And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses. And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand.

Numbers 8:1-4

And Aaron did so: he set up its lamps in front of the lampstand, as the LORD commanded Moses. And this was the workmanship of the lampstand, hammered work of gold. From its base to its flowers, it was hammered work; according to the pattern that the LORD had shown Moses, so he made the lampstand. Numbers 8:3-4

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 8:1-4, we see the Lord give instructions to Moses to give to Aaron re: lamps of the lampstand within the tabernacle.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The presence of the Lord should remind us that God is light - see also 1 John 1:5.  The seven lamps provided light within the tabernacle both practically and spiritually.  The materials and design of the lamp - hammered ornate gold - reflect the glory of God and how He should be treasured as the finest of all things.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Aaron did as the Lord commanded Moses - vv3-4.  He was obedient in the details.  We may not see how obedience in the details matters but it does.  God sees all and so when we lack attention to detail, specifically with regards to His instruction and in anything we do, we are not using our resources wisely and according to His plan.  God wants all of our heart, not pieces of it - see also 1 Corinthians 10:31.   
• 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 earthly influences that have no light - too much of these influences greater sin.  Claim the promise that God is light - in Him there is no darkness and He is a lamp unto our feet. Follow the example of Aaron and so many others with obedience in the detail - this reflects our love of God with all of our heart.   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves and You are Light and my Treasure - the finest of all things. Thank You for how You provide both physical and spiritual light and You save.  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 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.

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.

Mark 3:7-21

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. Mark 3:7-10

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:7-12, which is the text for the first division (of three) per the commentary for the text 3:7-21. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first division: 

• The introduction highlights Jesus' leadership and how people follow up based on his ability to assemble a team, and respond to pressure and fatigue. 
• Note the title of the division "Expect to Be Pressured by Those Who Want Something from You."
• Commenting on Jesus' growing popularity, the commentary shares: "[g]rowing popularity also means great pressure. Jesus experienced this pressure in all of its many forms. Anyone who pursues faithful ministry should be prepared for the same."
• "[The people following Him] did not care about Him but only what they could get from Him. They were not concerned about His privacy, His need for time alone, or His need for food and rest (cf. 3:20). They only wanted to use Him for His miraculous power."
• "This will too often be the experience of those who work hard for the Lord. It is truly unavoidable, but to a certain degree you can control it. Still, understand this reality: people you serve will impose on you and not give it a second thought. It is simply the nature of the work."
• "After a futile attempt to control Jesus, the demons are silenced by His sovereign authority. Jesus will carry forward and complete His mission on God’s terms—on His terms—not theirs."
• "We must do the will of God in God’s way and in God’s time. We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated by ungodly agendas regardless of the praise we may be paid, the positions we may be proffered, or the prosperity we may be promised."    

Pressure to conform to earthly expectations surround us not just in ministry but in all ways - in the home, at work, etc. We must be careful about the influences we place in our lives, including people, how we spend our time, etc. See also James 4:4 as a warning for those who grow friendly with the world.  Instead we must become slaves to God and allow Him to mold and conform us into His image - progressively through sanctification as we submit to Him, seek to know Him more through study of scripture, etc. See also Romans 12:2.  Ultimately, others should see Jesus in us - being in the world, but not of the world (John 8:23).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no other way.  Thank You for scripture and for making Yourself known to me and for giving me the Holy Spirit that is always with me.  Of course thank You for my salvation.  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. 

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts,‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’

Zephaniah 1:12-13

At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps, and I will punish the men who are complacent, those who say in their hearts,‘The LORD will not do good, nor will he do ill.’ Zephaniah 1:12

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my study focus is an unassisted review of the fourth division per my commentary: vv12-13. Here, Zephaniah delivers a stern warning to those who are complacent.  First, assuming you are using the ESV translation in v12 which refers to those who are "complacent - it is important to understand the meaning of the word which is defined as "marked by self-satisfaction especially when accompanied by unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies."  This definition applies to those who in previous verses vv1-11 were consumed and satisfied by other gods of their own choosing and not the One True God - Yahweh.  Vv1-11 also describe Judah as being guilty of being aware of sin - idolatry, etc. - in their midst but not doing anything about this danger.  It starts with a fascination perhaps of sin and then perhaps a level of comfort which then evolves into an all consuming desire of sin.  John wrote about this danger in 1 John 2:15-17 when he wrote:   

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

Romans 3:20 shares how scripture and knowledge of the law reveals sin - so we must understand God and His will for us, including His commandments.  We are then able to discern sin and Romans 12:2 further describes how a daily study of God's Word renews our mind, helping us not only understand sin but also God's will for our lives. Refer to these texts.

