And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness for forty days, being tempted by the devil.

Luke 4:1-13

And Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the wilderness  for forty days, being tempted by the devil. Luke 4:1-2a

As I have finished my study of Mark, pending a decision for what to study next, as a stop gap I am doing teacher training homework assigned from my church, which is to - without the use of a commentary - form a main idea and outline from a text.  The homework's text is Luke 4:1-13

Main point: Believers can defend against sin and temptation, just as Jesus did through faith, prayer, and the Holy Spirit.   

1. Jesus, is full of and led by the Holy Spirit to encounter Satan - v1
2. Jesus is tempted by Satan - vv2-3, 5-7, 9-11
3. Jesus defends Himself against Satan - vv4, 8, 12, 13

Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit and led by the Spirit - we are reminded of the role the Holy Spirit plays in not just Jesus' life but also believers lives to be fed (spiritually and physically), led, and protected from temptation - vv1, 4, 8, 12.  In the text we see Jesus led by the Holy Spirit to encounter Satan in the wilderness for forty days and be tempted - vv1-2 - using hunger (v2), earthly power (v7), refuge from physical harm (vv9-11), and ultimately "every temptation" (v13).  Jesus has a perfect understanding of scripture and leans on this understanding (see also Proverbs 3:5-6) to defend against temptation- we understand from John 1:1 that in the beginning Jesus was the Word (still is as God does not change) and the Word was with God.  We understand from the beginning of the text that Jesus is full of the Holy Spirit.  Given He is led by the Holy Spirit in the wilderness, we can infer that Jesus ordained an appointment with Satan to prepare Himself for ministry and ultimately for His crucifixion, as He knew the Father's will for His life.    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Satan is very powerful - and Jesus is unable to protect Himself from the temptations (every temptation - v13) of Satan without power from the Holy Spirit - v1. Satan was unable to draw Jesus into sin - using "every temptation" - and departed Him - v13.     
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Just as it was for Jesus, temptation is real and all around us (see also 1 Peter 5:8) - we must avoid becoming a friend of the world to avoid sinful influences. We must not live on bread alone but also feed ourselves daily/spiritually with scripture.  We must not put God to the test. We should love God and worship God above self or others/idols. We must follow Jesus' example and put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:1-18), which includes scripture (which we must study and put it in our hearts), prayer, and the Holy Spirit.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, and equips us with the whole armor of God so that we can also have victory over sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it 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 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.

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Mark 14:26-52

The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Mark 14:38b

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 14:26-52 - vv32-42.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv32-42: (1) God in the text: Jesus prays (vv32, 35, 36, 39) and he encourages Peter to pray (v38); He is greatly distressed, troubled and sorrowful (vv33, 34) "even to death" and He fell on the ground as a result of his emotions that brought Him to a point of obvious significant turmoil; He admonishes the disciples for falling asleep and not watching as He instructed them - alluding to how we are to be alert and not fall into temptation (v38); (2) people in the text: disciples fail to heed Jesus' instructions to watch and pray; (vv37, 40, 41); (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: We should obey Jesus' words to watch and pray v38 as "[t]he spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division: 

• The title of the second division (vv32-42) per the commentary is "The King Would Agonize over His Passion Alone." 
• "This is the third and final time Mark records our Lord praying alone (cf. 1:35; 6:46). Each occasion was a time of significant importance, but none more than this one."  
• "In spite of the exceptional trauma of the moment and the certain future that lay ahead, He trusted in God as His loving Father and in His will. What’s more, the “cup” that He prayed might be removed was not the physical pain He would endure endure on the cross. Indeed many Christian martyrs have gone to their death with thanksgiving and joy with no evidence whatsoever that they wished to avoid the hour of their martyrdom. No, the cup that so distressed and troubled Him was the spiritual suffering He would endure as He would bear the sins of the world and drink to the last drop the fierce wrath of God as our substitute."  
• "Gethsemane was “hell” for Jesus, but [we should be] so thankful He went through it. You see, if there is no Gethsemane, there is no Calvary. It there is no Calvary, there can be no empty tomb. And if there is no empty tomb, there is only hell for us."

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that suffered in ways that are unimaginable to me, including dying on the cross...for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  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 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 Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.

