The Shepherd's Unwavering Care: Finding Rest in God's Pursuit

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to feel overwhelmed, anxious, and alone. We rush from one task to another, worrying about the future and carrying the weight of our past. But what if there was a way to find true rest, even in the midst of life's storms? What if there was someone who cared for us so deeply that they would never let us go?

Enter Psalm 23, a timeless piece of scripture that paints a beautiful picture of God's care for His people. While often associated with funerals, this psalm is actually a celebration of life – a testament to the intimate relationship between God and those who trust in Him.

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." These opening words set the tone for the entire psalm. They speak of a God who is not distant or aloof, but intimately involved in our lives. Like a shepherd who lives among his flock, protecting them, feeding them, and tending to their wounds, our God is right there with us in every moment.

But there's more to this relationship than just provision. The psalm goes on to say, "He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul." Notice the word "makes" – sometimes, in His infinite wisdom and care, God forces us to rest. Like a parent who knows their child needs a nap, even when the child resists, God sometimes intervenes in our lives to bring us to a place of peace and restoration.

This idea was beautifully illustrated by a story of a man who, inexperienced with cattle, jumped into a corral to help herd them. To everyone's surprise, all the cows immediately lay down – something the farmer had never seen before. Sometimes, rest comes in unexpected places and ways, but always under the watchful eye of our Shepherd.

The psalm continues, "He guides me along the right paths for his name's sake." This brings us to a crucial point – God's care for us is intrinsically tied to His own name and reputation. While this might sound selfish from a human perspective, it's actually incredibly reassuring. God has staked His name on His covenant with us, which means He cannot and will not fail us. His commitment to us is unbreakable because it's rooted in His commitment to His own glory.

This truth should fill us with confidence. Even when we walk through the darkest valleys – and we all will at some point – we need not fear. Why? Because our Shepherd is with us, His rod and staff comforting us. These tools of the shepherd are not instruments of punishment, but of protection and guidance. They represent God's leadership in our lives, always working for our good.

But God's care goes even further. The psalm paints a picture of God preparing a feast for us in the presence of our enemies. This is a powerful image of vindication and honor. Even when the world is against us, God claims us as His own, anointing us and filling our cup to overflowing. This is the essence of the gospel – that God would choose us, invite us to His table, and lavish us with His love, not because of our worthiness, but because of His grace.

The psalm concludes with a powerful declaration: "Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." The word translated as "follow" here actually means "pursue." God's goodness and love are not passively trailing behind us; they are actively chasing us down. No matter where we go or what we do, we cannot outrun God's love.

This truth was beautifully exemplified in the story of a 30-year-old mother facing terminal cancer. In her final days, surrounded by her young children and loving husband, she surprised everyone with her peaceful demeanor. "This is easy," she said, smiling. "The glory of the Lord is before me. What do I have to fear?" In the face of death itself, she found comfort in the promise of dwelling in God's house forever.

This eternal perspective is what allows us to face even the most difficult circumstances with hope. When we truly believe that God's goodness and love are pursuing us every day, and that our ultimate destination is His presence, what else could we possibly need?

The message of Psalm 23 is clear: we lack nothing as God's children. He has guaranteed everything to us. Our part is to daily remind ourselves of these truths, to rest in His care, and to trust in His unwavering commitment to us.

So, the next time you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or alone, remember the words of this psalm. Picture yourself as a sheep in the care of the greatest Shepherd. He will make you lie down in green pastures. He will lead you beside quiet waters. Trust that even in the darkest valley, He is with you. And know, with absolute certainty, that His goodness and love are pursuing you every moment of every day.

In a world that often feels chaotic and uncertain, this is the rest our souls desperately need. This is the confidence that can carry us through any trial. This is the love that will never let us go. May we learn to live in the light of these truths, finding our peace and purpose in the care of our eternal Shepherd.

*This blog was produced by inputting the authors sermon into AI software. The author has edited and confirmed the submission of this article.

The Upside-Down Kingdom: Embracing God's Radical Vision for Greatness

In the kingdom of God, things often appear upside-down compared to how the world operates. This divine inversion challenges our understanding of success, leadership, and what it truly means to follow Christ. As we explore this concept, we're invited to reconsider our priorities and embrace a radically different perspective on greatness.

The Rich Young Ruler and Peter's Question

Our journey begins with the story of the rich young ruler, a man who struggled to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. In contrast, Peter boldly declares, "We've left everything to follow you. What then will there be for us?" This question sets the stage for a profound teaching on the nature of God's kingdom.

Jesus responds with a promise that seems almost too good to be true: those who have sacrificed for His name will receive a hundredfold repayment and inherit eternal life. But He adds a curious statement: "Many who are first will be last, and the last first." This paradoxical principle becomes a recurring theme, challenging our worldly notions of status and reward.

