And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.”

 John 11:38-44

And Jesus lifted up his eyes and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this on account of the people standing around, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said these things, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out.” John 11:41-43

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 11:38-44, where we reach the climax of the story of Lazarus, whom Jesus raises from the dead.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Just as I posted yesterday, as He came to Lazarus' tomb, Jesus was "deeply moved again," as He loved Lazarus and Martha and Mary - mourning with them and sympathizing with their grief.  Jesus challenges us in our unbelief - see vv39 when He tells the people with them to take away the stone [door] entrance to the tomb.  Martha responds with a concern about odor from the tomb. In v40, Jesus lays down the challenge as Martha experiences a momentary period of unbelief.  When the stone is removed, Jesus prays to God (vv41-42), specifically praising the Father for "always hear[ing him]," while acknowledging that the only reason He specifically offers this praise so that those present "may believe that [the Father] sent Him."  Jesus continues to seek and save the lost and His plan is designed for teachable moments where His glory is revealed so that people would be drawn to Him.  After He prays to the Father, He commands Lazarus to come out of the tomb (v43).  For non-believers this is seen as a crazy request yet for believers we must remember that Jesus has been granted all authority by God is He is able to do anything - nothing is impossible for Him.  See also Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25 where Jesus rebukes the wind and the waves and we see Jesus' providence over not just life and death but over creation. Upon Lazarus coming out of the tomb in v44, Jesus then commands those present to unbind Lazarus as his hands and feet were bound with linen strips (burial clothes).   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v39, Martha experiences a momentary period of unbelief as she initially resists God's command to remove the stone entrance to the tomb.  Believers often are either led by God or read explicit text where He tells us to do something but we resist.  We find ways to rationalize our disobedience but we must clearly see our disobedience to God's commands and calls for our life.  Remember the story of Jonah where he resisted going to Nineveh?
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid resisting God's commands - this is disobedience.  We should claim the promise that nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37).  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves, and nothing will be impossible with You.  I am not deserving of how You save and how You provide the Holy Spirit to give us power.  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.

The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame.

Zephaniah 3:1-8

The LORD within her is righteous; he does no injustice; every morning he shows forth his justice; each dawn he does not fail; but the unjust knows no shame. Zephaniah 3:5

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 3:1-8, which is the text for the second division of the commentary's chapter covering Zephaniah 2:4-3:8.  The commentary further breaks down this second division into eight subdivisions, and today I review the last four that explore 3:4-8.

1. The priests dishonor God and dishonor His word (3:4): "Not only were the political leaders dishonoring God and leading the people to do so, in what was a much greater tragedy, the religious leaders were doing the same. They are described as “reckless” and “treacherous,” not to mention that they “profane the sanctuary” and “they do violence to instruction.” Much like the priests in the book of Malachi, these priests had abandoned their calling for their own pursuit of pleasure." See also Malachi 1:6-7....While these priests were making a show of serving God, their behavior belied any belief in God....The church may not be led by priests, as it was when Zephaniah wrote, but her leaders are just as susceptible today to burnout, doubt, and even self-serving behavior that teeters on the edge of the ethical—occasionally even falling off the edge."
   
2. God is faithful when His people are not (3:5): God "reaffirms" that He is still Holy, righteous, and faithful.  Yet this was not enough for Judah as they continued in their sin.
   
3. God’s discipline is fruitless (3:6-7): "He has delivered blow after blow of judgment in an effort to rouse them from their spiritual slumber, but they refuse to respond in obedience."
   
4. God’s justice is coming because of their obstinate disobedience (3:8): The text ends here on a somber note as God warns Judah of impending judgement.  The commentary however ends on a hopeful note as it looks forward to the remaining text in Zephaniah (3:9-20) and how it describes how God restores Judah so that they will trust and obey. 
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for Your faithfulness and how You never change - I am grateful that You are My Rock and Refuge - I take great comfort in Your faithfulness.  I am not deserving of how You are faithful in providing mercies new every morning that never cease, You always provide for all of my needs and I can never be separated from Your love.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of these blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you.

