...[W]alk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Ephesians 4:1-7 

...[W]alk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Ephesians 4:1-7  where Paul urges unity in the church.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Throughout the text vv1-7 God is represented as Himself (the Father), the Son, and the Holy Spirit - He is three identities in one. Attributes of God include - per v2 - humility, gentleness, patience.  V3 continues by describing Him as peaceful and seeking harmony among those in the church.  V4: He is hope.  Vv4-6: He is singular - there is none like Him.  V6: He is sovereign - "over all and through all and in all."  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V1: Paul is both a literal prisoner - he is subject to house arrest in Rome, and he also captive/a slave to God (the latter of which is a good thing).  Vv1-3: Believers are called to follow the example of Him per the attributes described in v2 with an eye towards ensuring unity and harmony in the church.  Unity and harmony are key - otherwise the mission suffers.  V7: Although God is described as singular - God's image, likeness, and spiritual gifts are in each believer.  We are then ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20) for Christ both representing Him and serving His mission - which is to bring others to Him and to bring Him glory. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid unsettled conflict in the church.  Claim the promise that the church is one body with many members all working together and all equally important - none are less important than others. We should follow the example of Christ who was humble, gentle, patient, and sought unity/harmony (see also Galatians 5:22).   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who is worthy of all praise, honor and glory.  Even though You reign over all, You came to earth as a lowly baby and then suffered and died for all of humanity so that they can call upon Your name as Lord.  What a portrait of humility!  Thank You for your humility and Your demonstration of love, gentleness, patience, etc....and for my salvation, and the blessings You pour out every day for me.  I know my faith is not of my own doing and 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.

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.

 John 16:1-15

Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. John 16:7

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 16:1-15, where the text returns to the Holy Spirit as Jesus seeks to prepare the disciples for His pending crucifixion and their persecution as they follow in His footsteps to share the gospel.  This preparation is simultaneously unsettling and comforting.   Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V1 is a transitional statement as Jesus knows that while the disciples will face momentary lapses of faith (we all do), He knows the remaining ones (all but Judas) will remain faithful to the mission He lays out before them.  There will be persecution and difficult times ahead, but if they remain in Him, and Him in them (John 15:1-10), if they love one another and remain unified (John 15:12-13, 17), and if they know the Holy Spirit (the Helper) will be with them (John 15:26), they will not fall away.  V2-4, 12 lays the groundwork for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and how the disciples’ will share in His suffering.  The disciples are more equipped to hear some of this difficult message now at this point in the gospel.  Yet, even now, God does not fully reveal Himself, as He only reveals Himself to us in ways that are intentional – God has a plan, His own timing, and both are perfect. V5-11, 13-15 expands on the coming of the Holy Spirit (the Helper) and by describing it as an encouragement and equal to God and the Father.
  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v1, we must see how people fall away – this of course does not mean if you truly abide in Him and Him in you that you can lose your salvation.  However, it does mean that if you were never truly in Him and Him in you then you can fall away.  This is both a warning and encouragement to know God and to build a relationship with Him.  In vv5-7, Jesus states to the disciples that He is going back to the Father (the disciples don’t fully understand this, but they can grasp how He is leaving them), and then because He knows that this will be discouraging, and because He knows this will weaken their faith as they will be more prone to sinful behavior, He offers them the Helper as an “advantage” for them.  In vv8-11 we see how those who do not believe in Jesus will face eternal condemnation.  V12 emphasizes how God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours (Isaiah 55:8), so He only reveals to us based on His timing and how He seeks to equip us.
• 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 falling away – abide in Him, and Him in you. Claim the promise of the Holy Spirit as the Helper that He provides to guide us into all the truth (v13).  Follow the example of those who believe in Him and see the Helper as an equal person of the Triune God.  Remember the Word of God – v4 – so that when we face persecution we can take comfort knowing that Jesus told us we would and that He provides the Helper to reassure us that He is still with us. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves, and give us the Holy Spirit to withstand hate and persecution.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.”

