Mark 6:45-51 - The Right Kind of Fear

Mark 6:45-51

51 Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, 52 for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their hearts were hardened.

Message: The Right Kind of Fear

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: What scares me the most? I think prior to it happening, the biggest fear I have is pain and experiencing intense pain in my body. Dying a very painful death, like getting shot or some part of my body mutilated or cut off. People will say public speaking is a big fear. It isn't a fear and yet when I am placed in that situation, like at the front of city council my words get jumbled. I am not scared but maybe scared of saying something wrong. I think I might also have a fear of not being well received or valued or appreciated because in those moments is when temptation creeps in. I fear those close to me ending up in hell. I fear that hell is real and a horrible place and I have a fear that a family member might end up there. I think there is a fear of dying as I think that is normal. And a fear of being deceased and what that will mean. Even as I read, pray, study and trust in these Words, there is still fear that they are not true, though I think that fear is a small percentage I think it is still real. But there isn't a fear that I have wasted my life in believing in something not real because all of what I am doing with this faith and all of its experiences is the right way to live. 

I've studied this passage before. Preceding this event of the disciples being sent by Jesus on a boat ride is the feeding of 5,000 in which Jesus provides food, provides people what they want and need. Jesus is in this business, providing. God is in this business - providing. God bestows His gifts on us continually and we receive what we need and sometimes get what we want. 

After this miracle and the disciples being with him He was ready to return to praying. In verse 45 it says "He made His disciples get into the boat." He wanted to be alone and he wanted them to get to the other side of this lake or sea. He obviously knew a storm was coming but he wants his disciples to experience the storm and hopefully navigate it. After praying He takes a walk because He is about His father's business and following praying He is walking. 

In the boat it does not say the disciples were afraid of the weather. It does say they were "straining at the oars, for the wind was against them" but what these disciples feared was Jesus walking, on the sea, and appearing like a ghost. Maybe it is understood they are fearful of the wind or maybe that difficulty and then Jesus looking like a ghost produced fear. 

1st lesson from the writer of this article is "do not fear what Jesus is doing." In life there will be obstacles and things that occur to us that we don't like. Trust God through them. Like my friend Bobby did when he experienced all of that cancer in his 40s and had numerous surgeries. He trusted God through them despite the hard situations. Not sure he knows why yet he went through them. But whatever life it, God can be trusted. 

2nd lesson is fearing the Lord is the right fear to have. In some ways this is the same lesson as the first lesson. And for me the fear is uncomfortable situations and how averse we are of being uncomfortable. 

I must admit this reading, this article, doesn't give me the meaning of what it means to fear God. I found another article. First, fear is needed. Pharaoh brought disaster on his nation because he did not fear God (Exodus 9:29-31). Fear is something that God wants from us. We need to fear. Jesus said in Matthew 10:28, "Fear only God." So in order to be a true follower of God, in Christ, fear is needed. 

From this articles is the recognition that if we fear anything it must be God. Fearing the world or thinking that disasters, wars are what we fear is not the right fear. The fear I need to have is fear of God who created all, ordains all, so if we fear, we are to fear Him. And perhaps fear also teaches us to trust and serve others. 

The key here I think is this article starts with idea of being scared or having terror. This is one definition of fear. But the other definition is extreme respect and awe. It is the extreme recognition that God is over all. Proverbs 9:10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." To be wise, to want this, to walk in this begins with the right view towards God. We need to have this awe and respect for God. This is what I want often from employees, respect for me and others. 

Maybe that is where I will end this, with the idea of respect. I respect God because he is authority in my life and I need to have a reverential respect for His authority to the point that life is defined by what pleases Him. It is to know my place, that I am a man and He is God, the creator. And out of this respect, I can serve Him. I can be respectful in my speech toward Him. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for helping me prioritize time with you each day, to be trained by your words, Lord. Thank you for the life lesson of having the fear of the lord. continue to help to find this in my wife. Help me to show respect to those that are over me. I pray that this respect would motivate me to serve others, and not simply be self focused. Maybe Lord today that is my big lesson from this that respect and doesn’t mean a question, but rather respect those over me, and then return serve those alongside me and over me. That the reason I better myself and improve myself continually, it’s not simply to benefit myself, but to benefit others. Perhaps that’s my reminder today in my daily reminder.

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

I Samuel 18:17-30 - Saul Becomes David's Enemy

I Samuel 18:17-30

then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus Saul was David's enemy continually. Then the commanders of the Philistines went out [to battle], and it happened as often as they went out, that David behaved himself more wisely than all the servants of Saul. So his name was highly esteemed. (verse 28-29)

Message: Saul Becomes David's Enemy

Time: This book is a biography of Samuel's life and career up to his death. It took place over a period of about 110 years, stretching from the closing days of the judges, when Samuel was born (ca. 1120 BC) through the death of Saul (1011 BC).

What the Lord is Saying: This section has the title that 'Saul Becomes David's Enemy.' It seems to me that Saul hasn't liked David very much from the beginning. At first, Saul learns of David after Samuel anoints him and puts him in his court to play the harp, most likely to kind of keep his eye on him. The the Philistines start a conflict with Israel, Saul puts together an army but with Goliath's demand no one is defending Israel until David steps in and slays Goliath. David isn't looking for credit but Saul is looking for it and has to share the limelight with David and this bothers him. But Saul is still king. Jonathan takes a liking to David and they build a special bond. Then there is that verse about an evil spirit coming to Saul (18:10). 

Now for defeating Goliath, the victor was promised Saul's daughter 17:25 based upon the men of Israel hearing this from King Saul. Well that day has now come with 18:17 but Saul once again throws in a caveat. He makes a promise and then he later adds to it and once again he gives David his daughter Merab but then says Davis is to "be a valiant man for me and fight the Lord's battles."  That's Saul for you - make a promise and then adjust it. But David in 18:18 doesn't seem to want the daughter of Saul so instead Merab goes to another man. 

"Now Michal, Saul's daughter, loved David" (verse 20). Saul sets it up. He demands that David bring him 100 foreskins of Philistines he has killed in battle. Saul makes this demand with the idea that David will fail and die in the process. For this in verse 26, "it pleased David to become the king's son-in-law." What does David do? He and his men go and strike down not 100, but 200 men and bring their foreskins to Saul. That's crazy and intense. Foreskins. "So Saul gave him Michal his daughter for a wife." 

And today's highlighted verse, Saul now sees what David can accomplish and he "was more afraid of David." In verse 30, "David behaves more wisely than all the servants of Saul." 

Saul's heart is hardened. He doesn't just stop and accept David, but instead continues to plot against him. I suppose this happens at times in life. No matter the evidence, people still are stubborn and refuse to go along or believe. 

Summary: A daughter is promised to David after Goliath victory, but David wants a different daughter. Saul tries to get David to fail but he is even more victorious and gets Michal and Saul becomes more bothered by David. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "The promise of the Lord’s presence with His people is the greatest assurance we can have."

Prayer: God, you are a great God and thank you for the presence you have in people, in underdogs like David and yet make their name great. They trust in You. I want to trust in You, no matter what comes. I want to be a man of my word and give you glory. Help me to do that as I talk to people even if they don't listen. You are my King. I praise You and thank You for the great work that You have done. Give me wisdom and grace. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

Proverbs 10:24 - Fear of Being Found Out

Proverbs 10:24

What the wicked fears will come upon him,

and the desire of the righteous will be granted. 

Message: Fear of Being Found Out

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God. 

