Christmas Story Readings

Lyns and I have decided to read the different accounts of the Christmas story leading up to Christmas day. That includes the first few chapters of Matthew and Luke. We're also going to be reading some of the prophecies about the birth of Christ. I'm not quite sure how we'll narrow those down. But it should be good.

Lynsey and I got to spend some much-needed time together this weekend. It had been a while. The holiday's have been really crazy so far, especially while I'm trying to study every night for something or another. We decided to set aside two nights per week to spend at home, eating a meal, and not doing much besides just being together. I'm very glad we've committed to do this. I'm thankful for the blessing that is my wife, Lynsey.

Finished Romans

Yes, yes, tis true. We finished Romans and will begin Luke here shortly. We want to read the story of our Savior's birth in late December, so we'll see how we maneuver around that considering that account is in chapter 2 of the good Doctor Luke.

My daily schedule is pretty jam-packed. I am in the middle of History of Christianity I. I try to finish 2 lessons per week. I'll read about 100 pages per night for 2 days, then listen to lectures and take notes for one night, then repeat the process. I am enjoying it, but needless to say I don't have much free time except for the weekends. And when that happens, I have small group to study for and usually play some type of guitar at church.

And I have a few Christmas gifts to buy.

And The Brink is picking up because it's time to start mind-mapping for the first full issue of The Brink Magazine. Not to mention a possible website for the entire curriculum line. We'll see if some money gets approved for that project. I'm a pessimistic person, so I doubt it. However, that doesn't mean I don't think it should happen. Young adults use the internet for so many things. And any magazine that is worth anything has an online version. So I don't understand why we wouldn't go that route. We'll see though. We shall see!

I'm ready for a break. So is Lyns.

Romans 13:1-7

Romans 13:1-7

1 Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, 4 for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God’s wrath but also for the sake of conscience. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

Paul wrote a lot about submission. He said in this passage that how we obey authority figures is how we obey God. It is this way because authority and government figures are put there by God Himself. So the heart of the matter is that the same attitude I have towards them is the same attitude I have towards God. Why would I be unwilling to submit? Because I think I'm bigger and better than the system God has set in place? God forbid.

Lately I've been wondering if I have it too good for my own good. Though I'm not wealthy by the United States' standards, I have all the money I could need. I have a beautiful wife. I have enough power to make me feel important. A family who is there for me. A church that listens to my opinions.

It's just that in all of those blessings, I lose my need for God sometimes.

Maybe a little bit of poverty is what I need. Maybe that will give me a need for God again.

I don't want to be that way. I want to be dependent upon God. It's just that when everything is going right, it seems I have no need to be.

I pray much more often when there's something wrong than when everything is going well.

I think that's sinful. How dare I use God as my out. He's my lifeline. He's the red phone. He's the last resort. I'll do all I can do, and if all of that fails, then I will finally try God.

God forbid it.

Maybe I need to give something up, or maybe God needs to take something away.

God,
Do what you would. Don't give me so much that I forget from whence it came. Overwhelm me with your presence. Take something away if You would--so that I may better understand my dependence on You. Help me see where You are. I want to be a part of that.
Jacob

Romans 12:1-2

sitting on our couch
babysitting anna belle this weekend
need to read for seminary class
need to study for small group

Romans 12:1-2

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. 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.

Living sacrifice--as opposed to a sacrifice a Jew might offer, a living sacrifice is one that doesn't die on the spot. The symbolism Paul is presenting is for man to offer himself as a sacrifice in the same way that a Jew would offer a burnt offering for a sacrifice. You were never supposed to offer an animal that was second-rate or "spotted." Every burnt offering was supposed to be the best you could afford.

Renewal of your mind--interesting that Paul associates holy living directly with the mind. To live a holy life, a person must change the way they think about things, and that happens by offering up one's self as a "living sacrifice" to God.

To find the will of God, we are supposed to use our "renewed" minds. God does not expect to have to tell us every single step of the way (although He is capable). He expects us to offer ourselves to Him, let Him renew our mind, and then that gives a renewed Christian the ability (along with guidance from the Holy Spirit) to discern the will of God.

God never expects us to be zombies for Him. He expects us to use our renewed minds that lead to discernment. That is how one can know the will of God--those things that are good, acceptable, and perfect.

Romans 9:1-5

1 I am speaking the truth in Christ—I am not lying; my conscience bears me witness in the Holy Spirit— 2 that I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, my kinsmen according to the flesh. 4 They are Israelites, and to them belong the adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. 5 To them belong the patriarchs, and from their race, according to the flesh, is the Christ who is God over all, blessed forever. Amen.

If anyone ever had any question as to how much Paul cared about his fellow race, the Jews, this passage should set those assumptions quiet. If Paul could have been "cut off from Christ" for the sake of his fellow man, he would have done so.

