Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

Whatever has come to be has already been named, and it is known what man is, and that he is not able to dispute with one stronger than he. Ecclesiastes 6:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 6:10-12, which covers the third part of second division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this second division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Antidotes to Satisfaction in Money, with the third (and last) part referred to as Jesus. Solomon concludes chapter 6, in vv10-12, with one statement and two rhetorical questions.  In v10a, Solomon describes how God is in control as our current circumstances are not just known but named, implying they are part of a script that God is playing out.  In v10b, He  describes how humanity is known, implying how we are all broken and sinful in how we chase money, wealth and other pursuits that become idols.  Finally, in v10c, he states how humanity "is not able to dispute with one stronger than he."  God of course is stronger than humanity and in control of everything - He has a plan and it cannot be stopped.  Believers can take great hope from this because we know ultimately that our salvation is sealed and the victory over sin and death is assured as it was already accomplished by Jesus' death on the cross.  Blessed assurance indeed!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me, saved me and gives me assurance that my salvation is sealed - You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You for the comfort in knowing that I am saved, sealed, and the victory over sin and death is already won.  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.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Pursuing Satisfaction in Money Is Meaningless. The commentary shares more broadly Solomon's focus with the book of Ecclesiastes: "Solomon has made the point all along in Ecclesiastes that if this cursed world is all there is, then everything is meaningless. It does not matter how much pleasure, success, or stuff you have, you come away empty. Solomon’s purpose is to expose the foolishness of life without God and to show us, through the Spirit, that everything is meaningless without Messiah Jesus."  Looking specifically at v11, the commentary highlights how wealth can attract those that seek to take from you, not caring about you, but instead about your money.  It  highlights in v13 how wealth can hurt you if you hoard, sharing: "[h]oarding riches does not help you; it hurts you. Being stingy with what you have can destroy your family because of your workaholism, it can ruin your health because you do not sleep well, and it can harm your character."  The commentary for this division concludes by sharing how in v17 "Solomon’s final point is that the rich man eats in darkness with much sorrow, sickness, and anger. This man does not enjoy life. He is lonely and has no one with whom to share his wealth. Thus, trying to find satisfaction in money and stuff is meaningless. It never truly brings satisfaction, and then you die." Pursue Jesus, not money and things!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is so good to me - giving me what I cannot attain on my own, not with any amount of money.  You give me my salvation and the blessings that accompany such an inheritance - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving...not by a long shot.  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.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

Ecclesiastes 4:7-12 and 5:10-6:12

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity. Ecclesiastes 5:10

I continue my study of Ecclesiastes using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for this book.  Today, my focus is an unassisted review of Ecclesiastes 5:10-17, which covers the first division of the commentary chapter titled Money Is Meaningless without Jesus - this first division specifically is referred to in the commentary as Pursuing Satisfaction in Money Is Meaningless.  Ecclesiastes 5:10 cuts to the point immediately and both the commentary chapter and division title aptly encapsulate this verse.  V11 also provides insights into the heart of those who treat money and wealth as an idol - when one acquires goods for his own pleasure but they don't truly provide an advantage to the acquirer.  V12 compares the "sweet" sleep of the poor or modest laborer with that of a wealthy person who might be constantly on the run, worrying about their pursuit of money or wealth.  Vv13-14 shares how money and possessions don't last and can be easily lost - see also Matthew 6:19-21.  Vv15-16 shares how all - regardless of their wealth - will die, and wealth, while it may be passed on to future generations through inheritance, cannot stop death. Finally, v17 shares how "all the days" of a wealthy person - without God - are spent "in darkness in much vexation and sickness and anger," implying that without God we remain slaves to sin and condemned for eternity.  Believers can take comfort knowing that with God, He is with us all of our days not just when we are in our earthly bodies, but also with us for eternity in Heaven.  Believers rejoice for having such a Savior!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion.  I am not deserving of how You saved me and made me one of Your elect.  Thank You Jesus!  But again 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.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

