So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows.

Jonah 1:7-16 

So they picked up Jonah and hurled him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows. Jonah 1:15-16

I continue my study in Jonah to supplement my church's current sermon series in this book.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: As I posted yesterday,  the mariners threw the cargo overboard and "each cried out to his god," but neither of these actions moved God to relent of his wrath towards Jonah. God wanted Jonah's attention and he got it in the text today...He also got the attention of the captain and his crew as vv15-16 share how once Jonah was thrown overboard, the sea (God) immediately "ceased from its raging[, and]...the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and they offered a sacrifice to the LORD and made vows." The text today does not detail what these vows were but my sense is that they made vows to the Lord to believe and trust Him.  God made the sea rage to not only get the attention of Jonah but also of the captain and his crew.  God wants everyone's full attention!    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Fear is a great motivator and it often pushes people to desperation.  The ship's captain and crew clearly sought to avoid death, and once they learned how Jonah was a Hebrew but running from God, and then saw how throwing him overboard calmed the sea, they instantly believed (including prayer to God to seek forgiveness for throwing Jonah overboard) in God as King of Kings and sovereign over all including Creation.  Jonah, at the same time, saw God's wrath and recognized that the raging sea was due to his disobedience - nothing anyone could do (including tossing cargo overboard and crying out to their pagan gods).  We often do not discern how our circumstances reflect God's work and in this case God was disciplining Jonah.  God's discipline may also reflect His desire to mold us into more of His image and to prepare us for future ministry.  God wanted to use Jonah to reach the gentiles in Nineveh and for them to repent and Jonah for some reason did not want to perform this mission.  Don't miss what and how God is working in your life - he could be punishing you OR he could just be preparing you for future ministry - discipline as training.       
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid missing how God is using your circumstances where He is using discipline as training.  Claim the promise that nothing is hidden from Him and God is sovereign over all. Follow the example of Jonah and the mariners - Jonah repented from his sin and the mariners prayed to God.  Trust and depend on God for everything in your life as He holds your life in His hands.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You are in control of all details and You seek my full attention....and You deserve it!  You saved me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

Hebrews 4:12-13

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:12-13

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 4:12-13 - the author pivots from an exhortation to seek God's rest - lest you fall into disobedience (v11) - to a reminder that while we may think we are not disobedient, we should be very careful to both understand our fallen nature and a holy, able and perfect God who sees everything.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Because the Word is God (John 1:1), we should see God as living and active (v12).  God (and the Word) is also all knowing/omniscient - He is able to discern thoughts and intentions (v12) - and our thoughts and intentions often drive us into sin even though we may feel as if we don't sin (Matthew 5:21-22, 28, and 1 John 3:15). The Word also exposes sin - see Romans 7:7.  He will hold us accountable either in this life but certainly upon death. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: All sin and all short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We often deceive ourselves that we don't sin (1 John 1:8), because we believe we can hide sin (v13) - yet this is this foolish as God sees it all....including sins of commission and those of omission!
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid any claim to be without sin! Claim the promise that God not only forgives, but He also saves and sanctifies us - giving us victory over sin and death.  Follow the example of Paul (Romans 7) who recognized his struggle with sin and this drove him into the arms of Christ. Repent and be saved!

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves - thank You Jesus!  I know the need for Jesus and I am grateful for my salvation and the mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  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 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 the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth.

 Numbers 12:1-16

Now the man Moses was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth. Numbers 12:3

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 12:1-16 - we see Miriam and Aaron complain and oppose Moses, angering God.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: The Lord is all knowing - this was true in the beginning from the garden where Adam and Eve sinned (The Fall) and attempted to hide from the Lord but could not.  The Lord heard it when Aaron and Moses spoke ill of Moses (v2).  See also this post and similar posts. The Lord does not like when we gossip or slander others - see the 9th commandment from Exodus 20:16.   In the text today, God is particularly angered (v9) because Moses is favored and pleased by God (vv7-8).  God is both merciful and just.  Miriam is punished as God gives her leprosy.  Aaron is not punished but God responds to Moses intercession that Miriam be healed and after seven days of exile from the camp she is restored.   
• What do we learn from the text about people?: We see a contrast between Miriam and Aaron who envy Moses and think more highly of themselves than they ought.  Moses on the other hand - v3 - is very humble.  For God to work through us, we must decrease and He must increase - humility.  
• 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 envy and arrogance.  Claim the promise that the last shall become first.  Follow Moses' humble example.  Surrender to God and allow Him to work through you. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  You are both merciful and just and Your mercies are new every morning and never cease.  Thank You for my salvation and the mercies that continue to pour out daily.  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 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 when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man.

