All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away....Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever.

 Isaiah 60-64

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away....Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Isaiah 64:6, 8-9

Day 200 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 Isaiah as God seeks to comfort Israel in exile.  God's words through Isaiah are greatly comforting, including:

Though in anger I struck you, in favor I will show you compassion. Isaiah 60:10

Although you have been forsaken and hated, with no one traveling through, I will make you the everlasting pride and the joy of all generations. Isaiah 60:15

Twice God wants us to understand how He will be our "everlasting light" (Isaiah 60:19, 20). 

God reminds us that He is our Creator and we exist to glorify Him.

They [believers] will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Isaiah 61:3

You [Zion] will be a crown of splendor in the Lord’s hand, a royal diadem in the hand of your God. Isaiah 62:3

Isaiah once again prophecies the coming of the Messiah and how He gave His One and only Son (John 3:16):

I looked, but there was no one to help, I was appalled that no one gave support; so my own arm achieved salvation for me, and my own wrath sustained me. Isaiah 63:5

Israel responds to God in prayer (Isaiah 63:15-19, 64:1-12) with humility and a contrite heart...seeking God's favor.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away....Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Do not be angry beyond measure, Lord; do not remember our sins forever. Isaiah 64:6, 8-9

We all need to come to God out of humility as we all sin and need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is full of compassion and mercy for me - despite my sin.  Thank You Jesus - I am not deserving for Your rich love and mercy and certainly not deserving for my salvation.  I am often harsh with my words and I have other sins. 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 love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  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 he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it.

Mark 11:12-25

And he said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again.” And his disciples heard it. Mark 11:14

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 11:12-25.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction and for the first (of three) division (vv12-14):

• The title of this chapter for the commentary is "A Savior for All Nations" and the main idea is: "Jesus is a Savior for all nations, without barriers."
•  We are first warned that believers' primary mission is to share the Good News.  The commentary states as it reflects on the declining state of the American church: "...we must change, or God will judge us for neglecting and even hiding the truth that we have “a Savior for all nations!” God judged His people Israel for this sin. Why would we think He would deal with us any differently?"
• As the entirety of the text vv12-25 focuses on Jesus in the temple in Jerusalem, we are reminded that a perfect temple exists in Heaven, in (and as) Jesus, and in all believers: "[Jesus] has a spiritual temple, which is the church (1 Corinthians 3:16). He now has a personal temple scattered all around the world as a witness that He is indeed a Savior for all nations. That temple is you and me (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). Indeed that temple is anyone who recognizes that they are not their own, for they were bought with a price, the precious blood of “Christ our Passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7), “a lamb without defect or blemish” (1 Peter 1:19)."  
• Jesus did not like what He saw in the temple as He entered Jerusalem.  
• The title of the first division per the commentary is "Jesus Will Curse Those Who Put On a Show but Do Not Produce." 
• "[The cursing of the fig tree in v14] is (as we will see) an object lesson, an acted-out parable of our Lord’s judgment on Israel and on those who claim to be one thing but are actually another, who put on a show but do not produce. It is a curse on the temple and the nation of Israel. By application it could be a curse on you and me and on our churches."  
• "Though it is not yet “the season for figs” (v. 13), the presence of the leaves would indicate this tree would have fruit on it—if not full figs, at least paggim, small green figs (knops). Though not all that tasty, they were edible and could relieve His hunger. However, the tree bore no fruit. Its leaves promised one thing, but it had not produced. It was a hypocritical fig tree. The outward appearance, said, “Come here! I have fruit that will meet your needs.” However, when you arrive, you realize you have been deceived. It was a show with no substance."  
• Jesus saw Israel and the religious leaders when He saw the tree.  
• Once again we are exhorted to "produce fruit" lest we suffer the same fate as Israel.  
• "The prophets often spoke of Israel by the symbol of a fig tree (Jeremiah 8:13; 29:17; Hosea 9:10,16; Joel 1:7; Micah 7:1-6). Jeremiah 8:13 especially stands out[.]"  
• "There is a point without a doubt. Fruitlessness now may result in fruitlessness forever. Lose your usefulness for Jesus, and He may curse you and move on! It is not He who needs us, it is we who desperately need Him. We need Him to save us. We need Him to make us useful and fruitful."

Help me with those areas of my life where I have unbelief and have mercy on me! Indeed, Father God, continue and complete a work in me to produce fruit as You intend.  

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Father God, You are a gracious God full of mercies that never cease and are new every morning.  You provide for all needs and You save - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out for me.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

1 John 1:5-10

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5

I continue my preparation for leading Sunday school 15SEP, where our focus will be 1 John 1:5-10 and DesiringGod.com's Look at the Book video series for 1 John.  To provide another angle on my preparation, today I lean on the commentary to 1, 2, 3 John from The Christ-Centered Exposition Series, specifically, as it describes this text with the following divisions:

1. The World Must Know What God Says about Himself (v5): 1 John 1:1-4 describe Jesus Christ as "from the beginning" (v1), "the Word of life" (v1), "the eternal life" (v2), the Father's Son (v3), the source of fellowship (v3), and the source of joy (v4). "This is God’s witness concerning His Son and our Savior. This is what He thinks about Jesus Christ. Having met this Savior in repentance and faith, we have a divine assignment that involves the proclamation of a specific gospel with a universal scope (2:2). This message is for the whole world....[This] is an abiding and permanent mandate to get it to the nations, to all 16,500 people groups in the world, with 6,900 still unreached (JoshuaProject.net, as of Feb. 10, 2014)....That “God is light” is an embedded aspect of faithful gospel proclamation. It highlights the contrast between who God is and who we are without Him. The word “light” occurs in some form over 275 times in the Bible (95 times in the New Testament). It is a popular theme throughout the Scriptures....An essential component of faithful gospel proclamation is an understanding of the nature and character of God.  This is a theme that John will raise several times. For example, he teaches us that God is light (1:5), God is love (4:8,16), and God is true (5:20)....[T]he image of light...sometimes it points to God’s holiness, moral purity, and goodness. Other times the focus is on truth and revelation. It is certainly possible John wished to communicate all these ideas here....In the light of God is the fullness of the life of God, and there is no lack of life in Him at all. This is a non-negotiable tenet in faithful theology and faithful gospel proclamation. This is a message we must be passionate to share with the world."    
   
2. The World Must Know What God Says about Sin (vv6-10): "If we say we have fellowship with God—that God is our intimate friend, known in light and life—yet we walk in darkness—in death and all that accompanies spiritual death and darkness (cf. Ephesians 2:1-3)—we lie and do not practice or live out the truth. The verb “walk” is in the present tense and speaks of a continuous and consistent pattern of life. In essence, we say to others, “I know God,” but our beliefs and behavior contradict our words. By denying that Jesus is God in the flesh and downplaying the seriousness of sin, we lie to others about who we are....Those who live in death and darkness do not just lie to others, saying one thing while believing and living another. Eventually they lie to themselves, becoming self-deceived....It should be noted that the apostle John does not deny our need to be seen as sinless. He simply notes that we cannot find it in ourselves. We need an advocate. We need an atonement. We need another....John says...[if you] lie to others (1:6) and lie to yourself (1:8), and soon you will lie about God. In fact you will actually call God a liar....Someone else’s word says we have no sin problem. But God says we are sinners and need a Savior."

Comment and discuss this post. 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good!  You give me the breath of life, amazing grace and mercies every day that never cease and You give me my salvation.  Thank You Jesus!  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.

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far?

1 Chronicles 17

Who am I, Lord God, and what is my family, that you have brought me this far? v16

Following a dream where God appears to Nathan who relays God's message to David, and how David's son Solomon will build The Temple, David appropriately goes to the Lord in prayer, expressing great humility.

We all need a savior, for we all have sin (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:18).  While I have yet to meet anyone who does not claim to be without sin, I have met many, including those in my own family, who do not see the need for a savior.  We need a savior not only because of our sin, but also because of the consequences of our sin.  The wages of sin are death (Romans 6:23), which manifests itself in the cycle of sin, shame, guilt, more sin, etc. and ultimately the price of sin is eternal damnation.

James explains this process:

Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:15


Shame, guilt, and more sin is inevitable and only God can break this cycle by giving us freedom over both sin and death.  God does this by giving us His Son Jesus who is nailed on the cross - along with all of our sin - so that we have victory over sin and death. 

This is why we need Jesus and it starts with humility - which is why Jesus started the Sermon on the Mount with the following:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 5:3

Lord Jesus, please give me humility.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has come to save me - thank You Jesus!  I am in desperate need of a Savior.  My sins are many - including 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.

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?

John 14:1-2

“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? John 14:1-2

I continue my study of The Character of Jesus.  For this morning, I focus on chapter 17: The Candor of Jesus where I highlighted in my Kindle version the following excerpts:

• "[Candor] is a rare virtue, one of the most winsome of all the virtues. Many a man does not possess it. He is taciturn, reserved, secretive. He keeps the door of his heart shut. When he says a thing you cannot tell how much he means, for you do not know the extent of his reservations.  When he does a thing you cannot tell what he is going to do next, because you do not know how fully his act has embodied all which exists in his heart. He gives himself fully to no one. He is the man with the barred lips and the bolted heart. Such a man may be respected and even admired, but he cannot be loved."
• "One reason [why Jesus was loved] was that he was a man with his heart open."
• "One obtains a hint of a man's disposition by noting the men whom he admires and praises. The trait which one sincerely likes to see in others is likely to be a feature of his own character. John in his Gospel tells us of a eulogy which Jesus passed one day upon a man named Nathaniel. Nathaniel was a citizen of a small Galilean village, Cana, situated not far from Nazareth. As soon as Philip had gotten a little acquainted with Jesus he was desirous of bringing Jesus and his friend Nathaniel together. Seeking Nathaniel he said enthusiastically, "We have found him!" to which came back the frigid answer, 'Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth?'....As soon as Jesus sees Nathaniel coming toward him Nathaniel exclaims in a tone musical with praise, "Behold an Israelite indeed in whom is no guile." This was the sort of man which won at once the heart of Jesus. There was no craft nor cunning in him, no duplicity nor deceit; he was a man of frank sincerity, and Jesus' heart immediately goes out to him, assuring him that over his open soul there is going to be an open heaven. Outspoken and frank himself, Jesus was en rapport with souls which were free from guile."
• "And here we find one of the reasons why Jesus always extolled the disposition of a child. Without the child heart no man can enter heaven. And why? Because the child heart is always the open heart. Where can you find such candor, such beautiful frankness, such surprising and sometimes discomfiting outspokenness as in a little child? He will tell you just what he thinks, all he thinks, nothing will he hold back....One of the reasons why Jesus set a child in the midst of the disciples, saying, 'This is what you ought to be,' is because a little child is the embodiment and personification of candor."
• "A man reveals himself in his dislikes as truly as in his prepossessions and praises. Whom did Jesus most dislike? The Pharisees. They were hypocrites. A hypocrite was an actor, a man who wore a mask, the mask representing a personality other than the one inside of it. 'Do not be like the actors,' this was his constant exhortation, and he never lost an opportunity of holding up the hypocrites to contempt and scorn. On one occasion he faced them in Jerusalem, calling them to their face 'vipers.' It was a harsh word, and yet it expressed the inmost spirit of the men to whom it was applied."
• "[Jesus] never held back the truth when it was time that the truth should be spoken. His loving heart told him when the hour had come."
• Jesus often corrected those who thought they knew the law and scripture. "[Such correction] was a needed...for people who know little and think they know much are sometimes helped by having their attention called to the limitations of their knowledge; but to give such reprimand is not an easy thing to do. It was by his outspokenness that Jesus attempted to cure some of the infirmities of men."
• "His love of fairness comes out clearly in his warnings both to the twelve and to all who wanted to be numbered among his followers. He will hold back nothing. The whole terrible truth must be told. No man shall ever follow him without first knowing what risks and dangers discipleship involves....When men came rushing to him saying, 'Master, I will follow you,' he flashed on them the gloom of a dark sentence, unwilling to accept the allegiance of any one, even in times when he most needed support, without having first revealed to the volunteer the full significance of a place in his ranks. Men's heads were filled with dreams of supremacy and sovereignty and glory, and more than one heart was chilled by the searching question, 'Are you able to drink the cup?' His candor reduced the number of his followers, but it was just like him to hold back nothing which men had a right to know."
• "But it is in his confessions that his candor reaches its climax....He admits without hesitation that there was a limitation of his authority....When two of his disciples asked for the chief places in the new kingdom, he frankly told them that he did not have the power to select his own prime ministers, because all such matters were hidden in the deep counsels of God." 
• "More surprising was his confession of ignorance....Jesus frankly admitted that there were things which he did not know. For instance, one day he was talking in graphic phrase about the end of the world. He spoke of it so definitely and positively that it was a natural inference that he knew just when it would take place. To the amazement of his hearers he said, 'Of that day and that ho in: knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.'"
• "If a man is frank and open in nine points, we may safely trust him in the tenth. Jesus makes his candor a reason why his disciples ought to trust him in those realms of thought and life which lie beyond their sight. "In my Father's house are many mansions, if it were not so I would have told you." Of course he would. It was his nature to tell men everything."
• "The best reason we have for believing in the sinlessness of Jesus is the fact that he allowed his dearest friends to think that he was. There is in all his talk no trace of regret or hint of compunction, or suggestion of sorrow for shortcoming or slightest vestige of remorse. He taught other men to think of themselves as sinners, he asserted plainly that the human heart is evil, he told his disciples that every time they prayed they were to pray to be forgiven, but he never speaks or acts as though he himself has the faintest consciousness of having ever done anything other than what was pleasing to God. This is remarkable, unparalleled."
• "Jesus never by word or by act indicates that he is conscious of falling short of the wishes of God. If he had been, would he not have said so? His was the open heart. Would he deceive men on a matter of such cardinal moment?"
• "On his candor, then, we have a right to build both for time and eternity. When he says that if we do not repent we shall perish, and that only those who are born from above enter the kingdom of light, we have every reason for believing that these statements are true. And when he says that his disciples are going to do greater things than were ever done in Palestine, and that he will be with us always even unto the end of the world, why should we not believe him?"
• "And since he is so frank and open with us why should not we be open-hearted and frank with him ? If he tells us truly the things in his heart, why should we not tell him truly the things which are in our hearts? He has given himself to us: why do we not give ourselves to him?"     

Believers know that Jesus is the "Way, Truth, and Life" (John 14:6).  Non-believers may see in Jesus the attribute of truth and candor but they still lack faith.  An important distinction between believers and non-believers here is that only the faithful believe that (1) all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8), and (2) because the wage of sin is death (Romans 6:23), therefore we all need a Savior.  Jesus is that Savior.  This is perhaps the greatest truth of all time and one that binds all of humanity throughout all of redemptive history - past, present, and future.  If you believe that you are a good person, that you lack sin, and that you don't need saving, that is a dangerous place.  Yet scripture tells us to "have mercy on those who doubt, save others by snatching them from the fire" (Jude 22:23).  Hence, it is not for me to judge, but God alone.  It is however, my job as a believer to stand on Truth and to proclaim it to all those who listen.        

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God You are an awesome God who is "The Way, Truth and the Life."  There is no other Truth except You and what comes from You.  Thank You Jesus for Your candor and for saving me.  I am not deserving of Your mercy and 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 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. 

How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin.

Job 11-14

How many wrongs and sins have I committed? Show me my offense and my sin. Job 13:23

Day 254 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 Job. Job's friends Eliphaz and Bildad have addressed him to seek to comfort their friend Job, and to help him understand his suffering, and today we see his friend Zophar attempt to do the same. As I posted yesterday, once more today, we Job's pride and arrogance blind him from his sin.

...and [Sin] is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt....

