I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.

John 10:7-18

I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. John 10:9-11

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:7-18, where Jesus patiently teaches those listening to Him as He refers to Himself as the Good Shepherd and those who follow Him - His sheep.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus once again reinforces His authority by sharing "[t]ruly, truly" in v7.  Those listening did not understand what Jesus was saying in vv1-6, so Jesus has to reinforce that despite how some may not understand, He is sharing Truth because He is Lord of All and all scripture is God-breathed and perfect (2 Timothy 3:16).  Building on what I posted a couple of days ago, no one is saved (and find pasture or provision, including rest) except through Jesus as He is the door to salvation (vv7, 9).   In contrast to Jewish leadership and Satan, Jesus comes to give life and to give it abundantly both now (freedom from sin) and for eternity in Heaven through salvation (v10). Jesus is Good at being our leader v11 because He sacrifices Himself for His people.  Those who follow the Good Shepherd know Him and He knows them just as the Father and the Son know each other (v15).  Vv17-18 shares how the Father loves the Son because He not only sacrifices His life for God's people but also is able to rise again (Easter).  Jesus does those of His own accord (ability) and authority because He has been granted authority by the Father.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: God's people in Israel are the sheep but the Jewish leadership who led have not led well and are referred to as thieves and robbers (v8), serving only themselves and not following God's instructions for how to lead.  In particular, the thief (Satan) is a false god and following him leads to eternal condemnation (v10).  There are many who claim to lead or claim be a or are seen as a deity, but there is only One True God and Good Shepherd (vv12-13). V16 shares how there are others in His fold but not in "this fold" (v16).  This refers to how the believing Jews are of this fold but soon Jesus will be sending out the disciples to the Gentiles and to all parts of the world as part of the Great Commission and these that are not of this fold will listen to Him.  Jesus is the Good Shepherd over all who believe and follow Him - one flock and one shepherd. 
• 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 following false gods and evil influences.  Claim the promise of abundant (and eternal life) through Jesus.  Follow the example of the sheep who know the Good Shepherd and His voice.  Follow and please Jesus as Your #1 priority.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You ARE the Good Shepherd!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of a God that cares and provides in such a way.  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.

On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land.

Zechariah 9:14-17

On that day the LORD their God will save them, as the flock of his people; for like the jewels of a crown they shall shine on his land. Zechariah 9:16

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 9:14-17, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 9:1-9:17 (9:1-8, 9-13, 14-17).  This final division in chapter 9, which of course includes the prophecy of Jesus' arrival in Jerusalem on a donkey, describes the implications of Jesus' arrival.  The commentary shares how this division provides four images of how God's glory is revealed through Jesus:

• vv14-15: God fights for His people and He gains total victory for them; "[a]s a result of the victory the Lord will win for them, the armies of God’s people will “consume and conquer” their enemies and become drunk on their blood—a gruesome image, but one that nonetheless graphically describes total victory for the people of Israel."
• v16: God's people are protected and saved as a shepherd protects and saves his sheep from harm
• v16: God's people are jewels in a crown, radiant not just to Him but to others that are drawn by His attributes shining through them
• v17: God brings "physical health and well[-]being" to His people 

All of us experience anxiety and fear, and for believers, it is comforting to know that we have a Savior who sits at the right hand of God, has already interceded on our behalf, and continues to do so through provision of an inexhaustible fountain of grace that flows to us on a daily basis.   See also the story of the Israelites in Exodus 14 and how they were trapped and panicked upon seeing the chasing Egyptian army bear down on them - Moses shares how God fights for His people and how we are to silent and trust Him - see Exodus 14:14. Praise God that we can walk in fellowship with Him!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for already securing victory over sin and death and how You protect and continue to intercede on my behalf.  What a great God You are!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings and grace You continue to pour out on me daily.  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 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.  

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Ecclesiastes 9:1-10

Now the law came in to increase the trespass, but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, grace also might reign through righteousness leading to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 5:20-21

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus today is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 9:1-10, going back over this text which I have previously covered over the past four days.  Specifically for today my focus is how the commentary extends (and closes) an examination of this text with a section entitled Jesus Delivers from Death and Gives Abundant, Eternal Life. 

Excerpts from this section of the commentary:

• "Ecclesiastes depicts in great detail the curse of sin and death. Death’s tyranny makes life meaningless because if this life is all there is, then death cancels everything out. You cannot take your money with you. Your legacy will ultimately be forgotten. Nothing you did really seems to matter. Some scholars look at this and say Ecclesiastes believes there is nothing beyond the grave, but that is wrong. Ecclesiastes does not teach annihilation; it teaches uncertainty.  Solomon purposefully takes on this particular human perspective, and he says we cannot know for sure if anything lies beyond death because none of us has ever gone there and come back."
  
• "However, we do know something is out there, and we long for it because eternity is in our hearts (Ecclesiastes 3:11). What Ecclesiastes aches for, the New Testament presents to us. Paul wrote to the church at Rome to tell them that death did enter the world through one man, but life also came into the world through one man (Romans 5:12-21)."
• "However, the promise is not just for eternal life; the promise is also for abundant life (John 10:10)—living life to the fullest as it was meant to be lived."
• "The good news is that Jesus came to redeem us so that we can begin to live according to God’s good design."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died for the sin of all humanity so that Your elect can have life now to the full and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus for the greatest gift of all time - amazing grace indeed!  I am not deserving of such grace.  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.

