What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 Philippians 4:1-9

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:9

I pause my study of Numbers to park for this morning in Philippians 4:1-9, as this is the text discussed with my Friday AM Brothers in Christ small group.  Here in text, Paul, from prison, writes to the persecuted church and Christians in Philippi, to encourage them and exhort them to lean on Christ.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God wants unity in the church.  He is saddened when brothers and sisters in Christ take disagreement to the point of sin where it causes harm and conflict.  God wants us to experience peace - always - and during periods of stress, anxiety, etc., He offers us a supernatural peace.  We gain this by renewing our mind through study, meditation, reflection on Him, and through prayer.  Paul is provided as an example for us to model as God works through Him.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?: While Paul is in captivity in Rome (see Philippians 1:13), he is nonetheless thinking not of himself but others and in particular the church in Philippi.  Paul first asks the church to encourage reconciliation between Euodia and Syntyche, as unity is a key theme in scripture as lack of it undermines the mission of the church.  We are to work hard to be in harmony regardless of our disagreements.  Paul then pivots to encourage the church to (1) rejoice always, (2) be reasonable - of course using Jesus' standard here which is counter culture, (3) to pray and to be at peace - a peace "which surpasses all understanding", (4) to think of being "true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence [or] anything worthy of praise[.]"  He then encourages them to model what they have "learned and received and heard and seen" in him....[as] the God of peace will be with you."
• 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 taking disagreements with others in the church to the point of conflict.  Claim the promise that if we practice what we have "learned and received and heard and seen in [Paul]...the God of peace will be with you."  Follow the example of Paul, that, despite his imprisonment, continued to practice what He saw in Jesus and other early leaders of the church.  Be transformed by the renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) - reading and study of God's Word - to think of "whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, [and] if there is anything worthy of praise."

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

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

 John 17:20-26

I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. John 17:20-21

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 17:20-26, where Jesus completes the High Priestly Prayer and in the text for today, Jesus prays for all believers who will believe in Him through the disciples and through the church to follow.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus wraps the High Priestly Prayer (before He is arrested and crucified) with a prayer for those attending future church(es) and the resulting future believers who will hear the gospel through the disciples and subsequent church leaders.  Jesus hammers home the importance of church unity - as He prays for this three times in vv21-23, including for "perfect unity."  Of course unity is important as Jesus explains "so that (emphasis added) the world may know that you sent me (also important see v21) and loved them even as you loved me."  Hence, unity serves a greater purpose - that the world knows Jesus was sent by the Father and loved the world ("even as the Father loved [Jesus]").  This is key because the mission God gives all believers - the Great Commission - can only succeed through unity.  If believers are unified in God's will and purpose, we will accomplish the Great Commission.  Jesus' then moves in v24 to pray for future churches and future believers that they "be with [Him], to see [His] glory."   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Jesus knows that all people, including believers, are prone to sin such as pride, envy, etc. and these sins lead to conflict and disagreement within the church.  Hence Jesus prays for unity and previously for sanctification in truth (vv17,19) such that hearts and minds are renewed and transformed to align with His desires and will (Romans 12:2). 
• 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 pride, envy, and other sins that result in church conflict and disagreement.  Claim the promise that all believers will see God's glory face to face.  Follow Jesus' example to pray for unity and to deny oneself such that God gets the glory for all that we do.  Share the gospel and in all that we do do it for the glory of God so that the world knows about Jesus, that He was sent by the Father, and that He loves the world (His creation). 

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My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and gives me Your Word, the church, the Holy Spirit, prayer, etc. so that I can be in unity with You and believers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation, 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 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. 

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus,to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him.

