But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Mark 10:32-45

But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

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 10:32-45, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus knows that He will be killed and yet continues His Father's plan to teach and minister to the twelve and to the lost who seek to be found and saved.  Jesus is fearless - He willingly walks towards His own death (v33).  Jesus is humble.  He loves God the Father more than He loves Himself and as an expression of God's love for humanity and His own desire to please God, Jesus loves others more than Himself - therefore He offers His life "as a ransom for many" (v45).  Jesus is obedient.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: James and John seek to share Jesus' glory - acting selfishly (v35).  They also over-emphasize their own power and will over that of Jesus - again selfishly seeking something that is not aligned with the Father's will - Jesus slightly rebukes them (vv38, 40).  While the other disciples appear aligned with Jesus, they also act selfishly and Jesus rebukes all of the disciples exhorting them to serve and be humble as He is (vv42-45).  
• 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 selfishness and instead focus on God's will and desires.  The eternal life that Jesus speaks of in v34 is the same eternal life we are promised in John 3:16. We must be humble and serve as Jesus does - vv44-45.     

Today's world emphasizes self-glory over God's glory - social media is one of the best examples of this as people promote themselves.  Not that self promotion in itself is bad - but it becomes an end in itself or an idol.  Believers must acknowledge that we exist to bring all praise, honor and glory to God - not to ourselves.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who 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. 

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage.

Jude

These are grumblers, malcontents, following their own sinful desires; they are loud-mouthed boasters, showing favoritism to gain advantage. Jude 16

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 11-16, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the fourth division per the commentary - v16 - which is titled God Condemns the Ungodly Because of Their Deeds.  The commentary emphasizes how the text describes how our speaking reflects our heart condition: "the tongue is that organ of the body intimately connected to the heart and its desires" (see also James 3). The first word the text uses to describe false teachers is how they are grumblers or complainers.  When people grumble or complain - as the commentary compares to Israel in the wilderness - they are ultimately doing so at God because it is He who is in control.  We should not grumble or complain - see also this resource. The commentary warns us that complaints and grumblings in the church is a corrosive influence: it "is like a cancer and is deadly to an effective ministry and a healthy church life. It leaves them always judgmental and without joy."  The commentary then moves on to how the text describes those who follow their own sinful desires and how this is the source of their negative talk.  The insatiable desires of one focused solely on self runs counter to how we are to deny oneself and focus on satisfying God.  Finally, the commentary highlights how the text describes arrogant false teachers who make bold claims that are not scriptural - we must be careful to not add or subtract from the Word.

Comment and discuss this post.

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

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.

Proverbs 9

Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. Proverbs 9:17

On the back half of my vacation in Maine, I continue my study of Proverbs 9.  Here, my study unpacks how wisdom contrasts with folly. Attributes of someone seeking wisdom include humility and a desire for feedback and instruction (v9-10) versus someone seeking folly who does not fear the Lord nor does he seek reproval or feedback (v7-8).  This is an important litmus test as we journey in our faith.  We are tempted to seek folly as the benefits may seem "sweet" or "pleasant" but we should validate the extent to which our journey is one of humility.  Others should look for fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5:16-24).  We should also surround ourselves with brothers and sisters in Christ (Proverbs 27:17) who can help us detect when we fall prey to the temptations that seek to distract us from pursuit of wisdom (vs folly).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your path is straight and You light my way and You keep my feet steady - thank You Jesus for helping me stay on the path of wisdom.  I am not deserving of how You lead me and protect me.  My sin is great and I often wander off Your path.  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 king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!”

2 Samuel 16:15-19:4 

The king was shaken. He went up to the room over the gateway and wept. As he went, he said: “O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you—O Absalom, my son, my son!” 2 Samuel 18:33

Day 102 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 David's physical battle with Absalom, Absalom's death in battle, and David's mourning over Absalom.

John MacArthur uses David's mourning as an example of David's humility or what he refers to as "power under control". MacArthur writes: 

"You know, at one time, Saul was – Saul was so out of control at one time, according to 1 Samuel 14, Saul was going to kill his own son on a minor issue, just to prove his power. On the other hand, when David’s son rebelled against him, David said he would rather die for Absalom’s sake, 2 Samuel 18:33. That’s the difference. Saul wouldn’t let himself be offended by anybody, even his own son. He’d kill him first. David could be offended by everybody, even his own son, and lose his own life first. That’s the difference. Power under control, the spirit that makes a man bow low before God and think nothing of himself".

We should all be mindful of the power we have in our lives - whether that be at work, in our family, etc. - and be careful of how we exercise our power as it was ours to use towards our own will.  We must temper our power with God's will.  Jesus does the same in the Gethsemane:

He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”  Matthew 26:42

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I have ever imagined for my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving...by a long shot.  My sin 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.

