But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.”

 Numbers 33

But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then those of them whom you let remain shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell. And I will do to you as I thought to do to them.” Numbers 33:55-56

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 33 - we retrace the path Israel took as  God led the people out of Egypt on their journey towards the Promised Land, and God prepares the people to enter the Promised Land.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God commands Moses to write down Israel's path towards the Promised Land (v2) - these are the second through the fifth book of the Bible. We should remember and study this journey - Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua.  Upon reaching the boundary of the Promised Land - at the Jordan River - God gave Moses and the people explicit instructions (vv50-56) to destroy both the inhabitants and the idols in the land.  He warns the people that if they don't "[those inhabitants and their idols] shall be as barbs in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall trouble you in the land where you dwell."  Scripture has limited mention of "thorn" but in context it has both negative and positive associations.  Thorns typically "choke" out more desired growth (negative).  At the same time, Paul is given this same "thorn" in his flesh (2 Corinthians 12:7) "to keep [him] from becoming conceited" (positive).  God is warning the people that the inhabitants of the Promised Land will entice and lure the people into idolatry, sin and away from Him - just as it has occurred in Israel's history.  Idolatry and sin separates us from Him and "troubles" and hurts us.  We must do as God commands.  Otherwise, as v56 shares God will do to us "as [He] thought to do to [those whom God sought to drive out from the land]."  He will drive us out from fellowship and union with Him - not a good thing.       
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People very often are partially obedient - not fully obedient (just as God commanded).  Hence God warns the people to avoid partial obedience because He knows partial obedience means a lack of submission and surrender to God.  This leaves a gap in our relationship with Him and this will not end well - we should heed the warning from Matthew 7:21-23 and Revelation 3:15–16 regarding partial obedience and moderation. In 2 Corinthians 12:7, Paul was given a thorn in his flesh to remind him that he was fully dependent on God - he should not believe that his life circumstances and experience were anything but God's hand.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid moderation (lukewarm) or partial obedience in your journey with God.  Claim the promise that God desires to bring you enter His rest but this requires complete dependence and surrender to Him.  Follow the example of Paul who saw that he had a thorn in his flesh and relied fully on Him.  Abide in Him and follow God completely.     

Comment and discuss this post

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

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.”

 John 18:1-11

This was to fulfill the word that he had spoken: “Of those whom you gave me I have lost not one.” John 18:9

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 18:1-11, where Jesus is betrayed by Judas and arrested in the garden at Gethsemane.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus goes to a place he and the disciples know well - v2.  He knew all details of what would happen to Him - v4, including the betrayal by Judas, His arrest, and Peter's reaction.  Jesus then asks the soldiers and temple officers (and Judas) twice the same question - vv4,7 - "whom do you seek?"  Contrast this with how Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10) and how many during Jesus' ministry sought Jesus - for His healing power. V8 shares how Jesus sought to fulfill scripture spoken by Him in John 17:12. Jesus does not lose any of those He adopts into His family of believers - a great promise to claim.  We also see in v11 that - again - nothing can stop God's plan to die on the cross as He stuck to the plan and willingly laid down His life as the final atonement for all sin across redemptive history.  Jesus' response to Peter's defensive act again shows how He stuck to the plan - His own death on the cross. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Judas' betrayal is described in more detail as he "procured" the band of soldiers and officers to arrest Jesus and stood with them - vv3,5.  This group is described as acting as a unit when Jesus identifies Himself in v6 as "they drew back and fell to the ground" in response.  This is curious because on one hand they arresting Jesus and on the other we see an apparent act of worship.  Perhaps this was the Holy Spirit drawing them back and knocking them to the ground getting them to understand the gravity of what they are doing - arresting the Son of God as a precursor to killing Him.  Peter on the other hand does not draw back but moves to prevent the arrest.  We see from Luke 22:50-51 how Jesus then heals the servant struck in the ear - an act of great forgiveness and mercy to one who was seeking harm to Jesus.     
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): All sin is a betrayal of Jesus - seek forgiveness and reconciliation to God.  Claim the promise that Jesus does not lose those He adopts into His family of believers - eternal life. Follow the example of Jesus to understand and follow God's will for your life.  Do not attempt to thwart God's will.   

Comment and discuss this post

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

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes.