Mark 3:1-6

Again he entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. And they watched Jesus,to see whether he would heal him on the Sabbath, so that they might accuse him. Mark 3:1-2

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:1-2, which is the text for the first (of three) division per the commentary.  Excerpts from the introduction for this chapter of commentary and the first division:

•  "It is always right to bless others and do good, no matter what the enemies of God’s kingdom might say or do." 
• "The religious leaders of Israel are certainly tiring of Jesus humiliating them and asserting His own authority. The worst part is He continually backs up His claims with acts of undeniable power and teaching with inherent authority."
• "The hostility now reaches a climax in this fifth controversy, resulting in anger on both sides. For Jesus the anger stemmed from the religious leaders placing limits on when it was right to do good and to save a life. For the Pharisees and the Herodians, it was over the young Rabbi’s continuous undermining of their traditions, their religious rules, and the overall status quo."
• "Jesus will not back off, though He understands where this will lead. Consumed with the will of His Father and emboldened by an uncompromising conviction, He will move ahead with His face set toward the cross, unalterably convinced that it is always right to do good!"
• "Jesus seems to be deliberately provoking a confrontation with the religious leaders. Don’t claim to forgive sins (2:5), they effectively tell Him. Don’t consort with sinners (2:16). Don’t neglect fasting as we dictate (2:18). Don’t work in order to eat on the Sabbath (2:24). Their hardness of heart is almost overwhelming, and Jesus’ frustration has reached a boiling point. Undoubtedly He is overtly inviting their critical judgment by what He is about to do!"
• "In the synagogue Jesus sees a man with a withered hand. This man was disabled and in need of love and compassion. One can imagine the repeated embarrassment he endured every time he lifted up his hands in prayer, as was the custom. Some may have drawn the conclusion that his deformed hand was a curse from God for a sin by him or his parents, as the disciples assumed concerning the man born blind (John 9:2-3). And just like the blind man, this man needed Jesus’ attention, and his healing would be the occasion for God’s power to be put on display. Jesus, with sensitivity and compassion, took notice of this man."
• "The Pharisees permitted healing on the Sabbath only for the sake of saving a life. This man’s problem was not life threatening, so he and Jesus should wait. If Jesus healed him today, they could accuse Him of breaking the Sabbath, an offense punishable by death according to Exodus 31:14-17."
• "The Pharisees were enslaved to their own critical hearts, and they did their best to enslave others as well."    

As I posted yesterday, legalism is of course not confined to the Pharisees of Jesus' day - there are those in every church that have strong opinions about how faith, worship, church practices, must work and we must all be aware of how we as believers bring about and practice this legalism - it is a form of elitism that I know for certain how faith, worship, church, must work.  Scripture may be clear on certain aspects of faith, worship and church life, but where it is less clear and silent - we can all agree to disagree about approaches based on church, denominational, etc. differences.  Let us all unite around what is important and agreed upon that we all exist to bring to glory to God. Church unity is a significant theme in scripture and we should be mindful to follow scripture on this key topic. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You for Your grace and mercy that You pour out ceaselessly and every morning.  I am not deserving of such grace and mercy.  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 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 Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17

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 and study - assisted by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, which the commentary unpacks via a main idea* and four (4) divisions*:

Main Idea: The family of God should unite with one another in Christ, refusing to create divisions or to elevate anyone as more important. 

In the introduction, the commentary describes how the church in Corinth fought over a "cult of personality" where (see v12) instead of everyone focusing and following Jesus, some followed Paul, some Apollos, and some Cephas. It continues by sharing*: "[d]ividing into political parties may be the way of the world, but it should not be the practice of the people of God. There could not be a more relevant word for the twenty-first-century church. Our eyes and ears need to be wide open to the counsel of God’s appointed apostle here. God is speaking through him. So, let us explore what divides and even destroys a church."

1.  You Stop Thinking Like Jesus (1:10): Paul appeals to the Corinthian church in a gentle manner and invokes Jesus' name to ensure the church sees how it is God who seeks unity - not simply an opinion of Paul. The commentary refers us to Philippians 2:2, 5, and 4:2 where Paul discusses how the entire church should think and act as one with one purpose - to glorify God in all that they do and to bring the Good News to all nations. Paul believes the Corinthians had lost this unity and single-mindedness and were not demonstrating love of God and others.  
   
