Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints.

 Colossians 1:24-2:5

Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I am filling up what is lacking in Christ's afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church, of which I became a minister according to the stewardship from God that was given to me for you, to make the word of God fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to his saints. Colossians 1:24-26

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today my focus is Colossians 1:24-2:5, where Paul moves from describing the preeminence of Christ to sharing the purpose of his ministry work.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V25: Paul's ministry is stewardship of both the Word and spiritual gifts given him from God to share and teach the Word.  Vv25-26: God's Word is made fully known through Christ and revealed to believers, implying that some will not see the gospel (not be saved) as believers do.  Vv2:2-3: Christ is the source of "all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" - see also Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10.        
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V14: Paul starts by sharing the first of his purposes of his ministry - that (according to interpretation by John Piper) his sufferings represent an extension of Christ's sufferings for those who were unable to personally witness His sufferings on the cross.  Vv25-27: Paul continues by sharing that his suffering furthers the effort to make the Gospel fully known to the Gentiles - that they comprehend and appreciate the riches of Christ glory.  V28: Paul then moves to further define what is meant by fully known and he does so by sharing that those who know and accept Jesus mature in Christ. Discipleship is key - we are called to not to just know Christ but to grow in Christ. V29: Paul emphasizes that he toils and struggles for this end....and Christ works powerfully in him to equip him.  This same equipping power is within all believers - the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. V2:1: Paul loves (and lays down his life in a manner similar to Christ) those whom he has not met at Laodicea - we are to love other believers as God loves us - see also John 13:34-35. Vv2:2: Paul seeks to encourage believers to appreciate that they are "knit together in love," and that they mature so that they comprehend the "full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery."  V2:4: Paul seeks these things so that believers may defend against false teaching. 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid sinful influences that distract us and pollute God's Word. Claim the promise that Christ is the source of all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge - know and accept Him!  Follow Paul's example to allow sacrifice and suffering to extend the suffering of Christ to allow God's strength to shine through your weakness.  Know and mature in Christ.   

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation, for never leaving or forsaking me, and for working in me to equip and strengthen me to serve through sacrifice and struggle. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  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.

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.

Philippians 1:19-30 

Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened in anything by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God. Philippians 1:27-28

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 1:19-30 where Paul shares how he is torn whether to die and go to Heaven to be with Christ, or live and serve others in his ministry.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V19: The Holy Spirit is our helper - see John 14:26 - and seals/guarantees our salvation or deliverance from the sting of sin and death as Christ has already won this battle.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V19 - prayers of others are effective to aid us in our time of need - see also James 5:16b. V20: We exist to glorify God and to bring Him all praise, honor and glory. Vv20-21: We should be courageous and live boldly for Him because whether we live or die, we can never be separated from His love and He is saving a place for us in Heaven. Vv22-26: Knowledge of God, prayers, and the Holy Spirit will renew our mind (see also Romans 12:2) and convict our hearts with His will for our lives as Paul expresses confidence that "[he] know[s] that [he] will remain and continue with [the church of Philippi], for [their] progress and joy in the faith, so that in [him] [they] may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of [his] coming to [them] again."  Vv27-28: Believers are called to be "worthy of the gospel of Christ,"  implying that we must deliver value or bear fruit.  Examples provided by Paul of bearing fruit include church unity and loving God and others (being a light) despite persecution or disagreements inside the church.  Whatever suffering we experience is for His sake so that Christ can be seen in us as we gain His strength in our weakness - see also 2 Corinthians 12:9.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that with suffering God's grace is sufficient and that His power is made perfect in our weakness.  Follow the example of Paul who embraced His imprisonment and suffering to advance the gospel.  Know and trust God to have Him renew your mind to understand His will for your life when torn about what to do as Paul was. 

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You demonstrating Your power in my weakness and for renewing my mind to better understand Your will for my life.  You are knowledge and wisdom and truth.  Thank You also for the assurance of my salvation, and for the mercies and blessings You pour out for me every day.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  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.

