But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.”

 Numbers 33

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.” Numbers 33:55-56

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 33 - we retrace the path Israel took as  God led the people out of Egypt on their journey towards the Promised Land, and God prepares the people to enter the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God commands Moses to write down Israel's path towards the Promised Land (v2) - these are the second through the fifth book of the Bible. We should remember and study this journey - Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.  Upon reaching the boundary of the Promised Land - at the Jordan River - God gave Moses and the people explicit instructions (vv50-56) to destroy both the inhabitants and the idols in the land.  He warns the people that if they don't "[those inhabitants and their idols] shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell."  Scripture has limited mention of "thorn" but in context it has both negative and positive associations.  Thorns typically "choke" out more desired growth (negative).  At the same time, Paul is given this same "thorn" in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7) "to keep [him] from becoming conceited" (positive).  God is warning the people that the inhabitants of the Promised Land will entice and lure the people into idolatry, sin and away from Him - just as it has occurred in Israel's history.  Idolatry and sin separates us from Him and "troubles" and hurts us.  We must do as God commands.  Otherwise, as v56 shares God will do to us "as [He] thought to do to [those whom God sought to drive out from the land]."  He will drive us out from fellowship and union with Him - not a good thing.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People very often are partially obedient - not fully obedient (just as God commanded).  Hence God warns the people to avoid partial obedience because He knows partial obedience means a lack of submission and surrender to God.  This leaves a gap in our relationship with Him and this will not end well - we should heed the warning from Matthew 7:21-23 and Revelation 3:15–16 regarding partial obedience and moderation. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to remind him that he was fully dependent on God - he should not believe that his life circumstances and experience were anything but God's hand.   
• 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 moderation (lukewarm) or partial obedience in your journey with God.  Claim the promise that God desires to bring you enter His rest but this requires complete dependence and surrender to Him.  Follow the example of Paul who saw that he had a thorn in his flesh and relied fully on Him.  Abide in Him and follow God completely.     

Comment and discuss this post

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

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Mark 10:13-16

But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Mark 10:14-15

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:13-16, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus believes that children are important - we as a community of believers should not put anything in the way of them hearing the gospel message.  Jesus also wants all of us to emulate how children are, including how they are curious and soak up their teachings, and how they possess other attributes, including dependence on others for care and provision.    
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Some see children as important - see the parents and caregivers in v13. There are many people however - i.e. the disciples v13 - who often don't see children as important to God.  Yet, anyone seeking to receive the Kingdom of God must approach God with a child-like presence and unless you do, you will not experience nor enter God's Kingdom.     
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Children are an example to follow in terms of their attributes of learning and dependence, etc.  The claim to promise is the inverse of v15 where if believers do receive the Kingdom of God like a child we will enter it. 

Comment and discuss this post.

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

And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”

Mark 9:14-29

And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Mark 9:28-29

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:14-29.  Excerpts from the second (of three) division (vv28-29):

• For the third division, the title is: "We Never Advance Beyond Our Need for Prayer."
• The commentary provides the below table that contrasts the Transfiguration with the healing of the boy in the text and suggests how it might have been instructive for the disciples to see the two events through this lens.

 

•  "Introspection is a healthy spiritual discipline when it causes us to examine our weaknesses and confront our limitations. Presumptuous self-sufficiency may be viewed as a great strength by the world, but it is deadly to our spiritual lives." 
• "The disciples failed big time. It was public, brought ridicule, cast doubt on their Master and mission, and filled them with self-doubt. So when Jesus initiated reflection and debriefing, they asked, “Why couldn’t we drive the demon out?” Their question betrays a sense of confidence in their own strengths and abilities....Failure led them to question themselves.  This is a good thing."  
• "He is not saying some demon exorcisms require prayer but others do not. He is saying that whenever we take to the spiritual battlefield, if we go in our own strength, pride, and self-sufficiency, we have lost the battle before it begins. Faith bridges the gap between divine omnipotence and human weakness, and that faith is experienced and exercised through prayer. Could this be why prayer is one of the most difficult of the spiritual disciplines?"  
• "Tim Keller observes that the prayer of the father is characterized by honesty, helplessness, hopefulness, specificity, and passion (“Mark,” 112). These character traits of believing prayer can be summed up in one word: humility. It all depends on Jesus."  
• The commentary wraps but pointing us to John 20:29 and Ephesians 6:16. 

