Mark's Daily Reading Journal

Going out of town for a week not sure if I will be able to post.

What does it mean that the Lord our God is righteous?  What does it mean that HE is Holy?  In Isaiah 45:19 God tells us that, "I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right."  Our reading in Psalm 119:137 the Psalmists acknowledges that God is righteous.  "Righteous are you, O Lord, and right are your rules." You may or may not recall Psalm 116:5 where we read that, "Gracious is the Lord, and righteous; our God is merciful."  Righteousness is inherent in God...if you think about it God loves with a righteous love, HIS faithfulness is righteous...any attribute or characteristic of God is righteous.  The righteousness of God permeates HIS triune nature.

You may have heard someone ask "if God is a loving God how could HE allow anyone to go to hell?"  That question reflects where our culture is...the question should be "if God is absolutely holy and righteous how is it possible for a sinner like me to enter HIS presence...HOW?  JESUS!

I love the passage in Jeremiah23:6 where we learn that ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’  Paul tells us in Romans 1:17 that in the gospel that "the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”  Paul repeats the same idea in Romans 3:22, "the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction."  Paul will say basically the same thing in other words in 1 Co 1:30 "And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption." 

Re 16:5 And I heard the angel in charge of the waters say, “Just are you, O Holy One, who is and who was, for you brought these judgments.

Ps 145:17 The Lord is righteous in all his ways and kind in all his works.

Dt 32:4 “The Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are justice. A God of faithfulness and without iniquity, just and upright is he.

Re 16:7 And I heard the altar saying, “Yes, Lord God the Almighty, true and just are your judgments!”

Am 3:13  “Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob,” declares the Lord God, the God of hosts,

Am 4:13 For behold, he who forms the mountains and creates the wind, and declares to man what is his thought, who makes the morning darkness, and treads on the heights of the earth— the Lord, the God of hosts, is his name!

Ps 19:9 the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the rules of the Lord are true, and righteous altogether.

How does this impact my day to day life?  I know that whatever my circumstances that my heavenly Father is doing what is right for me...I know that in the gifts that HE gives and in the gifts that HE takes away HE is acting in a loving, holy, just and right way toward me.  HE is brining me to a place where I can say with grace, peace, trust and confidence..."The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Praise the name of the Lord" (Job 1:21).

Father in heaven,

finish the good work you began in me...for YOUR glory and my JOY in YOU!

love,

m

Revive me...do you mean it?

We love to sing songs asking God to revive us, to return to us the joy of HIS salvation, we love to ask HIM in prayer to in HIS wrath remember mercy.  We sing songs with passion and emotion and then once we walk out of the Worship service it is back to life as usual...nothing is changed, nothing is different.  God longs to revive and restore HIS children to HIMSELF and we should sing those songs and pray those prayers, but if we are serious and if we mean what we say then we will change what we do! 

If a father gets angry and backhands his son sending the son flying across the room and then moments later profusely apologizes for hitting his son, the son accepts the apology, but the behavior by the father continues and he does this to his son multiple times each day and each time the father profusely apologizes...is the father really sorry?  NO!  You want to take the father out and beat him don't you?

What about us?  We sing all these wonderful songs to our heavenly father, we sing "where ever HE leads I'll go."  Then we HE asks us to go across the street and tell our neighbor about Jesus we come up with several reasons why it's not convenient right now! 

Have you noticed in Psalm 119 how many times the Psalmist cries out "revive me?"  Did you also notice how the revival comes?  It comes by knowing God's Word, HIS ways, lovingkindness (saving grace), precepts and ordinances = Word.  The changed and transformed life comes in, through and by the Word of God.  Remember Romans 12:2, be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  The renewing of the mind is an inside job, it is the working of the Holy Spirit with the Word of God.

Ps 119:25  My soul cleaves to the dust; Revive me according to Your word.

Ps 119:37  looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways.

Ps 119:40  I long for Your precepts; Revive me through Your

Ps 119:50  in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.

Ps 119:88  Revive me according to Your lovingkindness, So

Ps 119:93  Your precepts, For by them You have revived me.

Ps 119:107  Revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.

Ps 119:149  Revive me, O Lord, according to Your ordinances.

Ps 119:154  Plead my cause and redeem me; Revive me according to Your word.

Ps 119:156  O Lord; Revive me according to Your ordinances.

Ps 119:159  Revive me, O Lord, according to Your lovingkindness.

The way we feed and nourish our souls on the Word of God is by prayerfully meditating and pondering and thinking deeply on the precious Word of God.  When we come to HIM in humility, desperately dependent on HIM to reveal HIMSELF and HIS ways through HIS Word...HE will open the eyes of our hearts and enable us to behold HIS glory and become more and more like HIM!

Ps 119:15  I will meditate on Your precepts And regard Your ways.

Ps 119:23  Your servant meditates on Your statutes.

Ps 119:27  Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders.

Ps 119:48  Which I love; And I will meditate on Your statutes.

Ps 119:78  with a lie; But I shall meditate on Your precepts.

Ps 119:97  O how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day.

Ps 119:99  For Your testimonies are my meditation.

Ps 119:148  night watches, That I may meditate on Your word.

Je 29:13  You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Father in heaven,

Create in me a clean heart, a heart that longs to pursue YOU and YOU alone...for YOUR glory and my JOY in YOU!

love,

m

You may recall the overarching theme of the Bible that we have borrowed from Ken Easley...simply "that the Lord God through his Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and for his own glory."  Keep in mind the thought that HE is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people...if they are redeemed that means that they were in desperate need of redemption!  It means that they were LOST!  It means there has to be a Redeemer.  Do you remember what we recently read in 1 Pet 3:20?  "When the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water."  Eight...EIGHT PEOPLE from the face of the earth!  Can you imagine, can you begin to fathom every human being...men, women, children, infants...drowned! 

THIS IS AMAZING...it JUST occurred to me...really, it just now hit me...you may have already thought of this but I have never thought of this before...when surveyed what are the two most feared ways of dying?  Drowning and fire...right?  Take your own poll.  We are not there yet, but soon in our daily reading we will see how the world will end.  God promised that HE would never send another flood on the earth, but HE has promised to send fire as we see in 2 Pet 3:7,
"But by His word the present heavens and earth are being reserved for fire, kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men."  As in the days of Noah, we are told that God is not slow in coming, but "He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).  This is so cool...there is a biblical reason why people fear drowning and death by fire!

WOW Mark, this is a happy Thanksgiving thought for the day!  Back up with me for a moment...the thanksgiving part comes in realizing that God was not bound to redeem one person, much less eight, much less me or you!

I am thankful that in the counsel of the triune God it was determined before the foundation of the world to send the Son on a rescue mission, I am thankful that the "Lord God through HIS Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and for HIS own glory."  I am eternally thankful and amazed that HE saved me by grace through faith to be a part of HIS kingdom.  I am thankful and in awe that God has given us HIS Holy and precious WORD!  It is amazing to me that Peter, think about how much he experienced with Jesus) can say that the written Word of God is more sure than being an eyewitness to HIS transfiguration!  Did you catch that?  We place so much weight on our experiences, but Peter is telling us that the Word of God carries more weight than all his experiences!  Think through the time Peter spent with Jesus...calming the storm, walking on the water, casting out demons, feeding the multitude, the countless healing, raising people from the dead, the miraculous catch of fish, the transfiguration and on and on...and Peter has the gumption to say that we have a more sure Word!  That is absolutely right...we have a more sure Word!  Thank you Father!  Remember what Jesus said as HE told the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:31?  "He said to him, ‘If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.’ ”

2 Pe 1:16-21 For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For when he received honor and glory from God the Father, and the voice was borne to him by the Majestic Glory, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased,” 18 we ourselves heard this very voice borne from heaven, for we were with him on the holy mountain. 19 And we have something more sure, the prophetic word, to which you will do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts, 20 knowing this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture comes from someone’s own interpretation. 21 For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

The same Holy Spirit that inspired the writers of scripture is the same Holy Spirit who dwells within God's children, this is the same Holy Spirit that reveals Jesus to us in and through this more sure Word.  I am thankful for the Holy Spirit who opens the eyes of my heart and enables me to see Jesus!

Understanding that God would have been just if HE had chosen to destroy every human being and understanding that not only did HE not destroy those HE has called, justified, and glorified, but HE went and made us heirs and joint heirs with Jesus Christ...this is unbelievable apart from HIS saving grace through faith.

Father in heaven...THANK YOU!

love,

m

It has been a great joy to move from Ezekiel to the book of Daniel, it was some rough sledding for awhile.  Do keep in mind that all of God's Word is inspired, every word on every page...however it is not all equally inspiring!  Did you catch that?  It is ALL equally inspired, but it is not equally inspiring.  For me that means that I must press on after God equally in every verse, but every verse will not impact me the same way and that is ok!  Don't feel guilty about not enjoying all of God's Word, but prayerfully press through every word crying out to God to reveal HIMSELF to you through every word...for HIS glory and your joy in HIM.

