So the captain came and said to [Jonah], “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.”

Jonah 1:1-6 

So the captain came and said to [Jonah], “What do you mean, you sleeper? Arise, call out to your god! Perhaps the god will give a thought to us, that we may not perish.” Jonah 1:6

I completed my study of Hebrews, and I begin a study in Jonah to supplement my church's current sermon series in this book.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V1: God speaks and works as He is accessible and available to people through various forms - most prominently through His Word, the Holy Spirit, the church (sermons, Bible studies, etc.).  V2: When God speaks, we are prodded into action - this time Jonah is called to go to Nineveh and urge the people to repent of their sin.  V4: Disobedience to God has consequences - for many, when such rebellion persists it will be eternal damnation.  Here, God causes a great wind and tempest - "so that the ship threatened to break up."   Vv5-6: Jonah is so comfortable with his sin that He goes to sleep, feeling deserving of rest.  We may think we will get away with sin but no sin is hidden from God. God stirs fear into the mariners on Jonah's ship - God is seeking to get Jonah's attention and He works through not just the wind/storm but also through the mariners (captain) stirring Jonah to call out to (his) God. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: V3: Jonah rebelled against God's authority and command, as he fled to Tarshish - about as far away as one can go from Nineveh at the time (see this map).  The text is silent why Jonah fled but there are many reasons why someone would flee from God - fear of punishment, fear of failure, disagreement with or objection to God's commands, etc.  What we do know is that Nineveh was the capital city of the of Assyrian Empire - a known enemy of Israel. Vv5-6: Anxiety and panic forces a response, often not the right response.  In the text today, the mariners "each cried out to his god," but this did not lead to the outcome God was seeking, which was for Jonah to preach to Nineveh.  The captain sought for Jonah to call upon God (not even knowing who Jonah's God was) - this was the right move for the captain but God sought for Jonah's heart to move....
• 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 rebellion against God.  Claim the promise that obedience to God is not burdensome (1 John 5:3b) as it is a natural response based on our love and adoration for Him. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who alone forgives and offers eternal life!  I know that when I cry out to You that You not only hear me but respond!  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of how You love, 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.

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.]

Hebrews 12:12-17

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one fails to obtain the grace of God; that no “root of bitterness” springs up and causes trouble, and by it many become defiled[.] Hebrews 12:14-15

I continue my study of Hebrews, and in the text today - Hebrews 12:12-17 - the author, based on how he exhorts believers to see discipline as training from God, and good, issues a call to action for believers to press on with the mission to share the gospel and to support other believers in their journey so that they not "shrink back."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Vv12-13: God seeks for us to grow, and this often includes painful periods of discipline as God is using our circumstances to prune and shape us into who He seeks for us to serve His purpose. V14: God knows that believers must be a light if His Great Commission is to gather and sustain any momentum. V15-16: Unity in the church is critical as one "defiled" person may defile many - therefore He wants us to support and encourage other believers.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: My previous post highlighted text where discipline is sometimes viewed as painful - temporarily.  While this may be true it also inevitably makes us stronger and resilient as our spiritual muscles tear, heal, and grow back stronger - this is vv12-13.  While persecution and other interpersonal clashes may cause us to lash out to others in response, v14 encourages us to "strive for peace with everyone," because if we don't demonstrate being a light (holy and set apart), we risk apostasy and eternal damnation.  Vv15-17 concludes with the author seeking for believers to encourage and support other believers such that we avoid a "root of bitterness" among us that again may lead to disunity in the church and apostasy of believers. The example of Esau is used as he "despised" his birthright (Genesis 25:29-34), allowing this "root of bitterness" to drag Esau away from holiness.  
• 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 discouragement and a root of bitterness to fester and drag you away from God and into sin.  Claim the promise that God disciplines those He loves and see your circumstances through what God is causing or allowing in your life for good and His glory.  Encourage and support other believers to press on with the Great Commission.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus for how You provide support and encouragement from other believers.  I am not deserving of how You love, 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.

When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong.

Numbers 5:5-10

When a man or woman commits any of the sins that people commit by breaking faith with the LORD, and that person realizes his guilt, he shall confess his sin that he has committed. And he shall make full restitution for his wrong, adding a fifth to it and giving it to him to whom he did the wrong. Numbers 5:6-7

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 5:5-10, the Lord spoke to Moses and gave him commands to give to the people for confession of sin and restitution.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?:  God seeks confession - this is something consistent across all of scripture - Old and New Testament.  When we confess, we acknowledge that we are sinful and that we need forgiveness as a means to be reconciled with God.  We also need reconciliation with those whom we impact with our sin - restitution should be considered part of this reconciliation process.  This post from Ligonier Ministries shares that "[t]his aspect of restitution is important because it shows how repentance and conversion always produce tangible results," that such an act (restitution) is the fruit of faith, and "[w]henever possible, restitution follows repentance."      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: All sin and are in need of a Savior - this was apparent in the Old Testament and it remains in the New Testament (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  Also, sin impacts not just our relationship with God but also our relationship with others as people feel betrayed, wronged, etc. and forgiveness and restitution serves to restore these relationships.  On the flip side, we must forgive others who sin against us.  In particular, unity within the church is key so we are called to bear with one another in love (Colossians 3:13).   
• 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 arrogance and a hardened heart where we don't see the need for forgiveness.  Claim the promise that forgiveness is available to all through Christ. Follow the example of Paul who in humility saw righteousness through Jesus being of more worth than any righteousness through deeds or action - see Isaiah 64:6, Philippians 3:8-9. Confess and repent sin - make things right to be reconciled both with God and others.  

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for the forgiveness only You offer.  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.

You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell.

Numbers 5:1-4

You shall put out both male and female, putting them outside the camp, that they may not defile their camp, in the midst of which I dwell. Numbers 5:3

I continue my study of Numbers, and in the text today, 5:1-4, the Lord spoke to Moses and gave him instructions that unclean people are to be put outside the camp so as to not defile them in the midst of where God dwells.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.

