish.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself 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.

May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us.

Genesis 31

May the God of Abraham and the God of Nahor, the God of their father, judge between us. v53

In Genesis 29-31, we see deception and manipulation between Jacob and Laban - both parties are guilty of such deception and manipulation of each other.  We deceive and we manipulate when we lack trust in God that He can provide and resolve our concerns. We take matters into our own hands and we should not. 

Finally, in verse 53, Laban says what we should also say during difficult circumstances - that God reigns in all circumstances and that should rest and submit to Him and give thanks in all circumstances.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are in control and You are a great God for how You provide during all times.  We don't need to worry or manipulate anything - You are able!  Yet I often doubt or I do take matters into my own hands - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal 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.

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.

Psalm 62

Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken. v1-2

In this world, we find rest and refuge in many places - TV, books, pornography, sex, others, pets, alcohol, drugs, etc.  Rarely do we find rest in our Heavenly Father.  When we take the time to get to know Him, to study His word (which is God - see John 1) and to be in prayer with Him, we do experience the rest, salvation, and refuge to which David refers.  

This is our challenge - we are to seek out God more than anything else - above anything else in this world.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

 

See also Psalm 23.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my rest and my peace, my salvation, my rock and my fortress.  I know that with and through You I will never be shaken.  Yet their are times when I see my salvation elsewhere...in earthly pursuits, in myself, etc.  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You instead.  You have blessed beyond what I deserve and You deserve my full attention because You are great, able, and You seek me...You love me.  Thank You Jesus.  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, apply, and be obedient to, Your message today and every day. 

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.

What sweet verses that David expresses about God and who He is...indeed I lack nothing and "apart from you" I have no good thing.  He comforts me, provides peace, rest and directs my path and my walk - what an awesome God You are Jesus!

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

 

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. Romans 8:5-6

 

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

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

My Prayer:  Lord, indeed You are great in that ALL good things are from You and that if I am in You and abide in You I know I will find comfort, peace, rest and direction - life in abundance and for eternity!  How awesome a God are You!  Yet I am not worthy of such a God - I fail to give You my first fruits as I am easily distracted by worldly concerns...please forgive me for my worldly desires and worry.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Thank You for Your grace and patience.  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 side effects from chemo and radiation.  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.

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. v11

God wants us to focus on His greatness, His holiness, on how special he is.  The Sabbath exists for this purpose (and other purposes).  We are to worship Him and focus on His greatness, etc.  

My Prayer: Lord, You are great and Your works are great.  You are deserving of rest and created the Sabbath for this purpose.  You also gave us the Sabbath so that we can rest and so that we can glorify You - because You are worthy of our worship.  We need to worship You because of who You are for us.  You died on the cross for us...for me specifically.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an act.  I am still very much quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me keep the Sabbath holy.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength, comfort, and freedom from pain.  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.