Isaiah 42-44

Remember these things, O Jacob, and Israel, for you are my servant; I formed you; you are my servant; O Israel, you will not be forgotten by me. I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud and your sins like mist; return to me, for I have redeemed you. Isaiah 44:21-22

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, I move on to Lesson 16, Day 1, which encourages us to read all of Isaiah 42-44 and to see general broad themes that strike us as we read. Much of Israel's history (including that of both parts of the divided kingdom - northern/Israel, and southern/Judah) is that of rebellion against God.  Throughout the Old Testament, God is seen punishing Israel, yet at the same time He is faithful to the promise and covenant He made to Abraham and his descendants, so God is full of grace and compassion - saving a remnant of the faithful to be a root for the nation God promises (see Genesis 12:1-3 for the Abrahamic Covenant). My initial reading of Isaiah 42-44 is consistent of this broad theme of God's grace in the face of Israel's rebellion.  I must remind myself (daily) that my rebellion and sin is no less than that of Israel in the Old Testament.  This makes God's gift of faith and salvation for me all the more stunning - amazing grace indeed!

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

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6

 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 6:22-23

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I moved on to chapter eight Raised to Walk in Newness of Life, which covers Romans 6.  My focus today is Romans 6:11-23 which my commentary refers to under the heading Actions We Must Take. In these verses, Paul encourages us to avoid the path of following our temptations into sin - as posted yesterday, our new identity in Christ means we are to leave behind our old self in experience a life in union with Him. We become "dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus" (v11).  Paul then reminds us to avoid antinomianism where we adopt an attitude of permissiveness to sin (v15). Paul moves on to describe how we become more obedient to God and it is through Him - not of our own doing - see also my post during my reading of Piper's Providence.  Look closely at v17 where Paul says:

But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed[.]

Paul thanks God for our obedience and it is through the sanctification process where we are daily in union with Christ and reading/studying God's word.  In v20-23, to help us see the consequences of sin vs life in Christ, Paul's contrasts the two writing how we may perceive freedom in a life of sin but instead we are slaves to sin and there is "no fruit" - plus and even worse we are condemned. 

My commentary urges us to "make war with sin" as God hates sin. We are also encouraged to see how grace is not just a gift but a power - based on our response to God's overwhelming love we seek to please Him.  My commentary ends by reminding us that with Christ we have superior benefits vs a life of sin and we are to submit to Him daily, allowing Him to do a work in us so that in return we are progressively sanctified and increasingly worshiping Him. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed an amazing God and I see Your grace as not just a gift but power...power to become more like You and to please You in service and love. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin...anger, 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.

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

2 Kings 25, Jeremiah 40-44, and 51

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Day 241 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 return to Jeremiah and the end of his ministry as he warns a remnant of Judah planning to flee to Egypt not to do so.  My commentary* indicates: "[a] contingent of army officers who had not been captured will apparently fall under the influence of the Ammonites, who will persuade them to assassinate Gedaliah. Their character is further revealed when they murder 70 innocent men, apparently without reason, and take captive their own countrymen at Mizpah. Just when it appears that other former officers are about to right all the wrongs, they too exhibit wicked character. After lying to Jeremiah, they lead away to Egypt a whole remnant of Hebrews, including Jeremiah and Baruch. Egypt is seemingly chosen for two reasons: first of all, there is fear that Nebuchadnezzar will punish the former officers for killing his appointed governor, and they therefore believe that they can find safety under Pharaoh Hophra’s protection. Second, they—and particularly their wives—seem drawn to Egypt’s idolatry and worship of the pagan Queen of Heaven."

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

What is remarkable here is how Jeremiah is proven right time and time again with his prophecies yet those in Judah flagrantly disregard God's message as delivered from Jeremiah.  Jeremiah is even called a liar (Jeremiah 43:1-3) by his own people.  The disobedience of the Judean remnant in Egypt is clearly documented in Jeremiah 44:15-19 and Jeremiah's response from God stands in dark contrast to Jeremiah 29.

From God to those in exile in Babylonia:

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. Jeremiah 29:11-12

From God to the remnant who fled to Egypt:

For I am watching over them for harm, not for good; the Jews in Egypt will perish by sword and famine until they are all destroyed. Jeremiah 44:27

At the root of such disobedience lies arrogance.  You seek other Gods when you believe you don't need the One True God. We all sin and need a Savior.

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has humbled me and rescued me - helping me understand the great sin of arrogance.  I know there is work to do but I am grateful for how You have worked in my heart.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for such love.  I sin as my arrogance continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and ehlp 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 rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.

1 Samuel 14-15

For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry. 1 Samuel 15:23

Day 87 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 utter disregard for the Lord's instructions with regards to how Saul should attack and completely destroy (1 Samuel 15:3) the Amalekites - nothing is to be spared - none of the "men and women, children and infants, cattle and sheep, camels and donkeys" are to be spared in the attack.  But we see in 1 Samuel 15:9 Saul's disobedience.  