For me prayer is definitely a weaker spiritual discipline.  For a long time, well beyond when I was saved, perhaps until 10 years ago, scripture reading was also a weaker discipline and I prayed for a stronger desire for Him and of course God gave it to me.  And I can say without a doubt that 2 Corinthians 1:20 rings true as does all scripture!  God not only gave me a desire for Him He satisfied me above all others - Matthew 5:6.  I pray this morning - similar to the father of demonic spirit filled boy healed by Jesus - that God helps me with my prayer - help me Father! 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are SO good - You save and You provide.  You are SO faithful and You hear and answer all prayers.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus.  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 love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

 

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.”

Mark 9:14-19

And Jesus said to him, “‘If you can’! All things are possible for one who believes.” Mark 9:23

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:14-29.  Excerpts from the second (of three) division (vv19-27):

• For the second division, the title is: "We Never Advance Beyond Our Need for Faith."
• "The author of Hebrews tells us, “Now without faith it is impossible to please God, for the one who draws near to Him must believe that He exists and rewards those who seek Him” (11:6). But how much belief—how much faith—do we need? A lot? Must it be perfect? No. Faith the size of a tiny little mustard seed will do just fine (Matthew 17:20). The key is not the depth of our faith but the direction of our faith. What is important is not the potency of our faith but the Person our faith is in. A little faith in a great Savior gets amazing results!"  
• "Though the man’s faith is weak and small, he is at least looking in the right direction and asking the right Person for help. Unlike the leper in Mark 1:40-45, the father raised not a “would” question but a “could” question. The leper knew Jesus could help, but would He? The father believed Jesus would help, but could He? Well, he is about to find out!"  
• "Jesus responds in surprise. If He can?! “Everything is possible to the one who believes.” Divine ability is not the problem; human unbelief is. There is a reliable bridge between human weakness on the one hand and divine sufficiency and power on the other. It is called faith, trust, and dependency. Psalm 34:8 says, 'Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the man who takes refuge in Him!'"  
• "Jesus here provides insight into the meaning of His own death and resurrection. Satanic powers bring death, but divine power brings resurrection life. This is what dependent faith can see!"

Encouraging words from the text and emphasized by the commentary: that our weakness and utter dependence on God for His provision and protection should drive us into His arms.  I am reminded of those in scripture - such as the woman bleeding for 12 years - simply wanted to touch Jesus' garment to access the His power. See this in the following gospels: Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, and Luke 8:43-48.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that heals and saves.  I have seen the work of Your hand and I am grateful.  I am not deserving of such blessings as my salvation and how You pour out mercies for me daily.  Please forgive me 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 love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Will You please help me with my unbelief - it continues I know in corners of my life.  Please provide wisdom and energy to Lisa and myself.  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.   

 

So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

Mark 9:14-19

So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” Mark 9:18b-19

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:14-29.  Excerpts from the introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of three) division (vv14-19):