 John 12:44-50

For I have not spoken on my own authority, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment—what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I say, therefore, I say as the Father has told me.” John 12:49-50

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:44-50, where Jesus cries out (apparently from hiding - see v36 - as the text does not share how circumstances have changed), that people should believe because He has authority, a message, and a mission given to Him from the Father.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus was sent by God the Father and He reflects the Father - vv44-45.  Earlier text in John shares how Jesus and the Father are One - see John 10:30.  Jesus is the Light of the World, giving Light to those who live in sin/darkness - v46 (see also John 9:5).  Jesus once again shares how His mission is not to judge but to save (v47) - see also John 3:17.  While Jesus' mission as the Incarnate Son of God is to save, He does share that on the last day, when Jesus returns after ascending to Heaven to sit at the right hand of God, that His Words will judge (and by implication eternally condemn) those who do not receive His Words and believe in Him. Jesus ends the text for today in vv49-50 by sharing that God the Father has given Him authority and a commandment - "what to say and what to speak." The commandment given to Jesus is eternal life - see also Matthew 24:35, Mark 13:31, Luke 21:33, and John 1:1-2 where the text shares that Jesus' words will not pass away (eternal), how Jesus and the Word existed in the beginning with the Father, and how the Word was Jesus and the Father. 
• 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 rejecting Jesus' words.  Claim the promise that if you believe Jesus' words and believe in Him, you will be saved and have victory over sin and death as it is already won.  Love God as the most important commandment.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who saves!  I am not deserving of how You 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.

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:22-42

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:22:42, where we see the Jewish leadership confront Jesus as He was in the temple in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah).  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In His defense, Jesus share that (1) His works (miracles such as healing of the blind man), are done on behalf of the Father who sent Him, and these works bear witness about who Jesus is, (2) the Jewish leadership, despite their supposed knowledge of the law do not see Jesus is fulfilling all prophecy that pointed to Him - they are not among Jesus' sheep (He is the Good Shepherd - see vv1-19) because they don't know His voice otherwise they would recognize Jesus as the Good Shepherd/Christ and follow Him (vv26-27).  Jesus gives His followers eternal life and this blessing cannot be taken from them (v28).  The Father gave Jesus His sheep and The Father is greater than all (all creation, all heavenly bodies, etc.), so none of Jesus' sheep can be taken out of the Father's hand (v29).  Because all authority has been given from the Father to Jesus, Jesus should be seen as one with the Father (v30).  In v31, as the Jewish leadership prepared to stone Jesus, Jesus shares that He is innocent based on how He is performing good works from the Father.  Jesus also shares that He is doing only what the Old Testament shared (see Psalm 82:6 as referenced in v34) and playing the same role as those who taught the Word of God in OT law.  In His closing argument with this confrontation, Jesus challenges the Jewish leadership to at least believe that His works are real and that the Father is in Jesus and He is in the Father (another way of saying that Father and Son are united). Because it was not the appointed time, Jesus escapes arrest and goes to where John the Baptist had first been baptizing and many came to Him and believed because they now see that John the Baptist's prophecy about Jesus was true - vv39-42). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Just as the Jewish leadership gathered around Jesus to confront Him - seeking to arrest and kill Him - believers can expect to be persecuted (ranging from rejection/scorn to physical imprisonment-death) in some form (vv22-24).  The Jewish leadership (with some exceptions - see vv19-21) does not believe Jesus is the Christ (Promised Messiah).  There will always be many who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior - that there is a God and Jesus is God. The Jewish leadership reject Jesus as God outright (v33) based on Jesus' statement in v30 that He and the Father are one.       
• 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 rejecting Jesus because You don't know Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus is who He says is - Lord and Savior.  Follow the example of those who are drawn to Jesus and believe - who know His voice and see Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Do what the Good Shepherd commands because He loves and cares for us and leads us to provision and eternal rest.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, cares and saves those who follow You - You are the Good Shepherd.  I am not deserving of how You love, care, and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin 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.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him.

