In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Corinthians 15

In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:4-6

I continue my study looking at the life of Paul using John Piper's 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul.  Today, I move to chapter two - Beyond Rational Persuasion to the Revelation of Glory.  Here, John Piper shares how Paul's encounter with the risen Christ on the road to Damascus is one of history's greatest moments, yet this historical moment does not become a primary argument by Paul to advance the gospel.  Instead, Piper describes how Paul "mov[es] beyond his own supernatural conversion as evidence, to the intrinsic glory of the gospel itself as the ground of its truth.*"  He points us to 2 Corinthians 4:4-6, Ephesians 1:18 (God opens the eyes of our hearts to see His glory), John 1:14 (John testifies to how he saw God's glory), Matthew 13:13 (Jesus explains how we must see with our hearts) and 16:17 (Jesus explains to Peter how He revealed Himself to Peter) where scripture emphasizes that "historical evidences alone do not go to the depths of our souls, where spiritual conviction rests. If we are going to live and die for Jesus, we must see his glory with the eyes of our hearts.*" Our hearts must recognize that we are broken and sinful and He alone reveals Himself, He chooses us as one of His elect, seals us for eternity, and sanctifies us on our earthly journey with Him.  Jesus does all of this and we must recognize that we see Jesus with our heart.

*John Piper. 30 Reasons Why I Love the Apostle Paul

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are light and You opened the eyes of my heart so I can see Your glory - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my election, conversion, justification, and sanctification.  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 wtih all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

Pages: 179-196

 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:16-19

This morning, I continued with John Piper's Reading the Bible Supernaturally: Seeing and Savoring the Glory of God in Scripture, starting Part 2 The Super Natural Act of Reading the Bible, covering both the Introduction to Part 2 and chapter eleven - The Necessity and Possibility of Reading the Bible Supernaturally.  Piper starts by stating plainly, "no reading and no discovery [from reading the Bible] happen without seeing all things in relation to his worth and beauty[.]" Our dependence on God to read the Bible supernaturally stems from two key obstacles: "a blinding enemy outside [Satan] and a blinding disease inside [sin]." Therefore, according to Piper, we must approach the Bible "with a deep sense of helplessness, and hope-filled reliance on God's merciful assistance."

Piper then explores five ways how God provides divine assistance in reading the Bible: 

1. He opens our minds (Luke 24:25-26, 44-45)
2. He shines in our hearts (2 Corinthians 4:6)
3. He enlightens the eyes of our hearts (Ephesians 1:16-19, 3:14-19)
4. He gives us the secret of the kingdom of God (Matthew 13:16, Luke 10:21, Mark 4:11)
5. God reveals himself to us (Matthew 16:16-17)

As much as anything this morning, I am encouraged by Piper to use as a daily prayer the passages in Ephesians (as Paul does) to enlighten the eyes of my heart.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and enlightens the eyes of my heart to the Bible, to Your glory and for me good - thank You Jesus for doing all of this and more!  My cup overflows.  I am undeserving.  My sin, worry, etc. 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.