The Parable of the Vineyard Workers

To illustrate this concept further, Jesus shares the parable of the vineyard workers. In this story, a landowner hires laborers throughout the day, paying each the same wage regardless of how long they worked. Those who toiled all day grumble at the perceived unfairness, but the landowner's response is telling: "Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?"

This parable beautifully captures the essence of God's grace. It reminds us that in His kingdom, reward is not based on human merit or longevity of service, but on His boundless generosity. It challenges us to examine our hearts: Do we rejoice in God's kindness to others, or do we grumble when we feel others are receiving more than they "deserve"?

The Cup of Suffering and True Greatness

As Jesus predicts His coming crucifixion, an unexpected request emerges. The mother of James and John asks for her sons to sit at Jesus' right and left in His kingdom. Jesus' response is both a rebuke and a profound teaching moment: "You don't know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?"

This "cup" refers to the suffering Jesus would endure, culminating in taking on God's wrath for our sins. While we cannot drink that specific cup, Jesus does tell His disciples they will share in His sufferings. This serves as a sobering reminder that following Christ often involves hardship and sacrifice.

Jesus then redefines greatness in God's kingdom: "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

This radical redefinition turns worldly leadership on its head. In God's economy, the path to greatness is found in humble service, not in asserting authority or seeking prominence.

Reflections for Today's Disciples

As we contemplate these teachings, several key insights emerge:

1. Trust in God's Accounting: We don't need to worry about making sure others see our sacrifices or service. God keeps perfect account and will reward faithfulness in His time and way.

2. Embrace Divine Generosity: Instead of comparing our "reward" to others, we should rejoice in God's grace to all who come to Him, whether early or late.

3. Redefine Greatness: True greatness in God's kingdom is measured by our willingness to serve others, not by titles, recognition, or worldly success.

4. Expect Challenges: Following Christ involves taking up our own "cup" of suffering. Yet we can trust that these trials are shaping us for glory.

5. Look to the Eternal: Our present sacrifices and struggles pale in comparison to the eternal weight of glory being prepared for us.

The story of Abraham serves as an encouraging example. Despite numerous failures and struggles, God patiently grew Abraham's faith until he was able to trust Him even with the life of his promised son. This reminds us that our journey of faith is a process, with God using even our missteps to deepen our trust in Him.

As we navigate the complexities of following Christ in today's world, we're called to adopt an eternal perspective. The values and priorities of God's kingdom often conflict with those of our culture, requiring us to make difficult choices and sometimes face misunderstanding or opposition.

Yet, we can take heart in knowing that God sees every act of service, every sacrifice made in His name. He is preparing an inheritance for us that far exceeds anything we could imagine. Our call is to trust in His goodness, even when we can't see the full picture.

In conclusion, embracing God's upside-down kingdom means:

- Serving others with joy, knowing our reward is secure in Christ
- Celebrating God's grace to all, without comparison or envy
- Pursuing greatness through humility and sacrificial love
- Enduring hardship with hope, knowing it's shaping us for glory
- Fixing our eyes on the eternal, not the temporary

As we align our hearts with these kingdom values, we participate in a divine transformation. We become living testimonies to the power of God's grace, inviting others to experience the liberating truth that in losing our lives for Christ's sake, we truly find them.

May we have the courage to embrace this radical vision of greatness, trusting that as we follow in the footsteps of our Servant King, we'll discover a life of purpose, joy, and eternal significance beyond our wildest dreams.

*This blog was produced by inputting the authors sermon into AI software. The author has edited and confirmed the submission of this article. 

Another year, another attempt at getting Christian’s to read the Bible. Why is consistent Bible reading difficult for Christians? We know how all the different aspects and distractions of life demand our time but how often do we evaluate what is worth our time? With all the different technologies that help us multitask we feel like we can do everything at once. Perhaps we feel like we can and should do everything at once because of these helpful aides. The challenge for us in these modern times is not how about much we can accomplish, that is the temptation, but how well we can focus on what deserves our time and energy. Obviously, as those redeemed by the grace of God, we should understand that nothing is more important than our knowledge of, and relationship with, our Redeemer. I believe this is what the Lord teaches us in His Word. Jesus tells us explicitly that close fellowship with Him, the Word, is what matters most (Luke 10:38-42). David writes about “one thing he asked of Yahweh,” which is to dwell in His presence all his days and to enjoy His glory forever (Psalm 27:4). The apostle Paul finds that even life’s hardships are meant to draw us closer to the Lord to depend on Him (1 Cor. 1:9). I use this example to explain why consistency in our Bible reading is important for a closer walk with Jesus.