What the Lord is Saying: As I read through and study these Proverbs one by one, it is amazing the writer had the need to repeat some of these ideas over and over and yet in only slightly different ways. Each one with a slight variation. The contrast here once again is the wicked and the righteous and the differing outcomes of the two. I suppose in life or at least theater it seems there is this big contrast of good and evil, bad guys and good guys. We went to see Superman recently and his big nemesis is Lex Luthor. Lex wants to be in power and what is interesting is the way he appears to be a good guy by many, but eventually people discover the real truth of him. There was this slight deception and once it comes out everyone sees him for the rotten person he is really. And so this contrast continues - wicked and righteous. 

The wicked person here has fears. The wicked person does have a conscience and so even though they are acting wickedly there is a concern possibly of being found out or exposed for what really lies at the heart of the person. The wicked person hopes that no one will notice. The wicked hope that they can get away with it, that they won't be found out. And often the wicked will also seeks to find as many people that will corroborate what they are doing, to help justify their deceit. We do this with sin. We run to it and yet we are nervous of being exposed. I see this on a small scale at work. At times, I will go to the internet to search for something personal during work ours. I will think it is harmless, and yet it amazes me how when someone comes in the office to ask me a question, I will try to cover up that I am doing something personal. I will feel bad at that which I am doing. I will have been found it. 

The righteous person here seeks the will of God. The verse in Matthew 7:7-8 that many people like to claim is "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened." It is the righteous though that can claim this verse. And this verse is speaking more of the bare necessities of life rather than simply desiring things that may be against the will of God. 

Prayer: O God, guard me from my sin and how I often escape in that direction, pleasing my eye or my momentary need and yet knowing that I could be exposed. Keep me far from the evil. Help me instead to submit and surrender to You and accept what You provide. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's.

John 14:27-28 - Peace from Jesus

John 14:27-28 

27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. 28 You heard that I said to you, ‘I go away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved Me, you would have rejoiced because I go to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.

Message: Peace from Jesus

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."  

What the Lord is Saying: Leaving off the last lesson and the comfort of Jesus words to abide with us always even as He mentions to His disciples that He must leave (v. 31 - The Son of Man glorified; v. 33 - Where I am going, you cannot come; v. 36 - Where I go, you cannot follow Me now; 14:2 - I go to prepare a place for you; 27 - I leave; 28 - I go away), He brings them comfort that He is with them and His helper as well is sent to them. 

Upon Jesus saying He is leaving is Him giving words of comfort. He is leaving them with Peace. But this isn't simply peace that people have in their lives but this is "His or My peace" as He names it, "My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you." This is Jesus peace. This is different from the peace that the world attempts to give people. There is piece that the World tries to give people. People do walk around often thinking they have this peace.  It is a manufactured peace. It is a peace that each person might define for themselves or come up for themselves based upon their circumstances or situations. In other words, it is often a selfish peace. 

When I speak to people about faith and what matters, invariably people come up with their definition of how things are and in the process they are working through a process sometimes to define peace in their life. It seems money is a desire or having things or having the right people in one's life. They define life based upon what they can accomplish or what they can do in their free time. They might momentarily have joy in their kids achievements. 

Numbers 6:24-26 reads, "The Lord bless you, and keep you; The Lord make His face shine on you, and be gracious to you; The Lord lift up His countenance on you, and give you peace." Everything the Lord provides culminates in peace. 

Romans 5:1 says, "Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." Jesus leaves us peace and the best peace we are to have is with God, our creator, the sustainer of life. We have a peace that cannot be matched. And the peace is through our Lord Jesus. He gives us peace and in the process we have peace with God. He provided the means or way for us to be justified. Our simple act in the process was having faith. 

With this peace is Christ saying also, "Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful." I like the words he says, "Do not let." A troubling heart and fearful heart I think are normal. As we stare at the situations of life - death, suffering, trials, misfortune - we can allow ourselves to be troubled and fearful. We can allow the circumstances of life to dictate our well-being, our quality of life, but Jesus tells us we have peace. We have a peace that surpasses understanding, guarding our hearts (Phil. 4:7).  

Jesus then offers a little bit of a rebuke to the disciples. He has spoke to them and given them promises. He has assured them of truths that despite leaving He is with them, will return again and sends His spirit to them to confirm all that He has said. He promises to come again. They have nothing to fear. He asks them continually to love Him. 

He also makes mention that they should have joy for him going to the Father and says, "The Father is greater than I." In his current state on this earth, the Father, never having come to earth as a man, lives in a greater state, Jesus will ascend, but for now he is God in a different capacity, fully man. Jesus speaks his equality but as a man, as a servant could say the Father was greater than Him. 

Summary: Jesus leaves his disciples with His peace, asking them also to rejoice because Jesus goes to the Father. They are to have no trouble or fear. 

Promise: Let the peace Christ gives you grant you confidence this day that He is with you, that He loves you, and that He is working for your good and His glory. 

Prayer: O Lord God in heaven you are creator and all of life and time and this universe is for Your glory and Yours alone. Thank you for granting me peace that surpasses all understanding. Thank you that I don't have to fear or be troubled. And thank you for showing me your equality with God the Father. You are holy and I can trust You. Spirit of God you share with me truth always about You and keep defining peace in my life and giving me that confidence in You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 6:16-21 - Walking on the Sea of Galilee

John 6:16-21

16 Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, 17 and after getting into a boat, they started to cross the sea to Capernaum. And it had already become dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. 18 And the sea began to be stirred up because a strong wind was blowing. 19 When therefore they had rowed about three or four miles, they [beheld] Jesus walking on the sea and drawing near to the boat; and they were frightened. 20 But He said to them, "It is I; do not be afraid." 21 They were willing therefore to receive Him into the boat; and immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going. 

Message: Walking on the Sea of Galilee

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: So in the previous verse Jesus had retired to the mountain after the people were thinking that he was their prophet, their long awaited one who will change the tide of everything politically, but Jesus instead retreats, back to where he and the disciples were at, in the mountains. 

But here now, evening comes and the disciples go down to the sea, get into a boat in order to cross the sea. They were in the boat, but Jesus was not yet with them, though it was dark. A strong wind started blowing and headed 3 or 4 miles and then here comes Jesus, walking on the sea and coming to the boat. They are frightened, but He tells them to not be afraid. He got into the boat and then at that point the boat was at land. 

Hmm. Interesting interlude of Jesus walking on water. This event is referenced also in Matthew 14:22-33 and Mark 6:45-52. Interesting at how relatively high level is this version in John. There is definitely more detail in Matthew and Mark. Matthew mentions Peter and getting out to attempt to walk as well. Mark mentions more of the disciples response, being terrified at what had occurred, but John doesn't have either Peter or any mention of disciples feelings of faith. Rather it is a straight forward - they were traveling and Jesus showed up. Now John does mention disciples being frightened and so the story mirrors fairly closely what is in Mark. John also mentions strong winds blowing, maybe to express that despite the strong winds and that possibly having an impact on the disciples, what instead they were impacted by was Jesus walking on the water. 

One thing to notice, maybe the only thing is Jesus telling the disciples to not be afraid. Why? Because it is Him. Did they think that it wasn't Jesus and maybe it was a ghost as Matthew mentions. Jesus confirms it is Him. He confirms what He can do and that is a miracle different from what He has done previously - healing someone or making something out of little, but walking on the water is different, for no one can do this on their own accord. This is the 5th miracle in the Gospel of John. 

Joseph MacLaren comments that "the emblem of the sea as the symbol of trouble, unrest, rebellious power, is very familiar to the writers of the Old Testament." 71 percent of the world is water. I can't swim so water has always bugged me a little from that perspective, but it is also captivating in another way. And yet in our day, our weather or storms spring often from water. Hurricane season has somewhat ended but every year it seems to cause issues. This year it was strong winds off the coast of Maui that impacted fires on that land. And then also hurricane's around Florida that caused a lot of damages. So water effects us and in life, we are often affected by what we can't really control. 