 Mark 1:9-13

The Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. And he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted by Satan. And he was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him. Mark 1:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  This morning, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:9-13 - the text covered by the next chapter of my commentary.  The text broadly describes Jesus's baptism by John (vv9-11) and the temptation of Jesus by Satan in the wilderness (vv12-13) - also described in Matthew 3-4, Luke 3-4, and to a certain extent (only the baptism) in John 1.  Although Mark's account of Jesus' temptation by Satan is the shortest, with fewer details, Mark 1:13 strikes me as it also appears in Matthew's account in Matthew 4:11.  In Mark, the timing of when "angels were ministering to [Jesus]" occurs earlier then in Matthew.  Regardless of timing, both Mark and Matthew felt it was important for readers to understand this detail that Jesus had a need - Jesus was suffering.  He was alone in the wilderness, with wild animals, and he was hungry and afraid.  God sent His Son to die on the cross as the sinless, spotless Lamb of God so that those who believe in Him can have salvation and the blessings of a transformed heart and life.  During His ministry on earth, Jesus experienced what we as believers experience, including fear, temptation, loss, pain, etc.  He not only lived a sinless life, He experienced the suffering (and then some!) we encounter in our lives.  Hebrews 4:15-16 is instructive here: "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."  Draw near to Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are awesome God who sympathizes with all of my circumstances, and I always have You where I can cast my cares and anxieties.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation and how You allow me to cast my cares and anxieties on You. 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.       

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

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 - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. The main idea from the commentary*: "avoid sin by remembering God’s work in the past among the Hebrews and by depending on God’s faithfulness."  The introduction* describes this main idea by emphasizing v11 where Paul shares that Israel's failings to remain obedient to God - primarily (but not limited to) to love God above all others - described in the Old Testament are given to believers "for our instruction" to be prepared for when Jesus returns. The following divisions* are provided to unpack the text for today:   

1. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Guarantee Us God’s Pleasure (10:1-5): Paul seeks to "draw parallels between Israel (our ancestors) and the church." Similar (a foretaste compared to the new covenant with Christ) to how Israel and Moses experienced rescue and blessings during the exodus, believers in Christ share salvation, "blessings and privileges from our God." One such blessing shared by both Israel and believer is how God was with Israel as the cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Exodus 13:20-21). To describe how God delivered Israel - another blessing - "Paul draws an analogy between Moses (a type of Christ) leading the people to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and Christian baptism (Romans 6:1-14)." Paul then describes how Israel and believers in the church both ate "the same spiritual food" - all coming from God. Paul then moves from blessings to warning as just as God was not pleased with most of Israel in the wilderness (as many were either struck down or otherwise perished in the wilderness), God is not pleased with believers such as those practicing sexual immorality in Corinth.  Be on guard for sin creeping into your life. "This gets to the heart of Paul’s concern for the Corinthians and Paul’s concern for us. To begin well is no guarantee one will finish well."     
   
2. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Insulate Us from Divine Judgment (10:6-10): The commentary describes another "history lesson" from Paul as the text points us to Numbers 11:18-34 where Israel got "too cozy" with sin.  Paul specifically warns us of idolatry (v7) and sexual immorality (v8) problems for both Israel (Numbers 25:1-9) and Corinth.  Paul continues as he compares how both Israel and Corinth tested God (v9) and how both grumbled against God (v10). God's anger burned against Israel and if believers are not on guard His anger will burn against us.  
   
3. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Protect Us from Personal Temptations (10:11-13): Paul concludes the text for today by warning us against temptation while at the same time reminding us that Christ is the "way of escape" as He provides all we need to battle against sin.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who equips me with everything that I need to battle sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin 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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.