A Bible reading plan by itself is no immediate guarantee for faithful Bible reading. However, for those who are being conformed to the image of Christ by the power of His Spirit living within them, this is the way we abide with Him. This is the way we hear and do what He commands. This is how He speaks to His people. This is how He informs us of all we need for life and godliness. This is how He instills hope and confidence in His people as they bear witness to Him in this life. Essentially, this is how we know Him. I recently celebrated 13 years of marriage to my bride. I remember being terrified at my wedding with the thought that it could not be possible to love her any more than I did in that moment. At the same time, I knew it was a false thought. The more I have gotten to know her over these 13 years, the more I love her. I am talking about the depths and fullness of what it means to love another. I would also say that the more I get to know her, the more I enjoy her. Before I experienced these past 13 years, I did not know these degrees of romantic love and affection existed. Likewise, the more we grow in our intimate knowledge of God, the more we will grow in our love, adoration, and dependance on Him.

So how do we do it? I have structured a reading plan that I am confident will provide a pathway to Biblical literacy, and more importantly, intimate knowledge of the Lord our God.

First, each day starts with a look at the Psalms. In keeping with instruction from Donald Whitney in his book “Praying the Bible,” we let the date guide our journey through the Psalter. For example, January 1st brings us to Psalm 1. From there we use the average number of days in a month to bring us to the next Psalm for the day. That number being 30, we add 30 + the date and find our next Psalm – Psalm 31. If you find that neither of those Psalms is helping to inform your prayers or answer your questions, add 30 once again to get to Psalm 61. After 30 days we move into Psalm 100 and get to Psalm 150 by day 51. In total, assuming you browse all 3 Psalm readings for the day, you will work through all 150 Psalms up to 6 times in 1 year. In no way would I expect you to read all 3 Psalms every day, so use them to inform your prayers and your affections for the Lord.

Secondly, we move to the New Testament. This second installment of the FBC Holt reading plan brings us through the rest of the Epistles and into Revelation and the Gospels. With these longer New Testament books, we will not be able to read some of the books in their entirety every day of the month. Therefore, they are divided into a few shorter readings each day. Instead of being able to read the book or letter 30 times in a month, it will be more like 4-6 times a month. This is the part of the plan that will quickly move you into confident Biblical literacy. I would hope this reading be the one you make sure not to miss.

Thirdly, you will have a few Old Testament chapters for the day. You can save this for the evening if need be. Knowing all of Scripture is to be informed in the whole counsel of God. The Old Testament strengthens our faith by revealing God’s redemptive purposes from the beginnings and His unchanging character and desire to dwell with His people. Following this section of the plan daily will bring you through the Old Testament in 240 days.

Finally, we encounter the Proverbs in a repetitive manner. I have always viewed the wisdom found within Proverbs to be extremely important for daily, God-honoring life and decision making. I often encourage young men and women to gain a working knowledge of Proverbial wisdom by the time they are 13. Reading the same proverb for 10 days will provide that working knowledge. Following this part of the plan will bring you through all 31 Proverbs in 310 days.

The plan ends with about 2 months left in the year to slow down, review and reflect on the reading done during the year. By December 2025 the plan will only show you Luke and the Psalms as the daily reading, giving you time to meditate on what you have learned and seen from our God and Father. I hope and pray that this Bible reading plan will bear much fruit and aide in your time abiding with the Lord in His Word.

I recently heard Tiger Woods say that he would practice putting by making 200, 4’ putts in a row, every single day for 2 years. Why? He wanted to make sure he was ready, come tournament time, to make every single putt he was faced with. Due to the incessant repetition, this drill did not last for any more than a couple years, but it did instill the confidence in his putting that he needed on the putting green.

I use this example to explain why repetition would be a good strategy in our Bible reading. The more familiar we are with the text, each book, each passage, the more confident we will be in the Word when faced with all of life’s “situations.” I endearingly call this method of Bible reading the “MacArthur Method.” John MacArthur, pastor-teacher based out of Los Angeles, CA., states that repeatedly reading the same book of the Bible begins to form mental pictures of the location of the text. This may not make us always understand the meaning of the text, but it does inform us as to what it says. MacArthur comments that this is the “first step in biblical interpretation.”
I was drawn to this method of Bible reading as one of my great concerns for Christians across this country is that they do not actually know what is in the Bible. Although we have more access than anyone in history, and more ways to access the Scriptures, we have simply neglected growing in our knowledge of God’s word. This could be for many reasons – competing spectacles (TV, internet, social media, travel, etc.), time constraints, disorder of priorities, or a misinformed and disillusioned relationship with God. Could it also be that we have “abandoned the love we had at first” (Rev. 2:4)? Have we lost a desire for the Lord? Perhaps we have come to believe that we do not actually need or depend on Him. Whatever the case, Biblical illiteracy is a real and present issue within Christendom.

