And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons.

Mark 1:35-45

And he said to them, “Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out.” And he went throughout all Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and casting out demons. Mark 1:38-39

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 1:35-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Excerpts from the second (of three) division of the commentary, which covers 1:38-39:

• "The crowds at Peter’s house came for the miracles. Now, apparently, they want more. The call to repent and believe the gospel (1:15) was not on their spiritual radar. Like so many today, they wanted a Jesus of their liking, a Jesus who would perform miracles and fit into their agenda."
• "Neither the crowds nor the disciples understood why He had come into the world. But He knew! Jesus came to preach, to herald, to proclaim the gospel of salvation, a message that is both by Him and about Him. Indeed, He is the gospel! But sadly, the crowds missed Him. God had only one Son, and He made Him a preacher. No pastor is worthy of the office who does not preach the Word. No church will prosper spiritually without the preaching of the Word."
• "Jesus went throughout all Galilee, preaching the gospel and casting out demons. He did this out of a life of prayer. Prayer and preaching is a one-two punch that cannot be defeated. This is how the kingdom marches on anywhere and anytime."  

For those who are gifted as teachers, it is call that they should follow, but with great humility and responsibility.  Those who teach must constantly be learning and allowing God to work through their gift of teaching.  For believers, we need corporate worship to hear this teaching, and we should be striving to learn and grow through our own study of the Word and through Bible studies where we participate with other believers to sharpen one another - Proverbs 27:17.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves - thank You for providing so many great teachers who help me see You in You Word and understand and love You more.  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 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 brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

James 5:12-20

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20

My preparation for teaching this upcoming Sunday 25AUG on James 5:12-20 continues and this morning my focus today is a commentary-assisted review of the text, leaning on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book videos (Part 1 and Part 2) for James 5:19-20.  

Excerpts from Part 1:

• use of my brothers uses quite frequently - emphasizing family of God
• use of you means we should not assume that a wanderer is not a believer; not following doctrine (obedience - see also Galatians 2:14) or not believing doctrine (see Romans 10:9 how belief in doctrine is key)  
• v20 let whoever is doing the rescuing or being rescued that there is benefit - encouragement, inspiration, etc. for the former, and salvation, compassion, mercy, etc. for the latter. 
• be reminded that while we are referred to largely as saints, we are also sinners (1 Timothy 1:15)!
  

Excerpts from Part 2:

• focus on doctrine of eternal security; human agency is critical in community
  
• human agents used by God save (and cover) sinners from wandering and death
• five truths about eternal security: (1) we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone apart from works (see Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 3:28); (2) those who are justified will be certainly be glorified (Romans 8:30), (3) but no one will be glorified/finally saved who does not continue in faith (1 Corinthians 15:1-2, Colossians 1:21-23, Matthew 10:22); (4) God Himself will keep His children from finally falling away (dynamic process) (Philippians 1:6, 1 Corinthians 1:8-9); (5) God keeps His children by means of His children (Hebrews 3:13-14).    
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome incredible God who has given me incredible, supportive and Christ-like community in my family and in my church-thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You saved me and give me such a community.  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.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.

James 5:12-20

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. James 5:16a

My preparation for teaching this upcoming Sunday 25AUG on James 5:12-20 continues and this morning my focus today is a commentary-assisted review of the text, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition series volume for this book. First, the commentary describes v12 as a "hard-left" (off course from key topics patience in previous verses and prayer in next verses).  It shares, referring us to James 3 where he is talking about taming the tongue: "faith that perseveres is trustworthy in speech. The words from our mouths should be so consistent and dependable that they guarantee reliability." 

Excerpts from the commentary on 5:13-18, in a section entitled Prayerful in Sorrow:

• We are reminded again that patience and waiting on the Lord requires prayer; when you are hurting, happy, anxious, etc.; prayer with the elders who will pray over you
• Use of oil in v14 discussed as symbolic, as setting apart someone who is sick as needing attention and care from God; "[t]his is the only place in the New Testament letters where anointing a sick person with oil is even mentioned, and many healings occurred without anointing. The emphasis is on praying and not just to pray with the elders but, according to James 5:16, to pray with the church."
• Confess sins to one another and pray for one another - v16a
  
• On the power and effectiveness of prayer - v16b - the example of Elijah in vv17-18, is provided per the commentary to help us learn the secret to power and effectiveness in prayer (John 14:14): "to ask for something in the name of Christ is to ask for something according to His Word and for His glory. So when you pray, you need to start by making your wants God’s wants."
• We should also pray to change our desire to His desires
  

 Excerpts from the commentary on 5:19-20, in a section entitled Loving Towards Sinners:

• These two verses describe "the seventh and final characteristic of faith that lasts."
• Look out for brothers and sisters in Christ
• V19 specifically describes "earthly restoration"
• Commentary emphasizes the doctrine of eternal security and how this is accomplished through community; we must look out for one another  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome incredible God who has given me incredible, supportive and Christ-like community in my family and in my church-thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You saved me and give me such a community.  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.