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?"

Mark 2:1-12

Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts, “Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?” And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, “Why do you question these things in your hearts?" Mark 2:5-8

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 2:5-11, which is the text for the second (of three) division of vv1-12 per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary for the second division (We Should See Jesus for Who He Truly Is) vv5-11:

• "[The scribes] recognized that the proclamation of forgiveness was not a passing comment but a declaration of deity: “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” This was a serious charge with serious consequences. They understood Jesus’ words to be dishonoring and disrespectful to God. Blasphemy was a grave offense, punishable by death from stoning (Lev 24:15-16). Jesus’ words are indeed blasphemous—unless He is in fact God! The whole scenario leaves everyone questioning, 'Who is this One claiming to forgive sins?'"
• "In Jewish thinking even the Messiah could not forgive sins! God and God alone has that authority and right. Those first-century Jews knew exactly what was going on: if He can forgive sins, then Jesus is God."
• "[In using the reference to Himself as the Son of Man,] sometimes Jesus shows Himself to be the Son of Man who is serving (2:10; 2:28). At other times Jesus is the Son of Man who is suffering (8:31; 9:9,12; 10:33,45; 14:21,41). Finally, Jesus is the Son of Man who is coming in glory (8:38; 13:26; 14:62). The title occurs more often after Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ and Jesus begins to teach clearly about His own death (8:29)....Jesus uses the title to refer to Himself with both connotations. As God incarnate, He is a human being who identifies with sinful humanity as He serves and suffers on our behalf. As God, He is the coming Lord of glory." 
• "Jesus avoided the term “Christ” (Messiah) because He was a much different kind of Messiah from what the Jewish nation anticipated in the first century. He first came to suffer, and then He would come in glory. Claiming the title “Son of Man” allowed Him to refer to the total scope of His Messianic mission without all the political overtones."
• "Only in this present text is the forgiveness of sins linked to the divine title “Son of Man.” By implication Jesus does this again in 10:45 when He weds the Son of Man of Daniel 7 to the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53, thereby redefining who the Messiah is and what He came to do. He is God, a divine heavenly figure who will receive an everlasting kingdom." 

Believers of today have of course the benefit of hindsight to understand the attributes of Jesus as a Savior that serves, suffers, and coming in glory.  It is important that our lives and our witness - both in words and deed reflect an accurate understanding of Jesus.  We must see Jesus as serving because Jesus wants us to love and serve others as He loves and serves others.  We must also see Jesus as suffering and able to sympathize with our suffering.  As Jesus did, our own suffering should be viewed as God-planned and ordained for a purpose - that God be glorified in our weakness (see post from DesiringGod.com here) as we are utterly dependent on Him.  Also, we can approach Jesus in confidence in prayer because He is able to sympathize with our suffering and equip us to endure (see Hebrews 4:15-16).  If we are unable to love, serve others, and suffer like Jesus did then this is a reflection of our own understanding of who Jesus is and we should be leaning into Jesus to help us see Jesus for who He is so that we can be molded into more of His image. 

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 mercy for me that is ceaseless and new every morning.  You also give me Your Word to draw close to You and understand more of who You are.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any 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 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.

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’”

 Zechariah 1:1-6

So they repented and said, ‘As the LORD of hosts purposed to deal with us for our ways and deeds, so has he dealt with us.’” Zechariah 1:6b