A bible reading strategy by itself is no immediate fix for this desperate issue. However, for those who are being conformed to the image of Christ by the power of His Spirit living within them, this is the way we abide with Him. This is the way we hear and do what He commands. This is how He speaks to His people. This is how He informs us of all we need for life and godliness. This is how He instills hope and confidence in His people as they bear witness to Him in this life. Essentially, this is how we know Him. I recently celebrated 12 years of marriage to my bride. I remember being terrified at my wedding that I could not possibly love her any more than I did in that moment. At the same time, I knew that was a false thought. The more I have gotten to know her over these 12 years, the more I love her. I am talking about the depths and fullness of what it means to love another. I would also say that the more I get to know her, the more I enjoy her. Before I experienced these past 12 years, I did not know these degrees of romantic love and affection existed. Likewise, the more we grow in our intimate knowledge of God, the more we will grow in our love, adoration, and dependance on Him. Repetitious Bible reading does not automatically reveal meaning, but it does invite us to seek meaning in meditating on what God has said.

So how do we do it? Following the advice of Pastor MacArthur, I have structured a reading plan that I am confident will provide a pathway to Biblical literacy, and more importantly, knowledge of the Lord our God.

First, each day starts with a look at the Psalms. In keeping with instruction from Donald Whitney in his book “Praying the Bible,” we let the date guide our journey through the Psalter. For example, January 1st brings us to Psalm 1. From there we use the average number of days in a month to bring us to the next Psalm for the day. That number being 30, we add 30 + the date and find our next Psalm – Psalm 31. If you find that neither of those Psalms is helping to inform your prayers or answer your questions, add 30 once again to get to Psalm 61. After 30 days we move into Psalm 100 and get to Psalm 150 by day 51. In total, assuming you browse all 3 Psalm readings for the day, you will work through all 150 Psalms up to 6 times in 1 year. In no way would I expect you to read all 3 Psalms every day, so use them to inform your prayers and your affections for the Lord.

Secondly, we move to the New Testament, specifically the Epistles or letters of Paul. We begin this year with Galatians and follow MacArthur’s repetitious Bible reading strategy. Read all 6 chapters of Galatians every day for 30 days. You will begin to see that after a month in Galatians, the content of the letter becomes very familiar to you. You might even find that you can summarize each chapter. This is the part of the plan that will quickly move you into confident Biblical literacy. I would hope this reading be the one you make sure not to miss.

Thirdly, you will have a few Old Testament chapters for the day. You can save this for the evening if need be. Knowing all of Scripture is to be informed in the whole counsel of God. The Old Testament strengthens our faith by revealing God’s redemptive purposes from the beginnings and His unchanging character and desire to dwell with His people. Following this section of the plan daily will bring you through the Old Testament in 240 days.

Finally, we encounter the Proverbs in a repetitive manner. I have always viewed the wisdom found within Proverbs to be extremely important for daily God-honoring life and decision making. I often encourage young men and women to gain a working knowledge of Proverbial wisdom by the time they are 13. Reading the same proverb for 10 days will provide that working knowledge. Following this part of the plan will bring you through all 31 Proverbs in 310 days.

The plan ends with about 2 months left in the year to slow down, review and reflect on the reading done during the year. By December 2024 the plan will only show you 1 John as the daily reading, giving you time to meditate on what you have learned and seen from our God and Father. I hope and pray that this Bible reading plan will bear much fruit and aide in your time abiding with the Lord in His Word.

Week 18-19 – Romans 12:11-16:  Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.

Building off verses 9 & 10, Paul will show us what actionable steps are to be taken out of love. In essence, love should move you. Not just in the sense that you have butterflies or a sort of nervous excitement. Love should move you to take an actionable step in expressing that love. The love of God is meant to make its mark on the world, especially through the sinners that are transformed by His love. Therefore, we are described as those who do things, in relation to God and fellow man, because we love and have been loved. For instance, it is helpful to list all the verbs in this passage: be fervent, serve, rejoice (2x), be patient, be constant, contribute, seek to be hospitable, bless, weep, live, associate. This is a very informative and helpful list. We can memorize this passage and test our hearts and life to see if these things are present. If so, praise God! Rivers of living water are flowing from us to others or into us to change our mindset and worldview. If not, repent. There is something causing us to lose sight of Jesus, who lived perfect in His love for God and for others. Remove whatever sin or misperception is causing you to look somewhere other than to Him.

Also, notice the beauty of a life that could be described as doing these things. It is the life of Jesus. Read the Gospels. Seriously, read them often. I recently heard a pastor describe his method of Bible reading. He will divide each gospel in thirds and read a third every day. This means you read that Gospel twice every week and between 8-10 times every month. Your familiarity with the life of Jesus will increase, meaning that your ability to meditate on His life will increase. You are bound to be conformed into His image if that is the image you are looking at.

Now, how did I arrive at the conclusion that this list in verses 11-16 should point us to read the Gospels often? Start with the fact that we know Jesus as Lord, the only begotten Son of the Father, perfectly acceptable in His sight, the second Adam who makes many righteous, the one whose image we are being conformed to. What do we see when we look at that image? To answer that you must read the Gospels. Now back to this list. Is Jesus fervent in Spirit as He serves the Father? Does He rejoice in the glory that is promised Him and those He saves? Is He patient as He endures hardship and persecution? How often does He pray? Does He meet the needs of the people? How has He promised to prepare a place for us? What does He command us to do and model Himself when it comes to those who are persecuting us? Does He attend wedding celebrations and Jewish feasts? Does He weep with Mary and Martha over the death of Lazarus? Who does Jesus associate with? Look at His life and then find Paul is bidding us to come and follow Jesus in love, His love.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. (1 John 4:7)

Week 17 – Romans 12:9-10:  Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

One profound and highlighted New Covenant characteristic is certainly love, but Jesus calls for a deeper, Spirit filled kind of love instead of mere external affection.

