[H]e is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.

 3 John 1

[H]e is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. Colossians 1:18

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 second division - vv9-10 and the associated commentary (Diotrephes: A Man with a Harmful Agenda). Diotrephes is described as a negative example of someone walking in the truth (see post yesterday on Gaius).  He puts himself first (as opposed to demonstrating humility and allowing others to see Jesus through him) and does not acknowledge the authority of John and the other church leaders and apostles (as opposed to submitting to church leadership).  Diotrephes is then described as slandering those in the church (see Proverbs 10:18 and James 4:11 on this).  Finally Diotrephes is described as not demonstrating hospitality and support/encouragement for other believers.  The commentary shares how Diotrephes was arrogant, wanted to be the church boss - to bring glory to himself vs God - stirred up conflict through slanderous accusations against John and church leadership, and failed to support others in the church.  We are referred to Colossians 1:18 where Jesus is "first place in everything" and encouraged to avoid attempting to taking the place only Jesus holds.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion - You came not to be served but to serve and to be an example for those who submit and follow You.  You willingly laid down Your life for all of humanity to give life.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and for continuing to intercede for me daily.  I am not deserving of how You serve and love 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.

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."

Matthew 2

"Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

I maintain a pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I continue using DesiringGod.com's Advent devotions where I pick up on Day 8.  Here, John Piper unpacks Matthew 2:2 as he describes how God is using a star to "guid[e the] magi to the Son of God to worship him."  Piper first starts by sharing how many Bible readers concern themselves with "theories that are only tentative in the end and have very little spiritual significance."  Piper uses several examples of how the Bible does not share how a star can guide people (and rest over a place per Matthew 2:9); nor does it share how Jonah survived being in the belly of a fish, how manna fell (Exodus 16), nor how the moon turns to blood (Joel 2:31, Acts 2:20, Revelation 6:12).  Piper refers to people preoccupied with how these things occur as having "a mentality for the marginal."  Instead Piper seeks for us to "cherish...the great central things of the gospel: the holiness of God, the ugliness of sin, the helplessness of man, the death of Christ, justification by faith alone, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the glory of Christ’s return, and the final judgment."  Coming back to the star, Piper shares: "what is plain concerning this matter of the star is that it is doing something that it cannot do on its own: It is guiding magi to the Son of God to worship him.  There is only one Person in biblical thinking that can be behind that intentionality in the stars: God himself.  So, the lesson is plain: God is guiding foreigners to Christ to worship him. And he is doing it by exerting global — probably even universal — influence and power to get it done."  Piper also wants us to see how God's design is for "all nations (see also Matthew 24:14) to worship His Son."  This includes not just all nations, but in everything we do we are to bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31).  Piper concludes the devotion by building on yesterday's devotion by sharing that Matthew begins with a "come-see" Jesus and at the end we have a "go-tell" all nations about Jesus. "The magi came and saw. We are to go and tell."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who is in and over all things in the universe...and You saved me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and blessing.  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 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 Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power.

1 Corinthians 1

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 1 Corinthians 1:17

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians.  I am assisted in my study by the Christ-Centered Exposition Series commentary for this book.  Today my focus is a review and study - assisted by the commentary - of 1 Corinthians 1:10-17, which the commentary unpacks via a main idea* and four (4) divisions*:

Main Idea: The family of God should unite with one another in Christ, refusing to create divisions or to elevate anyone as more important. 

In the introduction, the commentary describes how the church in Corinth fought over a "cult of personality" where (see v12) instead of everyone focusing and following Jesus, some followed Paul, some Apollos, and some Cephas. It continues by sharing*: "[d]ividing into political parties may be the way of the world, but it should not be the practice of the people of God. There could not be a more relevant word for the twenty-first-century church. Our eyes and ears need to be wide open to the counsel of God’s appointed apostle here. God is speaking through him. So, let us explore what divides and even destroys a church."

1.  You Stop Thinking Like Jesus (1:10): Paul appeals to the Corinthian church in a gentle manner and invokes Jesus' name to ensure the church sees how it is God who seeks unity - not simply an opinion of Paul. The commentary refers us to Philippians 2:2, 5, and 4:2 where Paul discusses how the entire church should think and act as one with one purpose - to glorify God in all that they do and to bring the Good News to all nations. Paul believes the Corinthians had lost this unity and single-mindedness and were not demonstrating love of God and others.  
   
2.  You Start Fussing and Fighting with One Another (1:11). The commentary reminds us how church infighting (in person, online, and behind people's backs) distracts the church from its mission: "a watching world was being turned off the gospel of Jesus Christ in the process."
   
