John 13:2-11 - The Cleansing We Need

John 13:2-11

2 During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, 3 Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, 4 got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself.

5 Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples’ feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. 6 So He came to Simon Peter. He said to Him, “Lord, do You wash my feet?” 7 Jesus answered and said to him, “What I do you do not realize now, but you will understand hereafter.” 8 Peter said to Him, “Never shall You wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” 9 Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, then wash not only my feet, but also my hands and my head.” 10 Jesus said to him, “He who has bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” 11 For He knew the one who was betraying Him; for this reason He said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Message: The Cleansing We 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: As I learned in the previous lesson and verse, the text is leading us up to the Passover. But first, feet washing by Jesus of the disciples. 

There are bookends of similar ideas for this text - Judas and his betrayal of Jesus. In verse 2 it says it is the devil that places that into the heart of Judas. But that placement had already occurred. Judas was on the scene here at the Passover already with the notion that he was not all in...and yet he was still in the room, still walking with the disciples, but still not all in. For Judas he had a love of money and so his heart was inclined in that direction and Satan then takes him all the way down the path to betrayal. What starts the betrayal - desire. Desires are not bad, but the problem here with Judas is his desire for money got him sidetracked from what matters most. Like the Rich Young Ruler who wanted eternal life, but could not give up his desire for money. 

I have wondered why Judas in betraying Jesus was necessary. But Judas is part of the process of Jesus being handed over to authorities to then be crucified (Mark 14:44-46). Despite Judas choosing that path, the path was necessary for what Jesus would accomplish. So there is seemingly free will, a choice by Judas, yet led by Satan and yet this choice is in the plan of Jesus going to the cross. There remains a tension, a question it would seem between free will and God's sovereignty. It remains a perplexing piece of life - whether we have in fact have free will. Remains hard for me to reconcile. Proverbs 16:33 - "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Every moment gives the appearance we do, but then in outcomes I just don't know. Somehow there seems to be a connection between the two otherwise are we not all robots? I mean, why would we have so many commands in our Bible which give the suggestion we have a choice? [There are scientists and philosophers throughout history that don't believe we have free will; there are atheists identify with this as well calling it determinism. And yet throughout life we are held accountable to our choices, and this is agreed despite how one holds to this notion of will.]

Well, in continuing on in this passage Jesus is washing the disciples feet. Jesus has been showing His love - mostly in communicating to people that He and the Father are one, that the Father gives the Son a mission and salvation is found in God, found in Jesus. God is one. Jesus and God are one. And along the way He heals people and saves them from physical death and storms to exemplify His power to all. And yet He remains a servant. While King He is also servant. And so in washing their feet, He goes to the level of the common servant, washing people's feet before entering a home. Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” He reminds me of the importance of serving others. 

And Jesus connects himself to these disciples through the washing. 

But also here is a lesson of the need for regularly cleaning. "If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me." Jesus is surrendering Himself to the disciple, becoming low, becoming a servant. And then man (the disciples) yield to the will of the servant. This was the problem of Judas as he did not want to submit himself to the Lord. Peter initially did not want to either, but in hearing Jesus' words he was compelled and agreed. Judas had his feet washed, but his whole self had not been cleansed. Jesus points out that not all are clean before Him, completely clean, completely forgiven. The act of being forgiven is accepting the sacrifice of Jesus. 

This here is an example of faith. Jesus is showing his cards and showing his desire to cleanse people from their sin, but we must yield and surrender to Jesus and allow our feet to be washed. And so there is faith. There is trust. And it is through that act of surrendering that I become whole. 

And so there are two surrenders. Jesus sacrifices Himself and His position, but the disciple surrenders and allows himself to be washed, to be cleansed, realizing that the cleansing by Jesus is the best cleansing. The only cleansing we really need.

Summary: Most of the disciples surrendered themselves to the Servant King, Jesus, but one was unwilling to surrender himself and remained firm in his desire. 

Promise: From Tabletalk, I like this reminder -- When we are converted, we are decisively cleansed (our whole body) from sin such that we enjoy salvation permanently. Yet, Christians continue to sin and need cleansing of that sin (our feet).

Prayer: Lord, these words that I travel through continually are a joy to travel through and you continue to teach and illuminate me and challenge my thinking. I am forever trying to understand this world that you have placed me in and how I fit here and how you have designed things. I surrender to You and pray that I would continually do this each day. Thank you for making me clean and stain free before You. But don't let me get ahead of myself and not see that I need that forgiveness each day as I continue to sin and go in selfish directions. Cleanse people. And give us understanding continually of the work that You are doing in making people clean. 

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

Joel 2:12 - Fasting in Worship

Joel 2:12

“Yet even now,” declares the Lord,
“Return to Me with all your heart,
And with fasting, weeping and mourning;

Message: Fasting in Worship

Time: Little is known of the prophet Joel. He identified himself as the son of Pethuel, preached to the people of Judah, and expressed a great deal of interest in Jerusalem. A date of approximately 835 BC or soon after is what can be pieced together. Joel gives no indication of the time period.

What the Lord is Saying: Fasting is the lesson today. Corporate and individual. Lately, whenever I think of fasting, I think of my brothers and sisters in Africa and how fasting is a normal part of their lives - a common occurrence. My friend Daniel and new convert Akeem in Nigeria have been fasting for 30 days now. A friend in Tororo, Uganda mentions that he and his church fast frequently, dedicating their time together to pray for all of the various needs of their community and beyond. In contrast, fasting is something in the United States that is not mentioned much or I don't hear of people fasting very much or at all. 

And in this lesson today, the writers of Tabletalk mention that fasting is not necessarily only an individual practice by people but something groups of people will do or the church even corporately. 

Today's passage from Joel 2 is an interesting call by the priests of that day to warn people of the consequence of sin. In this passage is a description of the impending judgments - the Day of the Lord is coming (Joel 2:1) - and then its description follows. There is meant to be an alarm going off before the people of the intensity and wide effects of this judgment (darkness, never been like it nor again, nothing escapes it, people are trying to flee with all of their power because of what is coming, people in anguish, faces pale, who can endure it?). It affects everyone and this description seems to take up the first 11 verses of the chapter. 

And so then the response from the people is a response now to return to God with all of our hearts. "All" to me points to everything. It is consecrating everything to Him. It is complete surrender. It is to align ourselves only with the way of Jesus Christ. It is to stare at everything in our life that is potentially an idol and turn from it. The word "return" is used. "Return to Me." It is the realization that we have gone astray, that I do go astray, that I get myself off track often and aligned in other realms and other dimensions of my life and so I need to return to God. And so in this recognition, this turning from our sin - is it just to be different? Yes. But the response begins first with a time of "fasting, weeping and mourning." 

