And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!”

Mark 5:1-20

And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” Mark 5:6-8

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 5:1-20, 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?: God is full of compassion, as He seeks to heal all of our affliction - spiritual, emotional, and physical.  He engaged with the man with the unclean spirit to heal Him.  Ultimately, God seeks to save us spiritually.  God is all powerful and has providence over all matters including Satan and sin - He was able to heal the man that others could not even subdue.
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People often fail to understand who Jesus is - and in this instance they saw what He was able to do and perhaps marveled at what He was able to do but other than the cleansed man, no one else recognized Jesus for who He is as the herdsmen and people from the region sought for Jesus to depart.  They cared perhaps more about the lost pigs than they did the life of the cleansed man.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We can claim the promise the Jesus heals both inside and out - physical ailments will ultimately be healed if not in this life but when we get to Heaven - see also Revelation 21:4.  We should follow the example of the cleansed man told by Jesus to tell his friends how much the Lord has done for us and how he had mercy on [him] (vv19-20). 

Every believer has a story of how God cleansed us from the inside out and we should be prepared to share with everyone we know what God has done for us.  See also 1 Peter 3:15.  We are to be a light.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that has healed me from the inside out and produced fruit - not through anything I did but because of everything You did starting with loving me and saving me while I was an enemy and hostile to You. Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me for my sin 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.

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

Acts 23

When it was day, the Jews made a plot and bound themselves by an oath neither to eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. Acts 23:12

As I continue to ponder what to study next, my Bible study this morning once again leans on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today looks at how nothing can stop God's plans, and that if challenging circumstances are overcome, even in an unbelievable manner, we must look to God as the divine orchestrator of something greater than the challenging circumstances.  John Piper once again, as he did yesterday, looks at the life of Paul and how he goes to Jerusalem and is arrested (see Acts 21). While in Jerusalem, the Jews made a plot to kill Paul (see Acts 23:12), yet God was not done with Paul as Piper points to the previous verse (v11) and how God planned for Paul to go to Rome on appeal to give his testimony to those in Rome. Piper breaks down how God thwarted the plans of the Jews by orchestrating the unraveling of the plan through the sequence of what Piper describes as a highly unlikely (although for God nothing is unlikely or impossible - see vv16-23) set of events:  

• A boy overheard the plot.
• The boy was the son of Paul’s sister.
• The boy had the courage to go to the Roman centurion guarding Paul.
• The centurion took him seriously and brought him to the tribune.
• The tribune believed him and prepared “two hundred soldiers, with seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen” to take Paul to safety. 

John Piper wants us as believers to see that "[n]o ambush can stand against the promise of Christ. Until he got to Rome, Paul was immortal. There was a final testimony to be given. And Christ would see to it that Paul would give it.  You too have final testimony to give. And you are immortal until you give it." God has a plan for each one of us and as long as we are alive we should continue to seek what it is that God wants us to do in service of His glory.

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 for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your mercies that are new every morning and that never cease.  Help me respond in white hot worship - You are deserving and I know that is why I exist.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin of lethargy and other sins 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.

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.]

Hebrews 12

And have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire[.] Jude 1:22-23a

I continue my study of Hebrews, and this morning my focus is Hebrews 12:12-17, and my unaided observations of the text. Here, the text starts (v12-13) with an encouragement to endure and persevere, particularly through suffering, pain, trials, difficulty, weakness, etc. It is God who never leaves or forsakes us (Matthew 28:20) and He provides and strengthens us in all of our circumstances (Philippians 4:12-13). V14 seeks for us to be at peace with everyone and to live holy lives.  V15-17 provide us with an encouragement to share the gospel with others that God may bring them to faith and salvation through Jesus Christ.  The author of Hebrews uses Esau as an example of someone who "despised His birthright" and failed to inherit the blessing of his father Isaac (Genesis 25, 27).  Esau's line ultimately led to the Edomites (Genesis 36) and Jacob's line of course ultimately led to Jesus (Matthew 1).  While God is sovereign and it is He that hardens hearts and softens them, bringing some to faith and others not, believers nonetheless share a responsibility to share the gospel and their own testimony with others.  

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 - giving me faith and You sustain and strengthen me - particularly during difficult times.  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.

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”

Isaiah 51-53

How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Isaiah 52:7

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - on Day 3 of Lesson 19, I move on to Isaiah 52. The focus of this chapter is salvation - both for Israel in exile, but also for all nations as v10 states the "eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God" - a clear reference to Jesus Christ.  The study refers me back to Romans 10:1-15 where Isaiah is quoted in v15, referencing how Jesus and the Holy Spirit are used through believers to bring the Good News of Jesus to all.  In Romans 10:14-15 Paul asks - rhetorically - "how are [non-believers] to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless [believers]...are sent?"  God wants all of us the spread the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves me and who sent His Son to die on the cross for me so that I could have salvation - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation - my sins are great and they continue...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.

