We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope.

1 Chronicles 29

We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. v15

As a follow up to yesterday's post, David continues to remain humble and he demonstrates this further by stating what all believers should recognize - that we exist solely to glorify God and we should not conform to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2).  We are foreigners, we should be mindful of our host (God), and live with eternity in mind (considering Heaven is our Home).

Also, apart from God we have no good things.

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.” Psalm 16:2

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love.  I am selfish - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome my sin and turn from You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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 foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.”

Isaiah 54-57

“And the foreigners who join themselves to the Lord, to minister to him, to love the name of the Lord, and to be his servants, everyone who keeps the Sabbath and does not profane it, and holds fast my covenant—these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, declares, “I will gather yet others to him besides those already gathered.” Isaiah 56:6-8

I continue my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series.  My study of Isaiah begins with day 2 (of 5) of week 20, which looks at Isaiah 54-57.  Day 2 focuses on Isaiah 55-56.  Isaiah 55 describes God's great compassion, as both the wicked and unrighteous are offered forgiveness if they repent and turn towards the Lord (Isaiah 55:7). Isaiah 55 also describes a more fertile land vs previous descriptions Isaiah as desolate (Isaiah 55:13). Isaiah 56 describes how God offers the riches of His inheritance towards not just the remnant of Israel, but also foreigners (Isaiah 56:3-8). Of course, this is a foretaste of the Great Commission, where Jesus commands the disciples to go out into the world - all of it - to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20).

Comment and discuss this post.

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

17 Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1

¹⁷ Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. ¹⁸ For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, ¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. ²⁰ He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. ²¹ Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

 ²² Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. ²³ For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. ²⁴ For,

   “All people are like grass,
   and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
 

 ²⁵ but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

   And this is the word that was preached to you.

In the New Testament, you don't read much about a God that is full of wrath but the truth is that we should still fear God.  As Peter writes here, God:

- judges each person's work impartially
- is mightier than all forces in live, including death

For these reasons - and of course other reasons - we are to, as Peter implores us, to fear God, and in so doing, live a life accordingly.  In other words, live a life that it is clear we are for God.   It should be so apparent that we appear as "foreigners".

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are mightier than all and I have seen Your might and ways work in my life and I am in awe.  I confess also that I need You in my life desperately because I am so full of sin, including laziness, unwholesome thoughts, and disobedience.  Thank You for all that You have done for me as I don't deserve it - please forgive me for my sin today and please rid me of my sin.  Purify and transform my heart and my life and help me live with reverent fear of You and in so doing live a life that it is clear I am not of this world but for You - Jesus Christ.

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Joshua 6-8

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. Joshua 8:34-35

Day 68 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) focuses on the Israelites first victory in Canaan, Jericho, and the days that followed, including an initial attack on Ai which failed due to sin by Achan.  Achan coveted devoted things from Jericho (see Joshua 7:20-21), instead of placing them in the treasury as directed by Joshua (see Joshua 7:18-19) - and he was put to death.

The Old Testament is full of examples of harsh punishment in the face of disobedience to God.  I am reminded of Lot's wife, who looked back to see the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and was turned into a pillar of salt (see Genesis 19:23-26).  In the New Testament, I am reminded of Ananias and Sapphira, who willfully held back giving to the church and lied about it to Peter and the apostles (see Acts 5). 

YES - God does offer forgiveness for sin.  He also hates sin - ALL of it - willful and unwillful. 

God SEES all of our sin and is intimately involved in all of the details of our lives - He is in control (see free will).  He seeks complete obedience to Him (not a burden) and the details matter - we cannot claim that one small sin is too insignificant to Him - that is for Him to judge not us.  We don't get to decide what our punishment is.

As such, fear of the Lord should serve as a preservative and cause us to run from sin - ALL of it.  We need to draw closer and closer to God such that MORE of our heart and life become like Him.   Just as Joshua read ALL of the words of the law - we must strive daily for 100% devotion to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has transformed my heart and life to be more like You - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and blessing.  I continue to sin and I know there is more race to run and work to do...please forgive me for my harshness towards others.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure.

Psalm 39

Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. v5

We are reminded this morning that God is in control, that our earthly security is a mere phantom, that every new day is a gift of grace from God (and we are not deserving of such a gift) and that we must live life with the end in mind.

David expands and clarifies this further:

Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. v6 

In light of God's dominion over our life, Peter admonishes us to live a life of reverent fear:

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  1 Peter 1:17

Living today with intention will provide us with hope for a secure future in Heaven: 

In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and peoples will stream to it. Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths.”

The law will go out from Zion, the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks.  Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore.   

Everyone will sit under their own vine and under their own fig tree, and no one will make them afraid, for the Lord Almighty has spoken. 