• What do we learn from the text about God?: While much of the Old Testament focuses on external cleanliness, this interview with John Piper clarifies that we should be careful not to make the mistake assuming that "in the Old Testament impurity was only external, while in the New Testament impurity is internal."  God cares about your heart - see Hosea 6:6,1 Samuel 15:22, and more directly when Samuel seeks a new king among Jesse's family and seeks someone with a righteous heart directed toward God - see 1 Samuel 16:7.  God has always been more concerned with an upright heart vs external action.  God also cares about those who, according to Old Testament law, are unclean.  One of the intents of ceremonial law was to set apart Israel from other nations.  Yet with the doing away of ceremonial law with the New Covenant based on Jesus' shed blood, we should no longer see any distinction between those deemed clean and unclean as all are unclean and only clean through confession and forgiveness in Christ. See Isaiah 64:6, Romans 3:23. 
• What do we learn from the text about people?: With the New Covenant, being set apart is through salvation and regeneration.  This means the church should not be shunning anyone based on any external appearances, etc.  God wants us to share the gospel with everyone. 
• 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 focus on external behavior.  Claim the promise that Jesus cleans both the heart and ultimately and for eternity our physical body. Follow the example of those in scripture (e.g. David per 1 Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:22) who had a heart for God.  Love God with all your heart, soul, and mind (Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:30).

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You Jesus for cleansing me from the inside out.  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.

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. 

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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.  

Now no one at the table knew why [Jesus] said this to [Judas].

 John 13:21-30

Now no one at the table knew why [Jesus] said this to [Judas]. John 13:28

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 13:21-30, where Jesus shares how Judas will betray Him.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus loves all of His creation and it troubles Him when someone does not believe, follow Him, and surrender his life to Him be saved. V21 shares (emphasizing His authority via the words "[t]ruly, truly" at the same time) how Jesus was troubled as He prophecies that one of the disciples will betray Him.  When asked by one of the disciples who will betray Him, Jesus does not specifically name Judas as His betrayer, but in vv26-27, He gives them an obvious clue tipping off the disciples that His betrayer will be Judas.  Then, in v27, the text shares that "Satan entered into [Judas]", and Jesus tells Judas "[w]hat you are going to do, do quickly."  Jesus does not stop Judas from what He was going to do and He allows or orchestrates Satan influence and actions.      
• What do we learn from the text about people?: The disciples at first do not know who will betray Jesus, but even though Jesus helps them understand that it will be Judas, their understanding of how this betrayal should work is incomplete - see vv28-29.  Believers should know that God is in everything, including allowing sin and brokenness' existence.  Judas was part of God's plan - but not in a positive way.  This is the mystery of God - why some are saved and why some are not - all in control by God (Ephesians 2:8).  What is not a mystery is that (1) God uses sinful and broken people as part of His plan, (2) every single one of us, believer or not, are sinful and broken, and (3) God knows all and we can trust that what He says will come to pass - He is faithful and He is Truth.  We don't know how God works (Isaiah 55:8) but we do know He is control of all details and nothing can stop His promises or plan.
• 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 sinful influences (and Satan entering you) in your life by understanding sin (read scripture).  Claim the promise that God is in everything, His Word is Truth, He is faithful, and what He says will come to pass.  Follow the example of Jesus to save as many as possible (all the disciples except Judas) and use a troubled spirit to urge you into action (Jude 22-23). Know and follow the voice of the Good Shepherd (vs Satan who is real). 

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My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for saving me - I know this is not of my own doing.  Thank You for also protecting me from sinful influences.  I am not deserving of how You save and provide refuge.  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.

There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her.

Mark 14:1-11

There were some who said to themselves indignantly, “Why was the ointment wasted like that? For this ointment could have been sold for more than three hundred denarii and given to the poor.” And they scolded her. Mark 14:4-5

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 14:1-11.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv4-5):

• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Extravagant Acts of Love Will Often Be Criticized." 
• "The critics would have no part in praising what this woman had done. Some began to talk among themselves, and they were indignant. Led by Judas (John 12:4) and in self-righteous pride, they questioned both her motive and her action. While she worshiped, they expressed their anger and displeasure, snorting at her." 
• "Observe: (1) The disciples not only demeaned the woman; they also demeaned Jesus. To honor Christ in this manner, they said, was a waste. They did not believe He was worthy of such a sacrifice of extravagant love. (2) Some are willing to be poor in their possessions in order to be rich in their devotion to Jesus; others are not. The latter are usually the critics. (3) The world, and sadly many in the church, will never have a problem with moderate, measured devotion to Christ."
• "Yes, you may be criticized here, but in heaven you have a Master who applauds your love for Him! Paul puts it all in perspective in Galatians 1:10: “For am I now trying to win the favor of people, or God? Or am I striving to please people?"

No doubt love of God looks different than what the world expects - that is why were encouraged not to become friends of the world nor to conform to the patterns of this world (James 4:4, Romans 12:2).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that loves and saves - and You live in me so that I can become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  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.  

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her.

Mark 14:1-11

She has done what she could; she has anointed my body beforehand for burial. And truly, I say to you, wherever the gospel is proclaimed in the whole world, what she has done will be told in memory of her. Mark 14:8-9

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 14:1-11, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: Jesus was hated by the chief priests and scribes, yet He was not worried about what people felt about Him - He was undeterred and bold in how He proclaimed the gospel in both Words and in action (works).  Jesus was patient and he taught - while the story of Mary pouring expensive oil on Jesus (see also John 12:1-8) made some of the other disciples indignant (v4), Jesus instead sought for His disciples to focus on Mary's love of God.  Mary's heart was correctly focused - on bringing glory to Jesus and demonstrating love of Him.   
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: Jesus stirs strong reactions in many - in this case the chief priests and scribes.  Chapter 13:9-13 emphasizes Jesus' warnings how believers will be "hated in [Jesus'] name." Many in the world will hate us and what believers stand for - The Gospel and our faith.  Also, some inappropriately judged Mary and were critical of her love of Jesus and how she demonstrated it. Judas (vv10-11) represents what occurs when we allow our own view of Jesus to be warped by the world. 
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid inappropriately judging others' actions as understanding people's heart condition is key and it is God alone who is the ultimate judge.  We should also avoid allowing the world to warp our view of who Jesus as Judas did.  We should follow Jesus example and per chapter 13 heed His warnings and encouragement for how believers are expected to be hated and persecuted but take comfort from how the Holy Spirit will give us words to say to use the Word in defense of what You do.  