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him.

John 12 and Luke 10

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. John 12:9-11

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, I finish the story of "Lazarus: The Final Witness*".

*Title of lesson eight from the Max Lucado study.

The commentary* of day five starts with Max Lucado describing a party for Lazarus now that he has been raised.  Lucado quickly moves on to describe the roles Martha and Mary play in contrast to the role Lazarus plays. Martha serves tirelessly and selflessly (although at least once she grumbled and complained that her sister did not help).  Mary sits at Jesus' feet, pours out expensive perfume on Jesus and worships Him.  Lazarus, of course had his testimony - and what a powerful testimony it was.  John shares that the Jews and chief priests not only sought to kill Jesus but Lazarus also because of the power of his testimony.  Lucado wants us to appreciate how all of us have different roles to play and all of us a have a testimony - a story to tell about how we came to believe in Him and what He has done for us. We are encouraged to serve based on our gifting and to share our story.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You have done SO MUCH in my heart and life - thank You for the work You have done in and through me.  I am blessed!  Yet I am undeserving - worry and other sins persist in my life.  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.

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Genesis 6-9

And God said, “This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Genesis 9:12-16

I continue with my study of - Ten Men of the Bible: How God Used Imperfect People to Change the World - eBook by Max Lucado (for purchase). This morning, in preparation for leading my Friday morning men's Bible study peer group, I am going to summarize my key takeaways from a review of Genesis 6-9 and the story of "Noah: Hope When the Floodwaters Rise*".

*Title of lesson one from the Max Lucado study.

The overarching theme of the study is one of hope, and how God provides this hope.  Our story starts in Genesis 6 where we see that a relationship with God is a basis for supernatural and eternal hope.  God is very disappointed in what He created with humanity (and humanity's wickedness) and so He set in motion a plan to wipe out all of humanity through a flood - except for one man and his family: Noah.  The first question we must ask ourselves at this point is why did God choose Noah?  Well, scripture tells us that "Noah pleased the Lord" (Genesis 6:8).  It also tells us that "Noah did everything that God commanded him" (Genesis 6:22, 7:5, 7:16).  God chose Noah and his family to be the basis for humanity after the flood because Noah "was a good man, the most innocent man of his time" AND he "walked with God" (Genesis 6:9).  Yet at the same time, we know Noah did not lead a perfect life because at least on one occasion (Genesis 9:20-21) he became drunk and the Bible is clear that this is a sin. We don't know the extent of Noah's sin; for example, whether he was an alcoholic; and we also don't know what OTHER sins Noah had.  We only know that he was "the most innocent man of his time". But it is fair to say that Noah is a great example of how God uses broken and sinful people to accomplish His will.  This should serve to both humble and encourage us.  We can all be used by God in ways that our human minds cannot even begin to fathom - all starting with a relationship with God and a desire to glorify and please Him. 

As the story unfolds, we see that the flood is not just overwhelming in terms of destruction but one can sense that it was overwhelming emotionally.  Scripture tells us "[a]ll that was left was Noah and what was with him in the boat" (Genesis 6:23).  We get this detail so that we can place ourselves in Noah's shoes - so that we can feel his isolation and loneliness.  Noah was probably isolated and lonely as he built the ark - likely mocked by those around him during this time who saw his building activities as foolish and laughable. Even though Noah had his wife and family (and a veritable zoo!) during the flood and its aftermath, the flood itself lasted more than a year (see Genesis 7:11, 8:3-5, 8:6, 8:13-14 for more hints on the timeline)! During this time of a pandemic we can both sympathize and empathize with Noah - this must have been rough!  We know (and scripture tells us) that we are designed to live with others together - supporting and encouraging one another.  Now, how did Noah get through the flood emotionally?  God gave Him hope.  After 150 days of flooding, "God remembered Noah and all the wild and tame animals with him in the boat" (Genesis 8:1).  He made a wind, made the water go down, and rested the ark on top of a mountain so that Noah had perspective and could actually see MORE of the land as the water receded (Genesis 8:2-5) - by giving Noah perspective, this in and of itself is encouraging as often just taking a step back and having perspective provides hope.  Also, after initially releasing a raven that eventually returned because it found no place to land (Genesis 8:6-9), Noah sent out a dove and this time it returned with an olive leaf, and then he sent the dove again, and then it did not return as it likely found a place to land and live on its own (Genesis 8:12).  In between rounds of sending the dove out, we see that Noah gained encouragement by what God was doing as it says "[t]hen Noah knew that the ground was almost dry" (Genesis 8:11). We see God providing hope as well when Noah and his family leave the ark and step onto dry land after the flood waters receded. Noah builds an altar to the Lord (Genesis 8:20), offers sacrifices, and God is pleased (Genesis 8:21-22).  Yet even as Noah and his family left the ark, their future was far from certain and this must have been lurking in their minds.  So God once again offers encouragement and hope as He blesses them and makes a covenant with them (Genesis 9:1-17). 