In Daniel 1:8 I believe that the key is that we see Daniel resolve not to defile himself.  "But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself."  Much like Daniel, today in America we find ourselves living in a culture where it is incredibly difficult to live a life set apart, undefiled, to God.  We must begin each day with resolve and our choices made during our time with God in the morning.  The only way we can do what Daniel did is living out of a vibrant, healthy, intimate relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ...it is the Spirit-filled life.  Will we stumble, will we fall, will we make mistakes?  Absolutely, yes...we live by repentance and faith, repentance and faith...the stride of walking by faith is a cadence of repentance and faith...faith in the one true God!

We witness this same resolve in Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:17-18, "If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. 18 But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”  These three young men entrust themselves completely to God!

Christians living in the 1st century faced flames of another sort.  We know that Nero used Christians as human torches to light his banquets, they were burned alive for their faith in Christ.  In 1 Pe 4:12, Peter seeks to encourage Christians, telling them..."Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you."  We should not be surprised if we find ourselves walking through affliction, walking though painful and difficult trials...as a matter of fact we should anticipate and expect trials to test our faith...we should expect the refiners fire to touch our lives.  How do we respond in the middle of the affliction?  We receive our answer in 1 Peter 4:19 "Therefore let those who suffer according to God’s will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good."

In Isaiah 43 we see flames again...what I love about Isaiah 43 is that God passionately exclaims "I have called you by name, you are mine."  I know and rest in the fact that I am HIS, I was bought at a price, an incredible price...the blood of HIS Son.  I cling to the promise that when I pass through the waters and when I pass through the fire I will not be overwhelmed and I will not be burned...because HE is with me!  Notice that it says when you pass through...not IF you pass!  We will pass through the fire...the question is how will we respond...will we fail the test or will we resolve and determine not to be defiled?

Isa 43:1-3  But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. 2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you. 3  For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior. I give Egypt as your ransom, Cush and Seba in exchange for you.

1 Peter 3:15 has long been one of my favorite verses...I know, I say that a lot, but this really is one of my favorites.  We are commanded to set apart Christ as Lord in our hearts, meaning Lord of our affections, Lord of everything because we know that the heart is the spring of life as we have read in Proverbs 4:23.  So we set Jesus apart as Lord, bringing ALL of our life under HIS LORDSHIP ready to make a defense for the hope that is  in us.  The word defense is where we get the word apologetics, it is not that we apologize, but that we are ready to make a clear argument (in a good way) for the hope that is in us...we are ready to make a good defense of the hope that is in us and we do this with what?  GENTLENESS AND RESPECT!  We don't beat people over the head with the truth, we speak the truth in love.

1 Peter 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence;

If you think back over the past several days we have referred to Job several times and that in Job 3:25 Job said that "that which he had feared had come upon him."  Then we looked at how at the end of Job that God was the only one Job feared.  I believe that 1 Peter 3:14 teaches us the same thing...if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.  We see this laid out for us in Isaiah...Is 8:12-13 “Do not call conspiracy all that this people calls conspiracy, and do not fear what they fear, nor be in dread. 13 But the Lord of hosts, him you shall honor as holy. Let him be your fear, and let him be your dread." 

Jesus was vague on this...I wish HE had stated HIS position more clearly...let's look at what HE said in Matt 10:28,  “Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.  WOW!  It does not come any clearer than that!

We have discussed this many times that the fear here is a reverential awe and wonder.  If we filled with awe and wonder when we see a tornado, hurricane, or a tsunami should we not behold the one who is sovereign over the entire universe and tremble and delight.  Tremble at HIS incomprehensible power and might and delight that this very one shed HIS blood that we might be restored to HIM.

I love to run to HIM as Abba, Father, Daddy...and HE is, BUT HE IS HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY.  If you have never read The  Knowledge of the Holy by Tozer you should put it at the top of your reading list!  Tozer makes a simple yet profound statement..."What comes into our minds when we thing about God is the most important thing about us."

1 Peter 3:14-15 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect,

Pursuing HIM together!

love,

m

Our reading in 1 Peter touches on suffering again, a few days ago we looked at "the purpose of the Lord" in suffering.  If the Lord has a purpose in suffering then you could also say that the Lord has a design in suffering and if the Lord has a design in suffering then you could say that ultimately God is behind all suffering.  I confess this is a hard pill to swallow, what does 1 Peter 2:21-25 and the rest of God's Word have to say?

For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. 22 He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23 When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

To this you have been called, called to what?  Suffering, and Jesus has left you an example...Oh, and when you suffer don't be surprised at the test...test?  Yes, test!

1 Pe 4:12-16 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. 16 Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name

As God's children we can rest in knowing that regardless of what comes to us that ultimately God is behind it working to the good of HIS children, those HE redeemed with the precious blood of HIS Only Begotten Son.  Job was never told the reason for his suffering, but he saw God.  Below are several scriptures pertaining to suffering.

Have you been called?

1 Peter 2:9 is one of my favorite verses in God's precious Word.  From this little verse we gain a sense of who we are and why we are here, our purpose!  "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."   We see this throughout God's Word...who we are and our purpose for being, our purpose for existing!

Deut 7:6 “For you are a people holy to the Lord your God. The Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for his treasured possession, out of all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.

Romans 9:4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises.

Titus 2:14  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

It seems so easy to forget that we were dead in our  sins and trespasses, that HE chose us, and saved us for a purpose...somewhere along the way we forget HIS purposes and begin to live for our purposes.  If you think back to the Garden of Eden, we were created to enjoy and relationship with our creator and with others...sin entering the world destroyed this possibility until God the Son, God incarnate, Emmanuel (God with us) appeared on the scene.  This world does not want us to point out how dark the darkness is and the beauty and magnificence of HIS marvelous light.  Isaiah 9:2 points to the appearing of Emmanuel. "The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined."  In Luke 1:78-79 we learn that God sent HIS Son, "because of the tender mercy of our God, whereby the sunrise shall visit us from on high 79 to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.”  How does God give this light?  How does HE call us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light when we were dead in our sins and trespasses?  I believe that Paul told us in a verse that we have looked at many times during the past year.  In 2 Co 4:6, For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 2:4-10 As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight of God chosen and precious, 5 you yourselves like living stones are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For it stands in Scripture: “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious,  and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” 7 So the honor is for you who believe, but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone,” 8 and “A stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. 9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 10 Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

You and I were created, recreated and called out of darkness into HIS marvelous light to know HIM, to love HIM, to pursue HIM, to obey HIM and to proclaim the praises of HIM.  I wonder if Lazarus had to be told to proclaim the praises of Jesus who called him out of a dark tomb into the light or do you think it was a spontaneous reaction to the glory he witnessed?

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship Romans 12:1.

Yesterday in our  reading in James the endurance of Job was mentioned and I believe that we caught a glimpse of the purpose of the LORD in suffering.  Do you remember the overarching summary statement of the Bible that I borrowed from Ken Easley and have used throughout the year?  "The Lord God through his Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and for his own glory."  I believe that when everything is said and done and the kingdom of the redeemed gather around the throne of grace you will have those that were tested through the fire of persecution, others by the fire of losing their health, others by losing their prosperity and others by being prosperous.  It is interesting to note that in our culture that almost all Christians believe that it is a blessing of God to be rich in the things of this world.  Be careful, be careful if you think that way.  Do you recall James 2:5?  Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him?   I believe that God's economy is radically different than ours...remember the widows mite?

1 Peter 1:7  so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Job 23:10 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.

Ps 66:10 For you, O God, have tested us; you have tried us as silver is tried.

Pr 17:3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.

Is 48:10 Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tried you in the furnace of affliction.

Zec 13:9 And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested. 

They will call upon my name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are my people’; and they will say, ‘The Lord is my God.’ ”

Mal 3:3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, and they will bring offerings in righteousness to the Lord.

In 1 Peter 4:13 we are commanded to "rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed."  What did Paul teach us about suffering in Romans 8:17?  Speaking of our adoption Paul writes that, "if [we are] children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. "

1 Peter 1:3-5 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, 5 who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

If you are a child of God, if you have been twice born, born from above, if HE has caused you to be born again to a living hope TO AN INHERITANCE THAT IS IMPERISHABLE, UNDEFLIED, UNFADING!  The stock market may completely collapse, the dollar and the euro  may  fail, all global marks may come to ruin but your inheritance that you have because of God's great mercy, causing you to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ IS SAFE...you and your inheritance are safe "who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

LORD I believe...help my unbelief!

love,

m

James 5:7-11 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James gives three examples of steadfastness in suffering.

Farming  (5:7): “Be patient as you wait for the Lord’s return. Consider the farmers who eagerly look for the rains in the fall and in the spring.”

God's Word (5:10–11): “Job is an example of a man who endured patiently.”

Christ's Return (5:8–9): “You, too, must be patient. And take courage, for the coming of the Lord is near.”

James says that you have seen the purpose of the Lord...have you seen the purpose of the Lord in Job?  Have you?

I believe that we have heard of the steadfastness of Job, we see in clearly in Job 1:21, "And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”  We are witnesses again to his steadfastness in Job 2:10, But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

OK, we just witnessed the steadfastness of Job and now we will look at the compassion and mercy of the Lord.  We see it pictured for us in Job 42:10, "And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before."  Again we see it in  Job 42:12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.