To start new is to wipe out everything that was there before. And for us as believers in Christ, it starts with fasting. Everything is silenced for a moment (food, TV, screens, worldly ways), for a time to get things right with God and this includes weeping and mourning over getting off track in my life -- so that when I start anew I start right with him, then introducing things into my life that are correct. It is pulling back and seeing that the going through of the motions of life is moving me away from Him. It is complete surrender and complete turning away from sin to embrace completely Christ and His righteousness. 

In some ways this is what happens anytime I come before God. It is right now as I read and discover this passage and spend time alone with God as I start my day. It is when I gather together with other Christians and re-root myself as we discuss our lives and how they have gotten off-centered and Christ needs to be at the center. It happens when I go to church and sing songs and lift up the name of Jesus in song and praise. I return to Him, to center myself, to align myself with him, setting aside all that has happened maybe in the week prior of getting my focus off of Him. And in that there is worship through fasting, through weeping over my sin and what I did, mourning over my sin and the consequences that resulted from that. 

And then what follows is verse 18 and beyond is God's deliverance. See the problem - turn - God will save. This the extent of the gospel -- 1) see your sin; 2) turn from your sin and 3) God saves us. 

In this seeing sin is seeing that judgment is real and is coming. This is a reminder I need, because in my selfish interests continually of getting things I want I forget about this future judgment actually taking place. It is true I made a point decision in life in 1982 to turn from sin to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, but this turning needs to be daily because the temptation to follow idols is present each day. And so because of this, shouldn't my actions be fasting, weeping and mourning - over the fact that I trade truth for a lie continually. 

Summary: I need to realize that judgment is a reality. I have wandered from him and still do. Judgement is coming. So stop. Return to God. With All of My Heart. Start with fasting, weeping, and mourning. 

Promise: When we fast, we are driven to more urgent prayer and to remember our creaturely dependence. If you have not fasted before, consider whether you should fast and pray this week.

  

Prayer: O God, wow. Your word is so alive. Even in this moment, you remind me that judgment is coming and from that I can see more clearly now that I still get side tracked and away from you and aligned with other priorities of my days and get off track. I refuge in entertainment, selfish ways. Yes, I work hard, but I don't actively and intentionally bring you up and show others that what I am doing is for your glory. God, I return to You. With all of my heart. I consecrate all of me to You. You are Holy Forever. I can then start afresh with Fasting, while in those moments I weep and mourn for my past sin of replacing You. O God, thank you that you are there waiting to deliver me and set me right always. You are the God who saves. You are Holy Forever. 

Colossians 2:16-23 - The Deadliest Form of Legalism

Colossians 2:16-23

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day— 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. 18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God.

20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of men? 23 These are matters which have, to be sure, the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and self-abasement and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.

Message: The Deadliest Form of Legalism

Time: In AD 60–61, during his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul penned this letter to the Colossian church after he had received a report that they were struggling with a christological heresy. Paul wrote this having not been to this church. False teachers in the church were denigrating the deity of Jesus.

What the Lord is Saying:

August 30

My Current Condition
I'm back again, looking at this lesson, trying to wrap my head around it. We got a puppy 2 weeks ago and my morning routines has been sidetracked once again. The puppy demands attention so my wife is showering now and getting ready for work and I am with the dog, basically trying to make sure he doesn't poop in the house, before I have to leave for work. I try to keep him busy while stealing a second here and there to look at this study. 

Plus, my brain is not thinking well it seems lately outside of work. Concentrating lately has been tough. I've done 8 of these lessons now on the law and its correct use. 

Getting Into This Lesson

In thinking about the law, I am often reminded that on the subject of religion and acceptance there is often the idea that our life each day is more about doing religion or doing good works and yet Jesus was about repenting and turning from sin, and then believing in Him. Jesus came on the scene and was drawn to John and his message and submitted to baptism and saw that He was about His father's business. Jesus on this earth would eventually fulfill the Law by how he lived his life; this means my acceptance by God is not about fulfilling the Law but accepting or believing in Christ. Jesus became my substitute by living the perfect life, dying on the cross and conquering death by raising from the dead. I am justified by faith - I repent and believe (Mark 1:15). But the Law is still a part of life and living. And as a child of God loving Him means I will keep His commandments (John 14:15).  

August 31

Judaizing Legalism

The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation. This is the way of our world which preaches to work hard so you can get rewards. God actually calls this way of living before Him a curse. Deuteronomy 27:26 -- ‘Cursed is he who does not confirm the words of this law by doing them.’ Later Paul will speak of this further as recorded in Galatians 3 and was studied in the last lesson. Paul quotes from 4 different Old Testament passages in those verses in Galatians 3:10-14. This curse is a problem because perfection is required and yet perfection cannot be attained so it is a curse because man on his own is incapable of earning salvation. Man without God on the throne of his life is cursed as it says in Deuteronomy 27:26, but Jesus became a curse and it was necessary because of Deuteronomy 21:22-23 for it says -- “If a man has committed a sin worthy of death and he is put to death, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse shall not hang all night on the tree, but you shall surely bury him on the same day (for he who is hanged is accursed of God)." Jesus hung on a cross for each of us and though without sin, he was thought to have done something worthy of death and he became cursed by God for hanging on the cross (tree).

When we think we can use the Law to justify us, we come under God's curse. No one can keep the law perfectly. Romans 2:13 -- for not the hearers of the Law who are just before God, but the doers of the Law will be justified. Only those who are always doers of the Law will be justified which means none of us can be justified. Only Christ. Galatians 3:13 -- Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree."

September 1

Deadly Legalism

On one hand legalism is motivated often by good reasons -- with the hope of denying sin in a person's life and living a life of righteousness. The problem comes when it does this with fear when it gives people the perception that certain sins (abortion, homosexuality, drinking, divorce, etc.) when committed banish a person from God's acceptance. This is distorting God's plan. God hates sin but loves sinners. And Jesus can still restore a person to being totally accepted by God. Legalism is often rules that have been created through a combination of elements of Judaism, Christianity, and paganism. This is a problem in our day and was a problem in Paul's day with the Colossian church. 

The concern with this legalism is that one would get too focused on external practices instead of focusing on the heart. What happens is we think it is good enough to look the part of a religious person. It is hard often because this is what people see. They don't see what is on the inside of us. We protect people from what is on the inside, what we do in secret, in the dark. 

Psalm 58:2 - in heart you work unrighteousness - I think this is a telling verse as it mentions that in me is unrighteousness and more specifically in my heart. Jesus said as recorded in Matthew 12:34 -- "For the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart." Jeremiah 17:9 - “The heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?" This is the problem with the over-reliance on external acts as it has a tendency to evade the real source of our sin - the heart. 

