Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.”

 John 21:15-19

Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go.” (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, “Follow me.” John 21:18-19

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 21:15-19, where we see Jesus restore Peter from the sin of his denial.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus asks Peter three times whether he loves Him - in contrast to Peter's denial of Jesus three times before the rooster crows (see Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22, and John 18) as Peter responds yes three times - text recognized as Jesus restoring Peter. Jesus offers second (and third, etc.) chances as He forgives.  Jesus is also reinforcing His role of Good Shepherd (see John 10:1-18) and charging Peter with taking on this same role, to feed young (lamb) and old (sheep) believers. Jesus then shares - emphasizing His authority to make such statements prophecy of how Peter will die, encouraging Peter to follow Him.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Jesus offers Peter a second opportunity to follow Him and most scholars recognize that Peter did indeed die on the cross - but he insisted that he hang on the cross by his feet as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus (see this Bible dictionary post).  There is a cost to following Jesus.  He wants us to proclaim the Gospel, and Truth - to all corners of the world, and in many of these places this will be costly, even to the point of physical harm or death.  
• 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 not following Jesus in the mission He gives you.  Claim the promise that He is with is - always.  Follow Jesus (and Peter's) example to do the will of the Father.  Follow Jesus.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of how You save, forgive, restore. 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 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.    

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.

John 10:22-42

My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 10:22:42, where we see the Jewish leadership confront Jesus as He was in the temple in Jerusalem during the Feast of Dedication (Hanukkah).  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: In His defense, Jesus share that (1) His works (miracles such as healing of the blind man), are done on behalf of the Father who sent Him, and these works bear witness about who Jesus is, (2) the Jewish leadership, despite their supposed knowledge of the law do not see Jesus is fulfilling all prophecy that pointed to Him - they are not among Jesus' sheep (He is the Good Shepherd - see vv1-19) because they don't know His voice otherwise they would recognize Jesus as the Good Shepherd/Christ and follow Him (vv26-27).  Jesus gives His followers eternal life and this blessing cannot be taken from them (v28).  The Father gave Jesus His sheep and The Father is greater than all (all creation, all heavenly bodies, etc.), so none of Jesus' sheep can be taken out of the Father's hand (v29).  Because all authority has been given from the Father to Jesus, Jesus should be seen as one with the Father (v30).  In v31, as the Jewish leadership prepared to stone Jesus, Jesus shares that He is innocent based on how He is performing good works from the Father.  Jesus also shares that He is doing only what the Old Testament shared (see Psalm 82:6 as referenced in v34) and playing the same role as those who taught the Word of God in OT law.  In His closing argument with this confrontation, Jesus challenges the Jewish leadership to at least believe that His works are real and that the Father is in Jesus and He is in the Father (another way of saying that Father and Son are united). Because it was not the appointed time, Jesus escapes arrest and goes to where John the Baptist had first been baptizing and many came to Him and believed because they now see that John the Baptist's prophecy about Jesus was true - vv39-42). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Just as the Jewish leadership gathered around Jesus to confront Him - seeking to arrest and kill Him - believers can expect to be persecuted (ranging from rejection/scorn to physical imprisonment-death) in some form (vv22-24).  The Jewish leadership (with some exceptions - see vv19-21) does not believe Jesus is the Christ (Promised Messiah).  There will always be many who reject Jesus as Lord and Savior - that there is a God and Jesus is God. The Jewish leadership reject Jesus as God outright (v33) based on Jesus' statement in v30 that He and the Father are one.       
• 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 rejecting Jesus because You don't know Jesus.  Claim the promise that Jesus is who He says is - Lord and Savior.  Follow the example of those who are drawn to Jesus and believe - who know His voice and see Jesus as the Good Shepherd.  Do what the Good Shepherd commands because He loves and cares for us and leads us to provision and eternal rest.     

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves, cares and saves those who follow You - You are the Good Shepherd.  I am not deserving of how You love, care, and save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such 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.

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.”

Mark 9:1-13

And he said to them, “Elijah does come first to restore all things. And how is it written of the Son of Man that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him.” Mark 9:12-13

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 9:1-13.  Excerpts from the third (of three) division (vv9-13):

