When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

Matthew 2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

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 10 of Advent, and today Piper explores how the Magis' gifts to the baby Jesus do no reflect assistance - as if God needs anything (see Acts 17:25) - nor bribes (see Deuteronomy 10:17).  Instead Piper wants us to see how the Magis' gifts reflect a desire to show how wonderful the recipient is. Piper writes: "[i]n a sense, giving gifts to Christ are like fasting — going without something to show that Christ is more valuable than what you are going without."  He goes on to share how the desire to give gifts to Christ is driven by a heart that desires Jesus more than what is given to Jesus (and given up by the giver).  The implication here is that whatever our sacrifice - tithing, time, etc. - believers should give freely to God as a cheerful giver (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). Piper wraps today's devotion with a prayer that we should all offer to God: "May God awaken in us a desire for Christ himself. May we say from the heart, “Lord Jesus, you are the Messiah, the King of Israel. All nations will come and bow down before you. God wields the world to see that you are worshiped. Therefore, whatever opposition I may find, I joyfully ascribe authority and dignity to you, and bring my gifts to say that you alone can satisfy my heart, not holding on to these gifts.”

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, You are more valuable than gold, or anything else in this world that I may possess or acquire.  You are SO good to me and You are my Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  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.

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.

Revelation 17-19

“Come out of her, my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Revelation 18:4-5 

I continue with my D-Group's study of Revelation using Stephen Witmer's commentary and study guide - reviewing the commentary for Revelation 17-19. Among the sections most convicting for me in the commentary is the "Whole Bible Connections" section, where it highlights Revelation 18:4-5 and how believers must "come out of her, my people," referring to Babylon and the worldly influence/sin she represents.  The other part of this equation is for believers to be a light...to make it clear to others that Jesus is real - through our lives - and He is the promised Savior and Living Water. We are referred to James 4:4 as just one example of many of a similar warning to that of Revelation 18:4-5.

Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.  James 4:4

“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are real and You are my personal Lord and Savior - thank You Jesus for my salvation and I am in awe of the price You paid for it.  You were innocent, but willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am of course 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.

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of [Babylon], my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.[”]

Isaiah 13

Then I heard another voice from heaven saying, “Come out of [Babylon], my people, lest you take part in her sins, lest you share in her plagues; for her sins are heaped high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.[”] Revelation 18:4-5

I continue with my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  Today, I focused on Isaiah 13, where based on the Word, my study focus through a review of the Isaiah edition of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary - Series, I can clearly see God's anger with Babylon not just in history but also looking forward with how Babylon represents a world focused on sin - see also John Piper on this latter focus on Babylon in Revelation.  In Isaiah 13, we see God angry at sinners, specifically calling out the arrogant and ruthless. Isaiah prophecies both Babylon's destruction not just in the near future from Isaiah's time but also permanently during the end times. The Isaiah edition of the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary - Series for Isaiah uses Revelation, with its focus on end times, and refers to Babylon in 18:4-5, where believers are warned to not be drawn to the sinful ways of Babylon. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from destructive forces - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed!  I am undeserving however as I often continue in my sin.  Please forgive me - worry, etc.  Help me turn from and overcome my 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.

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands.

Colossians 1-4, Philemon 1

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human hands. Colossians 2:8-11

Day 347 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 morning I start with two of the Prison Epistles: Colossians and Philemon, which my commentary* indicates "[d]uring these two years of house arrest, generally believed to be about A.D. 61–63, Paul writes four letters which have come to be known as the Prison Epistles. Two of them, the letter to the Colossians and the letter to Philemon, are probably written at the same time. Although Paul has never visited Colossae, one of his companions during this time, Epaphras, has been preaching in the towns of Colossae, Laodicea, and Hierapolis. Epaphras has evidently informed Paul of the pagan secularism which threatens the churches in that region." 

With Paul's letter to the church in Philemon, my commentary* indicates "[b]efore coming to Rome and being converted by Paul, Onesimus had been a slave of a Christian named Philemon. Onesimus (whose name means “useful”) had run away from Philemon and had evidently taken some money or property belonging to his master. Paul now writes to Philemon on behalf of Onesimus and asks that Philemon accept Onesimus back as a brother in Christ. The letter is an insightful study in personal relationships among Christians and contrasts the freedoms that come when one is under bondage to Christ."

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

As Paul writes the church in Colossae, he warns the church about pagan worship and its "deceptive" philosophy.  He then makes it clear who Christ is and our focus with our life should be on Him. Peter also warns us about how we can be deceived.   

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

Comment and discuss this post here!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps protect me from the prince of this world - thank You Jesus!  I desire to focus on You as You created me, bless me, and died for me - thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues, including selfishness, etc.  Please forgive me.  Help me turn from and overcome my 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.