And so we return to our text today -- Therefore no one is to act as your judge - Thus we often get fooled into what holiness is really about -- not drinking, only watching the right TV shows and listening to the right music, attending church whenever the doors are opened. This is not holiness. Rather holiness is bearing the fruit of the Spirit - Galatians 5:22-23 - the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

September 2

Thus it seems to me there are a couple of problems with legalism. (1) I think it has the problem of being too focused on doing and not on examining our motives and our heart on issues. (2) While people are concerned about the effects of sin, we start to think that certain sins not even mentioned in the Bible are sinful. (3) Christianity starts to be viewed only as a religion of do's and don'ts. (4) We diminish the power of God in people's lives as the outcome of a surrendered life is the Spirit in us, producing fruit. 

Summary: The danger of legalism is it trains us in external obedience rather than surrendering to the God who produces in us fruit. 

Promise: God is not interested in mere externals but in transformation that conforms our heart, mind, body, and soul to Christ. 

Prayer: God, you are love. You are to be praised. Your word is true. Help me God to remember my heart and examining it and helping others to this as well. Give me sensitivity to convictions people have for things they see as unlawful. Help us all surrender to you and let the natural work of your Spirit reign in our lives. 

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 July is about the right use of God's Law; June was justification by faith alone; May 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.

Bringing me to Christ

The Restraint of the Law - the law is given for lawless, unholy, disobedient people, to restrain us from acting on our sinful thoughts. Restraint and Guilt - the law is meant to restrain Christians and non-Christians alike; so that others may see Christ. The Law's Revelation of Sin - The Law reveals sin, at times making it more desirable, and show the sin which people commit and the complete standard it expects. The Law and Our Powerlessness - We are powerless over the Law and Sin revealed. It is in Christ that we receive forgiveness and the power to resist sin. The Law our Guardian - The law is not a tool of justifying me, but rather it is an instrument to bring me to Christ and show me my need for Him. 

Guiding our Lives

The Guidance of the Law - The Law is a guide in our lives for what pleases God and what it looks like to walk in holiness. The Antinomian Error - We were slaves to sin, but now we are slaves to obedience and righteousness. Judaizing Legalism - The error of Judaizing Legalism is the idea that obedience brings about God's acceptance of us for salvation.

My Utmost for His Highest - May 14th - The Habit of Enjoying the Agreeable

Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. - 2 Corinthians 4:10

    We have to form habits to express what God's grace has done in us. It is not a question of being saved from hell, but of being saved in order to manifest the life of the Son of God in our mortal flesh, and it is the disagreeable things which make us exhibit whether or not we are manifesting His life. Do I manifest the essential sweetness of the Son of God, or the essential irritation of "myself" apart from Him? The only thing that will enable me to enjoy the disagreeable is the keen enthusiasm of letting the life of the Son of God manifest itself in me. No matter how disagreeable a thing may be, say--"Lord, I am delighted to obey Thee in this matter," and instantly the Son of God will press to the front, and there will be manifested in my human life that which glorifies Jesus.

    There must be no debate. The moment you obey the light, the Son of God presses through you in that particular; but if you debate you grieve the Spirit of God. You must keep yourself fit to let the life of the Son of God be manifested, and you cannot keep yourself fit if you give way to self-pity. Our circumstances are the means of manifesting how wonderfully perfect and extraordinary pure the Son of God is. The thing that ought to make the heart beat is a new way of manifesting the Son of God. It is one thing to choose the disagreeable and another thing to go into the disagreeable by God's engineering. If God puts you there, He is amply sufficient.

    Keep your soul fit to manifest the life of the Son of God. never live on memories; let the Word of God be always living and active in you.

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

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

My Thoughts

I love these thoughts of habits, new habits that are not so much on me doing, but letting Him take over in me. It is not about me and but obedience to Him and allowing Him to be manifested in me, for his glory. All of life can speak of Him - both the good and the trial, the agreeable and disagreeable. What is the purpose? Glorifying Him. Plain and simple. 

My Utmost for His Highest - May 7th - Building for Eternity

For which one of you, when he wants to build a tower, does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if he has enough to complete it? - Luke 14:28

    Our Lord refers not to a cost we have to count, but to a cost which He has counted. The cost was those thirty years at Nazareth, those three years of popularity, scandal and hatred, the deep unfathomable agony in Gethsemane, and the onslaught at Calvary--the pivot upon which the whole of Time and Eternity turns. Jesus Christ has counted the cost. Men are not going to laugh at Him at last and say--"This man began to build, and was not able to finish. (Luke 14:30)"

    The conditions of discipleship laid down by Our Lord in vv. 26, 27, and 33 mean that the men and women He is going to use in His mighty building enterprises are those in whom He has done everything. "If any man come to Me, and hate not . . . , he cannot be My disciple. (Luke 14:26)" Our Lord implies that the only men and women He will use in His building enterprises are those who love Him personally, passionately and devotedly beyond any of the closest ties on earth. The conditions are stern, but they are glorious.

    All that we build is going to be inspected by God. Is God going to detect in His searching fire that we have built on the foundation of Jesus some enterprise of our own (see I Corinthians 3:10-15)? These are the days of tremendous enterprises, days when we are trying to work for God, and therein is the snare. Profoundly speaking, we can never work for God. Jesus takes us over for His enterprises, His building schemes entirely, and no soul has any right to claim where he shall be put.

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

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

My thoughts

We don't work for God, but rather Jesus takes us over for His work. But I do love Him with all of me and am willing to give up all for Him. I count the cost. The cost isn't mine, but it is all that He has done for me. That's the cost. My cost is simply seeing this and knowing this and therefore trusting in Him. The effort in me is simply surrender. 

My Utmost for His Highest - October 23 - Not a Bit of It!

If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away. — 2 Corinthians 5:17

Our Lord never nurses our prejudices, He mortifies them, runs clean athwart them. We imagine that God has a special interest in our particular prejudices; we are quite sure that God will never deal with us as we know He has to deal with other people. “God must deal with other people in a very stern way, but of course He knows that my prejudices are all right.” We have to learn — “Not a bit of it!” Instead of God being on the side of our prejudices, He is deliberately wiping them out. It is part of our moral education to have our prejudices run straight across by His providence, and to watch how He does it. God pays no respect to anything we bring to Him; there is only one thing He wants of us, and that is our unconditional surrender. 

When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begins to work His new creation in us, and there will come a time when there is not a bit of the old order left; the old solemnity goes, the old attitude to things goes, and “all things are of God (2 Corinthians 5:18).” How are we going to get the life that has no lust, no self-interest, no sensitiveness to pokes, the love that is not provoked, that thinketh no evil, that is always kind (I Corinthians 13:4-5)? The only way is by allowing not a bit of the old life to be left, but only simple perfect trust in God, such trust that we no longer want God’s blessings, but only want Himself. Have we come to the place where God can withdraw His blessings and it does not affect our trust in Him? When once we see God at work, we will never bother our heads about things that happen, because we are actually trusting in our Father in Heaven Whom the world cannot see.

