It is Finished!- Part 1

Today' Reading: Psalm 22:1-10

	Abandoned-
	Psalm 22:1a (ESV) 1  My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

It is Plain (udated 6/30/12)

Today's Reading: Acts 26

	Setting-
	Paul has been captive for over two years and turned down an offer to be tried in Jerusalem in favor of appealing to Caesar. He is now giving a defense of himself before King Agrippa (king is the title but he is essentially governor over certain portions of the Roman empire- Nero is King at this time). Paul has been captive since the Jews grabbed him out of the temple where he was assisting some other Jews with their Nazirite vow and properly observing Jewish customs. There was nothing done that would warrant charges other than their hatred for his message of Jesus being the Son of God and the only way to be redeemed.
	Paul gives a complete defense-
	Acts 26:1–2 (ESV)26 So Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.” Then Paul stretched out his hand and made his defense: 2 “I consider myself fortunate that it is before you, King Agrippa, I am going to make my defense today against all the accusations of the Jews,

In His Timing

Today's Reading: Numbers 4

	Setting-
	In this chapter God directs Moses and Aaron (He usually just speaks to Moses) to take a census amongst the levitical tribe to determine those who are at least 30 years old and can serve in the tabernacle. God outlines the various components of the tabernacle and court that are to be carried, setup, and managed by each of the three clans (within the tribe of Levi) in addition to Moses and the priests (Aaron's sons).  The sons of Kohath (Kohathites) are given the high honor of carrying the most holy things but there is huge penalty should they blow it and accidentally touch anything but the carrying poles… Numbers 4:4 (ESV)4 This is the service of the sons of Kohath in the tent of meeting: the most holy things.
	Personalize it method (Rick Warren's 40 Days in the Word): Lord, please speak to me in your Word and reveal yourself to me. I aks this in Jesus name, amen. Maturity required-
	Numbers 4:3 (ESV)3 from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. See Jeff that maturity and continued dedication to me should be present in those that would serve in ministry. Recall that many might respond to my Word but then their roots may not go deep and they turn from me at trouble or they become caught in the thorns due to the cares, riches, and pleasures of this life. I call my faithful servants to demonstrate a maturity and a trust in me that extends beyond circumstances and emotions Jeff. From the Matthew Henry Commentary- They were not to be employed till they were thirty years old, because till then they were in danger of retaining something childish and youthful and had not gravity enough to do the service, and wear the honour, of a Levite. They were entered as probationers at twenty-five years old, (ch.8:24), and in David’s time, when there was more work to be done, at twenty (1 Chr. 23:24, and so Ezra 3:8); but they must be five years learning and waiting, and so fitting themselves for service; nay, in David’s time they were ten years in preparation, from twenty to thirty. John Baptist began his public ministry, and Christ his, at thirty years old. This is not in the letter of it obligatory on gospel ministers now, as if they must either not begin their work till thirty years old or must leave off at fifty; but it gives us two good rules:—(1.) That ministers must not be novices, 1 Tim. 3:6. It is a work that requires ripeness of judgment and great steadiness, and therefore those are very unfit for it who are but babes in knowledge and have not put away childish things. (2.) That they must learn before they teach, serve before they rule, and must first be proved, 1 Tim. 3:10. Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Nu 4:1–20). Peabody: Hendrickson.
	Move when He moves-
	Numbers 4:5 (ESV)5 When the camp is to set out, Aaron and his sons shall go in and take down the veil of the screen and cover the ark of the testimony with it. See that the priests could only enter the most holy section of the tabernacle once I removed my glory so that they would not perish due to entering before the day of atonement... Leviticus 16:2 (ESV)2 and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat. From the Matthew Henry Commentary- and yet, the necessity of their unsettled state requiring it, that law is here dispensed with; for every time they removed Aaron and his sons went in to take down the ark, and make it up for carriage; for (as the learned bishop Patrick suggests) the shechinah, or display of the divine majesty, which was over the mercy-seat, removed for the present in the pillar of cloud, which was taken up, and then the ark was not dangerous to be approached. Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Nu 4:1–20). Peabody: Hendrickson. Exodus 40:36–38 (ESV)36 Throughout all their journeys, whenever the cloud was taken up from over the tabernacle, the people of Israel would set out. 37 But if the cloud was not taken up, then they did not set out till the day that it was taken up. 38 For the cloud of the Lord was on the tabernacle by day, and fire was in it by night, in the sight of all the house of Israel throughout all their journeys. So know Jeff that there will be a time and a place for action. Do not suppose to live by your own timing or your own plan, but always wait on me and know that I will reveal to you when and what you are to do. Always listen for my counsel by remaining in my Word and in prayer lest you miss the lifting of the cloud from the tabernacle. You might think it time to do this or that in my name but unless it is by my timing it is to ruin!
	Look Alive!-
	Numbers 4:6 (ESV)6 Then they shall put on it a covering of goatskin and spread on top of that a cloth all of blue, and shall put in its poles. Jeff, know that you walk amongst this world bearing the tabernacle as I indwell you. Walk adorned in beauty and handle this tabernacle with great care! Do you suppose I care more or less for the tabernacle of your heart compared to this tabernacle of wood, metal, cloth, and gold that I describe in this passage? From the Matthew Henry Comentary- Those that are faithful to God should endeavour likewise to appear beautiful before men, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour. Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Nu 4:1–20). Peabody: Hendrickson.
	Guard one another-
	Numbers 4:17–19 (ESV)17 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, 18 “Let not the tribe of the clans of the Kohathites be destroyed from among the Levites, 19 but deal thus with them, that they may live and not die when they come near to the most holy things: Aaron and his sons shall go in and appoint them each to his task and to his burden, Jeff, as the priests did for the Kohathites- guard one another in your service to me. Stand by one another and do not let your brothers stray from the path or mishandle my Word or their hearts... Hebrews 3:12–14 (ESV)12 Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. 13 But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. Application and Prayer: Today I will pray and seek the God's lead with any ideas of ministry I may have Today I will know that I must always listen for the Lord's timing Today I will know that failure of something I am certain was good may be due to me not listening for His timing Today I will look alive and represent well the tabernacle  Thank you for speaking to me in your Word Lord. Please let me live by the lessons here and bless me in my doing according to James 1:22-25. I ask this in Jesus name, amen. Soli Deo Gloria! View blog from a computer or iPad for more content. Follow @dailysurrender