John 2:23-25

Now when he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Feast, many believed in his name when they saw the signs that he was doing. But Jesus on his part did not entrust himself to them, because he knew all people and needed no one to bear witness about man, for he himself knew what was in man. John 2:23-25

I continue my study of John, and today, I further unpack John 2:23-25 using the Sword Bible Study Method, and I summarize my thoughts from both today and yesterday by providing an outline/divisions and main point for the text.  

Main point: Jesus is the Promised Messiah, is self-sufficient, and He wants a relationship with us.  

1. Jesus is the Son of God, and King of Kings - all knowing, all powerful and ever present from the beginning to the end (Alpha and Omega). 
2. God knows what is in the hearts and minds of all of humanity - He sees everything. 
3. Belief in Jesus must be based on an understanding of who He is and that He exists to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God is all knowing, all powerful and ever present from the beginning to the end (Alpha and Omega).  God knows what is in the hearts in men - nothing can be hidden from Him.  God will not commit Himself to nor save those whose faith is paper thin.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People try and hide their motives, beliefs and motives, yet Jesus sees it all.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?):  Avoid superficial faith - Know and love Him with all of your, heart, soul, and mind (Matthew 22:36).  Draw near to God and He will draw near to you (Jeremiah 29:13, James 4:8). 

Comment and discuss this post

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

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name. “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him.

 Malachi 3:16-18

Then those who feared the LORD spoke with one another. The LORD paid attention and heard them, and a book of remembrance was written before him of those who feared the LORD and esteemed his name.  “They shall be mine, says the LORD of hosts, in the day when I make up my treasured possession, and I will spare them as a man spares his son who serves him. Malachi 3:16-17

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I start a focus on a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:13-18 - specifically this morning leaning on the commentary for the division covering the text 3:16-18 and for the conclusion for this chapter of the commentary that covers 3:13-18.  

After a rebuke from God (see vv6-13), those who truly loved and feared God spoke amongst themselves.  While it is not explicit what they discussed, God - of course being all knowing - heard them and of course saw how they feared the Lord.  Again, God does not want us to be afraid of Him, but He wants us to have reverent awe for who God is - the Creator and the King of Kings who is provident over all - holding all things together (see Colossians 1:15-19), including our lives.  We can approach Him with confidence (Hebrews 4:16), knowing that He wants us to lay our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). God then adds those who fear Him to a book of remembrance.  All believers who love and fear God are in this book and sealed for eternity as God is saving a place in Heaven for them.  We are His and His treasured possession as in Malachi 3:17.  What awesome words from God!  Malachi 3:18 then turns to offer a warning for those who do not serve (or fear) God. Ultimately, those who do not fear or love God are thrown into Hell - see Revelation 20:15.  

Excerpts from the commentary:

• See also Proverbs 9:10 for text describing reverential fear of God
• "Malachi’s book of remembrance is quite different than those previously mentioned. Malachi’s book was not written before the foundation of the world and it isn’t a book that records the wicked acts of sinful individuals and God’s judgments against them. It is a book for the righteous acts, deeds, and motives of God’s chosen people. Scripture clearly speaks of the fact that God records everything. Kings during this time frequently recorded in books instances where people would perform favors for them with the hopes of returning the favor one day (e.g., Esther 2:21-23; 6:1-3). Malachi has this kind of book in mind."
• "Notice that all things, not just the good or the bad, are recorded for eternity. God is even recording every time you respond in righteousness. Every time a woman respects her body and rejects intimacy with another man before marriage, God sees and honors that decision. Every time a husband refuses to engage in immoral talk at work or to be seduced into looking at pornography, God recognizes it. Every time you avert gossip, every time you bear the burden of an injustice and refuse to lash out, God sees that. Every time a family opens their home to be a Christian witness to the world, God sees that. Every time you share the gospel with a lost family member or friend, God sees that, whether or not anyone else does. If we lived with this in mind, would it change the way that we act?"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who knows everything about me, yet loves me anyway and of course saved me.  Thank You Father God Jesus!  I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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 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.

Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.” And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.”