So the question for me is what was the purpose of the LORD?  WHAT WAS THE PURPOSE OF THE LORD IN JOB'S SUFFERING?  There are some amazing and interesting words in Job chapter 3...I'm sure someone has preached on this verse but I have never heard anyone speak to these words in Job.

Job 3:25 For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me.

This is not the time or place to develop this, but let's simply say that everything that happened to Job God did it!  Satan was active, but God is sovereign over everything and every being, even Satan.  I love the way one pastor put it...Satan is God's lackey, errand boy, in the personal sanctification of the Saints!  What do you mean Mark, what did Job say..."the Lord gives, the Lord takes away."  Remember what Joseph said to his brothers in Gen 50:20...as for you, you meant evil against me, God meant it for good...

What is your point...Job was a righteous man in the beginning of Job, but he feared other things in addition to God...I believe that is idolatry!  What is Job's testimony at the end of Job?  Job 42:5-6  I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6     therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”  WHAT DOES JOB FEAR NOW?  WHAT DOES JOB FEAR NOW?

What about you?  What about me?  Do we fear financial ruin?  Do we fear the loss of health?  Is that idolatry in the life of a child of God?  Dr. Rogers said frequently that anything that you love, serve, fear, desire more than God is an idol in your life.  I believe that the answer is yes.

Father in heaven,

Fill us with YOUR Holy Spirit and enable us to fear, with a reverential fear, wonder and awe, YOU and YOU alone!  Please work this in me for YOUR glory and my joy in YOU.

love,

m

The picture of God in scripture as being a jealous God is a clear picture and when it is viewed through the proper lens it is magnificent!  I saw Oprah get all bent out of shape because she heard a preacher describe God as a jealous God.  She claimed that was one of the reasons she had no place for Christianity.  If you think of God as being jealous like humans are jealous then you have every right to be upset...but, if you think that way you are not in the same ballpark, NO, you are not in the same universe!

In our reading in James today we read that “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace.  Remember what Paul wrote in 1 Co 6:19-20?  "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, 20 for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body."  What does it mean that we are a temple of the Holy Spirit?  It means that God Himself dwells within HIS children...the life of God in the soul of man.  The ability to do that after sin entered the world cost God the blood of HIS own SON!  You are not your own you were bought at a price...an indescribable, incalculable  price, a price that you and I could never pay...NEVER!  Think about it...you pay that much for something you will keep a close eye on it!

Do you think a strong godly Daddy will be jealous (in a good way) for his daughter when she begins to be interested in boys?  Do you think he will take steps to protect her?  I hope so!

Remember God's words to Moses and the Israelites in Exodus 20:5-6?  "You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the fourth generation of those who hate me, 6 but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments."

James 4:4-6 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you suppose it is to no purpose that the Scripture says, “He yearns jealously over the spirit that he has made to dwell in us”? 6 But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

Think about it for a moment, God created us for a relationship with HIMSELF...this was not because HE was lonely or there was anything lacking in HIM...we do not complete HIM in anyway.  HE does not need us, we desperately need HIM.  HE is creator, sustainer, and maker...you and I are the creatures, the ones made by HIS hand.  God did not create to fill a void in HIMSELF...creation was more like HIS indescribable GLORY going public, it was like HIM longing to share that glory.  So HE created them male and female in HIS image to be in relationship with HIM, to be intimate with HIM.  It is difficult to be more intimate that bride and bridegroom!

Rev. 19:7 “Let us rejoice and be glad and give the glory to Him, for the marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”

Rev 21:2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband.

Rev 21:9 Then one of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and spoke with me, saying, “Come here, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.”

Rev 22:17 The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.

Why does James cry "you adulterous people!  Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?"  If you seek to be friends with the world you are committing idolatry, you are committing adultery!  Anything that you or I love, serve, fear, desire, long for more than God is an idol in our lives.  Is there anything that you think about more than Jesus?

It is a wonderful beautiful truth that God is jealous for HIS people, that God is jealous for HIS OWN!

love,

m

Back in 1999, during my first year of seminary at Mid-America, I fell in love with the study of theology.  Simply, I fell in love with the study of God!  At that time at Mid-America you chose from one of 5 tracks you could study and theology was one of those tracks...it's an easy guess as to the track I chose.  While writing a research paper I ran across the following article at the Leadership U web site  http://www.leaderu.com/aip/docs/scott.html  A Vision of Veritas: What Christian Scholarship Can Learn from the Puritan's "Technology" of Integrating Truth.  Sounds really exciting I know:)  In the article I found the diagram below of the "Circle of Knowledge."  I will never forget the big ah ha moment for me as I process the information when my eyes landed on theology...theology is the art of living well!  Orthodox Christianity is a body of knowledge, BUT IT IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BODY OF KNOWLEDGE!  IT IS THE ART OF LIVING WELL BEFORE A HOLY GOD!  What do we learn in1 Cor 8:1?  “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up."  God does not give knowledge for knowledge sake...God gives knowledge, understanding and wisdom that we may live well, that we may live in a manner worthy of the gospel, that we may live a life that is pleasing to HIM.

Our reading in James 3:13-18 today highlights this point I believe.

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

What is this fruit of righteousness?

Proverbs 11:18 The wicked earns deceptive wages, but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

Isa 32:17 And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever.

Hosea 10:12 Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.

Gal 6:8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.

Mark, you have not answered the question...where does the fruit of righteousness come from?  Paul tells us in Philippians 1:11 that "the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God."  Paul gives further explanation in 2 Cor 5:21 "For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. "

As leaders, teachers and communicators of the truth of God's Word...our responsibility is not to simply communicate information..."the demons believe and tremble."  The demons have more information than we every will this side of eternity.  OUR RESPONSIBILITY is to communicate a person, JESUS CHRIST.  The degree that we are yielded, surrendered, Spirit-filled, expressing our desperation for God...is the degree that Christ is incarnate in us, in our lives, is the degree that we will "live well," from God's perspective.

Oh Father in heaven,

grant me, grant us YOUR wisdom that is from above for your glory and our JOY in YOU.

love,

m

Our journey through the New Testament continues to reveal breath-taking and stunning sights, especially if you slow down enough to take the scenic rout and allow the eyes of your heart to be filled and astounded with the intricate details and the glorious panoramic views.  One thing that is astounding to me is  that some of the sights we see appear to defy logic.  For example in Romans 14:23, Paul teaches us that "whatever is not from faith is sin," and the author of Hebrews tells us in Heb 11:6 that, "without faith it is impossible to please Him," and that is stated right in the middle of the list of the heroes of the faith.  On the surface that looks like James is contradicting the role of faith and demeaning the value of faith, but that is not the case at all.  Turn back a few pages in your Bible and look at the Heroes of the faith again...over and over God's Word tells us that "by faith" each hero did something, "by faith" each hero was a doer of God's Word, "by faith" they obeyed God's direction...THEY TOOK ACTION BY FAITH!

The great Reformer, Martin Luther, in some of his early writings called James an "Epistle of straw," because of the emphasis on works.  Luther viewed this as a contradiction to salvation by grace alone through faith alone.  Don't be too quick to judge Luther, you must understand the emotional and spiritual torments he endured prior to coming to faith in Christ. The  Catholic position at the time was faith + works.  For Luther, anything that remotely smelled like faith + works received a powerful and stern beating, rightfully so! 

If this is not faith + works then what is it?  I believe that Jesus answers this question for us in Matt 7:16 where he teaches us that "you will know them by their fruits."  In Galatians 5:5-6 Paul puts it this way..."For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.  Paul is rebuking the Galatians for seeking justification by the law, he tells them that the law avails NOTHING...by the Spirit we eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith and that the only thing that matters is faith working through love.

How can James teach that "faith without works is dead."  How can he say that "as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also" (2:26)  I believe that James can say this with confidence because HE heard Jesus say it...Remember  John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

James knows that if the life of God is in the soul of a man that man will work and he will do great works and his Work will bear fruit, fruit that will last.  If a man or woman has been born again, born from above, born of the water and the Spirit...if the life of God dwells within a recreated image bearer of God their life will be marked by "faith working through love."

I love Eph 2:8-10, it packs so much into so few words...For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

It really is amazing...we have been (passive) saved by grace, God's grace through faith...this is a gift from God, we cannot work for this gift of salvation, if we did we would boast about how great we are...right, right!  I love verse 10, we are HIS workmanship, (Greek, Poiema = poem) we are HIS workmanship, HIS creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works that God prepared before the foundation of the world of us to do!  WOW!  We are saved by grace alone, through faith alone to do the works that HE prepared for me to do and that HE prepared for YOU to do!

John 14:12
“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.

Father in heaven,

For YOUR glory and our JOY in YOU finish the good WORK YOU began in me...

love,

m

When a am praying for someone to come to faith in Christ, Ezekiel 36:26 is almost always worked into the request for God to bring salvation...Oh God, remove the heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh to know you, love you and to walk according to your precious Word.

Eze 36:25-27  Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. 26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.