I go back to Zephaniah 1:6 where God seeks for us to follow and inquire of Him.

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.  Thank You for giving me Your Word and the Holy Spirit so that I can be in relationship with You and You can grow in my heart and I can get to know You more and become more like You.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor 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.

And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem.

Isaiah 26-27

And in that day a great trumpet will be blown, and those who were lost in the land of Assyria and those who were driven out to the land of Egypt will come and worship the Lord on the holy mountain at Jerusalem. Isaiah 27:13

I continue with my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 10, Day 5, I wrap the lesson for the week and end with a review of Isaiah 27, where the study looks closely at Leviathan (Satan) as referenced in Isaiah 27:1 and other scriptures, including Job 3:8, Psalm 74 and Psalm 104. The study also contrasts the vineyard portrayed in Isaiah 5 with that described in Isaiah 27. In Isaiah 5, God laments how He tends to a vineyard (His people), yet it produces no fruit. In contrast Isaiah 27 describes a "pleasant vineyard." My post yesterday describes how God's people do suffer, yet are purified (sanctified). Finally, Isaiah describes a gleaning that occurs during end times where only the faithful and righteous are saved and they gather for worship the One True God during end times. My commentary describes the following applications for Isaiah 27:

• "We should seek to bear fruit for the glory of God through abiding in Jesus 
• The fruit of our lives should extend to the ends of the earth, especially in our zealous efforts to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ to unreached people groups. 
• We should also be zealous to crush the idolatry in our lives—worldliness, sexual immorality, greed, etc. 
• Finally, we should be part of God’s clear “trumpet blast” to the nations, calling the elect from every tribe to faith in Christ, for that great day of assembly, for the worship of God and of the Lamb in the new Jerusalem."

Comment and discuss this post.

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

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

Revelation 17-19

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

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

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

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

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, You are real and You are my personal Lord and Savior - thank You Jesus for my salvation and I am in awe of the price You paid for it.  You were innocent, but willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am of course not deserving - my sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.”

Isaiah 24-25

From the ends of the earth we hear songs of praise, of glory to the Righteous One. But I say, “I waste away, I waste away. Woe is me! For the traitors have betrayed, with betrayal the traitors have betrayed.” Isaiah 24:16

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 1, the focus is on Isaiah 24, where we see God's judgement on the whole earth.  The scope of the judgement is clear as the word "earth" appears eighteen times in this chapter - we are to understand at least two things: (1) Sin has spread throughout the earth and all of its inhabitants, (2) God reigns over all the universe, including earth and all of its inhabitants.  Believers should keenly understand that as we are surrounded by sin on all sides, we should not seek comfort or refuge in anything earthly because earth is not our home, and ultimately we will all be in Heaven. 

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. Philippians 3:20-21

 

Comment and discuss this post.

 

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

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

Isaiah 13

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

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

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me from destructive forces - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed!  I am undeserving however as I often continue in my sin.  Please forgive me - worry, etc.  Help me turn from and overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 5-11

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Day 333 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this afternoon the focus is on chapters 5-11 of Paul's first letter to the church in Corinth. Paul's teachings this afternoon include topics such as sexual immorality, divorce, singleness, and various other topics.  My focus this afternoon is to revisit a previous post on the "indigenous principle and the pilgrim principle" where I highlight the same scriptures in 1 Corinthians 10.  This post discusses peer pressure and the extent to which we are to fall prey to culture or to avoid "conforming to the patterns of this world (Romans 12).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who helps me understand Your word - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed by Your Word and its teachings...but I am undeserving of such love and blessing.  I worry and I have other sins.  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 an 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 alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Nehemiah 13, 12

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

Day 284 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 the book of Nehemiah where Nehemiah, after the completion of the temple wall, briefly leaves Jerusalem to consult with Artaxerxes in Susa, and my commentary* describes how, during this period, "some of the people back in Palestine to forget the covenant they made when Nehemiah was with them. Since then, they have neglected and desecrated the temple, violated the Sabbath, failed to continue temple offerings, and begun again to marry foreign wives".