Haggai 1:5-6

Now, therefore, thus says the LORD of hosts: Consider your ways. You have sown much, and harvested little. You eat, but you never have enough; you drink, but you never have your fill. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm. And he who earns wages does so to put them into a bag with holes. Haggai 1:5-6

I continue with my study of Haggai - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For this morning, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Haggai 1:5-6, the third sub-division.  The commentary entitles this subdivision as Reflecting on Their Lack of Flourishing Will Point Them to God’s Displeasure.  Here, building on vv3-4 where God questions the Israelites for their devotion to their own lives and pursuits vs love of God and obedience to Him, God continues to condemn Israel.  God shares how the Israelites' ways are futile in terms of providing for their needs, and of course this includes physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.  We must rely fully on God for all of our needs - He is the source of our provision, every ounce of it. Excerpts from the commentary:

• God's message through Haggai is intended to draw Israel back to Him, and to show them that His design is that we depend on Him and then we flourish. God calls out Israel's disobedience and then connects it to their current state of want and despair. 
• We are referred to God's design as stated in scripture, including Jeremiah 29:5-7.
• God wants us to see how our actions have consequences - see also Isaiah 59:2 where we are warned and reminded that sin separates us from God and without repentance we remain apart of God - not a state we should desire - one where we are subject to God's judgement, wrath and condemnation.  
• We all sin and need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior. He intercedes on our behalf. Repent and believe! God is good and He will cleanse you...and so much more!
  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Way, the Truth and the Life, the Living Water, and You provide for all of my needs, You never leave or forsake me, and I can never be separated from Your love...not even in death.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation and all the blessings You pour out for me daily.  I am not deserving...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. 

“Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah[...]"

Philippians 2

 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah[...]" Jeremiah 31:31

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 17 of Advent, and today John Piper shares how during Christmas we should appreciate how Jesus provides "the greatest salvation imaginable."  Piper uses Jeremiah's prophecy (500 years before Christ) where God promises a "new covenant."  The Old Testament covenant relied on works and one's own strength and will for obedience.  The new covenant promised by God through Jeremiah "replace[s] shadows with the Reality of the Messiah."  As Piper puts it, "[God] would powerfully move into our lives and write his will on our hearts so that we are not constrained from outside, but are willing from inside, to love him and trust him and follow him. That would be the greatest salvation imaginable — if God should offer us the greatest Reality in the universe to enjoy and then move in us to know that Reality in such a way that we could enjoy it with the greatest freedom and the greatest pleasure possible. That would be a Christmas gift worth singing about."  Piper highlights that salvation however, while available to all, is not given to all as sin separates all of humanity from God and the salvation available to us through Jesus is only given in response to acknowledgement of sin, belief and faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Once a believer does this, Piper describes this "greatest salvation imaginable:"God is now free, in his justice, to lavish us with all the unspeakably great new covenant promises. He gives us Christ, the greatest Reality in the universe, for our enjoyment. And he writes his own will — his own heart — on our hearts so that we can love Christ and trust Christ and follow Christ from the inside out, with freedom and joy."  Without a doubt the greatest gift of all time - believers rejoice!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God who offers the greatest gift of all time - salvation!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift - not by a long shot.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin 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.  

There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities.

Isaiah 64-66

There is no one who calls upon your name, who rouses himself to take hold of you; for you have hidden your face from us, and have made us melt in the hand of our iniquities. Isaiah 64:7

I resume my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah moves on to day 2 (of 5) of week 23, which will bring my study of Isaiah to a close as it covers Isaiah 64-66.  Day 2 focuses on a closer examination of Isaiah 64, which focuses on how God's people turned away from Him (v5-6), and how God gave the people over to their sins (v7). In v8 we see a more contrite people (see post yesterday) looking for mercy and compassion from God - for salvation. The broader context sees Israel and Jerusalem desolate, destroyed and a wasteland.  The temple burned and is in ruins.  For sure, God's people were in a dark place with their spiritual condition and posture towards God - their separation from God was self-inflicted due their sin - certainly futility without Christ. My study urges me to look closely at v7 and how God essentially gave the people over to their sin and how God does this so that we can be clear that their is no other place to turn but to God - He is the only one who can save.  My commentary refers me to Hebrews 10:20 as this text describes how Christ provides a "new and living way." We should all recognize how we all sin, are in need of savior and Christ the only way - see John 14:6. My study also looks at Isaiah 1:1, compares it with 39:8 and how love and fear of God leads to peace and security - 64:7 warns us not to toy around with sin as God will turn us over to our sin and this is a dangerous place indeed.

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who protects me from sin and from the wages of sin (death) - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of Your protection and how You provide refuge.  My sin does 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.