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....To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some....Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

Matthew 27, Mark 15, and Luke 23, John 18-19

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....To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some....Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God—even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 9:22, 10:32-33

Day 319 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 morning focusing on Jesus' trial before Pilate. My commentary* indicates "...the Sanhedrin has no power to execute condemned prisoners without approval of the Roman government. Yet clearly such a pagan government will not regard a charge of blasphemy with the same degree of seriousness as do the Jews. Therefore more appropriate charges will have to be laid before the governor. Being politically astute, the Jewish leaders will accuse Jesus of sedition in allegedly urging refusal to pay taxes and in claiming to be the King of the Jews." Although both Pilate and Herod Antipas, who also hears the case, find no charge deserving of execution, Pilate bows to the pressure from the Jewish leaders to crucify Jesus.

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

This morning's scripture reading highlights the weight of the decision felt by Pilate regarding the charges made by the Jewish leaders and the remedy they sought for Jesus' "offenses".  Pilate of course caves to the pressure. While we know this is the plan - that God sent Jesus to die on the cross - we can also use the passage to examine the pressure we feel in our own lives...often this pressure is to do what the world sees as better or more popular - we call this peer pressure sometimes and it is often associated with teenagers, yet as we get older we are no less immune to this pressure.  On the subject of peer pressure, some digging this morning revealed a thoughtful post by John Piper that explores the balance of the "indigenous principle and the pilgrim principle" (Andrew Walls, The Missionary Movement In Christian History). Scripture tell us to "not conform" (Romans 12:2), while at the same time we are to be "all things to all people" (1 Corinthians 9:22) and to "please everyone" (1 Corinthians 10:32-33) so that we may save some.  

This is a difficult balance for sure, but once again I go to one of my "go to" verses Romans 12:2 where it says "be transformed by the renewing of the mind...".  Piper goes here as well and encourages us to focus on our deepening relationship with Jesus and how we are to grow closer to Him to help us navigate this balance.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I know I am more like You and others have seen this as well. I know I continue to fall down and there is more work to but I am grateful that You have given me faith and a desire for You.  I am not worthy for all that You do for me and that You went to the cross for me.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me for my harsh words and actions and impatience for others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You and help me love You and 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.

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.”

Daniel 10-12

“As for you, go your way till the end. You will rest, and then at the end of the days you will rise to receive your allotted inheritance.” Daniel 12:13

Day 267 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 my commentary moves back to the book of Daniel where my commentary* describes "Daniel's last vision" from God. The vision includes battles among Israel's neighboring countries and kings who's power comes and goes over the next four centuries.  Daniel's vision closes with a promise made to Daniel that "after his death he will rise again to receive his reward".

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

Daniel's vision emphasizes how we should not place our hope in man or on any aspect of our earthly reality.  All of our earthly reality will come and go and should not serve as our firm foundation of faith. Daniel's own hope and faith rested in God...even to the point of death where God saved him in the lion's den.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are my firm foundation and in You I place my hope and faith.  All comes from You and You provide and will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin continues - worry, harsh words or actions, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, 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.

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare....For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord.

 Isaiah 54:4-56:8

Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare....For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:2, 8

Day 198 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 my study of Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  This morning's reading from my commentary* starts with God referring to Israel as his wife - a clear expression of His deep love for Israel (Isaiah 54:4-8). God then references the Great Flood and His covenant with Noah, and He establishes a covenant with Israel just as He did with Noah - "never to rebuke you again...nor my covenant of peace to be removed" (Isaiah 54:9-10).  God then describes the New Jerusalem and how Israel's future security rests in the salvation (from sin/Satan and death) of the coming Messiah (Isaiah 54:11-17). God then describes Israel's restoration and it is of course not an earthly definition of restoration as He exhorts us not "spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy" (Isaiah 55:1-5).  We are then told that our restoration requires our obedience and righteousness (Isaiah 55:6-7, Isaiah 56:1-2).  Restoration is further described as certain (Isaiah 55:8-13) and available to all, including the Gentiles (Isaiah 56:3-8).

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

As Isaiah prophecies the coming of Jesus and all that accompanies Him, we are encouraged to look upon Jesus not as a Savior expected by the world.  Jesus sustains unlike any other - that is why He is the one true God and that is why He is my Lord and Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who sustains all that I am - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You feed and sustain me.  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.

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

2 Kings 10-12, 2 Chronicles 22-24

 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 2 Kings 12:2-3, 2 Chronicles 24:2

 

Day 162 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 divided kingdoms of Judah (tribe of Judah and Benjamin) and Israel (Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun).  This morning, I focused on the rise of Joash, Judah's first child-king. Following the violent deaths of both the princes of Ahaziah and Ahab (see post yesterday), Ahab's wicked daughter and Ahaziah's mother Athaliah ascends to the throne in Judah, unaware that Jehosheba (Jehoram's daughter) hid Joash, a young son of Ahaziah, saving Joash from the coup and fate that befell others in his family.