Note Samuel's very harsh and blunt response in v23 - that "rebellion (disobedience) is like the sin of divination" (which is akin to idolatry according to John Piper here).  Saul's action is not simply flirting with sin as I posted here - but explicit sin of commission. 

We can then understand how the Lord and Samuel ultimately reject Saul as king.

We do see hints that may help illuminate why Saul behaved as he did.

His own insecurities (vs humility) led him to seek approval of men vs approval of God. We see Saul seeking either his own glory vs that of God in a few places: 1 Samuel 15:12 (set up monument for his own glory), 1 Samuel 15:24 (afraid of own men), and 1 Samuel 15:30 (seeking his own honor "before the elders of my people and before Israel"). 

Caution for all of us who blatantly disobey God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is always with me, providing for all of my needs - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I continue to sin...daily.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and 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 angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord.

Joshua 13, 15, 17, 24, Judges 1-2:5

The angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bokim and said, “I brought you up out of Egypt and led you into the land I swore to give to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you, and you shall not make a covenant with the people of this land, but you shall break down their altars.’ Yet you have disobeyed me. Why have you done this? And I have also said, ‘I will not drive them out before you; they will become traps for you, and their gods will become snares to you.’” When the angel of the Lord had spoken these things to all the Israelites, the people wept aloud, and they called that place Bokim.There they offered sacrifices to the Lord. Judges 2:1-5

Day 73 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the death of Joshua and Eleazar (Aaron's son), their burial, as well as the burial of Joseph's bones - this latter burial done at the request of Joseph at his deathbed.  Once Joshua passes, we also see the failure of the Israelites to conquer the remaining inhabitants of the promised land. Judges 1 details these failures. 

My commentary* indicates "[t]he danger of an incomplete conquest is the lingering presence of pagan influence. As long as the Canaanites remain, the Israelites will inevitably intermarry with them, and, just as inevitably, turn to worship their pagan gods. Failure to drive out the inhabitants may indicate not only the softness of Israel’s resolve but also a certain fascination with the pagan culture about them. Whatever the reasons for their failure, God considers it a breach of covenant and knows that widespread idolatry is soon to follow."

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

God expects much of us and ultimately we will all be held to account.  As believers, we must get to work (see John Piper's post on this)!  We must in Peter's words, "make every effort" (mentioned 3x in 2 Peter 1).

“The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked. Luke 12:47-48

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have blessed me with much - my cup overflows.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I often fail to make every effort - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from such sin.  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, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Joshua 6-8

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. Joshua 8:34-35

Day 68 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 Israelites first victory in Canaan, Jericho, and the days that followed, including an initial attack on Ai which failed due to sin by Achan.  Achan coveted devoted things from Jericho (see Joshua 7:20-21), instead of placing them in the treasury as directed by Joshua (see Joshua 7:18-19) - and he was put to death.

The Old Testament is full of examples of harsh punishment in the face of disobedience to God.  I am reminded of Lot's wife, who looked back to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and was turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19:23-26).  In the New Testament, I am reminded of Ananias and Sapphira, who willfully held back giving to the church and lied about it to Peter and the apostles (see Acts 5). 

YES - God does offer forgiveness for sin.  He also hates sin - ALL of it - willful and unwillful. 

God SEES all of our sin and is intimately involved in all of the details of our lives - He is in control (see free will).  He seeks complete obedience to Him (not a burden) and the details matter - we cannot claim that one small sin is too insignificant to Him - that is for Him to judge not us.  We don't get to decide what our punishment is.

As such, fear of the Lord should serve as a preservative and cause us to run from sin - ALL of it.  We need to draw closer and closer to God such that MORE of our heart and life become like Him.   Just as Joshua read ALL of the words of the law - we must strive daily for 100% devotion to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life to be more like You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I continue to sin and I know there is more race to run and work to do...please forgive me for my harshness towards others.  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.

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord.

Portions of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Yet in spite of this, when they are in the land of their enemies, I will not reject them or abhor them so as to destroy them completely, breaking my covenant with them. I am the Lord their God. But for their sake I will remember the covenant with their ancestors whom I brought out of Egypt in the sight of the nations to be their God. I am the Lord. Leviticus 26:44-45

Day 63 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 directives from God through Moses (Moses' Laws) for the Israelites responsibilities under the laws - including blessings for obedience, and punishment for disobedience and hardness of heart.

While portions of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy are highlighted by my study, Leviticus 26 is a key focus.

What is amazing is how God talks about disobedience and punishment in very stark terms in v14-39, yet He still gives us a path to redemption.  It starts with an acknowledgement of sin and a need for repentance - see v40.  God gives us SO many second chances - although His patience is NOT unlimited.

