"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope."

Matthew 12:18-21 and Isaiah 42 

"Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel or cry aloud, nor will anyone hear his voice in the streets; a bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench, until he brings justice to victory; and in his name the Gentiles will hope." Matthew 12:18-21

As I have completed my study of Jonah and have yet identified my next study, this morning I use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which examines how Christ is both the Lion and the Lamb.  

Among His many attributes, God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.  He is all of these things at the same time and much more. In Matthew 12, Christ is described as God's Chosen Servant, and during His ministry, He heals those who followed Him.  In the devotion today, John Piper uses two attributes of Christ - how he is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and how He is the spotless slain lamb of God who lays down His life for all of humanity.  These two attributes are used to depict two seemingly opposite ends of a spectrum - on one hand the lion is ferocious and as an apex predator - no other animal is higher than it on the food chain.  On the other hand, you have the lamb who follows the shepherd and is a portrait of meekness - going and doing as the shepherd leads.  Jesus is both and in the text today, we see an emphasis of His servant-hood and meekness, and how He cares for those in His flock.  All of us at various points in our life are in need of the humble and gentle care described here - we are the bruised reed and the smoldering wick.  We also see others who need this same humble and gentle care.  We are created in His image to be His ambassador during our time here, so believers must allow Him to work in us so that others can see His Light in us and be drawn to Him.        

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who reigns, serves, and saves!  Thank You for my salvation and for the blessings You pour out every day for me.  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.

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.

Numbers 3:5-10

They shall keep guard over him and over the whole congregation before the tent of meeting, as they minister at the tabernacle. They shall guard all the furnishings of the tent of meeting, and keep guard over the people of Israel as they minister at the tabernacle.  Numbers 3:7-8

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 3:5-10, the Lord speaks to Moses and describes the duties of the Levites.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In describing the duties of the Levites, the Lord first tells Moses to bring the Levites near, before Aaron, so that they can minister to Aaron.  In today's church, the lead pastor needs care and protection in his role - encouragement, wisdom, protection from sinful influences, etc. - pastoral staff and the elders typically serve and provide for this care and protection.  The Lord then further describes the role of Levites more akin to how deacons serve in today's church, by keeping guard over the whole congregation. First and foremost, the Levites are emphasized as servants, "given to Aaron and his sons" (v9).  V10 describes a limit, similarly described in text from a post a few days ago, and with the new covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, no such limit exists for believers.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Everyone has a role in the church and those in the church need care and support, including leadership.  All of God's gifts work together in the body of the church supporting one another and the church as a whole. See also 1 Corinthians 12:12-27.
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid selfish desires.  Claim the promise that God gives each member of the church worth, value and an important role to play.  Follow the example of the Levites who serve and watch over the whole congregation.  Love and serve others.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and provides for Your church, giving us leaders that faithfully serve.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of how You provide such blessings, and most importantly, 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.  

...so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 2

...so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:7

I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper discusses what believes is "the Bible’s most astonishing image of Christ’s second coming."  He refers to Luke 12:35-37 where Jesus tells the apostles a parable of a master returning home from a wedding feast; the master expects his servants to be ready for him when he returns.  He uses this parable to warn the apostles to be ready for His second coming, and that the master will "recline at table, and he will come and serve them."  This depiction of Christ at the second coming is - like yesterday's warning to beware of serving God - counterintuitive and less well understood unless studied more closely.  It is well understood by believers that Christ's earthly ministry depicts Jesus as serving others - this is clear from Mark 10:45 and other text.  However, Jesus' parable in Luke 12 talks about the second coming where we know from text such as 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8 that describe the second coming that Jesus is depicted as "in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."  Piper then rhetorically asks why Jesus would be depicted in the second coming not only as a conquering king but also as a servant?  He then emphasizes the text for today from Ephesians 2:7 and proceeds to share that God plays the role of servant in the second coming "[b]ecause the very heart of his glory is the fullness of grace that overflows in kindness to needy people." Piper concludes the devotional by pointing to Isaiah 64:4 where God "acts for those who wait on him," and sharing that "[t]here is no other god like this. He never relinquishes the role of inexhaustible benefactor of his ever-dependent, happy people." Indeed - praise God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank for the amazing grace and love that You pour for me - You never stop working, working for me and loving me - despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  Will You help me turn from and overcome my sin - impatience, anger, etc. - and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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 have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting.