2.  You Start Fussing and Fighting with One Another (1:11). The commentary reminds us how church infighting (in person, online, and behind people's backs) distracts the church from its mission: "a watching world was being turned off the gospel of Jesus Christ in the process."
   
3.  You Buy into the Cult of Personality (1:12-13).  The commentary* describes each of those called out in v12: "(a) Paul: their founder, who was just an average preacher; (b) Apollos: the eloquent preacher from Alexandria; (c) expositor extraordinaire Cephas (i.e., Peter): the Jewish apostle and pillar of the church from the inner circle of Jesus; (d) Jesus: the Savior!."  The commentary* reminds us that we should avoid "put[ting] a person on a pedestal that belongs only to Jesus." We are to "take pride in Jesus and only him!"  On these notes, the commentary refers us to Colossians 1:18 and Galatians 6:14.
   
4.  You Forget What Matters Most (1:14-17).

 Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of grace and mercy for me - 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 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.

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

Ephesians 4

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

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I move on to Ephesians 4, which focuses on church unity.  This is a very important theme as the mission of the church (locally and globally) is of course negatively impacted by tensions, conflict, and a failure to heed to gospel-centered teaching - John Piper provides a good definition of Christian unity here. In writing to the church at Ephesus, Paul emphasizes a few themes to drive unity - these themes include how although each of us are different and our spiritual gifts are different, God knits us together as a church and body of Christ (v16). We are encouraged to build each other up, not tear one another down, and to put away "bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander...[and] all malice."  Instead we are urged to "[b]e kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.]

Ephesians 2

But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved[.] Ephesians 2:4-5

I continue my pause of a deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series, to study Ephesians for 3 days per week as I participate in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. This morning, my focus stays on Ephesians 2 as I deepen my understanding of this text. The resources for this morning include videos from DesiringGod.com where John Piper breaks down Ephesians 2.  The first video, describes the "dreadful" spiritual condition in which we all found each other - Jews, Gentiles, and all of humanity - fallen, dead in our sins, and heading towards damnation...before our conversion and salvation.  This video is part of a ten-part series on Ephesians 2.  In the first video, Piper seeks to have believers understand the big picture of v1-11, and he uses the subsequent videos to deconstruct the parts that make-up the whole (big picture) so that we see both the big picture and how the details support the whole.  Core to the big picture is God's grace (v5, 8), how we are to be humble in light of this grace (v9), and the grace working in us is designed to bring glory to Him to show the world (v7, 10). The second video focuses on Ephesians 2:1-3 and how we should recognize the importance of the "union" and "commonality" of how ALL of humanity (Jews, Gentiles, all nations, etc.) was dead in our sins prior to Christ but are now redeemed and a new creation in Christ. Piper describes that the implications of this union and commonality include how this should drive unity in how we relate to others, with examples such as how we share the gospel to all nations, and how we come together as a global church. W hat's interesting is how our world focuses on diversity and how we should embrace our differences.  The problem with this approach is that it assumes to a large extent that a focus on diversity in and of itself will drive unity.  Here, in Ephesians 2, we have a prescription on HOW unity allows us to embrace diversity.

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who poured out amazing grace for me - giving me new life, now and forevermore.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace...my sin is great and it continues...including focus on worldly comforts and pleasures.  Please forgive me Jesus for my love of the world!  Help me overcome and 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.

For lack of wood the fire goes out,and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.