• The title for the entirety of the text is and the main idea: "Lessons Learned in the Fires of Failure," and "[w]e will fail, but God uses these failures to deepen our dependence on Him, our faith in Christ, and our discipline in prayer."
• "Failure is never fun and defeat is seldom something we take delight in. It can be painful, embarrassing, and humiliating. And our response can be life changing, altering our destiny. Failure can make us bitter, or it may make us better. We can take it as instructive and corrective and learn from it."
• "It is this last lesson the disciples need to learn and so many of us need to learn as well. But there is another truth we must hold on to as well: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I can do nothing that really matters without Him, but this drives me continually to Him for help. I need to let my weakness drive me to His strength. I need to let my impotence drive me to His omnipotence. I need to let my limitations drive me to His unlimited resources. I need to let my humility drive me to His sufficiency."  
• For the first division, the title is: "We Never Advance Beyond Our Need for Jesus."
• "Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, and we need them from time to time for spiritual nourishment and the recharging of our spiritual batteries. However, God never intended for us to stay there. He wants us “down here” preaching the gospel to and ministering among the hurting and suffering. He wants us living with and serving real people devastated by the ravages of the fall and of sin. As His agents of redemptive love, we go in His name and with the promise of His presence. To forget this is to open ourselves up to all sorts of difficulty, challenges, and even failure, as nine of His disciples discovered with pain and humiliation."  
• "No doubt the scribes were mocking the disciples over their failure to heal the boy. Probably they used the lack of success as an opportunity to question Jesus’ authority."  
• "[T]heir failure reflected badly not only on them but also on Jesus!"
• "We never sin in a vacuum. We hurt ourselves, we hurt those we love, we hurt the gospel, and we hurt the reputation of Christ! When this happens, we do not need to look to ourselves but to Christ! Criticized by our detractors for our failures, we must point them to Christ, the One who does not fail—ever! We should encourage them to follow the example of the crowd in verse 15. They saw Him, they were amazed at Him, and they ran to Him. Our detractors may accurately point out our flaws and failures. Such, however, will never be found in Jesus. Oh how we need Him when enemies are nipping at our heels, ready to devour us if they can!"  
• "Many lessons are here. (1) We see that demons are real beings, not simply mythological creatures. Jesus clearly believes in the demonic. (2) Demons desire to inflict pain and death. (3) Demons are capable of inflicting physical suffering. This boy had symptoms resembling epilepsy (Matthew 17:15). (4) In our own strength we are helpless against the supernatural powers of the demonic. (5) Spiritual victories in the past (cf. Mark 6:7-13) are no guarantee we will be victorious today, especially when we operate with faith in ourselves rather than in Christ. (6) When all human efforts have been exhausted, we can turn to Jesus. Counter to our sinfulness and weakness, He is where we should turn from the start."
• "Whenever the disciples are separated from Jesus, they get in trouble and experience a crisis. What a valuable lesson: we never advance beyond our need for Jesus!"  

We are reminded that we must remain in Jesus to bear fruit - the lesson of John 15:1-17 is key. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.  Daily study of God's Word, prayer, are key.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  You never let me down.  You are SO good!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You bless and provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth.

Mark 9:14-29

And they brought the boy to him. And when the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. Mark 9:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 9:14-29, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus wants us to have faith (v19) - we must be completely and utterly dependent on Him for all things and desperate for His healing power in all things like the boys father was here.  Jesus wants us to pray as a measure of our dependence - John Piper refers to this in this post as "no prayer no power." See also v29.  V25 reminds us that God has providence over all things including evil and evil spirits.  This is often a question for all people, including believers - if God is such a loving God why do bad things happen to good people.  We don't know specifically, but we do know that evil exists since The Fall and that it will remain with us until Jesus returns during end times when He defeats Satan and Sin for all of eternity.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: The scribes were arguing with the disciples (those who remained and did not go up the mountain with Jesus for the Transfiguration).  While we don't know for sure the details of such an argument we can speculate that the scribes sought to be correct about their understanding of the law and how Jesus and the disciples were somehow violating the law with Jesus' ministry.  There will always be those who seek to challenge us about the Word.  We can stand on how the Gospel is true in our own life and how we have faith.  People, including the disciples - see vv18-19, 29 are described as faithless and lacking in prayer.  We can take notice how we should grow in both our faith and in our prayer/dependence on God. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God wants us to claim the promise to believe as all things are possible for one who believes - v23. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God, You are an awesome God that heals, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  You save and You provide.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You heal and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please 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 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.

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics.

Mark 6:7-13

He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff—no bread, no bag, no money in their belts— but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. Mark 6:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 6:7-13. Excerpts from the commentary's for the second (of four) division (vv8-9): 

• The title for the first division is "Go Mean and Lean with Nothing Nonessential."
• "To be effective in God’s work, we must do what we do unencumbered, with no excess baggage that could impede our mission. Further, we must go in radical faith and dependence on our God." 
•  "The four items required of the Twelve are identical to what God told the Hebrews to take on their flight from Egypt (Exodus 12:11)." 
• The commentary details the parallels between the Old Testament exodus and how Jesus sends out The Twelve under the authority of the new and greater Moses (see also Hebrews 3:1-6).  
• Dependence on Jesus for all things is emphasized, particularly in the mission field.

