Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.”

 John 13:36-38

Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.” John 13:38

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 13:36-38, where Jesus prophecies Peter's denial.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V36 shares Jesus' response to Peter who seeks to understand Jesus and where He is going in reference to v33.  Believers know that Jesus - at this point in John - is soon going to be arrested and then tried and crucified.  Jesus shares with Peter that not only can Peter not go (not yet) with Jesus (to die on the cross), but also that Peter will die as Jesus did (see here) - but not yet as Jesus is not done with Peter, as Peter will be foundational to the new church (Matthew 16:18).  In v38, we see Jesus slapping down Peter's arrogance as Jesus prophecies Peter's denial of Jesus upon Jesus' arrest. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Also in v36, we see Peter rightly trying to understand what Jesus said in v33.  This is a good and right motivation.  For believers, the primary objective of daily study of God's Word is to know God, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds so that God can continue (sanctification) and finish (upon death and glorification) the process of making our thoughts and desires more like His - see Romans 12:2.  In v37, Peter confidently asserts that he can handle what Jesus is going to experience - of course not knowing what is going to occur - even sharing how he will lay down his life for Jesus.  We should be very careful with such arrogant and confident assertions of our own ability - instead we should be humble in our own abilities and be confident in Jesus' abilities. 
• 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 arrogant and confident assertions of your own abilities. Claim the promise that apart from Jesus we can do nothing - John 15:5 and the corollary with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). Follow the example of Jesus who humbly takes on human form and DOES lay down His life as the price for all humanity's sin - be humble and serve.     

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that laid down Your life....for me and all of humanity as the price for all of our sin....so that we could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  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.

But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God[.]

Isaiah 1

 But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction. For he was unfaithful to the Lord his God[.] 2 Chronicles 26:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  For me, on day 2 of my study, the key takeaway was based on a close look at King Uzziah who reigned (790-739 B.C.) during the period of Isaiah's vision as referenced in Isaiah 1:1. 2 Kings 14-15 and 2 Chronicles 26-27 both discuss how Uzziah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord," but failed in other important ways with regard to loving and serving God.  He did not remove the high places used for idol worship (2 Kings 15:4).  God did move in Uzziah's reign and prospered him (2 Chronicles 26:7).  However, Uzziah grew proud and sinfully entered the temple to burn incense (2 Chronicles 26:16) and scripture writes how pride led Uzziah's destruction and unfaithfulness to the Lord.  Pride causes us to move in dangerous ways, including for us to think that we don't need God, or that we can accomplish things in our own power and based on our own understanding. We all sin and need Savior - Romans 3:23 and 6:23.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is so full of grace and compassion for - even know my life has been full of pride and arrogance.  Yet You love me and saved me anyway...and helped me see the folly of my ways.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the faith You give me.  My sin of worry and other sins continue.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

Psalm 121, 2 Corinthians 10:3-5, and 1 Samuel 17:38-51

For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5

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

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day one starts with Max Lucado discussing how David faced Goliath, how we all face giants in our lives, and how David did not pause in his approach to Goliath.  "Saturated" in God, David "rushed" Goliath cloaked in the confidence that God is able to tackle any foe - and He has - believers know that God has already defeated Satan.  We are encouraged to arm ourselves with supernatural defenses - we are to, as David does, "take captive captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ". 

Lucado also points out how "[i]t is when we are out of options that we are most ready for God's surprises". David's brothers and the Israelites seemed to surely be out of options but they failed to recognize how they did not go to God for strength and power.  I am prone to worry and I remark frequently how this is a powerful sin in my life yet I know how God has given me strength to rely on Him more and more each day to the point where worry and anxiety does not have the power it once had.  It is through a commitment to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ that I am better able to face Satan and what Satan throws at me.  I know Jesus is not yet done with me and I will continue to stumble....but God gives me the strength to get up and continue the fight.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are always with me and You give me strength - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many mercies and grace You pour out for me.  Thank You Jesus.  Yet my sin continues, harsh words and actions for other - discouraging words.  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.

He must become greater; I must become less.

John 1-4, Luke 3

He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30

Day 294 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 further into the New Testament - focusing this morning on Jesus' early days of His ministry, including the calling of the first disciples - Andrew, Simon (Peter), Philip, and Nathanael - and the first of Jesus' miracles: turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana, and the healing of the royal official's son in Capernaum.  The reading from this morning also includes Jesus driving the merchants from the temple, His teaching of Nicodemus, Jesus interaction with the woman at the well in Samaria, and it ends with my commentary* noting how John the Baptist is arrested.

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

Again, there are numerous aspects of scripture where one can focus but I am stuck by how John the Baptist acknowledges how he must be less as Jesus is greater. John the Baptist's position and status was growing and it took great humility for him to accept His mission - to tell others that the Messiah so many had been waiting for had arrived.  Humility is one of the most important character traits of a believer and John Piper discusses it in this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and all that I am and all that I possess is from You - without You I am and have nothing.  Thank You Jesus for blessing me - my cup runs over.  I am not deserving of such blessings and of Your love.  My sin is great and daily, including worry, 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.

Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul.

1 Samuel 22:5-25:1, Psalms 52, 63, 54 and 57 

 Afterward, David was conscience-stricken for having cut off a corner of his robe. He said to his men, “The Lord forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the Lord’s anointed, or lay my hand on him; for he is the anointed of the Lord.” With these words David sharply rebuked his men and did not allow them to attack Saul. 1 Samuel 24:5-7

Day 91 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 Saul's continued pursuit of David.  While on the run and in hiding, David has an opportunity to attack and kill Saul (1 Samuel 24:3-4) yet he merely cuts off a corner of Saul's robe.  Afterwards, he is conscience-stricken by his own action.