 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. (John 13:34)

Genuine love is Jesus’ love. He is perfect, and perfection comes from a pure and genuine heart (see Matthew 5-7). Therefore, His love is the only genuine love that exists (1 John 4:7-21). If love is to be genuine, it must come from Him. The instruction from Paul that starts a section on true Christianity starts with love. In 1 Corinthians 13 Paul highlights love as necessary for even spiritual gifts to bear any fruit. Love is also good, because God is good, and God is love. The flipside of that would be hatred from an evil heart. The idea is to value and walk in what is good as defined by God while using hate in relation to how you view evil. While hating things that are evil, we must remember that our battle is not against flesh and blood (Eph. 6:12) but against the evil forces at work in the cosmic places. Genuine love then finds its fullness in Jesus by loving those held captive by evil as well as those that have been set free from bondage to it. Enemies become objects of genuine love through the presence of Jesus in His people. They now love evil people while hating sin. Hating sin allows God’s people to not join others in their sin but to love them in hopes that they may be set free from sin.

Next, verse 10 directs our attention from love in general to love specifically. The words for love here signify a familial type of brotherly love. This is love we would find among siblings and parents toward their children. This is a household atmosphere of love. This is an affection characterized by being in the family of God. The way that love in the kingdom of God is most often described is as a selfless type of love. This would stand in stark contrast to the world’s love which proves to be self-serving and never sacrificial. Love in the family of God is motivated by the Gospel. For God so loved the world that He gave… (John 3:16) and you know the rest. This is a more general type of benevolent love, but it still illustrates what love is. Jesus laid down His life for His brothers (1 John 3:16) to demonstrate there is no greater love than doing whatever is necessary for the highest possible good of those in your family. Brotherly love characterizes the early church as they sell what they must to meet needs of fellow brothers (Acts 4:34-35), or as a Gentile group of believers sends relief to a famine-stricken group of Jewish believers (Acts 11:29). Paul gives us further instruction on what this looks like by telling us to “outdo one another in showing honor.” If you want to reword that, you could literally say “be the first to point out the value of a brother or sister.” This goes right along with the principle in Philippians 2:3-4 to “count others more important than ourselves” and “look to the interests of others.” And who does Paul use as an example for that?

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php. 2:5-8)

Week 16 – Isaiah 43:25: “I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake,
and I will not remember your sins.”

I recently heard John MacArthur answer the question regarding the goodness of God and the existence of evil. He simply stated that everything exists for His glory or the sake of His name. While God does not create evil, He allows it, for His glory. Without evil, where is His glory in grace, mercy, patience, etc.? Charles Spurgeon once described God’s glory in grace in relation to how exquisite the most rare and beautiful diamond appears against a dark black backdrop. If you have not sin and evil, where then is mercy and grace?

In reading Isaiah 43 and 44 you will soon notice that Israel has turned their back on God and is not worthy of any grace or goodness from Him. While not worthy, God still promises to bless them, for His own sake. Let us get one thing straight, we are not worthy of His goodness. We are not so special as to merit a place in His kingdom and grace. We are not so beautiful and amazing that He HAD to save us. Sovereign election is a doctrine easily gleaned from the pages of Scripture that emphasizes the choice God made in the salvation of His people that is based solely in His divine will and not on our perceived worth or righteousness. Look at what He tells Israel before they inherit something they do not deserve…

“Do not say in your heart, after the LORD your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the LORD has brought me in to possess this land,’ whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is driving them out before you.
5 Not because of your righteousness or the uprightness of your heart are you going in to possess their land, but because of the wickedness of these nations the LORD your God is driving them out from before you, and that he may confirm the word that the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob.
6 “Know, therefore, that the LORD your God is not giving you this good land to possess because of your righteousness, for you are a stubborn people.
7 Remember and do not forget how you provoked the LORD your God to wrath in the wilderness. From the day you came out of the land of Egypt until you came to this place, you have been rebellious against the LORD. (Deuteronomy 9:4-7)

How about a more poignant example of His divine will in election…

And not only so, but also when Rebekah had conceived children by one man, our forefather Isaac, though they were not yet born and had done nothing either good or bad—in order that God’s purpose of election might continue, not because of works but because of him who calls— (Romans 9:10-11)

We are experiencing a God who shows no partiality regarding mankind. His sovereign election is not based on who we are. All of us find ourselves on the same playing field. We are all sinners, children of wrath (see Romans 3). There is nothing about us that is worthy of God.