Proverbs 25-29

For lack of wood the fire goes out,and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife. The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 26:20-22

I continue my study of Proverbs week 9 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 25-29.  My focus for today is questions 9-12 from my workbook, which covers (1) the destructive effects of a sinful tongue, particularly gossip and lying (Proverbs 26:20,22, 24, 28, 18:8); (2) how boasting is folly (Proverbs 27:1-2, James 4:13-14); (3) how believers should flee from danger, particularly sexual immorality and idolatry (Proverbs 27:12, 22:3, 1 Corinthians 6:12-18, 10:1-14); and (4) how love of money leads to idolatry and takes one away from God towards destruction (Proverbs Proverbs 28:19-27, 1 Timothy 6:6-10).  For today, as we get closer to elections here in our country, I reflect on how gossip and lies tear communities apart - we definitely need more of Jesus!  I vote not for the donkey or elephant, but for the lamb! Believers should actually take this to heart because of more believers actually acted more like Jesus (including myself), we would definitely see God's kingdom grow and we would experience more love and unity.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You are love - You are slow to anger and abounding in love - this is despite my sin.  You love me and saved me while I was still sinning and an enemy/hostile to You...thank You Jesus!  What grace!  I am not deserving of such grace and love...nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please provide wisdom and energy to Lisa and myself.  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.

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.

Proverbs 22:17-24:34

Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done. Proverbs 24:28-29

I continue with my study of Proverbs, specifically in week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24:34.  The three final questions from the study for this week focus on exhortations to (1) avoid partiality in justice and to love your neighbor as yourself (Proverbs 24:23b, James 2:1-13, and John 13:34); (2) build a foundation for a Godly life based on "losing your life" in terms of being prepared to lose those things in our earthly life where we should not place more faith than God himself - this includes our own physical life, family, health, wealth, etc. (Proverbs 24:27, Luke 14:25-33); and (3) not take revenge on others but instead leave justice to God, and in its place focus on loving others, including those who either do us harm, or intend/seek to do so (Proverbs 24:28-29, Leviticus 19:18, Romans 12:19, Hebrews 10:29-31, Matthew 5:43-48).  In particular, the message to love others and to not take revenge is certainly a message our country can use right now...

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - even as I was still sinning, an enemy and hostile to You, You saved me...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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 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.

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.

Romans 4:9-17

That is why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his offspring—not only to the adherent of the law but also to the one who shares the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. Romans 4:16-17

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued with my review of chapter five Faith Alone, which covers the entirety of Romans 4.  My focus today is Romans 4:9-17. Paul continues to use Abraham as the example from the Old Testament (and as our forefather) to build on his statement that we are justified by faith alone. 

My commentary indicates that the text from today makes two key points: (1) we are not justified by circumcision, and (2) we are not justified by the law. Verse 11 is used to point out how circumcision was a "sign" and "seal" of faith - and not a cause or basis of faith. We are encouraged here to see how justification by faith and not by circumcision or the law gives hope to Jews and Gentiles alike as v16 highlights how Abraham is the "father of many nations." The commentary also indicates that "[b]elieving leads to belonging."  We are finally encouraged to focus on v17 where my commentary states that Paul looks at the nature of Abraham's faith as he is a "model for us as he believed in God 'who gives life to the dead and calls things into existence that do not exist."  God created the world and our faith - from nothing, even our spiritual deadness. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gave me faith - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving - by a long shot.  My sin of many kinds, 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.

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Romans 3:27-31

Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law. Romans 3:31

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I completed my review of chapter four The Glory of Christ's Salvation, where we look at the implications of the gospel as laid out by Paul in Romans 3:27-31.  Paul looks at how we are to respond to Christ's death on the cross, His resurrection - the gospel.  He looks at the question of what we are to do with the law?  We are not justified by works as required by the law, nor by knowledge of the law, nor by any special status - as both Jews and Gentiles are saved.  We are saved and justified by faith.  Jesus did not come to overthrow the law but to fulfill/confirm it and as my previous study of Providence reminds me that God gives us the Holy Spirit to drive the obedience to the law He seeks. 

In looking at v27-31 in more detail, my commentary starts by reminding that we are not to boast - we did not earn our salvation.  The first implication being that we are to be humbled. It also states that all of Martin Luther's Five Solas are contained in these verses "with verse 27 falling in the 'in the glory of God alone' category".