I paused once again this morning from my studies of Proverbs and Isaiah to listen to DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotional - which today focuses on encouraging us to avoid "[d]evoting a life to material comforts and security and thrills," but instead pursuing what John Piper calls Christian Hedonism. Piper introduces us to Christian hedonism as "the truth that God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him."  Piper further unpacks it a series of resources on DesiringGod.com, including this article. He points out that believers delight in God is not at odds with our joy - they are not opposed to each other.  Instead Piper writes that "obeying God is the only route to final and lasting happiness." We are encouraged to not be satisfied "too easily."  Piper concludes this article on how he wants believers to be Christian Hedonists by writing that "we [should] bend all our effort, by the Holy Spirit, to persuade people [of course including ourselves]

• that they can be happier in giving than receiving (Acts 20:35);
• that they should count everything as loss for the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus their Lord (Philippians 3:8);
• that the aim of all of Jesus’s commandments is that their joy be full (John 15:11);
• that if they delight themselves in the Lord he will give them the desire of their heart (Psalm 37:4);
• that there is great gain in godliness with contentment (1 Timothy 6:6);
• and that the joy of the Lord is their strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

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My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are worthy of glory and my ceaseless pursuit that my life demonstrate Your glory.  I am beyond grateful this morning of how You have saved me and blessed my life - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out 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. 

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.

Proverbs 22:17-24:34

When my soul was embittered, when I was pricked in heart, I was brutish and ignorant; I was like a beast toward you. Nevertheless, I am continually with you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory. Psalms 73:20-24

I continue with my study of Proverbs, specifically in week 8 from my study workbook, which focuses on Proverbs 22:17-24:34.  The two questions for this morning focus on an exhortation to avoid toiling to acquire wealth (Proverbs 23:4-5), and to avoid envy (Proverbs 23:17, 24:1,19, 3:31).  The first question refers us also to Proverbs 15:27, Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Timothy 6:9-10, and Hebrews 13:5. These verses teach us that wealth is fleeting and will be destroyed, but that God and His kingdom lasts forever, that ungodly pursuit of money leads to strife and trouble, but that hatred of bribes brings life, that love of money as an idol is a snare and trap and takes us away from God, and that we should be content with what we have (vs what we don't have).  The second question refers us to Psalms 37:1-2 and 73:1-28 and these texts teach us that we may envy sinners as having sinful pleasure with no consequences, yet they ultimately will fall to their destruction.  Envy is a certainly a powerful temptation, but Psalms 73:20-24 remind us that when we feel troubled by envy, even when we lacked trust in God, He is gracious and loves us when we repent and return to Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You love me - despite my sin.  My sin is 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.

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

1 Timothy 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

I pause from both my study of Isaiah and of Proverbs to listen to today's daily devotion from John Piper's Solid Joys found on DesiringGod.com.  Piper warns us, as does Paul, against covetousness for either possessions or wealth - this is a dangerous snare that seeks to not only pull us away from Jesus but also jeopardize our salvation. As Paul writes and Piper emphasizes us to pick up, we are to flee such pursuits and to take hold of our eternal life (lest we lose it!). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a great God and I know that all things come from You and they belong to You to be used for Your glory.  You provide - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You provide, bless, and save.  My sin is great - every day it 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. 

Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth.

Isaiah 19-23

Who has purposed this against Tyre, the bestower of crowns, whose merchants were princes, whose traders were the honored of the earth? The Lord of hosts has purposed it, to defile the pompous pride of all glory, to dishonor all the honored of the earth. Isaiah 23:8-9

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series. Today, on Lesson 8, Day 5, the focus is on Isaiah 23, where we see judgement on Tyre, a maritime city in modern-day Lebanon that had grown very prosperous and wealthy. My commentary refers us also to Ezekiel 28 for a similar prophecy against Tyre (and Sidon). Idol worship of wealth and power are key sins of Tyre as is pride. My commentary notes as applications to "live boldly free from materialism in this present evil age; to be generous with our money, storing up treasure in heaven; to be suspicious of our flesh’s desire for the next new electronic device. It is for us to see Satan’s hidden presence behind the economic ebbs and flows of human history and to understand that God will judge it finally in the end (Revelation 18). It is for us to heed the warnings against worldliness in James 4:4 and 1 John 2:15-17, and to use the things of this world while not being addicted to them (1 Corinthians 7:29-31)." 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, every good and perfect gift comes from You - You alone provide for all of our needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  Help me remember this always and be grateful and not love the world nor conform to the patterns of this world by loving the world.  You have blessed me - I am not deserving.  My sin is great and it continues.  Help me overcome and turn from this 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.