My Thoughts

• The goal is there is not a bit of my old life in my new life with Christ. 
• This means that we only want Himself and His blessings can even be withdrawn

Romans 9:14-24 - Grace and Reprobation

Romans 9:14-24

14 What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! 15 For He says to Moses, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” 16 So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. 17 For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH." 18 So then He has mercy on whom He desires, and He hardens whom He desires.

19 You will say to me then, “Why does He still find fault? For who resists His will?” 20 On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? 21 Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use? 22 What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction? 23 And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, 24 even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles.

Message: Grace and Reprobation

Time:  Paul wrote Romans from Corinth as he prepared to leave for Palestine. Phoebe (16:1,2) was given the great responsibility of delivering the letter to the Romans believers. At this time, Rome had a population of 1 million, many of whom were slaves. The Romans church was doctrinally sound, but it still needed rich doctrine and practical application. Rome had massive buildings but also slums.

What the Lord is Saying:

God rescues us
Man is forever fooling himself to think that he can earn his own salvation. This again is the way of the world in which we live. We work hard, continually improving and along the way our hard work pays off. It merits dividends. Even when it comes to eating or taking care of our bodies, we are focused on the idea that what we eat and the exercise we do pays off by living in a healthier manner. Thus, we are trained over and over in life in this kind of living and this living resulting in good outcomes.

Yet, God's salvation does not work like this. Over and over in scripture is the reminder that we are saved by grace. This grace does not have anything to do with our performance. Man does make choices in life but is incapable of choosing righteousness as a sinner. He needs to be rescued by God.

Paul responds to a question
In this passage, Romans 9:14-24, Paul is addressing an objection that is not said but implied or he thinks the objection is coming. The objection is - "Is God acting in a righteous manner when He chooses one over another?" This sounds quite familiar to what we hear all to often from people in this world. They say, "God would not let that happen because God is love and God being love wants all people to have good outcomes." Those are not the exact words that are spoken by people but it is something that is mentioned over and over that a good God would not allow suffering; a good God would not allow a person to hurt or have pain. When we ask these questions, are we not asking the same question that Paul is responding to here? The question is: Is God acting in a righteous manner when He chooses one over another?

In essence, God is being God and we don't like it and because we don't like it, then there must not be a God.

God has mercy
Paul wants to make it very clear that God is always righteous. He starts with a quote from Exodus 33:19 - And He said, "I Myself will make all My goodness pass before you, and will proclaim the name of the LORD before you; and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show compassion on whom I will show compassion." Paul is speaking to the Jewish people and his responses or His arguments go back to the text of the Old Testament. God will be gracious to whom He will be gracious. As man, our role is to not be judge or jury of God. Yet, most of us have a God given compassion for others, and we hurt for others, for ourselves. We see some people living seemingly good lives while others don't and it saddens us that everyone can't be equal. Yet, we are the ones that have defined what is a good life. But, there is also injustice in this world because people are sinners and they act in a sinful manner. But, God is not the one who is acting in an injustice way. Paul says (verse 16) - it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy. It does not depend on man's hard work. Paul is simply making a natural conclusion here. The Lord will have mercy on whom I have mercy....it does not depend on the man. 

If it depended on man, then man would get the glory. It is one or the other. It cannot be a two-way thing where man does a little, God does the rest. This goes back to the earlier discussion that man is incapable in his fallen state to do even a little.

Demonstrates His Power
Paul continues his response and once again goes back to Exodus with the following quote from Exodus 9:16 - But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth. Paul states - FOR THIS VERY PURPOSE I RAISED YOU UP, TO DEMONSTRATE MY POWER IN YOU, AND THAT MY NAME MIGHT BE PROCLAIMED THROUGHOUT THE WHOLE EARTH. God is to be glorified. God acts the way He acts so His name might be proclaimed. We have a jealous God. Albert Barnes states - "The design is to show that God has a right to pass by those to whom he does not choose to show mercy; and to place them in circumstances where they shall develop their true character." God has this right. Again, it is the character of man to take care of only himself. It is the character of God to try to think man is the one that solves life's problems. This passage in Exodus is Paul taking his audience back to Pharaoh to show that even the most mighty and wicked monarchs are in God's control. The true character of man is selfishness, of seeking out his own self interests and God placed Pharaoh in circumstances where this character is further developed. While others he chooses for salvation.

Once again, this is an idea about God that I don't think we like. The reality is God does choose some for salvation, but most he does not. And the selfish way of man is pleased with this.

Don't Ask Why
Thus, what follows next is man's natural response to all of this - The Question: "Why?" But, the issue I think of the "why" question can be better understood in the idea that man lives in a fallen condition. This is the basis of man. This is the intent of man. This is the predominant way of man. I think in the United States and even throughout the world, for a time, leaders were Christians, and the notion of right and wrong prevailed in human thought. Many today think we need to return to the founding of our country. And it is true religious life was more predominant in leaders early in our history. But as time has gone by, this notion slowly evaporates. It is like a pot boiling. After a while the water leaves and there is no more water. There is just steam. And over time this is what we are seeing is the way of man is becoming more and more the way of man.

Paul speaks here that we are all simply lumps of clay. In my daily reading through the Bible that I began recently, I came across these words in Isaiah 29 that I now see Paul was quoting in this passage. The Lord speaks these words (Isaiah 29:16) - You turn things around! Shall the potter be considered as equal with the clay, that what is made would say to its maker, “He did not make me”;
Or what is formed say to him who formed it, “He has no understanding”? We are lumps of clay and we think we have the right to now speak to the potter. I think this language is used to show the absurdity of the situation. The makeup of man and God is completely different. And here we see it is difference by looking at a piece of clay that the potter has formed. Clay is an object. The potter is a man. Man and God have a similar relationship. Yet, we question God all the time. The clay speaks.

Paul echoes this sentiment in these words recording in Romans 9:20-21 - On the contrary, who are you, O man, who answers back to God? The thing molded will not say to the molder, “Why did you make me like this,” will it? Or does not the potter have a right over the clay, to make from the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for common use?

Thus, here is the conclusion. Don't ask why? It is foolishness for us to ask why. Clay does not speak. But we do ask and we ask over and over and though we don't hear answers, we make up our own answers to the questions. And suddenly the clay thinks it has arrived at the correct conclusion regarding life and everything in it. It is absurdity and yet we sit back and define it as reasonable. We are pots. We are clay. Let the potter be the potter. Let God be God.