Second, in v28-21 we (as a church) are to be unified as "the cross, then, destroys discrimination."  Jew and Gentile alike are saved. There is to be no ethnic hostility. "His grace enables us to be 'gracists,' not racists."

Comment and discuss this post here. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the grace You pour out for me.  My sin, of many flavors, 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.

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6

Today, I started a new study based on what my Friday morning men's group will be starting - a study on the book of Romans.  As a companion to this study, based on recommendations from others I respect, I am using a commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook).  This commentary, authored by Tony Merida and edited as well by Merida, David Platt, and Daniel Akin, is part of the Christ-Centered Exposition series available from Christianbook.com. I am careful as I approach this study as John Piper has referred to this book (in terms of his ability to offer a sermon series on the book) as both the "greatest letter ever written" and "daunting" with the daunting aspect being a key reason for the care and caution as I proceed. 

The commentary emphasizes three key themes as background for Romans:

1. it is a "Gospel-saturated letter"
2. it is a "community-building letter"
3. it is a "missional-letter"

On (1) the commentary states that "the gospel frames the letter" and Paul uses Romans to defend "the substance of the gospel, and he also describes how the gospel should shape Christian living and fuel Christian mission." The commentary goes on to state that "[i]n today's pluralistic, relativistic, skeptical world, there is great confusion regarding the nature of God, sin, and salvation. There is also a great need for professing Christians to grow in theological discernment."

On (2) the commentary describes division in Rome among Jewish and Gentile Christians and this "gave Paul an occasion to create a glorious, multi-ethic vision for the people of God." My commentary also states that this division and Paul's occasion to address it should encourage us to "pray for the Lord to help us love our (diverse) brothers and sisters better."

Finally, on (3) the commentary describes how Paul uses Romans to seek "support for his mission to Spain." See also Romans 15:24-29. The commentary indicates that Paul hopes to "unify the Christians in Rome so that they may be a home base for his mission to Spain."

Tomorrow I will being to unpack Romans - starting with Romans 1:1-7.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God indeed and You are worthy of my full attention - indeed aggressive attentiveness!  I have tasted and seen Your glory and it is amazing indeed and You have transformed my heart and life as a result!  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of these and all of the blessings You pour out for me.  I worry, and I am easily distracted by the world.  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.

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Philippians 1-4

How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! Psalm 133:1

Day 349 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 as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon I read the last of Paul's prison epistles - Philippians. My commentary* notes in this letter: "While still imprisoned, Paul also reaches out to the Christians in Philippi, with whom he has maintained close ties since his three visits to their city. Paul clearly feels a special relationship to the Philippians, not only because of his close association with them in past years but also because they have often generously contributed to his support....In this letter Paul is writing to a small-town congregation in which two women, Euodia and Syntyche, have had a falling out. As is so often the case when personality conflicts develop, their personal animosity is splitting the whole church. Therefore Paul pleads with the two women—and indeed all Christians—to learn to love each other more. Paul bases his appeal on the bedrock example of Christ’s own humility in putting others’ interests first, even at great personal cost. The apostle urges them to sacrifice their selfish feelings and to commit themselves to working out their problems, particularly in light of the fact that their pagan neighbors are watching their behavior. He points out that his appeal is not based upon any credentials that he himself might have, but upon the compelling love of Christ which was demonstrated in his life and sacrificial death. This love, says Paul, is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy—and the only basis upon which fractured groups or interpersonal relations may be healed."

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

Although, as noted by both my commentary* as well as commentary from the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) which both indicate several themes (including Paul's thankfulness for the Philippians' financial support, and for warnings about false teachers), this afternoon I am most struck by how Paul focuses on an exhortation to Euodia and Syntyche to put aside their disagreements and focus on service and love of one another as a gesture of unity within the local church. John MacArthur indicates that "apparently, the disunity in the Philippian church was about to destroy the integrity of its testimony". 