We want to know that there is someone there in our life, to comfort us. Yesterday, I started speaking to an atheist. Well, I replied to the person after it was reassigned to me. I read the previous conversation and at first, saw that because of the pain of religion and what it said, how people acted, she left it. And now is happier doing life without it. And yet there is still the reality that so many believe in it. 

In this parable or lesson or miracle, we have a tension - the storms of the sea and the absence of Jesus. Storms are happening. Where is he? He shows up finally. When, at the end as we hit land. So we go through all of this time of storms without him. But he says, "It is me. Do not fear." He lets us know that He won't always be right by us physically, but that doesn't matter, we don't need to fear, "It is I." And yet it doesn't matter, we will walk through difficult times. The storms will happen. Difficult times will occur. We may not like it and we may try to protect ourselves from those things happening. And in a way, we have. But they will happen. God is there but sometimes he doesn't show up till the very end. In this story, he shows up. When? Right as they are getting to the land. 

And so this parable seems to be the constant tension - Absent Lord. Toiling Church. But He is not absent. He is interceding for us. "The Bible shows us that Jesus speaks to the Father on our behalf. Romans 8:34 says that Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” In 1 John 2:1 we read that Jesus is our “advocate with the Father,” and from Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us." Though we may think He is absent and feel like it at times, He isn't. He is there. 

And yet as we are fighting against the storm, struggling with the toil, the challenges, at times feeling like we can't take any more broken appliances, unhappy supervisors, bodily aches - we might see Jesus and not immediately have the comfort of Him but instead fear. I mean, this is often what people are thinking about trials that come our way, that God is angry with us. We think of Him only because we think we are being punished or have done something wrong. Not to say that sometimes there are consequences, but He maybe simply wants us to behold Him and be comforted to know that He is near. 

Earlier I said Jesus showed up at the end, and yet maybe he didn't show up at the very end, but maybe He showed up and with Him on board, the trek went by fast. When we have God near, and can rest with Him - time doesn't move so slowly. We can trust that everything will work out. 

Summary: The disciples go out onto the sea, get hit by a storm and Jesus shows up, walking on the water saying, "Fear not."

Promise: Amidst trials, He is not silent. He is there. He is interceding for us. 

Prayer: Lord, you amaze me. I started off with this passage, not really thinking there was much to it, but as I studied further and broke it down, I saw a lot of richness in the passage and you have encouraged me with it. You are there. I am not too fear. Even with trails come and they will, you are near. I do not need to fear. The key is to stay close to You and continue to trust that You are there. Help me to do this Lord. Trials are coming, I know. I pray and ask that You will be my trust throughout those trials and I can rest in You. 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

John 5:9b-14 - The Lame Man's Greater Need

John 5:9b-14

Now it was the Sabbath on that day. Therefore the Jews were saying to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "He who made me well was the one who said to me, "Take up your pallet and walk." They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, "Take up, your pallet, and walk?" But he who was healed did not know who it was; for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you."

Message: The Lame Man's Greater Need

Time: John most likely wrote between A.D. 85 and 90. John's purpose in writing was, "that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:31)."

What the Lord is Saying: The next set of verses transition to the Jews. After the lame man has been healed, the Jews criticize him for carrying his pallet, despite the fact that Jesus had told him to, "Take up your pallet and walk." The Jews ask who the man is but the lame man that was healed doesn't know. Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple and tells him now that he is well, do not sin anymore so that nothing worse befalls him. 

Sin is worse than being unable to walk properly. Sin is worse than any other human ailment. Jesus did heal the man and in the process took away from the man what the man thought was his biggest problem. 

Is not this our same problem still today? That is, what we think is our biggest problem is not our biggest problem. Following the pandemic and through the COVID pandemic, it because even clearer that our biggest problem people think they have is their health. It is true that health is focused on life and death on this earth and yet our response to sin or rather how Jesus has died for sin is the biggest issue of the day for it determines where our eternal life will be. 

Even prior to the pandemic I saw this continually emphasized in our prayer circles at church, in that what we brought to the Lord in our prayer requests was most often health related matters. I always thought we were like the lame man, thinking this is what is most important. Maybe because as people, this is the only thing in our lives that we feel we don't have control. And so when COVID hit, and life because so fragile, we proceeded to do at whatever level of person inconvenience - preserve our health. 

And yet Jesus says to the lame man and to me -- "do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you." Our greatest need is to turn from sin, believe in Jesus and move to living each day for Him. 

I've struggled with this - that is - taking something that has been valued greatly in my life and then seeing that something is more important and then wondering how I am to view that which was previously more important. Like what is our response to COVID or any sickness once we establish that sin is more important? I mean, Jesus healed the man. He wanted to give the man something that was important to him. But we must never lose sight in the fact that sin and dealing with sin is most important. 

We still don't know if this man, that Jesus healed, ever became a saved man. He blamed Jesus for having to carry his mat/pallet.  

Summary: Jesus tells the lame man, after he has healed him, that still his greatest problem remains - sin and how the man responds to it. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Our sovereign God may choose to intervene and bring about an unexpected physical healing. It is good and right to pray for Him to do so. Yet we must never forget that people need spiritual restoration far more than they need physical healing. As we minister to others inside and outside the church, let us not fail to call people to faith and repentance."

Prayer: Lord, I love this scripture and its application. It is my heart cry that we would value supremely what you value and that would be our focus always. May sinners be founds saved from the wrath to come and sealed with God for eternity. Lord, help me to make this my greatest focus with people. I'm thankful to hear of Bill who took a moment to do this with an employee at Target. I'm reminded of Dion Lear who had a pen with a simple gospel message that he shared often with others. What's holding me back Lord? 

Note: If you are interested in other studies/devotions, check out my index of Bible Study's. 

TABLETALK - January 2018

I continue in my daily studies to be guided by Tabletalk magazine. 2018 was a study on the Gospel of John and its straightforward presentation of the person and work of Christ, the work of the Holy Spirit, and other doctrines. 

• January 2018 (July 4, 2023 - ) John 1:1-2:22 - The preexistence of Christ, the ministry of John the Baptist and the person of Christ. 

Chapter 1

The Fourth Gospel - This gospel, like the others has similarities, but is also a more private discourse and understanding of Jesus the Christ so that we will believe and have Life in His Name. The Uncreated Word - Jesus, the Word, is at creation, with God and was God and was therefore uncreated. The Word of Life and Light - Jesus, the Word, is beginning, is eternal and complete life, is light to our way, which darkness cannot fully comprehend. The Witness to the Light - It was necessary and needed for John to first appear and prepare the way for Jesus to come. The Right to be Children of God - God calls many of His own to be born of God, as his Children - those that receive Him.  The Incarnation of the Word of God - The Word - Jesus - became flesh to dwell among us and through Him we see God's glory.  The Full and Final Revelation of God - All that we know of God we have in Christ. His grace is everlasting and greater than repeated annually through sacrificial system. John the Baptist Identifies Himself - John the Baptist states who he is not (Christ, Elijah, Prophet) and who he is - a voice crying out to make straight the way of the Lord/Jehovah/Jesus.- The Baptism of John - John’s baptism demonstrated the humble willingness to repent, be cleansed, and prepare for the coming Messiah. John the Baptist Bears Witness to Christ -  John, upon seeing Jesus, perhaps for the first time, testifies that He is the Son of God. Becoming Disciples of Jesus - John showed two disciples Jesus, proclaiming Him as the Lamb of God, and they followed Jesus. Jesus Meets Simon - Andrew introduces his brother Simon to Jesus who gives him a new name of Cephas/Peter. Good from Nazareth - Come and see Jesus and follow, something good to come from Nazareth. Seeing the Way of Salvation - Jesus proclaims that is present between heaven and earth, going back and forth, taking His people to heaven from earth, back and forth. We see him. We believe. 