 Leviticus 5

...and [Sin] is hidden from him, when he comes to know it, and realizes his guilt.... Leviticus 5:2,3,4,5

This morning, I continued my study of Leviticus using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary for this book - continuing with chapter five - Five Eternal, Counter Cultural Truths about God, Us and Our Sin - covering Leviticus 5:1-13, looking specifically at the theme Sin Results in Guilt. Building on my post yesterday, my commentary right away points how in v5:2, 3, 4, and 5, God gives us instructions on how to handle sin once we realize our sin.  We are constantly sinning, with our thoughts in particular and even unintentionally - the point is that we are all born sinners and it pervades our life, and Believers are not immune to sin as we are human.  Yet even as we sin, our culture, in which we as Believers find ourselves, refrains from discussing sin as morality fades from public view.  My commentary points to a secular book Whatever Happened to Sin as an example of such discussion, and this book was written nearly 50 years ago!  The commentary then proceeds to describe guilt within secular culture as a bad thing - something to be alleviated just as another malady where perhaps we can take a pill, have a drink, etc. Yet the commentary urges all of us, Believers and non-believers alike, to see guilt as playing a necessary and critical role in pointing us to the need for God.  God alone provides the path for atonement and a means to reconcile us to Himself. We all sin and we all need a savior - Jesus Christ is that Savior! 

Comment and discuss this post here.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves us and who gives us a conscience, the Word, etc. so that we can all recognize our guilt and seek You.  Thank You Jesus!  What an awesome design!  I am not deserving of how You love me and how You design and provide for all of my needs.  I have anger and other sins.  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 love me. Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3

But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7

I maintain pause my study of 1 Corinthians and focus on a study of 2 Thessalonians and Titus as part of a men's discipleship group (d-group) at my church.  This morning I read Titus 3, assisted by the Christ Centered Exposition Series commentary for 1-2 Timothy and Titus, and focus on vv1-8. Per the commentary:

• Main idea: We have been born again to live a new life of good works.
  
• Excerpts from the introduction: Per Millard Erickson (Theology, 955-977), regeneration is 'the other [divine] side of conversion. It is completely God’s doing. It is God’s transformation of individual believers, his giving a new spiritual vitality and direction to their lives when they accept Christ . . . it involves something new, a whole reversal of the person’s natural tendencies.'...."The word [regeneration] itself only occurs twice in the New Testament. One is Matthew 19:28, which refers to the cosmic regeneration in the eschaton. The other is here in the text before us in Titus 3:5.  Paul was vitally interested in both the nature of the new birth and the results of the new birth. He was unalterably convinced that the new birth would be evident in a new life— a new life exploding in good works."
  

Per the commentary, divisions for this text:

1. We Must Be Ready for Good Works (3:1-3): God created and saved us for good works (Ephesians 2:10). "Good works never save, but good works flow from those who are saved."  Paul's call remind to remember commands previously given in Titus 2:11-15.  In Titus 3:4-7, Paul provides seven commands in four categories.  (1) Submit obediently to ruling authorities and obey. See also Matthew 22:21, Romans 13:1, and 1 Peter 2:13-14. "Believers should not be anarchists or rebels. We do not subvert the government or disobey the government unless it brings us into direct conflict with the commands of God (see Acts 5:29)." (2) Serve eagerly (see Galatians 6:10).  (3) Speak gently (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, Romans 12:18) (4) Show humility (see Philippians 2:3, 5). We must also constantly be mindful of how God reconciled us to Him purely out of mercy - before we were saved, we were deceived by sin, disobedient, enslaved by sin, 'living in malice'  (Hiebert, 88), living in envy (MacArthur, 149), and we were hateful and destructive.  However, since being saved, we are a new creation - praise God!
2. We Have Been Regenerated for Good Works (3:4-7): God loves and cares for us and He changes us.  "Regeneration consists negatively of removal of filth and positively of a renewing, both brought about by the Holy Spirit. Regeneration washes us, makes us clean through the new birth."  See also Ezekiel 36:25-27 and Ephesians 5:26. God has also come for us (through work of Holy Spirit) and comforts us through justification.  "Having saved us, regenerated us, renewed us, and justified us, He now comforts us with a word about our future. We are “heirs with the hope of eternal life.” This is a reality now, though it is not yet our full possession. There is no question that this inheritance will be received. As a work of our triune God, the Father (v.4-5), the Son (v.6), and the Holy Spirit (v.5), it is a signed, sealed, and settled issue."    
   
3. We Will Be Rewarded for Good Works (3:8): Paul "insists" on his commands and a regenerate believer should bear fruit as demonstrated by good works that are seen as "good and profitable for everyone." 
   

The conclusion of the commentary for the text offers closing thoughts on the text: "Only those who have been regenerated by the power of God, been renewed by the Spirit, been justified by grace, and believed in Jesus and Jesus alone will go to heaven. Yes, we all need a new birth for a new life today and forever. This new life overflows into a life of good works that testify to the goodness of our God and His love for all people in Jesus Christ. This is the power of the gospel. This is the new birth for a new life."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and how saved me and made me a new creation - thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such a God. 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.

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.”