Mercy, Mercy, Mercy
And now Paul will take us back to the chief problem and that is man is fallen. Man had what he wanted in the garden - nothing but good outcomes, but his problem was he wanted to be the potter and so he ignored the plan of God and took matters in his own hands. The result was a roadway to wrath. Paul makes this clear. What if God, although willing to demonstrate His wrath and to make His power known. Man has this insatiable desire to be in charge and he gets this from God. Think about some of the great dictators - Stalin, Hitler, Mao Zedong. We watch them carry out their wicked ways as they demonstrate their wrath and make their power known. What they exhibit is something we all have - a desire to be in control. Sure it is grotesque to see what they do with that control. And we would be appalled to see God act this way. Yet, our deeds are like filthy rags. These dictators carry out a wrath on people that don't deserve the wrath and yet God would be just in carrying out wrath on disobedient sinners. Would we not have a little understanding with these dictators if there adherents were in fact disobedient toward them?

The point Paul makes is that God, could demonstrate His wrath and could make His power known, but he doesn't, and instead He endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction. God has mercy. He has patience. He does not want any to come to judgement, but all to repent. And could it be that His feeling toward sin is so appalling that most people will end up receiving that wrath, but a few will be saved. The irony of this all is God is actually acting in a manner that is reasonable and justified.

Rich in Mercy and indeed Good Outcomes
And He did so to make known the riches of His glory upon vessels of mercy, which He prepared beforehand for glory, even us, whom He also called, not from among Jews only, but also from among Gentiles. God is rich in Glory. And this Glory has been his plan. And He has set us apart for this glory. He chose Jews and Gentiles. He chose from every group under the Sun. We are all included. If we would just focus on this. If we would just focus on His mercy and being included in His glory. If we would let Him be the potter - wouldn't it all just work out?

Promise: From TableTalk Magazine for this entry - Since we deserve only eternal death apart from God's intervention, we cannot complain if the Lord shows grace and mercy only to some of us. Reprobation is God leaving some in their sins and to the just consequences of those sins. We are in Christ only because God chooses to love undeserving sinners.

Prayer: O God the Father, you are indeed rich in mercy. You have saved me by your grace and your grace alone. There is no fiber in me that is worthy. I am no different from anyone. The only difference is you have lifted me up. Lord, I pray that I would surrender to you and let you be God. Help me to rise above all those voices that continue to question you. Your power is made known simply in saving anyone. And your glory is so great because of all who you have saved. Lord, you have reminded me that I am clay, a lump of clay and You are the potter and I have no place in ever questioning You because clay and a potter are entirely two different compositions. I only can surrender to You God. That is my only choice, my only way. You didn't have to but you did, you showed me Your mercy and then you somehow have promised me to share in Your Glory. How?



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 with the April devotional being about salvation by grace alone and how the Lord never fails to save the one whom He has purposed to save.

Jesus Calling: November 2

Grow strong in the Light of My Presence. Your weakness does not repel Me. On the contrary, it attracts My Power, which is always available to flow into a yielded heart. Do not condemn yourself for your constant need of help. Instead, come to Me with your gaping neediness; let the Light of My Love fill you.
     A yielded heart does not whine or rebel when the going gets rough. It masters the courage to thank Me even during hard times. It musters the courage to thank Me even during hard times. Yielding yourself to My will is ultimately an act of trust. In quietness and trust is your strength. 

Psalm 116:5-7
English Standard Version

⁵ Gracious is the Lord, and righteous;
    our God is merciful.
⁶ The Lord preserves the simple;
    when I was brought low, he saved me.
⁷ Return, O my soul, to your rest;
    for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.

Ephesians 5:20
English Standard Version
giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

Isaiah 30:15
English Standard Version
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
    in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling

Prayer
Lord, on this day I want to do things Your way. Lord, train me to embrace your will during the hard times. Generally, I get mad, sad, then glad. Help me through those moments so that my trust shall be my strength. You are fair and you deal bountifully with me. I give thank always for everything.  

Prayer Update - 2021

Today my wife and I celebrate 30 years of being married. Lord, I am so thankful for my still beautiful and wonderful wife Pamela and the wonderful gift she has been to me. Thank you for her beautiful smile, her wonderful child-like approach to life, and the way she helps me see the joy of life and all that you have created. You are my refuge God and yet each day with her is also a refuge for the troubles of each day. You use her to remind me how much we need each other each day. Even as trials have hit us at various times, we go at it together. We are better together. You talk to me daily through your Words and I'm so thankful for this and I love to sit and talk with her. On this day I say once again Lord, thank you. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: October 21

To live in My Presence consistently, you must expose and expel your rebellious tendencies. When something interferes with your plans or desires, you tend to resent the interference. Try to become aware of each resentment, however petty it may seem. Don't push those unpleasant feelings down; instead, let them come to the surface where you can deal with them. Ask My Spirit to increase your awareness of resentful feelings. Bring them boldly into the Light of My Presence, so that I can free you from them.
     The ultimate solution to rebellious tendencies is submission to My authority over you. Intellectually you rejoice in My sovereignty, without which the world would be a terrifying place. But when My sovereign will encroaches on your little domain of control, you often react with telltale resentment.
     The best response to losses or thwarted hopes is praise: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Remember that all good things--your possessions, your family and friends, your health and abilities, your time--are gifts from Me. Instead of feeling entitled to all these blessings, respond to them with gratitude. Be prepared to let go of anything I take from you, but never let go of My hand!

Psalm 139:23-24
English Standard Version

²³ Search me, O God, and know my heart!
    Try me and know my thoughts!
²⁴ And see if there be any grievous way in me,
    and lead me in the way everlasting!

I Peter 5:6
English Standard Version

Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,

Job 1:21
New King James Version

And he said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

My Prayer
Lord, help me to not simply follow You according to my terms. At times, there will be unwelcome situations that come into my life, so that you may teach me something. Help me to not rebel because I don't think at the time it is something I want. Help me to have the response of Job: The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Lord, I want to humble myself under your mighty hand and allow you to Search me, O God. Try me and know my mind and if there be any wicked way in me, pull me to the rock that is higher than I.   

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.


Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 14:9 - Lord of the Dead and the Liviing

Romans 14:9 - For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living.

Message:  Lord of All

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

What is this freedom I now have in Christ? What is this peace that passes understanding? What is this assurance of my salvation? It is that I belong to the Lord Jesus and therefore I am completely accepted by God. Man and mine's deepest desire is to belong and be accepted; it is to be a part of something bigger than me. This is what I have in Christ and this is the meaning of this verse. "For to this end." In verse 8, "whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's." This is why Christ died.

This is why Christ dead. This is the message that everyone needs to hear. Why did Christ die? Because I was dead. In my sin, as a fallen creature, I was dead. And Christ's death gave me a new life. When I have money, when I have things, when I have creature comforts, when I have few obstacles and problems, when I have all of this, then I think I don't need anything and that means, I don't need God. I don't need a Savior. I can hold myself up. It is through weakness and life in all its imperfections that I discover I can't do it on my own.

