Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.”

Judges 4-5

Barak said to her, “If you go with me, I will go; but if you don’t go with me, I won’t go.” Judges 4:8

Day 75 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the story of Deborah the prophet as she urges Barak to attack Canaanite forces in the north central region of the promised land.  Another woman Jael also gains mention of her bravery killing Sisera, commander of Jabin's (local Canaanite king) army.

Barak is cautious and is not fully convinced that the Lord will give Israel's enemies into his hands as Deborah indicates in Judges 4:7.  Barak is not unlike Moses who in Exodus 3-4 expresses doubt to God about how God will help us through challenges.  Moses even asked the Lord to send someone else to confront Pharaoh and rescue the Israelites (Exodus 4:13).

Most of us have expressed doubt when we've felt led by God to serve - should I really do this? What about this concern or that concern?

John Piper tackles this concern head-on in this great post "How Do I Take Risks Without Being Unwise?".  Piper believes that "the burden of the New Testament is to infuse the faith and love that leans toward self-risk rather than toward self-protection."  His post provides six tests to help sort through this when the question arises.  Helpful counsel for sure.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what words can describe - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings - I am broken and my sin continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!

Mark 14

 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer! v42

Jesus wants us to be ready for what we face.  As He goes to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, that night of His arrest, He tells Peter, James, and John to "[s]tay here and keep watch” (v34).   He also tells them to also "pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (v38).  

Unfortunately, they fall asleep - three times (v37, 39, 41)!

John Piper writes that the reason for this story in the Bible is "so that we can watch all of that and be ready for the battle of Gethsemane. That is, be ready to move with Jesus into his saving work. To join him in making the greatest difference in the world".  Piper wants us to join Jesus in His work and mission - today's verse Jesus' battle call for us to fight for and with Jesus.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who came to earth knowing everything about me and my sin, and everything about what You would endure on the cross - and You willingly laid down Your life for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such an effort and sacrifice.  I worry and 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.

Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?

Exodus 3

Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? v11

If you've ever been called to God to serve in a specific capacity, yet feel unequipped to do so, you know exactly how Moses feels.  I have felt that way - yet I know that I am only the hands and feet of Jesus and He does the work through me.  All I need to do is submit to His will and He will equip me.

I will be with you. v12

We must all serve.

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10

Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord Ephesians 6:7

“Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.”Mark 9:35

Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:26-28

Although Moses' reservations about serving continue in Exodus 4, he goes on to become a biblical hero with no equal (other than Jesus himself). Upon Moses death, the Bible says this about him:

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, who did all those signs and wonders the Lord sent him to do in Egypt—to Pharaoh and to all his officials and to his whole land. For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.  Deuteronomy 34:10-12.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  I've seen Your glory in how You have equipped me to serve - what an awesome God You are!  You have blessed me and I know I have blessed others through Your work in me.  Thank You for using me and for the blessing to serve.  I am not worth such love - I continue in my 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 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.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.

1 Peter 4

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. v8

 
As a follow up to my post yesterday, Peter is writing us to be ready for when Jesus returns, not just for ourselves, but for others so that they can see Jesus in us and be attracted to Him and be snatched from the fire (Jude 1:23).

Peter expands in verses 9-11.

Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. v9-11

My Prayer: Jesus, You are a great God full of love and mercy for me.  I know this because You pursued me even though I am broken and I sin.  You restored me and reconciled me to You.  You give me life.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such effort as I continue in my sin...worry, etc.  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 and help me love others as You do.  God give me strength to be who You intend me to be and so that I can please and glorify You.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength to be who You intend us to be as parents.  Help me be the husband and spiritual leader You intend me to be.  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 Savior.  Help me serve You, my church, my family, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.

Proverbs 29

The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern. v7

Today was Missions Sunday at church. God commands us to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28), and to care for the poor both through service and giving.