Chapter 2

The Wedding at Cana - Jesus, His mother Mary, and the disciples attend a wedding at Cana and more wine is needed and Jesus responds that is not His hour yet. The First of Jesus' Signs - Jesus does a miracle, turning water into wine, and shows that He is better than the past; new is better than old. Jesus Cleanses the Temple - Here, Jesus alerts people and provides his authority about ensuring the Father's business is carried out, true worship occurs in the temple and nothing else. The Temple of Jesus' Body - The final temple is Jesus, His body, that will bear our atonement for sin, once for all and then He will rise in 3 days.

Jesus the Christ - The Hidden Messiah - Jesus the Lord - Jesus the Son of Man - Jesus the Savior

The Fear of the Lord - Buck Parsons (Editor of Tabletalk magazine) - We need to return to talking about the fear of God. Often sin, hell, condemnation, holiness, wrath or sovereignty is not mentioned from the pulpit. Instead we focus only on God being about love and peace. Fear is not to be slave-like but humble and reverential. We are told to fear God, but fear not, so we are not to be afraid of God. We need to have reverence and awe. 

God's Good Pleasure in Election - R C Sproul (founder of Ligonier Ministries, founding pastor of Saint Andrew’s Chapel in Sanford, Fla., and first president of Reformation Bible College) Predestination was not invented by Calvin or Luther or Augustine for Ephesians 1:4-6 states God "predestined us for adoption..." Why does God elect some and not others to be His people? Some will say then that God is arbitrary (based on random or whim rather than reason). While I am not adopted because of anything I have done, scripture gives the pictures that there is a reason He chooses some for salvation. Ephesians 1:11 states, "according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will." Counsel suggests reason rather than arbitrary which alludes to no purpose. Purpose actually is mentioned in Eph. 1:4-6 as it mentions His will. We are meant to be a praise to Him. 

What are We Afraid Of - Matt Smethurst (Elder at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky) - We live in fear, despite security systems, advanced medicine, organic food, and endless information, and material blessings. We are shocked when things are hard rather than easy. And then we think if we control it, we won't be afraid. Rather than follow science, we are now told to follow our heart and focus on self. We try to play God, steering the ship while figuring out the dials. What's the answer? Inerrancy of the Bible. We can believe that the One in charge of our lives is good and great. What sets apart our faith is God can and God cares. Our fear is being found out. The sin of idolatry has taken over. We need to fear God because He is holy; He's not mean. Luke 12:32, "Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom." God pursues us. The Lord/Lamb is my shepherd. The most repeated command in the bible is "Fear not." He has never failed one of His own. 

The God Whom We Are To Fear - K. Scott Oliphint (Professor of apologetics and systematic theology at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia) - [Note: this is outstanding] - In a solar eclipse, the suns brightness is covered, but not the UV rays. Though it is eclipsed the full power is still there and can still hurt us. This is a good example of God's glory and how we as humans have been able to view it over time. Moses saw some of God's glory, but not all of it and God let him know if he saw all of it he couldn't live. In Christ, we have God's glory passed onto us through Christ. Again, it is an eclipse of it. Though I believe Jesus is God, what we see in him on this earth is part of that Glory. That Glory is a reason we fear God because it reveals God's power. There are many ways God provides for us, eternal life. He is eternal but gives us eternity after we die with him in heaven. But he is different. We are made in His image, yet still different. Oliphint mentions, "Christians fear God, in the first place, because we recognize that the radiance of His infinite, eternal and majestic character would, simply by its majesty, stamp us out of existence. We fear God because we know that if we were to see Him in all His glory, we would be no more." I like this article because it provides a very high view of God. God is separate from man. And we will never be God. We may be like him, but will never be God. That to me is fearing God. 

The Blessings of Fearing God - Kim Riddlebarger (Senior pastor of Christ Reformed Church in Anaheim, California) - What does it mean to fear the Lord? How is it related to God's love? How does it secure God's blessings for His people? Fear is Hebrew word yireh and means to be afraid, terrified or in awe. It is not respect. Wisdom is knowing who God is, His power, His righteous ways. Fools ignore God. Wisdom arises from fearing the Lord. We do not weaken fear to preserve the fact that God loves us. We fear God because He is holy, we are sinners and all sinners must be punished. And yet God promises to save us from our sin, thus alleviating our fear. 

Putting the Fear of God into Practice - Eric B. Watkins (Senior pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church in St. Augustine, Florida) - The Fear of God - a challenge to think about, especially in our world in which our pride and temptation to conform to the world challenges us to abandon God's principles. One purpose of the Law of God is to restrain evil, cultivating a fear of God and consequences to our actions. Instead, each person does what is right in their own eyes. 

Worship and the Fear of God - John P. Sartelle Sr. (Senior minister of Christ Presbyterian Church in Oakland, Tennessee) - Author remembers his father, as a reserved and quiet man, and yet a person that hugged and kissed him. There was reverential awe of his father, who set boundaries for him, gave direction and yet loved him unconditionally. The seraphim were sinless, and yet in awe of God. John was closest to Jesus, and yet still drop dead at his feet. Though we have been adopted into the family of God, and we can call God father He is still transcendent (supreme power). In our worship of him, we need to show the world our love for him, but also our fear and awe of him.

Profitable for the Kingdom - Aaron L. Garriott (Production manager of Tabletalk Magazine) - Parents teaching their children about stewardship. Luke 19 parable about ten minas is a great guide with the 3rd servant receiving the greatest thrashing for storing his gift. We must be servants that are wise about our use of gifts that the Father has given us. We will be accountable to the King when He returns for how we have used the gifts He has given us. Be like the two servants that put their minas to good use and procured a profit. 

 

Your Word Reveal Your Heart - Stephen Mueller (church planting pastor of Gospel Church Minchen in Munich, Germany) - 

Sanctified Culture

The Idolatry of Sports

Sanctified Culture

False Humility

Eating Together

Good Works as a Light to the World

The Apocryphal and Deuterocanonical Books

My Utmost for His Highest - June 18th - Don't Think Now, Take The Road

And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.  But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.  - Matthew 14:29-30

    The wind was actually boisterous, the waves were actually high, but Peter did not see them at first. He did not reckon with them, he simply recognised his Lord and stepped out in recognition of Him, and walked on the water. Then he began to reckon with the actual things, and down he went instantly. Why could not our Lord have enabled him to walk at the bottom of the waves as well as on the top of them? Neither could be done saving by recognition of the Lord Jesus.

    We step right out on God over some things, then self-consideration enters in and down we go. If you are recognising your Lord, you have no business with where He engineers your circumstances. The actual things are, but immediately you look at them you are overwhelmed, you cannot recognise Jesus, and the rebuke comes: “Wherefore didst thou doubt? (Matthew 14:31)” Let actual circumstances be what they may, keep recognising Jesus, maintain complete reliance on Him.

    If you debate for a second when God has spoken, it is all up. Never begin to say — “Well, I wonder if He did speak?” Be reckless immediately, fling it all out on Him. You do not know when His voice will come, but whenever the realisation of God comes in the faintest way imaginable, recklessly abandon. It is only by abandon that you recognise Him. You will only realise His voice more clearly by recklessness.

