But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ[.]

 Philippians 3:1-11

But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ[.] Philippians 3:7-8

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 3:1-11 where Paul gives reason for believers to rejoice in the Lord.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv7-8: Christ is valuable - more valuable than anything else we have.  He is the source of our salvation, and as a result we have hope, peace, etc. Everything else in comparison is "rubbish."  V9: Christ is also the source of our righteousness - imputed to us through faith.  This is not of our own doing - we did not earn it.  He freely offered it and softened our heart to see the need to accept it and surrender our life to Him.  V10: Faith in Christ is power as He gives us the same power that resurrected Him from the grave - see also Romans 8:10-11.
• What do we learn from the text about people?: All people sin - Romans 3:23 and 1 John 1:8 - even believers.  Believers - while also sinful - have power over sin and death through Christ and per v2 we must be careful of the sinful influences that exist in the world as these influences serve as a wedge between us and God when we fall prey to the temptations triggered by these influences. V3: Believers today are set apart as God chose us - just as Israel did.  See this John Piper post from DesiringGod.com.  V4: Believers are called to avoid confidence in the flesh but v7 instead in Christ.   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We are to be alert for and to avoid sinful influences that drag us into sin.  Claim the promise that He gives us the same power that raised Him from the dead.  Follow the example of Paul with his humility that he lost everything but gained Christ and put Christ first.  Rejoice in the Lord!   

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation and for the rich mercies You pour out daily for me - incredible!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  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.

And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will.

 Numbers 24:12-13

And Balaam said to Balak, “Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, ‘If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the LORD, to do either good or bad of my own will. Numbers 24:12-13

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today - Numbers 24:12-13 - we see how God continues to work and speak through Balaam the pagan prophet, and Balak's rage because "it pleased the LORD to bless Israel."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God works through all of creation as He is the Creator - see also Colossians 1:15-17.  This includes working and speaking through the pagan prophet Balaam who was hired by Balak to curse Israel as they sought to inhabit the land currently occupied by the Amorites - see Numbers 22.  The Spirit of God (the Holy Spirit) appeared to Balaam in the wilderness and spoke through Balaam in vv3-9 sharing how God loves Israel, how He sees her as beautiful, treasured, blessed, powerful, and how she will overcome her adversaries. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In vv10-11, we see Balak enraged over Balaam's discourse, yet Balaam, in vv12-13, reinforces (see also Numbers 22:18) how he is clear that God's word is more valuable than any amount of silver or gold Balak could give him.  This is a message all believers should heed - that we find God and His Word more valuable than any treasure on earth.  See also Psalm 19:10, 119:72, Proverbs 8:10.  Don't also miss how Balaam shares how we should not add to or subtract from God's Word - he will not "go beyond the Word of the LORD", an explicit exhortation not to twist God's Word to suit our own desires or will.  
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Don't twist God's Word to suit your own desires or will.  Claim the promise that God's Word (and Himself) is more valuable than any earthly treasure.  Follow the example of the psalmists, David, and Solomon, who valued God more than anything.  Seek God first (and you will find Him - Jeremiah 29:13). 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Your Word is of infinite value and more valuable than any earthly treasure.  And You save!  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 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 when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry.

Numbers 4:1-15

And when Aaron and his sons have finished covering the sanctuary and all the furnishings of the sanctuary, as the camp sets out, after that the sons of Kohath shall come to carry these, but they must not touch the holy things, lest they die. These are the things of the tent of meeting that the sons of Kohath are to carry. Numbers 4:15

