Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might[.]

Ecclesiastes 9:7-10

Let your garments be always white. Let not oil be lacking on your head.... Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might[.] Ecclesiastes 9:8, 10a

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book. My focus this morning is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 9:7-10, which the commentary outlines as the second division for chapter 9.  Here, Solomon's message is that given all of us face death at some point or another (see vv1-6), we should enjoy the life given to us by God (v7,9).  We are told to be white or holy and to be anointed with oil or consecrated to God (v8). We are also told to do everything with might (v10) - similar to Paul's writing the church in Corinth in 1 Corinthians 10:31 that we should, in "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."  Yes, we all die, which makes everything we do before we die matter and believers exist to glorify God - so yes per yesterday's post we must number our days, and be a light for others to see (Matthew 5:14-16) so that others are drawn to God's Kingdom and made one of His elect.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives live now to the full and for eternity - You bless in ways that are too many to describe as my cup overflows.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and all the amazing grace and mercies You pour out for me.  I am not deserving.  My sin is overwhelming and it continues...every day.  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.     

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?

Ecclesiastes 2

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 2:18-26, which includes both the third and fourth divisions of Ecclesiastes 2 per the commentary. The commentary highlights the folly of work apart from a relationship with Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.  We should avoid blind ambition to strive for wealth and worldly recognition, instead focusing on working for the Lord - see also Colossians 3:22-24.  The commentary shares: "Solomon will no longer live by the myth that hard work and well-earned wealth validate life (Garrett, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, 295). Workaholism kills many families in America. Many people are possessed by a restless ambition to achieve, and so they put business before everything else (Greidanus, Preaching Christ, 65)."  The commentary, highlighting v23, also shares how even when we are not working we are often consumed with anxiety-related to work: "You are never “off” or “home” from work. Your mind is constantly taken up with it. You clock out and come home, and you check your e-mails on your phone all night. You toss and turn while sleep evades you because you stress about the next work project. What futility!  Vv24-26, pivot from the vanity of work apart from God to how work focused on pleasing God provides the fulfillment and joy we all seek.  On this note, the commentary shares: "In the beginning God designed the world so that we would enjoy the material blessings He gave us as a means to worship Him. As we ate, drank, enjoyed our spouse, and enjoyed our work, it would cause us to thank God for His goodness. But human sin distorted that, so now we look to the created things for the satisfaction only God can give. Not only is this a rebellion against God, but also it renders our true enjoyment of these gifts impossible. We want more, more, more, and we are never happy. We think if we just had a little bit more, then we would be happy, but if we are not happy with what we have right now, then we will not be happy no matter how much we get or experience. More will not satisfy us; only God can.  Again, the problem is not the things in and of themselves but rather the value we place in them. They cannot truly deliver. So be satisfied in the Creator, and then you can rightly enjoy the created things He gives you. As Solomon says, apart from Him there is no enjoyment (2:25). Everything is meaningless without Jesus, but with Jesus we can enjoy everything."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion for me - making me one of Your elect - truly a gift of amazing grace as I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus but again I am not deserving as 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.

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?

Ecclesiastes 2

There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment? Ecclesiastes 2:24-25

I continue my study today of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 2:18-26, which includes both the third and fourth divisions of Ecclesiastes 2 per the commentary.  Here, without going into detail reviewing the commentary - a quick glance of the commentary reveals that these two divisions (vv18-23 and vv24-26) are titled Work is Meaningless and Contentment in God and His Gifts Is the Meaningful Life. In writing how work is meaningless (vanity) - Solomon shares how it is frustrating that he works hard his whole life, accumulating wealth, etc. only to leave it behind to children or for others to benefit.  This becomes more frustrating for Solomon as he writes how the recipients of these benefits will be unknown to him in terms of who they are and who they evolve to be.  Solomon also shares that work produces anxiety (v23) and we know that God does not want us to worry about anything (see Matthew 6:25-34).  Solomon then moves to God's role in work (vv24-26) and how working as a means to glorify God (we exist to glorify God in all that we do) brings true enjoyment and fulfillment. 

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 for me - giving me work where I find fulfillment and where my hope is that I glorify You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless 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.  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.