1 Corinthians 10

Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. 1 Corinthians 10:11

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 10:1-13.  Here Paul pivots from the gospel being "of first importance" (see posts from previous two days) and how we are to exercise self-control and self-discipline in our race towards glorification, to warnings against idolatry, an acute problem in Corinth at the time.  According to John MacArthur, "some of the Corinthian Christians, in the name of Christian liberty, in the name of their so-called freedom in Christ, we’re attending idolatrous activities. They had decided that an idol is nothing, and they were right; an idol isn’t anything. The idol certainly isn’t the god they think it is, and that God really isn’t too concerned about those forms of ritual that people carry on, and that isn’t really what it appears to be.  And so, consequently, it’s kind of insignificant, and it wouldn’t hurt if the Christians kind of got involved." In today's text, Paul of course seeks to admonish those who wrongly think that just because idols - and do not compare to the One True God - are not real that it's not a big deal to pursue idol worship.  Paul first starts by reminding them how God was with the Israelites as they escaped Egypt and crossed the Red Sea on dry land.  All of this, including how Moses repeatedly served as intercessory for Israel, was provided as a foretaste of how Jesus would intercede on behalf of all humanity across all of redemptive history.  Believers share in the same (albeit Israel's experience was a shadow of things to come) experience of Israel that we have One who intercedes and serves as our Savior (vv1-4).  Paul then reminds us that despite God being One who abounds in love, He is a jealous God that commands us to love Him more than any others - thus His anger burned on many occasions in the Old Testament when Israel pursued idol worship and we are warned to avoid the fate Israel suffered when God's anger burned (vv5-12).  Paul then concludes the text for today by sharing the hope that only Jesus provides as He knows the temptations we face and if we remain in Him God is faithful to give us what we need to battle sin.

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 for me.  Thank You Jesus!  Thank You for being faithful to me and giving me all I need to defend against temptation and sin.  I am not deserving of such blessings!  My sin is great and it often feels overwhelming...and it is daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such 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 we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin.

Hebrews 4

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Hebrews 4:15

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. I maintain my focus Hebrews 4:14-16, as I move on to what the commentary describes as the second division "Remembering Our Sinless High Priest," which looks at Hebrews 4:15. The commentary first explores the nature of temptation, and ultimately shares that scripture is calling us to fight and resist temptation that turns into sin - lustful thoughts, impatience, frustration, selfishness, greed, etc. We need to avoid "crossing that line" that "give[s] permission to [our] temptation to manifest itself into full blown sin."  Jesus is described as never crossing that line: "He was tempted in every respect that we have been tempted, but never once did he permit that temptation to become sin in his heart, in his thoughts, or in his actions. Thus, temptation that resists or rejects sin falls short of sin, while temptation that gives over to sin is sin."  The commentary wraps for this text by comparing Old Testament priests to Jesus and the role He plays as the Great High Priest: "Old Testament priests could only offer sacrifices that would delay God’s judgment against sin. Their sacrifices could only buy time. Jesus’s sacrifice, however, accomplished complete atonement for sin once and for all. This was only possible because he was without sin, totally unlike every other high priest and totally unlike every other human being." A Great High Priest indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are SO, SO good!  Your mercies are new every morning, and Your provide for all of my needs!  Thank You Jesus!  You also are a Great High Priest and My Lord and Savior - thank You Jesus - amazing grace!  Of course 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.

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet.

1 Corinthians 15

Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. 1 Corinthians 15:24-25

I pause on both my studies of Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion - which today focuses on the extent to which God reigns, including a discussion of boundaries or limits, and a discussion of timing.  This devotion of course draws on John Piper's extensive thinking and writing on God's reign, particularly his book Providence. The reason Piper addresses these questions is to provide encouragement for believers in the daily battle against temptation and sin - Piper writes: "[t]here is no disease, no addiction, no demon, no bad habit, no fault, no vice, no weakness, no temper, no moodiness, no pride, no self-pity, no strife, no jealousy, no perversion, no greed, no laziness that Christ will not overcome as the enemy of his honor. And the encouragement in that promise is that when you set yourself to do battle with the enemies of your faith and your holiness, you will not fight alone."  Bottom line: God's reign of course does not start at the end - it is has been, is, and will be forever and ever.  Piper writes: "Jesus Christ is now, in this age, putting all his enemies under his feet."  Believers should be encouraged not just that God reigns, but also because we are never alone.  We have the Holy Spirit, God's Word, the church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:10-18

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You are more powerful than any force of darkness that exists - thank You for giving me the strength of Your might to defeat sin and darkness and my life.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and I often fall down in my faith.  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.