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today 4:1-15, where the Lord commands Moses and Aaron to take a census of the sons of Kohath (among the Levites), and He describes their duties with the tent of meeting.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: God seeks obedience - in detail.  In the Old Testament ceremonial law, these details matter but we know that as part of God's plan obedience to this level of detail is unsustainable so there is a need for regular atonement through animal sacrifice.  With the New Covenant based on Christ's shed blood, obedience to ceremonial law is fulfilled permanently, leaving obedience to the moral law intact.  Obedience in detail still matters because lack of attention to detail shows lack of care.  We should treasure God above all else and it should show in our obedience and service to Him.  Because He is SO good to us, in response we want to please, honor and glorify Him...so obedience is not burdensome (see also 1 John 5:3). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: There are so many people behind the scenes in every day life that serve and obey God in detail.  Their hearts are right with God because they abide in Him and bear fruit (John 15:1-10).  They are not seeking their own glory but that of the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).
• 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 seeking God's favor through action and your own strength and power.  Claim the promise that obedience is not burdensome because we love Him SO much and we treasure and seek Him. Follow the example of Jesus who loved the Father SO much that He willingly suffered and died so that others could have life now to the full and for eternity.  Obey God in detail - do it all for the glory of God. 

Comment and discuss this post

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

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God.

 John 12:37-43

Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue; for they loved the glory that comes from man more than the glory that comes from God. John 12:42-43

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:37-43, where Jesus has just spoken and performed many signs, the people still don't believe.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Here we see that Jesus moves on by hiding from the crowd (v36) to whom He has spoken as they still did not believe (v37).  Their unbelief fulfills prophecy from Isaiah 53:1 and 6:10 - reinforcing how God alone saves, He chooses whose heart is hardened and whose is softened such that they believe, and how all of scripture points to Jesus.  God revealed Himself to Isaiah and in turn shared God's message to Israel (one of both judgement and hope) - v41.  Pharaoh's heart from Exodus was also hardened by God to fulfill the words God spoke.
• What do we learn from the text about people?:  Hardened hearts manifest not just in disbelief, but also in a failure to trust the Lord to protect and save.  V42 shares how some of the authorities believed in Jesus but only partially gave their hearts to the Lord and held back some of their heart as they feared persecution from the Pharisees (v43).      
• 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 partial faith such as the authorities in the text today and the rich young ruler who loved His wealth more than Jesus.  Follow the example of how Jesus laid down His life for the Father....and for all who believe. Claim the promise that the victory over sin and death is already won - particularly on this day (Easter) - so we can trust in Jesus as He gives us the same power that raised Him (Romans 8:11).  Trust Jesus and fully surrender to God and give Him all of Your heart and life.  Treasure Jesus as Your Lord and Savior.  Love God as the most important commandment. 

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for saving me and giving me the same power that raised You from the grave.  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.

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.”

 John 12:1-8

Jesus said, “Leave her alone, so that she may keep it for the day of my burial. For the poor you always have with you, but you do not always have me.” John 12:7-8

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 12:1-8, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with expensive oil as Judas protests this act of love.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus celebrates God's work - how Lazarus was raised from the dead (v1).  We should have hearts of gratitude towards God as He is always at work and as we grow more aware of God's hand, so will our hearts be increasingly filled with gratitude with what He has done.  Jesus responds in vv7-8 to Judas' protest of Mary's act of love by telling Judas to leave her be.  His response shares a glimpse of His pending death on the cross, and how love of God is the most important commandment (vs love others). 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: In v3, Mary anoints Jesus' feet with an inordinate amount (one pound) of expensive ointment (nard) - clearly she is not concerned with the money she spent on the nard, but instead she is filled with love for her Lord and Savior as she takes it a step further and serves Jesus by wiping His feet with her hair.  In contrast (vv5-6), Judas does not see this as an act of love and selflessness to bring glory to God as He is consumed with self and greed as we learn that "he was a thief" and will betray 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?): Avoid selfishness and greed.  Claim the promise that we can never be separated from God's love and that we should follow the example to love God and treasure Him as Mary did.    

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves me - You are worthy of all praise, honor and glory and I treasure You.  Thank You for the gift of my salvation and how You bless.  I am not deserving of such a gift and 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.