3.  You Buy into the Cult of Personality (1:12-13).  The commentary* describes each of those called out in v12: "(a) Paul: their founder, who was just an average preacher; (b) Apollos: the eloquent preacher from Alexandria; (c) expositor extraordinaire Cephas (i.e., Peter): the Jewish apostle and pillar of the church from the inner circle of Jesus; (d) Jesus: the Savior!."  The commentary* reminds us that we should avoid "put[ting] a person on a pedestal that belongs only to Jesus." We are to "take pride in Jesus and only him!"  On these notes, the commentary refers us to Colossians 1:18 and Galatians 6:14.
   
4.  You Forget What Matters Most (1:14-17).

 Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves and who is full of grace and mercy for 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 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.

*Akin, Dr. Daniel L.; Merritt, James. Exalting Jesus in 1 Corinthians (Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary). B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

1 Kings 2:13-3:1; 1 Kings 9:16; 1 Kings 3:2-4; 2 Chronicles 1:2-6; 1 Kings 3:5-14; 2 Chronicles 1:7-12; 1 Kings 3:15; 2 Chronicles 1:13; 1 Kings 3:16-28 

Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me king in his place. Now, Lord God, let your promise to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth. Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?” 1 Kings 3:8-10, 2 Chronicles 1:8-10

Day 130 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 early days of Solomon's rule.  While Solomon initially spares Adonijah's life (see post yesterday), Adonijah still feels entitled to the throne (1 Kings 2:15) and requests Abishag (the beautiful caregiver for David late in his life - see 1 Kings 1) to be his wife.  Solomon sees through this selfish request and he executes Adonijah.  Solomon consolidates his power by also executing Joab and Shimei, and removed Abiathar from the priesthood - all disloyal to the throne.  Solomon then negotiates an alliance with Egypt and married Pharaoh's daughter.  Scripture then notes how "[t]he kingdom was now established in Solomon’s hands (1 Kings 2:46).  My commentary* indicates that "[b]ecause of these various political steps, Solomon’s reign begins with a calm hardly known by the former king [David]".

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

 

The Lord then appears to Solomon and grants him anything he requests and Solomon asks for wisdom. 

 

We should all seek God more than anything else in this world.  The world makes many promises and Paul is correct when he says: 

 

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. Philippians 3:7-9 

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has blessed me beyond what words can describe - blessings that far surpass what I can experience through the world.  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I sin...daily, including gossip, selfishness, and worry.  I am grateful for Your mercy and compassion because I know I don't get what I deserve for such sin.  I need Your mercy every day.  Please forgive me for my sins today 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.

“They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven.

1 Samuel 3-7

“They have brought the ark of the god of Israel around to us to kill us and our people.” So they called together all the rulers of the Philistines and said, “Send the ark of the god of Israel away; let it go back to its own place, or it will kill us and our people.” For death had filled the city with panic; God’s hand was very heavy on it. Those who did not die were afflicted with tumors, and the outcry of the city went up to heaven. 1 Samuel 6:10-12

Day 84 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 God's initial calling of Samuel and growth as a prophet, the Philistines capture of the ark of the Lord, the death of Eli, the return of the ark, the Israelites re-dedication of themselves to the Lord, and their victory over the Philistines.

According to John MacArthur*, "[t]he placing of the ark of God in the temple of Dagon was supposed to be a sign of Dagon’s power and Yahweh’s inferiority, a visual representation that the god of the Philistines was victorious over the God of the Hebrews".

*MacArthur, John F.. The MacArthur Bible Commentary (Kindle Location 11224). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

We as believers may claim to love God more than anything else, as we are commanded by God, yet our actions may belie this claim.  We may view what the Philistines did to plunder the ark and relegate God to a lesser position as something we would never do or have never done, but as John writes we may be deceiving ourselves (see 1 John 1:8).  John Piper also warns us about breaking the third commandment not to take the Lord's name in vain - he warns us that our worship may be "empty, futile, pointless, wasted".

God must come first:

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people.

Hebrews 7

Such a high priest truly meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. v26-27

In describing Christ as a high priest, the author of Hebrews gives a great summary of some of the key attributes of our Lord and Savior.  More than anything, I am struck by how Jesus "truly meets our need".  Truly is defined as "with exactness of construction or operation" - in essence our need is met perfectly and only by God (see John Piper post here).  Note how the author uses the word need in the singular - implying that salvation is our greatest need above all (see also a Biblical worldview of Maslow's hierarchy of needs discussed here).  

While believers can acknowledge that we all sin and need a Savior (and that Jesus is that Savior) it is nonetheless important to examine our priorities and to remind ourselves of the primacy of our relationship with Jesus.