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.["]

Leviticus 19-20

“If you love me, you will keep my commandments.["] John 14:15

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter seventeen - Holiness and Love - covering Leviticus 19-20, looking specifically at the third theme for the chapter - Our Holiness Arises from a Relationship with God.  Here, the commentary examines how we achieve holiness over the course of our journey with Christ, and how we express that holiness - in other words, how can know and "measure" that we are indeed being holy.  In looking at how, or the process through which we become holy, the commentary starts by referring to us to the Old Testament and how God invited the Israelites into a special relationship with Him.  The commentary states that "[h]oliness arises from a relationship with God, and the closer we get to God the more holy we become.  The tabernacle in which the Israelites was divided into three sections, each one of which represented different degrees of holiness....Every Israelite was allowed in [the outer court]." The priests could only enter the holy place inside the tent, and only the high priest could enter the inner sanctum or the "most holy place" (see also Exodus 26:33-34).  This inner sanctum represented the presence of God.  The commentary continues in its description of the tabernacle by by saying: "[i]n the tabernacle, to move closer to [the inner sanctum] that represented the presence of God was to become more and more holy.  That physical reality illustrates a spiritual reality--the closer we get to God, the more holy we will become, the more separated from the ways of the world and the more consecrated to God we will grow....The key to holiness is staying close to God."

The commentary then moves to how we express our holiness, or how we know or "measure" our holiness.  Looking at Leviticus 19-20, the commentary refers us to v19:3-4, 37, and in v20:8, and 22 where God seeks our obedience to His commands. The commentary also points us to the New Testament, where Jesus, in John 14:15 says "[i]f you love me, you will keep my commandments." Beyond our obedience, the commentary indicates that we express our holiness through communion with God. We are pointed to Leviticus v19:5-8 and 20:2-6 where: (1) the fellowship offering is described - this offering is described as meaning "the worshiper was at peace with God"; (2) we are urged to see how "[o]ur fellowship with God is exclusive" and how God commands us not to create idols for other Gods - we are to worship Him alone.  

The commentary wraps by reminding believers that sin breaks our fellowship with God. Due to the fact that, for believers, sin remains until we meet Jesus face to face, we must continue to seek God, seek His forgiveness for sin that remains in our lives, and remain close to Him so that He "gives us pardon for sin in our past, and power over sin in our present[.]"

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who forgives me and gives me power over sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings.  I continue to sin, with arrogance, harshness towards others, and 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.

[B]ut your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God[.]...Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully.

Leviticus 13-15

[B]ut your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God[.]...Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. Isaiah 59:2, Psalm 24:3-4

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter thirteen - Unclean! - covering Leviticus 13-15, looking specifically at the second theme - Sin Separates Us from God.  Here, the commentary starts by making it clear that "these chapters in Leviticus state people were declared unclean and excluded [from worship] because of a skin disease [and bodily discharge], not because of sin." At the same time, the commentary states "skin disease [and bodily discharge are] an external reminder of sin and the physical deterioration sin causes" (see also post yesterday). The commentary then pivots to an examination of why God focused on skin diseases such as leprosy in Leviticus 13-14; while we don't know for certain, once again (see also post from a few days ago regarding how there are no imperfect laws), we are exhorted to avoid questioning the the validity of any of God's laws as although "[w]e may be unable to understand the reason for every law because God did not supply us with a reason....However, if for some reason we reject God's law or decide it is incorrect, we are least being impertinent, if not blasphemous.  God had a reason for the laws He gave, even though those reasons may not be clear to us.  So when we encounter things in the Bible that don't make sense to us, our impulse should be to give God the right to be God.  Skin disease symbolized sin and separation from God because that is the symbol God chose."  Finally, the commentary postulates that leprosy was as apt a symbol of sin as any as this particular skin disease, at least at the time of the writing of Leviticus, was incurable, visible and progressive - all dimensions of sin we of which believers should be aware. The commentary writes: "[b]oth leprosy and sin are incurable.  Also, leprosy affects the nervous system so that infected people become progressively desensitized to pain.  Most forms of sickness cause suffering by making us hurt; leprosy cause suffering by making its victims incapable of hurting.  Sin affects us in the same way.  The more we sin, the more we are desensitized to sin and its pain." Ultimately, the connection is drawn between not only original sin and the subsequent presence of sickness, pain and death, but also between sin and how it separates us from God as God did not allow anyone unclean to worship as described in these chapters in Leviticus. The commentary wraps by pointing us to scriptural examples of these applications, referring us to Isaiah 59:2 and Psalm 24:3-4.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me a path to cleanse myself of my sin - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You forgive and how You bless me.  I worry and I 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 fatih.  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.

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”...Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.”