For believers, God calls upon us constantly and fear and anxiety often accompany such calls - to step into the unknown.  God called Moses in Exodus 3 to rescue Israel from bondage.  This triggered much fear and anxiety in Moses, and God quelled this fear and anxiety, speaking to Moses and revealing His plan for this effort in Exodus 3:15-22, and sharing how Aaron will be his helper in this mission in Exodus 4:1-17.  God gives all believers a role in the Great Commission and we should lean on Him in prayer, etc. to equip us and to give us courage to step out into these roles. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion - You saved me while still sinning and an enemy and hostile to You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You save, equip, provide, and lead in the roles You design for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.”

Zechariah 8:1-17

But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of hosts. For there shall be a sowing of peace. The vine shall give its fruit, and the ground shall give its produce, and the heavens shall give their dew. And I will cause the remnant of this people to possess all these things. And as you have been a byword of cursing among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong.” Zechariah 8:11-13

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 8:1-17, which the commentary outlines as the fifth of five divisions for the text 7:1-8:23 (7:1-3/8:18-23, 7:4-7, 7:8-10, 7:11-14, 8:1-17).  The overarching theme - as described by the commentary's title for the text - the commentary uses for the text 7:1-8:23 is Transformed from Trusting Our Capabilities to Trusting His Faithfulness.  The beginning of chapter 7 discusses how God's people focused on extra-biblical ritual fasting as a reflection of their own desires and powers vs leaning on God and what He seeks from us.  The commentary for the text today 8 alludes to this with how it opens with how "[Zechariah] begins to tell the people exactly what God will do as He transforms their fasting into feasting. In the opening verse God reminds His people of His jealous love for Zion, that is, Jerusalem....God makes promises to His people, revealing His faithfulness to accomplish what they are incapable of doing on their own."  The commentary then outlines what God will do:

• He will return to Jerusalem - v3
• He will bless the residents of the city with both long life and new life - vv4-5
• He will bring the nations to Jerusalem and make them His own - vv7-8
• He will bring peace, productivity, and power to His people - vv9-13
• He will drive away the fear they have experienced - vv14-17

The commentary winds down for the text by sharing how God "meets us in our broken places to transform us from serving ourselves to serving Him, from pursuing empty religion to pursuing His righteousness, from listening to our own desires to hearing His voice, and from depending on our own capabilities to trusting His faithfulness."

As I posted yesterday, similar to how throughout scripture God's servants experienced difficulties, there will be turbulent times in our lives, but nothing can separate us from the love of Jesus (Romans 8:39).  He is always with us and we can draw comfort and peace knowing that God has already secured victory over both sin and death.  God's grace is sufficient and His power is perfect in our times of weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9)!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father, You are SO good!  Thank You for the mercies You pour out for me daily that never run out.  I am undeserving of my salvation and for these mercies.  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.

[D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

 [D]o not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

I continue pause my study of Zechariah and 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.  Today, my preparation to lead Sunday school at my church, where our class is doing a study on prayer based on the book by A Praying Life, moves along.  I pick up today in chapter 7 - Crying "Abba" Continuously, and 8 - Bending Your Heart To Your Father.  As chapter 8 winds to a close - it emphasizes how anxiety should drive us to prayer as it is "relentless."  As anxiety never rests we should be driven to relentlessly seek Christ in prayer - we are encouraged to read the Parable of the Persistent Widow (Luke 18:1-7) as Jesus shares how "God give[s] justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night[.]" Hannah's (1 Samuel 1) weeping and praying also should encourage us to let anxiety power our prayers. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father, I am utterly and completely dependent on You and can do nothing without You.  Help me be in constant awareness of this and how so full of grace You are for me and I seek that this love You have for me should of course animate me to love, worship, and praise You constantly but also love others because this is what pleases You and I seek to please You.  Thank You for the many blessings You pour out for me but I am undeserving.  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.

He makes me lie down in green pastures.

 Psalm 23 and Genesis 22:9-14

He makes me lie down in green pastures. Psalm 23:2a

I continue my pause of my study of Jude to use Tony Evan's The Power of God's Names sermon outline series - maintaining focusing on Message Four: Jehovah Rohi and Jehovah Jireh.  Today, I review the sermon illustrations - specifically looking at two illustrations:

• Our Shepherd is a Full-Service God: Tony Evans shares the analogy of everything these days is self-service and how we can do things on our own - for example we can use Web search engines, AI, or YouTube.  There is so much we can do on our own that we are easily tempted to forget how God provides for all of our needs and how apart from Him we can do nothing (Psalm 23:1, John 15:5).  We should go to God first for wisdom and direction through prayer and He will provide.  His response may not be what we initially sought, but God does provide and we should understand His thoughts and ways are not our own (Isaiah 55:8). 
  