This is a beautiful prayer that we may pray for those we long to come to faith in Christ.  In James 1:18 we learn that God "of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures."  In verse 21 we are commanded to "humbly receive the implanted Word, which is able to save you."  So if God removes the heart of stone and gives a new heart and a new spirit it appears clear that HE does this by the Word of Truth...when the Word of truth is implanted in a heart of stone the moment God's Word springs for in life, the moment it is received in humility the heart is transformed, transplanted..."he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 

As HIS followers, Jesus has called us to be sowers of the Word...sowers sow...that's what sowers do!  Sowers are not responsible for the quality of the crop...sowers simply so the seed, the seed of the Word.  "Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness (2 Cor. 9:10)." 

Eze 11:19  Then I will give them one heart, and I will put a new spirit within them, and take the stony heart out of their flesh, and give them a heart of flesh,

Eze 18:31  Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O house of Israel?

Jn 3:3 Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

Jn 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

2 Co 5:17  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

Sow the Word, sow the Word in your heart, sow the Word in the hearts of your children and your grandchildren...sow the Word...be sowers and doers of the Word and live.  Remember Paul's command to Timothy?  2 Tim 4:2 "preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction."  Be ready to sow when it is convenient and when it is not convenient!  Sow the Word!

love,

m

This incredible letter to the Hebrews ends with a series of exhortations telling the followers of Christ how to live a life of faith and a faithful life.  We are commanded to keep on loving one another (13:1–5), to keep on trusting God and nothing else (5–6). God's children are to be a blessing to their leaders, joyfully following their leadership, imitating their faith (7–8, 17), and we are to keep on praising God in the name of Jesus (15).

The closing prayer, two simple verses, have provided much food for my soul over the past several years.  I memorized these precious words in 1998 and I have spent much time feasting in this pasture ever since.

Heb 13:20-21 Now may the God of peace who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

In and through Jesus we have peace with God, we are no longer under HIS wrath, as we are filled with the Holy Spirit we are filled with the peace of God.  This peace is not moved by our circumstances because it is founded on the Rock, it is resting on the founder and finisher of our faith...Jesus Christ!  Not only are we filled with the peace of God, but we have the promise of HIS presence and it is the presence of the very one who laid down HIS life for us...the good shepherd.  Again, as we cry out for the filling of the Holy Spirit we rest in knowing that "the LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."  We know that though the blood of the everlasting covenant we have become HIS sheep and as we surrender our lives to HIM...we have the promise of HIS presence, protection and HIS guidance...we rest in knowing that "it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure" (Phil 2:13).  It is God alone who will make us complete in every good work to do HIS will.  As we constantly acknowledge our desperation for HIM, surrendered to HIM, HE will bring about the renewing of our minds, HE will conform us to the image of HIS son.

We find rest and peace in knowing that the shepherd of our souls is present with us..."I will never leave your or forsake you."  It is awestriking to rest in HIS presence, HIS protection and HIS perfecting of our faith!  My job is to follow HIM, pursue HIM, trust HIM, rest in HIM and HE will work in me what is well pleasing in HIS sight!

My rock solid confidence in this coming to pass rests in the knowledge that Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever...HIS promises are just as good today as they were thousands of years ago and then in Romans 8:32...He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

If God the Father would not withhold HIS only Begotten we can be confident that HE will freely give us all things and that in ALL THINGS HE is working to the good of those who love HIM.

Is 63:11  Then he remembered the days of old, Moses and his people, saying: “Where is He who brought them up out of the sea With the shepherd of His flock?  Where is He who put His Holy Spirit within them,

Jn 10:11  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.

1 Pe 2:25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

Php 2:13  for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.

Thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus!

love,

m

The life and worship of the follower of Christ must be one...there must be a unity and a harmony between the two!  What are you talking about Mark?  Worship in the life of a Christian cannot be limited to prayer and corporate worship on Sunday morning.  We will see in chapter 13 that we are to worship, or serve, God by faithfulness and obedience in all, IN ALL of our lives.  If you are not maintaining a heart and attitude of worship that is acceptable to God throughout the week YOU ARE NOT WORSHIPING IN CORPORATE WORSHIP ON SUNDAY MORNING!  I have been told not to write in all caps, because it is like shouting...I AM SHOUTING:)  We see this in part in Heb 13:15-16, "Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name. 16 Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God."  You may remember a similar thread from Paul in Romans 12:1..."I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship."

Heb 12:28-29 Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire. 

I see three things in Hebrews 12:28-29 that I must watch carefully and prayerfully in my spiritual life.  1) We are told..."let us be grateful," let us show gratitude, let us be thankful...that we are receiving a kingdom  that cannot be shaken!  GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE, GRATITUDE, to God must permeate every cell and molecule of our being...oh gratitude toward our heavenly Father should permeate every thought and every prayer that flows from our lips.  Let me just say that the ENTITLEMENT attitude in our country has permeated our churches...it is  the air we breath.  We must fight the fight the good fight of faith so that we are not swept away in the current that believes that we are entitled to anything but HELL!  Hell is what each and every human deserves, hell is our entitlement.  That is a cheerful thought! 

Quickly, two more things I have to watch in my walk with the LORD.  We see in verse 28 that acceptable worship is characterized by reverence and awe.  Why should our lives, why should we present our lives as a living sacrifice as an act of worship to God? Because God is a consuming fire. This points to Dt. 4:24 (cf. Dt. 9:3; Is. 33:14), the Israelites were warned not to engage in idolatry, but to faithfully serve the Lord and to serve HIM alone.  Failure to do this would result in...well, lets just say it was not pretty.  

Deuteronomy 4:24  For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God.

Deuteronomy 9:3 Know therefore today that he who goes over before you as a consuming fire is the Lord your God. He will destroy them and subdue them before you. So you shall drive them out and make them perish quickly, as the Lord has promised you.

Is 33:14   The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: “Who among us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who among us can dwell with everlasting burnings?”

2 Thessalonians 1:7 and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels

Hebrews 10:27 but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries.

Hebrews 10:31  It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

1.  Gratitude

2.  Reverence

3.  Awe

Everything in our culture tells us the exact opposite!  As God children we must remain sober minded, spirit-filled, so that we may walk in a manner worthy of the gospel.  The current of this world will carry you away like a tsunami if you are not wise to the ways of our enemy.  Paul warned us in Romans 12, "I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. 3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.

love,

m

Hebrews 12 makes the clear case that the Christian life is a marathon, no it is an ultra marathon!  It is not a sprint...we must finish well!  I have competed in a number of Triathlons, a race lasting a little over two hours, the longest distance I have every run at one time is about 12 miles.  If you try to think about running a long race there are a few essentials that come to mind.  You absolutely will not carry anything that you don't have to, you don't want any distractions, (anything to take you off course) and most runners know that you never look down while you are running...you always fix your eyes at a goal in the distance.  As you approach that goal you reset your eyes on another goal further out.  All of this assumes that you have prepared for the race that you are in...what is required to prepare for a race...discipline!

Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us this picture in relation to the Christian life.

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

What does it mean to "lay aside every weight?"  As God's children I believe we must prayerfully evaluate every activity, every association, our possessions...everything that fills our lives must be evaluated in this light.  We must ask the question, Lord is this a "weight" that I must lay aside or is the part of the best that you desire for me?  I believe that all of us, yes me too, have allowed many, countless, things into our lives that are "weights" that God would have us to lay aside!  You know what the sin is that so easily entangles you...John Owen wrote, "be killing sin or sin will be killing you."  That topic could be a whole series of blogs:)

Paul instructs young Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:7 ...Rather train yourself for godliness, or discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.  I will frequently talk to my oldest son, Zach about discipline.  It usually goes something like this...Zach would you rather discipline yourself or do you want Daddy to do it?  He always responds the same:)  I would rather do it Daddy.  Almost without fail after I have this encounter with him the Holy Spirit has a similar conversation with me...Mark, would you prefer to discipline yourself or do you want ME to do it!  My answer is always the same:)  Please give me enough sense and wisdom to do it:)

NOW the wonderful thing is that our heavenly Father loves us so much that if we don't get the job done HE will step in and do it.  HE loves us too much not to discipline us!  As you reread the passage below notice how many times the word discipline is used and rejoice that HE loves us enough to discipline HIS children.

Heb 12:5-11 And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” 7 It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? 8 If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9 Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. 11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Father in heaven,

Oh please give me a heart to be joyfully trained by YOUR discipline...grant me a heart that seeks to kiss YOUR hand even as it tans my hide...for YOUR glory and my JOY in YOU!

love,

m

I became enamored with the faith of Moses as I read and reread these words this morning.  I confess that I read through them a few times last night to let them soak in my poor little brain and heart.  It was by faith that Moses "refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter."  It was by faith that he chose to be identified and "mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin."  It was by faith that he rejected the treasures of Egypt BECAUSE "he was looking to the reward."  What is the reward?  The reward is God the Father through Jesus Christ...and by faith Moses saw "him who is invisible."  The good news of the gospel is that we get God!  God is the treasure, as we are called out of darkness into HIS marvelous light to declare HIS praises, it is because we see HIM, we behold HIM and delight and rejoice in HIM and HIM alone...HE is the gospel!