 Leviticus 5-6

Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the people of Israel.”...Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. And they said, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient.” Exodus 19:5-6, 24:7

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter six - When We Are Guilty - covering Leviticus 5:14-6:7, looking specifically at the theme - We Are Guilty When We Violate Our Covenant Relationship with God. Here, the commentary describes the restitution offering, which as part of the Old Testament sacrificial system, includes "provisions for reparations, or restitution, to be made against whom we sin." See v5:16 where "restitution" is described, and v6:4-5 where we are instructed to "restore" or compensate those we've sinned against. As the commentary starts to unpack the chapter theme - When We Are Guilty - it starts by looking at the covenant God makes with His people, first in the Old Testament, and then ultimately with Jesus Christ with the Second Covenant.  The commentary urges us to look the covenant God establishes with the Israelites at Mount Sinai as written in Exodus 19 and 24.  The commentary then states that in the context of the covenant we make with God - as established in the Old Testament with the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and superseded with the Second Covenant - when we sin, regardless of the nature of our sin, it is sin nonetheless and we are being unfaithful to God and we are breaking the covenant we have with God. Of course, as I have been posting recently, although sin separates us from God, He provides a path for atonement, reconciliation and forgiveness.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God in that although we are unfaithful - as believers - to You and the covenant we establish with You, You are full of grace and compassion and provide a path for atonement, reconciliation, and forgiveness.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  My sin continues, including worry, etc. Please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to Your 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.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.

Leviticus 4

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 1 Peter 5:8-10

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - starting chapter four - How God Deals with Sin - covering Leviticus 4:1-35, looking specifically at the theme Sin Forms Everywhere.  Here, God provides instructions to Moses for the "sin offering", and addresses how the sin offering is to be presented based on several scenarios of unintentional sin, including whether an individual Israelite, an anointed priest, the whole congregation of Israel, an Israelite leader (, or a "common" person commits such an unintentional sin.  While the ESV, NKJV, and NIV versions all refer to the offering in Leviticus 4 as a "sin" offering, my commentary writes that "possibly it's best to refer to this sacrifice as the purification offering," as other places in the Bible refer to this offering where there is nothing to do with sin (i.e. childbirth, healing of skin disease, etc.). My commentary emphasizes how God "singles" out leaders in His treatment of sin as God sees these people of influence as key to helping the congregation as a whole avoid sin.  We are also urged not to take sin lightly as it is a devastating, not just eternally, but also now. The commentary writes how only four chapters of the Bible have no sin - the first two chapters of Genesis (before sin existed) and the last two chapters of Revelation (when sin is defeated finally).  Otherwise, the story of sin is the story of all humanity's history - not just in the Bible but as long as humankind exists on earth.  We are urged to see sin as active - always at work and always as something we must battle. Sin also not just separates us from God it impacts our relationships with other people - it is indeed devastating. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who gives me the ability to battle sin in my life - thank You Jesus!  I know the victory is Yours!  Yet I know I am not deserving of how You bless me as my sin does continue - worry, stress, anger, etc. - please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Leviticus 3

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. Romans 5:10-11

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter three - Peace with God - covering 3:1-17, looking specifically at the theme We See the Need for Reconciliation with God. Here, my commentary describes the peace offering, as described in Leviticus 3, as a means to achieve both peace with God, and then of course, peace of mind - something believers should recognize as truly only available through a relationship with Jesus Christ.  The commentary starts by reminding us that, prior to any faith in Jesus Christ, "we're not automatically at peace with God."  We are urged to review Romans 5:10 and Colossians 1:21.  Pride is described as often getting in the way of our relationship with Jesus as we say, "I'm good," or "I don't need God." We should also recognize that without reconciliation to, and a relationship with God, we not only experience spiritual death, but also eternal damnation. Our key takeaway for this morning is that we appreciate the need for reconciliation with God and how God provides the means to reconcile with Him - this first came through the sacrificial system as described here in Leviticus 3, then ultimately through Jesus Christ.  

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God as You provided a path to reconcile with Yourself - through Jesus Christ!  Thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift. My sin continues...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 message for me today and every day.

When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven as an offering, it shall be unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with oil or unleavened wafers smeared with oil. And if your offering is a grain offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mixed with oil....No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord.