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name.

 3 John 1

Peace be to you. The friends greet you. Greet the friends, each by name. 3 John 1:15

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of 3 John 1, focusing on the fourth and final division - vv13-15 and the associated commentary (John: A Man with a Pastor’s Heart). With this text, we see John revealing his heart for those whom he discipled and many of whom likely he helped lead to Christ.  He often in his letters refers to these as his children and greets them with my much warmth and affection.  As I posted this previously, the text highlights the importance of face-to-face interactions with other believers as God intends for us. John signs off by sharing that he desires his children to experience the peace of God (that Paul refers to as that which surpasses all understanding - see Philippians 4:7) and to know they are loved as he sends his greetings.  The commentary shares that John's reference to his fellow believers as "friends" reflects similar sentiments he expressed in John 15:13. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, provides new mercies every morning that never cease, and You provide brothers and sisters in Christ who support and encourage me in my journey with You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and 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 accept You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good.

 3 John 1

Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. 3 John 1:11a

I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  Today, my study consists of a commentary-assisted review of 3 John 1, focusing on the third division - vv11-12 and the associated commentary (Demetrius: A Man with a Good Testimony). While v11 shares that we are to imitate good, presumably by watching godly examples such as Gaius and Demetrius, we are reminded that we should most importantly be more like Jesus Christ - we are referred to 1 Corinthians 11:1 and Hebrews 12:2-3.  This said, godly examples such as these men prove helpful and God provides us these men in our lives as "iron sharpens iron" (Proverbs 27:17).  The commentary also points out how Godly brothers and sisters in Christ serve as examples not just for us in our own journey but also for the next generation.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who serves as the example for all to follow, and You give me Godly men and women in my life to sharpen me and to give me examples to follow.  You also give me the Holy Spirit and Your Word to guide me as a lamp unto my feet.  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.

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 4

[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:6-7

I resume my study of Ephesians via my participation in a Discipleship (D) Group that is part of my church. For this morning, I continue with Ephesians 4, focusing on v1-16. As I posted yesterday, unity within the church is a primary theme as Paul seeks to keep the church in Ephesus on mission - all working together towards the same end, which is to spread the gospel.  John Piper, digs deeper here, and writes that this text from Paul's letter to the Ephesians is urging us to participate in small groups as a core and necessary component of our church experience - we cannot simply attend church just on Sundays as God intends so much more for us as a church body. He leans heavily on v16, which starts in v15 where believers are urged to "[speak] truth in love, [and] grow up in every way into him who is the head into Christ" and then Piper uses the text to explain how God sees us "growing up."  He collapses v16 to show that God wants "the whole body" to "[make] the body grow so that it builds itself up in love."  Piper then goes on to write how "grace given to each one of us" (v7-8) enables this body to minister to itself, thereby not relying on entirely on church staff to do all the work.  Piper closes his message with this: "So what verse 16 means when it says that 'the whole body causes the growth of the body' when 'each individual part is working properly,' it means that all the members have gifts, and all of those gifts are to be used in building up the body 'in love.' And this is how Christ, the all-supplying, supernatural Head of the body, builds and cares for his church." Speaking for myself, I know that I need a small group experience as part of my church life.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me brothers and sisters in Christ from whom I am encouraged, supported, loved, etc. Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such blessings nor any of 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 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.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 22:17-24:34

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6

I continue with my study of Proverbs, and today I to week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24:34.  After an initial reading of Proverbs 22:17-29 yesterday, this morning I read Proverbs 23 and I dug into the first two questions for this week - one which looks at how wisdom deepens trust in the Lord (Proverbs 22:19), and the other looks at how we can discern Godly friendship. For the latter, my study refers me to Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 19:4,6; 22:11,24-25; 27:6,9,17. Proverbs 27:6 pricks my heart this morning as it took several readings and commentary to more fully understand. Friendly wounds sharpen me - God puts such people in my life to mold me into more of His image.  We should not only seek out such people, but we should keep them close so that they can sharpen us (and hopefully we can sharpen them) in our journey.