Heb 11:23-29  By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict. 24 By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. 26 He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking to the reward. 27 By faith he left Egypt, not being afraid of the anger of the king, for he endured as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and sprinkled the blood, so that the Destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them. 29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned.

Several times this year we have looked to 2 Co 4:6, "For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ."  There it is...there is the reason I became enamored with his faith, it is only as our eyes of faith are opened that we will behold the glory of Christ, it is only as we behold the glory of God in the face of Jesus that we are transformed and conformed into HIS image and likeness.  ( Beholding is becoming)  A few verses earlier in 2 Corinthians Paul refers to Moses and the New Covenant in Christ.  In 2 Cor. 3:18 Paul writes, "And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit." 

It is the eyes of faith that enable us to see, to behold, to delight, to love and to be transformed into HIS image.  Beholding is becoming!  You may remember the words to the song...Turn your eyes upon Jesus!

Moses saw HIM by faith, Elijah heard the still small voice by faith, Isaiah saw HIM high and lifted up by faith, Job saw HIM by faith...the list goes on...what is it that marks these men is that they were radically transformed by what they saw...they were captivated and enamored when they saw Jesus in all HIS glory.  This radical transformation has a purpose beyond us enjoying and delighting in HIM...that is a huge part of it, but the reality is when you truly find and see HIM in all HIS glory you will explode if you don't tell others about HIM.  Since I don't want any of you to explode please tell of HIS perfect salvation!

For HIS glory and your JOY in HIM!

love,

m

"Draw near to God" cries out from our reading again in Hebrews.  In verse 6 we are told that "without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him."  If we hold this in tension with Hebrews 10:38-39, here we are reminded that "my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.”  39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls." 

If we long and desire to move toward God, if we long and burn to live a life for God, a life that is pleasing to HIM, a life that is worthy of the gospel...the only way to do it is in and through faith!  The faith we speak of IS NOT EASY BELIEVEISM!  This kind of faith is life changing, life transforming, this kind of faith is sin killing and this kind of faith will move those possessed by it to a radically Christ centered, Christ focused life.  You will no longer be content to sit by and do little or nothing you will be thrust into action!  If this is not the case you must ask yourself am I really saved? James, the 1/2 brother of Jesus would tell you straight up..."For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."  This is NOT a works based salvation, but if you have the life of the sovereign God of the universe living within you...YOU WILL WORK!  If your life looks no different than the world around you...judge for yourself.

In Romans 14:23 Paul teaches us that "whatever is not from faith is sin."  I don't know about you, but it makes me desire to by crystal clear on my understanding of faith.   Hebrews 11:1 teaches us that "faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen."  One Greek dictionary I looked at unpacked assurance as "the objective reality that gives a firm guarantee and basis for confidence or assurance substance, ground of hope, foundation."  Some of you may be thinking, oh that really helped me Mark...sorry.  OK, so faith is the assurance, substance, foundation, or faith is  the basis for our confidence and the certainty of things not seen.  What is the foundation, the assurance of things hoped for?  It is God, it is our access to the throne of grace through Jesus Christ.  This is not having faith in faith, but faith in God through Jesus Christ.

In chapter 12 the author of Hebrews will answer this question...he plainly tells us that Jesus is the assurance, substance, foundation and founder of such a faith!

Hebrews 12:1-2 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Ok, if I long to live a life that is pleasing to God I must come to HIM through Jesus Christ in faith alone...I must live, breath, drink, exist in this faith that Jesus founded and that Jesus will perfect.  How do I do this day after day?  Remember what Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:8-9 "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast."  OK, I receive this faith and salvation or the assurance of things hoped for by GRACE...is that right?  Paul puts it another way in Romans 12:3 "For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned."   

You still have not answered how do I do this practically every day?  For me the answer comes in Colossians  2:6-7..."as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, 7 rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving."  There it is...as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord...so walk, live, breath in HIM.  "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God."

It is interesting to me that the heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11 don't look anything, don't look anything like most of our Christian heroes in America today...hmmm!  Wonder who is right?

Faith that produces true heroes is not subjective, but a rock solid confidence in the Word of God and the God of the Word! 

love,

m

It is an awe-striking truth to be transferred, transformed from darkness to light, to be "rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred...to the kingdom of His beloved Son" (Col 1:13). To know that it is through the blood of Jesus that we enter "by the new and living way" that was opened to us by the tearing of Jesus body.  The veil in the temple was a symbol of HIS body...as HIS body was torn on the Cross the veil in the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.  The tearing of the veil signified that the "new and living way" (Jesus) was opened to God and now those that believe and come to God the Father through faith in Jesus Christ may "draw near to God."  We see this in Hebrews 7:19  (for the law made nothing perfect); but on the other hand, a better hope is introduced, through which we draw near to God.  Hebrews 10:1 reminds us that the law is a shadow of the good things to come instead of the true form of these realities...everything in the temple points to Jesus, everything in the temple is a shadow and a symbol of Jesus...it is through Christ alone that we have access  to God the Father and to God as Father!  In Christ alone "we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him" (Eph 3:12).  It is Christ alone that set us free from our sins by HIS blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen  (Rev 1:5-6).

Heb 10:24-25  And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Hebrews 10:24-25 calls us to stimulate, encourage, provoke, or stir up one another to...to what?  To anger?  NO!  To love and good works, to love and good works.  How is it that we encourage one another?  One thing I know, it is impossible to encourage one another, stimulate one another to do anything if you don't spend time with each other.  We must order and schedule our lives so that we may do life together...we are rescued to be a part of a kingdom, to be a part of a community.  One writer called it a "faith forming community."  I cannot live the Christian life alone...sheep that wander from the flock are an easy target for the wolves.

Why is a faith forming community important?  We see the answer in Heb 10:38-39 "but my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls."  A faith forming Community of God’s people is a community of the broken, the desperate and the humble...people who are seeking God and desperate for Him in every good and perfect gift.  Why is a faith forming community important?  It is a necessary part of drawing near to God...it is  a necessary part of drawing near to God.  Do a quick search on all the "one another" commands in God's Word...love one another, accept one another, encourage one another, forgive one another, bear one another burdens...(there are more) you cannot obey these commands in isolation, you cannot do this alone!

Paul exhorts us to be devoted to one another in brotherly love; to give preference to one another in honor; understanding that we, though many, are one body in Christ(community), and individually members one of another (Rom. 12:5,10). The body is the Church, God’s children...to truly understand our meaning, our purpose as a part of HIS body each of us must belong to a faith forming community.  This is not something strange and new it is just New Testament!

Jesus was born to die!  Jesus was born to die as planned by the Triune God before the foundation of the World.  You may recall Matt 25:34, "Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world."  We will see a similar idea in 1 Peter 1:20, For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.

Stop for a moment and consider what sort of God HE is that we seek to worship.  Who is this God that would prepare a body for HIS only Begotten to be a sin offering for many? 

Heb 10:5-7 Consequently, when Christ came into the world, he said, “Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired, but a body have you prepared for me; 6  in burnt offerings and sin offerings you have taken no pleasure. 7 Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come to do your will, O God, as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.’ ” 

Have you ever stopped and looked at the precious Words of Isaiah 9:6?  I know, I know, you sing the song every Christmas, but have you ever noticed what it says?  NO, I am not trying to be sarcastic!  "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."  I admit it is so easy to Passover..."a body you prepared for me."  "A child is born" in the body prepared for HIM before the foundation of the world.  "To us a son is given" to take away the sins of the World.

I know that this is a painfully simple truth, but I am not sure...NO, I am confident that it has not hit me with all the force it carries...the fault lies with me.  Jesus was born to die, the plan was set and determined by the Triune God before the foundation of the world to display HIS glory and for the joy of those that receive HIM by faith.  Remember the words in Mark 10:45  For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

When I labor to grasp what HE has done...I am left with only one response every time...I fall to my face and Worship with my heart burning hot within me...consumed and captivated by HIM and HIM alone...this is a good place to be!

love,

m

Our reading in Ezekiel has proved difficult the last few days...I'm sure it is just my own vile heart!  I have loved every word of Hebrews and have simply been enduring Ezekiel.  I am just being transparent...I did not say it was right!  Today was quite different for me...I was reminded of a truth that is incredibly encouraging, comforting and works humility at the same time!  Consider these 4 verses in Ezekiel 20.

Eze 20:9 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations among whom they lived, in whose sight I made myself known to them in bringing them out of the land of Egypt.

Eze 20:14 But I acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

Eze 20:22But I withheld my hand and acted for the sake of my name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations, in whose sight I had brought them out.

Eze 20:44 And you shall know that I am the Lord, when I deal with you for my name’s sake, not according to your evil ways, nor according to your corrupt deeds, O house of Israel, declares the Lord God.”

These verses are reminiscent of Isaiah 48:9-11.  When God acts, HE acts for HIS own glory and HIS own namesake, when HE does gloriously wonderful things for HIS children it is not because they are valuable, but because HE is gloriously and magnificently merciful and gracious toward HIS children!