Now that you feel worthless, let us rejoice! What!? Yes, you read that right – Rejoice! Why?
But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— (Ephesians 2:4-5).

Perhaps you are one of those whom the God rich in mercy chose to spend that mercy on. Meditate on the fact that He chose to make much of His grace by blotting out your transgressions. He gave you worth by making you His child when you were only worthy of His condemnation. You may be His possession for all of eternity because He chose to glorify His name through saving you! If God is going to display the fullness of His glory, all things will be worked to serve that great endeavor.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Week 7 – Psalm 37: (1-2) 3-4:   Fret not yourselves because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers! For they will soon fade like the grass and wither like the green herb. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

It is hard to estimate the impact social media has had on our way of life. One negative effect is the way it tends to propagate covetousness and envy. We are instantly confronted with the highlights of how good someone “has it” verses what we are experiencing in our own life. Often, we find that we do not measure up to another’s abundance, success, or presumed blessings. Therefore, we are left wanting or coveting what another person has or is doing. There is a reason the LORD, from the very beginning of the law, commands us not to do this.

“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.” (Exodus 20:17)

Coveting leads to becoming discontent, and discontent people are not thankful nor do they rejoice. They are agitated, worried, angry, annoyed, and jealous. Those are not in the list of the fruits of the Spirit in Galatians 5. They are also ones that lack faith. They see God’s promises as false or less important than their current reality. Spurgeon comments on this Psalm by saying it is “too common for believers in their hours of adversity to think themselves harshly delt with when they see persons utterly destitute of religion and honesty, rejoicing in abundant prosperity.” So, what is the cure, especially in this context we find ourselves? He goes on to say that "faith cures fretting,” and I would argue that the Bible first declares that to be the cure. Verse 4 instructs us that a delight in the Lord will lead to Him giving us the desires of our heart. For only by delighting, by faith, in the Lord do we have a mind set on holy things, pure, good, and righteous things. That type of faith puts everything in perspective. This Psalm is a preaching of this truth by David for David. He is preaching this to himself. Who has not been tempted to covetousness and discontent? Are we not mere men? Therefore, do not be bothered by the godless who have no faith, they are only being further separated from the pleasures at the right hand of God (Psalm 16) and prepared for eternal destruction. Instead, place complete confidence and trust in God who will do good to His people for all eternity. He will you give ultimate delight and there you will find your hearts greatest desires fulfilled.

“for the righteous shall live by faith” (Habakkuk 2:4)

Week 6 – 1 Corinthians 1:18:  For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

Pride must be destroyed. It is a most beloved character trait to most of us. We like to think that if we have certain abilities, possessions, friends, etc., that somehow, we are more valuable and important to the world. For the Christian, we get caught up in pride by measuring ourselves according to the standards of this world, which is passing away, instead of the kingdom of heaven, which is our eternal inheritance in Christ. We have some innate desire to measure our good in some tangible way that makes sense to us and everyone around us. The problem with that is, due to sin the measures of this world are out of balance and directly opposed to the measures of God.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” ( 1 Samuel 16:7)

This verse from 1 Samuel is describing the anointing of David as king and the rejection by Yahweh of Saul as king. You have one whose heart was ever seeking the Lord and one who was not. Only God could make that distinction. It would obviously look foolish for strong, mature, and experienced Saul to be replaced by a shepherd boy, but not according to the Lord. So, we see that God judges and sees far beyond what we do. Corinth is a place in the world that lives on pride. They have the greatest intellect, food, culture, strength - you name it they have it. Now the word of the cross comes into that environment and changes people and causes them to follow this crucified Jesus. They will be ridiculed for following a God who could not save Himself from a sinner’s crucifixion. That message is considered foolish, or stupid, but only by those that are perishing. We are all perishing, getting older, decaying in the flesh so to speak, but this word for perishing is indicting those without spiritual life. The rest of the chapter goes on to describe those people as unable to understand the spiritual, for they are part of a world that is dead (spiritually) in their sins and trespasses (see Eph. 2). If there is more to life than breathing, and if God is Spirit so that those who worship Him must worship in Spirit and truth (John 4:24), yet man is dead in his spirit because of sin, then how might we live and be saved?

Answer: And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses,
by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. (Colossians 2:13-14)

We believe the message of the cross because we understand, spiritually, how necessary, and powerful His dying under the wrath of God for the sins of His people was. It appears foolish for God to come in the flesh and die, and for His followers to hold up the cross as a symbol of our hope of life in Him. It seems crazy to say an eternal God died in human flesh. But we who are being saved come to know that unless He cleansed us, we would not be clean. Unless He set us free, we would not be free. Unless He reconciled us to God we would not be reconciled. Unless He lives, we would not live.

