Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:9

Today I focused on preparing the presentation I will be using to lead Sunday school exploring James 5:7-11. The lesson starts by looking at the three examples of patience James offers for believers to follow.  See also post here. One of these examples is Job who of course is one of the greatest examples in the Bible of patience in suffering; he never curses the Lord even though his own wife wants him to and he sees God in all circumstances (see Job 2:9-10, 2 Corinthians 12:7).  I then point to: 

• other places in scripture where God sets what seems like an impossible standard: John 13:34 (love), Ephesians 4:32 (forgiveness)
• other places where the Word talks about patience or patience in suffering: Psalm 37:7, Isaiah 43:2, Romans 8:18, Hebrews 11:1
  

There is of course much to unpack in James 5:7-11 so I look forward to a great discussion in class on Sunday!

Before I wrap my study today - I reflect on how I feel challenged to not grumble against my fellow believers as I wait on the Lord as I must be patient with various matters in my life.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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.   

 

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.

 James 5:7-11

You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. James 5:8-9

I continue a pause of my study of Ecclesiastes to prepare to lead Sunday school for the next two Sundays - with this upcoming Sunday looking at James 5:7-11, and Sunday 25AUG looking at James 5:12-20.  Yesterday, I reviewed James 5:7-11 and documented my thoughts based on an unassisted review (no commentary).  This morning, I lean on commentary provided by the Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for this book. 

Excerpts from the commentary:

• "The theme of this part of the letter is clear: patience is mentioned twice in verse 7 and once each in verses 8 and 10 while the words “endured” and “endurance” are used in verse 11. James gives us three pictures of patience to encourage us."
• The three pictures of patience described in the commentary (and in the text) include (1) "like a farmer: waiting for the harvest," trusting in God in circumstances we cannot control - like the weather - to provide just the right balance of weather needed for a harvest, understanding that too much, too little rain, too much heat, or too much cold could have deleterious effects on the harvest, and "honoring God with what you can control" avoiding grumbling and complaining as an example from v9; (2) "be patient like a prophet: speaking the truth.  Much like the farmer, the prophet reminds us that patience does not necessarily mean inactivity. A farmer doesn’t just sit back waiting for the rain: he works. Likewise, a prophet in the middle of persecution stood boldly and spoke out against injustice. In the middle of hardship, we are to speak about the goodness, the greatness, the judgment, and the mercy of God. Times of suffering are often the most golden opportunity to speak a word for the glory of God;" and (3) "like Job: hoping in God’s purpose.... Remember that it took 42 chapters for the purpose of suffering in Job’s life to be revealed, and only at the end did he confess, “I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:5-6). This is a good reminder for us: Whatever you are walking through is not the end of the story. The end will reveal that the Lord is indeed “very compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11). You can’t see it, but be patient, hoping in God’s purpose."

Jesus wants us to be completely dependent on Him, and scripture makes it clear that obedience to Him can ONLY be through Him.  For example, Jesus sets what appears to be an impossibly high bar for how to love - love one another as He loves us (John 13:34-35).  Here, in James, God/Jesus/Holy Spirit (through James) seeks for us to be as patient as Job - once again an incredibly high bar but we must remember that it is not through our own efforts that we love as Jesus loves or be patient as Job is patient, but through loving, trusting and surrendering our lives to Jesus, allowing Him to mold us into more of His image. #Sanctification.

 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and and who is full of amazing grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and compassion.  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 when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17-18

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 Hebrews 6:17-18 and why the author of Hebrews encourages us to "hold fast." Piper answers this question by sharing:

• "What Christ bought for us when he died was not the freedom from having to hold fast, but the enabling power to hold fast."
• "What he bought was not the nullification of our wills as though we didn’t have to hold fast, but the empowering transformation of our wills so that we want to hold fast."
• "What he bought was not the canceling of the commandment to hold fast, but the fulfillment of the commandment to hold fast."
• "What he bought was not the end of exhortation, but the triumph of exhortation."

Piper than points us to Philippians 3:12 where Paul describes how he is able to "press on" because Christ made him one of His own.  He is the source of our power to press on and hold fast!  Remain in Him, hold fast, and press on!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are so faithful - I can rest in Your promises because You never lie and You give me everything I need to hold fast and press on.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and faithfulness.  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 accept 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 the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.]