I often struggle with pride and arrogance and these sins cause me to lash out to others in various settings and of course this causes problems of disunity and fracture.  Paul stresses humility and service to others once again as a means to drive unity.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me with other believers in the church - these people have supported and encouraged me through difficult times and I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus! Yet I often put my own interests above others and this causes great harm.  Please forgive me Jesus for these sins and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

2 Kings 17-18

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many. 1 Corinthians 12:12-14

Day 188 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 as this morning we see Israel's (northern kingdom) fall. My commentary* describes "one of the darkest hours of God's chosen nation" and how "[d]espite prophetic warnings, Israel still rejects God, and the end is at hand for the northern tribes. Last-minute desperation will lead to an alliance with Egypt in an effort to stave off Assyria, but the cause is hopeless. After a three-year siege, Samaria will fall and many of the people of Israel will be led captive to Assyria. Their lands and homes will be occupied by settlers sent in from Babylonia and other Eastern countries. These new Samaritans will become a hybrid people and will develop an unusual mixed religion."

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

Detailed thoroughly in today's reading, there are many factors leading to Israel's fall, but in my mind lack of gratitude and humility are key - we must be thankful for all that God has done and that all that we are and have are from Him alone and not of our own doing.  We express our gratitude through daily worship and time with God.

I am struck with how BOTH Judah and Israel were complicit in Israel's fall.  From my reading this morning God "removed them from [H]is presence" (2 Kings 17:18, 23). We should never want this to happen!  Unity, encouragement of one another, and accountability in our faith are also important. 

God desires to get the attention of both kingdoms and so instead of a single kingdom as we see under David and Solomon, we get the divided kingdoms as today's reading refers back to 1 Kings 11 where Israel is "tore away" from Judah:

When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the Lord and caused them to commit a great sin. 2 Kings 17:21

Today's reading is also a stark reminder how the church and believers must remain united in love of the Lord.  See also 1 Corinthians 12:12:26.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done so much for me and who continues to be with me - always!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  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.

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

Various Proverbs 

In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. Proverbs 15:4

Day 140 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 highlight disharmony and strife (solicitation to evil, violence, murderers, causing others harm, revenge, and dissension and strife), honesty (truthfulness, accurate weights, boundary stones, wrongfully obtained gains, and bribery), and justice (false witnesses, open-mindedness, and judicial justice).

Of the many proverbs in my study this morning, Proverbs 18:17 is the one that hits home the most. My commentary* highlights the focus of this proverb as a proverb of open-mindedness.

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

I believer that when you peel back the onion, arrogance, pride, lack of confidence (insecurities), also play a role in how we are quick to speak - or quick (or rash) to react to anything for that matter.  This is very similar to the topic of my post a couple of days ago.

We must be quick to listen and slow to speak.

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is slow to anger and abounding in love - thank You Jesus.  I know I have done many things worthy of Your wrath and I am grateful for Your mercies.  I am also undeserving.  I continue to sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord....The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart....A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.

Various Proverbs 

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord....The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart....A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 16:2, 17:3, 21:2

Day 137 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 examine sincere motivation (motive and the heart, false worship, and duplicity), concern for others (love and faithfulness, love, hatred, and compassion, kindness and mercy, and overstaying a welcome), and concern for self (pride and humility, selfishness, jealousy, envy, and greed). 

All of today's themes are important and it is of course challenging to find one for close examination but today I am going to zero in on the importance of one's heart condition.  Regardless of your faith or not, everyone generally wants to be a "good" person and with today's current political climate there is emphasis on tolerance, love, etc. Yet my view (coming from scripture), is that we are all sinful and we have been since The Fall.  The only way for us to truly transform ourselves into someone who loves and is genuinely good (or better) is through heart transformation and this is only achieved through Jesus Christ. 

God knows our heart and with His help (as we draw near to Him) He transforms our heart and life. 