 - From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition

My Utmost for His Highest - May 24th - The Delight of Despair

And when I saw him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me, saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: - Revelation 1:17

    It may be that like the apostle John you know Jesus Christ intimately, when suddenly He appears with no familiar characteristic at all, and the only thing you can do is to fall at His feet as dead,. There are times when God cannot reveal Himself in any other way than in His majesty, and it is the awfulness of the vision which brings you to the delight of despair; if you are ever to be raised up, it must be by the hand of God.

    "He laid His right hand upon me." In the midst of the awfulness, a touch comes, and you know it is the right hand of Jesus Christ. The right hand not of restraint nor of correction nor of chastisement, but the right hand of the Everlasting Father. Whenever His hand is laid upon you, it is ineffable peace and comfort, the sense that "underneath are the everlasting arms (Deuteronomy 33:27)," full of sustaining comfort and strength. When once His touch comes, nothing at all can cast you into fear again. In the midst of all his ascended glory the Lord Jesus comes to speak to an insignificant disciple, and to say--"Fear not." His tenderness is ineffably sweet. Do I know Him like that?

    Watch some of the things that strike despair. There is despair in which there is not delight, no horizon, no hope of anything brighter; but the delight of despair comes when I know that "in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing. (Romans 7:18)" I delight to know that there is that in me which must fall prostrate before God when He manifests Himself, and if I am ever to be raised up it must be by the hand of God. God can do nothing for me until I get to the limit of the possible.

- From Oswald Chambers, "My Utmost for His Highest" - Classic Edition

Highlights and Underlines are courtesy of Mom from her print edition.

I Corinthians 15:1-58 - Faith and Death

I Corinthians 15:1-58

Message: Faith and Death

Time: Paul spent 18 months in Corinth and this is his 2nd letter to them (the first did not survive). He penned his letter in AD 55. There was quarrelling already in this church and deep divisions. Sin needs to be confronted and he did this boldly. 

What the Lord is Saying:

This month's devotion (that has lasted probably a year for me) has been about justification by faith in Christ. Faith alone. Our entire lives or lived or walking by this faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), from start to finish. The other night at BSF was a question about what we are most concerned about in dying. Not necessarily what we are thinking after death, but at the point of dying. It was an interesting question and one that was hard to answer, but the premise here is that even up to the point of death, life is lived by faith. I think what pervaded my mind in answering that question and yet an answer I did not reveal to anyone there was thinking as it gets closer - is it going to come to pass. I mean, is all of this true. Is there going to be life after death? Everything tells me this is true. I believe in the Bible and it speaks of it and yet there is still that wonder. 

The German philosopher Immanuel Kent spoke of us all having a sense of right and wrong that drives our actions and decisions, and yet spoke that this only means something if we think there are consequences to this type of living. I think as a people we are about justice. We want to think that living right results in a good life while living in a wrong manner results in punishments. What is difficult right now in our culture is the blurry lines of what right and wrong mean. But, however that is defined, we still have an expectation that it will merit something in the end. 

Yet, even in this thinking is the reality that what is right is not always rewarded not what is wrong is always punished. Thus, is there someone that sees through all of this and in the end, declares people justified by His own desire. But again, ultimately either we live however we want, doing whatever we think is best at any time or we live by a standard.   

In 1 Corinthians it begins with the premise that Jesus and His gospel has been preached and ultimately this Gospel and our faith means something only if there is a resurrection. So faith in Jesus only has merit if there is something after death - and that Jesus has been resurrected. We all know 1 out of 1 person dies. We have a natural body but then also we are raised from death as a spiritual body. Adam was all man, but Jesus is all God and Man. Thus, he is a heavenly being and in His resurrection, if true, means that His heavenly life can be transferred to our life (For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive. - I Cor 15:22). So our focus in on the fact that at death we go from a perishable being (Adam) to an imperishable being (Jesus). We live on. This is the promise. This is the crux of all faith. That there will be something in the end, beyond the end. 

This is big and this is significant. I go back to my question about death and my view of that death basically comes back to how significant my faith is. The scripture is clear. In Christ all will be made alive. So there should be no fear. If there is fear then it is because I do not believe. But I am here. I am studying. I am devoting myself to this word each day, to studying it, to sharing it with others, to letting it be my life and so Chris, you must believe in it. I can put my complete faith and trust in it which means that I can suffer if need be for my future is secure. It will work out. Believe in these words as others have believed and the apostles believed. take hold of being justified by faith in Christ and realizing that all the glory goes to Him. All glory. In Christ all will be made alive. Death will be abolished (I Cor 15:26). Death yields life (15:36). Death yields an imperishable body (15:52). So live, live, live. Live each day for Him. Do all that He has called me to do. Every day. All that i do is not in vain; it has a reason and purpose (15:58 - nothing you do for him is a waste of time or effort (The Message)). 

Promise: This life is worth living because In Christ I will be made alive, imperishable will I become. I do not need to ever fear death for these words have been promised to me and I can hold on to them. Fear not.

Prayer: O God, thank you for bringing me this comfort. Thank you for speaking so clearly to me your truth - that you God have paved the way for me to be with You always and so living right now in this world, I live with no fear for You have taken care of my future. Keep my eyes on this, that in Christ all will be made alive. 

Genesis 15:1-21 - Our Faithful God

After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, 
“Do not fear, Abram,
I am a shield to you;
Your reward shall be very great.”
Abram said, “O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?” And Abram said, “Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.” Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, “This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.” And He took him outside and said, “Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.” And He said to him, “So shall your descendants be.” Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. And He said to him, “I am the Lord who brought you out of Ur of the Chaldeans, to give you this land to possess it.” He said, “O Lord God, how may I know that I will possess it?” So He said to him, “Bring Me a three year old heifer, and a three year old female goat, and a three year old ram, and a turtledove, and a young pigeon.” Then he brought all these to Him and cut them in two, and laid each half opposite the other; but he did not cut the birds. The birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away.

Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, terror and great darkness fell upon him. God said to Abram, “Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, where they will be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years. But I will also judge the nation whom they will serve, and afterward they will come out with many possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you will be buried at a good old age. Then in the fourth generation they will return here, for the iniquity of the Amorite is not yet complete.”

It came about when the sun had set, that it was very dark, and behold, there appeared a smoking oven and a flaming torch which passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying,
“To your descendants I have given this land,
From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates: the Kenite and the Kenizzite and the Kadmonite and the Hittite and the Perizzite and the Rephaim and the Amorite and the Canaanite and the Girgashite and the Jebusite.” - Genesis 15:1-21

Message: Our Faithful God

Time:  Genesis is the first book and Moses is credited as authoring. The book spans 2400 years of time. It was originally written in Hebrew.

What the Lord is Saying: 

This month's devotional series is now switching to focus on faith for a bit following a teaching series that RC Sproul did called Living By Faith. Thus far, this study has looked at the idea that we as believers in Christ, we are declared righteous in Him by faith alone (sola fide). Our righteousness is based on the perfect obedience of Christ. We access it by faith and faith alone. And this faith continues to manifest itself daily as we walk and He sanctifies us in Him, moving me toward living Holy as Jesus lived. 

I listened to the first message RC Sproul did for this series. He mentioned this is his favorite chapter in the Bible for it is where faith is declared or salvation is declared and it is where God reveals Himself. And it starts with the phrase "Do not fear" which he believes is a key for all scripture that is repeated to us continually. He begins the message by talking about faith and reason and the idea from some that faith in God is a sort of blind faith. But blind faith is believing though there is no evidence for belief. And with God in our lives, there is evidence of how He has cared for us and demonstrated His kindness toward us. God does not call us to a blind faith. Throughout scripture we have reasons everywhere of why we believe in Him. The true definition of faith is trust. I trust God no matter what. 