• For the third division, the title is: "Learn from the Suffering of God’s Servants."
•  "[Today's text includes] our Lord’s last command to silence and the only one that receives a time limitation. After the resurrection, proclamation will be the order of the day!" 
• "The “Son of Man” title appeared only twice in the first half of Mark (2:10,28). Now it will occur with great regularity, especially in the context of His suffering (8:31; 9:9,12; 10:33,45; 14:21,41). The title hearkens back to the heavenly man of Daniel 7:13-14[.]" 
•  "Jesus makes a surprising connection. “‘Elijah does come first and restores everything,’ He replied. ‘How then is it written about the Son of Man that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt?’” Wow! They did not see that one coming! The same divine Scriptures that predicted the coming of Elijah prior to the Day of the Lord also predicted a suffering Messiah. How did they miss Psalms 16; 22; 110; Isaiah 52:13–53:12? Read the whole of the Old Testament in light of Genesis 3:15, and all of it unfolds from there. The Son of Man will suffer, be treated with contempt, be killed, and then rise from the dead."  
• "As for Elijah, he has come in the person of John the Baptist (see Matthew 17:12-13). They rejected his message and killed him. They will do the same with Jesus. John fulfilled the assignment given to him by God, and so would our Lord. God would faithfully see them through their suffering and greatest hours of trial! Might we not be able to trust Him to do the same for us?!"   

 

 

Peter, James and John could not understand that Jesus would suffer and die - all as part of a divine plan that would ultimately lead to Christ's resurrection and ascension to Heaven.  We as Christians can see throughout redemptive history how others suffered and died on behalf of the mission Christ gives us in Matthew 28:19-20 to share the gospel to all nations.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer:  Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You sent Your Son Jesus to suffer and die so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a blessing - the greatest gift of all time.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and 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 energy and wisdom.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord 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 looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers!

Mark 3:31-35

And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! Mark 3:34

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 3:34, which is the text for the second division for 3:31-35. Excerpts from the commentary for the second division: 

• "The room is overflowing with those who were attracted to Jesus. They loved His miracles and exorcisms. They loved the show and what He could do for them. Remember, the crowds are never viewed in a favorable light in Mark. Crowds do not follow and stay for the long haul. Individuals do, of their own volition and decision. Hence Jesus looked around at those who were seated around Him."
• "People follow Jesus for different reasons and with different agendas. Some reasons are good and others are bad. Some want Him; others want what He can give them and do for them. Some follow for who He is; others follow for what they make Him out to be. They want someone they can fit into their world, wants, plans, priorities, and preconceived notions."
• The commentary then points us to John 2:23-25 where the text is pointed in this respect - we should not follow Jesus because of we want to follow someone who "can fit into [our] world, wants, plans, priorities, and preconceived notions."  No, we should follow Jesus because He alone saves, and provides life to the full now - unshackled from the slavery of sin.  It's not that we stop sinning, it's that Jesus makes us a new creation and we become more like Him every day until we meet Him in Heaven face to face and the sanctification process becomes complete.    

Jesus is not just a good role model - I made this mistake early in my journey with Christ - I thought I should follow Jesus because He was Holy and I could become more like Him.  While this may be true, it is insufficient - we must acknowledge our sin and that Jesus alone saves us from sin.  We must confess with our hearts our sin, seek Jesus to forgive us and for Him to enter our heart and lives, and we must follow His call for our lives (as each of us play a role in the church and Great Commission). Romans 10:10.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who died for us so that we can have forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and abundance of life now - free from the slavery of sin.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save...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. 

[W]henever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known.

Mark 3:7-21

[W]henever the unclean spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, “You are the Son of God.” And he strictly ordered them not to make him known. Mark 3:11-12

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 3:7-21, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations from the text using the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus does not want to be known as just someone who performs signs and wonders - miracles.  He wants it to be clear that He is the One prophesied about in the Old Testament....the incarnate Son of God.  Once again we experience the Messianic Secret.  Jesus is sovereign over demons.  Jesus calls believers to specific roles - in this case the first twelve apostles.  Judas is appointed - even though Judas betrays Jesus, Judas' sin is used for good (see also Genesis 50:20) as Jesus' arrest and crucifixion is required for Jesus to rise again, defeating sin and death.        
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: There will always be people who seek something from God - more than salvation.  They are drawn to Him for what they expect Jesus can do for them not because we all sin and are in need of salvation.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey)?: We should come to Jesus in humility, not with expectations that He will do something for us - we must acknowledge that God's will and purposes reign - not our own.  We of course should avoid betraying Jesus - instead we should please, honor and glorify God as this is our purpose. When we are called to a specific role we should follow Jesus' call to do His will.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - laying down Your live for me, knowing everything about me, including my sin, yet loving me first and saving me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and for my salvation. 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 said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ...And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him.