Mark 9:30-50

“The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him. And when he is killed, after three days he will rise.” Mark 9:31

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 9:30-50.  Excerpts from the introduction for the entirety of the text and for the first (of four) division (vv30-32):

• For the entirety of the text, the title of this chapter of the commentary is "The Road to True Greatness."  The main idea is: "[t]he road to true greatness is found in following Jesus Christ." 
• "Before Christ redeems us and sets us free, we are like crack addicts addicted to ourselves. We are like alcoholics intoxicated with ourselves. We are not as interested in serving as in being served, in giving as in receiving, in pursuing God’s way as in getting our way, in being the least as in being the greatest."  
• "And we are certain the way to greatness is not by an obedience that leads to death (vv30-32), being last and servant of all (vv33-37), having others do what we can’t (vv38-41), and pursuing a life of serious suffering (vv42-50). Yet this is exactly what Jesus says as He lays before us the road to true greatness—greatness as defined by God!"  
• "We are in the middle of Jesus’ great discipleship discourse (Mark 8–10). Our Lord is turning upside down the value systems of this world. His teaching is radical and mind-blowing. No wonder “they did not understand.” Ours is a world where everything is about me! Jesus died to free us from such slavery. He died to free us to serve and to walk a road of true greatness, the road He Himself walked as He “did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45; cf. Isa 53:10-12)."
• For the first division, the title is: "Obedience to the Will of God."
• “Jesus and the Twelve passed through northeast Galilee headed south to Jerusalem where our Lord will be brutally murdered on the cross. His heart and mind are set to obey the Father’s will. He “must suffer many things” (8:31), and nothing will stop Him from fulfilling His divinely ordained destiny.”
•  “[Jesus’] goal is to prepare [the disciples] for what lies ahead.”
•  "We must not forget: God purposefully killed His Son in order that He might not kill us! The way to the crown is by way of the cross. Salvation is ours by His suffering." 
• "They did not understand, and they were afraid to ask Him. In contrast we should understand with the help of the Holy Spirit, but if we don’t, we should have no fear of asking Him anything. This Savior can be trusted. This Lord is approachable. When He speaks, we need to listen. And when we know God’s will for our lives, like Jesus we should obey because God’s will is always perfect (Romans 12:2). Obedience to the will of God marks the road to true greatness."

A sermon I can remember from probably 15 years shared how Jesus was revolutionary - He died as a suffering Savior to show us how being last helps us see how it is He who gives us strength, etc. Jesus followed His Father's will to die on the cross which for anyone but a believer is mind blowing but this is the essence of the gospel and the Good News.  That we all sin, we need a savior, Jesus is this Savior and "that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)."

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me and help me turn from and overcome such sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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 from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden.

Mark 7:24-37

And from there he arose and went away to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And he entered a house and did not want anyone to know, yet he could not be hidden. Mark 7:24

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 7:24-37.  Excerpts from the commentary's introduction to the entirety of the text and for the first (of two) division (vv24-30):

• The title for the commentary's chapter: "Jesus Christ: The God Who Astonishes."  The main idea is "[n]o one is so unworthy that they cannot receive the blessing of Jesus Christ."  
•  "Mark sets side by side two healing miracles that take place in pagan, Gentile territory. One is the healing of a demon-possessed little girl (vv24-30). The other is the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment (vv31-37). Both demonstrate that God’s kingdom has come and that Jesus is God’s man for all peoples. Contrary to religious and racial bigots, no one is so unclean that they cannot receive the blessing and the touch of Jesus Christ—the God who astonishes (v37)."
• For the first division, the title is: "Jesus Is the Savior Who Cannot Be Hidden."
• "Our Lord knew that His Father had mapped out His life from beginning to end. It would involve days of happiness as well as times of trial and opposition, pressure and disappointment. Jesus has just engaged the Pharisees in a heated discussion over religion versus the gospel (vv1-23). Things are building to an inevitable showdown that will result in His crucifixion. However, it is not yet the appointed time." 
• Jesus went to Phoenicia to get rest and to escape notice.  But not in v24 how He could not be hidden. 
•  We should note how "[a]s best we can tell, this is the only time Jesus ventured beyond the borders of Israel. Further, Tyre and Sidon were inhabited by pagan Gentiles, and the region had a long history of opposition to Israel. This had been the home of Jezebel (1 Kings 16:31-32). Both Ezekiel (ch. 26) and Zechariah (ch. 9) prophesied against her."
• "Jesus goes there and graciously expands the scope and reach of the Messiah beyond what Israel expected. Unfortunately, like Jonah, too many Jews of that day could not imagine that God would extend His salvation beyond the borders of Israel...This Savior is not for just one nation. He is for all nations, and we should be as well." 
• "A pagan, Gentile woman could not have been further from “the citizenship of Israel” (Ephesians 2:12). No doubt she knew how socially unacceptable it was for her to approach a Jewish rabbi on any level. Yet she “kept on asking” Jesus “to drive the demon out of her daughter.” She came boldly but humbly (“she fell at His feet”), and she was persistent."
•  The commentary shares how the words used by Jesus in His response to the Gentile woman is not one of insult but of clarification that He first seeks to save the Jews then the Gentiles. See also Romans 1:16.
• The Pagan woman's response is of that shared by any parent desperate to help their child.  She is willing to eat the scraps from the table that have fallen to the floor - just so she can have for her daughter a taste of the healing power Jesus offers. 
• "What a magnificent picture of salvation we have in this story! Yes Lord, we are all dogs under the table with no rights whatsoever as members of the family. I acknowledge I don’t deserve a place at the table, but I believe there is enough even for me on the table! Just a few crumbs will be enough. That I believe. Then in amazing grace and mercy our Savior lifts us up, no longer a dog (sinner) but a child (saved), no longer under the table but now a member of the family at the table."

Such desperation and complete dependence on Jesus is how we are to approach Him.  We all sin and need a Savior (Romans 3:23, 1 John 1:8).  We are completely and utterly dependent on God for every detail of our lives both physical and spiritual.  We must acknowledge our spiritual state and go to Him in desperation - see also Psalm 42:1-2.

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God that loves and saves...You go after the one sheep who is lost just to save it...that is me and every other believer...thank You for coming after me and for saving me!  I am not deserving of my salvation nor any of the blessings You pour out daily 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. 