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Proverbs 9

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Proverbs 9:17

On the back half of my vacation in Maine, I continue my study of Proverbs 9.  Here, my study unpacks how wisdom contrasts with folly. Attributes of someone seeking wisdom include humility and a desire for feedback and instruction (v9-10) versus someone seeking folly who does not fear the Lord nor does he seek reproval or feedback (v7-8).  This is an important litmus test as we journey in our faith.  We are tempted to seek folly as the benefits may seem "sweet" or "pleasant" but we should validate the extent to which our journey is one of humility.  Others should look for fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16-24).  We should also surround ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ (Proverbs 27:17) who can help us detect when we fall prey to the temptations that seek to distract us from pursuit of wisdom (vs folly).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your path is straight and You light my way and You keep my feet steady - thank You Jesus for helping me stay on the path of wisdom.  I am not deserving of how You lead me and protect me.  My sin is great and I often wander off Your path.  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.

Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards.

 Isaiah 36-39

Do not listen to Hezekiah. For thus says the king of Assyria: Make your peace with me and come out to me. Then each one of you will eat of his own vine, and each one of his own fig tree, and each one of you will drink the water of his own cistern, until I come and take you away to a land like your own land, a land of grain and wine, a land of bread and vineyards. Isaiah 36:16-17

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I continue with Lesson 14, looking at Day 2, which looks specifically at Isaiah 36.  Core to Isaiah 36 is how King Sennacherib of Assyria sends Rabshakeh to meet with representatives sent by King Hezekiah of Judah. Rabshakeh mocks both Judah and the Lord and it is the manner in which Rabshakeh does his mocking of Judah and the Lord that is instructive for believers.  My commentary offers great insights here.  Rabshakeh uses God's own words (v10) where it is true that Assyria was led by God to invade Judah (for its sin), and just as Satan does, tries to tempt and entice Judah into submission through a promise of prosperity.  This is how Satan works - by tempting us with empty promises. It is God-alone that gives us prosperity, peace, etc. and He can also take it away.  We should certainly not expect prosperity (we all sin and the wages of sin are death (Romans 3:23, 6:23) - in fact Jesus tells us in John 16:33 that we are to expect trouble, and in the same message, Jesus offers us peace through Him that ultimately we will overcome these troubles because of eternal life in Heaven with Jesus.  I am reminded of how Jesus was tempted by Satan in the wilderness (Matthew 4) but does not fall for Satan's empty promises.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and You offer what none other can - peace, patience, kindness, love, joy, etc. - all the fruits of the Spirit.  Most importantly, You offer eternal life - the greatest gift of all time - for all that repent and turn to You. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of any of these blessings or gifts. My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me and help me turn from these 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.

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

Romans 13

Let us walk properly as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and sensuality, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. Romans 13:13-14

This morning, I pause in my study of Isaiah to listen to DesiringGod's devotion for today - which focuses on digital dangers and temptations. My commentary for Romans indicates that "in view of God's mercy displayed in Christ and in view of the coming day of Christ, believers' ethical lives should be driven and shaped by the realities of the gospel...Paul wants the gospel to saturate every aspect of the Roman believers' thinking and living."  The devotion warns us of five digital "dangers:"

1. the hook of constant curiosity
   
2. world of virtual (un)reality
3. "personal" relations with a machine
   
4. the risk of tryst
   
5. porn

Indeed these are all dangers and we face many other temptations.  Piper urges us to resolve to avoid these temptations.  Of course the anti-dote for these temptations is to lean into God and ask God to "renew" your mind (Romans 12:2).  Paul offers these words as well:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. Ephesians 6:10-18

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have protected me and armed me against temptation - thank You Jesus!  Although I continue to trip and fall - my sin continues.  Please forgive 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.

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.

Romans 12-13

Besides this you know the time, that the hour has come for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11-12

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with chapter sixteen Living in View of That Day, which covers Romans 12:17-13:14.  My focus today is v13:11-14, which my commentary refers to under the heading "Live in the Light." As Romans 13 closes, Paul urges believers to act - we've seen and experienced the Light and now we must put into practice what we preach and hear. He gives us warnings against debased living...against living in the flesh.

