But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.”

 Jude 1:8-13

But when the archangel Michael, contending with the devil, was disputing about the body of Moses, he did not presume to pronounce a blasphemous judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you.” Jude 1:9

I continue my quick study of Jude (given it's only one chapter), and my focus today is Jude 1:8-13, where Jude presses on with a warning against false teaching as he gets more pointed and shares how false teachers - identified by their sin - will be eternally condemned.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V9: God has providence over everything, including sin and Satan.  The text shares how archangel Michael, contends (see also how Jude encourages us to "contend for the faith" - Jude 1:3) with Satan but did not take it upon himself to pronounce judgement - leaving that for God alone.  It is God who has authority over all - including the power to save and the power to judge.  
• What do we learn from the text about people?:Vv8, 10-13: Jude continues to warn believers about those who "have crept" into the church "unnoticed," espousing what they believe is true but discerning believers know to be false.  These false teachers are also known for their sin - including how they "defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones."  God has not softened their hearts and called them to faith - as He has for believers - and as a result they do not understand (like unreasoning animals) the Word and those who believe.  They are eternally condemned - even though there is sufficient evidence in Creation alone that God reigns - see also Romans 1:20.  Their rebelliousness is similar to that of Cain (first murderer - Genesis 4:1-16) and Korah (who rebelled against God's appointed leader Moses - Numbers 16).  They are further defined as "hidden reefs" where they can obscure themselves and go unnoticed - and both feast with you, then pounce on you as a prowling lion ready to devour you - 1 Peter 5:8.  They bear no fruit - unlike a believer (Galatians 5:19-23). They are headed to the "gloom of utter darkness...forever." 
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We must avoid all the sin and rebelliousness described by Jude here.  Claim the promise that God reigns and that He in his infinite grace and mercy saves believers from the eternal "gloom of utter darkness." Follow the example of Michael who knows that God is in control and He alone both saves and judges.  Repent, believe and be saved!

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My Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your infinite grace and mercy that You saved me from the eternal gloom of utter darkness. I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 Philippians 4:1-9

The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:5b-7

I continue my study of Paul's prison epistles - Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon.  Today I focus on Philippians 4:1-9 where Paul encourages us to "not be anxious about anything," to experience the "peace of God...which surpasses all understanding, [as this] will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus."  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method.  

• What do we learn from the text about God?: V3: God maintains a Book of Life, where the names of those who are saved are recorded since the creation of the world.  He is sovereign over who is saved. See also Exodus 32:32-33, and Revelation 13:8, 17:8, 20:11-15. We also know from elsewhere in scripture how the Holy Spirit seals and guarantees our salvation - see also Ephesians 1:13–14 and 2 Corinthians 1:21–22. V7: God gives us a peace that surpasses understanding that will guard our hearts and minds - yet another cause to rejoice!
• What do we learn from the text about people?: Vv1-3: Conflict and disagreement exists in the church - this is inevitable - Paul encourages us in these circumstances to help overcome disagreement and conflict as church unity is very important.  V4: In light of how believers are in the Book of Life, this is certainly cause to rejoice!  V5: We are called to be reasonable, so much so, that others note how reasonable we are - we don't know the hour or the day when Jesus will return or we will be called home so we should not fall away nor should we not be ready. V6: We are also called to not be anxious and to pray.  Vv8-9: Paul's final call in the text today is for us to think about and pursue what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent (in God's eyes) - God will renew our minds to think and act like Him if we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Paul shares how we are to model him as an example (not out of vanity but from love for their sake).   
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): We should avoid as best as possible conflict and disagreement in the church, particularly with regards to inconsequential matters.  Claim the promise that the peace of God will guard your heart and mind.  Follow Paul's example and think of and pursue righteousness.  

Comment and discuss this post

My Prayer: Father God, thank You for my salvation and for giving me a peace that surpasses understanding.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me daily.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed.

 John 17:1-5

I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed. John 17:4-5

I continue my study of John and today I focus on John 17:1-5, where Jesus pauses speaking to the disciples to pray what is referred to as the High Priestly Prayer.  Here are my observations using the Sword Bible Study Method. 

• What do we learn from the text about God?: Jesus sticks to His mission and plan given to Him by the Father - to seek and save the lost through His ministry on earth then to die on the cross and to rise again claiming victory over sin and death as the perfect sacrifice for all sin throughout redemptive history.  Jesus shares how the "hour has come" given He has completed what He was sent to do on earth (vv1, 4) and He is now ready for His arrest and crucifixion which we see comes next in John 18-19.  Jesus prays that He and the Father are glorified - v1.  In v2, He supports His prayer in v1 by sharing that He is worthy of glory Himself and worthy of bringing glory to the Father because the Father has given Him authority over all flesh, to give eternal life to all whom the Father has given Him (adopted into His family). V3 is not a prayer per se but a definition and set of conditions of eternal life for those that will receive it - you must know God the Father and Jesus (and of course that they are One - both persons of the Triune God).  In v5, Jesus repeats His prayer that He be glorified - in the Father's presence (similar to Jesus' baptism) - with the glory Jesus shared with the Father since the beginning.  The Triune God has existed since the beginning and will exist through the end - Alpha and Omega.    
• What do we learn from the text about people?: People exist for the glory of God just as Jesus existed for the glory of God the Father.      
• Is there anything from the text God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid, Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): Claim the promise that Jesus is the Alpha and Omega and that for those that believe He gives them eternal life.  Follow the example of Jesus to know the will of God and to follow it - accomplish the work given to you.  Bring glory to God in all that you do.  We exist to   

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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves.  Thank You for Your obedience to the Father and for accomplishing the work the Father gave You.  I am not deserving of how You save and bless.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 accept 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 clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him.