John 8:21-8:30

And he who sent me is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do the things that are pleasing to him. John 8:29

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 8:21-8:30, where Jesus continues to teach in the temple in Jerusalem after the Feast of Booths, and now He describes how He is from Heaven and from the Father, and this gives Him the authority to judge and condemn those who do not believe in Him.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus once again refers to soon His to be ascension to Heaven following His death on the cross and that if you don't believe in Him (as the Jews do not) they will "die in [their] sin) - v21.  In response to the Jews who think He is going to kill Himself (v22), Jesus shares that He is from above - Heaven - clarifying where He is going (to be seated at the right hand of God), and that He is not of this world (v23).  Jesus repeats the promise that if you don't believe in Him, You will die in your sins (v24) - emphasizing an important Gospel (negative) promise and warning.  In response to the Jews' continued confusion about what Jesus is saying (vv25, 27) and their questioning, Jesus shares that His message has been consistent "from the beginning" (v25).  He then goes on to share that He has much to say about the Jews and much to judge (v26) and what He has declared about them He learned from the Father, who is He is true. In v28, Jesus reinforces the point that upon His resurrection, they will know that He is from the Father and the Father has granted Him authority to share what He has been sharing (and for these words to be true). Vv29-30 pivots to a hopeful message how the Father is always with Jesus and how Jesus seeks to please the Father, and how upon Jesus saying these things "many believed in Him."             
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The Jewish leaders and Pharisees don't really want to earnestly learn about Jesus, as their questions are motivated by anger and spite as they seek to do harm to Jesus (arrest and kill).  This questioning is more to trap Jesus into heresy or sin so that the Jews have a basis to condemn Jesus - which of course we know they will never have. We should strive to understand people's questions and have mercy on those who doubt (Jude 22-23). 
• 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 judging others as this is for God alone to do.  Claim the promise that Jesus is who He says is and that He is Lord and Savior.  Follow Jesus' example to please the Father. Obey the command to bring glory to Him in all that we do (1 Corinthians 10:31). 

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

"I can do nothing on my own."

 John 5:30-47

"I can do nothing on my own." John 5:30

I continue my study of John looking at John 5 and Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18 and continues through v47).  Yesterday I focused on vv25-29, and today my focus is vv30-47; here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus shares in v30 that He can do nothing on His own - which clearly is not intended to lead us to believe that He is dependent on anyone or anything as He is God (Triune God).  Yet as the Incarnate Son of God who was sent by the Father and about whom John bore witness, Jesus wants the Jews - those seeking to persecute and kill Him - to understand that He is the Promised Messiah spoken about in the OT - the same OT that the Jews supposedly knew intimately.  To reinforce His message, Jesus (see vv46-47) refers us to Deuteronomy 18:15-18 where Moses prophecies about Jesus.  Going back to v30, the point I see Jesus making is that all three identities and persons of the Triune God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) work together not as one without the other.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: John the Baptist is seen as "a burning and shining lamp" (v35).  Many of the Jews, most prominently the Jewish leaders seeking to persecute and kill Jesus, do not believe in Jesus nor do they have the love of God in them.  They also seek glory for themselves and from one another vs seeking glory from and for God.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Do not seek glory for yourself - seek glory for God alone.  Claim the promise that Jesus is the one all of scripture points to as Lord and Savior for all.  Follow the example of John who humbly "decreased" so that Jesus could "increase."  Also follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father who sent Him.  We are to do the will of Jesus.  Do everything for the glory of God.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and who saves....You are the Promised Messiah that all of scripture points to. Thank You Jesus for loving me first and saving me.  I am not deserving of such love and 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 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.