Comment and discuss this post.

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

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”

Mark 12:35-40

And in his teaching he said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.” Mark 12:38-40

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 12:35-40.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of two) division (vv38-40):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "The Coming of Jesus Results in a Greater Accountability."
• "“Revelation brings responsibility. The more you know, the greater is your accountability.” Where does this come from? It comes from Jesus (12:40; Matthew 11:20-24). One of the most dangerous vocations in life is being a theologian. One of the most dangerous places you can go is to a Bible-believing church that faithfully proclaims the gospel. Each time you hear God’s Word taught, your accountability before Him increases."  
• For those who go to such churches, myself included, we are warned to not become hardened by such faithful teaching of the Word. We are warned about hypocrisy and sin and for lack of fruit. 
• Using the scribes as examples of what not to do, per the commentary, Jesus warns us of seeking our own recognition and status vs that of God, of taking advantage of others (such as the poor, orphans, and widows) - see also condemnation from OT prophets (Isaiah 10:2, Amos 2, Micah 3 and Leviticus 19:18), and of practicing empty rituals for "show".  Ultimately we will all be judged.
• The commentary emphasizes that "[t]he greater our revelation, the greater our accountability (see Luke 12:48). To know what is right and not do it invites “the harsher punishment” in judgment. No wonder James would write in James 3:1, '"Not many should become teachers, my brothers, knowing that we will receive a stricter judgment.'"
• "Indeed God will judge with special severity hypocritical religious leaders who strut like peacocks, abuse the less fortunate, and traffic in false worship that is all show with no substance. Such wickedness in motive and action makes plain they never embraced the greatest servant of all, the greater Son of David, Jesus the Christ."   
•  Instead we should be humble (see Matthew 23:11-12). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and who reveals Himself through Your Word - thank You Jesus for these blessings and for my salvation!  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.  

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Mark 10:17-31

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.  Mark 10:18

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 10:17-31, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Observations of the text based on the Sword Bible Study Method: 

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God seeks love of Him above all things.  The rich young man who knelt before Jesus in v17 loved his wealth above all - wealth was his idol (v22).  God does want obedience to His commands (v19), but our love of God results in our obedience.  If we love God we will want to love others and want to please Him in all that we are and do. See also 1 John 5:3.  We cannot earn our salvation as it is completely dependent on God's will and decisive action - vv26-27.  We must put everything in life below God in terms of priorities - v29.  Those who do this will be blessed either now or in Heaven (or both) - vv29-30.  These verses vv29-30 also describe how believers will not only be blessed but also subject to persecutions - see also John 16:33. Jesus came not to be served but to serve (v45) - so we should also serve and take up a posture of humility. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People are often distracted by the world and what it offers: money, status, etc. Such distractions can lead to not just sin but eternal damnation.     
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Avoid idols - put everything in this life below God in terms of priorities. Be humble.  Love God and love others - all of commandments hang on these two (Matthew 22:34-40). Be bold and lean on God and He will deliver through His strength - not our own.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You ARE good, Holy and perfect and You gave me faith and the Holy Spirit and You are working in me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You bless by working in 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 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 on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter,the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.

Mark 6:1-5

And on the Sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astonished, saying, “Where did this man get these things? What is the wisdom given to him? How are such mighty works done by his hands? Is not this the carpenter,the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him. Mark 6:2-3

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 6:1-5, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary - which offers three divisions for this text. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of three) division (vv1-3): 

• The commentary's title for the entirety of the text 6:1-5 is "Jesus: A Prophet Without Honor!" and the main idea is [w]e cannot come to Jesus on our terms. We must see Him for who He truly is[;] the title for the first division is "When You Consider Jesus, Are You Only Amazed?"
• "This is Jesus’ second recorded, and His last, visit to His hometown of Nazareth as far as we know. His previous homecoming did not go well at all (Luke 4:16-30). Initially impressed by His preaching (Luke 4:22), the town He grew up in turned on Him and attempted to murder Him (Luke 4:28-30). In spite of such treatment, Jesus returns, this time with His 12 apostles. It will be a painful training time." 
• "As we consider how Jesus was treated by His own hometown, His own family and friends, it might be good for us to reflect on how we treat this Servant King and how we respond to the One who was rejected by those who were certain they knew Him best. It is critically important that we see Jesus as He truly is and as He is revealed in Scripture, not as we might hope, wish, or want Him to be." 
• The questions posed by the Nazarenes who witnessed Jesus's miracles and His teaching were meant to be disparaging.  
• "His teachings should astonish us, but that is not enough."
• Jesus's miracles at this point in the New Testament are many including healing Peter's mother in law, healings in Capernaum, etc. all chronicled in Mark 1:29-31, 32-34, 40-45, 2:1-12, 3:1-6, 7-12, 4:35-41, 5:1-20, 25-34, and 35-43. Unfortunately, they were not enough to move the Nazarenes to belief in Jesus for who He really is. Instead they saw Jesus for what they thought He was an ordinary man from their hometown.  

Without passing judgement on the Nazarenes here (God alone is judge), it is instructive for us to examine our own response to Jesus.  Do we see Him as a good man and role model (I did for a long time)?  Or do we truly see Him as the Son of God and as our Savior.  This is crucial for us - if we don't see Jesus as God and our Savior, then we should be encouraged to know Jesus more through study of His Word and through a disciple relationship with a mature believer than can sharpen You in Your understanding of Jesus and demonstrate Jesus through action (love of God and others, service, etc.).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me....saving me while still an enemy and hostile to God.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  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. 

