Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

 Hebrews 8

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. Hebrews 13:20-21

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry builds on the devotional from yesterday, and also from a couple of days ago, where Piper emphasizes how the new covenant with Jesus is the ultimate and final reality, and moves beyond the first covenant - which represents mere shadows of God's promises ultimately fulfilled by Christ.   Today, Piper further develops this reality by referring to God as Reality (note upper case), and by sharing what happens to us as God works in our lives as  Reality.  First, Piper writes that through the shedding of His blood, Christ "finally and decisively purchased and secured the fulfillment of God’s promises for us." Next, Piper writes, is how "God, according to the new covenant promises, brings about our inner transformation by the Spirit of Christ. And it means that God works this transformation in us through faith — faith in all that God is for us in Christ."  Piper wraps today's devotional by ensuring that we not only see that we have this new reality, but that we also see that God does not leave us to our devices to "make it real."  Piper writes: "He writes it on our hearts. He does not lay his Christmas gift of salvation and transformation under the tree, so to speak, for you to pick up in your own strength. He picks it up and puts it in your heart and in your mind and gives you the seal of assurance that you are a child of God."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me.  You promises are awesome and You are faithful - thank You Jesus!  I am grateful for how You have worked in my heart and life.  Yet I am not deserving of the grace and compassion You pour out for me - and for how You work in my life.  Please forgive me Jesus for my sins of today - already I have anger and harshness - 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.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.....They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.”

Hebrews 8

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.....They serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things. For when Moses was about to erect the tent, he was instructed by God, saying, “See that you make everything according to the pattern that was shown you on the mountain.” Hebrews 8:1-2, 5

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry builds on the devotional from yesterday, where Piper also focused on how Jesus replaces both the Old Testament sacrificial system and the need for a priest to intercede on behalf of worshipers seeking cleansing of sins.  As Piper so aptly puts it, "another great thing about the reality which is greater than the shadow is that our High Priest is seated at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. No Old Testament priest could ever say that." Piper wants us to be certain that we see the "ultimate" and "final reality" in how "the persons of the Godhead in relationship, dealing with each other concerning how their majesty and holiness and love and justice and goodness and truth shall be manifest in a redeemed people." We often strive to achieve the ultimate in our various pursuits, and we must recognize that with our relationship with God, it is not our efforts that make a difference; instead it is the ultimate efforts of our God the Father who has chosen us as His elect. 

...[H]e chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love he predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace, with which he has blessed us in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:4-6

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of grace and compassion for me - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such grace and compassion.  I am not deserving of how You chose me - I know it is a gift.  Thank You Jesus!  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.

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man.

Hebrews 8

Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven, a minister in the holy places, in the true tent that the Lord set up, not man. Hebrews 8:1-2

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on how Jesus replaces both the Old Testament sacrificial system and the need for a priest to intercede on behalf of worshipers seeking cleansing of sins. See also a post from my recent study of Leviticus that also looked at this. As we continue to anticipate Christmas, let us be thankful for Jesus - who is not merely just a shadow of what need but a full representation of everything that we need. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed great and worthy of my worship - all the time - white hot worship.  You are all that I need and I know that You love me.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving of such love.  I continue to sin...daily - with worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.

Hebrews 2

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. Hebrews 2:14-15

This afternoon, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on what Piper urges us to see Hebrews 2:14-15 as his favorite Advent text as "[he doesn't] know any other that expresses so clearly the connection between the beginning and the end of Jesus’s earthly life — between the incarnation and crucifixion. These two verses make clear why Jesus came; namely, to die." With this devotion, Piper systematically reviews Hebrews 2:14-15, referring us to supporting scriptures (Isaiah 8:18; 53:10, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 11:52, 1 Timothy 4:10, John 1:12, John 1:1, Colossians 2:9, Romans 8:33, and Romans 5:9) that reinforce his case. He goes on by stating that "[t]he reason [God] became man was to die. As God pure and simple, he could not die for sinners. But as man he could. His aim was to die. Therefore he had to be born human. He was born to die. Good Friday is the purpose of Christmas. This is what most people today need to hear about the meaning of Christmas."  Jesus did this of course so that we would have freedom from sin and death as He defeats both through His death on the cross and the resurrection. Piper wraps today's devotion with the following: "Satan’s ultimate weapon against us is our own sin. If the death of Jesus takes it away, the chief weapon of the devil — the one mortal weapon that he has — is taken out of his hand. He cannot make a case for our death penalty, because the Judge has acquitted us by the death of his Son! So, we are free from the fear of death. God has justified us. Satan cannot overturn that decree. And God means for our ultimate safety to have an immediate effect on our lives. He means for the happy ending to take away the slavery and fear of the Now. If we do not need to fear our last and greatest enemy, death, then we do not need to fear anything. We can be free. Free for joy. Free for others. What a great Christmas present from God to us! And from us to the world!"