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sin.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.

Ecclesiastes 7

Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sin.... See, this alone I found, that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.  Ecclesiastes 7:20, 29

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus this morning is Ecclesiastes 7 and how the takeaway of this text relates to the second division of the commentary for chapters 7-11: Sin Leads to Brokenness and Meaninglessness. First we should all acknowledge that since The Fall (Genesis 3), all of humanity is sinful (see also Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  Next, sin is bondage (John 8:34-35) and leads to eternal damnation (Romans 6:23).  Solomon's words in the text today reinforce how we are all sinful and how it is pervasive among us.  Be saved by the Good Shepherd Jesus Christ (John 10:7-11)!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of grace and compassion, freeing us from the bondage of sin and giving us live to the full now and for eternity!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is GREAT and it continues.  Please forgive me today please!  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 thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 15.  Here, John Piper unpacks how Christmas of course stirs up feelings of joy and family, etc. Yet during the Christmas season, many have lost loved ones and John Piper briefly shares a few words of how he and an older member of his church have experienced loss.  My own father died in December 1998 and my niece Marit passed just after Thanksgiving last year.  These are all painful things indeed.  John Piper does not want us to escape this pain as we may perhaps reflect on this during Christmas - Piper shares: "[m]any of you will feel your loss this Christmas more pointedly than before. Don’t block it out. Let it come. Feel it. What is love for, if not to intensify our affections — both in life and death? But oh, do not be bitter. It is tragically self-destructive to be bitter." Piper then refers us to John 10:10 where Jesus shares how He provides abundant life - and of course this is an eternally abundant life.  We are encouraged to focus here and how regardless of what we may experience in this life - our ultimate home is in Heaven with Jesus.  This in turn gives us hope to endure what we may experience now as we know that what we are experiencing is temporary until we are at home with Jesus. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

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 15 of Advent, and today John Piper explores how the Christmas season finds many grieving over loss, and this season, our family is grieving over the loss the Marit, our dear niece who within days of turning 15 died of brain cancer.  During these seasons of loss, John Piper encourages us to not be bitter, or to mask our feelings of loss, as he correctly shares that it is when we allow ourselves to feel loss and submit to circumstances orchestrated by God, this is when we will experience God's love and see Him at work. Piper writes: "[w]hat is love for, if not to intensify our affections — both in life and death?"  This is life in abundance now.  We are also encouraged to look forward to Heaven where we are not only reunited with our loved ones who believed.  Rejoice in abundance now and forever!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good father - who is with us during difficult seasons and good seasons...and You save a placed in Heaven for us.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide such abundant life.  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.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15

I paused again my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how God's Son - Jesus - became flesh and blood to die so that believers are justified in God's eyes, and so that Satan is rendered powerless to use our sin against us.  Jesus' death on the cross of course also gives believers eternal life (John 3:16). These blessings combine to provide believers the greatest gift of all time - life to the full now (John 10:10) and for eternity. Piper uses Romans 8:33, Hebrews 9:14, and Romans 5:9 to support his claims about how God justifies and on what grounds.  He sums up it nicely by stating: "[s]o, we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. There is only future grace in front of us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the present." We should not only be encouraged but bold to live fearlessly for Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me and You not only made me one of Your elect - You justify me, sanctify me, and You are saving a place for me in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it is 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.

[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

Proverbs 8

[God's words] are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Proverbs 8:9

I completed my study of Proverbs for the week, where I examined chapter 8. Today, the commentary focuses on how chapter 8:

•  portrays "wisdom [as]...integrally present at creation...[and how it] points to the eternal Son of God"
•  describes wisdom, and thereby Jesus Christ, as "the way to life...and to miss her is to love death" (v35-36)
• describes wisdom and how "God wove wisdom into the created order so that it would function as coherent system...those who submit to God and His ways-the wise-are able to participate in the rationality at the heart of created things" (v9)

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - You provide Your Words - wisdom - and You give me ears to hear and eyes to see so that I can understand and have life. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your Word.  It is more valuable than silver and gold.  Again I am not deserving.  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.

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Deuteronomy 31-32:47

“Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.” Deuteronomy 32:46-47 

Day 65 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 transition of Israel's leadership from Moses to Joshua, and God reveals to both leaders that He knows that Israel will not obey the laws and regulations outlined by God through Moses.

A few things to note about this transition to Joshua.  The exact words God speaks to both Moses and Joshua (and to the Israelites) is repeated 11 times in the OT in both Deuteronomy and Joshua.  These words are often included with an encouragement that God is with us.

Believers know that Jesus is with us (or Immanuel as stated in Matthew 1:23), represented by the Holy Spirit, the Word, and through the church body.  We CAN be strong and courageous BECAUSE God is with and for us!