It was Ezekiel 20:41 that sent me into orbit this morning.   "As a pleasing aroma I will accept you, when I bring you out from the peoples and gather you out of the countries where you have been scattered. And I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations.

Speaking to a horribly sinful people God says, "I will accept you," "I will bring you out."  No matter how sinful you and I have been, God accepts us and brings us out of darkness into HIS marvelous light.  Our confidence is not in our ability, our confidence is not in us at all...zero...What did Jesus say in John 6:37, “All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will certainly not cast out."

It is God that accepts us, it is God that will bring us out...HIS PURPOSE is to demonstrate HIS glory, honor, power and faithful love to those who will come to HIM in faith.  God accepts us, brings us out as an evangelistic call to those around us!  HOW IS THAT MARK?  What does HE say at the end of verse 41?  "I will manifest my holiness among you in the sight of the nations." 

What is God's strategy for making HIMSELF KNOWN in Memphis and around the world?   It has been said that there are 5 gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and your life...most people will never read the first four, but if you claim to be a follower of Christ they will read your life carefully.  Remember the song, This  little light of mine...Jesus made it clear in Matt 5:16..."let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."

Today the world looks at the church in America and says "you guys are no different than me, you fight and argue, you even take each other to court...I see what you are offering and my response is NO THANK YOU!"  God’s reputation is on the line when it comes to how His people conduct their lives. What about ancient Israel?  God made a covenant with them to be His people (Ezek. 20:5–6).  How did they respond?  Over and over and over and over they rejected HIS Word and turned to idolatry.  Repeatedly, the God threatened to pour out His wrath on them in Ezekiel 20, but each time He spared them...why? Israel was to be HIS witness to the World!  In Colossians 4:5 Paul tells us to "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity."  In a similar manner in Philippians 1:27 Paul teaches us to "conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." 

We must think about our reputation as individuals and as a church, it is worthy of the Lord?  Our we living lives that give off a pleasing aroma to God, the Spirit-filled life, are we the fragrance of Christ to a lost world?

Mark, you started by saying what you saw was comforting, encouraging and it worked humility...how is that?  It was a great reminder in reading verse 41 that it is God and God alone that accepts me and brings me out and makes me HIS heir and joint heir with Jesus Christ.  The foundation is the finished work of Jesus through HIS death, burial, resurrection and ascension...the encouraging thing is that God's own glory and honor are at stake and wrapped up in HIM bringing me home.  I am struggling to communicate how freeing this is...when I walk and live the Spirit-filled life in Christ, walking by faith regardless of my circumstances, trusting and knowing that my salvation rest completely in Christ, madly in love with the lover of my soul...my life emits a powerful and strong fragrance.  Jesus is incarnate in me and HIS presence is all I need and want!  One preacher puts it this way..."God is most glorified in me when I am most satisfied in Him." 

One way God will manifest HIS holiness among us in the sight of others is when we live lives that demonstrate that HE is our satisfaction, our joy, our delight...Satisfy us in the morning with Your faithful love so that we may shout with joy and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).  In Psalm 23 David testifies that the Lord restores his soul and have you ever noticed that David knew that God led him in paths  of righteousness for God's name sake...and in Psalm 31 we see the acknowledgement that God leads and guides because of HIS name.

Father in heaven,

lead me in paths of righteousness for YOUR namesake, for YOUR glory...that my life and my words may declare YOUR praises!  In the precious name of Jesus, Amen!

love,

m

The author of Hebrews shows that everything, every part of the Mosaic Covenant was vitally important, each mirrored the reality, or better yet, was a shadow of the heavenly (9:1–5). On the Day of Atonement the high priest entered the Holy of Holies, the most holy place, carrying the blood of an atoning sacrifice (6–7). The curtain that separated the inner room pointed to the fact that under Mosaic Law no one had direct access into God’s true presence (8–10).  Hebrews 10:20 teaches us that through the sacrifice and tearing of HIS flesh Jesus opened "a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh."  You may recall in Matt 27:51 we learn see that when Jesus died on the cross, "the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. And the earth shook, and the rocks were split."

Our High Priest, Jesus, entered the real thing, heaven itself, bearing His own blood. Through the shedding of HIS own precious blood HE obtained eternal redemption for us (11–14).  I love the places in God's Holy Word where we see the "how much more, how much more."  In Hebrews 9:14 we are told, "how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, purify our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.  

We know that Jesus died to enable us to be free to be what God created us to be...children of the Most High God, to enjoy an intimate relationship with the Most High God as Abba and Father through Jesus Christ...to serve as HIS sons and daughters in the new and living way.  We must enter through the precious blood of our Lord, because we know that "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins."

Heb 9:27-28  And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, 28 so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.

We will see in Hebrews 12:24 that Jesus is, "the mediator of a new covenant."   Animal sacrifices were sufficient for earthly copies, but Christ alone could enter heaven by His own blood.  In Romans Paul shows us that God Himself,  (Ro 3:25) "put forward [Jesus] as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 

Do you remember what Jesus said to the crowd in John 6:55-56?  You have to love it..."For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. 56 Whoever feeds on my flesh and drinks my blood abides in me, and I in him."  You know that Jesus had to frustrate the disciples, every time a crowd would start to gather Jesus would say something "seeker friendly" NOT...No HE would run them off with saying thing like you must hate your father and mother, wife and children...yes even your own life (Luke 14:26)

Sorry for the digression...the thing that hit me this morning is the impeccable attention to detail that Moses and Aaron and the Levitical priesthood took in following the letter of the law.  When you think about it, it is amazing, right?  I know that Romans 6:14-15 teaches us that we are no longer under law but under grace...but what should our devotion and love for Jesus look like as we grow in our understanding of what HE accomplished for us on the Cross?  What should it look like?

Pertaining to tithing, I remember Dr. Rogers used to say that that any Christian that would a Jew to give more under the law than the Christian would under grace was a disgrace to grace.

Ponder Heb 9:28 with me...so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him.  

Are your eyes fixed on Jesus, is your heart burning within you as you come to HIM daily and ask HIM to open the scriptures to you?  Are you desperately seeking to pursue HIM with a white-hot passion?  Are you eagerly waiting for HIM?

OR are you eagerly waiting for the next football game, the next time you get together with friends and family, are you eagerly waiting to buy your next car, home, ipod...whatever...is there anything that you think about more than Jesus, long for more, desire more than Jesus.

Let's run in a manner worthy of the gospel, let's live in a manner that reflects that we ARE eagerly waiting for HIM!

Please work this in us for your glory and  our joy in YOU Lord Jesus.

love,

m

I had never noticed how many times God's Word points to Jesus as the one who is seated at the right hand of the throne.  After seeing it in Heb 8:1 I did a quick search and found the following verses. 

Heb 8:1  Now the point in what we are saying is this: we have such a high priest, one who is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in heaven,

Ps 110:1 The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”

Mt 22:44 “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet’?

Mt 26:64  Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven.”

Mk 12:36 David himself, in the Holy Spirit, declared, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet.’

Mk 14:62 And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

Mk 16:19 So then the Lord Jesus, after he had spoken to them, was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.

Lk 20:42-43 For David himself says in the Book of Psalms, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 43 until I make your enemies your footstool.’

Lk 22:69  But from now on the Son of Man shall be seated at the right hand of the power of God.”

Ac 2:34-35 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit at my right hand, 35until I make your enemies your footstool.’

Ro 8:34  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

Eph 1:20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places,

Col 3:1  If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.

Heb 1:3He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high,

Heb 1:13 And to which of the angels has he ever said, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet”?

Heb 10:12 But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God,

Heb 10:13  waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet.

Heb 12:2  looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

We know that "God's right hand" refers to the Messiah, the LORD Jesus Christ.  Jesus is equal in position, power, honor and authority with God the Father (John 1:1-5)  "Sitting" refers to the fact that the work of redemption is "finished" and when the fullness of time has come (Rom 11:25) Jesus' enemies will be made His footstool.  Remember what we learn about our position in Christ in Ephesians 2:6?  We see that HE has "raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus."

Now meditate on what we see in Psalm 16:11, You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forever.  Jesus is the WHAT?  Jesus tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."  Jesus makes the path of life known to us, HE alone brings us into the very presence of God where we experience "fullness of joy" and in HIM alone we find pleasures forever!  "Just as it is written, “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Cor. 2:9).  

Please labor with me to grasp the truth that the most wonderful, awesome, breath-taking delights and pleasures in this world are like a tiny drop of water to a parched tongue compared to the flowing, gushing rivers of living waters we find in Jesus Christ.  All of the beauties and glories of this world scream to us "don't glory or delight in this, but in the MAKER OF THIS!

A verse I love to share over and over is 2 Co 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

John Owen put it this way:

"Beholding the glory of Christ, herein would I live, herein would I die, herein would I dwell in my thoughts and affections to the withering and consumption of all the painted beauties of this world, unto the crucifying of all things here below, until they become unto me a dead and deformed thing, no way meet for affectionate embraces."