 

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it....you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.

2 Samuel 10-13:17, 21 and 1 Chronicles 18-20:1, 20:4-8, Psalm 60, and Psalm 51

Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.....You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.  My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.  Psalm 51:10, 16-17

Day 98 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 a steady stream of battles fought by Israel and includes David's adulterous affair with Bathsheba and his resulting repentance.  My commentary* suggests that Israel's conflicts with its neighbors and David's own battles with lust represent "a warning that God’s people must be on guard against both external and internal enemies".

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

Once again, we must remind ourselves that God promises believers that life will be difficult and we will have challenges (Genesis 3:17-19, John 16:33).  I agree with my commentary that our challenges will be both external and internal - the battle over our souls and with sin is very real.  We must deal with sin out of humility - that alone we cannot deal with sin.  We must recognize that we all sin, need a savior, and that Jesus is that Savior!

David let his guard down and in a moment of pride/arrogance (see DesiringGod.com on this) took Bathsheba as his own (contrary to God's commandment not to covet your neighbor's wife).  I can't imagine for an instant that David did not know this was a sin!  His lust and pride blinded him!

We ALL have these moments where Satan/sin blinds us - and it is in the aftermath of these moments, as we are likely dealing with the destructive forces of sin and we must go to God as contrite as David and seek a pure heart.  From there we must continue to draw near to God and seek transformation and renewal of the mind as a means to preserve ourselves against the forces of Satan and sin.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus - You are an amazing God who loves me and who has welcomed me back into His arms when I have sinned and You continue to do so - thank You Jesus!  I KNOW I need You and I am grateful for Your patience, compassion, and mercy.  Yet I am undeserving.  My sin continues as it will the rest of my life - today included!  Please forgive me - for my combativeness, etc.  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 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 Your 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 he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”

Luke 1

And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” Luke 1:16-17

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 1 of Advent and Piper provides for us a daily devotion for Advent.  He starts by urging us (using Luke 2:11) to meditate on how we all sin and need a savior.  Piper writes: "[i]f you don’t need a Savior, you don’t need Christmas. Christmas will not have its intended effect until we feel desperately the need for a Savior. Let these short Advent meditations help awaken in you a bittersweet sense of need for the Savior." Next, he encourages (using Psalm 139:23-24) us to examine our hearts and make room in our hearts for Jesus. He then moves to inspire us to "build God-centered anticipation and excitement into [our] home." He wraps the devotion by stirring us to "be much in the Scriptures," in particular through scripture memorization.  He ends by referring us to Jeremiah 23:29 as he wants us to "[g]ather ’round that fire [God's Word] this Advent season. It is warm. It is sparkling with colors of grace. It is healing for a thousand hurts. It is light for dark nights."  What great words for us and a great start to Advent. 

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an awesome God You are and I am excited for Advent and the season of Christmas where we celebrate Your birth.  You are worthy of this excitement and all the glory!  I am not deserving of what You do for me.  My sin is great and it continues...fear of man, 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.  Help me 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.

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.

Ephesians 2

Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. v3-5

Romans 3:23 and other scripture indicate how "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".  Romans 6:23 tells us that the "wages of sin are death".  As such, Paul reminds us that we are deserving of wrath - .  Jesus is that Savior - core to our identity in Christ.

Paul also shares with us how both Jews and Gentiles - all humanity - are now "brought near by the blood of Christ".

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

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 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, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. v13-16

As well we see the "setting aside...the law with its commands and regulations".

John Piper provides this overview of how Jesus came to fulfill the law.  Piper writes:

"When Jesus Christ came into the world, he was the fulfillment of the entire Old Testament. The Old Testament had looked forward and pointed to the coming Messiah who would bring his kingdom — his new kingly rule. And when he did, they knew things would change. There was a new covenant promise where God’s law would be written on the heart. The old covenant would pass away."

And now we have an identity in Christ based on the new covenant through Jesus Christ.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has died for me and brought me near to You by grace - thank You Jesus!  I am very clear that I am undeserving.  I sin...daily and need a Savior.  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 love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.

Matthew 12

He answered, “A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. v39

Jesus wants us to have faith.  He also wants us to understand that life is not designed by Him to be easy (see John 16:33) - it has not been since the Fall (see Genesis 3, in particular v17-19).


We must all get to a place where we need Jesus -  and He is our Savior.


Once we acknowledge our need for a Savior, we must daily seek Him and build a relationship with Him, and He WILL transform our hearts and lives.

We must have faith - see Hebrews 11.

develop and cultivate relationship with God

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

1 Corinthians 10:23-33 and 11:1

Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:32-33

I continue my study of 1 Corinthians, moving on with a review of 1 Corinthians 10:23-11:1 using the Christ-Centered Exposition series commentary volume for this book.  From the commentary for this text:

Main idea: "Glorify God by doing whatever you can to serve others and bring them to salvation."

Key excerpts from the introduction:

• "In the process of dealing with this situation, Paul will put forward seven principles to help us navigate difficult issues the Bible does not directly address."
• "In motive and action the glory of God must be preeminent for the believer. Bringing him glory is essential to the mission of the church. His glory should be our one ambition."
  