For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (1 Corinthians 5:21)

The strength and power and wisdom of God so confounds and transcends a world like ours so much so that when He displays it (the cross) we cannot understand it. Yet, He has chosen to reveal it to the least or weakest of us. After a discussion on the foolishness of the those witnessing the power and presence of God in Christ yet denying it, Jesus declares: “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. (Matt. 11:25-26)

Do not be alarmed, little ones, if you are considered foolish because of the cross, it means life for you. It is how God in His power rescued you from sin. It would be eternally foolish to identify yourself with anything but the cross.

Week 5 – Philippians 3:10-11:  that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

Rubbish, Righteousness, and Resurrection. These are the 3 Rs’ that summarize what we see in Philippians 3:7-11. In other words, if the value of Christ is understood with the correct perspective (v.8), and if gaining Christ establishes us in His righteousness, and promises that we will join in His resurrection (vv.9-10), then we will hold the value of knowing Christ Jesus our Lord as the most important reality in every context. Paul recognizes that even suffering (v.10) in Christ’s name immerses us even deeper into knowing Christ, which is our ultimate and invaluable gain.  

Do you ever meditate on the lengths Jesus went to as He came to identify Himself with His people? It can be somewhat unfathomable, even incomprehensible that He would clothe His divinity with a cloak of humanity. He condescends to meet us where we are and save us. He becomes obedient as a man and learns it by what He suffers (Hebrews 5:8). Paul reminds us just one chapter earlier that He was obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php. 2:8) In doing so, He became despised, rejected, ridiculed, mocked, laughed at, hated, beaten and crucified. Simply put, He became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). What was His gain for identifying with His people – JOY!

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. (Hebrews 12:2)

He did not enjoy the suffering, but He did look through it to where it was leading. For what would be granted to His people and what was awaiting Him at the right hand of God, He identified with His people and suffered for it. What happens when we identify with Him? We become righteous, we become unceasingly hopeful in the resurrection, but we also become sufferers.

Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. (John 15:20)

Paul wants to be identified with Christ more intensely than anyone I have ever heard of. He is willing to share in His suffering, being persecuted for righteousness’ sake, so that he may know more of what it means to identify with Him. He hopes that death, maybe even a daily dying to self, will bring about the ultimate gain: seeing that which he counted as ultimate gain, Christ Jesus our Lord.  

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,
obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:8-9)

Week 4 – Philippians 3:9:  and be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith.

Self-righteousness is the idea that you can become worthy of being named a citizen of the only perfect kingdom that will ever exist. It is based on being able to keep the law of God…perfectly. This is the standard that God has for those whom He will call sons and daughters in His kingdom (see Rom.8:8). However, since we inherited and walk in the sin nature of our forebearer Adam, perfection is impossible. In other words, we WILL break God’s law. Can you smell the hopelessness yet? We are determined to be devoid of any righteousness. However, God is determined to make a people full of His righteousness.  See the difference? We will not have or create any righteousness in and of ourselves, but He will make us righteous through Christ. This is called imputed righteousness. Paul is counting everything as loss and rubbish (vv.7-8) because he now has something that is unattainable by anything but faith in Christ. In other words, being found righteous by faith in Christ is invaluable, you cannot attach a human value to salvation that we could understand or afford. The imperfect has the hope of perfection.

Perhaps you already know all this, for which I am thankful, but I beg you to ask the question, “Why does this matter for me today?” Paul answers:

17 For in it (the gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.” (Rom 1:17)

We live by faith when we act in accordance with what we believe. In following Christ, it is more specifically seen in how we trust and obey what He has said. We “live by faith.” It would cause you to encounter any part of life with a conviction to act or react in accordance with the commandments and truth displayed in Scripture. If we agree and can confess with Paul the same truths, then we will live today with a hope that transcends our circumstance and will hold unending joy even amid sorrow. We are to be found, after all this life, righteous, acceptable in God’s sight because of His Son. It is safe to say that v.9 is why Paul counts everything as “animal dung” apart from knowing Christ and now being found in Him. You no longer lack anything to be found “wanting.” What you now have is the God who supplies “every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Php. 4:19)

Week 3 – Philippians 3:7-8:  7 But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ

The gain that Paul had was religious power and prestige. He was quickly becoming known as one of the preeminent Pharisees. He had the pedigree (see preceding verses), the education, and the zeal. Then he met Jesus. In an instant, the glory of Christ put everything in perspective, especially all the self-righteous gain he had obtained. That glory caused everything in his life to pale in comparison. It is now better to be disadvantaged and destitute of worldly gain because knowing Jesus as Lord is far superior. He lives in the reality of Jesus’ words in Matthew 16:25-26:

25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?

Due to the gain we have in Christ, Paul is willing to lose everything else, including his life. All that he was and all that he had was as useless to him now as animal dung. He is in fact proclaiming that Jesus is the greatest treasure! What a testimony from a former persecutor of Jesus and His followers! What a contrast from before and after encountering the glory of Christ! He has realized that man can never be more rich, happy, content, hopeful, or joyful than when he has received the grace of God and been made an heir of the kingdom through Jesus Christ.