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”

Mark 3:22-30

“Truly, I say to you, all sins will be forgiven the children of man, and whatever blasphemies they utter, but whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin”— for they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.” Mark 3:28-30

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 3:28-30, which is the text for the third (of three) division of 3:22-30 per the commentary. Excerpts from the commentary for the third division:

• "Jesus declares the gracious forgiveness and mercy of God in forgiving sins. “All sins,” literally, “whatever blasphemies they may blaspheme,” will be forgiven. All sinners can find the forgiveness of God if they will come to Him in repentance and faith."
• "However, verses 29-30 note the one tragic and fearful exception. If someone speaks against the Holy Spirit verbally and continually, with willful and malicious intent that reveals a hardened heart beyond the possibility of repentance, there is no forgiveness, and they are 'guilty of an eternal sin.'"
• "In this historical context, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit denotes the conscious and deliberate rejection of the saving power and grace of God released through Jesus’ word and act...The considered judgment that his power was demonic, however, betrayed a defiant resistance to the Holy Spirit. This severe warning was not addressed to laymen but to carefully trained legal specialists whose task was to interpret the biblical law to the people. It was their responsibility to be aware of God’s redemptive action. Their insensitivity to the Spirit through whom Jesus was qualified for his mission exposed them to grave peril (Lane, The Gospel of Mark - The New International Commentary on the New Testament)."
• "The unpardonable sin is to knowingly, willingly, and persistently attribute to Satan the works of God done by and in Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit, who testifies to these truths in your heart. (1) It is a sin of full knowledge. (2) It is an ongoing disposition of the heart that resists the conviction of the Holy Spirit. (3) It is a verbal act that attributes the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan. (4) It is a willful rejection of God’s grace in Jesus. (5) It is rooted in unbelief. (6) It is a sin a Christian cannot commit. (7) It is a sin not committed by one who is concerned that he may have committed it."
• "There is a boundary of sin where, once passed, there is no possibility or hope of return. Do not even think of going there. Instead, run to Jesus in faith and repentance. You will find open arms there! You will find forgiveness free and eternal."       

It is remarkable that such learned men, knowledgeable of the law, would act in such a way as to blaspheme God's name.  They were so blinded and hard hearted that their own status as supposed experts in the law was threatened by Jesus and this prevented them from actually seeing who Jesus truly is - the one promised in the Old Testament.  Those of us who truly seek to deeply understand God's Word should be careful that such study and the resulting knowledge should not become an idol as it did for the scribes.  We should all remain humble and our humility should acknowledge that whatever knowledge we do have it comes from God and whatever gifts God gives us in wisdom, teaching, etc. also come from God and it is God working in and through us.  God gets the glory - not us!  Thank You Jesus for the mercies You pour ceaselessly.  I pray that I can remain humble knowing that I continue to sin and that it is You alone that forgives, provides, is in control, and deserves the glory.  We exist to glorify God. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an incredible God who saves and whose mercies never run out and are new every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  You are worthy of all glory, honor and praise.  Please forgive me for my sin as it continues...daily.  Help me turn from and overcome 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 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 days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day.

Mark 2:18-22

The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast in that day. Mark 2:20

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 2:18-20, which is the text for the first (of two) divisions per the commentary.  Excerpts from the introduction for this chapter of commentary and the first division:

• The commentary introduction first emphasizes 2 Corinthians 5:17 where Paul shares how believers are a new creation. This regeneration works both at a personal level and at the corporate level for the as Jesus came to fulfill prophecy in Judaism and "superseded it." 
• "Our Lord makes clear that there is a discontinuity between Judaism and Christianity. The new wine of Christianity cannot be contained by the old wineskins of Judaism. With the coming of Jesus, it is a new day. With the coming of Jesus, everything changes!"
• "The Day of Atonement is the only annual fast mentioned in the New Testament (Acts 27:9), and it was the only fast mandated for all of Israel in the Old Testament. There were other fasts for various reasons—expressing humility and repentance or preparing to inquire of God—but none were biblically mandated. After the exile, though, four other annual fasts were observed (Zechariah 8:19).
• "Despite the prophets’ warnings that fasting without a repentant heart and right conduct was in vain (Isaiah 58:3-6; Zechariah 7:5-6), many believed that vigorous fasting was a foolproof method of earning God’s favor or action. The Pharisees’ own intentions resembled this misconception since they sought to earn God’s rescue from Roman oppression through national purity and obedience."
•  "The only time the Gospel writers show Jesus fasting is during His temptation. This 40-day fast at the inauguration of His public ministry is reminiscent of that of both Moses (Exodus 34:28) and Elijah (1 Kings 19:8). Jesus was not opposed to fasting. He actually assumed His followers would fast (Matthew 6:16).
• In response to questioning why He was not fasting, Jesus responds that "His presence with them is a time of joy and celebration, not a time of sorrow and sadness. We would do well to heed Jesus’ words. A relationship with Jesus is not a solemn, boring affair. It is a celebration, a spiritual banquet of joy and blessing! Of course we should be holy, but we must not be somber. We should be moral but not legalistic and righteous but not stern. Why? Because there is joy in Jesus! Christian, do not mourn when it is time to celebrate."
• "There is a time for fasting and all that goes with it “when the groom is taken away.” [V20] is the first allusion to Jesus’ death in Mark’s Gospel. Joy is exchanged for sorrow, and celebration turns to mourning. This is an abrupt and surprising image. In a normal wedding the guests eventually leave. Jesus interjects the alien thought of the groom being forcibly removed from the wedding celebration."
• "The reference to the bridegroom being taken from the disciples, and their subsequent fasting, was surely an exhortation to perseverance for Mark’s congregation in Rome, itself the victim of Nero’s depraved persecution. Mark is telling the church at Rome, “There will be days when Jesus will seem far from you, just as the Father was far from Jesus in His passion” (see 14:36; 15:34; Edwards, Mark, 91)."
• "The bridegroom, our Lord Jesus, would be snatched away to suffer alone on a cross to atone for our sins, to die the death we should have died, to pay the price for sin we should have paid. He died in my place. He bore my wrath. He took on my judgment. God killed His Son so He would not have to kill me. There is an appropriate time to fast and mourn. It is when I consider the infinite price paid for my sin by my Savior."     