Let's pursue our JOY in Jesus and Jesus alone...HE is the only one who can satisfy the craving, itching human heart...our hearts were created with a God shaped vacuum that only Jesus can fill to overflowing.

love,

m

A question that typically looms large with Hebrews 7 is who is Melchizedek?  Is this one of the times that we see Jesus in HIS pre-incarnate human form?  I don't think so...but I won't get into an argument over it!  If you will notice a few times you will see wording like we see in Hebrews 7:15,  And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek."  The story of Abraham and Melchizedek is told in Genesis chapter 14 and we see him mentioned in Psalm 110. 

I believe the whole point is that the old covenant is obsolete and Jesus is superior in every way.  Melchizedek is introduced to show that it was foretold in scripture that there must be a change in the priesthood...this is not something new, it is something newly revealed...Jesus Christ is superior!  HE is superior to the angels, HE is superior to Moses and Joshua, HE is superior to the high priest in every way...Jesus is superior!

Ps 110:4 The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.”

Jn 12:34 So the crowd answered him, “We have heard from the Law that the Christ remains forever. How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?”

Heb 5:6 as he says also in another place, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Heb 5:10 being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

Heb 6:20 where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.

Heb 7:3 He is without father or mother or genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but resembling the Son of God he continues a priest forever.

Heb 7:17For it is witnessed of him, “You are a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek.”

Heb 7:21 but this one was made a priest with an oath by the one who said to him: “The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, 'You are a priest forever.’ ”

Hebrews 7:25 makes it crystal clear for me..."HE is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.  I see three beautiful, magnificent and glorious truths in these few words...JESUS is able to save to the utter most!  Jesus is able, HE is more than able to save.  Because HE alone is able through HIS shed blood the invitation stands to "draw near to God through HIM," oh draw near to God through Jesus Christ.  Finally, how awesome is it to know that "HE LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION" for those of us who draw near to God through HIM.  Let it sink in that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World, the Only Begotten Son LIVES TO MAKE INTERCESSION FOR YOU!

Oh, draw near to God, draw near to God...come to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.  Be comforted and, “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has chosen gladly to give you the kingdom (Lk 12:32).  Let's worship and delight in our great and mighty King!

love,

m

How do we respond to the elections?  How do we respond as followers of Jesus Christ to the fact that the nation that we love continues to move away from almighty God?  As a nation we have attempted to remove HIM from our schools, we have attempted to remove HIM from our government...we have attempted to remove HIM period!  As HIS followers what do we do?

I have heard leaders say, "this is scary, frightening!"  I have heard others say "we are getting what we deserve, it is God's judgement on this nation."

As we continue reading through the One Year Bible you may recall we recently finished Lamentations, like me you may have rejoiced when you finished...it is rough sledding to get through.  You cannot help but be sad and grieved as you see the portraits that are painted by Jeremiah in Jeremiah and Lamentations.  The thing to keep in mind is that the human plight is all because of their sin...what we see pictured is what sin will do to a nation!   There are some comforting and shocking words in Lamentations 3:37-40...we are told, "Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come? 39  Why should any living man complain when punished for his sins? 40  Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the Lord."  "Who can speak and have it happen if the Lord has not decreed it? 38 Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?  Mark, how is this comforting?  I hope to answer that in the next few moments!

Mark, are you trying to convince me that it was God's will for a pro-abortion...someone who is for the destruction of human life in the womb, to be elected president?  Are you in the group that is saying that this is God's judgement on this nation?

Hold on, hold on...hang with me for a moment!  Let's look at this through the lens of Psalm 105.  We have been reading Psalm 105 in our daily reading for the past few days and today's reading concludes this beautiful Psalm.  However, if you read with a careful eye you will see a similar patter and message that we see in Lamentations.

In verse 7 the Psalmist tells us that, "His judgements govern the whole earth."  In verses 16-19 we see that, "He called down famine on the land and destroyed all their supplies of food; 17 and he sent a man before them— Joseph, sold as a slave. 18  They bruised his feet with shackles, his neck was put in irons, 19 till what he foretold came to pass, till the word of the Lord proved him true. "  Who caused the famine?  Who sent Joseph in slavery and caused him to suffer?  Genesis 50:20 sheds light on God's motives as Joseph speaks to his brothers after Jacob dies, "as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

In verses 24-26 we see that,"He caused His people to be very fruitful, And made them stronger than their adversaries. 25 He turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants. 26 He sent Moses His servant, And Aaron, whom He had chosen."  Who caused the Israelites to be fruitful?  Who turned the hearts of the Egyptians to hate HIS people?  Who sent Moses and Aaron?

Read verses 28-44 and simply notice every time it says, "He sent..., He turned..., He spoke, He gave...He, He, He, over and over and then what is the conclusion in verse 45?  ⌊All this happened⌋  so that they might keep His statutes and obey His laws. Hallelujah!

It has been several months since I have reminded you of one of my favorite quotes from Ken Easley, in his book, The Illustrated Guide to Biblical History, he gives his best effort at a summary statement of the Bible and it is simply that, "the Lord God through His Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and His own glory."  That means that all of world history is under the sovereign and providential care of our heavenly Father to bring about this end.  HIs-story of redemption from Genesis to Revelation is possible only because our sovereign God loves the world HE created, and is more than able to do something about it. God the Father sent Joseph into Egypt to suffer and be tested to picture for us the fact that HE would send HIS only Son to die in our place, and pay the penalty for sin that we could never pay.  Without the sovereign love of the Father sent to us in and through the Son by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, there would be no hope of eternal life.

What is God up to?  "The Lord God through His Christ is graciously building a kingdom of redeemed people for their joy and His own glory."  What is the World coming to?  Remember Dr. Rogers words..."what's the world coming to?  It's coming to Jesus!" 

Remember I said that the words of Lamentations and Psalm 105 are comforting?  The are comforting because we know and trust that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah is in absolute and total control!  What do we do?  Fix our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith!

We must pray for our president-elect, we must constantly lift him and his family up in prayer...as God's children we know that "the kings heart is like channels of water in the hand of the Lord; He turns it wherever He wishes." Prov 21:1

love,

m

During our reading yesterday I realized that Hebrews 6 was coming...my first thought was "Oh no," I don't know that eternal security may be adequately defended in a blog of 500 words or less:)  The more I prayed and thought about it the more excited I became.  The truth of the matter is that YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION!  You cannot lose your salvation any more than you can be physically unborn.  Both of my parents, my Mom and my Dad are now with the Lord Jesus...I will forever the the biological son of Mary Patricia and Olin Edward Gates.  While my earthly father was living if we had gotten into a horrible fight and both vowed to never speak to each other again and even went so far as to disown each other that would not change the fact that I am his son.  Here is the crux, the fellowship may be broken, but the relationship may never be broken...THE RELATIONSHIP MAY NEVER BE BROKEN!  (In case you don't know...all caps means that I am shouting at you in LOVE:)  Once you are born again, born from above, born of the Spirit you CANNOT BE UNBORN!

Martin Luther, that brilliant German Monk and theologian, made a simple and profound statement pertaining to interpreting God's Word.  This is worth remembering.  Interpret the obscure passages in the light of the clear passages.  THERE ARE NO CONTRADICTIONS IN SCRIPTURE...ONLY APPARENT CONTRADICTIONS.  There are difficult passages, there are apparent problems, but there are no contradictions.  Just because we see a contradiction does not mean that it is there...it just means that we don't understand God's Word at that point!

So we read Heb 6:4-6 and what do we conclude...WOW, well, it must be possible to lose your salvation...right!  Wrong!  Interpret the obscure in the light of the clear.  When you find an APPARENT contradiction in scripture just know that you are facing much prayer and hard work and that there is another solution.

Hebrews 6:4-6 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.

It looks ironclad to me, what do you think?  Let's look at the clear words of JESUS, yes Jesus, Paul and Peter!

Jn 6:39  And this is the will of him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all that he has given me, but raise them up at the last day.

Jn 6:40  For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Jn 10:27-29  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Ro 11:29  for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable.

Php 1:6  being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

1 Pe 1:5  who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Interpret the obscure in the light of the clear!  Huge principle in interpreting God's Word.  Two other things to keep in mind is seeking to understand the author and the audience...who was writing and who was he writing to...these are huge in accurately understanding God's Word.  You may be thinking, Mark everyone knows that Paul wrote Hebrews...my favorite preacher said so!  Really...then way would the author, in Heb 2:3, say "This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him."  What did he say, "confirmed to us (he is part of the us) by those who heard him."  Paul heard Jesus clearly on the road to Damascus...something to think about!  Sorry for the digression!  I point that out to say that we must be prayed up and seek to be effective detectives as we study God's Word.

Didn't Jesus clearly speak of the day when some of HIS so called followers would say to him, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” (Matt. 7:22). How does Jesus respond to them, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers” (Matt. 7:23).

God's precious Word is so awesome, in the Scriptures HE offers comfort and encouragement to the lowest and the weakest believer, while sounding an alarm to those who carelessly presume because of a prayer that they prayed and a card they signed at the age of 12 that they are children of God. Churches around the world are filled with people that have experienced the outward forms of the Christian life without really knowing Christ.

I believe that we find the key in Hebrews 6:7-8.

Hebrews 6:7-8 Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. 8 But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.