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 and 11:1

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on with a review of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Glorify God by doing whatever you can to serve others and bring them to salvation."

Key excerpts from the introduction:

• "In the process of dealing with this situation, Paul will put forward seven principles to help us navigate difficult issues the Bible does not directly address."
• "In motive and action the glory of God must be preeminent for the believer. Bringing him glory is essential to the mission of the church. His glory should be our one ambition."
  

Major divisions:

1. I Will Always Pursue What Is Helpful and Builds Up (10:23): Referring back to 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 9:21, the commentary underscores core misunderstandings of the Corinthians (and many believers of today), and how freedom from ceremonial law and freedom from works as being the only means to please God should not be used to distort God's intent which is to bring glory to God in all that we do through a heart fully committed to God and through our efforts to save others.  For example, we may be free to use a smart phone but if an unbeliever has struggles with pornography, perhaps we should encourage him/her to avoid use of a smart phone that enables ease of access to such sin...and similarly, we should avoid any behavior in this person's presence that encourages intense use of a smart phone. The commentary quotes Curtis Vaughn's commentary by sharing that '[Christian] liberty should be limited by consideration for the well-being of others.'  
   
2. I Will Always Pursue What Is Good for Others (10:24): "Christians are never to act in ways that harm and hurt others. Rather, we are to help them grow in Christlike-ness and build them up in their faith."
   
3. I Will Always Pursue What Is in the Best Interest of Another’s Conscience (10:25-29): "The meat you eat is a part of God’s good creation and God’s provision for your nourishment. Eat it. Enjoy it! No need to ask any questions about it....However—and this is a big however—“if someone says to you, ‘This is food from a sacrifice,’ do not eat it, out of consideration of the one who told you, and for the sake of [their] conscience....we cannot send mixed signals and foster confusion for unbelievers and believers alike....For the sake of evangelizing the lost and edifying a fellow believer, no uncertain sound should be trumpeted. The gospel is at stake, and your witness is on the line.  The spiritual well-being of others takes precedence. On this occasion, a vegetarian meal will be just fine." 
   
4. I Will Always Pursue a Thankful Heart (10:29-30): "We should be thankful for God’s gracious provisions of drink and nourishment. It all belongs to him and comes from him. We know that. Why make an issue of something when there is no issue and draw criticism over “something for which [we] give thanks?” Doing so would be foolish, silly, and unprofitable for everyone. We must each choose to pursue a thankful heart and place no unnecessary stumbling blocks before anyone."
   
5. I Will Always Pursue the Glory of God in All Things (10:31): "First Corinthians 10:31 is a verse every Christian should memorize. It has been one of my life verses. I believe Paul intended it to be a foundational pillar in our lives that offers direction 24/7. It is comprehensive and all-encompassing in nature....glorifying God means we love him, trust him, are thankful to him, obey him, enjoy him, and take pleasure in him." 
   
6. I Will Always Pursue What Is Best for the Salvation of Others (10:32-33): "Others may be offended when we share the gospel, but they should never be offended by how we live out the gospel. Their souls and eternal destinies matter more than any right, privilege, or desire you or I may have....We must consistently prize the spiritual welfare of others above any personal preferences we have....The eternal destinies of men, women, and children hang in the balance."
   
7. I Will Always Pursue the Principles of WWPD and WWJD (11:1): What would Paul and Jesus Do.  "We all need role models, examples we can follow and imitate. For the Christian the ultimate example is Christ. To glorify God by being like Jesus should be our consuming passion that helps fuel our ambition. But we need flesh-and-blood role models, too. Paul knew he could provide that for the Corinthians. But who is providing that for you? Are you providing that for anyone else?....To live like Jesus, you must know Jesus. To live like Jesus, you must love Jesus. So, let me ask a question we all must answer. If others were to follow your example and imitate you, would they in some real and genuine sense be imitating Jesus? Or, to put it another way, can your children follow in your footsteps and in the process be walking in the footsteps of Jesus?"
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO good to me by providing both Yourself, Your Word, the church, the Holy Spirit, and so many brothers and sisters in Christ that I have examples and help to become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God....And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus[.]