Major divisions:

1. I Will Always Pursue What Is Helpful and Builds Up (10:23): Referring back to 1 Corinthians 6:12 and 9:21, the commentary underscores core misunderstandings of the Corinthians (and many believers of today), and how freedom from ceremonial law and freedom from works as being the only means to please God should not be used to distort God's intent which is to bring glory to God in all that we do through a heart fully committed to God and through our efforts to save others.  For example, we may be free to use a smart phone but if an unbeliever has struggles with pornography, perhaps we should encourage him/her to avoid use of a smart phone that enables ease of access to such sin...and similarly, we should avoid any behavior in this person's presence that encourages intense use of a smart phone. The commentary quotes Curtis Vaughn's commentary by sharing that '[Christian] liberty should be limited by consideration for the well-being of others.'  
   
2. I Will Always Pursue What Is Good for Others (10:24): "Christians are never to act in ways that harm and hurt others. Rather, we are to help them grow in Christlike-ness and build them up in their faith."
   
3. I Will Always Pursue What Is in the Best Interest of Another’s Conscience (10:25-29): "The meat you eat is a part of God’s good creation and God’s provision for your nourishment. Eat it. Enjoy it! No need to ask any questions about it....However—and this is a big however—“if someone says to you, ‘This is food from a sacrifice,’ do not eat it, out of consideration of the one who told you, and for the sake of [their] conscience....we cannot send mixed signals and foster confusion for unbelievers and believers alike....For the sake of evangelizing the lost and edifying a fellow believer, no uncertain sound should be trumpeted. The gospel is at stake, and your witness is on the line.  The spiritual well-being of others takes precedence. On this occasion, a vegetarian meal will be just fine." 
   
4. I Will Always Pursue a Thankful Heart (10:29-30): "We should be thankful for God’s gracious provisions of drink and nourishment. It all belongs to him and comes from him. We know that. Why make an issue of something when there is no issue and draw criticism over “something for which [we] give thanks?” Doing so would be foolish, silly, and unprofitable for everyone. We must each choose to pursue a thankful heart and place no unnecessary stumbling blocks before anyone."
   
5. I Will Always Pursue the Glory of God in All Things (10:31): "First Corinthians 10:31 is a verse every Christian should memorize. It has been one of my life verses. I believe Paul intended it to be a foundational pillar in our lives that offers direction 24/7. It is comprehensive and all-encompassing in nature....glorifying God means we love him, trust him, are thankful to him, obey him, enjoy him, and take pleasure in him." 
   
6. I Will Always Pursue What Is Best for the Salvation of Others (10:32-33): "Others may be offended when we share the gospel, but they should never be offended by how we live out the gospel. Their souls and eternal destinies matter more than any right, privilege, or desire you or I may have....We must consistently prize the spiritual welfare of others above any personal preferences we have....The eternal destinies of men, women, and children hang in the balance."
   
7. I Will Always Pursue the Principles of WWPD and WWJD (11:1): What would Paul and Jesus Do.  "We all need role models, examples we can follow and imitate. For the Christian the ultimate example is Christ. To glorify God by being like Jesus should be our consuming passion that helps fuel our ambition. But we need flesh-and-blood role models, too. Paul knew he could provide that for the Corinthians. But who is providing that for you? Are you providing that for anyone else?....To live like Jesus, you must know Jesus. To live like Jesus, you must love Jesus. So, let me ask a question we all must answer. If others were to follow your example and imitate you, would they in some real and genuine sense be imitating Jesus? Or, to put it another way, can your children follow in your footsteps and in the process be walking in the footsteps of Jesus?"
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO good to me by providing both Yourself, Your Word, the church, the Holy Spirit, and so many brothers and sisters in Christ that I have examples and help to become more like You.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not deserving of such love and grace.  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.

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.

Isaiah 51-53

But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

I continued my deep dive of Isaiah, based on the Precept Upon Precept study series - and on Day 5b of Lesson 19, my focus moves to Isaiah 53 we see as clear a picture of the gospel - albeit as prophecy of Jesus during Isaiah's day - as we see anywhere in scripture. We all sin, we all need a Savior, and Jesus is that Savior.  Jesus, led a sinless life and willingly laid down His life for all of humanity, bearing all of our sin as a sacrifice, and in so doing, drank the cup of wrath meant for us.  This sacrifice gave us forgiveness of sin.  Jesus did not stop there of course, He rose from the grave, is seated in Heaven and saving a place for those believe and accept Him as their Lord and Savior.  Indeed - the greatest gift of all time!

Thank You Jesus!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Jesus, thank You for giving me the greatest gift of all time - my salvation.  Of course I am not deserving of such a gift.  My sin is great and it continues.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist.

Zephaniah 2:4-15

This is the exultant city that lived securely, that said in her heart, I am, and there is no one else.” What a desolation she has become, a lair for wild beasts! Everyone who passes by her hisses and shakes his fist. Zephaniah 2:15

I continue my study of Zephaniah using the Christ-Centered Exposition Commentary volume for this book.  For today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Zephaniah 2:4-15, which is the text for the first division for the next chapter of the commentary, which includes two divisions.  The first division covers 2:4-15 and the commentary further breaks this down into nine subdivisions - and I tackle the last four today.

• The Gentile gods will be proven powerless in the face of Yahweh (2:11): "This God whom they have treated as a false god or an impotent god will be known for who He is: the God of the universe. He will do so by exerting His authority and sovereignty over every other so-called god. Each god who is an object of worship will join with its worshippers and bow at the feet of the one true God. All of this points to a progression that plays out not just in the book of Zephaniah but over and over again throughout human history. Man bows to his pride. Man assumes a position of self-sufficiency. God reveals man for who he is: small, insignificant, and in need of a savior."
  
