Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter.

 Mark 1:35-45

Jesus could no longer openly enter a town, but was out in desolate places, and people were coming to him from every quarter. Mark 1:45b

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:35-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  My observations from the text using the Sword Bible study method:

• What do we learn about God: Prayer is a priority as v35 shares that the very first thing Jesus does once He rises "very early in the morning, while it was still dark," is prayer.  Jesus also prayed by Himself.  While corporate and group prayer with our brothers and sisters in Christ is encouraged, Jesus seeks for us to avoid praying like the hypocrites who seek to be seen by others as "religious" - see Matthew 6:5-7.  Teaching God's Word is a priority - see v38 where Jesus shares that "this is why I came out."  He taught throughout Galilee (v39).  Compassion, and love and service for others was also a priority as Jesus continued to both physically and spiritually heal those who came to Him - see vv39-42 (see also Matthew 20:28 and Mark 10:45).  Jesus demonstrated both compassion and understanding of the Old Testament laws that specified only the priests could "pronounce" a leper clean and able to rejoin his community after periods of isolation (see Leviticus 13). Isolation is not good for man and we are designed for community and one another - vv43-44.  
• What do we need to obey: Jesus seeks for us to pray - as prayer is how we communicate with God and demonstrate our utter dependence on Him.  We claim the promise that prayer is powerful - James 5:16-18. As already mentioned we must follow Jesus' example of prayer. We also must teach the Good News according to our roles - this includes parents and heads of households.  
• What do we learn about people: People need Jesus as He promises healing, both physically and spiritually.  We must acknowledge that while our physical healing may not occur now, believers know in Heaven all will be healed - see Revelation 21:4.  The need for Jesus is desperate as v45 mentions that even in "desolate places...people were coming to [Jesus] from every quarter."    

Mark 1:45 stands out this morning as I reflect and attempt to more fully understand where Jesus was in these desolate places and the people He encountered.  This article from DesiringGod.com shares an insight how Jesus swaps roles as the leper rejoins his community while Jesus enters desolation.  Jesus loves us so much that He takes on our sin and shame - to the point of death on the cross. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion for me - taking on my sin and shame and giving me life to the full now and for eternity.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  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.  

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men.

2 Thessalonians 3

Finally, brothers, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed ahead and be honored, as happened among you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men. 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2

I continue my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 3-day 4, my focus is a deeper review of 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5 with the assistance of DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book (Lab) "Offense and Defense in Prayer for the Word 2 Thessalonians 3:1–5, Part 1" to unpack the text. In the lab, John Piper looks at how Paul seeks prayer. The lab starts with John Piper looking back at 2 Thessalonians 3:16-17 and how Paul prays for the Thessalonians. Piper then explores how Paul pivots to seeking prayer in two ways in 2 Thessalonians 3:1-2:

• Piper notes that Paul first seeks prayer not for himself but for the Word of the Lord to "speed ahead and be honored; Piper uses a translation that describes how the Word must run, using the analogy of an athlete running a race to get a crown and to outrun all opponents (opposition to the Word); see also 1 Corinthians 9, 2 Timothy 2:9, James 4:2; Piper shares a convicting thought - that the world is different when you pray, then when it does not - we MUST pray; on this prayer Piper describes that when the word wins (over suffering/affliction/persecution) for us personally - we experience joy; see also 1 Thessalonians 1:4-6); this is described as a prayer that is positive or offense
• Paul then prays that he be delivered from wicked and evil men, specifically opposition to their efforts to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ; see also Romans 15:30-31); the reason Paul acts for this prayer for protection is that "faith is not of all" and Piper suggests that can be understood not simply as not everyone has faith (true of course) but that God appoints some with faith (election) and not others; see also 1 Thessalonians 1:4 and Acts 13:48-49 where this "appointment" or "choosing" (election) is used; Piper concludes the Lab but referring us to Acts 13:48-49 as he shares that this and here in 2 Thessalonians 3:1 are the only two places in the New Testament where the Word is described as running or spreading and being glorified/honored; the prayer for protection is described as a prayer that is negative or defense

Thank You God for this convicting message on prayer!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are so good!  Thank You for this message for how You provide Yourself through Your Word and for the Holy Spirit, my brothers and sisters in Christ, etc. - all to keep me close to 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 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.

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.

Acts 17

The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. Acts 17:24-25

This morning I continue a pause in my study of 1 Corinthians to use DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional.  Today, in this devotional, John Piper provides believers with a warning that is likely to be counterintuitive - that we must beware of serving God. Piper first starts by sharing that "we do not glorify God by providing his needs, but by praying that he would provide ours — and trusting him to answer, and living in the joy of that all-providing care as we lay down our lives in love for other people." He then refers us to Psalm 50:12-15 where the text is clear - prayer expresses our utter dependence on God and as such it glorifies God. Piper then shares that we are then forced to acknowledge "the startling fact that we must beware of thinking he needs us. We must beware of serving God, and we must take special care to let him serve us, lest we rob him of his glory....Most of us think serving God is a totally positive thing. We have not considered that serving God may be an insult to him. But meditation on the very meaning of prayer makes this plain...[T]here is a way to serve God that would belittle him as needy of our service. Oh, how careful we must be not to preempt the mighty grace of God in Christ." 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - providing for all of my needs - physical, emotional, and spiritual - 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, energy 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 as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind.

Daniel 2

 But as for me, this mystery has been revealed to me, not because of any wisdom that I have more than all the living, but in order that the interpretation may be made known to the king, and that you may know the thoughts of your mind. Daniel 2:30

I pause in my study of Hebrews to study Daniel in conjunction with a disciple/small group study with my church's men's wake up call. This morning my focus is Daniel 2 as I lean on a commentary for its observations for v1-30. The commentary for this text highlights a few key themes, including how prayer is not just important but "essential" as it refers to Amos 3:7 and how Daniel and his companions prayed for God to intercede, not just for themselves but for all of the wise men of Babylon (v18).  The commentary also points to how it is implied in the text that Daniel must have had such peace about laying his concerns (including his life and that of his companions and all the wise men of Babylon) at God's feet that he was able to go to sleep (v19).  Daniel's response in song of praise (v20-23) is also highlighted, including key attributes of God: "eternality (v. 20); his omniscience and omnipotence (v. 20); his sovereignty over the nations (v. 21); his gifts of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding (v. 21); his revelation and knowledge (v. 22); his faithfulness to his people (v. 23); and for answering Daniel’s prayer (v. 23)." The commentary wraps by highlighting how Daniel gives all the credit to God for the gift Daniel has in interpreting dreams - building on my post yesterday.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are good and You hear and answer all of my prayers - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You intercede and bless 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.