Mark 15:1-20

And they clothed him in a purple cloak, and twisting together a crown of thorns, they put it on him. And they began to salute him, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they were striking his head with a reed and spitting on him and kneeling down in homage to him. Mark 15:17-19

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is, per the commentary, the second division of the text from Mark 15:1-20 - vv15-20.  

• Using the Sword Bible Study Method focusing just on the text for today - vv15-20: (1) God in the text: Further along the story arc of His arrest, Jesus is scourged (v15) and led away from the Jewish elders, scribes, chief priests and Sanhedrin and brought inside Pilate's headquarters where ~600 soldiers were gathered to be at the ready in case of civil unrest (v16); Jesus is beaten and mocked and then led away to be crucified (vv17-20); (2) People in the text: Pilate's struggle over what to do with Jesus ends as he satisfies the Jewish crowd to crucify Jesus (v15); Barrabas is released (v15); the soldiers lead Jesus away, mock and beat Him before leading Him away to be crucified (vv16-20); (3) Sins to avoid, promises to claim, examples to follow, and commands to obey: We should not mock Jesus, instead see Him as King of Kings with an eternal kingdom not of this world - who takes upon Himself the sin of the world and God's wrath for this sin to save all of humanity; in the face of persecution, we should be steadfast in our faith.    

Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division: 

• The title of the third division is "Our Great King’s Suffering: The Pain and Shame."   
• "Mocking is clearly highlighted, but the focus is much more on the spiritual and psychological agony. Still, we would be negligent if we passed over too quickly the scourging and physical abuse He suffered."
• "Completely alone, humiliated, naked, and beaten nearly to death, our Savior endured yet again ridicule, shame, and pain at the hands of sinful men, at the hands of those He came to save."
• We are reminded how Jesus redeemed us from the curse set in motion during the Fall (Genesis 3).  He becomes the curse for us.  See also Deuteronomy 21:23.     

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God that willingly sent His Son to die on the cross, and Jesus willingly submitted to Your Will so that I could have life now to the full and for eternity in Heaven.  Thank You!  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.

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.

Mark 13:24-37

But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come.... And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake. Mark 13:32-33,37

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 13:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's third (of three) division (vv32-37):

• The title of the third division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Come Again, but Only God Knows When." 
• "Jesus is clearly speaking of His coming again (vv. 26-27). He plainly states that “no one knows” when it will happen, “neither the angels in heaven nor the Son—except the Father.” It is that phrase “nor the Son” that gives us pause. As orthodox, Bible-believing Christians, we affirm the full and undiminished deity of God the Son. As God, He possesses all the attributes of deity, including omniscience. Yet here He clearly states there is a body of knowledge of which He is, dare I say, ignorant: the day and hour of His own second coming. This statement makes no sense apart from the incarnation. In taking taking on a human nature and entering into the time-space reality, the Son of God did not surrender His deity, but He did lay aside His glory (John 17:5, Philippians 2:6-11). In doing so, our Lord for a time relinquished the free exercise of His divine attributes such as omniscience. In the mystery and beauty of the incarnation, the all-knowing sovereign Son could temporarily lay aside or suspend the free exercise of His “God attributes” so that He might live an authentic human life in submission to His Father and in dependence on the Holy Spirit. This also explains why our Lord could be hungry, experience thirst, grow tired, and be killed. And here lies another indictment for those caught up in prophetic speculation and date setting. NO ONE KNOWS BUT GOD!" 
• Believers and churches alike are encouraged and warned at the same time to be prepared based on Jesus' words that no one knows when He will return - however, we DO know that He WILL return and He commands us to be prepared and be ready.  "Oh, how tragic it would be for our Lord to return and find His church asleep at the wheel, neglecting her assignment, squandering her resources, deceiving herself into thinking He won’t come today."
•  Six times in this chapter we are told to "be on guard" or "stay awake."

We must both continue to abide in Jesus and to bear fruit - demonstrating love, trust and obedience in Him.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an amazing God who loves and saves, and tells me all these things so that I can be ready for Your return.  Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of such love and blessings.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven.

Mark 13:24-37

[H]e will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. Mark 13:27

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 13:24-37, 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 knows all things - the beginning and the end.  Here, He knows what is to happen during the end times and when.  He knows that their will be tribulation and how long it will last.  He is coming again and to take His people - His elect (v27) to Heaven where He is saving a place.  He cares for His people.  He wants us to be prepared and to know the signs of when He returns so that we are prepared.  We must remember His words and His Kingdom as unlike things of this world He and His Word are eternal (vv30-31).  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: People either have no faith or have weak or little faith and are prone to fall away - Jesus does not want any to fall away so He provides many warnings and signs of things to come so that we are ready.  There will be many who are prone to fall away and not be prepared for His return - so we are to follow Jude's words Jude 22-23 where He seeks for us "to have mercy on those who doubt; save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh."
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): God's Kingdom and Words last forever and He will return to bring us to Heaven where it will be glorious!  In the meantime, we must be ready and prepared and to tell others to prepare and be ready so that they also will be saved.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.   Please forgive me and help me turn from such sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

...[D]o not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit....But the one who endures to the end will be saved.

Mark 13:1-23

...[D]o not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit....But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Mark 13:11, 13b

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 13:1-23.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv9-13):

• The title of the second division per the commentary is "Persecution Can Be Expected, but Do Not Be Anxious." 
• "Not only will there be trouble on a global level; there will also be trials and persecutions on a personal level. Jesus again challenges His disciples to “be on your guard” (the same word as in verse 5). This is also a present imperative, a word of command. Why does He issue a second challenge to watchfulness? Difficult times are to be expected for faithful followers of King Jesus." 
• "All the ethne, all the people groups of the world, must hear this gospel before the end comes. So do not get discouraged." See v10.   
• Vv11 and 13 bring comfort as Jesus shares that we not be anxious as the Holy Spirit will be with us to help us and if we remain steadfast in our faith and endure to the end.  
• "Opposition from governmental and legal authorities will be harsh. Rejection by family and friends will be heartbreaking, but it will happen, so get ready. “Then brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rise up against parents and put them to death.” The word “death” occurs twice, emphasizing the extent of the betrayal and persecution some will face. We will be arrested, beaten, betrayed, put to death, and even “hated,” all for the sake of King Jesus. While this may sound surreal and unfathomable in America, it is the experience of millions of brothers and sisters around the world today and throughout church history."  
• "Perseverance is the proof that our profession is real. It may be tough, but our Lord will be faithful to keep us by His power."