Despite your position, or lack thereof in this world, our Lord recognizes first recognizes that we are sinners and enemies of God by nature. He comes to reconcile us to the Father because of that.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation;
19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
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.  (2 Cor. 5:17-21)

What is greater than knowing Christ Jesus as Lord? What is greater than the promises proclaimed by Jesus of the resurrection of our bodies, the inheritance of an eternal kingdom, and dwelling in the house of the Lord forever?
3 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. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

Week 2 – 2 Chronicles 16:9a:   For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him.

King Asa was a good king who had a successful reign and he lived happily ever after. Not quite. Actually, he was a good king with a successful reign, at least for 36 years of it. His reign is detailed in 2 Chronicles, starting in chapter 14. The Chronicler describes him as one “did what was right and good in the eyes of the Lord his God.” (2 Chron. 14:2) He also destroyed places of idle worship. He even removed his mother from office as “queen Mother” and destroyed the image she had made for a false god.
Militarily, the Lord gave him victory over the Ethiopians and Libyans. Surely, the Lord did find a heart in Asa that was devoted and blameless toward Him. However, there are a few things to keep in mind about Asa’s story.

1.He is not a perfectly righteous king. He is a man. Therefore, he is not the king Israel should be placing all their hope in as the one who will reign on David’s throne forever. He did destroy the high places, but not all the high places – 1 Kings 15:14.
2.He failed to rely on God in the 36th year of his reign. He relied on help from a foreign king. – 2 Chronicles 16:7
3.He failed to seek the Lord when his feet became diseased during his 39th year on the throne, relying solely on physicians.  – 2 Chronicles 16:12

Why did King Asa fall prey to these sins? The only reason I can surmise is that Asa was just as susceptible to a certain failure as we are. He forgot. He did not forget as in, “Where did I put my phone?” but he forgot the steadfast love and faithfulness of God. He forgot that this was all for God’s glory. He forgot what he was looking forward to.

16 For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. (Col. 1:16)

He forgot that those who feared God with an upright heart would behold His face (Psalm 11:7). The eternal presence of the God that he honored was his prize. He began to live for the security and peace and wealth of now instead of eternity. Can you see how easy it is for even the blameless to swerve from the path? What hope do we have of not making a mess of things after years of faithfulness? Obviously, hope in our own flesh to accomplish this is of no comfort. Therefore, every day you must go first to the Lord. Your day, which moves forward into the rest of your life, only finds faithfulness and holiness in the source of such things, which is God. The triune God sustains, protects, and equips us as we endeavor to walk in a manner worthy of our calling in Christ Jesus. Listen to how Paul prays for the Thessalonians - 11 To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power,
You will find help by seeking His help. It is only possible through Him to bear fruit pleasing unto God (John 15:5). Where will you look today?

Week 1 – Joshua 1:9:  Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

The context of the opening chapter of Joshua offers us a different Israel than we have seen since the Exodus. Moses is no longer the prophet, leader, or mediator between the people and Yahweh. His assistant Joshua is now told to assume command and lead the people into the promised land. Joshua has witnessed the Lord’s presence and power in the midst of the people during their sojourn in the wilderness. You would think that is all one would need to lead Yahweh’s people wherever and however he is called to. However, Yahweh takes special care to remind Joshua that as he leads a military campaign to drive out the inhabitants of their promised land, he must be strong and courageous. The Hebrew words for “strong” and “courageous” signal that Joshua is to be powerful beyond average or what is natural, and to face danger without fear or flinching. In short, he is commanded to have or exercise supernatural strength and bravery regardless of circumstance. How can a natural man obtain these supernatural qualities? Answer: He cannot. The only way this is possible is by the Lord’s presence, something Joshua is already aware of. Yahweh has proven to the Israelites that He alone is their deliverer, and He alone gives them victory. Moses spoke, as from the Lord, in Deuteronomy chapters 6-11 about how they will come to receive the promised land. It is undoubtedly because He is giving it to them. Listen well to Deuteronomy 8:17-18:

17 Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’
18 You shall remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth, that he may confirm his covenant that he swore to your fathers, as it is this day.

Now back to Joshua chapter 1. What other commandments is Joshua given in this commission? He is to meditate on the Law of the Lord day and night (v.8), so that he is careful to do it. Assuming the Law of the Lord is synonymous with the Word of the Lord, we know that Joshua is being told, by God Himself, to focus on what He has said. This will cause Joshua to rightly fear, trust, and place all his confidence in the God of Israel versus falling prey to his own human emotions that may displace trust in God and cause him to succumb to circumstance.

The consistent testimony from Scripture is that wherever God leads His people, He has already provided all they need to rely on Him to see them through. He will make good on all His promises. Be encouraged by how this was modeled for you by your Lord Jesus, all the way to the end.