In this passage today is one such example of God's trustworthiness. Abraham believed God and wss justified. His belief in God merited Abraham's righteousness. But then Abraham asks God for evidence of His promise and the Lord provides it. In that moment, God comes and passes between the pieces and made a covenant with Abraham that His descendants would be numerous. God must keep His promises. He is God. He cannot die. The curse of death cannot fall upon Him. God will be true. 

Promise: We have a trustworthy God. We can trust God because His very nature prevents Him from breaking His promises. 

Prayer: O God, you are Lord and King. And you have allowed me to experience your peace, your grace, your faithfulness in my life. You grant me a peace that surpasses understanding. This world preaches an opposite message to peace, but one of fear always and seeking solutions that are not in You. Help me to cling to You always, to trust in You no matter and to always treat others the way they want to be treated. I don't want to Fear. I want to be a person of faith. Show me the way. 

Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of June is about justification; May was about solus Christus - Christ Alone; April, salvation by grace alone; March, the sovereign providence of God; February, the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January, the doctrine of God.

Mankind's Condition - The Sins of the Gentiles - Though born with God being evident, Gentiles do not honor God or give thanks, look to their selves for truth, and God gives them over to their sin, and in the process God's wrath is sin which will culminate on the Day of the Lord. The Sins of the Jews - Jews thought their status meant only Gentiles were true sinners. Romans 2 and 3 explains that Jews are just as guilty before God. 

The Law Speaks - The Law and Accountability - the Law reminds us we are sinners and doing good will not outweigh this bad; I am condemned. Righteousness According to the Law - The Law can make one righteous if obedient to all, but we are sinners. Human Inability - man cannot make himself righteous because he is a sinner. 

Only Justified through Christ (God) - The Obedience of One - with Jesus all obedience was completed in Him which resulted in Him taking on all sin; we trust only in His words, not ours. God's Initiative In Justification - God initiates the act of justification through the work of Christ alone; he saves us out of His kindness. Faith and Justification - no one is continually righteous; only through Jesus one will be made righteous; to be made righteous one must believe in God, ask for His mercy. 

Saved by Faith - Faith and Righteousness - Faith is what God uses in us to build the bridge to being accepted by God and restored to a right relationship with Him. Justification and Sin - Nothing changes the fact that we are sinners, but our status before God changes by Christ's obedience as this declares us to be righteous. Not by any of our works - Justification is by faith alone. By adding any work, we must add all works. Why Faith - Faith is the instrument [or what we do] to usher in to our life the finished act of righteousness. 

Faith Works - What is Saving Faith - Saving faith is not simply understanding truth, it is believing the truth is true and then living by that truth. Justification and Our Good Works - Once God declares us righteous by the righteousness of Christ, we cannot help but do what is right. Keeping Grace Gracious - if being restored to God's plan is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works. Don't mix the two. Keep them separate. But keep them both extremely valuable. Faith and Sanctification - I am declared holy by faith, but daily I choose holiness. I am living my entire life by faith.

My Utmost for His Highest - April 5th - His Agony and Our Fellowship

Then Jesus *came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and *said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 

Then He *said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

Matthew 26:36,38

     We can never fathom the agony in Gethesemane, but at least we need not misunderstand it. It is the agony of God and Man in one, face to face with sin. We know nothing about Gethsemane in personal experience. Gethsemane and Calvary stand for something unique; they are the gateway into Life for us.

 
     It was not the death on the cross that Jesus feared in Gethsemane; He stated most emphatically that He came on purpose to die. In Gethsemane He feared lest He might not get through as Son of Man. He would get through as Son of God--Satan could not touch Him there; but Satan's onslaught was that He would get through as an isolated Figure only; and that would mean that He could be no Saviour. Read the record of the agony in the light of the temptation: "Then the devil leaveth Him for a season. (Matthew 4:11)" In Gethsemane Satan came back and was again overthrown. Satan's final onslaught against our Lord as Son of Man is in Gethsemane.

   
     The agony in Gethsemane is the agony of the Son of God in fulfilling His destiny as the Saviour of the world. The veil is drawn aside to reveal all it cost Him to make it possible for us to become sons of God. His agony is the basis of the simplicity of our salvation. The Cross of Christ is a triumph for the Son of Man. It was not only a sign that Our Lord had triumphed, but that He had triumphed to save the human race. Every human being can get through into the presence of God now because of what the Son of Man went through.

Oswald Chambers - From My Utmost for His Highest Classic Edition

- Underlines and highlights are courtesy of Mom from her Print Edition

When the Godly slump - Abraham, Friend of God, Charles Swindoll Study Guide

Genesis 12:10-20

This is a familiar passage to me. Abram leaves the land where he is at because there is a famine there and it is severe and so he goes to Egypt. Prior to entering Egypt and because he knows his wife is very beautiful, rather than entering Egypt with her as his wife and his fear that leaders will simply kill him to get to his wife, instead he tells Sarai that she should act as his sister. As they enter Egypt the people in Pharaohs court see that she is beautiful and bring her to Pharaoh and Abraham receives gifts – sheep, cattle, donkeys, servants, camels. But then Pharaoh‘s house receives a disease and Pharaoh learns that Sarai is Abram’s wife, summons Abram to ask why did he say this and then tells him to leave/go. 

Failure is a part of life. It is not something we enjoy. We try to limit our mistakes. We like to always seem like we are better than this. There are certain people in life that we place on a pedestal and yet they are still human. They still make mistakes. 

I’ve noticed that society places people on pedestals and then write stories about their mistakes. WE prefer to be the one seeing a person's mistakes than on the other end. There is an idea I think that God blesses only those who are obedient and therefore when the media sees a Christian failing, people are alarmed and yet I think feel good about finding the evil because there is the feeling the Christian sees themselves as better than others. But, they do the same thing with movie stars or others we view with high regard, as if we somehow expect them to be perfect.

A divine test 

The first test Abram received was famine. In this passage we only see Abram acknowledge the famine and leave the land to go some place else. What we don’t know or see in the text is whether he prayed or consulted God. All we read is that He left. 

Life is difficult. Being a Christian still means life is difficult. Challenges like a famine test us. Right now we are tested in this life with this famine. It seems alarming to me and I too seem to think I know better that the decision makers - that maybe they have another motive. Am I really willing to trust the process or be grumpy through it? I see good outcomes from it. Don’t fight it. Live with it and continue to encourage others through it. 

Fear and sin 

Abram experiences fear and his focus is on himself. Sarai has to start living in deceit as well. She had to pretend to be something she isn’t. But the scriptures focus is Abram trying to safe his life because he fears the truth. 

Lying is not new to me unfortunately. I often in my life have lied and altered who I am ever so slightly because I don’t believe in my life as it is. Often I tried to make myself out to be better that I was. Sometimes I did things with little reason so I created a bigger reason. I often just didn't think my life as it was sounded good enough. I wanted it to look better. The problem is the lie has to be fed with more lies. 

Abram is found out

Abram's sin is discovered. This is my greatest fear: discovery of sin. Sin is a caper and we fear it’s discovery. Pharaoh found out his sin and this was a good thing for Abram as he needed to embrace the truth. In some ways Abram was fortunate. Though it hurts - once the sin is out in the open we can be restored. 