Titus 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.] Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 5, the focus is Titus 2:11-13 and scripture memorization for this text.

• For the grace of God has appeared: God is real and His presence manifests through God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Word...and in all things (Colossians 1:16-17).  This is of course true for believers but it is also true for non-believers as Romans 1:20 states that even for those who deny God, they clearly perceive Him "[and] his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature...ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
• God brings salvation for all people: Believers must profess and share God's Word with everyone per the command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).  John Piper shares that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was perfect except it lacked a public presentation of the gospel to all nations - this is the role of believers - to go into the all corners of the world and to share.  God brings salvation through His people - the saints. 
  
• This grace also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives as we battle the dark forces of sin in this world and seek to bring the Good News into this world.
• While believers seek to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, we are waiting for our blessed hope - the second coming of Jesus Christ as He promises to return at the end of times. This blessed hope helps us endure through whatever is thrown at us - we know that this life is temporary and God is saving a place for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You give me my salvation that trains me and You give me a blessed hope - thank You!  I am not deserving of these 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.   

[We are] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.]

Titus 2

[We are] waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.] Titus 2:13

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 3-day-6, my focus is the memory verse for this week Titus 2:13. As I posted on October 24th, Titus is similar to Timothy in that Paul has taken both under his wing to grow them into church leaders.  Paul has left Titus in Crete to establish Godly order and practices in the churches - see Titus 1:5. In Titus 2 more broadly (vv1-10), Paul is pouring into Titus to help him teach sound doctrine, and Paul gives Titus commands and expectations for those within the church at Crete, including older men, older women, young women, young men, and bondservants (common at that time).  Paul also provides commands and expectations for Titus as a leader.  In vv11-12, Paul reminds Titus how God's grace brings not only salvation, but His Word, the Holy Spirit, etc. train us to live Godly lives.  In v13 God is training and equipping us to endure whatever circumstances we find ourselves in as we wait for the return of Jesus Christ.  We have not just any hope but a blessed hope.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good - You are my salvation and my blessed hope! Thank You Jesus, I am not deserving however of such 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.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

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 - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 10:1-13. The main idea from the commentary*: "avoid sin by remembering God’s work in the past among the Hebrews and by depending on God’s faithfulness."  The introduction* describes this main idea by emphasizing v11 where Paul shares that Israel's failings to remain obedient to God - primarily (but not limited to) to love God above all others - described in the Old Testament are given to believers "for our instruction" to be prepared for when Jesus returns. The following divisions* are provided to unpack the text for today:   

1. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Guarantee Us God’s Pleasure (10:1-5): Paul seeks to "draw parallels between Israel (our ancestors) and the church." Similar (a foretaste compared to the new covenant with Christ) to how Israel and Moses experienced rescue and blessings during the exodus, believers in Christ share salvation, "blessings and privileges from our God." One such blessing shared by both Israel and believer is how God was with Israel as the cloud during the day and a pillar of fire at night (Exodus 13:20-21). To describe how God delivered Israel - another blessing - "Paul draws an analogy between Moses (a type of Christ) leading the people to pass through the waters of the Red Sea and Christian baptism (Romans 6:1-14)." Paul then describes how Israel and believers in the church both ate "the same spiritual food" - all coming from God. Paul then moves from blessings to warning as just as God was not pleased with most of Israel in the wilderness (as many were either struck down or otherwise perished in the wilderness), God is not pleased with believers such as those practicing sexual immorality in Corinth.  Be on guard for sin creeping into your life. "This gets to the heart of Paul’s concern for the Corinthians and Paul’s concern for us. To begin well is no guarantee one will finish well."     
   
2. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Insulate Us from Divine Judgment (10:6-10): The commentary describes another "history lesson" from Paul as the text points us to Numbers 11:18-34 where Israel got "too cozy" with sin.  Paul specifically warns us of idolatry (v7) and sexual immorality (v8) problems for both Israel (Numbers 25:1-9) and Corinth.  Paul continues as he compares how both Israel and Corinth tested God (v9) and how both grumbled against God (v10). God's anger burned against Israel and if believers are not on guard His anger will burn against us.  
   