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10:17-31

Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Mark 10:29-31

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:17-31.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv23-27):

• The title for the second division per the commentary is: "It Is Better Than You Think."  
• "Jesus affirms that whatever you might lose or give up in this present age (or life) for Jesus and the gospel, you will not fail to receive a hundred times as much “now at this time” and in the age to come “eternal life.” The things Jesus notes we may have to give up are precious things: home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands. It costs to follow Jesus. However, the blessings far outweigh the losses. In God’s kingdom the benefits and blessings are simply too great to imagine."  
• "One surprising “blessing” is “persecutions.” Its inclusion strikes a sobering note of realism for the person who would follow Jesus. To be a member of Christ’s kingdom means to share in all that is His. This includes suffering on His behalf, a momentary light affliction when seen against the promise of eternal life (2 Corinthians 4:17)."  
• "[Jesus' words] means mainly that if you are deprived of your earthly family in the service of Christ, it will be made up a hundredfold in your spiritual family, the church....Surely what Christ means is that he himself makes up for every loss. If you give up a mother’s nearby affection and concern, you get back one hundred times the affection and concern from the ever-present Christ. If you give up the warm comradeship of a brother, you get back one hundred times the warmth and camaraderie from Christ. If you give up the sense of at-homeness you had in your house, you get back one hundred times the comfort and security of knowing that your Lord owns every house and land and stream and tree on earth (quote from John Piper)."    
• "God does not evaluate things in the same way fallen humanity does. As citizens of His kingdom, His children should think more like Him than like the world."

God wants us to treasure Him above everything else.  John Piper refers to this as Christian Hedonism. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God and worthy of all praise, Honor, glory and worship - above anything else.  You love and You save.  Thank You Jesus for my salvation.  I am not deserving of such love and gift - the greatest gift of all time.  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.   

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

Mark 8:27-38

“If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. Mark 8:34-35

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:27-38.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv34-38):

• For the third division, the title is: "You Must Understand and Accept That Jesus Calls You to Die."
• "Jesus lays out the essence of “the normal Christian life,” the basics of discipleship, which sadly in our day looks like “the radical Christian life.” Being Jesus’ disciple requires three essentials."  
• "Deny yourself.  Live as Christ directs.  Treasure and value Jesus more than yourself, your comforts, your aspirations. Put to death the idol of I! Say no to you and yes to Jesus!"
• "Second, take up your cross. Die! Luke 9:23 adds the word “daily” because that is what we must do. This is not normal or natural, but it is necessary to be Christ’s disciple. And it is a slow, painful death.  Finally, follow Me! Are we willing to believe and obey Jesus? It will be radical, not comfortable, because it involves a death to the self-centered life." 
• "Following Jesus involves risking it all—safety, security, satisfaction in this world. But He promises us that it leads to a reward this world can never, ever offer."  
• "Your life is set free to live the normal/radical Christian life when you see death as reward, when you can say with Paul, “For me, living is Christ and dying is gain” (Philippians 1:21)."

Upon some reflection of the text and the commentary today - one can see this as a negative - that we are denying something that we truly want.  Yet the more we understand, know and love Jesus, the more we set our mind on the things of God.  At this point, obedience to God is not a burden (1 John 5:3).  We seek His will because we know God and know that He loves us and blesses us more richly than the world ever will.  John Piper refers to this as Christian Hedonism where God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and blesses richly those who love Him.  You bless beyond anything we could ever imagine.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  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.

“Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’”

 Malachi 3:13-15

“Your words have been hard against me, says the LORD. But you say, ‘How have we spoken against you?’ You have said, ‘It is vain to serve God. What is the profit of our keeping his charge or of walking as in mourning before the LORD of hosts? And now we call the arrogant blessed. Evildoers not only prosper but they put God to the test and they escape.’” Malachi 3:13-15

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I start a focus on a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:13-18. The commentary for this text provides two divisions as well as a main idea, an introduction and conclusion - today I focus on the main idea, introduction and the first division.

Excerpts from the commentary's main introduction and for the text's first division:

• Main Idea: "God’s commitment to His covenant demands a response from His people, and those who fear God are set apart as His treasured possession."
  
• Introduction - The Fear of God: Believers are reminded that God's promises always come true and these promises equip us to weather all trials and suffering.  We are also reminded that we belong to God, are sealed by Him with our salvation and this is the core promise to which we should remain anchored. We are referred to Luke 24:36 where after his death and resurrection Jesus appears to His disciples sharing "peace to you" encouraging the disciples (and us) to be free from fear and anxiety. We are commanded to live in reverent fear of God - this should be out of respect of who He is and how He reigns over all - we should certainly be obedient to Him.  This reverent fear should not however, drive us to be afraid of God Himself as He encourages us to approach Him confidently (Hebrews 4:16), knowing He wants us to be in relationship with Him.  
  