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am grateful for how You sanctify and mold me into Your image - it is often painful but I am grateful for this molding process.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You love me in such a way.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome 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.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Job 1-42

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

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 "Job: God's Presence in the Storm*".

*Title of lesson two from the Max Lucado study. 

As I start to read and unpack Job, my study starts with Job's initial response to the calamities that befell him in Job 1:13-19. Job falls down in worship and continues to see God reign and how He is worthy of praise - quite an amazing response indeed!  My study then moves to look at Job's friends and the wisdom of their advice.  I am encouraged by my study to seek "multitudes of counselors" and see how Job's friends, while they might have not offered entirely wise counsel, did offer some nuggets. 

One such nuggets include (from Eliphaz the Temanite):

“Submit to God and be at peace with him; in this way prosperity will come to you. Accept instruction from his mouth and lay up his words in your heart. Job 22:21-22

My study points to Elihu (who speaks up in Job 32-37), who while younger than Job's three friends who have already taken a crack at providing their perspective, rebukes Job for attempting to justify himself vs God.  John Piper has an excellent post on how he believes Elihu provides wise counsel to Job. We should all have Elihu-type advisers in our lives.

Comment and discuss the post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has provided many great men and counselors in my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of this and the many other ways that You bless me.  I continue to sin with worry and other 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. 

I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do.

Nehemiah 7, 11-12

 I put in charge of Jerusalem my brother Hanani, along with Hananiah the commander of the citadel, because he was a man of integrity and feared God more than most people do. Nehemiah 7:2

Day 282 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 the book of Nehemiah where Nehemiah devises a plan to populate, maintain, and defend Jerusalem following rebuilding of the temple walls by the exiles who returned. Today's reading focuses primarily on the names of families and tribes and where they settle, either in the city or in their ancestral property.  Yet we get another glimpse into Nehemiah's character as a man of God by looking at those who he surrounds himself.   

Hananiah placed in a position of trust due to his fear of God.  We need to surround ourselves by believers who fear God as fear of God drives obedience and a desire to please Him.  Our own faith is strengthened by the faith of those who surround us as "iron sharpens iron".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has helped surround me with great men of faith who strengthen and encourage me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings - my sin continues.  I fail to see You first 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.

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’”

Jeremiah 24, 29, 27-28

Then the prophet Jeremiah said to Hananiah the prophet, “Listen, Hananiah! The Lord has not sent you, yet you have persuaded this nation to trust in lies. Therefore this is what the Lord says: ‘I am about to remove you from the face of the earth. This very year you are going to die, because you have preached rebellion against the Lord.’” Jeremiah 28:15-16

Day 221 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 as my commentary* focuses on the danger of false prophets and Jeremiah's response: "Jeremiah’s chief concern during the early part of Zedekiah’s reign is the number of false prophets who are still saying that all is well, and that Babylonia will be broken instead of Judah. Perhaps because of the persecution he faces as a true prophet of God, Jeremiah unleashes a blistering attack against those who are masquerading as God’s prophets, even among the captives in Babylonia. Jeremiah is forced to write to the people in exile and tell them to settle in for the duration, which will be 70 years."

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®). Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition.

While today's scripture includes some of the most quoted words in the Bible (Jeremiah 29) - and we should all be encouraged by these words - in a broader historical context it is also important to understand (God's Word delivered through Jeremiah) Jeremiah's harsh words for false prophets. In terms of God's Word, we must be able to discern truth. My verses that I highlight today are just two examples from my reading today where (God) Jeremiah harshly rebukes several false prophets. 

We must STUDY the Bible, use trustworthy commentary, and find worthy brothers and sisters in Christ who can sharpen us.

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has given me Your Word and it is You, and it is alive and active in me - thank You Jesus! Yet I know You are not done with me and my sin continues...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my many sins (gossip, etc.) 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.

Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom.