3. Spiritual Blessings Do Not Protect Us from Personal Temptations (10:11-13): Paul concludes the text for today by warning us against temptation while at the same time reminding us that Christ is the "way of escape" as He provides all we need to battle against sin.
   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who equips me with everything that I need to battle sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

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 - aided by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 9:19-27. The main idea offered by the commentary*: "All preferences and rights are worth giving up to bring others to Jesus."  The introduction* then further develops this main idea by describing "soul winning" and a "simple gospel presentation" called the "Romans Road." It then shares that for Paul, "[s]oul winning was a priority for the apostle, and it should be a priority for every follower of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 9:19-27 Paul allows us to examine the heart of a soul winner."  The following two divisions provided by the commentary* unpack the text in more detail:

1. I Deny Myself to Win Souls for Christ (9:19-23): "Paul gladly flexes and bends to win others to Christ." He is not disobedient to God but he denies himself personally (slave to Christ - do anything to follow His call to bring Him glory), religiously (i.e. respecting, adapting to (but not necessarily practicing when no longer in place such as ceremonial law/sacrificial system), and not arrogantly looking down upon Jewish practices), socially (interacting with the Gentiles), and completely (referring to how Paul will also work humbly to save "the weak" or those who are seeking or new believers but have previously followed paganism or idolatry) for the sake of saving others. 
   
2. I Discipline Myself to Win the Crown (9:24-27): Paul uses the analogy of athletics and winning a competition to describe believers efforts to run a race, endure, and to win eternal rewards. As they endure, believers must exercise both self-control (avoid sin and sinful influences) and self-discipline (practice spiritual disciplines).  We should not act aimlessly but with intention and endure based on God's direction and commands for us.
   

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace - delivering me from my sin and saving 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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

Hebrews 12

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12-13

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text: 

I. The Charge: Keep Running (12:12-13): The commentary emphasizes how the author of Hebrews uses metaphors of drooping hands, weak knees, and lame feet, etc. to underscore how the Christian life is often one of struggle and we are encouraged to continue to persevere and endure. The author uses language from 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 where the analogy of a race is also used. We are warned about obstacles to our faith - the commentary shares: "If you are going to run a race well, you will need a clear path, and to get a clear path, you will need to remove any obstacles. You don’t want to leave any dangerous spots where you could twist an ankle or trip over a rock....We must arrange our lives so that sin’s opportunities to ensnare us are significantly reduced."

II. The Challenge: Live Holy Lives (12:14-17): The commentary highlights v14 where Christians are to live at peace with everyone - not just the community of believers.  This is important particularly during periods of persecution as beliefs in the church are currently under attack - do not respond harshly. We are also reminded to be holy - recognizing that we are not perfect - and to fight sin. To do so, v15 seeks for believers to watch out for one another and to avoid division in the church. Finally, the commentary for the text wraps by pointing to a negative example - in contrast to the positive examples in chapter 11 (the Hall of Faith) - for believers. Esau traded his birthright for a meal (see full story in Genesis 25, 27).  The commentary describes this action as an irreverent and unthinkable action.  Esau then lost his father's blessing to Jacob.  Although Jacob did so deceptively, it was lost nonetheless and Esau is described in the commentary as showing regret but not repentance. We are referred to 2 Corinthians 7:10 where Paul compares Godly to worldly grief and the commentary describes Esau as displaying the latter. 

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me great examples of faithfulness so that I can continue running the race of faith to the finish - through scripture, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and of course in Yourself!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You encourage and save 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 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 have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.]

Hebrews 12

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 1:22-23a

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, the text starts (v12-13) with an encouragement to endure and persevere, particularly through suffering, pain, trials, difficulty, weakness, etc. It is God who never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20) and He provides and strengthens us in all of our circumstances (Philippians 4:12-13). V14 seeks for us to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives.  V15-17 provide us with an encouragement to share the gospel with others that God may bring them to faith and salvation through Jesus Christ.  The author of Hebrews uses Esau as an example of someone who "despised His birthright" and failed to inherit the blessing of his father Isaac (Genesis 25, 27).  Esau's line ultimately led to the Edomites (Genesis 36) and Jacob's line of course ultimately led to Jesus (Matthew 1).  While God is sovereign and it is He that hardens hearts and softens them, bringing some to faith and others not, believers nonetheless share a responsibility to share the gospel and their own testimony with others.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - giving me faith and You sustain and strengthen me - particularly during difficult times.  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.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:1-11, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines two divisions for this text: 

I. Run the Race (12:1-3): Here, the commentary shares how author of Hebrews uses an athletic metaphor as a means to encourage us to keep striving in our faith - keep running. We are encouraged to keep running because God sustains us.  The commentary describes how in v2 it states how God is the "founder and perfecter of our faith" (ESV), and we can look to Jesus to help carry us through to the end of the race.