• The Wicked Respond in a Spirit of Legalism, Expecting Reward for Obedience (3:13-15): God sees a heart problem with His people and the commentary describes how God sees those who are following Him, and those who have wandered from Him.  V13 shares how those who have wandered see obedience as "vain" or useless.  However, God sees through this because their obedience was not a result of reverent fear of God but instead out of a feeling of obligation, and expecting something in return.  We should all remind ourselves that we deserve death for our sin (Romans 3:23, 6:23).  God wants us to treasure and love Him above all and it is out of this love where we week to please Him through our obedience.  Our heart condition and our motives are most important.  See Romans 12:1 where God does not want us to go through the motions, but He wants all of our lives to reflect a love and worship of Him. The commentary then defines both license and legalism - both of which reflect an inaccurate understanding of what God seeks from us. "License is the idea that, since we’ve been saved by grace through Christ, we are free in the Spirit to do as we please and indulge whatever we want, even if it opens the door for sin. These individuals see the promise of God’s forgiveness as justification to do whatever they want. The law seems useless....On the opposite swing of the pendulum from license is legalism—putting fences around the law to protect yourself from breaking it."  The commentary points us to scripture that warns us about both license and legalism: see Matthew 23:23-24, 5:17 then shares that "[t]he people of Israel in Malachi’s day did not understand this, and therefore they saw the law as burdensome."  We are encouraged to know God as deeply as we can (through spiritual disciplines) and as we deepen our knowledge of God we grow in relationship with Him and seek more and more to become more like Him, submitting our lives to Him.  This of course prevents us from wandering.   
  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, what an incredible God You are that You free us from the law, give us Your Son Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, and Your Word so that we can know You, love You, and please You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings....my sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You 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.

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts.

 Malachi 3:10-12

Bring the full tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. And thereby put me to the test, says the LORD of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven for you and pour down for you a blessing until there is no more need. I will rebuke the devourer for you, so that it will not destroy the fruits of your soil, and your vine in the field shall not fail to bear, says the LORD of hosts. Then all nations will call you blessed, for you will be a land of delight, says the LORD of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12

I return to my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Malachi 3:10-12. 

Excerpts from the commentary for the following two divisions and for the conclusion to the commentary's chapter covering Malachi 3:6-12:

• God’s Challenge for Israel to Test His Immeasurable Generosity (Malachi 3:10-11): The text includes "the only time in the Bible where God actually permits one to test Him in the area of finances....The temple’s storehouse was made up of numerous rooms that contained grain, oil, and various other supplies for the well being of the priests. It was the requirement of God that the people give money and supplies for the preservation of the Levites. God, who knows intimately the hearts of men, anticipated His people saying, “We can’t give ten percent.” So God said, 'Test Me.' They thought, 'We can’t afford to give.' God corrects them, 'No, you can’t afford not to give. Test Me.'...God appears to be saying, 'No matter what happens to you, when you are financially faithful to Me, I will provide for you. I will protect you.'"  
  
• God’s Blessing upon Israel Will Result in a Good Reputation among the Nations (Malachi 3:12):  God promises to make Israel (and His people) a great nation.
  
• Conclusion: Two lessons: (1) "if we obey the mandates of God in humble and faithful service, we can expect reward. This does not mean that reward is immediate, or even that we will ever receive it on this side of heaven. But we are guaranteed to experience God’s blessing, either here or in the coming kingdom"; (2) "what defines us is not what we have or what we think we have earned. Rather, it is what we do with the resources God has provided....God is always faithful to His covenant, even when the people are not. Israel would fail again, but in Christ we see the One who gave generously of Himself, even unto death, out of obedience to His Father. And in His sacrifice He also became the generous outpouring of heavenly blessing that God bestowed on all people."