We are to "endure to the end."  Enduring starts with remaining in Him and He in us as described in John 15:1-10. Enduring also includes a posture of humility and prayer.  Believers also function as part of a church body with each part playing its role, and as described in 1 Corinthians 12:12-26, "God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose."  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that saved me and who pours out mercies every day that never cease...thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of these mercies nor how You save.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  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.  Help me endure to the end, abiding in You daily, remaining humble and prayerful, and by performing my function in the church.  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. 

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.

Mark 11:12-25

Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Mark 11:24

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 11:12-25, 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?: V12 - we see a great example of how the Incarnate Son of God took on flesh and experience all of the humanity we experience - He is able to sympathize like no other (see also Hebrews 4:14-16).  Vv13-14 we see Jesus curse a fig tree - this is the same God who has the power to raise people from the dead so why doesn't he produce fruit from a tree even if it is not the season?  The mystery of God - He has a plan and He will reveal it to us when He is ready - see vv20-21.  In vv15-17 we see a reliance on ALL of scripture, as Jesus reaches back to the Old Testament (and new in Matthew) to ensure we see the temple and God's house appropriately.  
• What do we learn from the passage about people?: In vv15-17 people seek to use God and His house the temple for their glory and good. In v18 we see jealousy and envy on the part of the chief priests and scribes - they fear loss of their own position, status, etc. vs seeing Jesus as the Promised Messiah.    
• Is there anything from the passage God wants us to obey (SPEC: Sins to avoid,Promises to claim, Examples to follow, Commands to obey?): There should be reverent fear of God in all respects as we should not twist God into something He is not nor into something that should serve us - on the contrary we exist to bring glory to God.  Vv22-24 contains a great promise to claim on faith and prayer.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Jesus, You are an awesome God that loves and saves!  Thank You for my salvation and for Your Word.  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. 

So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.”

Mark 9:14-19

So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.” And he answered them, “O faithless generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him to me.” Mark 9:18b-19

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 9:14-29.  Excerpts from the introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of three) division (vv14-19):

• The title for the entirety of the text is and the main idea: "Lessons Learned in the Fires of Failure," and "[w]e will fail, but God uses these failures to deepen our dependence on Him, our faith in Christ, and our discipline in prayer."
• "Failure is never fun and defeat is seldom something we take delight in. It can be painful, embarrassing, and humiliating. And our response can be life changing, altering our destiny. Failure can make us bitter, or it may make us better. We can take it as instructive and corrective and learn from it."
• "It is this last lesson the disciples need to learn and so many of us need to learn as well. But there is another truth we must hold on to as well: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). I can do nothing that really matters without Him, but this drives me continually to Him for help. I need to let my weakness drive me to His strength. I need to let my impotence drive me to His omnipotence. I need to let my limitations drive me to His unlimited resources. I need to let my humility drive me to His sufficiency."  
• For the first division, the title is: "We Never Advance Beyond Our Need for Jesus."
• "Mountaintop experiences are wonderful, and we need them from time to time for spiritual nourishment and the recharging of our spiritual batteries. However, God never intended for us to stay there. He wants us “down here” preaching the gospel to and ministering among the hurting and suffering. He wants us living with and serving real people devastated by the ravages of the fall and of sin. As His agents of redemptive love, we go in His name and with the promise of His presence. To forget this is to open ourselves up to all sorts of difficulty, challenges, and even failure, as nine of His disciples discovered with pain and humiliation."  
• "No doubt the scribes were mocking the disciples over their failure to heal the boy. Probably they used the lack of success as an opportunity to question Jesus’ authority."  
• "[T]heir failure reflected badly not only on them but also on Jesus!"
• "We never sin in a vacuum. We hurt ourselves, we hurt those we love, we hurt the gospel, and we hurt the reputation of Christ! When this happens, we do not need to look to ourselves but to Christ! Criticized by our detractors for our failures, we must point them to Christ, the One who does not fail—ever! We should encourage them to follow the example of the crowd in verse 15. They saw Him, they were amazed at Him, and they ran to Him. Our detractors may accurately point out our flaws and failures. Such, however, will never be found in Jesus. Oh how we need Him when enemies are nipping at our heels, ready to devour us if they can!"  
• "Many lessons are here. (1) We see that demons are real beings, not simply mythological creatures. Jesus clearly believes in the demonic. (2) Demons desire to inflict pain and death. (3) Demons are capable of inflicting physical suffering. This boy had symptoms resembling epilepsy (Matthew 17:15). (4) In our own strength we are helpless against the supernatural powers of the demonic. (5) Spiritual victories in the past (cf. Mark 6:7-13) are no guarantee we will be victorious today, especially when we operate with faith in ourselves rather than in Christ. (6) When all human efforts have been exhausted, we can turn to Jesus. Counter to our sinfulness and weakness, He is where we should turn from the start."
• "Whenever the disciples are separated from Jesus, they get in trouble and experience a crisis. What a valuable lesson: we never advance beyond our need for Jesus!"  

We are reminded that we must remain in Jesus to bear fruit - the lesson of John 15:1-17 is key. Apart from Jesus we can do nothing.  Daily study of God's Word, prayer, are key.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who provides for all of my needs, physical, emotional, and spiritual.  You never let me down.  You are SO good!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how You bless and provide.  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.