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 1:6b, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text vv1-6 (1:1-3, 1:4-6a, 6b). The first two divisions share Zechariah's warning to God's people to not be like their ancestors, who did not repent from their wicked thoughts and ways - this led to their captivity and exile. Zechariah then shares how God's people repented and acknowledged God's justice was appropriate given their sin.  This is an important message for all believers - God reigns in all circumstances - good and bad.  He is in charge - see also Colossians 1:15-17.  God also has a plan for all of us and for believers "all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28).  Sometimes it is hard to see how suffering is good - yet we need to see how our circumstances are part of God's plan and how it is "working together for good." See also 2 Corinthians 12:7 where Paul shares how God did not remove the "thorn in his side" because it was serving a purpose - to keep him "from becoming conceited" (mentioned twice in same verse).  We cannot take our eye off our singular purpose - to love and glorify God and to love others as God loves us - these are the two greatest commandments and all the other commandments hang on these (see also Matthew 22:37-40).  When something is happening in our lives we must see God at work.  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a just and holy God who is perfect in all ways - and You reign and work in all things for good.  Thank You Jesus for using all circumstances for good and for the love and mercy that never ceases.  I am not deserving.  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 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.     

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.

Psalm 30

Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. Psalm 30:5b

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 seventeen - A Global Grasp of Suffering and a Heart of Personal Empathy.  Here, John Piper explains his love and admiration of Paul for how Paul helps believers understand not just God's plan behind personal suffering, but also his design for suffering on a global scale.  Piper shares that it is rare that someone such as Paul can articulate both points of view so eloquently.  He traces how Paul displayed this gift early on in the formation of the church in Acts 14:21-22 where Paul writes that he returned to newly formed churches encouraging them to see God in their suffering, and to endure because "through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God." Piper provides additional passages of scripture where Paul clearly states the role of suffering in God's design: 2 Timothy 3:12, 1 Thessalonians 3:3, and 2 Thessalonians 1:4-5. Piper then moves to help us see how Paul shares how suffering on a global scale and in creation itself is part of God's design from the very beginning: Romans 8:20-23 and Genesis 2:17. As hard as it is to accept, God intends for us and creation to be subject to suffering and futility - although Piper wants us also to understand that it is not punishment and it is limited but redemption by Christ provides hope in this life and eternally. Piper wraps the chapter by sharing: "physical miseries of the creation are a visible and deeply felt witness to the moral ugliness and outrage of sin....God subjected the physical world to corruption to show us the outrage of sin at the one point where we really feel it.  This is how serious our moral condition is before God.*"

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

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good in how You provide hope and encouragement to endure the suffering of this life and how we can even have joy through the suffering as we focus on how You never leave or forsake us and how we have power over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You bless in these ways.  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 if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.

Daniel 3

 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up. Daniel 3:18

I continue my pause of my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 3 as I lean on a commentary for its observations of this chapter.  Of course, the key theme of this chapter is how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago hold firm to their faith, and demonstrate supernatural courage to deny the proclamation that upon hearing the associated music, all shall fall down and worship the image of gold set up by King Nebuchadnezzar.  The commentary notes how, although at the end of chapter two Nebuchadnezzar praises God, such praise was "a shallow and surface praise."  It also notes how Daniel's interpretation of the dream included a vision of how Nebuchadnezzar represented the head of statue and was gold, and how in chapter 3 the commentary notes that Nebuchadnezzar "suggests that Nebuchadnezzar did not accept God’s will that he was only the head of gold and a temporary king. He wanted it all; therefore, he set up a great gold statue ninety feet high by nine feet wide, gold plated from head to toe (v. 1)." The commentary then pivots to the courage of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago to withstand the temptation to worship idols, even when such temptation puts our lives at risk. It shares: "It takes courage not to compromise, and your mind needs to be made up before the pressure comes. If you wait until “the moment of truth,” you may find out it is too late." The commentary then discusses how the fourth man in the furnace with Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednago was a "preincarnate appearance of the Second Person of the Trinity, the Son of God. The Lord was in there with them. The God who did not deliver them from the fire was the God who met them in the fire and delivered them out of the fire!" We are encouraged to see how in the Bible, it is clear how God never leaves or forsakes us: Exodus 3:6,12; Isaiah 43:2; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 8:37-39; Hebrews 13:5; and 1 Peter 4:12-14. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who never leaves or forsakes us - even when things are very difficult, You never leave us.  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.