 1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 3

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God....And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus[.] 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17a

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today - as we move close to the start of a new year - encourages believers to not live aimlessly but to live with purpose. John Piper shares: "God’s revealed will for you is that when you get up in the morning, you don’t drift aimlessly through the day letting mere circumstances alone dictate what you do, but that you aim at something — that you focus on a certain kind of purpose."  Piper uses the analogy of leaves blowing randomly across the backyard, pushed around by the wind to describe how God does not want us to live aimlessly.  Piper states that "[i]t is crystal clear in the Bible, including these texts [in 1 Corinthians 10 and Colossians 3], that God means for us to aim consciously at something significant in our days." Piper concludes the devotion by sharing: "God did not create humans in his image to be aimless, like lifeless leaves blown around in the backyard of life. He created us to be purposeful — to have a focus and an aim for all our days."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that gives all of His children gifts and talents to be used, shared, and to bring value and good into the world - thank You for how You knit all of us together to share these talents into our various communities at work, at home, church and elsewhere.  You are an awesome God for how You bless us.  Yet I am undeserving 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.  

...I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works.

Titus 3

...I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. Titus 3:8

Today I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians and continue with the study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus based on my participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This is week 6 of 6 and on day 1 of week 6, my focus is an unassisted review of Titus 3.

• V1: Obey earthly authorities and be ready to serve and work - Paul qualifies work indicating that believers should be ready for "good" work - work that glorifies God; reminder that in all that we do we are to do it for the glory of God (see 1 Corinthians 10:31)
• V2: Show perfect courtesy to all people, do not speak evil of anyone, quarrel, and be gentle
• V3: We (believers) were once slaves to sin so we should show empathy towards unbelievers, regardless of how they act with their pursuits and with their malice, envy and hate
• Vv4-7: Reminder of God's grace towards us as believers and the undeserved gift He gave us - salvation and all the associated blessings this carries with it
• V8: Paul establishes his authority by sharing how what he says is trustworthy - we must not only believe and obey in what he says, we are to "insist" on these things - so that we are careful to devote ourselves to good works
• Vv9-11: Avoid divisiveness including foolish controversies, quarrels about lesser aspects of the law; avoid those who stir up divisiveness
• Vv12-13: Instructions for when Paul sends Artemas or Tychicus
• V14: Devote selves to good works, particularly those with urgent need; avoid being unfruitful - works should flow from a heart of faithfulness not some ulterior motive
  
• V15: Final greetings and salutations to Titus and the church in Crete from Paul  
  

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 for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 4

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:15

Today I pause both my study of 1 Corinthians and my study that accompanies participation in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  Instead, I lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at gratitude to God and how it glorifies Him.  John Piper starts the devotion by sharing that "[g]ratitude to God is a joyful emotion. We have a sense of joyful indebtedness for his grace. So in a sense in the very emotion of gratitude, we are still the beneficiaries. But by its very nature, gratitude glorifies the giver. When we feel thankful, we acknowledge our need and God’s beneficence, God’s fullness, the riches of his glory."  Piper goes on to describe how Paul, even though he labors for the church, his ultimate goal (see also 1 Corinthians 10:31) is the glory of God.  In the verse in 2 Corinthians 4 that Piper highlights today, Paul describes how, as each new person is saved, God gets more and more glory as each new person saved thanks Him for his or her salvation - as salvation is of course a gift of which all believers are undeserving.  Believers be grateful to Him and bring glory to God - this is why we exist.

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

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior.

Titus 2

Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. Titus 2:9-10

I maintain pause my study of 1 Corinthians and focus on a study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus as part of a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning I read Titus 2, assisted by the Christ Centered Exposition Series commentary for 1-2 Timothy and Titus, and focus on vv9-10. Per the commentary:

• Main idea: The gospel produces godly service that provides an opportunity for gospel proclamation.
• Excerpts from the introduction: In the first century one out of three persons in Rome and one in five elsewhere was a slave. A person could become a slave as a result of capture in war, default on a debt, inability to support and “voluntarily” selling oneself, being sold as a child by destitute parents, birth to slave parents, conviction of a crime, or kidnapping and piracy. Unlike the slavery that arose in the Americas in the 1600s, slavery in the ancient world was racially indiscriminate, cutting across racial, social, and national lines. One would have thought that with the spread of Christianity, slavery would have met its demise. Unfortunately that was not the case. Justinian (AD 527–565) sought to abolish slavery, but the numbers again grew, and after the collapse of the Roman Empire, it merged into serfdom. The Crusades boosted slave trade, and in Venice, Christian slaves were actually sold to Muslims (Elwell, “Slavery”). But what about the modern era and the enslavement of some 24 million Africans, many of whom were sent here to America and found themselves in servitude to Christian masters? Any honest history must note that the enslavement of Africans by Africans was common and had been so for hundreds of years. Still, the pattern changed radically from the fifteenth century onward, and the crimes humanity visited on fellow humanity were shameful beyond imagination....While many of the nation’s founding fathers were in fact abolitionists, the movement failed to take root in the new country....it is simply impossible to deny that slavery played an important role in the formation of the Southern Baptist Convention in 1845, even if the northern Baptists forced the issue and basically shoved Baptists in the South into starting a new convention. Thankfully, one must also acknowledge that Christians led the way in bringing to an end this horrible institution. Men like William Wilberforce, Granville Sharp, John Wesley, and Charles Finney led the charge. Quakers and Moravians, Methodists, and some Baptists voiced their opposition against great odds and were heard by God. Slavery was outlawed in 1807 in Britain and throughout its empire in 1827. Congress brought “slave trade” to a close in 1808, but the end of slavery in the United States would not come until 1865. Still, and do not miss the point: only where there was a Christian impulse did slavery come to an end. 
  

In response to the question, "what does the Bible say about slavery," the commentary proceeds to emphasize how the Bible "regulates but does not ordain slavery or require [it]."  The commentary then directly refers to the text (Titus 2:9-10), sharing that this text applies to all under an earthly authority, including government, employer-employee relationships, etc. These relationships are seen as a "fertile and open field for evangelism."

Divisions:

1. Be Productive for Your Superior (2:9): Believers should all recognize that they work for the Lord (Colossians 3:23-24). "Are there exceptions to this wide sweeping call to obedience? Yes, there are four: when it is unbiblical, illegal, unethical, or immoral. Outside of these, our goal is to submit to him and serve him, all the while seeing the true Master, the Lord Jesus, who stands behind him." 
   
2. Be Pleasing in Your Spirit (2:9): This includes being pleasing in both "scope and the spirit [our] service."  Thus, our action and attitude must reflect the heart of Christ.    
   
3. Be Polite in Your Speech (2:9):  "[Christian workers] are not argumentative, contentious, or disagreeable. They do not gripe about their boss behind his back and compromise their testimony as a follower of Jesus Christ. Words are powerful weapons. In a matter of seconds, a testimony built over a lifetime can be destroyed by a few careless words." We are referred to Proverbs 6:12, 13:3, 16:27-28, 18:6, 18:7, 18:21, 26:20-21, and Psalms 39:1. 
4. Be Principled in Your Service (2:10): "This servant will go the extra mile in maintaining his financial accountability. There will be no inflated expense accounts, falsified time sheets, or unauthorized use of his employer’s resources. From a paper clip to a corporate jet, he will conduct himself with absolute honesty and integrity."
   
5. Be Public in Your Sincerity (2:10): "Our trustworthiness, reliability, and dependability are continually on display. No one needs to be looking over our shoulder. We are known for our loyalty and integrity. Others may cheat the boss but not us. Others may betray the boss but not us. Others may become embittered at their boss, especially if they serve a tyrant or bully. But not us."  
   
6. Be Praiseworthy for Your Savior (2:10): "This kind of servant makes beautiful and attractive the teaching of God our Savior, and he does this in everything and in every way. Though he is a slave or servant, the one under authority makes gorgeous the things of God by his productive, pleasing, polite, principled, public service."   
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so good in how You bless me with employment and managers that bless me - 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.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.