But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

Mark 8:27-38

But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Mark 8:33

I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark.  Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 8:27-38.  Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv31-33):

• For the first division, the title is: "You Must Learn and Affirm the Ways of God and Not Man."
• "The first half of Mark focuses on who He is. The Gospel tells us the King has come! Our response is to repent and believe. The first confession comes from an insider when Peter says, “You are the Messiah!” (8:29). The second half focuses on what He came to do. The Gospel tells us the King must die! Our response is to take up our cross and follow Him." 
• "A King who dies is not what they expected or wanted. It is, however, what they desperately needed." 
• "Jesus begins a new chapter in the disciples’ education. It is time for them to graduate, even if they are not ready."  
• "God’s way will be different from what a world that exalts power would expect: He will suffer, be rejected, especially by the religious establishment, be killed, and rise three days later." 
• "All of this must happen. It is necessary. It is what the Scriptures promised. This is why He came. This is what sin’s payment demands and we cannot provide. This is where the law of God and the love of God will meet! This is where judgment and grace kiss! Rob the word “must” of its meaning, and you empty the gospel and the cross of its glory. God’s ways are often hard but clear."  
• "Peter offers Jesus the crown without the cross. He thinks he has a better plan than God does. Peter wants a Jesus who fits his agenda. He thinks he knows the kind of Messiah Jesus needs to be and attempts to reshape and redefine Him to fit his conception."  
• "No, you and I must learn and affirm the ways of God, not man. You may not fully understand it. It may not be easy or safe. It will, however, be best. In fact, it will be perfect (Romans 12:2)."

A full appreciation of who Jesus is, His ways and thoughts, can only be understood once we get face to face with Him.  Until such a time, we can lean on scripture and prayer to gain as much of an understanding that God wants to reveal to us.  We do know that God seeks humility....it's not about us...we must surrender our lives to Him and allow Him to work through us.  It's His will we seek, not ours.  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, Your ways are good, true, and perfect.  I know this as I have experienced this in my own life and have seen the work of Your hands.  Thank You Jesus for working in my heart and life.  I am not deserving of my salvation nor how all things work together for good through You.  My sin continues...and it is great.  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. 

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him.

Mark 3:7-21

Jesus withdrew with his disciples to the sea, and a great crowd followed, from Galilee and Judea and Jerusalem and Idumea and from beyond the Jordan and from around Tyre and Sidon. When the great crowd heard all that he was doing, they came to him. And he told his disciples to have a boat ready for him because of the crowd, lest they crush him, for he had healed many, so that all who had diseases pressed around him to touch him. Mark 3:7-10

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 3:7-12, which is the text for the first division (of three) per the commentary for the text 3:7-21. Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and first division: 

• The introduction highlights Jesus' leadership and how people follow up based on his ability to assemble a team, and respond to pressure and fatigue. 
• Note the title of the division "Expect to Be Pressured by Those Who Want Something from You."
• Commenting on Jesus' growing popularity, the commentary shares: "[g]rowing popularity also means great pressure. Jesus experienced this pressure in all of its many forms. Anyone who pursues faithful ministry should be prepared for the same."
• "[The people following Him] did not care about Him but only what they could get from Him. They were not concerned about His privacy, His need for time alone, or His need for food and rest (cf. 3:20). They only wanted to use Him for His miraculous power."
• "This will too often be the experience of those who work hard for the Lord. It is truly unavoidable, but to a certain degree you can control it. Still, understand this reality: people you serve will impose on you and not give it a second thought. It is simply the nature of the work."
• "After a futile attempt to control Jesus, the demons are silenced by His sovereign authority. Jesus will carry forward and complete His mission on God’s terms—on His terms—not theirs."
• "We must do the will of God in God’s way and in God’s time. We must not allow ourselves to be manipulated by ungodly agendas regardless of the praise we may be paid, the positions we may be proffered, or the prosperity we may be promised."    

Pressure to conform to earthly expectations surround us not just in ministry but in all ways - in the home, at work, etc. We must be careful about the influences we place in our lives, including people, how we spend our time, etc. See also James 4:4 as a warning for those who grow friendly with the world.  Instead we must become slaves to God and allow Him to mold and conform us into His image - progressively through sanctification as we submit to Him, seek to know Him more through study of scripture, etc. See also Romans 12:2.  Ultimately, others should see Jesus in us - being in the world, but not of the world (John 8:23).  

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are an awesome God who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  There is no other way.  Thank You for scripture and for making Yourself known to me and for giving me the Holy Spirit that is always with me.  Of course thank You 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. 

I am gentle and lowly in heart[.]