Zechariah 5:5-11

Then the angel who talked with me came forward and said to me, “Lift your eyes and see what this is that is going out.” And I said, “What is it?” He said, “This is the basket that is going out.” And he said, “This is their iniquity in all the land.” Zechariah 5:5-6

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 today, my focus is an unassisted review of Zechariah 5:5-11, which the commentary outlines as the second of three divisions for the text 5:1-6:15 (5:1-4, 5-11, 6:1-15).  Building on yesterday's post which focused on how God reveals our sin to us, which of course is a good thing so that we can repent and have God forgive us and free us from the cycle of sin, guilt, shame, more sin, etc, in today's text Zechariah experiences a vision from God where God takes away the sin of His people (iniquity in all the land - v6). The text also references in the vision the land of Shinar (v11) as where this sin is taken.  This resource discuss how Shinar appears throughout scripture and how in Zechariah 5 specifically, Shinar represents "the suppression of wickedness and its banishment to Shinar/Babylon."  The suppression and banishment of sin is part of a broader gospel theme that brings hope to all of humanity that despite how everyone experiences a daily battle for our souls (over sin), believers who accept God's free gift of salvation can rest in the confidence knowing that the victory over sin and death is already won and we can draw from this confidence. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has already defeated sin and death and saved me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings associated with this gift.  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.

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord.

2 Samuel 11

But the thing David had done displeased the Lord. 2 Samuel 11:27

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 "David: Giant Problems and Colossal Collapses*".

*Title of lesson five from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day four starts with Max Lucado drawing an analogy of being in high altitudes for how we often rise to wealth, power, status, etc. and we lose sight of how we got there.  We also lose sight of others and their needs and who they are - we only see them as below us and perhaps we like such a perspective - it might feed our ego.  When we fail to recognize our proper position (we exist to glorify God and not for ourselves), Satan notices this and we very prone to temptation.  David falls prey to lust and then covers up his sin with more sin.  Yet, while few know of David's sin, God knows and nothing is hidden.  

Lucado provides us with a number of verses to help us with temptation:

• ...[D]o not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27
• “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41
• Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. Ephesians 6:11
• Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
•  When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. James 1:13-14
•  Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7
• You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world. 1 John 4:4  

As a means to fight temptation, Lucado wants us to acknowledge our Maker, without whom we would be and have nothing.  As well, we must recognize our sinful nature and brokenness. Our humility should drive us into His arms and a daily, lifelong, personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, You created me, You sustain me and You came to save me - suffering and dying on the cross for me.  I am in awe that You would do all this for me - knowing everything about me, including my sin, which by the way continues.  I am not deserving of such blessings - not by a long shot.  I am often harsh with my words and actions.  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.  

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Psalm 139, 145, 148, and 150 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

Day 123 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 my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I continue today with the group: "Psalms of Joy and Praise".

Today's psalms focus on praise over the wonder of God's total familiarity with each life, praise to a faithful, loving and righteous God, that all creatures praise the God of creation, and a call for all things to praise the Lord.

The core of today's reading encourages us to fully appreciate how God knows everything about us, the ugliness of our sin over the entirety of our lives, and how despite this knowledge, exercises grace and compassion - despite what we deserve. Psalm 139 more than anything from today's reading, captures God omniscience:

You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely. You hem me in behind and before, and you lay your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain....For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:1-6, 13-16

We know that the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), and this is what we deserve because we all sin.  Yet Jesus saves....and He does so despite knowing everything about us including our sin - nothing is hidden.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You indeed know everything about me and You hold not just my life but all life and the entire universe rests in Your hands - You are in control.  Despite knowing everything about me and being in co.ntrol - You love me anyway...and You came to earth as a baby to die on the cross so that I could have life here on earth and forever with You in Heaven!  Unbelievable.  I am not deserving of such a gift - the greatest gift of all time.  I sin...gossip, worry, etc. daily.  Thank You for Your grace and compassion but I need this also 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 is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day..... He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.

Psalm 5, 6, 7, 10, and 11

God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day..... He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.  Psalm 7:11, 11:4

Day 107 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 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context.  My study groups 112 of David's psalms into five major topical areas, starting today with "Psalms of the Troubled Soul".