I don't know of many for which I would give up my place in Christ. Paul claimed that the Holy Spirit testified of the fact that he would have done so for his countrymen.

How ironic that Paul was willing to give up everything he had in Christ for the Jews who hated him so. They assumed that Paul was speaking directly against their heritage and religion. In their mind, Paul was a heretic who was trying to abolish their entire way of life. Quite the contrary, Paul was trying to give them life, and "life more abundantly."

Lord, give me a heart for people like Paul had a heart for people.

Romans 9

sitting on our bed
just had a weird dream
6:30 am

This passage is very interesting. I will save my thoughts for after I read Forlines' commentary on it. It seems very difficult, and I don't want to say something that isn't true. It just sounds incredibly Calvinistic from first look, so I want to get the real meaning based on greek words before I say any more.

The Lord is good. Our church is having a conference called "One Vision: 08." In the conference, we partner with 6 or so missionary families and their work, as well as a few things here in Nashville that need partners. One is the Hope Clinic and the other is the Nashville Rescue Mission.

I am wanting to see if the One Vision actually has plans for us to literally reach people in Nashville with the gospel, instead of paying other people. I don't feel right about just paying someone to do my job.

Also, Pastor Mike began the process for me to begin being licensed. I'm excited about it.

Romans 8:31-39

sitting on our bed
about to get in the shower
just had a shot of honey for some energy and to get rid of morning breath a little--that stuff is gross

Romans 8:31-39

31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 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. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,

'For your sake we are being killed all the day long;
we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.'

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

These are difficult passages for me considering I am Arminian. Not that I think these verses prove Calvinism, just that I have never had these verses explained to me fully from an Arminian perspective.

Surely though, Arminianism never states that Christ decides to give someone up because of anything. Rather there are those who once received Christ who choose to ignore the leading of the Holy Spirit in his or her life. After time, this results in a rejection of Christ. This passage is not saying that the love of Christ fails us. For it never does. Arminianism says that it happens the other way around--we reject Him.

The separation the Apostle Paul are referencing goes back to suffering. He is saying, "Will any of this persecution make the love of Christ null-in-void?" By no means! We are His because of what Christ has done. The one who did not spare His own Son is the one who is on our side. So what kind of persecution is going to cease that from happening? None!

The passage points out that persecution is part of life.
The passage points out that through Christ, persecution is overcome.

Romans 8:12-17

I read it today. Very busy time. Lots of deadlines at work. I have a book report to finish tonight, as well as study for small group Sunday. So don't count on me writing about this section any time soon.

Romans 7:13-25

Sitting on our couch
Just made Lyns some toast with my mom's strawberry jam
About to study for tomorrow's small group

Romans 7:13-25

13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin. 15 For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. 16 Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. 17 So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. 18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.

21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. 22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, 23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. 24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin.

Jacob's Verse 13 Paraphrase
Did I become spiritually dead because of the law? No way! It was actually sin that caused me to die spiritually. But sin had to have its true identity shown. If no one revealed to sin what it was, then no one would know. This is what the good law did. Because of this, sin is known by all to be despicable--and it truly is.

This makes me think of the fact that some people don't call sin what it is. We like to say that abortion and homosexuality are "viable choices" instead of calling them sin. I like to justify being deceitful instead of calling that a lie--sin. It's the effect of not having the word of God as a standard. If it isn't, then the standard becomes the common practice. And when humans make up the law of common practice, it will continually get worse and worse. Always deteriorating.

It's not that sin wasn't so before the law. This passage implies that sin is intrinsic. Despite what someone knows, despite their experiences, sin exists in that person.

Jacob's Verse 16 Paraphrase
If I try to do good things, then I am literally attesting to the fact that the law is good. Because if I am trying to do "good" and that action is in line with the law, then I am equating "good" with the law. So my attempts to be good are really a testimony to the goodness of the law.

In reality though (as verse 15 attests), when I try to do good things, I'm not doing the things I naturally want to do. I am doing things that go against my nature--things I hate to do.

There is a huge battle going on inside of every believer. On one hand, we know the law of God in our minds, and we long to follow it. On the other, our flesh is crying out to be satisfied, and it is our natural desire to do so.

I think this passage needs some more attention to it. I'll focus on 21-25 tomorrow or Monday.

Romans 7:7-12

Sitting on our couch
"Watching" Greys Anatomy
Just kissed Lynsey on her forehead

I have still been reading and studying, just not writing. Such is the pattern of my devotional life.

Romans 7:7-12

7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

In reality, the law of God is an act of grace. For without it, I die in my win with no knowledge to change anything. Thus comes the necessity of preaching the word of God. If it doesn't happen, people have no knowledge of a need to change. Nothing to compare themselves with except for other people. And that doesn't produce a positive result--just competition.

That's why God's law is the standard. Not the works of others. Competing against either will only result in frustration.