Also, while we may not have to focus on the ceremonial law, Jesus does promise trouble for believers.  Yet we can "take heart" because Jesus has "overcome":

In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. John 16:33

Finally, we can take comfort in knowing that Jesus promises abundance for believers - this is not an earthly abundance but a supernatural abundance that believers should come to understand and appreciate with nearness to God and a closer relationship with Jesus.  See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who I know is always with me and provides an abundance that transcends anything we can appreciate from an earthly perspective.  Thank You Jesus for giving me life "to the full".  I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

1 John 5

Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. v12

John ends the first of his two letters likely from Ephesus to the church body at large. As he ends this letter, he reminds us who Jesus is and what faith in Jesus provides.  John tells us that Jesus' commands are not burdensome (v3) and from my own experience I believe this to be true and I posted on a similar theme (freedom) last Monday.  Because only Jesus provides true freedom, and because we know that He loves us and only wants what is best for us, we can be assured that we have a life provides an unsurpassed joy.

John Piper's team writes that "joy is not optional" for believers.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You provide life - to thes full...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  I sin...far too often...every day...I don't want to disappoint but I do.  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.

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.

John 10

When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice. v4-5

Jesus continues addressing the Pharisees (v1-21), accusing them of being "thieves and robbers" and wolves (v1,10,11-13) for leading the Jews astray.  Jesus then contrasts Himself as The Good Shepherd (vs thieves, robbers, wolves) who knows His sheep (and His sheep know Him - v3-5,16), and who saves and protects His sheep from harm (v9, 15).  

John Piper calls out critical aspects of this story as (1) He "[came]  that [we] may have life , and have it to the full, and (2) Jesus has "authority to take [life] up again" (v15).  

Yes - we are saved.  But Piper correctly explains how Jesus gives us SO much more....more than our earthly minds can imagine.  Piper says, "[w]e want more than mere life. We want abundant life. Overflowing life. Deep life. Weighty life. Joyful life. We don’t just want to survive. We want to thrive at every level of our human being. We were made for this".   We also have this for eternity!  This is the essence of Jesus - heavenly abundance!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me life - to the full, and for eternity!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such gifts...I worry.  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.

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."

Matthew 7

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." v13-14

Jesus promises life and life to the full (abundant - KJV, etc.) for those who believe and follow Him (John 10:10).  Believers will demonstrate fruits of the Spirit as well (Galatians 5:22-23) - including
"love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control".

However, there are no such promises of an easy life.  In John 16:33, Jesus tell us that we WILL have trouble. This is to be expected because when we submit our lives to Jesus, we DENY ourselves and put God and others first.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me life to the full - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I am quick to anger and slow to listen - 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.

Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

Ezekiel 18

Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live! v30-32

Many claim that there is life when you do as you as wish - sin and all.  Yet my own experience, substantiated by verse as well, is that there is no freedom when you do as you wish as you are simply slave to sin. When we repent, choose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, and surrender our hearts and lives to Jesus, Jesus will give us life.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are a great God who HAS given me life and blessings well beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry....and far too much.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends 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 will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure.

Isaiah 33

He will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the Lord is the key to this treasure. v6

God is "the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).  He wants us to have life and to have it to the "full" (John 10:10).  If we turn towards Him and focus on a renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) we overcome the damning consequences of our free will. 

God directs us towards truth as He gives us wisdom and knowledge.

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

More from John Piper on free will.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an amazing God who has helped me with truth and knowledge - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a gift.  I often place other gods and idols above You.  Please forgive me!  Help me see the surpassing worth of You and You alone!  Help me turn towards You and love with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?”

Genesis 15

But Abram said, “Sovereign Lord, how can I know that I will gain possession of it?” v8

Abram demonstrates the type of "give and take" interaction that God wants with us.  God wants us to be in relationship with us.  He wants to communicate with us.  He wants us to ask questions. He wants to hear our concerns and He wants us to depend on Him for wisdom and knowledge.  He wants us to go to Him daily for our provision - physical needs, emotional needs, etc. - everything.  He is our all in all.

Jacob wrestles with God - Genesis 32:22-32
Moses and the burning bush - Exodus 3

The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.  He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Psalm 23:1-3

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs.  I am not in want for anything because of You.  Thank You Jesus.  Although I am blessed, I am undeserving.  I continue in my sin - I am harsh with my words. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.

Micah 5

But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times. v2

Jesus is who He says He is and He is the Promised Ruler.  Here we have a prophesy of the coming King Jesus Christ.  These prophecies bring a sense of excitement, something for which we should have great hope.  God wants us to live this way all of the time, with a sense of excitement - that we have something special...and we do....a living God who is with us always and who promises live to the full and eternal life.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, because great is your reward in heaven. Luke 6:23

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn—shout for joy before the Lord, the King. Psalm 98:4-6

 

My Prayer:  Lord, I know You are the Promised King, the Messiah, the Lord of Lords and My Lord and Savior.  You came to earth to suffer and die for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus - I know I am not worth such love but through Your grace You provide it anyway.  Thank You!  Please forgive me for not demonstrating the joy and fullness of life that You create me for me.  I know You want me to live so that others see You in me.  Please forgive me because I often fall short.  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.