And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

1 Peter 5

 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:10

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how God, as Piper describes how Jesus provides "assurance that he will not delay beyond what we can endure, and that he will abolish the flaws we bemoan, and that he will establish forever what has tottered so long — that assurance comes from the God of 'all grace.'" In the midst of pain, Piper encourages us to hold on and to endure lest we succumb to the fears that threaten our faith.  He points us to Hebrews 10:39 and Mark 13:13:

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

And you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:13

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and strength for me - through all times good and bad.  Thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  I worry - I know this is sinful - 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.  

[T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.

Acts 14

[T]hrough many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God. Acts 14:22

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post focuses on how God often denies a prayer for grace yet responds with another form of grace that we are unable to perhaps see in the moment but able to see later in hindsight.  We should understand that from the Fall (Genesis 3), human existence moved from the perfection of the Garden of Eden, to a world full of sin and hardship. Jesus tells us in the gospel of John (John 16:33) how we are to expect hardship but that we will overcome (ultimately) anything hardship we experience. In today's post, Piper emphasizes how we are to see grace in the form of denied prayer - we don't know God's ways or thoughts (Isaiah 55:8) - but we do know that for those who love God, He works all things work together for good (Romans 8:28). Piper refers us to 2 Corinthians 12:9 where Paul shares how God denied his request to remove a "thorn":

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

Let us pray that we can mindful of how God works in and through our weakness to accomplish great things. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has poured out an indescribable amount of grace on my life - of course when I am undeserving and also when I cannot even recognize it in the face of suffering.  Thank You Jesus!  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.

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish.

You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name's sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. Luke 21:16-18

This morning, I continued with John Piper's book Holy Ambition.  My focus today is on chapter two Doing Missions When Dying is Gain - pages 37-53.  Here, Piper looks at how suffering in the missions field brings about fruit, for those to whom the gospel is preached and for those who do the preaching working as missionaries. He states that "[t]he price of God's global mission is suffering, and the volatility in the world today against the church is not decreasing." We are encouraged, particularly Americans, to move away from comfort and stress-free living to "take up His cross and follow [Jesus]" (Matthew 16:24).  Piper goes on to write how "suffering is not just the price of missions but also the means."  He unpacks Colossians 1:24 as the scriptural basis for this view. People all over the world need to see the personal sacrifice of missionaries as a demonstration and presentation of Christ's sufferings on the cross. We are encouraged to lean on God's promises that God is so much bigger than the harm that may befall us in the service of Christ. 

• Hebrews 13:5-6
• Romans 8:35-39 
• Luke 21:16-18 
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and You bless me with all of Your promises that always come true - Your Word does not fail!  Thank You Jesus!  I can rest in Your Word and with Your promises. Yet I am undeserving of Your faithfulness...because my sin continues...and I know You hate sin.  Please forgive me for worry, etc.  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.

[W]e rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope[.]

Romans 5:1-11

[W]e rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope[.] Romans 5:2b-4

This morning, I continued my study of Romans.  Using my commentary - Exalting Jesus in Romans (eBook) - I continued my study of chapter six The Blessings of Justification By Faith, which covers Romans 5:1-11.  My focus today is the back half of Romans 5:2 through verse 4.  I continue to explore how, as a result of my justification by faith I am blessed and specifically this morning, blessed with hope.  I am to rejoice in not only this hope but in any challenges/trials/suffering I may experience as God is shaping me into more of his image and also keeping me focused on not just my time here on earth but what awaits in Heaven. 

My commentary encourages me to not forget how I am undeserving of this blessing of hope as it was faith alone that justified me not any of my or the totality of my works. I am also encouraged to see three applications from verses 3-4:

1. God's priority is not to take away all of your problems; it's to make you like Jesus; suffering refines us and makes us more like Jesus.  It weans us off the pleasures of this world and reminds us of the ultimate realities. 
2. God's purposes can be trusted.  God is working all things together for our good as he conforms us to the images of his Son.
3. God's pattern can be anticipate: afflictions-endurance-character-hope; trials and suffering build character and give us confidence in God as we ensure more trials to come.