All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:2 

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Proverbs 17:3 

A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 21:2

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

The hope is that as we are transformed into more of God's image, then we will demonstrate "fruits of the Spirit" that can help us truly be better people and hopefully achieve the unity and harmony so desperately needed.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Galatians 5:22-23

I am of the opinion that what we face today is a "Jesus" problem in the sense that we don't have enough faith in Him to do what ONLY He can do.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has SO generously attended to my heart and transformed my heart and life and I am grateful for the many resulting blessings.  I also know I am undeserving - my sin continues.  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 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.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Various Proverbs

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

Day 136 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 provide advice and rebuke, describe the value of advisers, discipline, lawkeeping, and repentance, contrast a life of righteousness vs wickedness, contrast integrity vs perversion, and describe appropriate consequences for righteousness vs wickedness.

I have often posted about the value and power of unity and togetherness. I am co-leading a study from AuthenticManhood.com called "33 The Series: A Man and His Design" (available through RightNowMedia.org) and straight away we encounter a strong recommendation to team up with other Godly men.  We will not lead the life God intends for us without the company of other believers who will encourage, challenge, and at times rebuke us.  John Piper of course has thoughts on this topic - I thought this morning he would ; )

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided other great men in my life to strengthen and protect me in my walk with You.  I am grateful for such love but undeserving.  My sin continues...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. 

These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised[.]

2 Samuel 8:2-14, 12:18-31, 23:8-39, 1 Chronicles 18:2-13, and 11:10-47

These were the chiefs of David’s mighty warriors—they, together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised[.] 1 Chronicles 11:10

Day 99 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 death of David and Bathsheba's illegitimate child, David's reaction, and how God, despite David's sin, maintained favor as towards David - twice it is mentioned that "[t]he Lord gave David victory wherever he went" (2 Samuel 8:6, 14). 

Today's reading also includes focus on David's mighty men or warriors who, "...together with all Israel, gave his kingship strong support to extend it over the whole land, as the Lord had promised..." (1 Chronicles 11:10).

I have previously posted on why and how believing men need other believing men to walk alongside them in their journey with Christ, particularly in light of my post yesterday, where I discussed our internal and external enemies regarding sin.

I am grateful how God has provided other men in my life to encourage and strengthen me in my journey.

Today, I am convicted how I should strengthen other men as others have strengthened me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided MANY great Christian men in my life who have walked alongside me - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of how You bless me.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

...he loved him as he loved himself.

1 Samuel 18-20 and Psalm 59

...he loved him as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 18:1, 3, and 20:17

Day 89 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 David's continued rise to prominence within Israel, and correspondingly, Saul's growing jealousy and anger towards David - and Saul seeks to kill David.  In the midst of this, Jonathan and David enjoy a flourishing friendship and this friendship is my focus today.

First, God commands us to love others (see Matthew 22:34-40 and John 13:34-35).  Next, we all NEED brothers and sisters in Christ, and in particular men need other men.  It is through unity with others - particularly other believers - where we draw strength.  That is why

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 1-4

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. Ruth 4:18-22

Day 79 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 Ruth, a young widower Moabite woman with great loyalty and love for her mother-in-law, an older widower Israelite woman named Naomi.

John Piper has a great summary of Ruth and he believes the key takeaway from Ruth is that "[i]t was written and it has been preached to give you some...encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns in your life lately are not dead-end streets. In all the setbacks of your life as a believer God is plotting for your joy."

Both Ruth and Naomi suffer greatly but lean on each other.  In my view this is another great takeaway - unity centered on faith among believers helps us persist through the trials and tribulations of life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me great men and women believers who have helped me walk through dark valleys - thank You Jesus!  My faith has been strengthened through these people - angels indeed.  I am not deserving of how You bless me with these angels.  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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth.

3 John 1

We ought therefore to show hospitality to such people so that we may work together for the truth. v8

In contrast to Diotrephes (see v9-10), Gaius extends hospitality to other (itinerant) believers (ministers) and John commends Gaius for this in this very personal letter.  John believes that it is important to "work together [with other believers] for the truth".

See also posts on , .

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for and sustains all things - thank You Jesus for how You provide and sustain.  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.  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.