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are indeed an amazing God and You are the greatest gift the world has ever known and will know.  You came to die so that I could have life to the full now and eternity in Heaven - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such an amazing gift.  My sins continue...daily, including worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.

 Matthew 2

When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh. Matthew 2:10-11

This afternoon, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on the meaning of the gifts given by the wise men (Magi) to the baby Jesus - the promised Messiah. Piper makes it clear that God does not need gifts - referring to both Acts 17:25 and Deuteronomy 10:17.  However, Piper does write that gifts - by definition - are an expression of the giver's "desire to show how wonderful the person is. In a sense, giving gifts to Christ [is] like fasting — going without something to show that Christ is more valuable than what you are going without."  When we give to the church monetarily, or to a ministry, or otherwise give in service for glory of God, it is our way of expressing how we desire Jesus more than what we are giving.  Piper of course seeks for us to treasure God more than we seek earthly treasure.  Jesus, later in the Sermon on the Mount, exhorts us to seek "treasures in heaven":  

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal." Matthew 6:19-20

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My Prayer: Jesus, You are an awesome God, worthy of my worship and worthy of what ever I give up in terms of talent, time, and treasure.  You certainly gave Your life for me - that I could life now in abundance and for eternity - Thank You Jesus!  This is the greatest gift of all time!  I am not deserving of such a gift.  I continue to sin...worry, etc.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to accept You as their Lord 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 Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him[.]

 Matthew 2

When Herod the king heard this, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him[.] Matthew 2:3

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on two different kinds of opposition to Jesus.  Piper describes this opposition and he starts with Matthew 2:4 where the chief priests and scribes of the people refer to the prophecy of Jesus found in Micah 5:2. While we don't see an explicit opposition to Jesus from the chief priests and scribes, Piper writes that opposition can be implied (and I cannot find a basis to argue with him), because unlike the Magi - foreigners - who made their way to Bethlehem to visit Jesus, the chief priests and scribes who should expect to see the fulfillment of prophecy with the birth of Jesus, do not seem to be interested to visit Jesus. In fact, scripture does say that Herod was not only troubled by the birth of Jesus, but all of Jerusalem with him - implying that the chief priests and scribes were also troubled.  Believers may not find themselves in the category of opposition characterized by Herod, but may find themselves indifferent as described by Piper - characterizing the response by the chief priests and scribes. My hope and prayer for myself is that I seek Jesus - and that I point others to Jesus.

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My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and who is full of grace and patience with me - You chose me as one of Your elect while I was still an enemy and hostile to You....thank You Jesus!  Thank You for continuing to pursue me even as I was indifferent and not seeking nearness to You.  I am not deserving of Your grace.  I am harsh with others and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Please provide wisdom and energy for Lisa and myself.  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.

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”

 Matthew 2

“Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” Matthew 2:2

This morning, I continued with my listening/reading of a Christmas/Advent devotional from John Piper. Today's entry focuses on the star that guided (see also Matthew 2:9) the Magi to the baby Jesus, the newborn king of the Jews.  Piper appropriately exhorts us not to get lost in the marginal - we are not to be preoccupied on how the star guided the Magi to Bethlehem.  Instead, we are to cherish the "great central things of the gospel: the holiness of God, the ugliness of sin, the helplessness of man, the death of Christ, justification by faith alone, the sanctifying work of the Spirit, the glory of Christ’s return, and the final judgment."  Piper then offers up how we are to what is going on: "what is plain concerning this matter of the star is that it is doing something that it cannot do on its own: It is guiding magi to the Son of God to worship him. There is only one Person in biblical thinking that can be behind that intentionality in the stars: God himself.  So, the lesson is plain: God is guiding foreigners to Christ to worship him. And he is doing it by exerting global — probably even universal — influence and power to get it done." 

Piper wraps today's devotional by pointing us to scripture where it reinforces his key takeaway:

• Matthew 24:14: God wants us to move from "come and see" as the Magi did, to "go and tell" where all believers participate in the Great Commission to share the good news of Jesus Christ
  
• John 4:23: God wants all humanity to worship Him

We exist to glorify God - for those of us led by God to "come and see" (and accept) Jesus, we must remember to "go and tell."

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who provided a star to guide me to You so that You could give me the gift of faith - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of how You did this for me.  I remain harsh to others and I worry, among my many sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.