Leviticus 2

When you bring a grain offering baked in the oven as an offering, it shall be unleavened loaves of fine flour mixed with oil or unleavened wafers smeared with oil. And if your offering is a grain offering baked on a griddle, it shall be of fine flour unleavened, mixed with oil....No grain offering that you bring to the Lord shall be made with leaven, for you shall burn no leaven nor any honey as a food offering to the Lord. Leviticus 2:4-5, 11

This afternoon, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - looking at chapter two - Giving to God in Worship - covering 2:1-16, looking specifically at the theme We Exclude Corruption from Our Lives which focuses on v2:4-5, 11. These verses include God's command that the grain offering not include any yeast or leaven. My commentary offers up in v2:4-5, 11 that yeast represents sin and corruption and how leavening with yeast "involves fermentation, which is a form of decay, and therefore is related to death." God is holy so He expects holiness in worship and as such no uncleanness is allowed in worship. The commentary provides further examples of yeast in the Bible, including New Testament references such as Luke 12:1 and 1 Corinthians 5:1-8. How we approach worship is important and we must be careful to allow even small amounts of sin into our lives as this impacts our corporate worship and our daily lives (which again per my post yesterday, God seeks for us to offer our lives as a "living sacrifice").

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who offers atonement for sin - through Jesus Christ!  Thank You Jesus!  The greatest gift of all time - I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin of worry, etc. 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.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 5

 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:6-7

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 continue with the story of "Paul: Never Too Far Gone for a Turnaround*".

*Title of lesson ten from the Max Lucado study.

Max Lucado's commentary* for day four focuses on Paul's words for the church in Corinth about their sexual immorality - and Lucado uses this letter not so much to focus on sexual immorality, but on sin itself, and the attitude of those of who sin and how believers should respond to sin.  The text (1 Corinthians 5:2) indicates the sinner is proud and that believers are to "hand the [sinner] over to Satan" implying that is the end of the story.  Yet John Piper makes it clear in this post that such a "hand off" to Satan is both not unique in the Bible (as Piper uses Job as just one example), it is used by God as part of His sanctifying process. Lucado also provides three scriptural examples of how God "hands off" sinners to their sin - see Romans 1:24, 26, and 28.

Lucado wants us to be firm in how we deal with sin not just in our own lives but in the lives of others, particularly in the church.  Believers are to separate themselves from sin and evil and as part of this we are to speak truth in love.  John Piper unpacks "truth in love" and the message is clear doctrinal truth in the church is paramount, and it is unifying and foundational.

Finally, Lucado encourages us to love - 1 Corinthians 13:6-7.

Discuss and comment on this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who saves me from my sin and provides Your Word to protect me from sin and the Holy Spirit to sanctify me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of who You are so full of mercy, compassion, and patience.  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.

Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

Judges 19-21

 Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?” Judges 20:26-28

Day 82 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 Israelites continued sin, this time of the Benjamites, and to a certain extent of the other tribes whose methods to forgive, restore and reconcile the Benjamites to all of Israel, according to my commentary* demonstrated "extremely questionable moral judgment". 

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

Unfortunately, this is what sin does if we don't stop - in infects not just us but it can easily spread to the others around us and it can often lead to great internal strife - as it does here where the acts of a few lead to thousands of people dead.  The attempts and methods by Israel to forgive the tribe of Benjamin are not any less sinful and are reminiscent of other Biblical accounts to either cover up sin or make things right in our own eyes.  Judges 21:25 sums up (once again) this sad state of affairs: In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit (see also post yesterday).

Within today's reading, there ARE however glimmers of hope for what we SHOULD be doing - going to God for forgiveness and counsel when we are either dealing with sin in our own lives or in the lives of others.  This occurs several times in Judges 20 (v1,18, 23, 26); v35 captures God's will be done and stands in contrast to what my commentary* indicates how "the nation of Israel has sunk to a low ebb in which moral authority is no higher than self-will".

We should not stray from God and if we DO, we must repent and turn to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has forgiven me of my sins and given me victory over the sting of sin and death - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an amazing gift.  I continue to sin - help me repent and turn to You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

Judges 13-16

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.  Matthew 5:27-30

Day 80 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 Samson, whose love for an ungodly woman shows how flirting with sin can hurt us.  It is nonetheless amazing that of course God redeems Samson's sin to use him to destroy many of the Philistines.  Although Israel did evil in the eyes of the Lord (Judges 13:1), He raised up Samson to lead and intercede on their behalf.  Far from a perfect leader, God used Samson to lure the Philistines into a trap (Judges 14:4). 

DesiringGod.com's post here warns us about flirting with sin and directs us to Matthew 5:27-30, where Jesus warns us about sin, emphasizing how sin includes matters of the heart, and Jesus directs us on how we should be prepared to take what some may see as drastic actions to address sources of temptation.

These are tough words indeed, but God hates sin and it separates us from Him - we must find ways to address it in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and use my sin.  Thank You for Your grace and compassion and how You redeem my sin for Your glory and purpose.  I am humbled and of course undeserving.  Please forgive me as my sin continues - I am too easily distracted by the world.  Help me overcome and turn from such 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.