The Impossible is Mandatory

	Today's Reading: Numbers 3 Holiness is Goodness and requires Punishment of Sin-
	Numbers 3:4 (ESV)4 But Nadab and Abihu died before the Lord when they offered unauthorized fire before the Lord in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children. So Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests in the lifetime of Aaron their father.

I am With You- Who Can Challenge Me?

Today's Reading: Acts 25


Comments: No time to clean this up this morning!

	Hatred for Paul-
	Acts 25:1–3 (ESV) 25 Now three days after Festus had arrived in the province, he went up to Jerusalem from Caesarea. 2 And the chief priests and the principal men of the Jews laid out their case against Paul, and they urged him, 3 asking as a favor against Paul that he summon him to Jerusalem—because they were planning an ambush to kill him on the way.

The Encampment

Today's Reading: Numbers 2

God is with us-

Numbers 2:1–2 (ESV)2 The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, ² “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers’ houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side.

Personalize it method (Rick Warren's 40 Days in the Word): Thank you Lord for your Word. Please let me see the meaning and application in it today- in Jesus name I pray, amen.

See how I arranged my people around the tabernacle Jeff. The heart of this great people, organized in a theocracy with no earthly king , was my glory- my presence. See that Judah led the march and they were organized for battle according to their maternal lines in groups of tribes with a lead tribe to have authority…

From the Matthew Henry Commentary-

It is probable that the doors of all their tents were made to look towards the tabernacle from all sides, for every Israelite should have his eyes always towards the Lord; therefore they worshipped at the tent-door. The tabernacle was in the midst of the camp, that it might be near to them; for it is a very desirable thing to have the solemn administrations of holy ordinances near us and within our reach.

Know that I am with you Jeff. As you march, as you approach the battles in Life, know that I am here. Be certain to turn your tent toward me always and see me. Do not be distracted by the world or by your troubles or even by your good circumstances. Always keep your tent oriented toward me and always remember that it is a tent you live in...you are merely a traveler here. Your home I prepare for you in heaven.

See that I had Judah lead my people in the march even though Moses, a Levite, was my spokesperson and their leader.