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

Today's reading is a reminder that we must make our relationship with God a priority - above everything else - and be mindful of how earthly influences and Satan seek to get in the way of our relationship with God. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is the source of all things and You sustain all things - without out I would be completely lost and damned.  Thank You for guiding me, rescuing me, and sustaining me...and so much more!  I am not deserving of how You love me and bless me.  I worry and I have other sins.  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.

“The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.”

Ezra 9-10

“The people of Israel, including the priests and the Levites, have not kept themselves separate from the neighboring peoples with their detestable practices, like those of the Canaanites, Hittites, Perizzites, Jebusites, Ammonites, Moabites, Egyptians and Amorites. They have taken some of their daughters as wives for themselves and their sons, and have mingled the holy race with the peoples around them. And the leaders and officials have led the way in this unfaithfulness.” Ezra 9:1-2

Day 279 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as my commentary returns to the book of Ezra where Ezra preaches to Israel, admonishing them for marriage to foreign wives. "Marriage to foreign wives was prohibited because of the danger that the women would influence their husbands and children to worship their strange gods and idols. And history had proved the wisdom of the rule. Disastrous results came when the rule was violated during the wilderness wanderings, and Solomon himself fell spiritually as a result of his many foreign wives. Therefore Ezra takes immediate and drastic steps to remedy the problem. The men who are guilty are called upon to put away their wives, which most of them do after special hearings are set up to decide individual cases. This move is probably representative of Ezra’s broader role in bringing back the teaching of the law and setting up courts of justice to enforce it."

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

The Bible makes it clear that while we are "in the world" but not to be "of the world" referring to how we should "not conform to the patterns of this world" (Romans 12:2), nor should we entangle ourselves with the ways of the world, including avoiding any influences that cause us to do so (relationships, etc.).  There are a number of verses that make this clear:

“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated [Jesus] first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.  John 15:18-19

You are of this world; I [Jesus] am not of this world. John 8:23

Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:15-17

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ[.] Philippians 3:20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and protects me from all things of this world - thank You Jesus!  I need Your protection and need You to save me - You have saved me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin...including worry, etc.  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 an from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

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

2 Kings 10-12, 2 Chronicles 22-24

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

 

Day 162 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the divided kingdoms of Judah (tribe of Judah and Benjamin) and Israel (Asher, Dan, Ephraim, Gad, Issachar, Manasseh, Naphtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Zebulun).  This morning, I focused on the rise of Joash, Judah's first child-king. Following the violent deaths of both the princes of Ahaziah and Ahab (see post yesterday), Ahab's wicked daughter and Ahaziah's mother Athaliah ascends to the throne in Judah, unaware that Jehosheba (Jehoram's daughter) hid Joash, a young son of Ahaziah, saving Joash from the coup and fate that befell others in his family.

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

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

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

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has helped protect myself from many sins - thank You Jesus!  I know I continue to have sin in my life but You have helped preserve and protect me!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

1 Kings 11 

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4

Day 146 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 Solomon's life; only now we see how Solomon's glory fades as he falls prey to worldly influences (vs Heavenly or Godly ones).  My commentary* describes how Solomon ignores "the history of earlier Israelites", and that "Solomon’s fall stands as a powerful reminder of how easy it is to turn from adoration to idolatry."

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

We must develop a daily, lifelong, personal relationship with Jesus through the spiritual disciplines of Bible study, prayer, meditation, etc.

daily bread, Daily prayer, daily time with God in study and prayer

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18

We must also be wary of the influences around us and surround ourselves with Godly influences.

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:8-11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has strengthened and protected me from great harm - thank You Jesus!  I am blessed beyond what I deserve!  I know I continue to sin.  Thank You for Your incredible mercy and compassion.  I need it today and every day.  Please forgive me for my worry and other sins.  Please 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.

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

2 Timothy 2

Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. v22

Paul writes to Timothy, who by most accounts is younger than many other church leaders at the time - perhaps easily swayed by others the same age pursuing earthly influences.  This of course strikes a chord given Zach and Dustin's age and my role.  I continue to encourage both of them to "[f]lee the evil desires of youth".  Yet in Paul's message there is of course guidance for us all. 