I have often seen evil and injustice in the world and from time to time it frustrates me that I don't see justice or punishment for the purveyors of evil or perpetrators of injustice.  Yet as I posted a few days ago, nothing is hidden from God and all will be held to account at the final judgement and

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

2 Samuel 21, 2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21-22, and Psalm 30

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Day 104 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 famine (2 Samuel 21) brought about by Saul's attempt to annihilate the Gibeonites (despite an earlier agreement of protection by Joshua), David's sinful attempt to perform a census of Israel (2 Samuel 24, 1 Chronicles 21) and God's reaction, which led to a plague of death with greater destruction halted only by God's great mercy and David's cries for forgiveness and his intercession. David then makes preparations to build the temple (1 Chronicles 22) and Psalm 30 dedicates the temple in advance of its construction by Solomon.

With regard to the famine that God brought upon Israel many years after a sin was committed by Saul, my commentary* indicates this incident "teaches something about...the significance in God’s eyes of sins long forgotten by man".

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

God does not forget about our sin and nothing is hidden from God and upon final judgement (see John Piper on this) as we stand before the throne we are held to account based on what is recorded in the Book of Life and the Book of Deeds.

We should be grateful, therefore, for God's compassion and mercy - as the wages of sin are death, but God sent His one and only Son to die for all of us so that we might be redeemed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has gone to the cross so that I could life - thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me over come and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Joshua 6-8

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. Joshua 8:34-35

Day 68 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 Israelites first victory in Canaan, Jericho, and the days that followed, including an initial attack on Ai which failed due to sin by Achan.  Achan coveted devoted things from Jericho (see Joshua 7:20-21), instead of placing them in the treasury as directed by Joshua (see Joshua 7:18-19) - and he was put to death.

The Old Testament is full of examples of harsh punishment in the face of disobedience to God.  I am reminded of Lot's wife, who looked back to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and was turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19:23-26).  In the New Testament, I am reminded of Ananias and Sapphira, who willfully held back giving to the church and lied about it to Peter and the apostles (see Acts 5). 

YES - God does offer forgiveness for sin.  He also hates sin - ALL of it - willful and unwillful. 

God SEES all of our sin and is intimately involved in all of the details of our lives - He is in control (see free will).  He seeks complete obedience to Him (not a burden) and the details matter - we cannot claim that one small sin is too insignificant to Him - that is for Him to judge not us.  We don't get to decide what our punishment is.

As such, fear of the Lord should serve as a preservative and cause us to run from sin - ALL of it.  We need to draw closer and closer to God such that MORE of our heart and life become like Him.   Just as Joshua read ALL of the words of the law - we must strive daily for 100% devotion to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life to be more like You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I continue to sin and I know there is more race to run and work to do...please forgive me for my harshness towards others.  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.

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

Portions of Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2

Day 60 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 directives from God through Moses (Moses' Laws) for health regulations, including skin disease, burns, mold, and bodily discharges.

Believers know that uncleanliness of course extends beyond external bodily conditions.  Due to our sin, we all have stains that many cannot see - yet God can.  This post from DesiringGod.com reminded me of this today.

Sin leaves us stained with the cycle of guilt and shame...and of course we are separated from God.  Yet Jesus came for us so that all of us (Jews and Gentiles alike) could be cleansed of our sin and reconciled to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has cleansed me of my sin and I need this daily - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such cleansing and love.  I do sin daily, with harshness towards others, 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.

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

Portions of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy

Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:58

Day 59 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 directives from God through Moses (Moses' Laws) for marriage, divorce, and sexual relations. 

Sexual sin in particular is a rampant problem in both society and as a result for the church.  DesiringGod.com has nearly 150 posts on the subject.  At its base, the sexual urge is a selfish desire (or pride)- a desire to satisfy self first and foremost.  Hence, the problem with pornography as selfish desires can be satisfied very easily and it is thought that sin can be hidden.  Yet God sees both our hidden sin and the underlying heart condition.

During this period of "shelter-in-place" with a global virus pandemic we have more idle time, time with our thoughts and John Piper reminds us that we must focus on the good works God created us to do - check out this post where it highlights not only this strategy for combating lust but other strategies.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has done a work in me to help transform how I think about sexual relations so that I am equipped to defeat sexual sin.  I am grateful for Your work in my heart and my life.  Yet I am undeserving for the grace You provide for my sin, past, present and future.  As long as I am on earth I will sin - this I know.  Please forgive me for my sins in many areas, including my sins of arrogance and pride.  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.

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.”

Genesis 18-19

But he said, “Yes, you did laugh.” Genesis 18:15

Day 7 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 angels who visit Abraham and Sarah and deliver once again the message of their coming child and as well the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (including Lot's escape).