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

My commentary reminds me that Paul's urgency is important because we never know the hour of our own demise nor the hour of Jesus' promised return (Matthew 24:36). We are urged as well to review similar text in 1 Thessalonians 5:5-8.  We must "cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light." Similar text is found in Ephesians 6:10-17.  How we do this is with and through Christ and the Holy Spirit as He enables a Christ-centered life. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You are an awesome God and You provide the full armor of God and You are a lamp for my feet - thank You for walking with me and protecting me as I go.  I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me and how You provide salvation.  My sin continues - worry primarily.  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 the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

2 Samuel 11

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "David: Giant Problems and Colossal Collapses*".

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado drawing an analogy of being in high altitudes for how we often rise to wealth, power, status, etc. and we lose sight of how we got there.  We also lose sight of others and their needs and who they are - we only see them as below us and perhaps we like such a perspective - it might feed our ego.  When we fail to recognize our proper position (we exist to glorify God and not for ourselves), Satan notices this and we very prone to temptation.  David falls prey to lust and then covers up his sin with more sin.  Yet, while few know of David's sin, God knows and nothing is hidden.  

Lucado provides us with a number of verses to help us with temptation:

• ...[D]o not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27
• “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
• Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
• Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
•  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:13-14
•  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
• You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4  

As a means to fight temptation, Lucado wants us to acknowledge our Maker, without whom we would be and have nothing.  As well, we must recognize our sinful nature and brokenness. Our humility should drive us into His arms and a daily, lifelong, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, You created me, You sustain me and You came to save me - suffering and dying on the cross for me.  I am in awe that You would do all this for me - knowing everything about me, including my sin, which by the way continues.  I am not deserving of such blessings - not by a long shot.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  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.  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.  

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

Ecclesiastes - Various, 1 Kings 11:41-43, and 2 Chronicles 9:29-31 

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Day 150 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) wraps up my study of Ecclesiastes. This morning my focus is on life's true meaning (purpose and balance in life, advice to young people, and where life finds its meaning) and a review of the end of Solomon's reign and his death.

Solomon's parting words in Ecclesiastes, which are the "conclusion" of his search for the meaning of life, are in my view the most important of the whole book.  We all sin and need a Savior, and Jesus Christ is our Savior; let us submit to and live for Him based on His forgiveness of our sin and salvation. God will call of us and all of our deeds into judgement - in light of that we must live in fear of Him.  This should serve as a preservative against temptation and sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped me better protect myself from sin - thank You Jesus.  I know there is more work to do, but I am grateful for how You bless me.  I am not deserving.  I worry and have other sin.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as Your 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.

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end....Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Various Proverbs 

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end....Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. Proverbs 29:11, 16:32

Day 138 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 the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that discuss control of self (self-control, rashness, temper and patience, drunkenness and gluttony, adultery, and prostitution).

Like my post yesterday where there were multiple important topics worthy of greater consideration, today as well I zero in on one of the many topics covered by today's proverbs.  From a biblical perspective, self-control is a bit of an oxymoron given we are (generally speaking) either slave to sin or a slave to God and that none of us truly experience free will. Against this backdrop, I am proof of the harm done due to rashness (Proverbs 29:11), and the joy of God-control.  I say God-control because I don't want self-control - I am a sinful person and left to my own devices and self-control of course I will sin.  Who would want this?  Instead I seek to draw closer and closer to the one true God who can transform my heart and life into more of His image.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS transformed my heart and life into more of Your image and I am grateful...very grateful.  Of course there is more work to do but I am very grateful for Your mercy and compassion.  I am also undeserving of Your mercy and compassion.  I continue to 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.

It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

Psalm 76, 82, 84, 90, 92, 112, and 115 

It is you alone who are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry? From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet—when you, God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. Psalm 76:7-10

Day 116 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 start a new group: "Psalms About Righteousness and Wickedness" where David cries out to the Lord regarding the apparent inequity of the wicked who seem to escape judgment and punishment while the righteous suffer.

Today's psalms focus on how God's wrath against evil is to be feared, a warning to those wicked who claim to be gods yet will nevertheless die, the superiority of the house of God over dwellings of the wicked, the importance of remembering life's brevity, how only the righteous will truly flourish, how benefits accrue to a righteous person, and how idolaters have no source of trust as do believers.