From the Matthew Henry Commentary-

The tribe of Judah was in the first post of honour, encamped towards the rising sun, and in their marches led the van, not only because it was the most numerous tribe, but chiefly because from that tribe Christ was to come, who is the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and was to descend from the loins of him who was now nominated chief captain of that tribe. Nahshon is reckoned among the ancestors of Christ, Mt. 1:4. So that, when he went before them, Christ himself went before them in effect, as their leader. Judah was the first of the twelve sons of Jacob that was blessed. Reuben, Simeon, and Levi, were censured by their dying father; he therefore being first in blessing, though not in birth, is put first, to teach children how to value the smiles of their godly parents and dread their frowns.
Henry, M. (1996). Matthew Henry's commentary on the whole Bible : Complete and unabridged in one volume (Nu 2:3–34). Peabody: Hendrickson.

Application and Prayer:

• Today I will keep my tent facing the tabernacle...I will fix my eyes on Jesus and remember that I am a visitor here
• Today I will know that I am in a battle and need to keep in fellowship with my family, the family of God- His church
• Today I will rejoice that my tent does not need to be far off but that I can enter the most holy place and make petition to the Lord directly due to his blood.

Thank you Lord for the history you have given us. Thank you for the amazing epic that you gave us to understand you and to understand ourselves. Please bless me today and let me keep a focus on your Son. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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The Promise is Near

Today's Reading: Numbers 1

The Setting-

From the Bible Knowledge Commentary-

After the making of the covenant and the giving of the Law at Sinai, the Lord instructed Moses to take a census of all the tribes of Israel by clans and families (v. 2). This enumeration of militarily fit males only and from 20 years (v. 3) of age and older was commanded on the first day of the second month of the second year after the Exodus (v. 1). This was exactly one month after the tabernacle was erected at Mount Sinai (Ex. 40:17). One man from each tribe was to assist Moses (Num. 1:4); their 12 names appear in verses 5-15.
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (Nu 1:1). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Opening Numbers

Today's Reading: Background on the Book of Numbers

	Comments:
	So as I begin a new book each time now I will try to answer the following questions before proceeding: 1. Who wrote the book? 2. When was it written in comparison to other books? 3. What is the historical chronology? 4. Is there a specific audience? 5. What is the major theme or purpose of the book? 6. Anything else special?

Paul's Confession a Guide

Today's Reading: Acts 24 Tertullus presents charges-

3 charges were presented against Paul before Felix... From the ESV Study Bible- Tertullus accused Paul of three crimes: stirring up riots, being a Christian ringleader, and profaning “the temple” (v. 6). To a Roman the first charge would have been the most serious, amounting to a charge of sedition, threatening the Roman peace. The second charge Paul readily accepted (v. 14), but the first and third he flatly denied (vv. 12–13). Crossway Bibles. (2008). The ESV Study Bible (2137). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Devote yourself to the Lord!

Today's Reading: Leviticus 27

Leviticus 27:1–2 (ESV)The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, 2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, If anyone makes a special vow to the Lord involving the valuation of persons,

A Simple Plan

Today's Reading: Leviticus 26

Walk in My Statutes-

Leviticus 26:1–2 (ESV)26 “You shall not make idols for yourselves or erect an image or pillar, and you shall not set up a figured stone in your land to bow down to it, for I am the Lord your God. ² You shall keep my Sabbaths and reverence my sanctuary: I am the Lord.

Paul's Confidence

Today's Reading: Acts 23

Context:

Paul was finishing his address to the Jews in Jerusalem and at the end of his testimony, when he said God had told him to go to the gentiles, the Jews cried out and this caused the tribune to take him away.

They were to examine him by flogging to see why the people despised him but he mentioned that he was a roman citizen and they let did not flog him. Then in the morning the tribune brought him before the Chief Priests and the council to hear the "real" reason Paul was being accused...

Paul Boldly Faced the Council-

Acts 23:1 (ESV)And looking intently at the council, Paul said, “Brothers, I have lived my life before God in all good conscience up to this day.”

Remember Where it Comes From

Today's Reading: Leviticus 25

Give Thanks-

Leviticus 25:2 (ESV)2 “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you come into the land that I give you, the land shall keep a Sabbath to the Lord.

Please Teach Me Lord

Today's Reading: Psalm 25

Teach Me Lord-

Psalm 25:4–5 (ESV) 4  Make me to know your ways, O Lord;
teach me your paths.
 5  Lead me in your truth and teach me,
for you are the God of my salvation;
for you I wait all the day long.