I remember this song from Resurrection Band, from their "Mommy Don't Love Daddy Anymore" LP, called "Can't Do it On my Own:"

I've tried to understand what went wrong and tried to figure out why it took so long,
I've tried to go back through my past and just undo the selfishness,
I've tried to turn my heart from stone into a heart of tenderness. 

But I can't do it,
I can't do it on my own,
I can't do it,
I can't do it all alone,
I can't do it,
I can't do it on my own.

I try and try and try, but I can't do it on my own. But, people in life like to see if they can.

He died and rose again. This confirms the reason for his death and resurrection.

Wayne Barber always says, "God never said we could. He can, and He always said He would."

Promise: From Tabletalk, "Christ made the ultimate sacrifice to buy us back, and because He paid the price, He alone has the right to judge His people."

Jesus Calling: June 5

Remember that you live in a fallen world: an abnormal world tainted by sin. Much frustration and failure result from your seeking perfection in this life. There is nothing perfect in this world except Me. That is why closeness to Me satisfies deep yearnings and fills you with Joy.
     I have planted longing for perfection in every human heart. This is a good desire, which I alone can fulfill. But most people seek this fulfillment in other people and earthly pleasures or achievements. Thus they create idols, before which they bow down. I will have no other gods before Me!  Make Me the deepest desire of your heart. Let Me fulfill your yearning for perfection. 

Exodus 20:3
English Standard Version

You shall have no other gods before me.

Psalm 27:4
English Standard Version

One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord
and to inquire in his temple.

My Prayer
(2015) Lord, I need to be trained by You. Help me to not look inward or outward to world for success, but I want to find my fulfillment in You. Keep me close to You even during trials and tribulations. I do not want to be guided by human wisdom, but only through the wisdom of the Lord. Train me daily for Godliness.
(2019) Lord, the closer I get to you or the more time I spend with you, the more I see my awful sin. I am embarrassed by the idolatry in my life: how I find refuge in a TV, movie; worth in my job; peace in a nice house and nice cars; fulfillment in getting to go on a long vacation; satisfaction in watching my children succeed; piety by having many people post on my blog. Lord, purify me and may my dependence be only on You. I so want to seek after You and dwell in the house of the Lord. Thank you for providing good and wholesome shows to watch on TV for me to find rest in, for providing a job that I can enjoy and help provide for my family, for providing me with great neighbors and a house that can bless many, for providing opportunities to see your creation and other friends and family living in other cities and for the joy in seeing how you have gifted my children. Lord, when I spend time with You, in your word, and reading devotions like this written by people you have spoken to, I am lifted up and encouraged and I'm amazed that my thoughts can encourage others. To God be the Glory.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Romans 13:6-7 - Paying our Taxes

Romans 13:6-7 - ⁶ For because of this you also pay taxes, for rulers are servants of God, devoting themselves to this very thing. ⁷ Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor.

Message: Render to all what is due

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

My responsibility - a review
A Christian has responsibilities. We are to "present our bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God" from verse 1 of chapter 12. We have a responsibility first and foremost to God. We have a responsibility to "not to think more highly of oneself than he ought to think (12:3)." And "let every person be in subjection to the governing authorities (13:1)." These are simply marks of a Christian. I am not to link myself (conform) to the world but my mind is to be renewed daily. This is what I am to do, not because I am trying to receive something or gain something, but because God is good and I am his servant and I am to uphold the ways of God. 

Paying Taxes
Because rulers have been set up by God, I "also pay taxes." My role is to not only be subject to the rules and the authority of the government, but I am also to pay them taxes or pay my portion in supporting the government. These are individuals serving the people and they are to be compensated for their work. It is possible that one is paying taxes to support a regime that is not acting in a moral manner, but our duty is first to surrender to God, and pay the tax, but I still have a responsibility to vote in a better representative. 

Being a Christian does not de-obligate us from being servants to the government. I am to be a cheerful giver in supporting the individuals supporting the community and the welfare of the community. Understood in these verses is individuals are paying taxes and they are to continue in this discipline. It has already been discussed that the role of government is to uphold good and punish evil and so our tax paid is supporting this cause.

• Custom - this word has also been translated tribute and it appears to mean the tax on real estate, land, or merchandise. 
• Fear - I should stand in awe of those that wear the badge or sword. It is clear and true that I serve out of fear of being punished. There is nothing wrong in wanting to avoid punishment.
• Honor - I am to be reverent towards those in authority. 

Can I question the government? Yes, but I am also to show respect to the government. They have a difficult job and it is easy for me to stand on the sidelines and critique. So, to this I need to resist and act in a way that is honoring to God. 

To me, one of the big challenges in these verses is that I am called to pay taxes, but often I don't want to because I don't believe in the mission or the way in which my taxes are being spent. I notice I do this at church as well. I must be careful because first and foremost I am servant of God and my payment of taxes/tithes is because these are the individuals God has set up to govern my life. Whether they do it properly is a different story. 
 
Promise: I fulfill God's command when I pay taxes.

Romans 13:5 - Submission for Conscience's Sake

Romans 13:5 - Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience.

Message: Be in subjection

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome

What the Lord is Saying:

It is clear from these verses the government has a purpose and God set up government because at the moment man sinned people would need to be restrained and protected. And when his people get out of line punishment would be necessary. And as we talked about yesterday, the government are God's representatives to avenge wrongdoers. But it must be clear that as I look at these verses, my thinking should not simply be how other people are supposed to be. I am not pointing the finger at the government, wanting them to get their act together. But I am to look at myself as a citizen and how I am supposed to respond in a world that is set up with governments. The tendency often in reading anything, any sort of instruction, it to determine how that reading affects others. We are quick to self justify and we are also quick to point the finger as we often say, "the problem is not with me, but the problem is with other people." This is often our outcry: "if other people would just get their act together, then all would be fine and dandy." 

But in verse five Paul reminds us of our personal responsibility. Verse one told us that "there is no authority except from God and those which exist are established by God." In verse 2, a "resistance to authority" means then we have resisted God. Paul says in this book that "there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" and yet by resisting authority we receive condemnation ourselves. If we do good we should have nothing to fear. But if we do evil we should not be surprised at the wrath that comes from it.

And now in verse five, because of this, because of what God has established we are to be in subjection to it. This is it, first and foremost submission is to happen because God has established it. Yet, Paul reminds us that people are not just motivated because of God's authority. In verse five, Paul reminds us that we are in subjection also because of the wrath upon the individual when they do not practice what is good but instead practice evil. Bad things will happen when we disobey the law. Law disobedience often results in fines where our money that is earned is now to be paid to the government. Our job is to protect our family and to glorify God but we can't do this if we were stuck in the cell serving a sentence. And then Paul also concludes that we are to be in subjection to our authority because our conscience move us in this direction.