 Questions for discussion:

1. For those of you who became a believer later in life (and did not grow up in the church), can you share where you placed your hope and how this did not provide supernatural and eternal hope?
   
2. Assuming you agree that obedience to God is key to pleasing Him, are their commands that you find burdensome or harder than others?  Read 1 John 5:3
   
3. Can you share times in your life when you were overwhelmed in your circumstances but God gave you hope?
4. What other stories in the Bible give you hope and why?
5. What verses give you hope and why?
6. How have you used the hope God gave You to give hope to others?
7. Anything else you would like to share about Noah's story or about what we have discussed?

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who both gives me hope and who has given me hope when I have been overwhelmed in my circumstances.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of the supernatural and eternal hope that only You provide.  I have sin...daily, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your messages for me today and every day.

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

Acts 24-26

Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?” Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.” Acts 26:28-29

Day 345 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 as I move further into the New Testament - this morning my focus returns to Acts where Paul has been arrested and taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea and my commentary discusses Paul's defense before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa. 

Once again, as I posted yesterday, we see (Acts 26:1-29) Paul boldly proclaim his testimony before Festus and Agrippa. Luke's final recorded statement before Festus and Agrippa demonstrates in Paul what God wants in all of us - a persistent and unwavering determination to be in action to expand God's kingdom...whether it be in words or actions.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.”

Acts 21:17-23:35

The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, “Take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.” Acts 23:11

Day 344 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 as I move further into the New Testament - this morning my focus returns to Acts where my commentary* notes: '[t]he prophecy of Agabus is soon to be fulfilled. Upon his return to Jerusalem, Paul now finds himself being arrested and attacked by local Jews who have been stirred up by certain men from Asia. Fortunately, however, Paul will be rescued by Roman soldiers acting under Claudius Lysias, the local Roman commander. The historical record sets forth Paul’s attempt to defend himself before a mob which is demanding his death, and indicates a fair reception to his discourse until he mentions being God’s messenger to the Gentiles. Angry crowd reaction to that assertion forces Claudius Lysias to take Paul into protective custody. On the following day, the record reveals that Paul is put on trial before the Sanhedrin Council, in much the same way that Jesus himself had been tried years earlier. By referring to his own heritage as a Pharisee, and to his belief in a resurrection after death, Paul adroitly sets the Pharisees in controversy against the Sadducees, who do not believe in a resurrection. In the debate which ensues, no charges are brought and Paul is returned to custody. When a plot to kill Paul is uncovered, Paul is secreted away by night to Caesarea, where he will later be brought before the governor, Felix. Now, as Luke records Paul’s arrival in Jerusalem before his arrest, an effort is made by James and the elders at Jerusalem to calm the anxiety of Jewish Christians, who are uncertain about Paul’s teaching."

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

In Acts 21:40-22:41, Paul, in his defense, boldly tells his story to his accusers. God wants all of us to be able to tell our testimony - boldly (see also Acts 4:20) - just as Paul (and Peter, etc.) tells his story to his accusers.  On the subject of how to prepare to give our testimony, John Piper provides this excellent post which encourages us to not be anxious or to overly prepare in advance - instead we are to lean on Him and the Word to guide us in our words.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I am humbled how You have used me and my story to reach others.  I've been blessed by the experiences I've had and I hope I have been a blessing to others. Thank You Jesus for the blessings You have provided me and for guiding me in the process...and for all the blessings You continue to provide and have so richly already provided - it is overwhelming.  I am not deserving of such blessings. I worry, I gossip, I place other cares and concerns above You, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now then, hear the word of the Lord.