Give a Defense, not an Offense

Today's Reading: Acts 22

Paul Gives a Defense of His Faith-

Acts 22:1–2 (ESV)“Brothers and fathers, hear the defense that I now make before you.”
2 And when they heard that he was addressing them in the Hebrew language, they became even more quiet. And he said:

Another Plan

God has another plan for my day so I am pulled away this morning.  I need to go with it and I will not likely have opportunity to get a study posted today...so until tomorrow- Soli Deo Gloria!

Thank you Lord for having all circumstances under your loving control and I pray that you would accomplish your will with me today.  In Jesus name I pray, amen!

Be Ready!

Today's Reading: Leviticus 24

Leviticus 24:2 (ESV)² “Command the people of Israel to bring you pure oil from beaten olives for the lamp, that a light may be kept burning regularly.

Personalize it method (Rick Warren's 40 Days in the Word): Lord thank you for your Word- please illuminate it today and teach me. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

From the Teacher's Bible Commentary-

The passage.—Here several unrelated acts are tied together by the idea of holy people acting in a holy manner.
Special points.—The holy worship (vv. 2–9) indicates continual prayers (the burning lamps) and continual Thanksgiving (the bread on the table).
Paschall, F. H., & Hobbs, H. H. (1972). The teacher's Bible commentary: A concise, thorough interpretation of the entire Bible designed especially for Sunday School teachers (91). Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers.

From "Be Holy" by Wiersbe-

I personally think that the golden lampstand first of all symbolizes the Word of God, the light that God gives us in this dark world (Ps. 119:105, 130; 2 Peter 1:19). The unconverted can’t see or understand the light of the Word of God because they lack the ministry of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 2:9–16). Nobody outside the holy place could see the light from the golden lampstand, but those within appreciated its light.
Apart from the light of the Word, God’s servants can’t see where they are or what they’re doing, nor can they serve God effectively. The lampstand gave light so the priest could burn the incense on the golden altar, and apart from the Scriptures, we can’t pray effectively (Ps. 141:1–2; John 15:5; Acts 6:4). The light from the lampstand illuminated the beautiful hangings in the holy place and also revealed the bread on the golden table. The illuminating ministry of the Spirit of God makes the things of God real and clear to us.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be holy (112–113). Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books.

Acts 6:4 (ESV)⁴ But we will devote ourselves to prayer and to the ministry of the word.”

Always be ready for my coming Jeff. Always be alert and never cease from seeking me in my Word and in prayer. Do you know a better way to abide in me but through this obedience?  You cannot muster up a continuous faith that chooses me when it is not easy Jeff. This takes the filling of my Spirit and you need to meditate and focus on my Word for his filling and anointing on your life. You meet me here and trust me to do the work in you that I began Jeff. Trust in me and I will enter and dine with you.

Luke 12:35–36 (ESV)³⁵ “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning, ³⁶ and be like men who are waiting for their master to come home from the wedding feast, so that they may open the door to him at once when he comes and knocks.

Jeff, to disregard this command from my Son is spiritual suicide. You are incapable of doing good without me and you are designed to operate in relationship with me. You cannot forsake the connection and the focus on me if you expect anything but a worldly existence. This is the daily denial and the death on the cross each day where you need, for your own good, to surrender. Surrender first your time to meet with me and I will learn you on what else is to come.

John 15:5 (ESV)⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

I make my home in the one who is humble, contrite, and trembles at my Word Jeff…

Isaiah 66:2 (ESV) ²  All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things came to be,
declares the Lord.
  But this is the one to whom I will look:
he who is humble and contrite in spirit
and trembles at my word.

Application and Prayer:

• Today Lord I will not forsake my meeting with you and I will always plan first on this priority 
• Today Lord I will trust not in my ability but in your action in me found in surrender
• Today I will humble myself and choose your Word over my sleep
• Today I will be contrite and I will acknowledge that I am incapable except by your filling to live this life for you
• Today I will value your Word and I will fear you

Thank you Lord for loving me and for allowing me to meet you here in this quiet place each day. Guide me today and bless my path. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Soli Deo Gloria!

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Reflect and Do Not Forget

Today's Reading: Leviticus 23

Regular Rest-

Leviticus 23:3 (ESV)³ “Six days shall work be done, but on the seventh day is a Sabbath of solemn rest, a holy convocation. You shall do no work. It is a Sabbath to the Lord in all your dwelling places.

Listen, Rejoice, Be Real!

Today's Reading: Acts 21

God is the Final Authority-

Acts 21:4 (ESV)4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 

Acts 21:11–12 (ESV)11 And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 

Approach the Sovereign God

Today's Reading: Psalm 24

Comments: Portions updated at lunch are highlighted!