Man has been given a conscience. This confidence comes from God as we saw in Romans two verse 15, "their conscience bearing witness and thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them."

So again in these verses God tells us that we are to be obedient to the law because God institutes it, God chooses the penalty or the wrath that comes from being disobedient but also he has given us a conscience to know right and wrong. Is not this conscience amazing? It is tragic to see people that do not ascribe this to God but rather somehow our own personal faculties just developed this conscience or that it is through trial and error. Again, as it says in Romans one verse 25, "they exchange the truth of God for a lie." This is why I like the law and grace method of evangelism because it appeals to the conscience.

Promise: Doing good for any reason is better than doing evil, but the Lord does not find our doing good pleasing unless we are doing it for the right reasons.

Romans 11:1-5 - God's Chosen Remnant

Romans 11:1-5 - 1 I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not rejected His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says in the passage about Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel? 3 "Lord, they have killed Your prophets, they have torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they are seeking my life.” 4 But what is the divine response to him? “I have kept for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.” 5 In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time a remnant according to God’s gracious choice.

Message: There is no rejection of God's people. God foreknew His people. Many, seemingly, of the faith, will not follow God in the proper way, but God will save a remnant.

Time: Written in AD 57 from Greece, to the Christians, both Gentile and Jewish in Rome.

What the Lord is Saying:  

Background
Again, this is a fitting next thought by Paul. He has just basically said that the Jews have been given opportunity to be accepted by God. It is true that they created their own version of righteousness, by the Law, rather than a righteousness of faith. And they rejected God. They tried to make God jealous by serving other gods and God turned the tables on them, grafting in a previous rebellious people, the Gentiles. They were presented the gospel message and they received it. 

But, even in this explanation, Paul clarifies a message or principle from God, that he shows was consistent throughout the Old Testament: God saves whom He saves. He is sovereign and He calls His people to be His. And this calling isn't necessarily based upon certain good behavior or people being faithful. In fact, Israel served other gods and provoked God to anger, and yet He still called them His people. 

But, the message now to the Jews is each Jew cannot necessarily think that they are all accepted by God, just because they are a Jew. It is not through keeping the commandments or through being circumcised or through being a caretaker of the oracles of God or by being God's original chosen people that will then always merit God's favor. People must see that Jesus is the ransom. Jesus is the one to be followed. Jesus is the one to trust and they are to trust Him as Lord and Savior. They are to accept His dying once and for all for sin. Just as sin entered the world through one man, through One Man sin can be vanquished from a person's life by having faith. God will impute or transfer the righteousness of the perfect Lamb to the believer through the faith that person states, not in that person's goodness, but in God's greatness in providing a ransom. 

This is the Gospel that Jesus lived and died. Man is a sinner. God must deal with sin. He dealt with sin in His Son. Will we follow Him? Will we have faith in Him and trust Him with our entire life? By doing so God grafts us in so that we are now God's chosen people. This is our creed.  

No rejection
Don't think for a moment that God rejects His people (Absolutely not), rather people reject God. Paul is an Israelite. Paul is a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Paul is a "people of God."

I Samuel 12:22 - “For the Lord will not abandon His people on account of His great name, because the Lord has been pleased to make you a people for Himself." 

But, we can't think that God rejecting some people means that God will always and forever now reject Israel. 

Hosea 9:17 says, "My God will cast them away because they have not listened to Him; And they will be wanderers among the nations." They will wander, but they will return. God still holds a special place for the Israelites and will come back. The church has not replaced them. 

God foreknew His people
Here is the crux of the message. We can be so focused on the thought that we determine our life. We simply wave the white flag and surrender. We tell God it isn't about us, but it's all about him. We aren't out there trying to do our best, trying to make ourselves worthy in order to earn salvation. Salvation is a gift. And there is a giver. We are simply to come to God with open hands; receive the gift. God doesn't reject people because God foreknew people.

Foreknew is a difficult word because its use negates the idea of personal responsibility. To use this word is not to mean that God simply knew in advance who would surrender their lives to Him, but rather he pre-planned His descendants, is a challenging thought. Yet, it is not something new in Scripture, for Moses spoke of this often in recording the words of God. God has set apart a people for himself.   

Yet, we can never stop here. I can never look at this doctrine and then close my Bible. I must look at all the truths and commands of Scripture and hold close to all of them. I must continue to speak the truth of God and continue to uphold His name and be an ambassador for truth. The one problem I see is there has been such a huge focus on getting people to the Gospel when it seems rather that what Jesus wanted was for us to bring people to be a follower or disciple. I think at times we place too much emphasis on the confession and not enough on the transformation. 

I think the focus is too much on whether God foreknew or not. Our focus should be on helping Christians live a complete life in Christ. And this means upholding all of the commands of the Bible. 

Elijah pleads against Israel, not for Israel
I Kings 19:10, He said, “I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for the sons of Israel have forsaken Your covenant, torn down Your altars and killed Your prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my life, to take it away.” And this same thought is repeated in verse 14 of the same chapter.

Elijah pleads to God, for his life to be saved. He is watching the sons of Israel not being true to their faith. And in this rejection of their true north position with God, they are wanting to permanently shut up Elijah. Elijah is pleading to the Lord to save him. And the Lord lets Elijah know that their will be a remnant among the people of Israel, 7,000 to be exact (I Kings 19:18). Elijah felt like he was alone and that there was no one else. God wanted to show him that he was not alone. The world seems so dark at times and it does seem like the Christian has a target on their back. But, God is faithful and He has a remnant. We are to remain a voice, though, and not simply huddle together.

Remnants
In all people groups, Jewish and Gentile, there is "a remnant according to God's gracious choice." 

God saves us not because of our good doing or good behavior, but because of His grace. 

Deuteronomy 7:7-8 - ⁷ “The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any of the peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples, ⁸ but because the Lord loved you and kept the oath which He swore to your forefathers, the Lord brought you out by a mighty hand and redeemed you from the house of slavery, from the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt.

It is by grace we have been saved. - Ephesians 2:8 

Promise: God does not reject His people, He saves them by His grace. It is not everyone He saves, but a remnant. 

Jesus Calling: April 5

    Let Me fill you with My Love, Joy, and Peace. There are Glory-gifts, flowing from my living Presence. Though you are an earthen vessel, I designed you to be filled with heavenly contents. Your weakness is not a deterrent to being filled with My Spirit; on the contrary, it provides an opportunity for My Power to shine forth more brightly.
    As you go through this day, trust Me to provide the strength that you need moment by moment. Don't waste energy wondering whether you are adequate for today's journey. My Spirit within you is more than sufficient to handle whatever this day may bring. That is the basis for your confidence! In quietness (spending time alone with Me) and confident trust (relying on My sufficiency) is your strength. 