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

 John 5:19-24

Whoever does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. John 5:23b-24

I continue my study of John, and today, I move to start unpacking Jesus' extended response to the Jews persecuting and seeking to kill Him (which started in vv16-18).  This response continues through the end of the chapter (last verse is v47), so I am going to tackle this in chunks starting with vv19-24 - here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus speaks with authority as the Son of God, sent by the Father - v19 uses language from scripture elsewhere "truly, truly" as He emphasizes His authority on the matter.  He not only speaks with authority, He acts with authority doing what the Father tells Him to do, as the Father does the same and because the Father "loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing" (v20). Both Father and Son raise the dead and give life, and the Son gives life "to whom He will" (v21).  This is key because we know that some believe in Jesus and some do not - faith is a gift from God, not of our own doing (Ephesians 2:8), and He alone saves. Vv22-23 share how the authority to judge has been delegated from the Father to the Son and that we are then called to honor the Son based on this authority.  V24 gives us an important promise repeated most famously in John 3:16 that whoever hears the gospel, believes that Jesus was sent by God and believes God (affirms authority of both God the Father and the Son) has eternal life and will not be condemned (implied also that such a person - believer - will have rebirth or regeneration).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: While not explicitly stated, we can infer in the text that those who do not believe in Jesus and His authority as Lord of All (and Savior) will suffer eternal condemnation.         
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid not honoring God or not believing in Him, follow the example of Jesus who did the will of the Father (dying on the cross, etc.), claim the promise of ("greater works") life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven based on belief in Him.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves and gives life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You thank You!  Of course I am not deserving of such love and blessing....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.

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

 John 5:10-18

Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” John  5:14

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 5:10-18 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: After healing the man who had been unable to walk for 38 years, Jesus finds the man in the temple, greets him and warns him to "sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you" (v14).  We should understand that all believers sin and will continue to do so until we die - we are human!  So Jesus is not expecting us to not sin at all, its that we must refrain from willful patterns of sin that demonstrate a lack of faith and a lack of abiding in Him and His Word - doubts in Jesus will inevitably creep in and lead us into further sin.  See this post and another on repentance from RC Sproul.  V17 shares that God the Father is working until now, and that Jesus is working, and here we see two identities of the Triune God at work as the Father sent the Son.         
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Building on the text from yesterday where we saw a man healed who had been unable to walk for 38 years, we see the response from the Jews (implied it is Jewish leadership who felt threatened by Jesus) who believe that it was unlawful for the man to "take up his bed" (v10) on the Sabbath.  The man indicates he only followed the commands/instructions from the man who healed him, and he did not know it was Jesus because the text shares that "Jesus had withdrawn as there was a crowd in the place" (v13).  Jewish leadership wants to know who this person is who is healing and getting others to "work" on the Sabbath.  In scripture, Jewish leadership often (read about ceremonial vs moral law) add to/subtract from the law and use tradition to bend the law in their direction for their favor and benefit, particularly in how they use the law to crucify Jesus. Yes God wants us to use the Sabbath to rest and for worship of Him, but it is not sinful to work on the Sabbath (see this post from DesiringGod.com).  The Jews learn that it is Jesus that healed the man and seek to persecute Him for "working" on the Sabbath, and for considering Himself equal with God (vv16,18).      
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  Avoid willful sin and bending the law in our direction in our favor.  See Jesus as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit - and as Lord and Savior.  Repent, follow Jesus, and abide/remain in Him.    

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides Your Word that is perfect (2 Timothy 3:16) - You also save and continue to work in my heart and life.  Thank You Jesus for saving me and for working in my life.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!”