Fear of the Lord strikes me this morning as the key theme of today's psalms.  I have previously posted John Piper's view on how fear of the Lord should serve as a preservative in my battle with temptation and sin - essentially that fear over God's wrath and anger over my sin should stop me in my tracks over sin. While this may be a sobering thought to many we should view it as a measure of God's love as well - God only disciplines those He loves.

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Proverbs 3:11-12

In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says, “My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:4-6

My Prayer: Lord You are an awesome God who I KNOW loves me.  I know You despise sin and sin separates me from You, and their are eternal consequences to sin.  I am undeserving of Your forgiveness, grace, compassion, and most importantly for Your gift of salvation.  My sin of gossip, worry, 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.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Judges 13-16

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.  Matthew 5:27-30

Day 80 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Samson, whose love for an ungodly woman shows how flirting with sin can hurt us.  It is nonetheless amazing that of course God redeems Samson's sin to use him to destroy many of the Philistines.  Although Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 13:1), He raised up Samson to lead and intercede on their behalf.  Far from a perfect leader, God used Samson to lure the Philistines into a trap (Judges 14:4). 

DesiringGod.com's post here warns us about flirting with sin and directs us to Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus warns us about sin, emphasizing how sin includes matters of the heart, and Jesus directs us on how we should be prepared to take what some may see as drastic actions to address sources of temptation.

These are tough words indeed, but God hates sin and it separates us from Him - we must find ways to address it in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and use my sin.  Thank You for Your grace and compassion and how You redeem my sin for Your glory and purpose.  I am humbled and of course undeserving.  Please forgive me as my sin continues - I am too easily distracted by the world.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 6-9

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him. Genesis 6:22, 7:5

Day 3 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 Noah and the Great Flood.

Broadly speaking, it is certainly noteworthy to highlight how quickly sin becomes the big story here - it all begins with falling prey to the temptation and seduction of the world.  God desires holiness and righteousness from us yet those who led a more righteous life (indicated in my study* as those from Seth's line) chose to marry women from the less righteous line (Cain's line) - focusing on physical attractiveness (see 6:1-2).  Contrast this with God's decision to select and anoint David as king based on his heart condition vs physical features (see 1 Samuel 16:7).  David lived to find favor in God's eyes.  Similarly, Noah did as well and while scripture does not discuss it my study* indicates Noah faced "undoubted ridicule" for constructing the ark as God commanded it.  Yet Noah "did all that God commanded" - we should strive for such a life.  We must remember that we don't exist to please earthly beings but instead to glorify God.

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I DO seek to please and glorify You - You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve....I often fail to glorify You and am seduced by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin torwards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and 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 God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.

James 1

For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. v13-14

MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates that that the Book of James has a "practical emphasis" and includes "direct pungent statements on wise living".  First we all sin and fall short of the glory of God.  We do have free will and this is governed by our thoughts and desires, and the extent to which we have been transformed by the renewing of our mind. 

My Prayers: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I have seen what You have done and I am blessed.  Thank You for helping me with my patience, anger, etc.  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.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Hebrews 4

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. v15-16

Yesterday, I posted about how "a fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God".   We should desire to draw close God as well based on my scripture for today v15-16.

First we have a God who is - unlike anyone else - able to empathize with us because He has been tempted in EVERY way but did not sin.  He also knows everything about our thoughts and deeds yet He STILL loves us and for believers adopts us into His family.

We CAN approach Him in confidence.

See also posts here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has laid down His life for me - nailing my sin to the cross.  You know everything about me yet You still surrendered Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[Satan] will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing.

2 Thessalonians 2

[Satan] will use all sorts of displays of power through signs and wonders that serve the lie, and all the ways that wickedness deceives those who are perishing. v9-10

Paul seeks to point the Thessalonians to Jesus, as they have been led astray by false teachers claiming that Christ has already returned (rapture).  This is what Satan does - he leads people astray!  Believers must be sober and alert!

Non-believers must repent and believe for the remainder of v10-12 contains a stark warning for those who do not believe.

They perish because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie and so that all will be condemned who have not believed the truth but have delighted in wickedness. v10-12

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God because You came to save me and others who believe!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I often put myself first above God and above others.  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.