• Our Shepherd Gives Us Rest: Evans challenges us to see how God may be creating or allowing circumstances in our lives that force to depend on Him.  Evans writes: "Have you ever thought maybe the reason God hasn’t changed your situation is He’s forcing you to lie down? He’s making you stay right where you are until you have learned total dependency on Him." See Psalm 23:2a. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - providing for me, giving me rest, and blessing me in SO many incredible ways.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of Your 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.

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant[.]

Psalm 86

Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant[.] Psalm 86:16

Because I did not wake early enough to give God my first fruits of undistracted time this morning - I am coming back during my day to commune with my God and to (1) seek my forgiveness, (2) gain strength and daily sustenance. Listening to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, I reflect on John Piper's words and on the words of the psalmist who in Piper's words "give us a beautiful model of daily dependence on future grace for every exigency."  Piper lays out several examples of the psalmists dependence on future grace:

• They cry out for grace when they need help: “Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!” (Psalm 30:10).
• When they are weak: “Turn to me and be gracious to me; give your strength to your servant” (Psalm 86:16)
• When they need healing: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord” (Psalm 6:2).
• When they are afflicted by enemies: “Be gracious to me, O Lord! See my affliction from those who hate me” (Psalm 9:13).
• When they are lonely: “Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted” (Psalm 25:16).
• When they are grieving: “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief” (Psalm 31:9).
• When they have sinned: “O Lord, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against you!” (Psalm 41:4).
• When they long for God’s name to be exalted among the nations: “God be gracious to us and bless us . . . that your way may be known on earth” (Psalm 67:1–2).

These are all circumstances I have faced.  I also need my "bread" daily - see Matthew 6:9-13.  I cannot exist without Christ as He provides for all of my needs, saves me and gives life now (abundantly) and for eternity.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are a great God that pours out blessings to me daily and I desperately need them.  Thank You Jesus for how You provide for all of my needs and for how You save and sanctify.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and daily - including failing to give You my first fruits.  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 God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 11

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

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 continue with the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day three starts with Max Lucado discussing how Martha felt betrayed by Jesus when she initially saw him on His way to the now dead and buried Lazarus (John 11:21). Lucado shares how many feel betrayed by Jesus during these moments of loss when one sometimes wonders why someone had to die. Jesus of course has the answer and verses 23-27 chronicle the dialogue between Jesus and Martha on how belief in Jesus leads to everlasting life.  The feeling of betrayal then leads to desperation as Martha has no other answer than to rely on Jesus - she has the faith Jesus wants all of us to have. She then sends to her sister Mary who challenges Jesus just as Martha did and we see Jesus weeping and moved. We see Jesus weeping and for Martha and Mary one can only speculate how comforting it must have been to see Jesus - who Martha correctly refers to as "Messiah, the Son of God" - weeping.  God really does care about us - that is why He sent His Son.  For many, the road from feelings of betrayal to desperation leads to Jesus and a strengthened faith.  It certainly helps that we have a God who can empathize with all of our needs.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:14-16

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who knows and provides for all of my needs - and You provide everlasting life for those who believe - thank You Jesus.  This is the greatest gift of all.  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I worry, I lack patience, 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.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. v30

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (and he continues in chapter 12), Paul writes of his sufferings on behalf of his ministry for Christ.  He does so because according to John Piper, "suffering is essential" for believers as this is the only "path to glorification [of God]" and if you are to minister to others. 

Paul crystallizes the essential nature of suffering:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Our weakness bring us to God, on whom we depend for all things, and it is through our dependence on God where we draw strength - strength that is divine.

See also this post "Five Truths About Christian Suffering".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me - every day and every moment - thank You Jesus for being with me during both the good times and especially during those times when I am weak.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin weighs heavily and it is great - 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.

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.”