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money."

Leviticus 25

"No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:24

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing chapter twenty-two - A Theology of Things  - covering Leviticus 25:1-55, looking specifically at the second theme for the chapter - God Tells His People to Worship Only Him, So We Do Not Worship Possessions.  Here, the commentary theme for today emphasizes v2, v17, v36, v38, v43, and v55 where God commands us how to relate to Him by observing a Sabbath for the land, by fearing Him, and by remembering what God has done and who He is.  The commentary emphasizes these verses and states that these verses are important because "[God] was telling them how to relate to Him.  The importance of relating to God properly is crucial if we are going to understand Leviticus 25 and most of Old Testament history.  Ultimately, the way we think about things and the way we spend money are not about dollars and centers; they are about who is our God.  God's people were anticipating leaving the Sinai wilderness and entering the land of milk and honey....They were moving from slavery to prosperity.  God was preparing them for that change by telling them to remember that He is God.  The land is God; don't worship the harvest.  The rain is not God; the real God gives the rain, the harvest, and the land.  Worship Him."  The commentary stresses these points because during this time in the Bible, the Israelites were to enter Canaan, and the Canaanites worshiped prosperity and many idol gods they thought who brought about prosperity.  The commentary then pivots to how believers of today can easily get suckered into worshiping prosperity in the same way, yet God tells us clearly we cannot serve two masters - we are referred to Matthew 6:24 to see Jesus speaking on this question.  The commentary wraps by exhorting us to fear and worship God alone and not our possessions. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

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

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs....Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 1-6

For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs....Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life. 1 Timothy 6:7-10, 17-19

Day 350 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read the Paul's first letter after (his apparent*) release from house arrest in Rome. My commentary provides the following summary of this letter: "[i]t is probably from Macedonia that Paul writes to Timothy, who as a young evangelist is facing serious challenges to faith and doctrine within the church at Ephesus. Paul therefore deals with matters of church organization and conduct, particularly regarding prayer; the role of women; qualifications of elders and deacons; support of widows; and proper attitudes for Christian slaves. Paul gives Timothy personal instruction and advice on a variety of matters and warns him concerning both false doctrine and those who would teach false doctrine, whose only goal in teaching is either making money or achieving popularity. The entire letter reflects the tone of a father writing to his son, as indeed Paul apparently regards this young man, Timothy."
 

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

As noted by my commentary, Paul writes about a variety of subjects but this morning, as I am blessed financially, I am struck by Paul's words on money and wealth.  I am to be a good steward of how God has blessed me. 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me in many ways, including financially.  I am not deserving for the many ways that You have blessed me.  I worry...and I have other sins.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sins 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 Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel".

2 Kings 5-8, 2 Chronicles 21 

Then Naaman and all his attendants went back to the man of God. He stood before him and said, “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel". 2 Kings 5:15

 

Day 160 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with a study of the various miracles performed by God, including through Elisha, during the period surrounding Jehoram's (Judah's king) death as foretold by Elijah.

What strikes me this morning is how Gehazi, Elisha's servant, witnesses likely most if not all of Elisha's miracles, yet instead of seeing God at work and turning to Him in faith, greed and arrogance overtake him.  Specifically, Gehazi witnesses Naaman's healing of leprosy (2 Kings 5), sees Naaman's reaction, and how Naaman expresses faith in the God who healed him.  Unfortunately, Gehazi ends of up chasing Namaan's gift offered (and declined) to Elisha...instead of God...and he becomes a leper himself.

John Piper uses this story to warn young graduates of chasing money vs God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has blessed me beyond what I deserve - most of all I am grateful for how You have transformed my heart and life.  I know there is more work to do - my sin continues.  Thank You Jesus but please forgive me 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.

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.

Psalm 40, 49, 50, and 73 

People, despite their wealth, do not endure; they are like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd (but the upright will prevail over them in the morning). Their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself. Psalm 49:12-15

Day 115 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues my focus on 112 of David's psalms which my study has not already covered or will not cover through other daily devotions as part of a broader study within their historical context. This study of these 112 psalms groups the psalms into five major topical areas, and I start a new group: "Psalms About Righteousness and Wickedness" where David cries out to the Lord regarding the apparent inequity of the wicked who seem to escape judgment and punishment while the righteous suffer.

