O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord.

Isaiah 2

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord. Isaiah 2:5

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  On day 4 of my study, the key takeaway comes from Isaiah 2:5, highlighted also in this post from John Piper.  Isaiah 2 is filled with prophecies of how God will bring low the haughty and proud, those who spurn or forsake God. I have seen in my own life how such a spurn leads to ruin and I don't seek this for myself or anyone.  Such ruin is not only in this life but also for eternity as spurning God leads to eternal damnation.  Instead I seek to "walk in the light of the Lord" all the days of my life. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is a light unto my path - thank You Jesus for being my light in a world full of darkness.  I am not deserving of how You bless me.  My sin of worry and other sins continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.”

 John 12, Matthew 21, Mark 11, Luke 19

Then Jesus told them, “You are going to have the light just a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, before darkness overtakes you. Whoever walks in the dark does not know where they are going. Believe in the light while you have the light, so that you may become children of light.” John 12:35-36

Day 312 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 I move further into the New Testament - this morning focusing on the final week of Jesus' life and ministry, starting with Palm Sunday (Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey) through Monday of this final week where scripture for this morning ends. My commentary* indicates how Jesus enters Jerusalem on Passover which celebrates how blood on the Israelite doors in Egypt spared those inside from a plague brought from God to the Egyptian first born. "As the perfect Lamb of God, Jesus himself is about to be slain for the salvation of all who would recognize and accept the power in his blood....Jesus knows, however, that most of [the disciples] still do not understand the true nature of his messiah-ship and deity, and that there are many more who still do not believe in him at all. As Jesus is now given the greatest welcome of his ministry, his enemies fear his popularity and let him have his day of glory."  As those who oppose Jesus plot the appropriate time to capture Him, Jesus continues to teach, with particular attention on what is about to happen and why.

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

Just as Jesus is about to leave Jerusalem on that Monday of the final week, He calls on believers to focus on what is to happen with His death and they should believe and walk in the light.  The world is full of darkness indeed, and Jesus is the light.  I am reminded of how God is light and His words from Psalms and Luke:

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

“No one lights a lamp and puts it in a place where it will be hidden, or under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, so that those who come in may see the light. Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.” Luke 11:33-36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me and who is light - without You I would be lost and in darkness, and condemned.  Thank You Jesus for giving me light.  I am not deserving of Your love and the light You are and provide.  My sin is great - including a focus on my own comfort and desires above You.  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.

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.”

John 11

Jesus answered, “Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the daytime will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.” v9-10

This morning I started reading the story of Lazarus (v1-43), Jesus' friend who fell sick but was raised from the dead by Jesus.  Jesus, in conversation with His disciples, remarks how He is light.  A few days ago, I posted as well on how Jesus is light.  I don't know how others can go through life without Jesus.

Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. Psalm 119:105

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is light and so much more - You are everything, in everything, create everything and You love me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God.  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. 

See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.

Luke 11

See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you. v35-36

John Piper encourages us to use our eye to value God for who He is and to treasure Him.  We must value God as infinitely more valuable than anything on earth - otherwise we are prone to allowing darkness and sin to overcome our body.  I am reminded of a post from a few days ago on filling our lives with Jesus vs earthly influences.  We cannot remain "empty" of God - again, otherwise darkness will fill the void.

Jesus, please help me be filled with Your Greatness, Love, Mercy, etc.  Help me feast on the Word of God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who daily gives me live...to the full - thank You Jesus!  My cup overflows.  I am undeserving of the rich blessings You pour out on me.  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.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

1 Peter 2

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. v9

Believers are chosen to be firm in their faith in Jesus so that we can "offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to him" (Romans 12:1).  As Peter puts it, and as Paul encourages us, we are not to cause others to stumble or fall, but instead we are to draw others to Him by being a light unto others.

All who were sitting in the Sanhedrin looked intently at Stephen, and they saw that his face was like the face of an angel. Acts 6:15

 

You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.  Matthew 5:14-16 

 

My Prayer: Lord, You are an awesome God worthy of my full attention and passion.  There is no God like You.  Only You can save me from sins and give me eternal life.  Only You can provide the Holy Spirit - the same power that helped You rise from the grave.  Apart from You I can do no good things.  Thank You for blessing me richly - I am undeserving.  I worry and I know You don't want me to - 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 do.  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. 

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

1 John 2

This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. v5-6

Challenging words indeed from John - John wants us to live in the light and for us to live in the light and in Him (Jesus), we must live as Jesus did.  A very high standard indeed.  A great place to start is with Jesus' two most important commandments:

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed a great God and You lived a sinless perfect life then willingly laid down Your life for me so that I would be freed from the sting of sin and death and so that I would have eternal life in Heaven with You.  How awesome are You!  Thank You Jesus for doing all that You have done and for doing all that You do.  I know my worship is but filthy rags I offer it with the hope that You will accept my life as a living sacrifice.  Please.  Forgive me for not being all that You desire for me.  I am selfish and I desire my comfort far too often.  Please forgive me and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.