Jesus meets our need.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a a great God who meets my need - You do this solely and perfectly - thank You Jesus! I need You daily.  Yet I am undeserving of how You feed and sustain me.  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.

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Philippians 3

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. v7-9

Jesus wants us to make Him the highest priority in our lives.  We exist to glorify God and the most important commandment is to love God.  Yes there are other commandments but we have to start with acknowledging our need for a Savior, Jesus is that Savior, and surrendering our life to Jesus through the daily practices of spiritual disciplines such as Bible study, prayer, etc. 

Paul refers to what he may have lost in his pursuit of Jesus as garbage; this is an apt description for what the world defines as success or status.   It means nothing and leads to destruction and eternal damnation.  

Jesus must be everything.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has revealed to me the surpassing worth of Jesus and I am grateful!  Thakn You Jesus.  I am not deserving of such a gift and the blessings that follow.  I am selfish, lazy and 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.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 18

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” v29

In v18-30 (also in Matthew 19 and Mark 10), Jesus engages in a conversation with a wealthy man (ruler) seeking to enter the Kingdom of God.  The wealthy man is looking for what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus engages with the man who believes he is in good shape early in the conversation when he tells Jesus that he is already following the commandments indicated in v20.  Yet he stumbles when Jesus confronts Him with a challenge (sell everything that He has) that implies He is not following the most important commandments as Jesus describes in Matthew 22:34-40.  You see, the man loves his money and possessions more than God and this is the problem.

We need to love God - first and foremost - above everyone and every thing.

See also this great post from DesiringGod.com.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has paid the ultimate price for me - You suffered a gruesome death...for me.  I can't even fully grasp this yet I know this is true.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and grace.  I gossip, and I worry, among my many, many sins...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind, and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

Luke 14

In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples. v33

Similar to yesterday's post on humility, Jesus speaks on the cost of faith.  First He addresses those who put earthly worries and concerns ahead of Jesus - The Parable of the Great Banquet (v15-24).  In this parable, Jesus warns us to beware of the "excuses" we place in front of our faith - I am guilty of this as much as anyone.  We often explain away or justify why we don't do this or that as Jesus commands us.  I am deeply convicted on this teaching.

Jesus then pivots to the cost of being a disciple (v25-34).  We are to place God first, above our earthly relationships (v25-27), and give up everything (v33).

There is indeed a cost - Jesus refers to this in John 16:33 where He says "[i]n this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world".  

Yet we should be encouraged by Paul's words on the surpassing worth of Jesus:

But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith. I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:7-14

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God and worth it all - the greatest gift of all time!  Thank You Jesus for the many rich blessings You pour out for me.  Yet I am undeserving of such blessings.  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.

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

Luke 12

Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. v51

It may seem contradictory that Jesus - the Prince of Peace - came to bring division.  Yet as we look closer we find that Jesus is referring to the absolute nature of God.  There is nothing less clear about God - that we all need a savior and Jesus is that Savior.  Once a believer gets to this point, he/she answers the call to Be Holy and to be "set apart" from the world.  This will create discord in many earthly relationships but we must remember the primacy of Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You came to die on the cross to save me from the sting of sin and death - the greatest gift of all time - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love.  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 accept Jesus 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 pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 12

For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. v30-31

As a follow up to yesterday's post on money and wealth, today my reading continues in Luke 12 with Jesus words on worry - that we shouldn't!

I worry about all kinds of things - money, health, kids, etc.  God has certainly helped me with worry and I am grateful - but there is more room for refinement here!

I do love Jesus words in v30-31, which I have highlighted.  We should not "run after all such things" because our Father in Heaven knows what we need and if we seek His kingdom, [they] will be given to us!  Comforting indeed.

With regard to worrying about kids, which is much of my worry - God has helped me learn that I should focus on MY relationship with Him first and foremost and He will best direct me about how to direct and help my kids.  God comes first.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God and You have helped me enormously with worry - thank You Jesus - yet I know there is work to be done because I continue to worry.  Please forgive me Jesus.  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.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

Mark 13

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. v31

One of the disciples remarks to Jesus about the magnificence of the temple (v1) but Jesus warns the disciples of the destruction of the temple and end times.  In response to their questions, Jesus provides them signs that the end of times is near.  He provides many signs (v6-9, 13-29) and encourages us to be on guard (v9), preach to all nations (v10), allow the Holy Spirit to speak through us (v11), among many other signs. 

Striking among them is v12-13:  

Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. Everyone will hate you because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. v12-13

This to me emphasizes the importance of putting Jesus first - even before blood relatives.   

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God who loves me and who has saved me and transformed my heart and life - I am daily blessed beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus for Your rich grace and mercies.  I am undeserving.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.