 Mark 1:17-18 and 20

Jesus said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you become fishers of men." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. ...And immediately he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired servants and followed him. Mark 1:17-18, 20

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 1:17-18 and 20, which is the text for the third of three divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary:

• "There is only one right Master to follow in life and into eternity. His name is Jesus. Jesus called and they left everything to follow Him. The authority of the call and the immediacy of their responses raise the question as to who this Man is that demands such obedience. Actually, Mark has given us a pretty clear picture of who this Teacher is, even in the opening verses of the book."
• For this clear picture, we are referred to v1, 3, 7, 8, 10, 11, and 15 where Jesus is described as "the Christ, Son of God, the Lord, the mighty One, the worthy One, the One who baptizes with the Holy Spirit, the Spirit-anointed One, the beloved Son, the One who pleases God, and the One who brings the kingdom of God."
• Mark 1 provides additional details on Jesus as He is described as "the astonishing Teacher (1:22), the One with authority (1:22), the Holy One of God (1:24), who is able to cast out demons (1:26,32-34,39), heal the sick (1:31-34), and even cleanse lepers (1:42)" - all of this just in chapter one of Mark.  
• "Jesus calls us to believe the gospel. One way we do this is to preach the gospel continually, not only to others, but also to ourselves. The result will be that you will see yourself as a much bigger sinner than you thought, but you will also then see Jesus as a much greater Savior than you ever imagined. How do you preach the gospel to yourself?"  
• We do so by (a) "seeing and owning our sin: Examine yourself in the mirror of God’s Word. Pray that God would bring to light your negative emotions and attitudes as well as blatant rebellion against God’s holiness. As you do this, guard yourself against sin’s deceitfulness. You will likely feel the tendency to water down God’s standard, compare yourself to others, shift blame, or commit to trying harder. These are reflective of man-centered moralism; (b) seeing the sin beneath the sin; (c) expose the idols of your heart. Idols always disappoint. They are weak. They can’t deliver when you succeed; they can only raise the bar. They can’t forgive you when you fail; they can only lower the boom. They are harmful. They hurt you spiritually, emotionally, and physically. They hurt others by undermining your ability to love; (d) view repentance as a gift; (e) see Jesus as the only true Savior; and (f) embrace the gospel as your motivation for living: embrace it and know that the gospel changes you, the gospel empowers you to serve, and through the gospel you meet God."
• "The King has come, and He calls all of us to repent and believe the gospel, to walk away from the idols of our life, our former allegiances, and to come follow Him. Leave your nets, leave your occupation, leave your friends, leave even your family, and come follow Him. The demands are great, but then Jesus is a great King, and the blessings of knowing Him are far greater!"  

The world is full of idols: money, sex, fame, social acceptance, etc. Yet nothing fulfills and gives joy like Jesus Christ.  Please come and know Jesus and if You seek Him with all of your heart you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13).  Once you find Him, You will fall in love with Him and desire Him more and more and You will see that all of God's promises find their yes in Him (2 Corinthians 1:20).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are the King of Kings and worthy of my worship, my love, and complete devotion to You above all else.  I also know I exist to bring You glory. Thank You for saving me, and for blessing me WELL beyond what I deserve - I am not deserving of any the blessings You pour out for 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.  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. 

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

1 John 4

In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. 1 John 4:9

I resume my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of 1 John 4:7-12. In this text, John continues a focus on love which began in 1 John 2.  We are commanded to love one another (v7) - see also post here from last week on this same topic. Love is described as being from God (v7) and an attribute of God (v8) - v8 also shares how it is a litmus test of whether one truly follows and abides in Christ (vv7,8, 11).  We also have the ultimate example and demonstration of love in v9.  V10 reminds us that the love God has for us - and demonstrated through His death on the cross - is not deserved (see Romans 5:10) and He loved us first, before we loved Him.  V11 shares how we are also to follow His example to love others as He loves us - see also John 13:34. The text today concludes with John sharing how no one has ever seen God (v12); and this text is connected in some way to the following text where John shares that IF we do love one another God is in us and His love is perfected in us (sanctification).  For me the connection of these two statements separated by a semi colon is that John is sharing that while we have not seen God, God is seen in us if we truly follow Him, love Him, and then love others.  We will be a light to others drawing others to God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who died for my sins - even through You did not deserve such a death.  Thank You for loving me first and for loving me while still an enemy of You.  My salvation is not deserved as my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead 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.

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

John 12

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit. Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. John 12:24-25

I continue to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at Jesus's words as the hour approached for Him to be crucified. John Piper, in stark terms, lays out how, if we take Jesus's words to heart, we should not be bothered or concerned about our earthly circumstances.  He writes:

"If men speak well of you, it doesn’t matter much.
If they hate you, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have a lot of things, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have little, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are persecuted or lied about, it doesn’t matter much.
If you are famous or unheard of, it doesn’t matter much.
If you have died with Christ, these things just don’t matter much."