2 Chronicles 24-25 and 2 Kings 12-14 

Amaziah, however, would not listen, for God so worked that he might deliver them into the hands of Jehoash, because they sought the gods of Edom. 2 Chronicles 25:20, 2 Kings 14:11-13

  

Day 165 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 the divided kingdoms of Judah and Israel as we see both hasten their spiritual decline.  Amaziah succeeds Joash as King of Judah and although "[h]e did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, [he did] not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there" (2 Kings 14:3-4).  In Israel, Jeroboam II succeeds Jehoash and "[h]e did evil in the eyes of the Lord and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit" (2 Kings 14:24).

What strikes me today is how Godly wisdom is ignored.  Although Amaziah initially listens to Godly wisdom regarding the required strength of forces to defeat Edom (2 Chronicles 25:6-10) and destroys Edom, he brought back foreign gods and God's anger burned.  The same unnamed prophet challenges Amaziah about such worship and the prophet responds indicating "I know that God has determined to destroy you, because you have done this and have not listened to my counsel" (2 Chronicles 25:14-16).  Of course, Amaziah seeks to go to battle against Israel but is defeated. 

We all need our brothers and sisters in Christ to challenge, encourage, and even confront us when we sin. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, and who has placed many men and women of faith in my life who have challenged, encouraged and even confronted me in my sin.  I am grateful that You have done this.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin continues - particularly worry and anxiety.  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. 

As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you.

  2 Kings 2, 4, 6, 8 

As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you. 2 Kings 2:2, 4, 6

Day 157 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 a study of Elisha the prophet as Elijah goes up into Heaven. 

A couple of things strike me today:

(a) we need others who will encourage and call us to be who God intends us to be - Elijah took Elisha under his wing and Elisha became Elijah's protege.  The two became inseparable - in 2 Kings 2 Elisha refuses to leave Elijah's side and on three occasions remarks "As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you". Elijah is being called to Jericho and other places prior to calling him home to Heaven, but Elisha will not leave Elijah's side. This relationship leaves a mark and prior to Elijah being called home to Heaven, Elisha asks Elijah to "inherit a double portion of [Elijah's] spirit". Elijah responds to Elisha that this can happen based on certain conditions that ultimately do come to pass.  Elisha goes on to perform miracles described in my commentary* that are "similar in nature... [not just to Elijah but also to] those performed by the Messiah to come".

*Smith, F. LaGard. The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) . Harvest House Publishers. Kindle Edition. 

(b) a review of Elijah's life based on this post from DesiringGod.com indicates that Elijah had an "effective prayer life" and God used him during a period of great spiritual crisis among the Jewish people to rise him up from obscurity to confront apostasy.  The post refers to Elijah as a mega-prophet but encourages us to have confidence that we can live with faith as Elijah does - he is just as ordinary as we are.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has placed men in my life that have called me up and encouraged me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  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.

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.

Various Proverbs

Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. Proverbs 15:22

Day 136 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 a study of the Proverbs - primarily of Solomon, but including the Proverbs of other authors as well. This morning my focus includes proverbs that provide advice and rebuke, describe the value of advisers, discipline, lawkeeping, and repentance, contrast a life of righteousness vs wickedness, contrast integrity vs perversion, and describe appropriate consequences for righteousness vs wickedness.

I have often posted about the value and power of unity and togetherness. I am co-leading a study from AuthenticManhood.com called "33 The Series: A Man and His Design" (available through RightNowMedia.org) and straight away we encounter a strong recommendation to team up with other Godly men.  We will not lead the life God intends for us without the company of other believers who will encourage, challenge, and at times rebuke us.  John Piper of course has thoughts on this topic - I thought this morning he would ; )

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided other great men in my life to strengthen and protect me in my walk with You.  I am grateful for such love but undeserving.  My sin continues...please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses 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. 

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David.

Ruth 1-4

This, then, is the family line of Perez: Perez was the father of Hezron, Hezron the father of Ram, Ram the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, Nahshon the father of Salmon, Salmon the father of Boaz, Boaz the father of Obed, Obed the father of Jesse, and Jesse the father of David. Ruth 4:18-22

Day 79 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Ruth, a young widower Moabite woman with great loyalty and love for her mother-in-law, an older widower Israelite woman named Naomi.

John Piper has a great summary of Ruth and he believes the key takeaway from Ruth is that "[i]t was written and it has been preached to give you some...encouragement and hope that all the perplexing turns in your life lately are not dead-end streets. In all the setbacks of your life as a believer God is plotting for your joy."