2 Corinthians 8

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. The goal is equality, as it is written: “The one who gathered much did not have too much, and the one who gathered little did not have too little.” v13-15

Paul's message on giving and generosity (which continues into chapter 9), starts with an acknowledgement of the Macedonian church of their rich generosity that "welled up" from their "extreme poverty" (v2).  Paul seeks for the church in Corinth (and all of us) to give generously as a cheerful giver.  In v15, he references Exodus 16, where in the desert, Moses instructs the Israelites to gather only enough manna to last a day, to depend on the Lord for their sustenance, and to ensure others' basis needs are met. 

We must also recognize that all that we everything we have in our possession comes from the Lord, it belongs to Him, and that we are to be good stewards of what He provides for us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who provides for ALL of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  I neglect my relationship with You and I have many other sins - 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.

“Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.”

Luke 9

“Take nothing for the journey—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra shirt. Whatever house you enter, stay there until you leave that town. If people do not welcome you, leave their town and shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” v3-5

Two key takeaways for me with the account of Jesus sending our the twelve (see also Matthew 10, Mark 3): 

1. When Jesus sends out the twelve He wants them to depend solely on Him - otherwise, the Twelve risk seeking fortune and gain for themselves, dependence on self, or dependence on wealthy benefactors.  God wants us to be 100% clear from where our livelihood comes.
2. We are to deliver the message - boldly - and not focus on any outcomes as this will be Jesus' role. 

Our primary job is to love Him and as a result of this to love others - see also Matthew 22:34-40.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided me with everything - life, family, health, etc. - You have also helped me through dark times and never left or forsaken me - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a God.  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.

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.

Mark 10

Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them. v15-16

Jesus loves children and their curiosity and dependence on their parents for all things - this is humility...that we don't have wisdom apart from God and we don't have anything good apart from God.

Great references:
Childlike, Not Childish
Blessed Are the ‘Man-Boys’

We should all be child-like in our faith.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided me with all things - apart from You I have no good thing.  Thank You for how You so richly bless me.  I am undeserving of such love and blessings. I am selfish and 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.

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.

Matthew 18

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.  And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. v4-5

Jesus wants us to cultivate a relationship with Him such that we are like children: completely dependent on Him for all our needs, curious and passionate about learning about Him, and humble.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.  Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:3-6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, and provides for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I worry, I am quick to anger, I gossip, etc. among my many 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.

Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep....If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.

Matthew 10

Do not get any gold or silver or copper to take with you in your belts—no bag for the journey or extra shirt or sandals or a staff, for the worker is worth his keep....If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. v9,14

At the end of Matthew 9, Jesus requests that His disciples "[a]sk the Lord of the harvest...to send out workers into his harvest field".  John Piper implies that the sending of the twelve is a response to prayer for more workers for the harvest.  Piper goes on to implore us to pray, and he provides many words on why and how we should pray - a good starter is here.  With regards to the sending out of the twelve disciples, Jesus wants the disciples to trust in Him as the provider and to focus on the message, not the outcome.  Pray for the outcome but remember that God is in charge of the outcome. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has answered many prayers of my own and also those of others who have prayed for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of Your love and grace.  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.

I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief. I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation.

Micah 4

I will gather the lame; I will assemble the exiles and those I have brought to grief.  I will make the lame my remnant, those driven away a strong nation. v6-7

Micah's role is to admonish both Israel and Judah for their failure to walk with God, their poor treatment of others, etc.  God exalts those who humble themselves before Him.  If we repent our sins and acknowledge our complete dependence on Him, He will restore us.  We have hope.  This hope is true not just for those who suffer but also those who cause the suffering.  We do not get to be the judge, only God is the judge.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who restores me...even though I have sinned greatly against You and others.  Thank You Jesus but I need Your forgiveness.  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.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Psalm 16

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” v2

I am reminded once again how blessed I am - every good thing I have is due to the Lord.  He provides for all of my needs (v5).

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. James 1:17

God is much more than my provider.  He counsels me (v7), He keeps me from being shaken (v8), and I have peace because God will not abandon me (v10).  This Psalm is a good introduction into the many roles God plays in our lives.  I found this reference which provides a broader list.

God wants us to come to Him for all of our needs - when I look at the above list I often find myself going to different places depending on the need.  Yet how foolish I am.  God can handle and help me with anything and everything.

God, please help me go to You for all of my needs.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is able to help in any and all circumstances - You created everything, are in everything and control everything.  You are full of mercy and compassion - for You came for me and died on the cross for me.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  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 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.