If there is a poor man among your brothers in any of the towns of the land that the LORD your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward your poor brother. ⁸ Rather be openhanded and freely lend him whatever he needs. Deuteronomy 15:7-8

My Prayer: Lord, You provide generously for all things - not just physical needs but emotional needs, spiritual needs, etc.  You encourage and You heal.  You are a great God and apart from You I can do nothing.  Thank You Jesus for how You bless beyond what I deserve. I am lazy and I often fail to serve You when I have ample opportunity to do so.  Please forgive me.  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 - especially the poor - as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus so that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me lead and serve my family, You, the church and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.

Psalm 138

Though the Lord is exalted, he looks kindly on the lowly; though lofty, he sees them from afar.  v6

Throughout scripture, we see the glory of God - on Mt Sinai, in all of Jesus miracles, in the final days, etc.  No doubt, He is worthy of our praise and full attention - we are to love Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind (Exodus 20, Matthew 22) - this is, after all, the number one and most important commandment.  At the same time, we have a God - Jesus Christ - that comes to serve us (Mark 10:45) and is willing to humble Himself (on the cross!) and be with us, even though we are all broken (Romans 3:23).  Christ's humility - that He serves us and extends himself to us - is something that we must demonstrate to others.


A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

What a great God we have!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of my full attention, worship and love...that You love me is amazing...that You came to serve me, and to suffer and die for me is amazing.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love!  I worry, I am lazy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in faith.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You Jesus.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness.

Relating to the Rascals
Philippians 2

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant being made in human likeness. v5-7

I sometimes puff myself up by thinking of others (good or bad) in relation to myself - sinful! As the scripture above from Philippians indicates, Jesus did not seek advantage or glory for himself; instead he sought out those whom He knew needed the love and compassion of Jesus...and He served those who needed it. 

We not only need to serve, we need to seek out those who share the most powerful bond of all - love of Jesus Christ.  This is what drew the early believers in Acts together:

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.  Acts 2:42-47

We not only pray, encourage and support one another but we also "sharpen" each other and help each other grow in Christ:

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You sought me out...knowing how broken I am...You suffered and died for me, then rose from the grave, defeating both sin and death, giving me the gift of forgiveness for my sins and eternity in Heaven with You.  What a great God and thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such a gift.  I am full of pride and I know this is sinful.  Please forgive me Jesus.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Help me overcome my stress and anxiety - all while forgiving me for my worry.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and help her fully and quickly recover from the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

[J]ust as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Imitation
Matthew 20

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” v25-28.

Today's devotional focuses on Christ's call for humility and to serve.  From the devotional:

In a man’s world, authority and service often have an inverse relationship. The more authority, position, and power one possess the more that man is served. These guys get new titles and assistants, new offices and parking spots, and heaps of flattery and accommodation. In some cultures men don’t even need power or position to earn servitude.

Jesus breaks the rules to serve in person. Watch Him in the gospels, He encourages, He makes breakfast, He hugs kids, He touches, he heals, He shows up.

For me there are two messages here...I need to demonstrate and model Jesus for my sons and for all that know I am a believer.  As part of modeling Jesus, I must die to self (deny myself), serve others, pick up my cross and follow Jesus.

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, You are a great God that is not only worthy of my praise, but also my full attention and devotion.  I must learn Your ways, commit them to my heart and be more like You...for my own good, for the good of my family and for the glory of You so that I can draw attention and bring others to You.  I love You Jesus. You have blessed me beyond what I deserve.  I am often thinking of myself, worrying, etc.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from 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.  Help me treasure my wife!  Help me be humble and serve others, including Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me lead effectively with You as my model.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

1 Peter 4

 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. v10

Humility and service are core to what Jesus asks of us...it demonstrates our love of Jesus and others.

Humility and service are discussed throughout scripture, including:
- Matthew 20
- Ephesians 6
- Mark 9
- 1 Corinthians 9

By implication, we must also "die to self" or "deny oneself" as posted here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God full of love for me as demonstrated by blessing upon blessing and the pouring out of mercy, compassion, patience, etc. for me. I am not deserving of such blessings and love.  I very often fail to lead in my household as You intend for me.  Forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome some such sin and turn from it 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.  Help me be humble and serve others - denying myself and my selfish desires.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer. Help her have a productive appointment this morning.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.