 John 1:43-51

Nathanael said to him, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Philip said to him, “Come and see.” Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and said of him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit!” John 1:46-47

I continue my study of John, and today, I unpack John 1:43-51 using the Sword Bible Study Method. Tomorrow, I will follow up and outline the text and provide a main point. 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Although Nathanael insults Him, Jesus shows compassion and mercy to Nathanael - praising Him instead of being revengeful - v47; Jesus is all knowing as He sees and knows everything about us - vv46-48; Jesus offers more than just miracles - He offers salvation and a relationship with the Triune God - vv50-51.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Philip is "found" by Jesus and he becomes a follower/disciple of Jesus; Philip is from the same town as Andrew and Peter (Bethsaida) - vv43-44; Philip correctly identifies Jesus as the Promised Messiah - v45; Nathanael is initially a naysayer and does not believe Philip that Jesus is the Promised Messiah and Philip seeks to change his mind - v46; upon meeting Jesus and seeing that Jesus knows him without meeting him, Nathanael also correctly identifies who Jesus is - but with another attribute of the Triune God - the Son - vv48-49.   
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should not doubt who Jesus is - He is the Promised Messiah, King of Kings, Son of God, and sent by God; we should know with God, while He offers life to the full now to those who believe Him, He also offers "greater things" - eternal life in Heaven with Him - v51. We should follow Jesus as Philip and Nathanael did. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for life to the full now and for eternity in Heaven with You and all the other saints.  I am not deserving of my salvation - 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 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 next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!

 John 1:29-34

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! John 1:29

I continue my study of John, and today, I outline and unpack John 1:29-34 using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

Main point: Jesus is the Triune God who baptizes with the Holy Spirit and gives new and eternal life.   

1. Jesus is the final and perfect atonement for the sins of the world - vv29-30
2. Jesus is revealed as one of the Triune God's identities - along with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - v31-34 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus approaches and makes Himself known to John (who continues to baptize those who repent in the Jordan), and John describes Jesus as the Lamb of God (the perfect and final sacrifice), who takes away the sin of the world" - v29; John continues, describing Jesus the as the one he kept referring to as coming after John but also the one who was before me (existed since the beginning - see v2) and as the one ranking before (higher than) John, because He existed before John - v30; all persons - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (descending from Heaven like a dove and remaining with Jesus) - of the Triune God appear together as sent by God - vv31-33; God the Father spoke to John and shared that Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - v33; John once again in this chapter (see also vv14, 18) testifies regarding the identity of Jesus as the Son of God - v34.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: John fulfills his role to prepare the way for Jesus as he announces Jesus' arrival - v29; John wants everyone to be clear than he is less than Jesus - v30; John both performs and bears witness to Jesus' baptism, and also experiences the Father, Son and Holy Spirit during the baptism as he sees the Holy Spirit descend from Heaven like a dove and God talking to John sharing how the Holy Spirit remains with Jesus and Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit - vv32-33; John previously did not know Jesus but now understands more fully His identity as the Triune God - vv31, 34.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): See Jesus as the Promised Messiah who takes away the sin of the world; follow the example of others who repent and believe in Jesus to experience forgiveness and salvation, and to experience baptism by the Holy Spirit as you will then be reborn as a new creation into the family of God. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and baptizes with the Holy Spirit, giving new and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus for my rebirth and salvation.  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 1:1-5

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. John 1:1-5

I started a study of John and this morning, I outline John 1:1-18 but focus on vv1-5 what I see as the first division. 

Main point: Jesus is the Son of God and the basis of all existing life and of life reborn through faith.  

1. Both Jesus and the Word are eternal and the basis for creation and all life - vv1-5. 
2. John the Baptist was sent from God to prepare the world for Jesus - vv6-10.
3. Believers in Jesus will become children of God, reborn through the Holy Spirit - vv11-13.
4. Jesus is the incarnate Son of God, full of grace and truth - vv14-18.   