God's Reign-

Psalm 24:1 (ESV) 1  The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,

My Surrender Testimony

Good morning! today I have posted a freeform abbreviated outline version of my testimony since I am preparing to deliver this today to the high school and junior highers. Crack your bible open and follow these references with me (or click on the links)...

Jeff's testimony of Surrender to the Lordship of Christ

• Surrender testimony- here are some of the scripture that come into play...
• Matt 6:33 (Seek first the kingdom)
• Where do you spend your time, money, thoughts, energy, goals, dreams
• James 1:22 (Be a doer)
• You hear, you come to church, you even serve at church, but do you DO?
• But that wasn't me, not my priorities- mine were different
• Career
• Accomplishment, status
• Income, security
• Things, stuff
• Selfish focus on whatever made me feel good
• Very little prayer or personal bible study
• Why was I this way?
• Luke 8:4-15 (Parable of the sower- I was caught in the thorns)
• Luke 9:57-61 (Three would be followers want to ADD Jesus to THEIR life)
• So what then do I do? What is it supposed to be this walk?
• Luke 9:23-24 (daily surrender, die each day unto the Lord)
• Luke 14:33 (Renounce or "Surrender" all)
• World, flesh, and the devil working against you…pray!
• Isaiah 66:1-2 (His Spirit will fill you if you humble yourself before him, repent, and value His Word)
• I decided to surrender my time and to wake early each day (every single day) to seek Him in His Word and in prayer to know His heart...
• And what happened?
• Changed my desires (all of them)
• Gave me hunger for His Word (tremble as His Word)
• Gave me desire to lead my family and teach my kids
• Gave me drive to be a fisher of men (to make disciples)
• Gave me compassion for the lost
• Gave me desire to give and to help the needy and to serve the kingdom 

Testimony concludes with a question to the reader: "Are you still living YOUR life?" Or in the Words of Morpheus from the Matrix- "Do you still think that is air you're breathing?" and leads into a discussion on abiding... 

Jesus says "Don't lose your life child...don't lose your life!" 

The child answers: "But how will I keep from losing it Jesus"...

and Jesus whispers quietly..."lose it."

(above discourse adapted from a sermon by John Piper)

• Luke 17:32-33 (remember Lot's wife), Genesis 19:23-26 (Lot's wife)
• Abide as the branch on the vine- this is surrender

Abide 

John 15:3–5 (ESV)³ Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴ Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. ⁵ I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.

Jesus is speaking about Christians becasue they are clean.

So we must abide to bear fruit and experience God's fullness, not just pray a prayer and trust his Son for salvation.  We must surrender eveything and accept what comes from the vine as our satisfaction.  What else does the branch get? 

John 15:10 (ESV)If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. 

John 15:7–8 (ESV)⁷ If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.⁸ By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.

He is saying that if you are surrendered and obeying, your prayers will be answered because this gives glory to God. 

1 John 2:4-6 (ESV)4 Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, 5 but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: 6 whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. 

If we abide (obey) and surrender he changes our desires and aligns our will with his and we seek to further his kingdom and we pray prayers that are purposed at his kingdom and not ours.

Matthew 6:9-13 (ESV)9 Pray then like this:
          “Our Father in heaven,
          hallowed be your name.
     10     Your kingdom come,  your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.                        11     Give us this day our daily bread,
     12     and forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
     13     And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. 

Was that pray for my kingdom or His kingdom? What is the difference? Shall he increase your kingdom and exalt your idols? Shall he grant you greater comfort and riches and possessions and accomplishment? Where is suffering? What is your true desire?

He renews our minds and changes the desires of our hearts so that our prayers are in alignment with his will and these prayers he answers powerfully.

Colossions 3:10 (ESV)10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.  

Proverbs 37:4-6 (ESV)4     Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.
     5     Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act.      6     He will bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your justice as the noonday.  

2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)¹⁸ 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.

Process from salvation to heaven…our life.

From the Bible Knowledge Commentary-

This glory is the experience of salvation available in the New Covenant and mediated by the Spirit who leads Christians from justification through sanctification to glorification. As believers manifest the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23), they are progressively being transformed (the same word Paul used in Rom. 12:2) into His likeness. Christlikeness is the goal of the Christian walk (Eph. 4:23-24; Col. 3:10).
Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2 Co 3:18). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

Live with confidence in your salvation and live in eternity now!!!