Matthew 11:29

I am gentle and lowly in heart[.] Matthew 11:29b

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 20: The Humility of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "[Matthew 11:29] is unique in the Gospel.  There is nothing else at all like it....here for the first time [Jesus] calls attention to one of his characteristics....[and he uses this moment] to teach [his followers] humility."
•  "Possibly no other virtue in the catalogue of Christian virtues is so misunderstood as this one. No other one has been so often erroneously defined, no other grace has been so persistently counterfeited and caricatured. What do we mean by humility?...We know that Jesus was humble, we know also that he demands humility of us, we know that he took the ancient word and cleansed it and made it a lovely word, and yet when asked to define the meaning of it, how difficult it is to do."
• "Jesus gave his disciples three great lessons on the subject of humility" [from] Matthew 18:1-5, Matthew 20:25-28, and John 13:4-17.
• In Matthew 18:1-5, Jesus exhorts the disciples to become like little children.  "It is teachableness, docility, willingness to learn. A child is eager for knowledge, he is everlastingly asking questions, he is always bent on investigation, he pries into everything. He wants to go to the roots of everything....Not only is he free from self-sufficiency, but he is free from vanity. A little child is not vain of the belongings of its parents. It cares nothing for diamonds or silks, brown stone, or carriages. It plays with perfect contentment with a child in the street whose parents have [nothing]."
• "It was because the Pharisees did not have it that he criticized them and condemned them. They were not teachable, they knew everything. Nobody could tell them anything. They were vain, they blew trumpets and called attention to their decorations. They loved salutations. They were ambitious, they were always pushing themselves forward, taking the chief places at the feasts."
• "We get just a glimpse of him at the age of twelve, so hungry for knowledge that he will not go home, but lingers behind to ask the big teachers in the Temple just one more question. Always was he teachable. There is no trace of arrogance in him, no spirit of assumption. He is constantly talking to God, asking him questions, praying for new light. He cannot live without prayer. Prayer is the language of humility. Only the docile in heart ever pray. When we say that Jesus was a man of prayer, we say he was meek and lowly in heart."
• In Matthew 20:25-28, Jesus shares with His disciples that "humility is...a willingness to serve.  A humble man is a man who is ready to make himself useful....He did not underestimate his powers, or make himself small, or feel himself to be unworthy; he simply came down to where men were in order to do them good. That is Christian humility."
• In John 13:4-17 Jesus washes His disciples feet. "Knowing their dullness of understanding he goes on to explain the meaning of his action, telling them, just as he has been willing to do the work of a slave in order to serve them, so they also must be willing to serve one another. Here, again, we see what humility really is. It is laying aside one's dignity, it is making one's self of no reputation, it is a willingness to come down, it is a delight in rendering service...[I]t was because [Jesus] knew his divine origin and his divine destiny, and was conscious of his lofty position that he was willing to take the basin and the towel and do the work of a slave. This is the secret of humility everywhere and always."
• "It is because we do not know that we have come from God, and forget that we are going back to Him that we make such an ado about our dignity, and prize so highly our reputation, and are so lordly and so lofty minded, and take such delight in putting on airs. Only he who is sure of God possesses the secret of humility."
• "The humility which Jesus wants, and which he exemplified in his life, is a form of strength. Only the strong man can be really humble. It is willingness to lay aside one's rights, it is a refusal to use one's power, it is a readiness to come down and to make one's self of no reputation. Jesus was always giving up his rights, he was always refusing to use his power. Repeatedly he had the opportunity to wreak vengeance on his enemies, but he would not do it because he was so humble."
• "Notwithstanding his exalted position, Paul reminds his Philippian converts that Jesus "made himself of no reputation and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. And therefore hath 'God highly exalted him and given him a name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord indeed.'"

Great words from Charles Jefferson indeed.  The author's words and the Holy Spirit this morning remind me of words from John 3:30 where John the Baptist shares that he must decrease and Jesus must increase.  It is humanity's nature to find worth, value, and significance from the world - of course this hinders an expression of humility defined in scripture.  Yet believers must recognize that our identity, worth, value and significance comes from Jesus - who sees us as worthy of salvation and justified (free from the charge of condemnation as a result of our sin).  Once we recognize our identity as a new creation in Christ, where we see our worth, value, and significance in Jesus, it becomes increasingly clear that we exist not to bring glory to ourselves but instead to glorify God.  It is from our strong conviction of who we are and to whom we belong where we become humble in God's eyes. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that sees me as worthy of salvation and I am justified in Your eyes.  And You continue to pour out mercies that are new every morning that never cease.  Thank You Jesus!  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. 

"I came to cast fire on the earth[.]"

Luke 12:49

"I came to cast fire on the earth[.]" Luke 12:49

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 18: The Enthusiasm of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "In the speech of to-day, enthusiasm is a noble word. It is fervor of mind, ardency of spirit, exaltation of soul. It is passion, heat, fire. Though the word is absent, the thing itself is present. Jesus bums with fervent heat. His very words are sparks which kindle conflagrations."
• "When a boy he visited Jerusalem with his parents, and slipping one day into the Temple to hear the 229 scholars discussing the great problems of religion, he lost himself. He forgot what day of the week it was, and what hour of the day it was. His father and mother and brothers and sisters and friends all passed completely from his mind. He plunged headlong into the discussion of the doctors, gave himself up completely to the subject of the hour, allowed himself to be swept along on the tide of thought and discussion, until all at once his mother's face appeared at the door and he was reminded of the place he had left vacant in the caravan which had started toward Galilee. In this temple experience we see a nature sensitive and impressionable, capable of being heated to high temperatures."
• "Jesus is so full of feeling after the experience which came to him in his baptism that he cannot linger near the homes of men, but must at once rush away into infrequent and dessert places where he can meditate upon the strange thing that has happened to him, and ponder the steps which he must next take. From this time on we have a man before us who is being driven. Even when a boy he used a word which expressed the intensity of his feeling, " Do you not know that I must be about my Father's business?" He never ceased to use that word 'must.'"
• "He felt that his life would be short and so he kept saying, "I must work the works of Him that sent me while it is day: the night cometh when no man can work." How intense his life was we can see in what is told us of his habit of praying. He was always praying. He arose early in the morning in order to find more time to pray, he stayed up late at night in order to increase the hours in which he might speak to God."
• "Men were astounded by the magnitude of his labors. Sometimes he did not take time to eat. Even when he went away for a season of relaxation he gave himself up to the crowds which pursued him. His words have in them an energy which burns. Again and again we catch expressions in which we can feel his great heart beating:"I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel," "O woman, great is thy faith!" "I thank thee, O Father!" "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, how often!" All these are out of the throat of an enthusiast, a man surcharged with feeling. At the distance of nineteen hundred years from the day on which they were spoken our heart leaps when we listen to them. The rains of the centuries have not put out their fire."
• "He stirred men up wherever he went. They crowded him off the land upon the water. They pushed him off the plain up the hillside. They crowded the houses in which he tarried, they pressed round him as he walked through the streets. Again and again the excitement rose to fever heat, and Jesus slipped away and hid himself. Near the close of his career the crowds went wild in their tumultuous joy, shouting, singing, casting their clothing in the dust that the animal which Jesus rode might have a carpet for its hoofs like unto that furnished for triumphal processions of kings. No man can set a crowd blazing unless his own soul is ablaze."
• "A still finer evidence of this is found in the character of the men whom Jesus attracted to him as his intimate friends. The apostles were all men of fire. Do not believe the pictures when they paint the twelve as limp and pallid men. They were full-blooded, virile, mighty men, full of fire and passion, drawn to Jesus because in him they saw a man who satisfied them.  Peter had a seething soul, his words roll out of him like molten lava. John and James were called Sons of Thunder. The disciple whom Jesus loved was so passionate that he wanted to burn up a whole town which had insulted his Master....They loved Jesus with such an intensity of devotion, such a passionate self-abandon, that they were ready at any moment to lay down their lives for him. No man can win and hold the ardent devotion of strong men unless he has a soul which is hot. Jesus from first to last was surrounded by enthusiasts because he himself was enthusiastic."
•  "If you ask for the cause of this enthusiasm, you will find that it has three roots.  Put these three things together — a sensitive and inflammable nature, a clear and glorious vision, and a fiery and indomitable purpose —and you have the ingredients which go to produce the divine flame which is known as enthusiasm."
• "Higher than all enthusiasms is the fire that burns in souls in love with God. To know Him, to serve Him, to glorify Him, this is the highest ambition of which the soul is capable, and the soul when possessed with this ambition burns with a fire that cannot be quenched. This was the enthusiasm of Jesus." 