1 Corinthians 10-11:1

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:1

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review - unaided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.  Here, Paul builds on his warnings against idolatry (1Corinthians 10:1-22) by stepping back and looking big picture at Christian freedom - theology that is unpacked here in detail at DesiringGod.com. In v23, Paul states clearly that our freedom from the law does not mean that we are free to do things that do not forward God's call for our lives both corporately and individually - we are to focus on those things that help the mission and build others up.  In v24, this is amplified with Paul's words that we not focus on selves but on others - demonstrating Christ's model to love God, then love others (most important commandments (Matthew 22:34-40).  In vv25-26, Paul elaborates on Christian freedom for believers by using Psalm 24:1 as scriptural support to describe how they are not shackled to Old Testament ceremonial law.   In vv27-30, Paul uses the example of being a dinner guest of an unbeliever who serves food offered as sacrifice (as part of an idol worship ritual) to hit home Christian freedom - our liberty should be directed towards God's mission for us.  This means we must be flexible as Paul describes in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.  This is made plain in vv31-33.  V11:1 hammers it home - be imitators of Christ.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me freedom from the law - so that I can be slave to Christ.  And this is a blessing and not a burden!  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 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.

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6

[Y]ou were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. 1 Corinthians 6:20

I paused again my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on why, in John Piper's words "why [does] God go to all the trouble to dirty his hands, as it were, with our decaying, sin-stained flesh, in order to reestablish it as a resurrection body and clothe it with glory and immortality?"  Piper then provides the answer: "[b]ecause his Son paid the price of death so that the Father’s purpose for the material universe would be fulfilled, namely, that he would be glorified in it, including in our bodies, forever and ever."  Bottom line, believers exist to glorify God now (in this life) and for eternity.  I am reminded of additional texts on this topic, including 1 Corinthians 10:31 (So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.) and Romans 12:1 (I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.). 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is so FULL of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I fall short but You still love me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace or love.  My sin continues - too much of it and every day...please forgive me Jesus.  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 went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man.

Various Proverbs 

I went past the field of a sluggard, past the vineyard of someone who has no sense; thorns had come up everywhere, the ground was covered with weeds, and the stone wall was in ruins. I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw: A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest—and poverty will come on you like a thief and scarcity like an armed man. Proverbs 24:30-34

Day 141 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that cover economic well-being (wealth and poverty, benevolence and generosity, oppression of the poor, industriousness, conservation, and surety for another).

My parents owned a small-business and I experienced first hand their hard work and work ethic - which they passed down to me.  I am grateful that they did.  Now that I am a father, I am trying to pass on the same lessons to my own kids.

Proverbs 24:30-34 helps me stay focused on this lesson.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has blessed me beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus!  I know that I am not deserving...primarily because I sin...daily, including my neglect of my most important relationship - You!  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.

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Genesis  47:29-50

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. Genesis 50:20

Day 21 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 final days and death of both Jacob (Israel) and Joseph.

Of course the story of both is remarkable, and in particular Joseph's story is one of seeing God in all circumstances and in glorifying God in whatever we do.  These are very important takeaways.

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

 

See also my post from roughly 2.5 years ago.

 

God wants us to see what we are currently experiencing through His eyes - we don't know what or how God is working but we do know that He is at work.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is ALWAYS at work in my life, You never stop loving me, and You never leave or forsake me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I often am caught up in sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

Philippians 2

Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.”Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain. v14-16

As a follow up to my post yesterday where I emphasized that we exist to glorify God, Paul is making a similar plea in today's verses.  His plea today is that we not grumble and complain...it is qualified with a reason why..."then you shine among them"....

Bottom line just as Paul states in 1 Corinthians 10:31 "[s]o whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God".  Whether we are parents, in the workplace, in our neighborhood, etc.  others are watching You and God wants us to be His ambassadors.  We are to be a light.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done and continues to do so much both in me and for me - thank You Jesus for all of the love and compassion You pour out on me.  I am not deserving.  I sin...in countless ways I cannot full grasp....this I know.  Please forrgive 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.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

 Daniel 1

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. v20

I am excited to start my reading in the book of Daniel, which is the last of the books of the major prophets.

Daniel is taken captive in Babylonia, and much like Joseph, he is a man of integrity and a man that desires to obey God and follow His will, regardless of the circumstances.  In fact, it is the difficulty of the circumstances that allows God's light to be seen. 

The early church in Thessalonica is another example and encouragement for how all believers can find joy in suffering and therefore be a light to draw others to Him.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia— your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

See also posts on joy in suffering.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are!  I love You and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  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 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.