Today was admittedly a difficult day of my own doing and so I am going to keep this post short given my inability to focus.

When Sarah laughs after hearing the angel's message (Genesis 18:10-12), she denies it (Genesis 18:15) - yet Sarah's heart condition is known because "this heavenly Visitor has correctly perceived her disbelief".

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

God knows everything about us, including what we think and all of our sin.  Yet He loves us - that is grace, grace indeed.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace - I am NOT deserving!  I rage with anger and impatience and so much more 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.

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.

2 Thessalonians 1

God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.  v6-7 

The MacArthur Bible Study Commentary (for purchase) indicates that the timing of this letter "was surely a few months after the first epistle" citing Acts 18:11 indication that the 18 month period when Paul was in Corinth was "ample" time for both epistles to be authored.  Per this overview, The church in Thessalonica needed encouragement, instruction on how to discern false teachers, and to focus on their faith, service to God and to one another, and to remain unified.  

Paul encourages the Thessalonians to remain strong in the face of perspecution.  He tells them that "God is just" - indeed.  See also posts here on this topic.  In particular this post is useful.   

We often grow weary when we face persecution.  Yet we can take comfort that God sees it all and the wicked will not go unpunished and the faithful will be rewarded.

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who sees everything and is just.  I am encouraged to remain faithful and to be strong in the face of persecution.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such love and blessing.  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.  

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. v17

Typically, v16 gets most of the attention in John 3 but it is worthwhile to understand v16 in a broader context by unpacking what else John is saying.  In doing so, I am encouraged by the verses that follow.  I am encouraged by knowing that God knows everything about me yet still loves me anyway. Jesus then and most importantly, willingly chose to lay down His life so that my sin, and the sin of all humanity, would be permanently redeemed, and so that humanity would be free from the sting of sin and death.

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8

See also post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who knows everything about me yet loves me anyway...and You came to save me and give me life...abundantly now and in Heaven!  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love...I worry and I am selfish.  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 Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

John 2

But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person. v24-25

Jesus had a large following as He performed miracles and healed people (see also here and v23).  Many of those who followed Jesus then and I suspect many who follow Him now are drawn to Him for WHAT He does but not for WHO He is.   What is important to note is that we cannot fake our way through faith - as Jesus knows what is in our heart and nothing is hidden from Him.  Faith requires us to recognize our own limitations - that we all sin - and to believe that Jesus died and rose for our sins. 

From there, our faith only grows in Him when we take time to get to know Him through daily study and prayer.

I know for myself that faith in what Jesus does (without truly knowing who He is) is not really faith at all and John Piper gets to this question here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is so full of patience and grace - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such grace and patience.  I worry and I am selfish.  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.

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

Matthew 22

No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions. v46

Jesus encourages us to have a dialog with Him...to learn from Him, and to question Him based on doubts we have - having confidence that God can resolve all our doubts and give us faith, because we know Jesus is the source of our faith (see Ephesians 2:8-9).

However, here in Matthew 22 - the Sadducees and Pharisees sought to trap Jesus. We as believers often feel tempted to "test" Jesus - albeit perhaps in not the same way as the Sadducees and Pharisees.  We feel tempted to ignore God's words and test the boundaries of His grace by willfully sinning - feeling as if "no one" is watching.

Willful sin is dangerous.

We are not to put the Lord our God to the test.

Nothing is hidden from God.

We are all held accountable for our lives. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You give me faith, and You are SO full of grace for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  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.

Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?"

Matthew 9

 Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?" v4

Jesus knows our thoughts...and of course, everything flows from our hearts (Proverbs 4:23).  Therefore we should focus on our heart condition and stop faking our way through a relationship with Jesus - He knows everything and nothing is hidden.  Be forewarned...we should not have a superficial or lukewarm relationship with Jesus. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and 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 for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.

Malachi 4

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves. v2

Yes, judgement is coming for all - as no sin is hidden or goes unpunished.  But for those who repent and remain faithful, who fear the Lord, there is hope.  We don't need to be ambivalent our doubtful towards God.  He does not change (Malachi 3:6) and He keeps His promises. Most importantly, He loves us and never leaves us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father - who loves me and never leaves or forsakes me.  Thank You Jesus for saving me and loving me while I still sin.  I am not worthy of such love.  I am quick to anger.  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.