2 Corinthians 4:7
New American Standard Bible (NASB)
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

Verse Thoughts
We have the gospel and it is here described as a treasure, meaning it is of inestimable worth. And yet the possessors of that gospel are earthen vessels--weak, feeble, liable to various accidents, fragile, basically unworthy to hold such a valuable treasure. And yet, we have the ability to do great things, not because we are great, but because of the great Power of God at work in us.

Isaiah 30:15
English Standard Version (ESV)
For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.”
But you were unwilling,

Verse Thoughts
According to Albert Barnes, the design of this verse is to give a reason for the destruction that should come upon them. That reason was, that God had indicated to them the path of truth and safety, but they chose not to follow it, and refused to put confidence in him. In returning to God; that is, if you are converted and surrendered to him, resting on God for assistance, and not seeking the alliance of Egypt (people that want nothing of God), in a collected, quiet state of mind, by putting simple trust in God, you shall be safe; your enemies shall not be able to overcome and subdue you. That's the plan, but you were unwilling.

My Prayer
Lord, I open the door of my life to You and welcome You in. Lord, I want to filled with You. Thank You for sending Your Holy Spirit to live in me and be the presence of You in me. Keep me connected to You and Your word. I want to be content and have a quiet state of mind, daily putting my trust in You. 


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.

Jesus Calling: March 24

    This is a time in your life when you must learn to let go: of loved ones, of possessions, of control. In order to let go of something that is precious to you, you need to rest in My Presence, where you are complete. Take time to bask in the Light of My Love. As you relax more and more, your grasping hand gradually opens up, releasing your prized possession into My care.
    You can feel secure, even in the midst of cataclysmic changes, through awareness of My continual Presence. The One who never leaves you is the same One who never changes: I am the same yesterday, today, and forever. As you release more and more things into My care, remember that I never let go of your hand. Herein lies your security, which no one and no circumstance can take from you. 

Psalm 89:15
English Standard Version
Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,
who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

Hebrews 13:8
English Standard Version
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

Isaiah 41:13
English Standard Version
For I, the Lord your God,
hold your right hand;
it is I who say to you, “Fear not,
I am the one who helps you.”

My Prayer
Lord, the words you said to me and everyone is to follow you I must deny myself. I admit, I grow accustomed to loved ones, possessions, of control. I grow accustomed to having it my way to the point that I begin thinking that what you want is my way. But you remind me today you are the same yesterday and today and forever. I am blessed with You. I don't need things, people or to be in control. What I need is You. Lord, make this plain to me. Give me that understanding. I want to live and be in Your presence.


Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author.

Jesus Calling: March 3

    I love you for who you are, not for what you do. Many voices vie for control of your mind, especially when you sit in silence. You must learn to discern what is My voice and what is not. Ask My Spirit to give you this discernment. Many of My children run around in circles, trying to obey the various voices directing their lives. This results in fragmented, frustrating patterns of living. Do not fall into this trap. Walk closely with Me each moment, listening for My directives and enjoying My Companionship. Refuse to let other voices tie you up in knots. My sheep know My voice and follow Me wherever I lead. 

Ephesians 4:1-6
English Standard Version
I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

John 10:4
English Standard Version
When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.

This does remind me of what I've been reading in Zechariah, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah. These books often speak of Israel's faithfulness and God does not welcome their actions of disobedience, but His gracious acts are because of who He is. It's not that He looks past the sin, but His goodness is greater than we could ever know. It's a great reminder of His love for us.

I need to pray and lean on the Spirit for His guidance. Walk closely with the Lord each day. The Lord is before us and we follow Him. Not because of what we see, but because of what we hear. We know His voice.

Walk. Walk in a way that mirrors what God has done for me. Be humble because He is humble. Be gentle towards others because He has been gentle towards Me. Have patience with myself and other people. Why? Because He has been patient with me. Come alongside one another in Love. Why? Because God's Spirit is in us and wants us to be united. There is oneness in Christ, in God, in faith -- so there must be oneness in each other. The oneness isn't a command because of anything but our position in Christ.

My Prayer
Lord, give me the strength each day to stand firm in Christ. I pray that I would practice humility, gentleness, patience, and a love community.

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Jesus Calling: February 23

    Be on guard against the pit of self-pity. When you are weary or unwell, this demonic trap is the greatest danger you face. Don't even go near the edge of the pit. Its edges crumble easily, and before you know it, you are on the way down. It is ever so much harder to get out of the pit than to keep a safe distance from it. That is why i tell you to be on guard.
    There are several ways to protect yourself from self-pity. When you are occupied with praising and thanking Me, it is impossible to feel sorry for yourself. Also, the closer you live to Me, the more distance there is between you and the pit. Live in the Light of My Presence by fixing your eyes on Me. Then you will be able to run with endurance the race that is set before you, without stumbling or falling. 

Psalm 89:15-16

English Standard Version

Blessed are the people who know the festal shout,

    who walk, O Lord, in the light of your face,

who exult in your name all the day
    and in your righteousness are exalted.

Hebrews 12:1-2

New American Standard Bible

Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

I think the verses here are a better representation of the need. We are to submit and surrender to the Lord and let His Presence define our lives. Our focus is not to be on self, but on praising the Lord. The point is that I can at times get too focused on me that I forget the value that Christ has in me. I forget the new creature that I am and forget the hand of providence that he has in my life. 

My Prayer

Lord, set my ways, my walk on You. Help me to praise Your name throughout the day. You are there with me. You are there protecting me. Let me lay aside the worry and put aside the sin that really tangles me up. Instead turn me to run the race of following after Your commands and ways. You are my model Lord. Fix my eyes on You.

Lord, I admit, I am too focused on my problems right now. I feel almost a tug of war happening between problems, things I can't control, and surrendering to You. Lord, help me to put it in your hands. It is hard to watch your children make decisions that have immediately bad results. And its hard when they don't see any problem. It is like they are blind. But, I see it. i want them to demonstrate good habits -- now. I don't want to wait. 

But, you remind me it is a journey and not a sprint. And what i do want to do is give them to you. Help me to not give up and to realize that problems are a part of life. I guess I was getting comfortable and just enjoying good times, but Lord, I can still have peace in my life. 

Keep me on guard against the pit of self-pity. Keep me standing up, upright, firmly rooted in your foundation, believing that You can take care of this. Granted, I am impatient. I want it to be over now. Right now. But, though it isn't over, I can still trust You. 

Note: The devotion and scriptures are from author Sarah Young. If you haven't already, please purchase the book and support the author. 

Also, bookmark https://bibletags.blogspot.com/2019/06/jesus-calling-366-days.html to have an easy link to the entire year of these entries.