Piper uses the grain of wheat analogy to illustrate how it falls to the ground yet produces fruit to have us understand how our own death as believers leads to eternal life with Christ - bearing fruit a human mind can only begin to fathom.  We are urged to read v26 as well as Jesus exhorts us to "follow him" and of course this means all the way to the end - to the cross and to death.  The devotion wraps with Piper moving to Acts 20:24 and how Paul writes:

But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. Acts 20:24

Piper calls this "radical commitment to ministry" and he urges believers to share in this commitment as Paul and Jesus did.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who went to the cross for me - so that I could have forgiveness of sins, fullness of life in Christ 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.

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Daniel 11

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world. John 16:33

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 11:21-45 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  The commentary's main idea for this text is that "God reigns sovereign over the greatest enemies of his people and even uses those enemies for his own purposes."  It shares two primary divisions for this text:

I. God Raised Up a Contemptible Person to Refine, Purify, and Sanctify His People (11:21-35): Here, the commentary discusses how Daniel's vision prophecies the reign of Antiochus Epiphanes (who reigned from 175-163 BC), and how his wicked and sinful reign led to great suffering of God's people. Yet as we see with other periods of suffering throughout scripture, it is in response to sin and used to purify and sanctify God's people. 

II. God Will Raise Up the Antichrist, Who Will Exalt and Magnify Himself as God (11:36-45). This section of scripture is discussed by the commentary as being markedly different in terms of redemptive history, as the commentary shares that the antichrist highlighted here and the ensuing conflict is reflective of end times.

The commentary urges us to see Jesus in all scripture and here is no exception.  We are urged to see the contrast between Antiochus/Antichrist and Jesus and provided the below table to highlight the differences.  Once again, take heart that God overcomes (John 16:33).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace, compassion, and You save!  Thank You for how You speak to me and all believers and give us peace and confidence knowing that You have already won the victory over sin and death!  I am not deserving of how You save.  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.

What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! 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.

Daniel 11

 What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you? Is it not this, that your passions are at war within you? You desire and do not have, so you murder. You covet and cannot obtain, so you fight and quarrel. You do not have, because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions. You adulterous people! 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 4:1-2

I continue my study of Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 11:1-20 as I lean on my commentary for this text.  Here the commentary focuses on how God orchestrates the rise and fall of kingdoms; in particular - Medo-Persia, Greece, Egypt and Syria - for His glory and purpose. It refers to the broader historical context around the subject of Daniel's vision/prophecies as the "four hundred silent years" - during which God is silent (in terms of God speaking to the people - i.e. through a prophet) - approximately from when the book of Malachi is written to the incarnation of Jesus.  Despite the focus on conflict and the rise and fall of earthly authorities, the commentary seeks for us to understand how God reigns and is sovereign, and how we should look to Him, not the world for who to follow.  The commentary shares these key points as it wraps in its examination of this text:

•  "Our God is sovereign and omniscient, knowing the future to the smallest detail. He can predict the future with pinpoint accuracy.  [E]arthly rulers are mere pawns in the sovereign hands of an omnipotent and providential God."
• "Man in his depravity, pride, and sin has a bloodlust for power and possessions. This is the story of human history since the fall, and it will continue to be our legacy until the return of God’s King and the inauguration of his kingdom."
• "[God's] kingdom is not a fly-by-night empire that is here today and gone tomorrow, an empire and kingdom that is little more than dust in the wind!"
• "In Christ pride gives way to humility, and wanting more and more gives way to giving and serving others. A passion to build my kingdom gives way to a passion to build God’s kingdom! Learn from the mistakes and sins of men and women from the past who pursued earthly gain and not heavenly reward. Avoid the pitfalls of pride and greed; instead, pursue Christ and his traits of humility, generosity, and service."

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves and who has saved me...and You provide for all of my needs, never leaving of forsaking me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving Jesus of all 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.

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.”

Matthew 27

Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers. Go, make it as secure as you can.” Matthew 27:65

I pause in my study of Daniel to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional, which today encourages us to follow Jesus as "we cannot lose."  John Piper uses Matthew 27:65 as the text for today, and shares how it was a losing proposition from the start for the the Pharisees to guard Jesus's tomb.  He refers to John 10:17-18 where Jesus says:

For this reason the Father loves me, because I lay down my life that I may take it up again. No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to take it up again. John 10:17-18

No one took took Jesus's life - He willingly laid down His life.  And because He has the power and it was to fulfill scripture, Jesus rose again. Piper goes on to share how Christ was working in death, and He is always at work, including in the dark places.  There is no place Jesus can go, regardless of the day or time or circumstances, where He does not reign and have complete authority and dominion.  We should be encouraged to follow Him.  

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God and You reign - giving us victory over sin and death, and confidence to follow You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless me and allow me to share in a glorious inheritance - thank You Jesus!  Yet again, 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 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.