Today's psalms focus on prayers for recognition of true faith in righteous living, for insight over spiritual richness versus worldly wealth, for recognition in how God truly values animal sacrifices and the jeopardy of the wicked, and over the folly of riches compared with the blessings of righteousness.

With everything going on with this covid-19 virus pandemic, it sharpens our thoughts on what really matters.  For me my relationship with Jesus is first and foremost because He protects me, heals me, provides for me, and most importantly, provides salvation - everything that matters comes from Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provides for all of my needs and who provides for our greatest need of all - salvation.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving for how You so richly bless me.  I sin daily...I am often harsh with others and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me 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 godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

1 Timothy 6

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. v6-8

Paul writes to Timothy warning him of the evil of money (v10).  Paul knows how God alone gives us what we need and we should be content with His provision.   Money is important but it can easily distract us from our need for Jesus and How He provides and provides contentment.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, I have seen You provide in all circumstances - I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for never failing to provide - for all things.  I am undeserving of such blessings.  I sin...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised.

Romans 1

They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. v25

As I begin my study of Romans, it helps for me to better understand some of the background and structure of this letter by Paul.  The linked resource (overviewbible.com) breaks down Romans into the following sections:

- How our sin makes us enemies of God (Ro 1:18–3:20)
- How Jesus reconciled us with God (Ro 3:21–5:21)
- How the Spirit changes us from sinners to sons of God (Ro 6–8)
- How God glorifies Himself in salvation (Ro 9–11)

One key aspect of sin highlighted in v25 is how we focus on the created vs the Creator. We are all guilty of this sin and in the U.S. this is particularly true; David Platt is known well for addressing this.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God and I know You love me and You created me - You also saved me and adopted me as Your family and as a child of God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  I sin - I am selfish...among my many 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 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.

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.

John 12

He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it. v6

In this story (see also Matthew 26 and Mark 14), Mary pours expensive perfume "on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair" (v3).  Judas Iscariot objects, according to John, not based on his care for the poor but because he was a thief.  As "keeper of the money bag", Judas Iscariot's nearness and ease of access to money was too tempting for him to avoid embezzling funds from Jesus' ministry.  This is a warning for us that are blessed financially - to put in place controls so as to avoid growing comfortable with money and ultimately comfortable with spending it vs using it for God's glory.

Check out this post on DesiringGod.com that posits that Jesus put Judas Iscariot in control of the money bag to teach us what happens when we love money vs loving God.  Scary stuff.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are - You have blessed me beyond what I deserve in all ways - and most importantly by adopting me as Your son.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not deserving as I sin daily.  I worry, I am selfish, and I harsh with my words and actions.  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 Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

Luke 19

But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.” v8

In contrast to the rich young ruler in Luke 18 who went away sad, recognizing that he could not have both salvation and love/idolatry of his wealth, Zaccheus was willing to give up his love of money in return for salvation.  Note that Zaccheus did not give up ALL of his wealth but 50% of it.  The rich young ruler, in contrast, was asked by Jesus to give up all of his wealth to have eternal life.  The difference between the two from Jesus' perspective was their heart condition and views on wealth. Zaccheus did not place his wealth above God (or even at the same level of God) but the rich young ruler did.  Heart condition matters.

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:19-21

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who blesses me with treasures that surpass earthly profit.  You are worth SO much more than gold or silver - and You bless me with faith, Your Word, the church, my brothers and sisters and Christ - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark - I often seek to bring glory to myself.  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.

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 18

“Truly I tell you,” Jesus said to them, “no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.” v29

In v18-30 (also in Matthew 19 and Mark 10), Jesus engages in a conversation with a wealthy man (ruler) seeking to enter the Kingdom of God.  The wealthy man is looking for what he needs to do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus engages with the man who believes he is in good shape early in the conversation when he tells Jesus that he is already following the commandments indicated in v20.  Yet he stumbles when Jesus confronts Him with a challenge (sell everything that He has) that implies He is not following the most important commandments as Jesus describes in Matthew 22:34-40.  You see, the man loves his money and possessions more than God and this is the problem.