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will. v23-26

I often find myself in "foolish and stupid arguments", being "quarrelsome" and I am reminded to "gently instruct" those who I desire to lead "to a knowledge of the truth".  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me truth and wisdom - I know You are not done with me, yet I am grateful for what You have done for me and continue to do for me.  Thank You Jesus for the blessings You pour out for me.  I am undeserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.

2 Timothy 2

No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. v4

As Paul foresees his own martyrdom (book overview here), he shares final words of encouragement with his protege Timothy.  Just as he did in his first letter to Timothy (see post yesterday), Paul hopes Timothy avoids the "entanglements" in this world as they can easily take us astray from what is important, and most importantly we exist to glorify God and to bring others to Him. Paul has shared these thoughts not just with pastors as he does with this pastoral epistle to Timothy but also in the general epistles such as Romans (12:2) as well as via references to citizenship in Heaven where our actions reflect our allegiance.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus for helping me become more like You.  I know that is MUCH more work to do but I am grateful that You adopted me as a child of God.  I am undeserving.  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.  Help me 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.

Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith.

1 Timothy 6

Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in so doing have departed from the faith. v20-21

In his final charge of this first letter to Timothy, Paul once again returns to the theme of false teachings and teachers. The world would like us to pursue all kinds of ideas but Christ is the source of all wisdom and knowledge and anyone or anything that denies this as such and denies Christ as their Lord and Savior is destined for eternal damnation.  Similarly, those who follow the "godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge" are also destined for destruction.  

We must "be alert and of sober mind" as Satan and his minions can easily lead us astray.  Key is what earthly influences we place around us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects me from harm.  Thank You Jesus for placing Godly influences in my life and for my brothers and sisters in Christ.  I know also that You will never leave or forsake me.  I am grateful.  Yet I know I am undeserving.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.

Galatians 5

A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough. v9

Paul continues to warn the Galatians of false teaching and idols.  Just as Jesus uses parables, Paul uses the leavening power of yeast as an analogy to warn us of the negative influence of allowing even the slightest of false teaching and idols into our lives. The MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates scripture's use of this analogy elsewhere including Matthew 16:6, 12,  Mark 8:15, and 1 Corinthians 5:6.

While we are "in" this world we must remind ourselves that we are not to be "of" this world and not to "conform" to the patterns of this world (see also Romans 12:2). We must remain connected with those who strengthen our ties to Christ as the One and Only True God and Gospel.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am so grateful for the protection You provide through Your Word, the Holy Spirit, the church, and my brothers and sisters in Christ.  Thank You Jesus for helping me build a strong foundation - On You!  I am grateful.  Yet I am undeserving of the many blessings You pour out for me.  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 be yoked together with unbelievers.

2 Corinthians 6

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. v14

In writing the church in Corinth (v1-10, 14-18) and to Corinthians in general (v11-13), Paul seeks to encourage believers and non-believers regarding his earnest desire to save everyone.  He pleads with Corinthians to be honest in their assessment of both him and their own sin. He then speaks directly with believers in Corinth and warns them not to be "joined, linked or united" with unbelievers (v14).

We can associate with unbelievers (as friends, co-workers, neighbors, etc.) - for how else can we reach them - yet we cannot be "yoked" with them in the sense that we build up a relationship with them to the point where we allow them to negatively impact our attitudes and behaviors regarding God and our relationship with Him.

See other posts on influence of others.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have provided many Godly influences in my life and blessed me with others that build me up and bring me closer to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I am selfish and I have 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. 

Then the Lord said to him, Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness.

Luke 11

Then the Lord said to him, Now then, you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside you are full of greed and wickedness. v39

Jesus is admonishing the Pharisees for their focus on external cleanliness/behavior (vs spiritual purity), lack of compassion for the poor/those in need, and for the harsh treatment/death of prophets over the course of history (Old Testament).

Jesus wants us to be clean/pure spiritually, to have love/compassion for everyone (love others as yourselves), and to honor those sent by God - of course this includes Jesus Himself!

Much of the focus of this messages dovetails messages from posts over the past few days, including yesterday and Friday regarding how we fill ourselves with the Word of God and the Holy Spirit vs influences of the world.  We need to avoid leaving our house empty for the dark forces of this world to fill the void.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has provided Your Son, The Holy Spirit, Your Word, The Church, my family, and my brothers and sisters in Christ - all of whom support, encourage and hold me accountable during my journey with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  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.