II. The Father’s Discipline (12:4-11): Here, the commentary shares how author of Hebrews compares an earthly father's discipline to that of how God disciplines us and how both are done out of love for us - first by our earthly father, then by our Heavenly Father. We must be prepared at any time for discipline.  The commentary wraps by sharing that "Christians question how God can work for good through horrifying loss. Yet God was working for our good in the gruesome death of his Son. If ever we doubt God’s love because of our circumstances, we can look to the cross and remind ourselves that God gave us his own Son so that we might in turn become sons of God."

Keep running, have faith and look to Christ for encouragement, discipline, training as means to run the race to the end.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for never leaving or forsaking me as I continue to run the race of faith.  Thank You for the inspiration, encouragement, and discipline/training along the way.  There have been periods of challenge for sure - but I see how You have been part of all of it for my good and Your glory.  I am undeserving of how You have blessed me during my race.  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 [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews 12

For [earthly fathers] disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:10-11

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:1-11, and my unaided observations of the text.  Here, we pivot from chapter 11 and the "hall of faith," where the author of Hebrews provides examples from the Old Testament - those who did not taste the fullness of the promises made by God but remained obedient and faithful regardless.  They believed in the unseen and saw what others (those not faithful) could not see because of the hardness of their heart. Chapter 12 starts with a "therefore," where the author wants us to, in light of the many examples of faith provided, also be faithful...and faithful to the end when either Jesus returns or He brings us home to heaven.  We are encouraged not be weary and to look to not just the Old Testament examples of faithfulness, but more importantly to Jesus Himself, who despite His suffering up to and including the cross, endured. The author of Hebrews uses the analogy discipline and how an earthly father disciplines us for our own good - although it may be difficult for us to endure. Earthly discipline is compared to how God disciplines us.  

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are so good and You are full of amazing grace and compassion for me - even when I am disciplined.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your grace and compassion for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.  Please give wisdom and energy to Lisa and myself.  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 all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Hebrews 11

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect. Hebrews 11:39-40

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 11:20-40, and my unaided observations of the text.  Here, building on text throughout chapter 11, v20-40 continues the "hall of faith" by providing readers with examples of the faithful, who, while they did not see fully see the promises made by God, nonetheless trusted God and endure and persevered in their faith - many despite deadly persecution. These include Issac (v20), Jacob (v21), Joseph (v22), Moses (v23-28), the faithful Israelites who crossed the dry Red Sea (v29), the faithful who marched around the walls of Jericho (v30), Rahab (v31), Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, and Samuel (v32).  Many other unnamed (but not insignificant) "who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight" (v33-34). V35-38 shares how some were tortured, mocked, flogged, imprisoned, stoned, sawn in two, destitute, afflicted, mistreated - not worthy of this world, etc. The application for all of us is that we should follow in the footsteps of these faithful and be prepared for whatever the world throws at us as Jesus tells us that we should take heart as Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me always - never leaving or forsaking me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love 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 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 we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.

Hebrews 10

 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls. Hebrews 10:39

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 10:26-39, and and I am assisted in my understanding by the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary Series for Hebrews. The commentary outlines three divisions for this text:

I. A Fearful Warning (10:26-27): Here the commentary shares how believers are warned against apostasy where "if you continue in sin and definitely refuse to repent, then you essentially reject the gospel and willingly walk the path that leads to destruction."  We are referred to Matthew 13 and the Parable of the Sower where Jesus described "gospel seed falling in shallow soil and showing immediate signs of life but dying out when persecution came. The initial sign of life does not describe regeneration, only spiritual interest. The regenerated life, by contrast, is transformed, bears new fruit, and has a lasting eternal impact."  We are also referred to 1 John 2:19 where we are warned to not love the world and to be "of the world" but instead to identify with Christ. The commentary also shares how this division is one of the most sobering warnings in all of scripture. 