What did Jesus teach us in Matt 7:20-21, "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.   You will know them by their fruit...once saved always saved...absolutely!  The real question is were you really saved?  Those that are truly saved will endure to the end...THOSE THAT ARE TRULY SAVED WILL ENDURE TO THE END! 

Mark, what about those that reject the faith and walk away?  That is easy...They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us 1 John 2:19.

OK, I could not do it in 500 words or less:)

Worship the King of kings and LORD of Lords, delight in and listen to the voice of the one who holds you in HIS hand...OH...make sure you are in HIS hand:)

Jn 10:27-29  My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.

Throughout God's precious Word HE mingles HIS teaching and plan for suffering in the lives of HIS children.  All suffering comes from the hand of our heavenly Father!  His purpose is simple and clear...in unsearchable love (the same love that moved HIM to send Jesus to die for our sins) HE orchestrates and superintends everything in our lives to conform us to the image of HIS Son (Romans 8:28ff.)  With the tenderness and concern of a Father HE watches over HIS children providentially orchestrating ALL THINGS to complete the "good work HE began in us."

We don't hear much from preachers about suffering...our reading in Hebrews point to it directly so I thought let's throw caution to the wind and go where angels fear to trod (not really) and tackle this topic that so many avoid:)  here is so much here that we cannot take the time to unpack, but I hope it will be a catalyst for understanding how God  works through suffering in the lives of HIS children whom HE dearly loves.

Heb 5:7-10 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,”

SUFFERING — agony, affliction, or distress; intense pain or sorrow. Suffering has been part of the human experience since people fell into sin (Genesis 3). The Psalms, one-third of which are laments, include graphic descriptions of suffering (Psalm 22). A theme of the Book of Job is the problem of suffering and why God permits the righteous to suffer.

The Bible makes it clear that some suffering is the result of evil action or sin in the world. This type of suffering came upon people after the Fall in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:16–19). But some suffering is not related to the past. It is forward-looking in that it serves to shape and refine God’s children (1 Pet. 1:6–7; 5:10). The Book of Hebrews declares that Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered (Heb. 5:8), and that He was perfected through suffering (Heb. 2:10). Suffering has the potential of demonstrating God’s power (2 Cor. 12:7). Those who suffer are in a position to comfort others (2 Cor. 1:3–6).

Suffering also helps believers to identify with Christ, which is more than suffering for Christ. Through persecution and tortures, people have suffered for the sake of Christ and His kingdom (Phil. 1:29; 2 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:12). To suffer with Christ, however, is another matter. Paul speaks of the “fellowship of His [Christ’s] sufferings” (Phil. 3:10). Believers share in the suffering of Christ in the sense that through suffering they identify with Christ. To be a disciple involves suffering like the Master. Christ as Lord and His believers as disciples are bonded even further through the experience of suffering.

Another type of suffering is that endured for the sake of others. The prophet Isaiah portrayed the Suffering Servant as sin-bearer when he declared, “By His stripes we are healed” (Is. 53:5). Jesus announced repeatedly that His suffering was His mission (Matt. 17:12; Luke 24:46). Looking back to the cross, Peter explained that “Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Pet. 3:18).  Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.

Volumes have been written concerning suffering and so much of it is wrong...did I say that out loud:)  I'm sorry if that was not politically correct, but most of what I read and hear on suffering is just flat out wrong!  In his book, The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis tells us that in order to bring us to our senses “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is his megaphone to rouse a deaf world”.  I believe that Lewis is moving in the right direction.  Gain your understanding of suffering from God's Word!

Quick quiz, who inflicted the suffering on Job?  Satan...WRONG!  God!  Before you accuse me of blasphemy see what God's Word says...Job 1:20-22 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Job 2:9-10 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (ESV)

Was Satan active, yes...he worked through the Sabeans, Chaldeans, a lightening storm and a strong wind...and in the second testing his health was taken away and what does God's Word say?  Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (ESV)  Ultimately Job attributed it to God and God's own testimony is that Job did not sin in what he said!

THIS IS A HARD TEACHING...the thing the Holy Spirit constantly reminds me of when I struggle with this, and I do struggle...is the Cross...the precious Holy Spirit takes me to the Cross and to Jesus, and I am reminded that "though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered."  God is not tormenting HIS children, HE is preparing us to spend eternity with HIM.  Amazingly, when we rightly understand our suffering, HE will use it in our lives to bring others to faith in HIMSELF!

In Hebrews 4 the author continues the urgent plea to enter God's “rest” that began in chapter 3. God’s precious Word has come to this generation, as it did to those of Moses’ time, with the promise of rest. The promise does nothing unless we hear and respond with faith (4:1–3).  We will see this again in Heb 11:6,
"And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him."

Entering HIS rest hold massive promise and implications for God's children.  What does HE tell us in Heb 4:10?  "for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." So the TRUE child of God, abides in Jesus, seeks and asks to be Spirit-filled...KNOWING that IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO WORK IN HIS OWN POWER.  The only way to accomplish the work God has given us to do for eternity is to surrender and yield himself to the Spirit of God.  Embracing the words of Zechariah 4:6..."Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ says the Lord of hosts."  We must surrender and allow Jesus Christ to become incarnate in us...Christ in us the hope of glory!  There is no trial or problem you and I will face that God has not already provided a solution. Our responsibility is not to find our own answers, our responsibility is to listen for His voice, certain that HE will lead us to do HIS will and keep us in His rest (9–11).

In Matt 4:19...Jesus told the disciples to “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  I love this passage because it is so simple...what was the responsibility of the disciples?  All they had to do was follow Jesus, fix their eyes on Jesus and follow HIM.  Jesus told them, you follow me and I WILL MAKE YOU TO BE FISHERS OF MEN.  Their whole job was to follow Jesus!

The Word today is the same for us...follow Jesus, pursue Jesus, go hard after God in and through Jesus Christ!  How do we do this today?  Today if you hear HIS voice do not harden your hearts...how do we hear HIS voice today?  We hear HIS voice through HIS Word, through HIS inerrant, perfect, infallible and Holy Word.  The Word of God has no rival!  It is God's Word and HIS Word alone that will not return void.

Heb 4:12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

If you long to know HIM more intimately, if you burn with a passion to enter HIS rest, to walk in a manner worthy of the gospel, pleasing HIM...give yourself to knowing HIM, to hearing HIS voice in and through HIS precious Word and you will KNOW HIS WILL as you walk and live the Spirit-filled life day by day!

Pursuing HIM together!

love,

m

Our reading in Hebrews chapter 3 today contains a strong warning for every child of God.  I believe that it can be demonstrated from scripture that EVERY TIME you and  I sin it is because of UNBELIEF.  Why don't people, most people, drink poison?  We don't drink poison because we BELIEVE that it will kill us or at least make us very sick...what we believe directly impacts our behavior.  SO we read God's Word and we see in Psalm 23:1 that "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want."  We read 1 Tim 6:8, If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.  The author of Hebrews teaches us in Heb 13:5, to, "Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”  In those last few word God has promised HIS children HIS presence...IF we really believe that HE is with us, if we really believe that we are in HIS presence moment by moment...which should have more influence over us...HIS presence or our circumstances?  IF we BELIEVED God's Word in our hearts then we would be content with what we have!  IF the prayer that truly flowed from our heart every morning and all day long was the prayer of Psalm 90:14, "O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness, That we may sing for joy and be glad all our days," if this was our heartfelt prayer then we would not seek satisfaction in other places.

Heb 3:7-14 So, as the Holy Spirit says: “Today, if you hear his voice, 8 do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion, during the time of testing in the desert, 9 where your fathers tested and tried me and for forty years saw what I did. 10 That is why I was angry with that generation, and I said, ‘Their hearts are always going astray, and they have not known my ways.’ 11 So I declared on oath in my anger, ‘They shall never enter my rest.’ ”

12 See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. 14 We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly till the end the confidence we had at first.

Do you remember the cry of Moses in Exodus 33?  Moses cried out, "If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favor with you... 14 The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”  15 Then Moses said to him, “If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. 16 How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? The Lord said to Moses, “I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name.”  NOW Moses makes an incredible request, “Now show me your glory.”  God grants his prayer request, HE shows Moses HIS glory!

The warning of Hebrews 3 is the warning of unbelief!  The author warns..."See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God."  For me the natural question is what is unbelief?  Unbelief is a lack of belief, faith or trust in God and His provision. Unbelief does not hinder God’s faithfulness (Rom 3:3), it does affect our ability to receive and enjoy the blessing of HIS faithfulness.  Unbelief kept the Israelites from seeing the Promised Land (Heb 3:19).  Unbelief kept the people of  Nazareth from seeing the miracles of Jesus (Matt 13:58). Skeptics are hindered in seeing, praise God, “all things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23).

We are sternly warned to "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.  We are encouraged and filled with hope knowing that a fallen and frail man like Abraham may believe.  Do you remember the good report concerning Abraham?  “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness” (Rom 4:3).  Every honest child of God has to love the cry of the father with the demon possessed boy in Mark 9:24, Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Father in heaven,

I do believe; help my unbelief!

love,

m