In Israel, Jehu destroys Baal worship and God promises to keep Jehu's "descendants...on the throne of Israel until the fourth generation" (2 Kings 10).  However, Jehu ultimately succumbs to sin.

In Judah, Jehoiada - priest and husband of Jehosheba - orchestrates the rise of Joash as king, and Athaliah is deposed and executed.   Jehoiada then leads Judah and Joash in renewing their covenant with God (2 Kings 11-12) (2 Chronicles 23-24).

While Joash does what is right in the eyes of the Lord, traces of paganism remain - this of course is the danger we all face when we allow sin to creep into our lives, including through relationships and other influences we have in our lives.  Both Judah and Israel pay dearly for how they allow sin to creep into their lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped protect myself from many sins - thank You Jesus!  I know I continue to have sin in my life but You have helped preserve and protect me!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I worry and I have other 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.

And Noah did all that the Lord commanded him.

Genesis 6-9

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

Day 3 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on Noah and the Great Flood.

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and I DO seek to please and glorify You - You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve....I often fail to glorify You and am seduced by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin torwards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin and help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. v10-11

In this passage when a sinful woman (Mary) anoints Jesus with very expensive perfume, Judas objects, claiming the money "wasted" could be given to the poor.  Judas had already betrayed Jesus in his heart much earlier and now he was just being a poser - faking his faith and finding contentment not in Jesus but in money.  See also reference to same story in Matthew, Luke, and John.

Paul writes to his protege Timothy warning him how the love of money and the world corrupts us: 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

John Piper and his team at DesiringGod.com also warn us.  Watch these: Video1, Video2, Video3. Read this - from this post is this gem by C.S. Lewis:

Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be — or so it feels — welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. . . . Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?

If we focus on a wordly definition of contentment then we fail to cultivate good soil and our relationship with Jesus Christ will be obstructed and we cannot expect Him to bear fruit in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have come to save me and provide life - and life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  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.

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations. He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out, till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” v18-21

Matthew 12

“Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.  He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets. A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory. In his name the nations will put their hope.” v18-21

Jesus has a purpose - to fulfill Old Testament prophecy of a coming Savior who was to save us from being a slave to the (ceremonial) law.  See also the reference here to Isaiah 42:1-4, as well as post yesterday.  He makes a new covenant with us based on the shedding of His blood on the cross.  Just as Jesus could not be distracted from His purpose, Jesus gives us a purpose and we are not to be distracted.

Psalm 139:13-16 
Ephesians 2:10 
1 Corinthians 12
Hebrews 12:1

Jesus, please help me stay focused on Your mission for me.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You died for me...knowing everything about me, including my sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love...I daily miss the mark.  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. 

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. v1

Recent posts have focused much on how God should be primary and today's reading reinforces that.  We build and focus on many things in our lives and much of our focus is on things of this world and we must avoid focusing on this world over God.  

Our jobs must be God glorifying, our spending must be God glorifying, our actions with our children must be God glorifying, etc.  Our entire life must rest on God and focus on Him.



See also Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise and Foolish Builders).

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1


We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I love You.  I know You love me and will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry and I am easily distracted, placing things of this world above You.  Please forgive me for such sin and help me turn from and  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 wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”

1 Samuel 16

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” v7

After the Lord rejects Saul as King, Samuel is sent to Bethlehem to anoint one of Jesse's son's as the new king.  The Lord guides Samuel to look not at outward appearances but inward to one's heart condition.

Jesus echoes a similar sentiment when he admonishes the Jewish leaders for focusing too much on the law vs one's heart:

Jesus said to them, “I did one miracle, and you are all amazed. Yet, because Moses gave you circumcision (though actually it did not come from Moses, but from the patriarchs), you circumcise a boy on the Sabbath. Now if a boy can be circumcised on the Sabbath so that the law of Moses may not be broken, why are you angry with me for healing a man’s whole body on the Sabbath? Stop judging by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly.” John 7:21-24

As a parent, I must focus on Zach and Dustin's heart condition and too often I don't.  Thank You Jesus for prompting to me refocus on their hearts.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, full of love and compassion for me. You provide many, many second chances.  You provide for me. You heal me.  You forgive me...thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me.  Yet I am undeserving - I continue to worry.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations.

Genesis 48

But his father refused and said, I know, my son, I know. He too will become a people, and he too will become great. Nevertheless, his younger brother will be greater than he, and his descendants will become a group of nations. v19

With Jesus, we are not to conform to the patterns of this world (see Romans 12:2), but instead to follow and make Jesus a priority and we do this by renewing our minds through study of His Word.

One example of this is how Jesus wants us to focus less on being first, just as Israel (Jacob) focuses on God's desires versus those of Joseph who wants his elder son to receive his father's blessing.  

We need not worry about being "first".

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

"Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.” Luke 13:30

 

"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23, Matthew 16:24

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, full of love, patience, compassion and mercy for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am lazy and selfish.  Please forgive me 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 wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.