• The pride of the Gentiles will be their undoing (2:10): "Verse 10 points out that they were behaving as enemies of God because they had surrendered to their pride. Their taunting is rooted in their belief that they are the supreme object in the world. Not only are they filled with pride, but their pride has blinded them to truth. This is why Augustine and Bonhoeffer, among others, have claimed pride as the chief of every other sin...From Satan’s fall out of heaven to our contemporary sins, pride is pervasive and fundamental to every sin we engage in." See also Matthew 5:21-22 for Jesus' view on this sin. "It is hard to overstate the significance of pride in relationship to the rest of our spiritual condition. Fundamentally, what makes pride so damaging is its inherent blasphemy. It claims that God is not God and that we are. It denies what is the central reality of the universe and creates the justification for every other sin that proceeds from it."   
  
• The Gentile taunting of God’s people is an affront to God Himself (2:10): See Proverbs 16:5, 16:18, Obadiah 3-4, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Timothy 6:4, and James 4:6 for scripture where God "vigorously confronts and condemns pride." 
  
• Self-confidence betrays a false security that will lead to shame and destruction (2:15): "When one is steeped in pride, the natural next step is to extrapolate from that our self-sufficiency. This is precisely why God condemns the enemies of Judah....This self-centered, self-confident perspective on life has become somewhat synonymous with our culture. As we have become increasingly self-focused, this ethos has grown louder and louder. Ultimately, self-sufficiency is self-worship. It is a grievous form of idolatry that exalts ourselves to the level of highest order in the universe...God loves humanity and has a plan to help humanity flourish. At the foundation of His plan is a call to faith in Him, resting on a denial of self."  See also Philippians 3:1-7. "Of course, in contemporary society we can learn from the sin of the enemies of God that Zephaniah was addressing. Because of Christ we can turn away from self-confidence and pride and reject the false hope that is contained within. We can take the risk of rejecting self because Christ’s life, death, burial, and resurrection have secured for us an alternative future, a far more hopeful future." See also Galatians 2:19-20.  "Finally, at the end of verse 15, we read that the judgment of God, in response to the pride and self-sufficiency of Judah’s enemies, will bring them to nothing, making them a laughingstock among those who pass by them. As we said earlier, this follows this pattern of pride, self-sufficiency, and then God’s work to bring humility and compel us to see our dependence."  See also Mark 10:21:22. "In Zephaniah 2 we have no indication that the enemies of God did anything other than oppose God, but that does not negate the good work of God in bringing justice, which also reveals our need and pushes us to trust in Him."
  

Regardless of what we all may think, we are all broken, fallen, and sinful, in need of a Savior.  Turn away from worship of self (pride) or other idols and worship Jesus, who offers life to the full now and for eternity!

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God like no other - offering amazing grace and salvation to all.  Thank You for making me one of Your elect.  I am not deserving of such a gift and blessing.  My sin is great and it continues...daily.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin and turn towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul and mind and love others as You love me.  Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please 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.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

1 John 1:5-2:2

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness...But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John 1:9, 2:1

This morning, I continue my study of 1,2,3 John using the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for these books.  My study today focuses on a commentary-assisted review of 1 John 1:5-2:2. 

Per the commentary main idea for the text: "Jesus is our atonement and our advocate who reconciles us to God and sends us out to share the gospel message with the world."

Excerpts from the introduction to the commentary:

• Sin is humanity's most fundamental problem
• John seeks to underscore this fundamental reality and to avoid challenging God as a liar by claiming we have no sin
• Believers must think correctly about sin
• "When you see sin for what it is you will immediately see your need—the world’s need—for Jesus as your advocate (2:1) and your “atoning sacrifice” (2:2 NIV). You will also avoid the error of calling God a liar."
  

Divisions:

1. The World Must Know What God Says about Himself (1:5): "Having met this Savior in repentance and faith, we have a divine assignment that involves the proclamation of a specific gospel with a universal scope (2:2). This message is for the whole world."  All believers must play a role in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20).  We are encouraged to both be a light so that others can see the True Light that is Jesus Christ.  The commentary points us back to scripture where there are numerous references to God as Light, including how the word light appears more than 275 times in scripture, including Psalm 27:1, 36:9, Isaiah 60:1, 3, 19-20, Micah 7:8, John 1:9, 8:12, 12:36, 46. For us to proclaim the Good News of Jesus, Christ we must understand the nature of Jesus and John seeks for us to understand how Jesus is the Light (Holy/Life) and how He is Truth.
2. The World Must Know What God Says about Sin (1:6-10): The world wants to define sin on its terms but John knows this is dangerous and instead encourages (warns) us to see sin as God sees it - as leading to eternal damnation. We are warned not to lie about our own sin. This includes lies to ourselves and to others. We are referred to Proverbs 28:13 and to confess our own sin...continually. "It should be noted that the apostle John does not deny our need to be seen as sinless. He simply notes that we cannot find it in ourselves. We need an advocate. We need an atonement. We need another."  We should be careful not to lie to ourselves and others because we will soon lie about God and this is dangerous indeed! 
   
3. The World Must Know What God Says about Jesus (2:1-2): "John has made it clear that in this life we cannot be sinless (but note again the future promise of 3:2!), but he does believe we can sin less because we are now in intimate fellowship with the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ (1:3)." Jesus is our Advocate because He is our Atonement.  See also Revelation 5:9.
   

Comment and discuss this post.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are SO good...that You continually intercede and advocate for me on behalf of the Father to forgive my sins...and for so much more!  I am not deserving of how You 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 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.