Observations of the vv1-5 based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God's Word is eternal - v1; God's word IS God - v1. Jesus is eternal and with God - v2.  Jesus is the basis for all creation, all life, and life is in Him - vv3-4; Jesus is light in men - Holy Spirit - that shines in darkness and overcomes it - vv4-5.     
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The light people have is a reflection of Jesus and this light gives people power to overcome darkness and sin - v5. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to claim the promise of Jesus' identity as God, Son of God and Holy Spirit.  We are also to claim the promise and truths that Jesus is eternal, the basis of all creation and life, and the Holy Spirit that lives in believers and gives power to overcome darkness, sin, and death. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves and saves - You are the author of all creation and life, You save and give new life through You, and You saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And Pilate asked [Jesus], “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”

Mark 15:1-20

And Pilate asked [Jesus], “Are you the King of the Jews?” And he answered him, “You have said so.”  Mark 15:2

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 first division of the text from Mark 15:1-20 - vv1-5.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv1-5: (1) God in the text: Following His arrest, Jesus is bound and led away to be questioned by Pilate (v1); Pilate questions Jesus seeking first perhaps to satisfy His own curiosity whether Jesus is King of the Jews (v2); Jesus response in v2 can be considered "non responsive" but it can also be seen as one of deference because Jesus sees Pilate as a governing authority and per Romans 13 believers are commanded to submit to governing authorities that God places over us; believers know the answer is yes to Pilate's question and Jesus affirms Pilate; Jesus is accused of "many things" and provided no further defense to Pilate (vv3-5); (2) People in the text: the Sanhedrin consult with each other then as soon as it was morning turn Jesus over to Pilate (v1); Pilate's questioning is designed to both placate the Sanhedrin yet walk a fine line to not stir up Jesus' followers because we know later that Pilate sees Jesus as not guilty of any crimes (vv2-4); Pilate is amazed (v5) that Jesus offers no defense perhaps seeing Jesus as powerful and able to defend Himself more than adequately based on what he has heard about Jesus (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: Believers should have a right and true understanding of Jesus as Son of the Most Holy God and as God Himself, along with the Holy Spirit - the Triune God. We are to submit to governing authorities - of course unless it conflicts with what God commands us to do.  We should not blaspheme - something Jesus was accused of doing but did not. Jesus of course is our example as He follows and submits to His Father's will. 

Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of three) division: 

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "Jesus the Great King: The Sacrifice for Sinners", and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv1-20) is "Jesus suffered in our place as the sacrifice for sinners." 
• The title of the first division is "Our Great King’s Silence: The Accusations and Amazement."   
• "The Sanhedrin needs to move quickly to get the “Jesus case” before Pilate. They want Him executed before the Sabbath begins on Friday evening at sundown."
• "Only one accusation concerned Pilate, so he asked Jesus, “Are you the King of the Jews?” (v. 2). This title has obvious political overtones for Pilate and Rome. Pilate, like the high priest (14:61), is an accurate, though ignorant, confessor of the Christ."
• "Jesus responds in a cryptic fashion to his question: “You have said so.” This is neither a direct affirmation nor a denial. I think Jesus’ intention is something like, “Yes, I am a king, but not the kind of king you are thinking of.” As Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world” (John 18:36)."
• "Here is the great King’s silence in the face of His accusers. Sinful men can only watch in amazement. No defense. Not a word. He will see to it that He goes to the cross."   

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for taking my place on the cross and dying on my behalf - I know I received grace and salvation undeservedly. 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.

I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.