Once again, as I have shared repeatedly on this blog - humility is one of the most important responses and applications to the gospel.  As the commentary shares, all believers should reflect on what Jesus did for us on the cross and how He took the punishment we deserved for our sin (Romans 6:23).  It is then this humility that should drive us daily into the arms of our Savior in praise and worship - to know, love and please Him more and more every day.  What an awesome God we have!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves us and who is full of incredible grace and mercy that You poured out for us on the cross and You continue to pour out this grace and mercy daily.  I a not deserving of course as my sin continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast.

Mark 2:18-22

Now John’s disciples and the Pharisees were fasting. And people came and said to him, “Why do John’s disciples and the disciples of the Pharisees fast, but your disciples do not fast?” And Jesus said to them, “Can the wedding guests fast while the bridegroom is with them? As long as they have the bridegroom with them, they cannot fast. Mark 2:18-19

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 2:18-22, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary.  Observations using the Sword Bible Study Method:

• What do we learn from the passage about God?: God does not want empty heartless ceremonial worship practices - He seeks us, for us to love and worship Him with all of our heart, soul, and mind and then to love others.  See Matthew 22:34-40. With Jesus, we have a new covenant based on His blood - Hebrews 9:15-28.  As such, the ceremonial law of the Old Testament no longer apply - Jesus keeps the moral law but the keeping of the law is a natural response of a heart condition that seeks to please Him. God thinks of believers as new creations - vv21-22 - therefore as long as we abide in Him, He will abide in us and bear fruit (see John 15:1-9) as He day by day makes us into more of His image. 
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People have habits and grow comfortable with these habits, and often we feel as if it is very difficult to break these habits.  When we are challenged in our faith, as were the Pharisees, we should be humble and ask God to mold us into His image.  The example to follow here is Jesus who focused on humility, our heart condition and glorifying the Father vs external behaviors and earning our favor with God.  
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey)?: We should avoid hypocrisy - a chief sin Jesus pointed out with the scribes and Jewish leaders of Jesus' day.  We should not believe that we can earn our favor with God through our own action - the focus should be on God getting the glory - we decrease, and God increases.      

In the text today, Jesus shared how the days will come when He is taken away from us (v20).  Jesus was taken away from His followers through His death on the cross, yet He leaves us with the Holy Spirit who lives on in our hearts and lives (Galatians 2:20).  Our daily reading and study of God's Word enables us to remain in Him and Him to remain in us.       

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and mercy for me - and You pour out Your mercies without end every morning.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You save and bless me daily with Your mercies.  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 the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Mark 2:13-17

And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?” And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.” Mark 2:16-17

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on a commentary-assisted review of Mark 2:16-17, which is the third division (Jesus Calls the Spiritually Unhealthy to Fellowship with Him) of the text 2:13-17 per commentary.  Excerpts from the third division per commentary:

• "The Pharisees were the pious Jews who rigorously followed the law of Moses and opposed Greek and Roman influence. Josephus claims they numbered about six thousand in Jesus’ day. While the Sadducees were mostly upper-class aristocrats and priests, the Pharisees appear to have been primarily middle-class laypeople, perhaps craftsmen and merchants. The Sadducees had greater political power, but the Pharisees had broader support among the people."
• "The most distinctive characteristic of the Pharisees was their strict adherence to the law of Moses, the Torah. They carefully obeyed not only the written law but also the oral law, a body of extrabiblical traditions that expanded and elaborated on the Old Testament law (e.g., “the tradition of the elders” in Mark 7:3). The Pharisees’ goals were to apply the Torah’s mandates to everyday life, and to “build a fence” around the Torah to guard against any possible violation."
• "Jesus condemned the Pharisees for raising their traditions to the level of Scripture and for focusing on the outward requirements of the law while ignoring matters of the heart. For their part the Pharisees denounced Jesus’ association with tax collectors and sinners, and they deplored the way He placed Himself above Sabbath regulations."
• "Jesus was much closer theologically to the Pharisees than to the Sadducees, sharing similar beliefs in the authority of Scripture, the resurrection, and the coming of the Messiah. Conflicts arose because He challenged them on their own turf, and He was a threat to their leadership and influence over the people. Today the term Pharisee is often equated with hypocrisy and legalism but not so in first-century Israel. The Pharisees were held in high esteem for their piety and devotion to the law. Indeed, the Pharisees’ fundamental goal was noble: to maintain a life of purity and obedience to God’s law."
• "Jesus criticized the Pharisees not for their goals of purity and obedience but for saying one thing but doing another, for raising their interpretations (mere “tradition of men”) to the level of God’s commands (cf. 7:8), and for becoming obsessed with externals while neglecting justice, mercy, and faith."
• "Jesus was a friend of sinners. He called the seemingly unlikely, reached out to the socially undesirable, and healed the spiritually unhealthy. He cared for them, He spent time with them, and He loved them."

In the text today, Jesus focuses on heart condition - why it matters what is in our heart.  We must seek for God to transform our hearts and minds from the inside out as it is often our thoughts that drive sin.  We are no better than anyone else and if we feel we are more superior or more righteous than someone else - this is of course arrogant and prideful.  Hate is another example - hate of our brother (even without action) is sinful - see 1 John 3:15. We must be humble and approach our time with others in humility.  One of the core reasons why we read and study the Bible daily is so that we can understand our own sin as scripture reveals sin - see Romans 7:7c.  This article from DesiringGod.com on the sins of omission is a good one for us to understand the gravity of our sin as identified from scripture. The article uses the story of Reuben and Gad from the Old Testament as well as the Great Commission for two great examples of how God seeks for us to be active in demonstrating and sharing our faith with others. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God that is full of amazing grace and mercy for me - mercy that never ceases and is new every morning.  Thank You Jesus - I need this mercy as my sin continues...daily.  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 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 they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”

 Mark 1:21-28

And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” Mark 1:27

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, I focus on an unassisted review of Mark 1:21-28, which is the text for the next chapter of the commentary. Here's what we see in the text:

• At the start of His ministry, with his first four disciples - Simon, Andrew, James, and John - Jesus "immediately" went to the synagogue in Capernaum on the Sabbath and "was teaching."  The word immediately implies urgency similar to how Simon, Andrew, James, and John felt called to immediately follow Jesus.  Believers should act with urgency based on Jesus' call to serve.   
• Those in the synagogue were "astonished" at Jesus' teaching.  He taught with "authority" unlike anything they had seen - of course Jesus is the Incarnate Son sent by God, so this is no surprise!
• Even the unclean spirit recognized Jesus as the "Holy One of God."
• Jesus' rebuke of the unclean spirit is one of His first miracles 
• Witnesses were all amazed and they began to wonder who Jesus is.  Jesus' "fame" spread throughout the regions surrounding Galilee.     