Mark 1

Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him. v20

 
The Gospel of Mark, see overview here, is an account of who Jesus is and what He did.  Here Jesus called the first disciples and I am reminded that for us to follow Jesus, we must be prepared to put Him first - above all other relationships in our lives, including spouses and children.

Priority of Jesus

My Prayer: Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is always with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am lazy, etc. 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.

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord.

Ezekiel 23

You will suffer the penalty for your lewdness and bear the consequences of your sins of idolatry. Then you will know that I am the Sovereign Lord. v49

God uses a parable of two adulterous sisters who prostitute themselves to communicate the wickedness of Israel.  In this chapter, we see how God reinforces the primacy of His reign.  Verse 36 further demonstrates that one way or another ALL MUST and WILL know God reigns and that all are held accountable.  See also my post of a few days ago.

Since you have forgotten me and turned your back on me, you must bear the consequences of your lewdness and prostitution. v36

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love and compassion for me.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses 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.

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain.

Psalm 127

Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. v1

Recent posts have focused much on how God should be primary and today's reading reinforces that.  We build and focus on many things in our lives and much of our focus is on things of this world and we must avoid focusing on this world over God.  

Our jobs must be God glorifying, our spending must be God glorifying, our actions with our children must be God glorifying, etc.  Our entire life must rest on God and focus on Him.



See also Matthew 7:24-27 (The Wise and Foolish Builders).

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1


We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and I love You.  I know You love me and will never leave or forsake me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a God.  I worry and I am easily distracted, placing things of this world above You.  Please forgive me for such sin 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 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.  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.

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.

Psalm 119

Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. v37

I often find myself being distracted by things of this world.  It is not wrong to enjoy the comforts of this world or to depend on people or things in this world, but we cannot let people or things get in the way of our relationship with Jesus Christ.

In posted the following earlier this year:


In Matthew 8, Jesus responds to a disciple that sought to attend to his family instead of focusing on God: 

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:21-22

The primacy of our relationship with Jesus vs our earthly relationships is supported elsewhere in scripture:

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35

 

Our relationship with God is the most important aspect of our lives, and we are encouraged to surround ourselves with others who act as such.

 

From Psalm 1 we are encouraged to cultivate an ongoing relationship with God - day and night:

 

Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers,but whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night.  That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.  Not so the wicked!  They are like chaff that the wind blows away.  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.  For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.

 

These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.  Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates. Deuteronomy 6:6-9

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are, You created all things, are in all things, hold all things together.  You have blessed me well beyond what I deserve - thank You Jesus for the overwhelming love You pour out for me on a daily basis.  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I am easily distracted by the things of this world - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness.

Psalm 115

Not to us, Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. v1

Selfishness is a sin that drives many other sins.  I know for myself that a desire for glory, status, etc. is strong - I often want to exalt myself.  Yet we exist to exalt God and we must not exalt our selves over God - see here.  Humility - see here - is critical in our relationship with God.  If we see ourselves as important, this blinds us from seeing a need for God.  Instead we remind ourselves of Jesus' words from the Sermon on the Mount (Beatitudes):

“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.  Matthew 5:3-10

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You alone are great and all good and perfect gifts come from You.  I can no good things apart from You.  Thank You for how You have blessed me - well beyond what I deserve.  I am weak and I often exalt myself - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects of chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

Psalm 68

A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.  God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. v5-6

God is to us who we need and seek - "our Father in heaven".  He is this to all His children regardless of our circumstances and He demands that we focus on Him first, even when we our earthly circumstances deceive us into thinking that our earthly families are more important.

In Matthew 8, Jesus responds to a disciple that sought to attend to his family instead of focusing on God: 

Another disciple said to him, “Lord, first let me go and bury my father.”  But Jesus told him, “Follow me, and let the dead bury their own dead.” Matthew 8:21-22

The primacy of our relationship with Jesus vs our earthly relationships is supported elsewhere in scripture:

Then Jesus’ mother and brothers arrived. Standing outside, they sent someone in to call him.  A crowd was sitting around him, and they told him, “Your mother and brothers are outside looking for you.” 

“Who are my mother and my brothers?” he asked.

Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” Mark 3:31-35

My Prayer: Lord, You alone are my Heavenly Father - able to do all things, knowing of all things, existing before time began and after time ends, You are in all things and hold all things together, You are my all in all.  I am deeply grateful for Your abounding love and grace and for Your son Jesus.  Thank You for sending Your Son...for me.  I am not worth such a gift...completely undeserving.  I worry far too much, and I lack patience, compassion, and kindness for others.  Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.