Any reader of the Old Testament must come to the realization that God is faithful, and full of compassion and mercy - despite everything the Israelites have done to disobey His will and instructions. Of course we have a new covenant with Jesus Christ, whereby Jesus died once and for all, for all sin, for all of humanity. He knows that we all sin, we all need a Savior and so He willingly died for us so that we could have victory over the sting of sin and death.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are slow to anger and abounding in love and full of compassion and mercy - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of all the second chances You have provided.  I continue to sin - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.      

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4

Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience. For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. v11-13

The author of Hebrews continues to warn us about falling away...towards sin and unbelief.  The author wants to avoid the fate of unbelief - a fate of struggle in this world and damnation eternally - see also John Piper on this rest.  I get it...life can be painful and full of struggle.  But God IS with us and gives us rest...a rest that is not available elsewhere in this life and an eternal rest...for those who believe.

A key point Piper raises is how disobedience is seen by God - He reveals it to us in our reading of the Word (so we should be reading the Word to stay obedient) and He knows all about all of our disobedience.  A fear of God knowing about our disobedience and fear of God's understanding of this disobedience should drive us closer to God. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps me understand my sin so that I can shed myself of these impurities - I desire to be refined by You.  Thank You Jesus for helping me in this way - I am grateful!  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus 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 to me today and every day.

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me.

Jeremiah 35

Therefore this is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Jehonadab son of Rekab will never fail to have a descendant to serve me. v19

Having no knowledge of the Rekabites, I did a bit of digging and found they appear elsewhere in the Bible (search Jehonadab, Rekab) and found this commentary on "Discerning Disobedience".  God tells Jeremiah to invite Rekabites to drink wine but does not command them to do so.  The Rekabites decline this invitation, citing law passed on from their descendants as their basis to decline (see v6-11).  The commentary claims that discerning disobedience is the proper response when a prophet commands someone to do something when such a command is not explicitly identified as a command coming directly from God. 

The Bible is full of commands (some references indicate 600 or more) and we know that without God it is impossible to live as God intends for us. That is why He had to send His Son and Jesus had to die on the cross for us. Jesus wants us to focus on at least two commands as all law and the prophets hang on these two commands (Matthew 22:34-40).  

John Piper has at least two posts (here and here) discusses the distinction between moral and ceremonial law in the Bible and the extent to which ceremonial law applies with the covenant believers make with Jesus Christ.

It is sometimes difficult to discern truth - that is why we are to STUDY (not just read) God's Word as we must have both a head and a heart understanding.  Proximity to God, corporate worship at church, and fellowship with other Christians is also important as "iron sharpens iron".  Through these spiritual disciplines and others (prayer, fasting, etc.), we can be transformed by God through the renewing of the mind and better able to live as God intends for us (Romans 12:2).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps me discern truth - thank You Jesus.  I need truth - I need you - desperately.  I am broken and I 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 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.

Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased.

Jonah 1

Do not hold us accountable for killing an innocent man, for you, Lord, have done as you pleased. v13

Nothing can stop God's plan from coming to fruition.  God is in control and when He sets a plan in motion - nothing can stop it.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.  Colossians 1:16-17

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God who is before and in all things, You created all things and all things are for You.  I am part of Your creation created for Your glory and purposes.  You have done many miracles in my life - yet I often seek my own will and desires for my life and not Yours.  Thank You for the many blessings but please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome my sins 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 and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects from 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, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord.

Jonah 1

But Jonah ran away from the Lord and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the Lord. v3

Running away from the Lord is never a good idea - it's not like You can hide from God.

You, God, know my folly; my guilt is not hidden from you. Psalm 69:5

 

For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

 

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

 

Yet what Jonah does is far from uncommon.  We all have something we want to hide (at least from others) and there are times when we feel led to do something but at the same time resist God because we may feel that the task assigned to us by God is not something we want to do for whatever reason.

 

We may not feel equipped.  We may also feel that those to whom we are being sent do not deserve our time.  We may feel overqualified.  There are other reasons I am sure.  But we must obey God if for nothing else because He is sovereign and again it's not like He won't know we are disobeying Him and it's not like we're going to be able to stop Him from achieving His plan.

 

God will equip us...He loves us, He knows what is good for us and He has a plan.

 

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13 

 

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  I know You love me, You equip me, encourage me...and so much more.  You rescued me and continue to save me from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such love and blessings.  I continue to worry...too much.  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 do.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal her of her cancer and from the side effects from 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, the church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.