 All the nations may walk in the name of their gods, but we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever. Micah 4:1-5

My Prayer: Lord, You are our hope....our only hope.  We live on earth as foreigners assaulted from all sides...but You protect us and You rescue us...and through faith in You we receive not just forgiveness from sins but eternity in heaven - our true home.  What a great God You are!  Thank You for such gifts Jesus but I am not worth (Matthew 5:3) such a God and I am completely dependent on You.  Forgive me for my many sins of impatience, anger, etc.  Help me overcome and turn from such sins towards You and help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind and strength.  Help me love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give me strength.  Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of her cancer and the side effects from chemo and radiation. Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin...and serve You.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2

Once again my reading includes words of great encouragement from Paul who speaks of what is available to me as a child of God.

¹¹ Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called “uncircumcised” by those who call themselves “the circumcision” (which is done in the body by human hands)— ¹² remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. ¹³ But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 

 ¹⁴ For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, ¹⁵ by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. ¹⁷ He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. ¹⁸ For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.

 ¹⁹ Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, ²⁰ built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. ²¹ In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. ²² And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. 

There are two ideas here that strike me:
> setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. > as I read yesterday work in and of itself will not gain me anything in the eyes of the Lord; I am to serve but out of humility and to glorify Him alone; even with my efforts I still don't deserve anything
> His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, ¹⁶ and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. > this in particular reminds me of the humanity I share with others as we are all children of God
> And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. > the Holy Spirit lives in me and it is active and available

When combined with verse 13 regarding the how I am always never far from Christ, I am greatly encouraged that I have a great and glorious God that lives in me and gives me immense power upon which I can draw for His great and glorious purpose!  Totally awesome!

My Prayer: What an amazing gift You are Christ Jesus.  I am surely not deserving of such a gift yet you provide it anyway.  I need You Lord as I am far from perfect, and I sin all the time.  Please forgive me Lord for my laziness, pride and other sin.  Purify me and refine me Lord - take me.  Transform my life and my heart Lord Jesus.  I desire to serve You fully.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. v17

Three key points that I see here:
1. God WILL judge us
2. Our home is not an earthly one but in Heaven
3. We should live with the end in mind, knowing that God will judge us and we should be prepared

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a righteous judge, treating us fairly and often mercifully when we don't get what we deserve as we know the wages of sin is death.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such mercy as I am often lazy and passive in light what You ask me to do...please forgive me Jesus and help me turn from such sin and towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, mind, and strength.  Help me love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Help me live with the end in mind.  Give me strength. Give Lisa strength.  Please heal and cure her of this cancer.  Help me lead and serve Lisa, Zach and Dustin.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor.

 Ezekiel 26-28

Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. Ezekiel 28:6-7

Day 236 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with Ezekiel, as God delivers judgement (though Ezekiel) to both Tyre and Sidon both neighbors of Judah who seek to take advantage of a Jerusalem under siege.

Building on my post yesterday, we once again see the reaction from God towards those who seek glory for self vs God and who fail to acknowledge and submit to The Creator. 

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

And when the people ask, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all this to us?’ you will tell them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.’

 Jeremiah 5:14-6

And when the people ask, ‘Why has the Lord our God done all this to us?’ you will tell them, ‘As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.’ Jeremiah 5:19

Day 207 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues with my study of Jeremiah.  Jeremiah delivers God's word of judgement to Judah, and a warning, that they will be overtaken by Babylonia and taken captive.  God is angry...yet He has every right to be angry.  In fact, God's justice is perfect - He acts out of both love and justice and He only disciplines those He loves.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me...and who disciplines me because You love me and I need discipline.  I am grateful for how You have refined me...including through fire.  I am not deserving of Your love and instruction. I gossip, 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.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.

1 Peter 1

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. v17

God is just...and His justice is perfect.

He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity. Psalm 9:8

 

For there is nothing hidden that will not be disclosed, and nothing concealed that will not be known or brought out into the open. Luke 8:17

 

"For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done." Matthew 16:27

 

As such, we should live our time on earth with reverent fear.  We are not citizens of earth so we should respect the host - our God the Father.  And we should respect our God the Father because our bodies are not our own...we live for the glory of God.  We have a God who is perfect in all ways, is all powerful, and all knowing.  He is Lord of Lords and He reigns over all.  He demands our love and is worthy of it.  He knows everything about us yet chose to adopt us, and suffer and die for us.  