Mark 14:53-72

I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven. Mark 14:62

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 first division of the text from Mark 14:53-72 - vv53-65.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv53-65: (1) God in the text: Jesus is led to the high priest after His arrest (v53); Jesus is subjected to trial before the temple chief priests, elders, and scribes where they sought evidence to convict Jesus of blasphemy (vv53, 55); despite this questioning and false witness (v56-59), etc. there was no evidence that Jesus committed blasphemy (or any other sin) (v55); Jesus was silent in the face of all questioning except the questioning from the chief priest who sought to confirm Jesus identity as Christ the Son of the Blessed (v61) - to this Jesus said yes and pointed to His second coming (v62); Jesus was mocked, covered and spat upon (v65); (2) people in the text: Peter followed Jesus "at a distance - warming himself" focusing on his comfort vs the persecution of Jesus (v54); Peter denies Jesus just as prophesied during the Last Supper (vv26-31); the chief priests, elders, and scribes falsely accused Jesus of blasphemy against God yet ironically it was them who were blasphemous as Jesus confirms His identity to them and yet they still seek to condemn based on false charges they made up; (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: we should love God first (most important commandment) and not blaspheme Him; we should claim the promise that Jesus is the Son of God and He is worthy of all worship; and also rest in the promise that He will return; we should stand firm in our faith during trials and trust in Him; we should follow Jesus example to seek God's will for our lives and follow His will.  

Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and the first (of two) division: 

• The title of this chapter of the commentary covering this text is "The Beginning of the End for the Great King," and the main idea for the entirety of the text (vv53-72) is "[e]ven amid the falling away of all His followers, Jesus remained faithful to His calling."
• The title of the first division is "Jesus Makes the Faithful Witness as to Who He Is."  
• "[Jesus'] final hours were unjust and illegal. Jesus endured six hearings in a matter of hours—three ecclesiastical trials before the Jewish In the case of our Savior, not only was life unfair; His final hours were unjust and illegal. Jesus endured six hearings in a matter of hours—three ecclesiastical trials before the Jewish religious authorities and three civil trials before the Roman political authorities (Matthew 26–27; Mark 14–15; Luke 22–23; John 18–19). It is difficult to count up all the violations of Jewish law."
• Fulfilling scripture just as written (Isaiah 53:7) Jesus remains silent as He is questioned - the only time Jesus speaks is to reveal the "messianic secret" that Jesus sought to keep under wraps during His time in ministry. He is the Son of God.   

Comment and discuss this post. 

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

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

Mark 4:35-41

And he awoke and rebuked the wind and said to the sea, “Peace! Be still!” And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. Mark 4:39

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 4:35-41, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers six divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's fourth (of six) division (v39): 

• The commentary's title for this division is "Jesus Has Authority over Nature Because He Is God."  
• "God and only God is thrice “omni.” He is omniscient: He knows all things (actual and potential). He is omnipresent: He always exists everywhere. He is omnipotent: He is all-powerful."
• "Jesus’ gracious humility is on display as He does not chasten the disciples for their less-than-charitable summons. In a simple, non-magical statement He rebukes the wind and says to the sea, 'Silence! Be still!'"
• The commentary highlights in the the original Greek, Jesus uses the same word from Mark 1 to rebuke the demons as He does here to rebuke the wind.
• We must understand that only God has such authority - Jesus must be God! 

For readers of scripture today, we can only read about Jesus's death and resurrection, and about the miracles from His ministry.  We must take it as faith the scripture is Truth and inerrant. While we cannot experience the miracles as Jesus's disciples did, we have all seen God's hand in our own lives.  I saw my own mom profess faith and be baptized at 81 years old - she died 3 years later.  My mom was Jewish her whole life and lived 2000 miles away from me - Jesus was at work for sure as He is in all salvations because only He softens hearts and brings people to faith - Ephesians 2:8-9. There is so much more I can say about God's hand in my life and miraculous things He has done in my life.  God is SO good!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, saves, never leaves or forsakes, etc. Thank You Jesus, but I am not deserving of how You save and how You never stop working for me interceding on my behalf. 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.  

