But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life.

Jude

But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. Jude 20-21

I proceed with my study of Jude using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my study consists of a review of Jude 17-23, with a focus on a commentary-assisted review of the second division per the commentary - vv20-21. Here, Jude pivots from warnings about false teachers to how believers should respond.  This pivot is marked at the start of v20 with "But you" as Jude begins to contrast how the false teachers are recognized with ungodly behavior (see post yesterday and previous posts on Jude).  Instead, believers are to take the following actions

1. "build ourselves up" in faith: I am reminded of Paul's words from 1 Corinthians 9:25-27 where he likens himself to an athlete in training that focuses on strengthening himself and be disciplined in this training.  I am also reminded of a book on spiritual disciplines recently discussed in my church's Sunday school. 
   
2. "pray in the Holy Spirit": one of the spiritual disciplines is to pray, to meditate on God's Word, listen to Him speak to you, and to make requests for yourself and others in prayer.
   
3. "keep ourselves in the love of God": going to God daily, and throughout the day helps us stay focused on God with constant reminders of who God is and what He does for us.
   
4. "wait for Jesus to return of Jesus": God will call believers home or return and until this time, we must be steadfast in our faith, looking forward to Heaven. 
   

 Lord Jesus, please help with all of these actions!

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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....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.

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.]

Titus 2

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ[.] Titus 2:11-13 (ESV)

I maintain my pause of my study of 1 Corinthians as I participate in a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning, on week 4-day 5, the focus is Titus 2:11-13 and scripture memorization for this text.

• For the grace of God has appeared: God is real and His presence manifests through God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and the Word...and in all things (Colossians 1:16-17).  This is of course true for believers but it is also true for non-believers as Romans 1:20 states that even for those who deny God, they clearly perceive Him "[and] his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature...ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse."
• God brings salvation for all people: Believers must profess and share God's Word with everyone per the command in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:20).  John Piper shares that Christ's sacrifice on the cross was perfect except it lacked a public presentation of the gospel to all nations - this is the role of believers - to go into the all corners of the world and to share.  God brings salvation through His people - the saints. 
  
• This grace also trains us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives as we battle the dark forces of sin in this world and seek to bring the Good News into this world.
• While believers seek to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives, we are waiting for our blessed hope - the second coming of Jesus Christ as He promises to return at the end of times. This blessed hope helps us endure through whatever is thrown at us - we know that this life is temporary and God is saving a place for us in Heaven.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God and You give me my salvation that trains me and You give me a blessed hope - thank You!  I am not deserving of these 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.   

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Hebrews 5

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. Hebrews 5:14

I continue my study of Hebrews, assisted by the commentary Christ Centered Exposition: Exalting Jesus in Hebrews. This morning, I maintain my focus on Hebrews 5:11-14, as I lean on my commentary and explore what the commentary describes as the third division "The Remedy: Discerning Power," which looks at Hebrews 5:14. Over the past two days, having looked at "The Diagnosis" and "The Symptom," this morning, I examine what the author outlines what it takes for believers to become spiritually mature. The commentary makes this clear: "[o]nly by faithfully and diligently studying the Scriptures can we rightly train and exercise our spiritual power of discernment....This does not mean Christians eventually reach the point where they no longer need to study Scripture. All Christians, even maturing ones, always need the Bible....When Christians possess discernment and can distinguish between good and evil, they have the capacity for spiritual reasoning. They can see how one doctrine relates to another and can logically apply those doctrines to aid decision making in all areas of the Christian life."  As I look back on my tag cloud and search for exhortations elsewhere that urge us to have daily time with God in study and prayer, two in particular strike me a relevant for this morning.

Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law. Psalm 119:18

Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. Proverbs 8:34

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

Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.

Jeremiah 24

Like these good figs, I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I sent away from this place to the land of the Babylonians.My eyes will watch over them for their good, and I will bring them back to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the Lord. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart. v5-7

 
The Lord reveals to Jeremiah that those exiled to Babylonia should remain hopeful - that their affliction and punishment is for their own good and of course God's glory.  These people - as is the case with us - need further refinement as part of God's plan to use us for His glory.

See also punishment as training, discipline as training, and the refiner's fire.

"My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Hebrews 12:5-6

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and Your discipline and punishment has produced fruit - thank You Jesus that You love me such that You desire to refine me versus throw me away.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worthy of such love and grace.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart.

Proverbs 17

The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. v3

God created us and did so for a reason and all the days of our lives are ordained by Him (Psalm 139) for His glory and purpose.

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Ephesians 2:10

God is always molding us and preparing us for our next tasks.  