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, no doubt You are a great God worthy of my praise, worship, love, and obedience.  Thank You for being my God.  You have done everything for me yet I know I am undeserving.  I am selfish, lazy, and I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

Hebrews 10:19-13

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. Hebrews 11:13-16

Day 359 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - today I wrap up my study of the book of Hebrews. These closing chapters of Hebrews include encouragements and exhortations to maintain our faith and holy living, including practical ways to demonstrate our faith (i.e. hospitality).  These chapters also include the "Hall of Faith" (Hebrews 11), those in the Old Testament under the First Covenant who by faith were obedient but did not (immediately) receive what was promised. Like those in the "Hall of Faith" we too are asked to live by faith and to focus on things eternal because our home is not of this earth but in Heaven.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the creator of the universe and everything in it and You created Heaven and reserved a place for me.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a gift...the greatest gift of all time.  I sin...daily; including placing my own comfort and convenience ahead of You.  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.

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them.

Joshua 8

Afterward, Joshua read all the words of the law—the blessings and the curses—just as it is written in the Book of the Law. There was not a word of all that Moses had commanded that Joshua did not read to the whole assembly of Israel, including the women and children, and the foreigners who lived among them. v34-35

Just as God is perfect, the Bible is perfect - as is God (see also John 1).  God wants us to read the whole Bible and KNOW it.  We must not to add to or subtract from it - it becomes important for many reasons, including that it enables us to put on the full armor of God.  Most importantly, when we know the Bible we know God.  

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God, and Your Word is perfect and I am blessed to have Your Word where I can spend time with You, understand more about You and Your will for my life.  Thank You Jesus - I am not worth such blessings.  I am harsh with my words and thoughts.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal and cure Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

Psalm 90

Once again I am drawn to the words of Moses spoken here that we are to make the most of our time on earth.

Teach us to number our days,
    that we may gain a heart of wisdom.  (v12)

Similar sentiments are echoed through scripture, including 2 Peter 2:

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles...(2 Peter 2:11)

We are only on earth as foreigners and exiles (temporarily) and we are to make the most of our time....so that we can bring others to Him and dutifully fulfill our roles and purpose for Him.
 
My Prayer: Lord, You are Truth and Your plans and wisdom are great.  I know that You have great plans for me and I confess to You now that I am weak and I question my own ability to follow You and to be used by You.  I thank You for Your faith, trust, and love of me - yet I feel I am not worthy.  Please build me up and help me lean on You so that I can more boldly do Your work for You here on earth.

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us....Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

1 Peter 1-5

Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us....Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 1 Peter 2:11-12, 3:15-17

Day 355 of my chronological study of the Bible with The Daily Bible® - In Chronological Order (NIV®) (available by purchase through Amazon - author F. LaGard Smith) continues as I move further into the New Testament - this morning I read 1 Peter. My commentary notes: "[t]he historical record of Acts does not mention the apostle Peter after the Jerusalem conference, but it appears that his ministry proceeded in the same time period as the missionary efforts of the apostle Paul....Both of Peter’s letters are evidently addressed to the same audience, principally Gentile Christians throughout Asia, Bithynia, Pontus, Galatia, and Cappadocia. These are some of the same areas where Paul had established churches on his preaching tours and include the same Christians to whom Paul had addressed some of his letters....Without doubt this is a time of hostility, if not actual physical persecution, against all Christians. Therefore, the subject of Peter’s first letter is suffering, and the thrust of the letter is an exhortation to steadfastness. Peter begins by recounting for his readers the blessings which they have in their redemption, and then encourages them in the fact that in Christ they are God’s special people. But Peter also reminds them that, as God’s redeemed ones, they have a responsibility to glorify God in their lives."

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

One can easily make the case that today, here in the United States, Christians face hostility for our views, for example on such topics as gay marriage and abortion.  In a broader context while some talk about tolerance, in general given the polarization we see, there is less tolerance.  Therefore, I am zeroing in on Peter's words on how we are to stand firm in the faith in the face of hostility.  Peter encourages us to live such lives - in both words and actions - that others cannot find fault in us.

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who lived a sinless live yet You freely laid down Your life for me....incredible....the greatest gift of all time.  Thank You Jesus!  Of course I am undeserving.  I have worry and other sins.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sins towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Psalm 84

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked. v10

We are told that we are foreigners in "this world" and at home and citizens of Heaven.

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.  1 Peter 1:17

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ[.] Philippians 3:20

As such we should not grow comfortable with this world and not "conform".

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2

We should "[b]e holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy" (Leviticus 19:2).

God knows that we cannot do this alone - so He provides the Word, our brothers and sisters in Christ, the church, and of course Jesus Christ His Son through which we have the Holy Spirit - the same power the brought Jesus from the grave.

Our time here on earth is to be spent discipling others and bringing others to Him.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who has brought me out of the miry pit...again and again.  You always welcome me back with open arms - You free from the sting of sin and death and You put me on a path to live a life more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  Yet I am not worthy of such love.  I often do not obey and I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus!  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 do.  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.