We need to love God - first and foremost - above everyone and every thing.

See also this great post from DesiringGod.com.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has paid the ultimate price for me - You suffered a gruesome death...for me.  I can't even fully grasp this yet I know this is true.  Thank You Jesus!  I am undeserving of such love and grace.  I gossip, and I worry, among my many, many sins...please forgive me Jesus!  Help me overcome and turn from my sin.  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 Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.

Luke 16

But Abraham replied, Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus received bad things, but now he is comforted here and you are in agony. And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us. v25-26

A stark warning indeed from Jesus who teaches from yet another parable - The Rich Man and Lazarus!

John Piper does a great job examining how our heart needs to change to receive Christ to avoid the fate of the rich man as told in this parable. Piper warns us on the love of money and materialism.  I think how we spend our time is also critically important because selfishness and our own comforts and desires also prevent us from loving God.

Piper puts it this way: "[t]o recognize and receive Jesus for who he really is, we have to will to do the will of God, namely, pursue the glory of God above all other pleasures in our life". 

Key here is that we have to WILL to do the will of God with the definition of "will" being:  "intend, desire, or wish (something) to happen."

This goes to the topic of spiritual formation - and Dallas Willard indicates we need vision, intention, and method for this.  Method involves practice of the spiritual disciplines, including study, prayer, worship, service, etc.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who has given me faith and transformed my heart and life - thank You Jesus!   I am not worth such blessings.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me turn from my sin towards You and love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and love others as You love.  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.  

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

Luke 16

The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. He said to them, You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight. v14-15

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager of course is about money and Jesus warns us not to idolize or "serve" money (v13).  We are encouraged to be good stewards of the blessings God places in our hands.  John Piper encourages us to see how Jesus encourages us to do good with our money for the purposes of God's glory.

We must, just as the shrewd manager did, turn from our ways of waste (of our time, treasure, and talents).  See also John Piper: Calling All Clay Pots.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God - You are SO full of grace and mercy for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace.  I daily miss the mark.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.”

Luke 12

“This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God.” v21

The Parable of the Rich Fool (found only in Luke) starts with a man asking Jesus to help him gain a share of an inheritance (presumably because he is not either entitled or in-line to receive a portion).  Jesus responds with the parable which contains a warning that we must be prepared for Satan to grab hold of our soul should we worship wealth and money.  In the warning, Jesus contrasts focus on wealth and money versus being "rich towards God".  

John Piper has a great post on these very words.

Jesus, please help me avoid focus on money and wealth and help me a good steward of the blessings You have entrusted with me. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an awesome God and You have always met my needs - I need not worry.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am undeserving because I do worry - about money and about my kids, 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. 

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

Mark 14

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the Twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand him over. v10-11

In this passage when a sinful woman (Mary) anoints Jesus with very expensive perfume, Judas objects, claiming the money "wasted" could be given to the poor.  Judas had already betrayed Jesus in his heart much earlier and now he was just being a poser - faking his faith and finding contentment not in Jesus but in money.  See also reference to same story in Matthew, Luke, and John.

Paul writes to his protege Timothy warning him how the love of money and the world corrupts us: 

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 1 Timothy 6:6-10

John Piper and his team at DesiringGod.com also warn us.  Watch these: Video1, Video2, Video3. Read this - from this post is this gem by C.S. Lewis:

Meanwhile, where is God? This is one of the most disquieting symptoms. When you are happy, so happy that you have no sense of needing Him, so happy that you are tempted to feel His claims upon you as an interruption, if you remember yourself and turn to Him with gratitude and praise, you will be — or so it feels — welcomed with open arms. But go to Him when your need is desperate, when all other help is vain, and what do you find? A door slammed in your face, and a sound of bolting and double bolting on the inside. After that, silence. . . . Why is He so present a commander in our time of prosperity and so very absent a help in time of trouble?

If we focus on a wordly definition of contentment then we fail to cultivate good soil and our relationship with Jesus Christ will be obstructed and we cannot expect Him to bear fruit in our lives.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You have come to save me and provide life - and life to the full!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings.  I worry.  Please forgive me 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.