When the Godly Slump

• I remember one time in college and there is a Christian band that showed up on our campus and I was involved backstage with them and I was having a meal with some of the performers in the band and one of them was not present and was off to himself. I was bothered and I looked at his not being there is selfishness. Instead I should just accept him is different.
• God gave Jonah a task to do to preach because of the wickedness of the people. Instead Jonah ran away and by doing this others he was affected and others also experienced hardship. Once he listened to God things were not as bad as he thought. 
• My father often tells me that the reason he left the church we were at in high school and he would never return to the Christian church was the lead pastor made a comment about a patient he was seeing that was inappropriate. 
• Many pastors and leaders in the church have been exposed with having committed sexual sin outside their marriage. 

Do the right thing. It sounds simple. But that's it. But also, admit your mistakes. 

Philippians 2:12-13 - The Grace of Sanctification

Philippians 2:12-13
12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.

Message: The Grace of Sanctification

Time: Paul likely wrote this epistle at the end of his Roman imprisonment, around 61 or 62 AD. Paul wrote to express his appreciation and affection for the Philippian believers. Paul ministered at Philipi during his second missionary journey, spending about three months in the city and, later visited Philippi briefly on his third missionary journey.

What the Lord is Saying:

One of the chief ideas I have been looking out over the past several lessons has been this idea that man is fallen and in that fallen condition is incapable of righteousness. This means that on our own we cannot achieve true righteousness. Yes, we can work and do good deeds but we are unable, meaning our free will is incapable of choosing God, choosing His holiness. We are unable of making ourselves worthy for God acceptaning us. God must intervene and choose us. He must save us. He must bring salvation to us. As a human, I am ultimately bent on impurity. This means that no part of salvation is obtainable by me. Salvation comes to me by faith. But again this is the natural result of God calling me. Faith does not save me. I am justified completely by His grace.

And in response to God's love for me, I obey. Obedience follows faith. Yet, we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works (Ephesians 2:10). Naturally, as a believer in Christ I work. The Holy Spirit is renewing me day by day (Titus 3:5). I have work to do and I am empowered each day to do it, but it seems clear that in this daily war of my will and God's will I must submit and surrender to the Lord. I must take up my cross (Mark 8:34) and follow after Him.

For this verse in Philippians 2:12 - work out your salvation with fear and trembling, I have seen groups that believe in justification by works, and use this verse to defend the idea that we work out our salvation; their idea in this verse is 'you do your part and God will do his.' There is a common expression - "God helps those who help themselves." Again, the expression that ends up getting applied in a myriad of circumstances is that 'you work and God will certainly help you.' And the big danger in this verse is it gets applied to individuals who are believing they are engaged in the practice of earning their salvation. Thus grace and pardon through Jesus Christ is a cooperation between God and man.

Yet, Paul is not addressing those who will be saved. He is writing to the church followers in Philippi, as in verse 1 of Philippians 1: To all God’s holy people in Christ Jesus at Philippi. And in verse 12 he says my beloved, just as you have always obeyed. I am saved by grace through faith. This is what must first be considered when reading this passage. Unless there be faith, there is no work. Faith precedes work.

The working phrasing in this verse must be joined together with the first part of verse 13 - work out your salvation...; for it is God who is at work in you. Paul does not say, "Work it out; yet it is God that works in you." Instead he says that the work that we do is God at work. It is a great verse of mystery really because we see that my work is God's work actually. My work is God working.

Spurgeon says - that some men have said that ‘God works in us,’ and, ‘therefore there is nothing for us to do.’ Bad reasoning, false conclusion. God works, says the text; therefore we must work out because God works in. And the work that we do is with fear and trembling. Yet, this fear and trembling is not that we are scared of God rather we recognize the awesome relationship here of God working and yet I work. There is a combination here of free will and God's sovereignty that isn't immediately explained. Yet, the two are working together.

I think there is a real danger in not working as we uncover God's sovereignty. Yet God commands it. I must admit that I struggle with the notion of man's free will and man's responsibility when I dwell on God's sovereignty and perhaps that was one reason why this verse by Paul needs to be said - it points that we work and God is working, and we work with fear and trembling. We don't not work or we don't work with passivity. The fear and trembling in a way is the thrust in our life to work with everything that is in me. If I am really trusting in God, then I am working to the best of my ability.

This is an extremely powerful verse. And I now see that is an exciting verse and one that I can get it excited turning to and pointing out, instead of having fear in it. It is the reminder of the importance of my will, my doing.

Promise: We act and we obey and God is working in us. We have an obligation to work. Our work is not passive but it is done with exuberance.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for the clarity of your Word and the excitement of reading Your word and seeing the truth of it. You God are sovereign and yet You call me to be obedient to Work. Yet you remind me that you are working in me. How much more should I not fear and desire to work with the knowledge that You are working in me. Lord, forgive me for shrinking away from your work. I analyze too much. Help me to simply get out there and do it.


Note: I follow the readings from the Tabletalk Magazine devotional, though I am a little behind and working through 2017 devotionals. 2017 is a study of key biblical doctrines celebrating the 500th year of the Reformation. The month of April is about salvation by grace alone. March was about the sovereign providence of God; February was about the doctrine of revelation and the various aspects of the doctrine of Scripture that sola Scriptura seeks to preserve; January is about the doctrine of God.

Mark 16:8 - Fearful Women

Mark 16:8
They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them; and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid.

Message: Fearful Women

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been crucified on Friday and then breathed His last after crying out after 3pm. Joseph of Arimathea asks Pilate if he can bury Jesus (rather than just throwing him into a pit). Joseph buys linen and wraps Him in it and places Him in a tomb, rolling the stone shut. 3 women - Mary Magdalene, Mary (His mother) and Silome are nearby and on Sunday they head to Jesus to anoint Him more properly for burial. My Jewish rule it has been 3 days since he died. Upon getting to the tomb the stone has been rolled away. They enter and a young man (angel) tells them that Jesus has risen and Jesus will see them shortly in Galilee. They are to tell the other disciples and Peter.

They went out and fled from the tomb, for trembling and astonishment had gripped them. It is noteworthy that the first witnesses of the empty tomb are women. Yet, 1st century Jewish culture did not view the testimony of women as reliable. As we know Christianity hinges on the resurrection. Just recently I heard someone say there was no resurrection. Satan knows this and he has attacked this and pressed this thinking into worldly minds. If there is a resurrection people must accept Jesus, but to question it is to question its relevance and therefore question the entire theology of the gospel. In that light, if the assertion is that it is made up or false, then why would those making it up cite women as the first witnesses when they were not a trusted people group of the day? There would be no common sense in this.

The record is of these women is trembling and astonishment. The command by the young man (angel) to them was to go and tell the disciples and Peter. But there response recorded in this verse is instead - and they said nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Instead of confidence and excitement gripping them, it was fear instead. And there response was to not tell anyone.

What is interesting here is verse 8 is the last verifiable verse of this gospel. This is likely the last words of Jesus in verses 9-20 are thought to have been written by someone else. So, what would the response of Mark have his audience have with a verse that says the two women left and fled, were trembling and told nothing to anyone, for they were afraid. Whether they are the last verses or not, the message is still that Jesus rose. The responses of the women here is something else. I must say I never knew this. I didn't know that verse 8 was possibly the last verse written by Mark for this gospel.

Regarding them not speaking to anyone. It is possible this non-speaking was simply because they were headed back to Jerusalem, the Holy City, the City in which the people had just crucified Jesus, and so these women possibly wanted to keep these words to themselves. So it's possible that keeping it to themselves did not mean that they would not follow through on the words told to them by the young man, but that immediately, it was not good to speak the words to the people in Jerusalem. There mission was to speak to the disciples and Peter and not necessarily the people in Jerusalem.