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

Genesis  29-33

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.” Genesis 32:28

Day 13-14 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:

• Jacob's dealings with Laban - and the deception of both to each other
• Jacob's marriage to both Leah and Rachel and the many children born to Jacob (through both Leah and Rachel as well as through Zilpah, Leah's servant)
• Jacob's (with his wives, etc.) departure from Laban (including Rachel's theft of idols from her father) and their truce from dishonest dealings with each other (primarily driven by Laban)
• Jacob's journey back to Canaan, his reunion with Esau, and Jacob's encounter with man sent by God and Jacob's wrestling with this man  

A selfish entitlement mentality is a key theme that drives much of what transpires in these chapters, including Laban's initial deception of Jacob, Leah and Rachel's conflicts and jealousy over children born or not born unto them, and a general desire to "hold onto" what is felt to be rightfully "mine". 

Through all of this, one can grow weary and I would expect Jacob did and his anxiety peaked when he thought Esau would kill him when they reunited (Genesis 32:7).  Jacob went to God in prayer and soon after a man appeared from God and the two wrestled.  DesiringGod.com provides a good recap of this wrestling match and it includes a great encouragement for those who battle with unbelief.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who has helped me battle through unbelief - thank You Jesus for never leaving or forsaking me.  I am not deserving of such love. 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 from 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.

So Esau despised his birthright.

Genesis  25-26

So Esau despised his birthright. Genesis 25:34

Day 11 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 Abraham's remarriage and death, followed by a brief update on Ishmael and his descendants.  Day 11 concludes with a focus on Issac and his two sons - Esau and Jacob.

We ALL struggle with sin - see Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:8.  Much of our challenge with sin lies in the desire for quick temporal gain vs patient endurance and denial of self - OR selfishness.  Such is the case with Esau, who exchanges his birthright for a single meal. 

Jesus refers to this as the "wide gate":

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.  Matthew 7:13-14

Those who direct you to the wide gate seek to deceive you - there is only one Way (see John 14:6).

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE the Way, the Truth, and the Life - thank You for claiming me as Your own and for adopting me into Your family.  I am blessed.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin 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.

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

James 4

When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. v3

In this chapter, James gets right into what just about everyone struggles with - envy and selfishness (v1-4).  Core to much of our sin starts with envy and selfishness, and on a related note (thanks to DesiringGod.com for this great post), our pride often leads us to believe that we can be "excepted" from our sin that stems from envy and selfishness.

We MUST remain humble and recognize how sinful we ALL really are and this should draw us in the arms of Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who came to nail my sin...and the sin of all humanity, to the cross...You willingly laid down Your live for me so that I would no longer be slave to sin - thank You Jesus that You did this and SO MUCH MORE for me.  I am grateful.  Of course I am undeserving.  I sin...daily...sometimes much more than I often am willing to admit.  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 the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

James 3

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness. v17-18

James covers several topics in chapter3, including introductory remarks on how teachers are held to a higher standard of behavior than others, and how "the tongue also is a fire...".  Indeed James words and similar scripture have pricked my heart many times during study and I've posted about it here.

In v13-18 James covers envy, selfish ambition and earthly wisdom that "unspiritual" and "demonic".  He writes about how envy and selfish ambition lead to "disorder and every evil practice" (v16).

We need to avoid chasing temptations from the prince of this age and instead chase Jesus Christ.

V17 and the promise in v18 give believers hope so that we don't feel the need to chase the
temptations from the prince of this age.  Scripture gives us so much hope, including gems such as:

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Matthew 5:6

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who HAS FILLED ME!  Thank You Jesus!  My cup overflows.  I am not deserving for how You have so richly blessed me.  I gossip, worry, and have other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people.

Luke 20

The teachers of the law and the chief priests looked for a way to arrest him immediately, because they knew he had spoken this parable against them. But they were afraid of the people. v19

Although many of Jesus' words and teachings were not evident to His disciples (see also post here), they WERE becoming more evident to the Jewish leaders whose selfishness and hardened hearts could not be overcome - Jesus had to be turned over to the authorities and crucified.  The law HAD to be fulfilled.  John Piper writes SO eloquently that God's love for His One and Only Son was the only remaining obstacle between God and our salvation - so Jesus HAD to die for us.

From this, I believe a challenge for us as believers exists to avoid the hardened hearts and selfishness that prevent us from being who God intends for us.  We must go to God daily, and serve Him and others.  We must deny ourselves and glorify Him (not ourselves) as this is why exist. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me more than I can ever imagine - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of Your love - I worry way too much!  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 Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.