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Timothy 1

To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Timothy 1:2

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy. This morning, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series, watching the video for 1 Timothy 1:1-2, Part 4. Excerpts from the video entitled The Fatherhood of God and the Lordship of Christ:

John Piper begins the video by examining, as the title of the video explicitly implies, 1 Timothy 1:2, and the references to God the (our) Father and Christ Jesus our (the) Lord. Excerpts from the video:

• Piper wants us to experience God as Father, and as Lord, and for this to sink in what this experience truly means to us; these experiences are mediated to/for us through the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit is the worker in the Holy Trinity (see also Romans 8:14-17, Galatians 4:4-6).  The meaning of being a Christian is that Spirit of Jesus Christ fills our hearts.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:3 where we can't say Jesus is Lord and mean it without truly experiencing it by the Holy Spirit.
• 1 Corinthians 8:5-6; both Father and Lord together in this text and God the Father is both the ultimate source and goal of all things and the Lord Jesus is the person through whom all things come and exist, including ourselves.  See also 1 John 1:1-3.  All things were made from the Father and through Jesus.  Looking at Paul's reference to grace, mercy and peace in v2 of today's text, Piper refers us to Titus 3:4-7.  Grace and mercy are God's goodness provided to someone who is both undeserving and in need of care, and God justifies us, providing peace with Jesus (see also Romans 5:1). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for helping gain a deeper understanding of Yourself and the Holy Trinity.  Thank You for giving me life and for the Holy Spirit working in my heart.  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 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 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. 

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him--a threefold cord is not quickly broken. Ecclesiastes 4:12

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 4:7-12, which covers the first part of second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the first part referred to as Meaningful Relationships.  The commentary offers one key new insights above and beyond my post yesterday, by sharing in reference to v12 that "no three-cord strand is superior to our Triune God! Never forget. Jesus who was sent by the Father and empowered by the Holy Spirit died for a church, not just individual souls. We were created and redeemed for community, a community beautifully displayed in our Triune God."  To unpack this further, I reviewed these resources - DesiringGod.com: The Trinity of Persons and Cru.org: Understanding the Trinity: How Can God Be Three Persons in One? to help me better understand The Trinity as it is not something I have previously understood well. Rejoice in the Trinity as a perfect example of community for believers!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Thank You God for Your amazing grace and for the community You provide through the Trinity, the church, other believers, etc. I am not deserving of such incredible 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 continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from he 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.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent[a] that the Lord set up, not man. They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 8

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent[a] that the Lord set up, not man....They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:1-2, 5

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 13 of Advent, and today John Piper once again uses Hebrews 8:1-2 (see also post yesterday) to emphasize how Jesus is our great High Priest, and unlike the high priests of the Old Testament, He is not just a shadow or foretaste of God but God Himself. Piper builds on yesterday's devotion by also using v5. Piper sums it up by saying: "Jesus deals directly with God the Father. He has a place of honor beside God. He is loved and respected infinitely by God. He is constantly with God. This is not shadow-reality like curtains and bowls and tables and candles and robes and tassels and sheep and goats and pigeons. This is final, ultimate reality: God and his Son interacting in love and holiness for our eternal salvation." Rejoice that believers have this final, ultimate reality of having the triumvirate Father, Son and Holy Spirit!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for serving as the Great High Priest so that I could have life to the full now, and forever with You in Heaven.  I am not deserving of such a sacrifice - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great it continues.  Please forgive me, help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.”

Isaiah 6

And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.” Isaiah 6:8

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 14 of my study, I look more closely at God's call for a messenger to deliver a warning to Judah and Jerusalem regarding their unfaithfulness.  Isaiah 6:8 specifically indicates "us" and the study urges me to look more closely at who is "us."  I am referred to Genesis 1:1-2, and 11:6-9. In both sets of scripture, we see the use of either "us" or both God the Father and the Holy Spirit being present.  This is new learning for me - as I have often heard sermons or similar messages on how the Godhead - including the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit - have all existed since the beginning and will continue to exist in eternity. Yet now I have more meat on the bone - specific verses that help me see how the deities in the Godhead have manifested themselves in key Biblical moments, including here in Isaiah.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You, the Father, and the Holy Spirit are ever-present, all-knowing, and all powerful.  I am grateful that You love me, even when I was still sinning, hostile to You, and an enemy to You - You called me as one of Your elect.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin of worry, etc. continues among many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.