All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

So, gold and silver are refined through the crucible, God refines us...we must be aware of how God is preparing us.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what a great God You are!  You are there always for me, full of compassion, mercy, patience, encouragement, training, wisdom, etc.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love and blessing.  I continue to lack patience and am quick to anger and slow to listen.  Please forgive me and help me overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength. Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me be aware of how You are training me.  Help me lead Zach and Dustin to You and that they choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve and lead my family and serve You and the church.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.

Psalm 124

Our help is in the name of the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. v8

When we have troubles we too often rely on ourselves, things, or people to ease our worries and to resolve difficult matters.  I am just as guilty of this sin as anyone else.  I must rely on God and God alone, and He will provide us with all our needs and see us through all challenges.  We must also see how these challenges are either allowed by God or created by God to grow, discipline and train us.

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. Romans 5:3-4

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are all I need...no good things exist apart from You.  Thank You for how You bless me beyond what I deserve.  I fall short of the Glory of God...I worry, I am selfish, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.

Psalm 112

They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. v7

I don't know anyone that welcomes bad news but for those that trust in the Lord, bad news does not cause the anguish and pain that might otherwise occur for non-believers.  It starts with God created all things, is in all things, and He holds all things together - see here.  God knows You.  He has a plan for You. We are to look for how discipline and suffering may be training and be thankful.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You ARE an awesome God - full of love and compassion for me and all of Your children, even though I and all of us are broken and fallen.  Thank You Jesus - for dying on the cross for me even though You were not deserving!  I am not worth Your love and compassion.  I am selfish, lazy, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin.  Help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law.

Psalm 94

Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord, the one you teach from your law. v12

This is often a difficult message - that we should consider all discipline as training, and that God is removing our impurities and making us more like Him.


Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4

See also posts here.

My Prayer: Lord, Your righteousness reigns as perfect justice for those who love You and for those who reject You.  You know our heart and everything we do - nothing is concealed.  You are full of compassion and mercy and You often provide mercy when we don't deserve it.  I have experienced Your mercy myself - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such mercy as I continue to worry and be harsh with my words and actions.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith. Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message today and every day. 

But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices.

Psalm 81

But my people would not listen to me; Israel would not submit to me. So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts to follow their own devices. v11-12

God either creates circumstances in our lives or he allows events to unfold that are a result of our own sin.  Either way, they are designed to rebuke, discipline or train us.  We need to be aware of how God is working in our lives to mold us into more of His image. See post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God always coaching me to be more like You.  I desire to be more like You.  I know I was made in Your image and to glorify You.  I also know that I often fall down and disappoint You.  I am easily distracted by worldly matters, I worry and I am often harsh with others.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Keep her safe.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach, and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day.

Psalm 7

God is a righteous judge, a God who displays his wrath every day. v11

Many people, including myself, have viewed God's wrath as a bad thing.  Yet God's wrath also leads to justice and training.  When we view wrath in terms of the positive outcomes it can achieve, we better appreciate the perfection and goodness of God.  Everything God does is good and perfect.  I know for myself that God has been disappointed and angry with my sin, and so he has either allowed me to experience the consequences of my sin, or he has disciplined/tested me with difficult circumstances.  Either way, God's discipline and wrath has resulted in a purification and training process for me - all good.

The prophet Zechariah speaks to God's refiner's fire and how it produces a more pure child of God, one that is closer to God's image:

On that day a fountain will be opened to the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and impurity....This third I will put into the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on my name and I will answer them; I will say, They are my people,and they will say, The Lord is our God.  Zechariah13:1, 9

Circling back to Psalm 7:11, we should look DAILY for how God's wrath (pruning) is producing fruit (see also John 15) in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God, abounding in love for me...even though I am certain I am not deserving.  Thank You Jesus!  I am easily distracted by worldly matters.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from and overcome my sin.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects of chemo and radiation.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin, and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me every day.

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.

Revelation 3

Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. v19

Whatever our circumstances we should be thankful (1 Thessalonians 5:18) and see our circumstances as discipline, training and as preparation for what God wants for us as part of His plan.

See also:
- Prov 3:11-12 (NIV) My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
- Prov 15:5 (NIV) A fool spurns his father's discipline, but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.

This link also provides a great number of excellent examples on this topic.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, capable of all things and full of mercy, compassion and patience for me...despite knowing everything about me including my sin!  Thank You Jesus!  What a great God!  I am not worth such a God and the many blessings You pour out on me.  I am NOT in action as You desire for me...You say "make every effort" but I fail to do this!  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me "make every effort" and help me see Your rebuke and discipline as coaching and training for my good and Your glory!  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.