According to the MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase), "David recognized that the Lord Himself had placed Saul in the kingship. Thus, the judgment and removal of Saul had to be left to the Lord".

As I posted a few days ago, we may feel tempted to take matters into our own hands, but we must recognize that God alone is judge and justice belongs to the Lord.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin continues...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.

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez 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, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David.

Joshua 1-5

This is the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah the son of David, the son of Abraham: Abraham was the father of Isaac, Isaac the father of Jacob, Jacob the father of Judah and his brothers,Judah the father of Perez and Zerah, whose mother was Tamar, Perez 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, whose mother was Rahab, Boaz the father of Obed, whose mother was Ruth, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of King David. Matthew 1:1-6

Day 67 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 Joshua's initial days as leader of the Israelites as they prepare to cross the Jordan River into the promised land.  Joshua must prepare the Israelites for battle and his spies encounter Rahab, a prostitute (see Joshua 2), who provides critical assistance against Jericho.  Rahab is also in the line of Jesus (see Matthew 1 for genealogy).  In the crossing of the Jordan, the Israelites experience a miracle parting of the waters (see Joshua 3) - just as they did with the parting of the Red Sea during their exodus from Egypt.

God's use of Rahab as an instrument of His plan is of course instructive.  I've previously posted on Rahab - nearly 10 years ago.

God's words of "be strong and courageous" echo this morning in this larger context of how He uses Rahab.  Rahab likely had no idea how she was to be used, and perhaps as a prostitute did not feel as if she was worthy of such use by God, but she demonstrated strength and courage in her belief in God vs strength and courage in her abilities absent God (or vs God).  Our strength and courage must rest in God.

When we heard of it, our hearts melted in fear and everyone’s courage failed because of you, for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Joshua 2:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who gives us life, including strength and courage, particularly during these times of great crisis.  I am not deserving of such love and blessing as I sin and am often harsh to others.  Please forgive me 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.

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”...Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well.

Exodus 1-6:27

God said to Moses, “I am who I am. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: ‘I am has sent me to you.’”...Then the Lord’s anger burned against Moses and he said, “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. Exodus 3:14, 4:14

Day 22 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 birth, rise and exile of Moses as prince in Egypt (from humble Hebrew beginnings), and God's call of Moses (and Aaron) to rescue the Israelites from bondage in Egypt.

Moses does not feel equipped to be God's selected deliverer of the Egyptians from bondage.  The conversation at the burning bush (Exodus 3-4) is one of the most prominent in all of the Bible.  The conversation climaxes with God's anger in Exodus 4:14 and it is at this point the Moses appears to relent in his resistance to God's call.  Of course the point is that it is true that WE cannot do what God calls us to do, but that HE can (and will/does).

This is the difference between confidence in self vs confidence in God.

In my own life, I KNOW the power of God - and I, like Peter and John before the Sanhedrin claim:

"As for [me] us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has worked miracles in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for 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.

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

1 John 5

We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them. We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life. v18-20

As I wrap my study of 1 John, my attention is drawn once more towards commentary by John MacArthur, who highlights "Five Confidences of a True Christian" in his discussion of 1 John 5:13-21. MacArthur* indicates that the apostle John "accentuates their certainty [confidence] by using the word know seven times in this section".

1. Confident of eternal life in Christ (5:13) - I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
2. Confident of answered prayer (5:14-17) -  This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. If you see any brother or sister commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray and God will give them life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that you should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death.
3. Confident of victory over sin (5:18) - We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the One who was born of God keeps them safe, and the evil one cannot harm them.
4. Confident of belonging to God (5:19) - We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
5. Confident of Christ being the one, true God (5:20) -  We know also that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true. And we are in him who is true by being in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Locations 64207-64209). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition. 

I believe this discussion on confidence holds AT LEAST three key applications: (1) that we can have a confident faith that is strong based on the firm, unshakeable nature of God - this is particularly important in the face of persecution; (2) that we can be confident people knowing we are part of God's family, He loves us, is with us always, we can rely on Him, and count on the same power that raised Jesus Christ from the grave; (3) that confidence is first and foremost based on humility and the need for a Savior, and that this humility serves to refrain from arrogance.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me confidence - on many levels!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God and such love. 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.

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.

2 Corinthians 3

Such confidence we have through Christ before God. Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. v4-5

Arrogance is dangerous and it often leads people to deny God or knowingly commit sin with the belief that no consequence will be too great - dangerous indeed! Fear of God should drive us into His arms and towards obedience.  On the other hand, humility is rightly knowing that we all need a Savior and it is He who works in us in all things. Yes, we should have confidence - but it should rest in God alone.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me life and all things - abundantly - thank You Jesus.  Is am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for 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. 

Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you.

Luke 7

Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. v6-7

This passage about the faith of the centurion is well known, yet the focus is often on confident faith.  What is striking here is that the centurion is also a man a great humility - how can this be?  Confidence and humility - together?  Yes - check out the short but good blog post by JD Greear, a local pastor here in Raleigh.

See also posts from DesiringGod.com and I am Iron on this topic. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who willingly laid down His life to rescue me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a sacrifice - I daily miss the mark - I am often harsh with my words.  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.

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

Matthew 8

The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” v8-9

No matter how much confidence we have, our confidence must rest in God alone because He is the One who distributes gifts and skills we have (see 1 Corinthians 12:4-5) and He is in control of all things (Colossians 1:16-17).  The centurion in today's verses possesses confidence, yet remains humble, recognizing that Jesus is Lord.

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me, gives me spiritual gifts and skills and provides for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and provision.  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.