Amos 7, 2 Kings 14-15, and 2 Chronicles 26 

Amos answered Amaziah, “I was neither a prophet nor the son of a prophet, but I was a shepherd, and I also took care of sycamore-fig trees. But the Lord took me from tending the flock and said to me, ‘Go, prophesy to my people Israel.’ Now then, hear the word of the Lord. Amos 7:14-16

  

Day 172 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) wraps my study of Amos as we see Amos confronted by Amaziah priest of Israel, yet Amos stands his ground delivering God's message of impending punishment for Israel due to her sin and unfaithfulness to God. My commentary* points to wickedness not just of Jeroboam II (2 Kings 14-15) but also of the kings that followed, including Zechariah and Shallum - both of whom are assassinated. My commentary* also points (2 Kings 15, 2 Chronicles 26) to Judah, where we see Uzziah fall prey to pride: "King Uzziah, also known as Azariah, has reigned over Judah with great success. But his good fortune is about to go to his head, and he will suffer serious illness [leprosy] for his presumptuousness. Uzziah’s illness will necessitate a co-regent to run the day-to-day affairs of state. In filling that role, Uzziah’s son Jotham is a good leader. But he is not the religious man needed by this materialistic, immoral, unjust, and complacent people".

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

Amos is a great example of standing firm in delivering God's words in the face of opposition.

Peter and John did the same before the Sanhedrin:

Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:18-20

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who protects and gives me strength in the face of worldly opposition - thank You Jesus!  Yet I know I am undeserving of Your love and protection because I often feel weak and don't stand firm.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and 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 in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Peter 3

But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. v15-16

Peter continues to urge us to do good - to glorify God - and to not be frightened over any persecution that may come our way (v13-14).  Even with our testimony we must be gentle and respectful.  

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me abundantly - beyond what I deserve.  Thank You Jesus. Yet again I am not deserving.  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.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts 20

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace. v24

Paul is leaving Ephesus and saying farewell to the elders there.  He knows that difficulty, hardships, persecution, etc. awaits him (v22-23) yet he is led by the Spirit to focus on God's calling for his life.  We are ALL called to share our testimony and the Good News of Jesus Christ - to our family, and others.  This morning I think of how I must snatch others from the fire.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God and You have snatched me from the fire - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful - yet I am undeserving.  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.

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.

John 21

Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. v25

In John 21, Jesus appears to the disciples after the resurrection, produces a miraculous catch of fish (v1-14), and Peter is reinstated (v15-19).  Peter's reinstatement is an incredible testimony of how Jesus loves and forgives and how freedom from the sting of sin and death enables Peter (and us) to serve as Peter goes on to build the early church. 

As well, John remarks how there is much to Jesus' life that we don't know as it is not written down. This is a reminder to believers to share the Good News of Jesus Christ by sharing what is happening in our own lives.  I know for myself that God has transformed my heart and life and there are many miracles that Jesus has produced.  

God - please help me share all of these details.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and You have produced many miracles in my life - Thank You Jesus for blessing me.  I am not deserving.  I worry and I 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.

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

John 4

They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.” v42

As a follow up to my post yesterday, other remarkable aspects of Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well include the timing of the encounter and the reaction of the townspeople in v27-42.

MacArthur indicates the divine timing of the encounter writing: "[h]ad the disciples arrived earlier, they would have interrupted and destroyed the conversation; and if they arrived any later, she would have gone and they would not have heard His declaration of messiahship. This feature subtly reveals Jesus' diving control over the situation that was occurring."

We must also remember that each time someone comes to faith it is the hand of God - a miracle (see Ephesians 2:8).  I think about my own testimony and the story of my mom coming to faith at 81 years old even though she was Jewish her entire life up until that point (watch this video starting at 6:00 and ending at 12:43).  As such we have the miracle of faith of the Samaritan woman at the well and the townspeople.
 

 "Many...believed in Him because of the woman's testimony" (v39)...."[a]nd because of His words many more became believers." (v41)

One would think that everyone would have such a reaction to Jesus.  Yet this is not the case.  Of course the Jewish elders, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, etc. and many others' hearts were hardened as were the townspeople in the region of Gadarenes where Jesus heals a man (or two men depending on the account you are reading - see also Matthew 8, Mark 5, Luke 8) from his demons - in this story all accounts indicate that the people of the region "pleaded" with Jesus to leave.  The only exception here is noted in Mark where he indicates that "the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed" (Mark 5:20).

ALL believers have a story to tell that is a miracle - what is YOURS?

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has performed many miracles in my life with of course the most important being faith itself!  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such a gift.  I worry, and my sin goes on and on...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 today and every day.

Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ v28-30

Luke 23

Jesus turned and said to them, “Daughters of Jerusalem, do not weep for me; weep for yourselves and for your children. For the time will come when you will say, ‘Blessed are the childless women, the wombs that never bore and the breasts that never nursed!’ Then“‘they will say to the mountains, “Fall on us!” and to the hills, “Cover us!”’ v28-30

On the way to Golgotha, or "the place of the skull" as referred to by Luke in v33, Jesus responds to those mourning and wailing for Him (v27).  It is of course understandable that those in the moment who knew and loved Jesus would be distraught over His imminent crucifixion.  For believers in present and future days, Jesus' response is clear - be more concerned over your own fate and those of whom you love...and all God's children for that matter.  