Luke 16

But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. v25-26

A stark warning indeed from Jesus who teaches from yet another parable - The Rich Man and Lazarus!

John Piper does a great job examining how our heart needs to change to receive Christ to avoid the fate of the rich man as told in this parable. Piper warns us on the love of money and materialism.  I think how we spend our time is also critically important because selfishness and our own comforts and desires also prevent us from loving God.

Piper puts it this way: "[t]o recognize and receive Jesus for who he really is, we have to will to do the will of God, namely, pursue the glory of God above all other pleasures in our life". 

Key here is that we have to WILL to do the will of God with the definition of "will" being:  "intend, desire, or wish (something) to happen."

This goes to the topic of spiritual formation - and Dallas Willard indicates we need vision, intention, and method for this.  Method involves practice of the spiritual disciplines, including study, prayer, worship, service, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me faith and transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!   I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love.  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.  

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14/So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:32-34

Luke 9

When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14/So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place. But many who saw them leaving recognized them and ran on foot from all the towns and got there ahead of them. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Mark 6:32-34

This time, the account of Jesus feeding the five thousand in all of the Synoptic Gospels (see Matthew 14 and Mark 6) plus in the Book of John (John 6).  Of note today is how two of the accounts in Matthew and Mark make note of how Jesus felt "compassion" for those following Him.  Even though He was likely tired and/or perhaps feeling like He would rather focus on Himself (I know I feel like this on long or rough days) versus on others.

Jesus never said no to an opportunity to serve.

We have to remember that Jesus tells us to love God and others - these are the most important commandments.  It's implied that we are to love ourselves less (self-esteem is a separate issue/question) - see post from DesiringGod.com here.

In fact the Bible tells us to deny oneself.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus what a great God You are - You are always available whenever I call and You never refuse to hear and answer my cries.  It may not always be the answer I seek but You are always there - thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of 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.

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it.

Ezekiel 21

[T]his is what the Sovereign Lord says: Take off the turban, remove the crown. It will not be as it was: The lowly will be exalted and the exalted will be brought low. A ruin! A ruin! I will make it a ruin! The crown will not be restored until he to whom it rightfully belongs shall come; to him I will give it. v26-27

We all want to be recognized - to feel worth, to be exalted.  Yet we often chase idols - other people, sex, drugs, alcohol, work, hobbies, etc. We often want the crown on our own head and and we often place our own desires ahead of those of God - we fail to recognize that we exist to glorify God.  God is our King of Kings and He deserves the glory!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, full of love of mercy and compassion for me!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  I often place myself and idols before and above You. Please forgive me!  Help me turn from such sin, overcome it and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

1 Samuel 30

David replied, “No, my brothers, you must not do that with what the Lord has given us. He has protected us and delivered into our hands the raiding party that came against us. Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike.” David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this. v23-35

Greed and selfishness drive much of what all of us do.  In this case some of David's men felt that not everyone deserved a share of David's plunder:

But all the evil men and troublemakers among David’s followers said, “Because they did not go out with us, we will not share with them the plunder we recovered.” v22

Yet David - as a man after God's heart - steps in and provides not only for those that stayed behind to watch supplies but also to other parts of Israel - see v23-31.

God wants those of us in the church to not just care for each other in the church but also for those outside the church who are in need.

"And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Matthew 10:42

There are many people in need in our community and in the world and John challenges us to meet people where they are - to help.  Not just in prayer or words but in action - to give.

 

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.  If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:16-18

Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Psalm 112:5

Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. Matthew 5:42

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 

One person gives freely, yet gains even more;
    another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous person will prosper;
    whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. Proverbs 19:17

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern                  Proverbs 29:7 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gave everything away so that I could be rescued from sin and have eternal life.  Thank You Jesus. I am not worth such love as I am often 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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!”

1 Samuel 20

Saul’s anger flared up at Jonathan and he said to him, “You son of a perverse and rebellious woman! Don’t I know that you have sided with the son of Jesse to your own shame and to the shame of the mother who bore you? As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established. Now send someone to bring him to me, for he must die!” v30-31

Saul's anger stems from his selfishness and greed to be in control and to have everything according to his will vs God's will.  Note Saul's statement where he implies he is control over who will reign as King.  Of course, we all know that God reigns supreme and if there is to be an earthly king it will someone that God anoints - just as God anointed Saul and David.

We should not be so arrogant that we place our will above God's nor should we be so arrogant that we can stop God's will.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. Proverbs 19:21

 

See also this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God, full of love and compassion for me...patient and forgiving.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry and I am harsh with words and actions, including gossip.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me 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.  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 the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?”