Believers of course are called to share in and demonstrate this enthusiasm.  In response to those seeking to trap Him with the question what is the most important commandment (see Matthew 22:34-40), Jesus answers: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment."  For believers who have earnestly taken the time to get to know God, this is the natural response to who Jesus is and what He has done for us.  Peter's response on his arrest after Pentecost (Acts 4:20) demonstrates such enthusiasm when in his defense he states: "we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard."  It is this enthusiasm that should motivate us to do what He seeks for us to do - with one example being the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20). 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and whose enthusiasm I now have inside inside of me via the Holy Spirit.  Thank You God for giving me an intense desire to love, please and find joy and satisfaction in You above all else.  I am not deserving of how You do this.  My desire for You is sometimes weak and this of course breaks the most important commandment.  So I know there is more work for You to do in me and through me.  Please forgive me for my sin and help me overcome and turn from such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.  

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.

Malachi 4:1-6

For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the LORD of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. Malachi 4:1

I continue my study of the last four books of the Old Testament, having already covered Zephaniah, Haggai, Zechariah, and most of Malachi.  My study leans on the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary series volume which covers these books. This morning I continue with Malachi 4:1-6, focusing on a commentary-assisted review of the text, starting with the commentary's main idea and introduction to the text and the first division vv1, 3. Excerpts from the main idea, introduction and the first division:

• Main Idea: "The Day of the Lord will bring both judgment and vindication for God’s people, whose present obedience is sustained by remembering the law and anticipating future restoration."
• Introduction: The Day of the Lord: "For believers, Jesus is a source of comfort and assurance of one’s salvation. For those who are far from God, Jesus is the basis for judgment and condemnation. The book of Malachi concludes with God the Judge rewarding the righteous and punishing the unrighteous to substantiate that He always fulfills His promises."
• The Day of the Lord as a Day of Judgement upon the Arrogant: "[Judgement Day] is a day when God Himself will appear and make all the wrongs right. The excitement is short lived for Israel, though, because the Lord declares, “I am going to start with you guys.” The Israelites, expecting a blessing from God, find out God will come “like a furnace.” By God’s own mouth, He intends to cleanse and purify, not coddle. This will happen when the arrogant and the evildoers burn like straw. That word arrogant is synonymous with “prideful.” Pride may run rampant now, but there will come a day when all will be humbled on level ground. In their own minds the people are self-sufficient and independent of God, caring little for Him. A modern-day example would be people who profess, “I can wait to serve the Lord later. I do not need God in my life.” The Lord strikes fear in their hearts with the promise of a future day of reckoning. He will come with recompense for their evil deeds...We should be longing and looking for that day, for it is promised to us. While relatively few modern Christians woke up this morning thinking, “I cannot wait for the second coming of Christ,” this belief consumed the first-century apostles. In reading their writings we witness an intense anticipation, as if Jesus could come back at any moment. Don’t let the gap between His first and second coming overshadow the significance or imminence of His return."

Believers, we do not know the day or the hour so be ready (Matthew 24:36). Follow the example of Noah who spurned the critics of his day and was obedient to God's call.  Also take comfort in knowing that your obedience and faithfulness will be rewarded and God's justice will be perfect for those who do not fear God.

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of incredible grace and compassion for me - delivering mercies everything morning and that never cease.  You also, most importantly, save!  Thank You Father God!  I am not deserving of how You save.  I sin just like everyone else, but You called me to Yourself and gave me the gift of faith.  Thank You Jesus!  Please forgive me for my sin, for how I can be harsh and critical towards others.  Help me overcome and turn from such sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 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 LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one.