I am encourages to look at how suffering produces hope by looking at Mark 4:14-20 (Parable of the Sower):

And they have no root in themselves, but endure for a while; then, when tribulation or persecution arises on account of the word, immediately they fall away. Mark 4:17

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed amazing and You give me hope - and I rejoice in this hope and I am grateful how You have molded me through suffering and trials.  I can reflect on these trials now and see the blessing and have confidence that I am more prepared for suffering as I know there will be more.  Thank You Jesus for being full of grace and that You never leave or forsake me.  I am not deserving of how You justify me nor am I deserving of my salvation or any blessing You pour out for me.  My sin continues - daily...of many kinds.  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.

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.

Acts 9, 22

At once he began to preach in the synagogues that Jesus is the Son of God. All those who heard him were astonished and asked, “Isn’t he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn’t he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?” Yet Saul grew more and more powerful and baffled the Jews living in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah. Acts 22:2-22

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I continue with the story of "Paul: Never Too Far Gone for a Turnaround*".

*Title of lesson ten from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day two of my study focuses on Paul's remarkable transformation from persecutor to persecuted. We see how God used Paul's zeal and passion, not for evil, but for good. This should be part of all of our stories - how God both transforms hearts and lives - instantly.  Yet at the same time God uses who we are and how we've been shaped to accomplish His glory. Lucado also wants us to understand that believers that face persecution for their faith see purpose in such suffering:

• Luke 6:22-23
• John 15:18-19
• 1 John 3:13-14
• 2 Timothy 3:12-14
• 1 Peter 3:17-18
• 1 Peter 4:12-14
• Philippians 4:6 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen heart and life transformation in my life and in the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ - only You can produce such life change - we are all a new creation in Christ.  Thank You Jesus for the many blessings You pour for me and for the abundance of mercy and compassion You have for me.  I am undeserving.  I worry, and I am easily distracted by the world.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.”

Jeremiah 46-47:7

“Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. Do not be afraid, Jacob my servant, for I am with you,” declares the Lord. “Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only in due measure; I will not let you go entirely unpunished.” Jeremiah 46:27-28

Day 215 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Jeremiah. This morning, building on yesterday's post, my commentary* discusses how, Egypt seeks to overtake Babylonia (and Philistia), but will be defeated (Jeremiah 46:1-11) and subdued by Egypt (Jeremiah 46:12-26).

Addressing those who have remained faithful AND those who have not, God offers "reassurance to Judah".  As I have posted previously,

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced.

Isaiah 48:16-50

The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears; I have not been rebellious, I have not turned away. I offered my back to those who beat me, my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard; I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting. Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Isaiah 50:4-7

Day 196 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  My commentary* describes how God addresses Israel through Isaiah, and urges Israel to draw near to God and listen to His words (Isaiah 48:16-19).  He promises redemption, glory and splendor through Israel - God's chosen people (Isaiah 48:20-49:4) - and all believers should understand that we exist to serve and glorify God. Isaiah points to the coming Messiah (Isaiah 49:6), tells Israel that their exile will end and that those in exile will not be forgotten (Isaiah 49:8-21), reminds Israel that exile was punishment for sin (Isaiah 50:1-3), exhorts Israel to understand that God is with Israel, even during periods of punishment and suffering, and that Israel is to view such punishment and suffering as a test of faith and that Israel should remain obedient in its faith/trust in God and endure (Isaiah 5:4-9). 

Yesterday, in Sunday school, our class discussed how in our country, believers in Christ are increasingly under attack and it is becoming more important that we stand firm in our faith and proclaim our faith regardless of the circumstances.  It is God alone who sustains us and He will never leave or forsake us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, sustains me and never leaves or forsakes me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  My sin continues daily - worry, gossip, etc. 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.

