But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

Mark 2:1-12

But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the paralytic—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home.” And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” Mark 2:10-12

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, 10-12, which is the text for the third (of three) division of vv1-12 per the commentary.  Excerpts from the commentary for the third division (We Should Glorify Jesus for What He Does) vv5, 10-12:

• Quoting Mark commentary from Lane, the commentary shares: '[t]he paralytic experienced the fulfillment of God’s promise that the lame would share in the joy of the coming salvation.' See also Isaiah 35:6.
• "Often we think we know what our greatest need is, but really we are only focusing on our circumstances. In reality the problem you are facing today is not your spouse, children, or parents. It is not your job, boss, or coworkers. It is not your lack of resources, shortage of time, or insufficient income. Just like this young man, your greatest need is for the Messiah Himself."
• "Jesus saw everything clearly—far more clearly than we do. He used this teachable moment to make the point concerning our greatest need in this life or the life to come!"
• "The response of the man and the crowd is appropriate. Even the Pharisees and teachers of the law, who “had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem” (Luke 5:17), could not deny this man had been healed and his sins forgiven. Nor could they deny that it had all been done by this man named Jesus. They may not like it, but they could not deny it! Thus we see forgiveness of sins declared (2:5), questioned (2:6-9), validated (2:11), and recognized (2:12)."  

Core to this text is how in response to what Jesus did, "all [were] amazed and glorified God."  For believers, we all have a testimony regarding what God has done in our lives - He has certainly saved us, and He continues to do a work in us through the presence of the Holy Spirit in our heart - sanctification.  Our response should be to "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice...which is your worship." (Romans 12:1).  God created us to glorify Him in all that we do (see also 1 Corinthians 10:31, Colossians 3:17).   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace - every day that never ceases.  You continue to do a work in me and of course You saved me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy nor 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.  Help me 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. 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 and 11:1

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on to a unassisted review of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1.  Here Paul provides commands to do everything for the glory God and so that others may be saved. A review of the text:

• vv23-24: while believers continue to follow the moral law of the first covenant with God from the Old Testament, ceremonial law no longer needs to be followed; one example of this is circumcision.  Paul also seeks to warn believers about practices, while lawful, may not be helpful to others or the church.  Paul makes this clear in v24.
  
• vv25-30: there are no restrictions about meat that is purchased in the marketplace, as v26 states that all from the earth is from God with the implication that we are to eat anything in the garden (Genesis 2:15-17) or from God; however, if offered something that will not be helpful in our efforts to save others we should avoid such acts/practices.
• vv31-33: do everything for the glory of God; be careful to avoid anything that might hinder others as we seek to share the gospel with them
• 11:1: follow Paul's example as he seeks to follow Christ
  

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.     

[R]endering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.

Ephesians 6

[R]endering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Ephesians 6:7-8

This morning, until I start a new Bible study, I continue using devotionals from John Piper.  Today, the post encourages us to understand how, in our work, believers work for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Piper asks us to consider five things about our work:

1. A call to radically Lord-centered living: unlike most earthly career advice where we are the "masters of our own domain", believers must consider that we exist to glorify God, and this is a radical concept for non-believers.  
2. A call to be a good person: this extends beyond our professional life such that anything and everything we do be seen as good so that we are seen as a light in a world of darkness; we are referred to Matthew 5:16. 
3. Power to do a good job for inconsiderate earthly employers
4. Encouragement that nothing good is done in vain: "Every little thing you do that is good is seen and valued and rewarded by the Lord."
5. Encouragement that insignificant status on earth is no hindrance to great reward in Heaven

I often struggle with earthly status with regard to my work - great encouragement today indeed.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed amazing and You provide my income and my job - and You have provided through good times and bad times and You have never left or forsaken me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  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.

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

 Daniel 1

In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom. v20

I am excited to start my reading in the book of Daniel, which is the last of the books of the major prophets.

Daniel is taken captive in Babylonia, and much like Joseph, he is a man of integrity and a man that desires to obey God and follow His will, regardless of the circumstances.  In fact, it is the difficulty of the circumstances that allows God's light to be seen. 

The early church in Thessalonica is another example and encouragement for how all believers can find joy in suffering and therefore be a light to draw others to Him.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia— your faith in God has become known everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-10

See also posts on joy in suffering.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are!  I love You and You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  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.