The question in my mind is whether we as believers, if we are truly being the hands and feet of Jesus, are acting in such way for people to see Jesus in us - mercy, service, love, etc.  People should be attracted to us in a similar way to those in Capernaum who were all amazed at Jesus - we are NOT Jesus but we should be LIKE Jesus and becoming more like Him every day as this is sanctification in action.  If not, this is an opportunity for us as believers to examine whether we are truly abiding in Him and for us to desperately call out to God for us to help us abide in Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are amazing and You are the One True God who saves, who transforms hearts and lives, and molds them into more of Your image. Thank You Father God for saving me and transforming my heart and life - I am not deserving as 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.   

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Matthew 6:9

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Matthew 6:9

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 24: The Reverence of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "No analysis of the character of Jesus would be complete which failed to recognize his reverence."
• "We know what reverence is, and yet we stumble in trying to define it. It is respect, regard, esteem, and honor; yes, and it is more than these....The basis of reverence is respect or honor, but it is respect or honor working with unwonted energy. It is a deep movement of the soul. It is respect or honor squared and cubed. And then again there is an elevation in the word "reverence" which respect and esteem do not have. Reverence is respect and esteem moving at high altitudes. It is one of the loftiest of all the emotions of the soul, and that is why it eludes us when we try to capture it in the meshes of a definition. What is it ? It is homage and obeisance and devotion, yes, and something more. It is awe and fear and adoration; yes, but even these do not tell the full-rounded story. The fact is, reverence is a complex emotion, made up of mingled feelings of the soul. There is in it respect and also affection and also fear, and along with these an abiding consciousness of dependence."
• "The wise men of Israel were convinced that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Their effort was to make men conscious of the existence of a God of infinite power and wisdom and goodness. He was the High and Holy One who inhabits eternity, and is therefore not to be approached carelessly or thought of lightly."
• "God is majestic and holy and can be approached only by a humble and prostrate heart."
• "This fear of the Lord was mighty in Jesus. God was continually before his eyes. His soul was pervaded with the sense of His presence, and all that he said and did was bathed in an atmosphere created by this consciousness of the fellowship and favor of the Eternal. To illustrate this is not easy. Jesus' entire life is an illustration of it."
• "No matter what Jesus is saying or doing, we feel we are in the presence of a reverential man. Would you see illustrations of his reverence, read the Gospels! The earnestness with which he was always pleading for reverence in others is proof that in him reverence was a divine and indispensable possession."
• "Probably no other words in the Lord's prayer have been so frequently slurred and overlooked as "hallowed be thy name."
• "Jesus is careful to place this petition at the very forefront of all our praying. Unless this desire is uppermost in our heart we are not in the mood of prayer. If our first thought is of ourselves and not of God, then we are not praying after the fashion of Jesus. When he tells us to put this petition first it is because he always put it first himself. Any low or unworthy thought of God was to Jesus' mind abhorrent and degrading. Living always with an eye single to the glory of God, he urged men everywhere so to speak and act and live that others seeing their good works might glorify their Father in heaven."
• "His respect for men was due not to what men were in themselves but to what they were in the eyes of God. They were God's children and therefore no matter how poor or degraded, they were worthy of respect and honor. Any cruelty in word or inhumanity in action toward a human being caused the heart of Jesus to flash fire, because such treatment of God's children was in his mind an insult to God Himself."
• "His reverence for his Father made the whole world holy, and because of his adoration for the Creator he could not turn his back upon any created being. "Honor all men" was one of the earliest exhortations of the apostles. It had its roots running down into Jesus' immeasurable reverence for God."
• "[The temple] was the house of God. It was erected for God's worship. It was a shrine for the adoring heart. It was intended to be a solace for men's woes and troubles, the very gate of Heaven....Jesus believed in the worship of God....So long as the spirit of reverence lives the worship is meaningful and beautiful; but when the spirit disappears, then the worship becomes demoralizing and corrupting. The worship of the Pharisees had lost out of it the spirit of adoration. It was cut and dried, dead, mechanical, without a heart and without a soul, and therefore odious to God and all right-thinking men."
• "Reverence is beautiful and renders beautiful whatever form it chooses in which to express itself; but when reverence dies, then the forms of reverence become corpse-like and contaminate all who handle them."
• "The soul of Jesus was reverent. He found it easy to bend the knee. It was natural for him to look up. He looked into his Father's face, saying at every step, "Lo, I come to do Thy will, O God!" Here, then, we have a virtue upon whose beauty we should often fix our eyes. We do not have as much reverence as we ought to have. We are not by nature or by training a reverent people. There are those who say we become less reverent as the years go on."
• "One finds this lack of reverence even in the church. In every community there are those who treat the house of God as they treat a street-car, entering it and leaving it when they please. Even habitual church attendants often surprise and shock one by their irreverent behavior in the house of prayer. Those persons are not ignoramuses or barbarians; they are simply undeveloped in the virtue of reverence."
• "Fear is one of the elements in reverence, and there is a popular impression that all fear is degrading. Fear is of two kinds, — there is a godly fear and a fear which is ungodly. The latter has terror in it and throws a shadow and brings a chill. But there is a fear which all unspoiled spirits feel in the presence of the high and holy."
• "If mortal man, stained and marred by sin, is not awed by the thought of a Holy God, it is because he has lost the power of feeling. If there is a fear which degrades and paralyzes, there is also a fear which cleanses and exalts. The fear of the Lord is not only a virtue to be coveted by men, it is a grace lacking which angels and archangels would be incomplete."
• "Reverence is the atmosphere of heaven. Let us come often then to the reverent Man of Nazareth who by his awe-struck obeisance to his Heavenly Father shames us out of our irreverence and makes it easier for the heart to kneel."