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.

2 Corinthians 11

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness. v30

In 2 Corinthians 11:23-29 (and he continues in chapter 12), Paul writes of his sufferings on behalf of his ministry for Christ.  He does so because according to John Piper, "suffering is essential" for believers as this is the only "path to glorification [of God]" and if you are to minister to others. 

Paul crystallizes the essential nature of suffering:

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10

Our weakness bring us to God, on whom we depend for all things, and it is through our dependence on God where we draw strength - strength that is divine.

See also this post "Five Truths About Christian Suffering".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is with me - every day and every moment - thank You Jesus for being with me during both the good times and especially during those times when I am weak.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin weighs heavily and it is great - please forgive me 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 our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.

2 Corinthians 1

And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. v7

Paul writes a second letter to the church in Corinth, and this time he is more encouraging.  He starts by describing to us how our sufferings and resulting comfort from God serves to provide comfort to others as we learn to gain comfort from God and minister to others who share the same challenges.   We've all had challenges and it is comforting that we can be a comfort to others particularly when we question why we are experiencing our challenges.

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

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who[i] have been called according to his purpose.

Romans 8

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. v28

Paul wants us to know that everything we experience - the good and the bad - God uses for our good, underscoring that God has a plan for our life...just as it is stated in Jeremiah:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Jeremiah 29:11

John Piper believes that "[n]o promise in all the world surpasses the height and breadth and weight of [Romans 8:28]".

We must try and view our life's circumstances through the lens of what God is doing for us, and that He loves us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I have seen in my own life how You have used both good and difficult circumstances for my good and of course for Your glory.  You are good!  I love You Jesus and I am grateful for Your hand in my life.  Yet I am undeserving.  I worry and I have other sin.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5

And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. v2-4

God does not want us to boast about any of our own abilities but instead at what He is able to do through us, particularly through our weakness as it becomes clear that God is at work, and as Paul says we are strengthened and molded into more of His image.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has produced much through my trials and weakness - I've been greatly strengthened - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  I am selfish, etc. and I sin daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And he went outside and wept bitterly.

Luke 22

And he went outside and wept bitterly. v62

We all know the passage of how Peter denies Jesus three times before the roster crows, just as Jesus indicated to Peter the prior evening.  Peter is obviously feeling threatened and understandably denies Jesus out of fear for his life.  The question becomes - what would each of us do when perhaps confronted with a "gun to our head" by someone seeking to do harm to Christians?  While it may be difficult to tackle this question hypothetically, John Piper takes a crack at it here.

Piper refers to Matthew 10 where it says: "[b]ut whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven" (v33) and "[a]nyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me" (v37). 

Another question arises which is: can I lose my salvation once saved? Piper takes a crack at this also. 

I am not going to resolve these questions this morning, but I am nonetheless encouraged by the scripture referenced by Piper in his posts:

If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 1 Peter 4:14

Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Matthew 10:28

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who sustains and protects me every day from harm of all kinds - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of Your love and protection.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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.

Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!

Mark 14

 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer! v42

Jesus wants us to be ready for what we face.  As He goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, that night of His arrest, He tells Peter, James, and John to "[s]tay here and keep watch” (v34).   He also tells them to also "pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (v38).  

Unfortunately, they fall asleep - three times (v37, 39, 41)!

John Piper writes that the reason for this story in the Bible is "so that we can watch all of that and be ready for the battle of Gethsemane. That is, be ready to move with Jesus into his saving work. To join him in making the greatest difference in the world".  Piper wants us to join Jesus in His work and mission - today's verse Jesus' battle call for us to fight for and with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who came to earth knowing everything about me and my sin, and everything about what You would endure on the cross - and You willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an effort and sacrifice.  I worry and I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”

Mark 14

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. “Truly I tell you, I will not drink again from the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.” v22-25

This morning I met with a new group of men in a study and peer group.  It is important to be in