II. The Judgment of God (10:28-31): The commentary continues in its warnings by referring to the Old Testament and the Mosaic Law.  It refers to the rejection of the Father (breaking the 1st commandment or the most important commandment), rejection of Jesus and His crucifixion and the role of His blood and our salvation, and rejection of the Holy Spirit. References to the Old Testament are important because as the commentary shares "[w]e must not fall into his hands the way Israel did....[and]...[w]e must not trifle with God."

III. The Faith of Those Who Endure (10:32-39): Finally, the commentary uses the remaining division and text to encourage believers to endure, seeking the better possession and focusing on the eternal.  It shares: "[w]e may lose possessions, friends, family, and the comforts of this life, but we have a better and abiding possession waiting for us in our heavenly city. As with the believers in the book of Hebrews, what we gain when we endure persecution can never be taken away from us....These warning passages keep the believer from spiritual complacency.

Be encouraged, endure, and stay near to God as He is faithful to fulfill the promise He gives us with our salvation!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and Your Word is good as is the Holy Spirit which You give us as our Advocate and Helper as we know You are with us at all times.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You are with me at all times...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 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 when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

Hebrews 6

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. Hebrews 6:17-18

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which uses Hebrews 6:17-18 to encourage believers to "hold fast to the hope set before us."  Ultimately, the hope set before us refers to how Christ has already defeated sin and death and how he is saving a place in Heaven for believers - for eternity.  We should be hopeful about this - and this hope should carry us through all of the trials and challenges we will experience in life - and we will experience trials and challenges (John 16:33).  However, John Piper reminds us that even though Christ has already secured the victory we all need, we still need power and a will to hold fast - we cannot do this alone.  We need Christ while we remain in this life to hold fast.  Piper uses Philippians 3:12 to underscore his point - in this text Paul writes how he presses on and endures (just as Jesus did on the cross) to own and claim the life God has given him (regardless of the trials and challenges), and to place his hope in the cross "because Christ Jesus has made me his own."  Take hold of this hope!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father - and I know You will never leave or forsake me and You will help me through the ups and downs of life - all the way to the end.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  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.

“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord.

Isaiah 58-60

“And a Redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who turn from transgression,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 58:13-14

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 21, which looks at Isaiah 58-60.  Day 2 reviews God's words on fasting from Isaiah 58 (see post yesterday) and then looks at Isaiah 59 where God mostly focuses on Israel's sin and wickedness but starting in v16, God points to a redeemer who intercedes on our behalf.  Of course this redeemer is Jesus Christ.  Ligonier provides this post as an encouragement for those who stand for the truth of Jesus Christ in the face of persecution.  The post shares that "...we might feel like giving up and going along with the crowd, but that would be the worst mistake we could ever make. A day is coming when God will no longer withhold His wrath but suit up for battle. He will repay His enemies according to their deeds, not graciously as He did on the cross, conquering us by bringing us over to His side. Instead, the Lord will conquer His enemies on that day by giving them the full measure of His just wrath (Isa. 59:15b–19)."

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My Prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God - I know You love me and I know You give me life - to the full now, and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me.  My sin is great and it continues.  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 for Zach and Dustin to point them to You.  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 the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Proverbs 22:17-24:34

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Hebrews 4:12

I continue my study of Proverbs, specifically wrapping week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24:34. Today, the study provides commentary for this text and I reflect on application based on this commentary. From the commentary, two points in particular strike a chord this morning, including how this text (specifically Proverbs 24:16a) - with additional text from Hebrews 6:9-12; Jude 24-25; John 6:37, 39, 10:27-29; Romans 8:28-39; Philemon 1:6 - encourages perseverance, and how inclining our ear to God's Word (Proverbs 22:17-18a, Hebrews 4:12, Ephesians 6:17, Psalm 119) is the primary mechanism used by God to sanctify and mold us into His image.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who never leaves or forsakes me and who gives me Your Word, that I can be guided, encouraged and molded into more of Your image - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You help me persevere and how You sanctify.  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 we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