“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.

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “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

Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the east came to Jerusalem, saying, “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 2:1-2

This morning, my focus is DesiringGod.com's Solid Joys daily devotion, where John Piper seeks for believers to prepare our hearts for Christmas.  Today's Solid Joys daily devotion marks day 7 of Advent, and today John Piper contrasts Luke's gospel focus of visitors - shepherds in the field (see Luke 2:8-20) - to Jesus in the manger, to Matthew's focus of the wise men visitors from the east - the Magi. Piper points out that these wise men - Magi - were not Jews, but instead foreigners, perhaps from Babylon.  He then reminds us that "Matthew portrays Jesus at the beginning and ending of his Gospel as a universal Messiah for all the nations, not just for Jews" (see also Matthew 28:18-19 where Jesus gives believers the Great Commission). Piper wraps the devotion by sharing how Matthew's portrayal (and contrast from Luke's) "not only opened the door for us Gentiles to rejoice in the Messiah; it added proof that he was the Messiah. Because one of the repeated prophecies was that the nations and kings would, in fact, come to him as the ruler of the world." We are referred to Isaiah 60:3 for one of these prophecies. Matthew's gospel serves as "proof to the messiahship of Jesus and shows that he is Messiah — a King, and Promise-Fulfiller — for all the nations, not just Israel."  Rejoice in Jesus as the fulfillment of our promised King and go and tell it on the mountains!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are a good, good Father, and all of Your promises come true.  You are the Promised King, the Messiah, and my Lord and Savior.  Thank You Jesus for all that You are and do.  I am not deserving of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near.

Isaiah 55

Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he is near. v6

John Piper calls this chapter The Great Invitation. This invitation must be treated with urgency as God's patience is not unlimited.  A few days ago, my reading and post reminded me how we live as foreigners in this world, and how we should focus on the eternity of God and His promises for us.

As I posted yesterday, we all need a Savior and Christ is that Savior.

I think about this quite often with respect to my teenage son who has yet to accept Jesus Christ as His Savior.  I believe I may have set the bar high for him to invite Jesus into his life.  Yet God makes it easy - all are welcome - just as they are as God knows all about us anyway so we don't come to Him with shame but with confidence (Hebrews 4:16).

We should not study God as an intellectual exercise - we should study God to experience Him.

"God is not a thing to be studied. He is a person to be experienced." John Piper

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God worthy of my study and I desire to experience You - to know You.  I need You...desperately...I too often focus on this world and I don't want to be entangled by sin.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this.

Jeremiah 14

No, it is you, Lord our God. Therefore our hope is in you, for you are the one who does all this. v22

As God continues to use Jeremiah to deliver a message of impending punishment (exile) to the Israelites, God points  the Israelites to Him as the creator of the heavens and the earth and the King of Kings.  The Israelites have placed their hope in the world and the creator of the world and all that is in it (creation).  Of course we do this as well - worship what is created neglecting who and how something is created - ALL comes from Him.

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. Colossians 1:16-17 

As David offers up all the gifts pledged to built God's temple, he acknowledges the source of all things:

“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand. We are foreigners and strangers in your sight, as were all our ancestors. Our days on earth are like a shadow, without hope. Lord our God, all this abundance that we have provided for building you a temple for your Holy Name comes from your hand, and all of it belongs to you. 1 Chronicles 29:14-16 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who loves me and You are the creator of all things and every good thing in my life comes from You - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such blessings as I worry.  Please forgive me and help me turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  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.  Please help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.   

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house.

Haggai 1

You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?” declares the Lord Almighty. “Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with your own house. v9

As God brought the Jews out of bondage from Babylon, Jesus rescues us from the bondage of sin.  God's desires for us don't stop there - just as He wanted the Jews to rebuild and move forward from their sins (and resulting punishment), God wants us to move forward and grow towards maturity.

First, we must establish that We (as believers) are God's temple.

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? 1 Corinthians 3:16

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own[.] 1 Corinthians 6:19

Next, we must understand that Jesus is the foundation and cornerstone. 

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. Ephesians 2:19-20

We must build a firm foundation to avoid the calamities that beset the Israelites, and tend to relationship with Jesus such that we continue to build on this foundation with growth and maturity.

Therefore let us move beyond the elementary teachings about Christ and be taken forward to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God[.] Hebrews 6:1

My Prayer:  Lord, You are my foundation and my cornerstone and without You I would be too easily blown about and destroyed by the wind and waves of this world.  You have helped me overcome much and I am grateful.  Thank You Jesus for the blessings of Your life, truth, direction, encouragement, love, forgiveness, etc.  I am not worth such blessings as I continue in my sloth.  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 do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself strength and wisdom.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Help me serve You, my family, the church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.