1 John 2:28–29 (ESV)²⁸ And now, little children, abide in him, so that when he appears we may have confidence and not shrink from him in shame at his coming. ²⁹ If you know that he is righteous, you may be sure that everyone who practices righteousness has been born of him.

Lyrics of Lead me to the Cross song punch this surrender home! This is good stuff:

Savior I come quiet my soul
Remember    redemption's hill
Where Your blood was spilled
For my ransom

Everything I once held dear
I count it all as loss

Lead me to the cross
Where Your love poured out

Bring me to my knees
Lord I lay me down
Rid me of myself
I belong to You

Oh lead me lead me to the cross

You were as I tempted and tried human

The word became flesh

Bore my sin and death

Now You're risen

Copyright © 2004 Hillsong Publishing (APRA) (adm. in the US and Canada at EMICMGPublishing.com) All rights reserved. 

Thank you Lord that you first loved us. In Jesus name I pray, amen.

Paul's Heart

Today's Reading: Acts 20

Comments: God is good and he provides all we need. Here are some thoughts from Acts 20...

Paul's heart beats for God- Acts 20:22-24

Acts 20:22–24 (ESV)22 And now, behold, I am going to Jerusalem, constrained by the Spirit, not knowing what will happen to me there, 23 except that the Holy Spirit testifies to me in every city that imprisonment and afflictions await me. 24 But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.

May my Heart Beat for You Lord

Good morning!

Praise God for His goodness and his faithfulness. He is surely alive and working in the lives of so many men right now that I am caught up in His glory! Please please seek Him in prayer and in His Word daily as you will find Him there and He will dine with you. I may add to this post during lunch but for now here is a reflection of scripture that God put on my heart while hiking in Yosemite last weekend...

Lamentations 3:22–24 (ESV)²²  The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases;
his mercies never come to an end;
²³  they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness.
²⁴  “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,
“therefore I will hope in him.”

Do it My Way

Today's Reading: Leviticus 18-19

Don't follow the crowd- Leviticus 18:3

Leviticus 18:3 (ESV)3 You shall not do as they do in the land of Egypt, where you lived, and you shall not do as they do in the land of Canaan, to which I am bringing you. You shall not walk in their statutes.

Something Different

Good morning!

I will not be posting anything like before for a couple weeks or so. I am not sure what I will be posting...frankly nothing much today.  I am focusing on prayer and on my private time with God for a bit as the blog requires time and effort that gets me sometimes distracted from simply seeking His fullness.

See the post Power Through Prayer for a good explanation for this break and for my consideration for how to proceed with the blog without sacrificing the closet.

Maybe some thoughts or reflections for a couple weeks but not much more and then I will dive back in when I am ready. Thanks for the grace and mercy and understanding from those that enjoy this reading.

Soli Deo Gloria!

Lifted by His Love

	Today's Reading: Psalm 13
	Distressed by Circumstances then Lifted by His Love- Psalm 13:1
	Psalm 13:1 (ESV) 1  How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Lest He Withdraw

	Today's Reading: Leviticus 15-17 Comments: Yesterday's post was added late last night and can be found below this one for today (or click HERE). Do not withdraw O Lord- Leviticus 15:31 Leviticus 15:31 (ESV)31 “Thus you shall keep the people of Israel separate from their uncleanness, lest they die in their uncleanness by defiling my tabernacle that is in their midst.”
	Ezekiel 5:11 (ESV)11 Therefore, as I live, declares the Lord God, surely, because you have defiled my sanctuary with all your detestable things and with all your abominations, therefore I will withdraw. My eye will not spare, and I will have no pity.

Be a Faithful Member of My Body

	Today's reading: Lev. 15-17; Acts 18
	Friends and Servants in the Lord- Acts 18:3
	Acts 18:3 (ESV)3 and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.

To What Are You Devoted?

Today's Reading: Lev 13-14; Acts 17

Escape from idolatry- Acts 17:16

Acts 17:16 (ESV)16 Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.

Have Compassion

	Today's Reading: Lev. 10-12; Acts 16
	Presumptuous Sin- Leviticus 10:1
	Leviticus 10:1–2 (ESV)10 Now Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, each took his censer and put fire in it and laid incense on it and offered unauthorized fire before the Lord, which he had not commanded them. 2 And fire came out from before the Lord and consumed them, and they died before the Lord.