Zechariah 14:4-9

And the LORD will be king over all the earth. On that day the LORD will be one and his name one. Zechariah 14:9

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 14:4-9, which the commentary outlines as the third of four divisions for the text 13:2-14:21 (13:2-9, 14:1-3, 14:4-9, 14:10-21). The commentary shares how the Mount of Olives, featured in the text for this division, "occupies a prominent place in the earthly ministry of Jesus. We read in the Synoptic Gospels that Jesus preached His most extensive sermon concerning the future, end times, and prophecy from the Mount of Olives. Recorded in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, it is often called the “Olivet Discourse.” Then all four Gospels tell us that during His last night on earth before His crucifixion Jesus went to the foot of the Mount of Olives, to the Garden of Gethsemane, and offered up His soul to the Father in surrender (Matthew 26:36-56; Mark 14:32-53; Luke 22:39-53; John 18:1-14)."  The Mount of Olives also features in Acts 1 before Jesus ascends to Heaven. In this division of Zechariah, per the commentary: "writing over 500 years before the birth of Christ, Zechariah prophesied that at the climax of the Battle of Armageddon, the Lord will one day personally, physically, and visibly descend to earth at the Mount of Olives, just as He ascended into heaven from that place. At the instant Christ appears on the Mount of Olives, Zechariah identifies six amazing events that will happen:"

• the Mount of Olives will split in two - a sign of God's judgement
• the people of Israel will flee through this newly formed valley to Azal (it is wholly clear where this)
• Jesus will return (second coming) accompanied by Holy Ones, including, per the commentary "God’s holy ones are not only the angelic armies of heaven but also resurrected and glorified believers" (see also references to saints or holy ones at Deuteronomy 33:3; Psalms 89:5-7; Job 15:15, Leviticus 11:44-45; Psalms 16:3; Daniel 8:24).  Matthew 24:30b-31 also describes this return.
  
• The heavens will be transformed as described as light regardless of the hour; God will be the light of the heavens
• Living waters will flow perpetually providing abundant fertility during the millennial reign of Christ described in Isiah 27:6, 35:1-3, and Amos 9:13-14.
• Jesus will be acknowledged as the only Lord and God - there will no longer be other gods or false worship; He will reign and it will be clear.

Believers are encouraged to be ready as no one knows the day or the hour of Christ's return (Matthew 24:36) and on that day all will be held accountable for their deeds. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me, gives me the comfort of knowing that the victory over sin and death is already won, You are victorious, and You are saving a place for me in Heaven.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You 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 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. 

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["]

Zechariah 12:10-13, 13:1

"On that day there shall be a fountain opened for the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to cleanse them from sin and uncleanness.["] Zechariah 13:1

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 12:10-13:1, which the commentary outlines as the third of three divisions for the text 12:1-13:1 (12:1, 12:2-9, 12:10-13:1).  Here, once again, the commentary clarifies how the text is a depiction of Christ at the Battle of Armageddon, foreshadowing Christ's second coming during the final days. It also shares how "Israel looks at Christ, [and] the people will realize something that had previously eluded them: their guilt in rejecting Him and their need for His forgiveness. Suddenly, the hearts of God’s people that have been hardened against Jesus, not just for decades, but for centuries and even millennia, will be softened. The rest of verse 10 as well as verse 11 describe the mourning and grief the nation will experience as they look upon Christ. The mourning is compared to that over the death of an only child or a firstborn."  Any reading that depicts prophecy of the second coming of Jesus Christ reminds me of my need to be ready since we don't know the day or hour of Christ's return (see Matthew 24:36) - we must be ready (see Matthew 24:44).  Being ready implies living our days like they are our last (see Psalm 90:12) - not letting up in our race towards Heaven (see Hebrews 12:1).  Such urgency also implies how we are to "snatch others from the fire" (see Jude 23).

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of amazing grace and mercy that never ceases.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  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.     

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’”

Zechariah 4:1-7

“This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the LORD of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Zechariah 4:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 4:1-7, which the commentary outlines as the first of three divisions for the text 4:1-14 (4:1-7, 8-10, 11-14).  Here, I find myself grateful that I have my commentary available to me as it provides a more learned viewpoint on the text vs one that I possess without the commentary.  My reading yesterday of the text suggested a messianic prophecy, which the commentary does not directly see.  Of course the Holy Spirit - representing one person of the Trinity which contains Jesus - is a primary actor in the text.  However, per the commentary, Jesus is not seen in the text as I saw it yesterday.  The commentary shares how the lampstand "seems to be similar to the one in the tabernacle described in Exodus 25:31-40 or to the 10 lampstands that were in Solomon’s temple as described in 1 Kings 7:49."  The purpose of the bowl, working in conjunction with the olive trees, with the lampstand is to "pour [oil]... down from the... [bowl's] channels into the lamps in an abundant supply. Zechariah also sees olive trees standing on either side of the lampstand, one to the right and other to the left....Instead of requiring human effort to keep the lamps burning, the Lord has provided a perpetual supply of oil.....The golden lampstand symbolizes God’s people, Israel. The oil—produced by the olive trees, supplied by the suspended bowl, and delivered by the 49 channels—represents the work of Holy Spirit, empowering Israel to be a light to the nations, directing them to God.....The vision portrays an endless supply of God’s Spirit, an endless supply of God’s power for His people to accomplish God’s purpose, supplied by God Himself. In the vision the bowl is above the lamp.  This indicates that God’s power is not something that human beings work up. God’s power is something that He sends down. When the channels are open in our lives to receive His Spirit’s power, He is ready to send down everything we need to do His work."  The commentary then pivots to explore v7b where it describes the "mountain" of opposition God's people faced rebuilding God's temple and how contemporary believers face similar opposition in the face of the work God calls them to do.  It shares: "There may be a mountain you have faced for years, just as Zerubbabel faced the mountain of the incomplete temple. Each day of continued opposition and the increasing sense of defeat makes the mountain seem larger and more overwhelming. By now, you may think that you simply will never overcome it. And, in the deepest sense, you are right. You cannot overcome your obstacle. You cannot flatten the mountain on your own. But the Holy Spirit of God can overcome it. He lives inside of you, and He will empower you. The greatest obstacles can be conquered. As you trust in Him, God’s Spirit conquers even the greatest of obstacles." Amen!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who encourages and strengthens me for the role in which You place me - whether that be in my family, in the workplace, or elsewhere.  Thank You for equipping, encouraging, and strengthening me.  I am not deserving of how You bless me. My sins are great and they continue...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here.