And perhaps there is nothing more that Mark needs to say. The resurrection is the culmination of Jesus' life. He said 3 times he would die and be resurrected and this is now what has occurred. Obviously, what was said by the young man would come true because everything about Jesus' life has been the truth thus far.

Summary - It is possible verse 8 is the last of Mark's words for this gospel. His words are that after the women have heard that Jesus has risen, they depart from that place and walk, but they walk with fear and tell no one. Perhaps they don't open their mouths in Jerusalem because the disciples are not yet present and the people of Jerusalem were involved in His crucifixion. Either way, the gospel is complete. Jesus lived, he died, and he resurrected.

Promise: Proclaim the message of Jesus. He has lived, died, and risen. He is my Savior and Lord.

Prayer: Thank you God for this wonderful message that you have given in the words of Mark. Thank you for the way he spoke and showing me the truth of Jesus and His great love for me and then how I am to share that love toward You and toward others. Grant me the power to do this. Change my ways Lord so that I see you as You really are. You are Holy and true and I want to testify of You throughout my life. I pray for courage. Even as I spoke of going to church with that sales rep yesterday from the bus company I don't want to back down but communicate my life and perhaps it can encourage others. O God be praised.

Mark 13:5-8 - False Messiahs, Wars, and Natural Disasters

Mark 13:5-8
5 And Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. 6 Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am He!’ and will mislead many. 7 When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. 8 For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Message: False Messiahs, Wars, and Natural Disasters

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has been in Jerusalem speaking to the disciples following his time at the temple. Upon exiting the temple area, some of the disciples remark that the temple structure is huge and impressive. Jesus has just spoken to them about how we often stare at people's large giving or wealth and think what they do is more impressive than a poor person, yet the poor widow gave everything she had as an offering. Jesus responds that the temple will one day be destroyed and no stone will be left. The disciples ask the question of wanting to know when this will occur.

In response to the question that the disciples asked in verse 4 - Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign when all these things shall be fulfilled? Jesus began to say to them, “See to it that no one misleads you. Many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am!’ and will mislead many. Many people will come disguised as authority, with the idea that they speak for Jesus. Jesus' response here in 5-8 has come to be known as the Olivet Discourse and has been a challenge for many to interpret.

Jesus in these words is wanting to provide some discernment to the events of the future, but also give the disciples some comfort. The idea that Jesus understands the future and will take of things is a comfort to the disciples and present day followers. Jesus first says that they need to be careful as many will try to mislead them. They need to be careful because it will happen - people will try to mislead you for personal power or pride or gain. And these that come will have success. They will mislead many. I can't help here to think of Joseph Smith, someone that came with the same sort of authority of Jesus or even Muhammad -- and in the process many have been misled. Many will say that Jesus was a man or even God but they will also want to come alongside Him and have the same authority as Him and this is something the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Islam appears to have done. Those adherents have been misled.

Jesus then says - When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be frightened; those things must take place; but that is not yet the end. The warning again is to be careful because wars and rumors of war will occur and take place. It is not as if they may or may not happen, but they will happen. But, our response to these will probably be different from how others respond. Jesus tells us to not be frightened. People often think that wars and rumors of them should not be occurring if we have a God of love. Obviously, they don't understand his purposes and also don't understand sin. We need to remain firm in our faith during these crazy times.

Our country is experience shootings in an alarming rate currently. In the last week there has been a shooting at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh in which a man walked in and opened fire, killing 11 people. Last night there was a shooting at Yoga studio in Tallahassee. These shootings are becoming a weekly phenomenon. People seem angry and want their way over others. People seem to be quick to place blame on others rather than looking within. We have built a culture of toleration and yet complete toleration is somewhat impossible. Our media is quick to show us controversy and take sides among leaders. We have a culture that is often angry and doesn't know how to deal with that anger. Again, Jesus says, do not be frightened. 

He remarks then that nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. As time marches on we have more countries and nations than ever before. It is somewhat amazing to me that we still only have 50 states in the US and places haven't tried to divide themselves further. The rest of the world continues to do this. In the last 100 years the total number has gone from about 80 to about 190 now. So it is growing.

There will be earthquakes in various places; there will also be famines. These things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. The number of natural disasters is increasing. But we are not to be frightened or misled or bothered by the earthquakes and famines which occur. We need to keep our focus on the Lord. Unfortunately, more trouble is on the way.

Summary - Jesus is probably still at the Mount of Olives, outside of Jerusalem. He is responding to some of the disciples saying that temple structures are large, but then Jesus says they will be destroyed and then the disciples ask when and Jesus provides a response to be careful to not be misled or frightened. Natural disasters, wars, and deceptions will occur, but we can take solace in the promise of God and continue to Trust Him.

Promise: We do not know when Christ's final return will be. There will be signs. What we know is we are to trust God and not be frightened and wait for His time.

Prayer: Lord, I am always thankful for the clarity of Your Words. You know the future and you know men's hearts. Help me to keep reminded of this and keep my eyes focused on Your truths. Thank you for your great love. I believe in You.

Mark 12:10-12 - The Rejected Cornerstone

Mark 12:10-12
10 Have you not even read this Scripture:
‘The stone which the builders rejected,
This became the chief corner stone;
11 This came about from the Lord,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”
12 And they were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people, for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away.

Message: The Rejected Cornerstone

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying:

Preface - Jesus has presented a parable of the tenants to the disciples and all who would listen. It provides a story of a landowner (God) who builds a vineyard and then sets up how it will be ruled, with tenant farmers (priests, scribes, the Church) and provides it with a wall. But the tenant farmers do not manage it in the way He intended and start instead to think of it as belonging to themselves or even as an opportunity to acquire it.

Through all of this, one might wonder if God was still in control, in this process, or did he just wind it up and let it run as the parable seems to present.

Jesus quotes from Psalm 118:22-23, a Psalm of thanksgiving that reminds us that God is there and present through all of life's circumstances:
22 

The stone which the builders rejectedHas become the chief corner stone.This is the Lord’s doing;It is marvelous in our eyes.

I've always been curious about advertisers that label product new and improved. It is curious. What happened that made it 'new and improved.' In a way, this is what Jesus does with his kingdom. He starts it out as a stone and then it becomes a corner stone. It starts out with some limitations, but then it has no limitations. It is new and improved. Having the stone be rejected was necessary. Sometimes we don't see something until it goes through a trial. Yet, we struggle with this because we often see that there is never any good in any pain. 

There will be victory in Jesus. But this means at some times there will be a feeling that in Jesus there is defeat. The quoted Psalm states, "This is the Lord's doing." I can trust the Lord despite however it appears to me. 

And they (the chief priests, scribes, elders) were seeking to seize Him, and yet they feared the people (the multitudes), for they understood that He spoke the parable against them. And so they left Him and went away. It was clear in this moment that this parable was about them. They were the rejected ones. They felt assaulted and wanted to then seize him, but for now they did not because of the people that were surrounding Jesus at this time. 

Summary - By presenting this parable, Jesus reminds the people that He is in fact still in control. People will reject Him, but He will do something greater. We can always trust the Lord for His plans are perfect. 

Promise: Every up and down of history is under God's control. I can be confident for the future because I know that nothing happens outside of the Lord's sovereign plan for the all things. 

Prayer: Lord, thank you for reminding me that you are in control. Thank you for reminding me that you are about the best and even what seems good now will be improved upon later. You are the God that makes all things new. Keep my eyes turned to You so that I look full on You and the things of earth grow dim. You are marvelous and I trust in You.