Indeed, the more one takes the time to read and earnestly study the Bible - not for academic purposes - but to search for Him and to hunger and thirst for righteousness (Matthew 5:6), there is no doubt that reverence for Him is the result.  The weeping prophet Jeremiah - speaking to disillusioned Israel in exile - delivers God's message sharing in Jeremiah 29:13 that "[y]ou will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart." When you find God, You will inevitably drop to Your knees in worship in awe of Your creator, provider, and Savior.  Seek God.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are King of Kings and You do not need me.  Yet You loved me while still sinning and an enemy of You and You pulled me out of the pit, saving me from eternal damnation.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any blessing You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...every day.  Please forgive me.  Help me turn from, overcome, 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 live in reverent fear and awe of who You are.  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.   

[H]e looked around at them with anger[.]

Mark 3:5 

[H]e looked around at them with anger[.] Mark 3:5a

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 23: The Indignation of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "It has not escaped us that when men and women are angry they usually make fools of themselves. This fact has made a deep impression on us. Most of the indignation which we have known has been so childish or so brutish, so full of fury and of bitterness, that we find it hard to give it place in the experience of a strong and holy man."
• "It was thus that the Stoics taught, contending that ever to be moved by anger is a sign of weakness and unworthy of a full-grown man. The philosophy of the Stoics is not consciously accepted by us, but the considerations which led them to their estimate of anger are still operative in us all."
• "It is not easy to free one's self from the feeling that anger has something sinful in it, or that if anger is not actually sinful, it is at any rate unlovely, a defect or flaw in conduct, a deformity in character from which the lovers of the beautiful and good may wisely pray to be delivered. It is because of this assumption that anger is in its essence sinful that many persons find it impossible to think of Jesus in an angry mood."
•  ..."[I]t was inhumanity and insincerity which always kindled [Jesus'] heart to furnace heat. When he saw men — ordained religious leaders of the people — more interested in their petty regulations than in the welfare of their fellow-men, his eyes burned with holy fire. Those who were present never forgot the flash of his eye 'as he slowly looked round upon the pedants whose hardness of heart he held in abhorrence."
• "He was angered by the desecration of the Temple. The sordid wretches who cared nothing for anthems and prayers and everything for money, kindled a fire in him which well-nigh consumed him. The miscreants who fled before him had never seen such a flame as darted from his eyes. That a building erected for the purpose of adorning the name of God should be converted into a market was so abhorrent to his great soul that he was swept onward into action which astounded his disciples and which has been to many a scandal ever since."
• "One of the purposes of the New Testament is to give us a new revelation of anger. Take away Jesus' capacity for indignation and you destroy the Jesus of the Gospels. His anger was one of the powers by which he did his work. His blazing wrath is one of the most glorious features of his character."
• "Had he been less emotional, he would not have stirred men as he did. Had his passion been less intense, the world would never have called him " Master." Here, then, we have in Jesus what seems to some a contradiction. He is a Lamb and at the same time he is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. He caresses like a mother and he also strikes like a thunderbolt. He is tender but he is also terrible; he is loving but he also smites with a blow which crushes."
• "How can we reconcile the indignation of Jesus with his love? Nothing is easier. His indignation is the creation of his love. His wrath proceeds from his holiness. His mercy would have no meaning were it not for his immeasurable capacity for anger. Take away his indignation and you destroy the basis of his holiness, his righteousness, his mercy, and his love. Love and indignation are not antagonists or rivals. They ever go together, each one unable to live without the other."
• "In Jesus, then, we see what a normal man is and feels. He is full-orbed, complete. He gives sweep to every passion of the soul. He will not admit that in the garden of the heart there are any plants which the Heavenly Father has planted which ought to be rooted up. All the impulses, desires, and passions with which the Almighty has endowed us have a mission to perform, and life's task is not to strangle them but to train them for their work."
• "Jesus was angry but he did not sin. Anger because of its heat readily passes beyond its appointed limits. Like all kinds of fire, it is dangerous and difficult to control. But Jesus controlled it."
• "Our anger is frequently a manifestation of our selfishness. We become indignant over trifles. The street-car does not stop, or somebody carelessly knocks off our hat, or a servant disappoints us, and we are all aflame. Our comfort has been molested, our rights have been entrenched upon, our dignity has been affronted, and we are downright mad."
• "Our indignation then is quite different from that of Jesus. His anger never had its roots in selfishness. When men abused him, he was unruffled. When they lied about him, his pulse beat was not quickened. When they nailed his hands to the cross, no trace of anger darkened his face. His calm lips kept on praying, "Forgive them, for they know not what they do." It was when he saw his brother men abused that his great soul rose in wrath. The more helpless the person who was mistreated, the hotter was the fire of his indignation."
• "It was when he saw cruelty perpetrated on the defenseless that his indignation rose to the fury of a tempest. The thought of bad men leading innocent souls to sin, converted him into a furnace of fire." 
• "If hearts do not burn with holy fire against wicked men and their wicked deeds, it is because the heart is too undeveloped to feel what manly hearts were meant to feel, or because the core of the heart has been eaten out by the base practices of a godless life. It is one of the lamentable signs of our times — our incapacity for anger. Many of us are lukewarm in the presence of evils which are colossal. Some of us are indifferent. Indifference to wrong-doing is always a sign of moral deterioration."
• "Society would be cleansed of much of its pollution if we had more men and women capable of becoming genuinely angry. Let us pray then every day that a new indignation may sweep through the world."
• "The New Testament is a glorious book. Its lines are straight, its discrimination is fine, it rings true. It is absolutely free from sentimentalism. It has no sickly fondness for bad people. It does not deal in excuses and in extenuations. It has no abnormal tenderness. The world is full of sentimentalists, — men and women who gush of love, and who do not know what love is.  After listening to their flimsy talk it is refreshing to get into a book where every bad deed is held up to scorn and every bad man, if unrepentant, is overwhelmed with shame. Nowhere in the Gospels is there a soft or flabby thought, a doughy or mushy feeling. All is high and straight and fine and firm and true."
• "One feels sure that God is in His heaven, and that though wickedness may flourish for a season, God's heart bums with quenchless fire against it, and that at the end of the days every impure man, and every cruel man, and every man who loves and makes a lie, will find himself outside the city whose streets are gold and whose gates are pearl." 