1 Corinthians 9

But I have made no use of any of these rights, nor am I writing these things to secure any such provision. For I would rather die than have anyone deprive me of my ground for boasting. 1 Corinthians 9:15

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 9:1-18. Here, Paul starts the text for today by asking a number of rhetorical questions about his rights as an apostle.  Paul has certainly worked as hard as anyone as one of the greatest Christian mission leaders ever - perhaps the greatest.  Yet Paul does not use this to boast and "puff" himself up as this is contrary to what he just discussed in chapter 7 (see post yesterday). Paul knows - as all believers should - that we are not deserving of anything, and that God provides for all of our needs - out of grace alone.  Workers typically are allowed to lay claims or rights to the fruit of their labor as compensation - see v3-12a. But Paul shares how he does not make such a claim for himself lest it be an "obstacle in the way of the gospel of Christ" (v12b, 15).  Paul is willing to endure anything in his effort to spread the Good News (v12b). He would rather die than "be deprived of [the] ground for boasting" with this ground being the call and mission given to Him by Christ Himself to preach the gospel (v15-16).  Paul's reward is not bragging rights but that He shares in the gospel, and the blessings of seeing and experiencing God's harvest in calling people to Himself (v16-18). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me, providing for all of my needs and giving me the blessing of seeing Your hand in my life and in the lives of others.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide and how You bless 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.  

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

Proverbs 4

The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. v7

Solomon encourages us to pursue God above all else.  Although he states wisdom, we know that fear of God is the beginning of knowledge.  We must understand that our faith will cost us something.  The number one command (Exodus 20:3-4, Matthew 22:37-40) is to love God and to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind.  

When we pursue God above all else, there is a cost.  Solomon refers to this cost as "all you have].  Elsewhere in scripture we see this cost:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Mark 8:34

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Matthew:20:26-28

Yet our earthly loss pales in comparison to the riches of Jesus Christ.

What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.  Philippians 3:8-9

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You gave up Your life for me and You ask that I do the same in the sense that I must be prepared to transform my heart and life to become more like in Your thoughts and ways so that I may glorify You in all that I do because that is why exist.  I am thankful that You would allow me to be Your ambassador!  I am not worthy.  I am broken and in need of Your forgiveness.  For my worry, stress, impatience, arrogance, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn 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.

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

Psalm 138

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.  v6

Throughout scripture, we see the glory of God - on Mt Sinai, in all of Jesus miracles, in the final days, etc.  No doubt, He is worthy of our praise and full attention - we are to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Exodus 20, Matthew 22) - this is, after all, the number one and most important commandment.  At the same time, we have a God - Jesus Christ - that comes to serve us (Mark 10:45) and is willing to humble Himself (on the cross!) and be with us, even though we are all broken (Romans 3:23).  Christ's humility - that He serves us and extends himself to us - is something that we must demonstrate to others.


A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

What a great God we have!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of my full attention, worship and love...that You love me is amazing...that You came to serve me, and to suffer and die for me is amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love!  I worry, I am 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, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You Jesus.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[J]ust as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Imitation
Matthew 20

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” v25-28.

Today's devotional focuses on Christ's call for humility and to serve.  From the devotional:

In a man’s world, authority and service often have an inverse relationship. The more authority, position, and power one possess the more that man is served. These guys get new titles and assistants, new offices and parking spots, and heaps of flattery and accommodation. In some cultures men don’t even need power or position to earn servitude.

Jesus breaks the rules to serve in person. Watch Him in the gospels, He encourages, He makes breakfast, He hugs kids, He touches, he heals, He shows up.

For me there are two messages here...I need to demonstrate and model Jesus for my sons and for all that know I am a believer.  As part of modeling Jesus, I must die to self (deny myself), serve others, pick up my cross and follow Jesus.

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God that is not only worthy of my praise, but also my full attention and devotion.  I must learn Your ways, commit them to my heart and be more like You...for my own good, for the good of my family and for the glory of You so that I can draw attention and bring others to You.  I love You Jesus. You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I am often thinking of myself, worrying, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn 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.  Help me treasure my wife!  Help me be humble and serve others, including Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me lead effectively with You as my model.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

1 Thessalonians 5

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. v10-11

God desires us to live with and FOR each other.  

Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

On the above count, I need God's help.

My Prayer:  Lord, You are an awesome God full of love, patience, encouragement, etc.  I am not worth such patience and encouragement because I often fail to be patient and encouraging with others.  Thank You that You bless me and love me anyway Jesus but more than anything I need Your forgiveness!  Please forgive me Jesus and 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 encouraging to my family.  Help me NOT exasperate them.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  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.