2 Corinthians 4-5

So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

I continued a pause of my studies of both Isaiah and Proverbs to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which focuses on how we endure the many trials in our lives which we inevitably will face (see also John 16:33), and how we endure the toll these many trials will take on us physically and emotionally. John Piper points to Paul's letter to the church in Corinth and how he looks to the things unseen (heaven) and how our faith (2 Corinthians 5:7) helps us endure.  Piper also shares with us how we rely on the same light that gave us ears to hear and eyes to see when God gave us our salvation (2 Corinthians 4:6).  We should be encouraged to endure.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me eyes to see, ears to hear, and my faith and salvation. Thank You Jesus for this light.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great - gossip, among them - 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.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

Isaiah 47-50

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - today moving on to Lesson 18 day 4b, which includes a focus on Isaiah 49:14-26 and a review of the entire chapter.  My commentary shares the following divisions for this chapter:

1. Christ unveiled as God's salvation to the ends of the earth (v1-7)
2. God's day of salvation for the exiles (v8-13)
3. Despite all appearances, the exiles will return (v14-21)
4. The Gentiles will aid the redemption of Israel or be destroyed (v22-26)

In particular, the commentary for v14-21, strikes a chord this morning as believers may grow weary not seeing the fruit of their labor in sowing seeds for the Kingdom: "[t]he kingdom of God will always appear underwhelming and somewhat disappointing in this present age compared to the grandeur of the King and the perfection of the promises he has made to us. So pastors, missionaries, evangelists, parents, and Christian laborers of all types will have to battle discouragement constantly when the results are far less than we feel they should be....But don’t be deceived. When we are finally in the heavenly Zion, we will be amazed at the stunning multitude of the redeemed there."  Of course, then a key takeaway is to persist in sharing the Good News and doing the work of Christ...keep running the race and do not grow weary.

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My prayer:  Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who never leaves or forsakes me and who ALWAYS provides - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock....In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you.

Isaiah 26-27

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock....In the path of your judgments, O Lord, we wait for you; your name and remembrance are the desire of our soul. My soul yearns for you in the night; my spirit within me earnestly seeks you. Isaiah 26:3-4,8-9

I return to my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 10, Day 1, the focus moves to Isaiah 26-27, primarily on Isaiah 26, where my commentary indicates that while Isaiah 24-25 describe "triumphant prophecies of final victory by the Lord over all tyrants who oppress God’s people in this world[,]" God's people seek encouragement and guidance about how to endure in the present while waiting for God's promised end times judgement of the whole world.  The commentary writes that "Isaiah 26 is a song of realistic praise for God’s present protection and future deliverance for his suffering people."  In particular v3-4 and v7-9 offer such encouragement and guidance.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, and who protects and delivers me from the dark forces of this world now and for eternity - 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.

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God.

Isaiah 24-25

For he was looking forward to the city that has foundations, whose designer and builder is God. Hebrews 11:10

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 9, Day 2, the focus is again on Isaiah 24.  Similar to my focus and post yesterday where I discussed how believers are citizens in Heaven, my focus today contrasts how the sinful of Isaiah's day put their faith in cities built by human hands. We are referred to Hebrews 11:10 where Abraham is provided as an example of faithfulness.  Abraham is one example of many in this chapter of Hebrews - a chapter that is often referred to as the "Hall of Faith." This chapter contains many examples, from Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Moses, etc. to detail how heroes of the faith persevered through challenging times and the unknown by focusing on something that they could not see and would not see in an earthly lifetime.  My commentary outlines this chapter as having the following divisions:

1.  God's judgement on the entire earth (v1-6)
2.  End of worldly joy (v7-12)
3.  Reaction of righteous (v13-16)
4.  Inescapable judgement outside of Christ (v17-22)
5.  Finale: God's glorious city (v23)
   

Clearly, we see a prophecy of end times and there is much to fear for those who are not in Christ.  Yet for those who are in Christ, we can rely on the certainty that this life is not the end and we are to persevere and endure through this life and its trials - and place our hope in Heaven which will be glorious indeed!

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My Prayer: Lord, You are glorious indeed and You have saved a place for me in Heaven - something I know is glorious and I am grateful.  Yet I know I am not deserving.  I have 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.