Both Ruth and Naomi suffer greatly but lean on each other.  In my view this is another great takeaway - unity centered on faith among believers helps us persist through the trials and tribulations of life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me great men and women believers who have helped me walk through dark valleys - thank You Jesus!  My faith has been strengthened through these people - angels indeed.  I am not deserving of how You bless me with these angels.  I continue to 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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. v24-25

As a result of Jesus sacrifice on the cross, the author of Hebrews wants us to "hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (v23)."  Our ability to "hold unswervingly to the hope" we have in Jesus is very difficult outside of our brothers and sisters in Christ who spur us on through encouragement and sharpening.

John Piper provides many other scripture examples on these topics.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has given me brothers and sisters in Christ who encourage me and help me grow into who You desire for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and encouragement.  I am often harsh with my words and actions and I gossip.  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 em 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.

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more.

1 Thessalonians 4

As for other matters, brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. v1

Paul is pleased with the church in Thessalonica but just as God seeks spiritual growth in all of us, Paul is pushing the church to grow.  Before I get into the specifics of where Paul seeks this growth, I am pausing today to focus on the general topic of spiritual growth.  I have previously posted how growth is not an option (per John Piper).  We are called to grow closer to God and become more like Him.  This starts by assessing where we are and surrounding ourselves with others that can push us and support us in our areas of growth.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about cleansing rite, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so. Hebrews 6:1-3

From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16

See also

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all.

Galatians 1

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. v6-7

There is but one true God - Jesus Christ - one gospel, and a new covenant that forms and is the basis of our relationship with God.  Yet as Paul was growing the church he encountered those who sought to force new believers to follow all the ways of the Mosaic law as the path to Christ.  Yet Paul seeks to forcefully remind the new believers in Galatia that it is justification by faith (not works) that provides our path to Jesus and salvation.  See also resources from overviewbible.com and MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) that provide a primer on the purpose of this letter by Paul to the new church in Galatia.

This is also a good reminder for believers to study the Bible and seek both a head and a heart of understanding and there are times when we need to challenge each other to ensure a more full understanding of God's message.  I am grateful for those who help deepen my understanding of God's word.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and has grown in my heart and life and provided Your word as a means to do this, and as well provided others in my life to help deepen my understanding of God's word.  Thank You Jesus - I am grateful for such blessings.  Yet I am not deserving.  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.

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately.

Acts 18

He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they invited him to their home and explained to him the way of God more adequately. v26

God wants us to STUDY scriptures and to understand what He wants to say to us from both a head (more absolute) and a heart perspective (His personal message to us). This applies of course to what we understand and the understanding of others.  This is the sharpening process that God intends for us. We are intended to be in fellowship with other believers for this and many other believers.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves and who has given me both scriptures and others in my life and resources to better help me understand Your messages for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I sin daily - please help me Lord.  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.

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”

Acts 2

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” v40

At Pentecost, Peter warns those in attendance to "save [them]selves from this corrupt generation".  All of us struggle with temptation of some kind regarding idolatry people, things, status, power, etc. Whatever our struggle may be, Peter's warning rings true for everyone.

Peter's warning isn't an isolated one as there are many of the same or similar warnings throughout scripture:

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

 

Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Instead, we are intended to live in fellowship with other believers who can mutually help each other grow in Christ.

 

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:10-11

 

While we are called to bring the Good News of Jesus to unbelievers, we need other believers in our lives who can keep our faith "sharp" and help us avoid the "dullness" that comes from growing too close with the things of this world.  See also this post from DesiringGod.com.

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided other believers in my life to help keep me sharp and avoid dullness - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of the blessings You pour out on me - I too often conform to the patterns of this world and my sin is great.  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 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.

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.”

Luke 8

He replied, “My mother and brothers are those who hear God’s word and put it into practice.” v21

We are called to love God before anything else (see Exodus 20, Matthew 22:34-40).  We are called to read and study the Bible, to pray, to serve, etc. We need each other - brothers and sisters in Christ - to do this...to support, encourage, and hold each accountable in our efforts - because it is difficult.

Therefore, while we might have earthly family - it those who help us in our walk who are most important - regardless of whether they are blood family or not.

Those who help us put God's word into practice - who help us walk the walk - are out mothers, brothers, etc. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has provided me with brothers and sisters in Christ who support me, encourage me, pray with me and for me, and hold me accountable.  Iron does indeed sharpen iron.  Thank You for providing me with such "iron" and people in my life.  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeserving.  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 for 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.