I recommend a listen to this session of Ask Pastor John on DesiringGod.com where John Piper nets it out for believers seeking an answer to whether believers - based on the New Testament - are commanded to tithe. The answer is no but at the same time, those who truly love God as their highest treasure should think to themselves "why would we give anything less than a tithe (10 percent)?"

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me...blessing me beyond what I ever imagined You could provide...and Your fountain of grace never stops flowing.  I am not deserving of course.  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.

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.

1 John 5:1-4

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. 1 John 5:1-4

I continue my preparation for leading Sunday school at my church tomorrow, where our class will be looking at 1 John 5:1-4.  This morning I look back over my posts for the past several day where I have leaned on DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video for this text and the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for 1-3 John.  My discussion guide is here.  Key excerpts:

• Concerned about false teachers and how they undermine the church, John seeks to help believers understand the marks of an authentic believer, including the right belief (who is Jesus)/doctrinal mark, right love/moral mark, and the right behavior/ethical or social mark.
• By implication, we must believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Promised Deliverer, the Great High Priest, the Prophet (who is the Truth); we must also see Jesus as King of Kings and love Him in such a way that we love what He loves and hate what He hates.
• Finally, we must treasure God so much that the world is exposed as unsatisfying vs God.

Know and love God, and love others, and experience joyful obedience!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and worthy of all my worship and all the glory!  Thank You for the mercy You pour out for me every morning and how it never ceases!  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 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.

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Timothy 1:17

To the King of the ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. 1 Timothy 1:17

I continue with my study of 1 and 2 Timothy using DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series - picking up with 1 Timothy 1:17, with the video entitled Why Paul Soars into Doxology. 

Excerpts from the video: 

• John Piper proposes that Paul writes such a doxology because he values eternal life (particularly as he has just expressed this value in vv12-16)
• The first four attributes of the doxology are relevant for eternity: sovereign over all time and all eternity, immortal (not subject to decay), invisible (not material), only God (no competitors to defeat Him or bring Him to an end); all these attributes serve Paul's doxology (or short hymn to praise God)
  
• In praise, we ascribe honor (dignity, integrity, greatness, virtue, worth) and glory (greatness, majesty, beauty, worth, radiance of honor)
• Praising will not cease...ever...this is how Paul feels about his salvation and how we should as well. 

We should treasure eternal life and the eternal God underneath this life. 

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for my eternal life and salvation - of course 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 Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.]

1 Peter 3

For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God[.] 1 Peter 3:18

Today, I pause my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books to lean on DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, which today - courtesy of John Piper - provides "a summary of the gospel to help [us] understand it and enjoy it and share it!"  Piper outlines the gospel as follows, with included scripture references:

1. God created us for his glory - see also Isaiah 43:6-7.
2. Therefore, every human should live for God's glory; we must love God, trust Him, be thankful to Him, obey Him, and treasure Him above all things - see also 1 Corinthians 10:31, Matthew 22:37, Romans 4:20, Psalm 50:23, Matthew 5:16, Philippians 3:8, and Matthew 10:37.
3. Nevertheless we have all sinned; [n]one of us has loved or trusted or thanked or obeyed or treasured God as we ought. - see also Romans 3:23, Romans 1:21-23.
4. Therefore we all deserve eternal punishment - see also Romans 6:23, 2 Thessalonians 1:9, Matthew 25:46.
5. Yet, in his great mercy, God sent his only Son Jesus Christ into the world to provide for sinners the way of eternal life - see also John 3:16, Galatians 3:13, 1 Peter 3:18.
6. Therefore eternal life is a free gift to all who will trust in Christ as Lord and Savior and supreme Treasure of their lives - see also Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9, Ephesians 2:8-9, Galatians 2:20, Philippians 3:8.

As Holy Week and Easter approaches next, believers should all be mindful of the Good News Jesus brings, write these words on our heart (Hebrews 8:10) so that we can be constantly present to this Truth.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gospel, the Good News, and how it saves and gives me life to the full now in SO many ways that it is indescribable!  I am not deserving of my salvation and the blessings of being a child of God.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus for my sin today and every day - I know I fall short.  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.