Zechariah 3:1-10

And the angel of the LORD solemnly assured Joshua, “Thus says the LORD of hosts: If you will walk in my ways and keep my charge, then you shall rule my house and have charge of my courts, and I will give you the right of access among those who are standing here. Zechariah 3:6-7

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:6-7, which the commentary outlines as the fifth of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  The commentary first describes this division with the title Satan Wants Us to Feel Guilty When We Are Forgiven.  It then shares how the Lord sought to reassure Joshua that indeed his sins were forgiven as Satan seeks to seed doubt in this regard: “ this instance the Lord is countering any lingering accusations of Satan regarding Joshua’s guilt by providing a solemn declaration that the high priest was not only cleansed but ready for renewed ministry.”  The commentary then describes two preconditions and three results based on completion of the preconditions: “ The Lord’s “instructions” speak of Joshua’s duty as a priest to fulfill the requirements of his office. In response to Joshua meeting these two conditions, the Lord promised the following results:”

The preconditions included personal righteousness and fulfillment of priestly responsibilities.  If satisfied, God would provide Joshua ability to lead God’s people, authority over the temple, and access to God.  The commentary for this division concludes with the point that although Joshua’s forgiveness was unconditional, this does not mean that Satan will not continue to seed doubt about how he views us as uncondemned (see Romans 8:1): “ God has great plans for us once we have been cleansed. But Satan wants to make us feel like we are still what we once were. He will bring up our past. He will bring up our failures. He will bring up our weaknesses. He will bring people into our path to discourage us. Or he will stir up our own self-doubts so that we negate ourselves. Once we are forgiven, Satan will often use misplaced guilt—the phantom pain over sin that God has already forgiven—in order to keep us from being used by God. That is why forgiven people need to be reminded of who they have become through Jesus Christ. We are no longer guilty. We are forgiven.”

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are that You are available to me as promised here - thank You Jesus!  What an incredible assurance.  I am not deserving of such access and the associated 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.

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments.

 Zechariah 3:1-10

Now Joshua was standing before the angel, clothed with filthy garments. Zechariah 3:3

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:3, which the commentary outlines as the third of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10). The commentary shares Satan Wants Us to Feel Innocent When We Are Guilty as the title for this single verse 3.  The commentary then shares two ways that Satan seeks to keep us from going to God for forgiveness when we sin.  The first way is to make us feel "hopeless," that God cannot and will not forgive us.  The second strategy God uses to keep us from going to Him for forgiveness is when we feel normal - that nothing is wrong with our sin - when we sin, so we continue in the sin.  This latter strategy is in play with v3.  The commentary then describes Joshua's condition in the Hebrew translation as being "filthy" in the strongest possible terms, including excrement.  The commentary shares that "Joshua is standing there, trying to serve the Lord, yet he is absolutely contaminated. The irony, though, is that Joshua seems to think he is acceptable. After all, he is “dressed,” showing that he considers himself to be prepared to serve and minister in the temple. He is standing before the Angel of the Lord, apparently believing that he is ready to do God’s work and to be in the Lord’s presence. He thinks he is fine. This is a portrait of how Satan will work when we are contaminated with sin. He will try to convince us that we are innocent, even when there is great guilt in our lives."  We are referred to 1 John 1:8 and 10 where John shares that we all sin and need a savior - all of humanity.  We are encouraged to practice the spiritual disciplines, particularly daily Bible study and prayer as a means for us to abide and remain in Him and Him in us. See also John 15:1-11. We need to stay close God for God to stay close to us.  The commentary wraps with "we open ourselves us to Satan’s deception. He wants us to feel innocent when we are guilty so that we deceive ourselves and continue in our sin."  Draw near to God!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God that helps me - by giving me faith, and by giving me mercies that are new every morning and never cease!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such blessings nor my salvation.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.   Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?”

 Zechariah 3:1-10

And the LORD said to Satan, “The LORD rebuke you, O Satan! The LORD who has chosen Jerusalem rebuke you! Is not this a brand plucked from the fire?” Zechariah 3:2

I continue my study of the last four books of the OT (complete: Zephaniah, Haggai; to complete: Zechariah, Malachi) - using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zechariah 3:2, which the commentary outlines as the second of six divisions for the text 3:1-10 (3:1, 3:2, 3:3, 3:4-5, 3:6-7, 3:8-10).  The commentary aptly provides the theme for how it sees the text: God Wants Us to Feel Sorrowful When We Are Guilty.  First the commentary shares that "God’s sovereign ability to reprimand Satan in this manner is a reminder that the Lord and Satan are by no means equal forces in the universe. As powerful as Satan’s tactics against God and God’s people can be, he is no match for the Lord. Accordingly, when Yahweh rebukes Satan, the enemy becomes silent. The commentary then shares how the fire at the end of v2 describes the opposition, oppression, and exile/captivity of God's people.  At the same time, we are exhorted to see how such trials are designed to shape us into more of God's image: "God’s Word commands us, “Endure suffering as discipline: God is dealing with you as sons. For what son is there that a father does not discipline?” (see Hebrews 12:6-7). God wants His children to feel grief and sorrow over our sin because grief and sorrow over sin are the ways that God brings us back to Him" (see also 2 Corinthians 7:10).  Satan wants us to see the shame and guilt of our sin with no hope.  God, instead, provided His Son Jesus Christ as a way out to have forgiveness and victory over sin and death.  The commentary concludes with: "God loves believers so much that He won’t allow us to sin and feel good about it. However, unlike the way Satan attacks us with guilt, God’s kind of guilt will never lead us to hopelessness and despair. Instead, He will allow His people to experience godly sorrow over their sin so that they will return to Him. He’s always ready for us to return to Him so that we can be forgiven." Amen!

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who gives us hope - the victory over sin and death is already won.  Thank You Jesus!  You are an awesome God who loves us.  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 to me today and every day.