Many who don't (and perhaps some who do) believe in God cannot fathom why anyone would worship a God who wiped out all of humanity except Noah and his family (see Genesis 6-9) or who condemns people to eternal damnation.  Such actions are indeed harsh.  But we must remember that all of humanity is God's creation and humanity exists for His glory and not for its own glory.  As such God's anger is righteous - not a selfish anger.  When people reject God, intentionally mock or blaspheme His name, or willfully continue in sin without repentance, God had cause for anger.  But God is just, as all will be held accountable for all of their deeds and those whose name is written in the Book of Life (believers) will be saved - while everyone else who has not repented of their sin and accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior will suffer eternal damnation.  At the same time, God is also merciful and patient as He seeks for all to repent and be saved.  For example, the thief next to Jesus upon the cross who is saved.  For us, in this life, We must remember that just because God has righteous anger, that we as believers do not have free license to be angry.  God calls us to be slow to anger and quick to listen - see James 1:19.  Our ability is be slow to anger is driven by the sanctification process as we become more like Him - see scripture for how God is slow to anger. 

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My Prayer: Father God, You an awesome God who is just, patient and merciful - full of love to see all people saved. You are slow to anger, abounding in love - and it is this love with animates anger towards those who are not loving like You are.  Thank You for the love, patience, and mercy You show for me - 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 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.  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. 

[A] bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench[.]

Matthew 12:20

[A] bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not quench[.] Matthew 12:20

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 21: The Patience of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "[Patience is] calmly waiting for something hoped for...[and] the uncomplaining endurance of tribulation."
• "But would you see patience in both its forms raised to its highest power without a defect and without a flaw, you will find it in Jesus of Nazareth."
• "Think of what delay must have meant to Jesus. How his blood must have boiled in little sleepy Nazareth as he dreamed of the mighty things which ought to be done and which he felt he could do in the great arena. As man after man brushed by him on his way to success and renown his soul must have been agitated, he too must have felt the fever to hasten on. Think of what his dream was and you will understand how it must have tugged at him and made the years seem interminable in drowsy, prosaic Nazareth. But he waited.  At twenty-one he said, Not yet. At twenty-five, Not yet. At twenty-eight, Not yet. It is in the twenties that the blood is hottest and the soul is most eager to get on. Through all the blazing years of youth Jesus waited in Nazareth. It was not until he was in his thirtieth year that he said to himself, The time has come."
• "A man at thirty is more than one-third of the way through life, and since Jesus has so much to do, certainly now that he has been baptized he will plunge into his work with alacrity, and push his projects with a vigor which will startle his contemporaries. Not so. He will calmly meditate on the best ways of helping his day and generation. The leaders of the people were looking for a man who would imitate the methods of the men who had hitherto proved themselves masters of the destinies of nations. In imagination he saw himself on the top of a lofty mountain with the kingdoms of the world lying stretched out below him. He saw how he might gain possession of them by adopting methods employed by those who had lived before his day. But having considered the whole situation he said, "No, I will not do what others have done, I will choose the slow and toilsome way; I will not cut the knot, I will untie it; I will not push the world, I will draw it; I will not subdue the world by military methods, I will heal it by the sympathy of human hearts." With this conviction firmly established in his soul he began his ministry in Galilee."
• "But when [His disciples] urged him to hurry, his reply was, " Are there not twelve hours in the day?" or, "My hour is not yet come." And instead of setting all the land afire he tried, so it seemed, to suppress himself, to hold his disciples back, to keep his name from becoming glorious. When he healed sick men he said to them, 'Tell no man." When his disciples saw him all radiant on the mountain he cautioned them to keep still. The result was that at the end of his life he had made only one hundred and twenty disciples. What a pitiful outcome of a life so arduous, of work so strenuous and so unceasing! But the sight of a hundred and twenty men did not daunt him, he died with contentment in his heart. 'Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.'  When? Not then, not a hundred years after his death, nor a thousand years, nor ten thousand years after. Nevertheless he has the tone of victory in his voice, knowing that in spite of all the obstacles, delays, and retrogressions, the outcome is absolutely certain."
• "Wherever he went he was pursued by men who were his enemies. They watched him in order that they might trip him. They questioned him in order that they might get him into a trap. How difficult it is to speak if one is speaking in the presence of people who are watching each sentence, determined if possible to catch the speaker in an error. Wherever he went his conduct was scrutinized by eyes that were green with envy. Everything he did was criticized, every action called forth a storm of fresh abuse. His enemies gathered around him like a swarm of mosquitoes biting him, like a swarm of hornets stinging him — but he never complained. They nagged at him, pelted him with abusive epithets, sowed the land with lies about him, but he never grew bitter."
• "The disciples to whom he gave himself with a devotion that has never been equaled were constantly failing to catch the import of the things he told them. They were slow and stupid, petty and selfish, unable to take in the great things he had to say — but he was patient with them."
•  "To every follower of Jesus the Almighty is a long-suffering God. He has vast plans running through the ages, and He is willing to wait for their fulfillment."

Frustration results when we believe that something should have happened did not.  We want things to go our way.  This is certainly true for myself - a sinful posture indeed.  I need Jesus to continue a work in me in patience - as a parent, including for a special needs child, God has equipped me with greater patience.  Yet I need to see things as Jesus does, that there is a plan for me and for the details of my life and I need to slow down and see what God is doing because He is in control (Colossians 1:15-17).  It is with this perspective where I can become content and thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that has demonstrated immense patience with me - never giving up on me even when I fall down in the mission You give to me.  Thank You for the mercies that are new every morning and that never cease.  I am not deserving of my salvation, nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin 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.