Jonah 4

But the Lord said, “You have been concerned about this plant, though you did not tend it or make it grow. It sprang up overnight and died overnight. And should I not have concern for the great city of Nineveh, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left—and also many animals?” v10-11

Arrogance, selfishness and righteousness are at the core of Jonah's anger at God's compassion.  God's response to Jonah is difficult for me today as I see much of myself in Jonah.  I often feel like I know what is best, I am critical of those who disagree with my view and I get angry or grumble/complain about those who criticize me.  

God is sovereign.  God is good.  And I must remember that His thoughts and ways are not my own and that I must come around to His way of thinking not vice versa.

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

I must become present to what God IS doing in my life NOT what He is NOT doing in my life.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God, God of all creation, the First and the Last and You are my Lord and Savior, having loved and chosen me while I was still sinning and even before I was born.  Thank You Jesus for adopting me as You son but please forgive me for my arrogance, selfishness, and righteousness.  Help me overcome and turn from 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 strength.  Please heal and cure her 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.

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city.

Proverbs 16

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. v32

With arrogance as one of my most difficult struggles, impatience often results as well.  I often communicate my displeasure with someone's words or actions out of arrogance - that my view/actions are more important than someone else's.  Yet Solomon's words here are encouraging for me as I strive to be humble and to be more patient.

With the help of prayer, my brothers and sisters in Christ and the Holy Spirit, I can overcome such sin.  After all, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit.


But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23

Also, I am comforted in knowing that God is in control (Colossians 1:17) and that His thoughts and ways are not our ways...that His thoughts are ways are PERFECT!


“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8           


My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  Your thoughts and ways are perfect for I have seen the fruits of Your labor in the world and in my life.  Thank You for the many blessings You provide.  My cup overflows.  I am not worth such love and blessings because I am impatient and full of arrogance.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind. 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 Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You and my family and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

Proverbs 16

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans. v3

I have often posted about the folly of our own plans, which put ourselves first - contradicting what God commands us to do (Exodus 20, Matthew 22:37-40).  

Gamaliel, according to this commentary was Paul's teacher, made this statement about the folly of human (vs those of God) plans:

"For if [Jesus' disciples] purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.” Acts 5:38-39

See also this post.

As I posted a couple of days ago, humility (Matthew 5:3) is core to our journey with Christ.

When we focus on renewing of the mind (Romans 12:2) we can better understand God's will for our lives.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Colossians 3:17 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are wisdom, truth and light in a world that is full of lies and darkness.  Apart from You I can do no good things and You are a lamp unto my feet!  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving of Your compassion and mercy!  Please forgive me for my sloth and laziness.  Help me be the man You intend for me.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin 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...help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place.

Proverbs 15

The Lord tears down the house of the proud, but he sets the widow’s boundary stones in place. v25

God abhors pride and arrogance - which itself is a sign of selfishness.  Yet just as Jesus came not to serve but to be served, we are not to expect that our desires come first.

Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:43-45

 “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Matthew 20:16

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are!  You are all powerful and all knowing - yet You chose to take on human flesh and suffer and die for me so that I could avoid the sting of sin and death, and have life, life to the full, and eternal life.  Thank You Jesus!  What an awesome gift You are!  I am not deserving of such a gift!  I am selfish far too often.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You instead.  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 lead Zach and Dustin to You and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  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

It is natural for people to have selfish desires.  While we were made in God's image, we are not Him and we easily fall prey to temptation.  It is only through God that we can defeat temptation and sin.  

Today's scripture is a reminder that it is a sin to build a life based on our own desires - for we are told to "[l]ove the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37), and to "deny [our]selves and take up [our] cross daily and follow [Jesus]" (Luke 9:23).  

We must build our lives on Jesus - He is The Cornerstone. 

My Prayer: Lord, You are Lord of All, THE Cornerstone - without You my life would be based on nothing and it would fall apart.  Thank You Jesus for being a lamp unto my path and for keeping my feet on Your path.  I know that apart from You I can do no good thing.  I continue to create far too many of my own plans - 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.

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”

His Will Be Done
Haggai 1

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the olive oil and everything else the ground produces, on people and livestock, and on all the labor of your hands.”  v9-11

The prophet Haggai's message from the Lord is quite appropriate for today's devotion because in the book of Haggai, although the Jews are allowed to return to Jerusalem after being in exile in Babylon, they fail to focus on God's glory and He who rescued them, and instead focus on their own desires. Of course if we fail to focus on the glory of God, He knows how to get our attention! 

See also posts here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are...full of compassion, mercy, patience, etc. for me...yet I am wholly undeserving!  I lack patience for others...please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin 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 and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You - this is why exist!  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.