We must snatch others from the fire and play our part in the Great Commission.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who snatched me from the fire and others in my life - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving of such love.  I worry...far too much...please forgive me Jesus and help me 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.

There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

Luke 13

There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out. v28

All are deserving of God's love and mercy - for we all sin.  However, just as Jesus indicates, not all will either accept the invitation to join God's kingdom and many have not heard the Gospel.  I must at every opportunity, share the gospel and be a light.  I must snatch others from the fire.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who snatched me from the fire - thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving...I make judgements about who can be saved - these are not my judgements to make!  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.

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.

Luke 5

So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. v11

Everyone has a story - including Peter, who's mother-in-law was healed by Jesus (Luke 4, Mark 1).  Peter also saw Jesus produce a haul of fish that Peter and his fellow fisherman could not produce or experience, even on the best of days fishing.  On top of that Peter was likely there for all (or nearly all) of Jesus' miracles that included the Transfiguration, the Resurrection, and Pentecost.  During the period after the Resurrection when Jesus appears to many, Peter arguably experienced the most powerful example of Jesus' grace and forgiveness.

For more on Peter's story - see this.

I like IAmSecond.com as a place where folks, including many public personalities, share their stories.  I've shared my story through Celebrate Recovery where I have gained victory (still fighting) over anger and others sins.

Peter dropped his livelihood to follow Jesus and boldly proclaimed the Gospel - in the face of grave danger.

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Ultimately, Peter became integral to the early church's existence and Peter brought the Gospel to the Gentiles.

We must all get to a place where we acknowledge the need for Jesus and just drop everything to follow Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who gives me victory over the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth 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 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.

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.”

Mark 11

Jesus said, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.” v33 

The chief priests, the teachers of the law and the Jewish elders challenged Jesus and could not with confidence claim that Jesus was not the Messiah, the Promised One.  The world and all of its evil influences challenge our belief in Jesus daily. We can stand on the Bible but I believe we should also stand on what Jesus has done for us personally - we all have a story.

At one point in my life, I believed I had it all and I could do anything, yet God challenged my arrogance and got me to see how He was the source of everything and that I had belonged to Him and came from Him.  God got me to see how everyone needs a Savior and Christ is that Savior.  It has taken many years for me to surrender more of my life to Him and I am still a work in progress - yet I stand today confident that Jesus is my Lord and Savior.  He is real and what He has done in my life is real.  I am less arrogant, more at peace, more patient, etc.  

I may be challenged by the world - but with God's help I will remain steadfast and I will not relent in my faith.

As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard. Acts 4:20

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  1 Peter 3:15 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are amazing and You are my personal Lord and Savior.  You came to save me and indeed You did more than save me, You gave me life...and blessed me far more than I could ever imagine.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am week and 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 understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day. 

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed.

Mark 5

Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. v19-20

Jesus wants us to tell others about Him - for those of us who are saved - we all have a story of redemption - and it is powerful.  God saved (and is still doing so) me from anger, impatience, arrogance, pride, etc. and I am deeply grateful.  He saved my mom at 81 years old and now she is in Heaven - after living her entire life Jewish.

He also wants others to SEE this transformation in our lives - it's not enough to TALK about it, particularly if our actions don't square with our words.  

See Jesus words on the "lamp on the stand" from Mark 4:21-22. 

We are to be a living sacrifice.

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

My Prayer: Heavenly Father - You amaze me and You have transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessing.  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.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. v19-20

Francis Chan tells us that making disciples is a core component of our relationship with Jesus and that if we want to experience God we have to bring others to God.

Jesus - help me get off my duff to bring others to God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has transformed my heart and my life.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet, I am blessed beyond what I deserve - I often fail to do as You expect for me to lead others to You.  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.

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith.

Matthew 13

And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. v58

Either at the end of their lives or at the End of Times, there will be those who lack faith and will be condemned.  It's hard to fathom this - a loving God who loves all of His children who does not save all of His children.  Yet this is not the case - God wants us to be in a willing relationship with Him where we submit to Him and depend on Him, where we deny ourselves and instead seek His desires above our own. 

God is the One who bring us to faith...or not.  This does not get us off the hook for His command to tell others about Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who loves us and who willingly goes to the cross to save us from the sting of sin and death.  Thank You Jesus - the greatest gift of all time.  I am not worth such a gift.  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 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.