However, as my friend James Forlines says, frustration leads to change. If someone never gets frustrated because they can't get there, then they won't ever see a need for change.

And if you don't know the law exists, you never get frustrated.

God's law is an act of grace. The law is anything but sin. Law is grace.

Romans 5:1-8

sitting at my desk
company-wide lunch today for bosses
need to book a hotel room in Charlotte for my OS

Romans 5:1-5 (ESV)

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The main thing I noticed about this passage is the use of "we". I love it. So often I have thought this passage applies just to me. I read it like this (subconsciously):

Therefore, since I have been justified by faith, I have peace with God through my Lord Jesus Christ. Through him I have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which I stand, and I rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, I rejoice in my sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance . . . and hope does not put me to shame, because God's love has been poured into my heart through the Holy Spirit who has been given to me.

Believers are in this thing together. We can't do it alone. I need people. And people need me.

Romans 4:1-8

Romans 3:21-31

at my desk
just got my MacBook back from the shop
listening to Aaron Keyes Psalm 62

I haven't had my MacBook since last Wednesday. That explains the lack of posts. In the meantime, I have kept up with my studying. That explains the skip in text. I read it and did as I would normally in the previous text. I just didn't write it down. Anyway, on to Romans 3.

Romans 3:21-31

But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it—the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God put forward 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. 26It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.

Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Paul had just gotten done talking about the point of the law. He said that the law gives man knowledge of sin. Amen to that. Then he turns a corner by using the word "but."

"Now," Paul says, God's righteousness is revealed through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. There is no difference between people, he claims. Sin isn't prejudice. Everyone is a sinner and are not as good as God is.

Verse 24 makes an interesting statement when it says "being justified freely by His grace." It implies that it is a process.

Because Salvation is by grace alone, no one can boast. No Jew nor Gentile. Man is therefore justified by faith apart from works of the law. He is the God of the Gentiles.

A Little Application
Paul was not very well liked among the Jews. They were entitled to God. They are the ones who had the law, and they are the ones who were religious. If anyone claimed that the gospel was for anyone besides them then that person was a heretic. In that right, Paul was a heretic.

In what ways do I say the gospel is not for everyone? That might not necessarily be an outwardly expressed thing, but I probably do it in subtle ways.

Romans 1:18-19

at my desk
attempted to make a video devo of this yesterday but didn't like it

Romans 1:18-19

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them.

I love the idea this passage presents--that it's natural for mankind to have a relationship with God. The phrase "suppress the truth" implies that the truth is in existence. It is wanting to come out. It is emerging. But unrighteous living holds the truth back. It doesn't make truth any less true. The truth is just veiled.

Compare that with the idea that God's wrath is in turn revealed from heaven against all ungodliness. So in living unrighteously (not by faith), truth is veiled, and wrath is revealed.

I might try the video post tomorrow.

Romans 1:18-25

I read it today. Will read it once more tonight before expounding upon it.

Romans 1:16-17

stretched out on a bed
at the in-laws in NLR
about to go to the church's open house

Romans 1:16-17

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, 'BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.'

Word Study
power--(feminine noun), strength or ability, inherent power-residing their by it's nature, moral power and excellence of soul
faith--(pistis) conviction or truth of anything, that Jesus is the Messiah

Thoughts
Very famous passage here from Paul. I probably should have included these two verses with yesterday's study. Anyway. Paul just finished telling the Romans that the he has been wanting to come to them to impart a spiritual gift. He wants to preach the gospel to the people there in Rome. It may have seemed strange to them that he wanted so badly to tell the gentiles about the gospel. But he did. Verse 16 seems to serve as an explanation as to why he wanted to share this gospel with them.

1. The gospel is for everyone (verse 16).
2. God is glorified through people putting faith in Him because it is based on His righteousness (verse 17). The more people that believe, the more God's righteousness is shown.

Romans 1:8-15

at my desk in the office
just had birthday lunch
break time

Romans 1:8-15 (ESV)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers, asking that somehow by God’s will I may now at last succeed in coming to you. For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine. I want you to know, brothers, that I have often intended to come to you (but thus far have been prevented), in order that I may reap some I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish. So I am eager to preach the gospel to you also who are in Rome. harvest among you as well as among the rest of the Gentiles.

Word Study
without ceasing (v9)--continual, unceasing, unintermitted
intended (v13)--planned, made an effort
under obligation (v14)--fulfilling the debt requirement, called to fulfill something by someone else

Thoughts

1. First (v8)

I love that the thing Paul starts off with what he does. He just got done with his introduction, which sort of summarized the entire book it seems. Now he has done the welcoming and is moving into the meat of what he has to say to these people in the huge metropolitan city. The powerhouse--Rome. Not only that, but the gentiles, God's "unchosen" people.

The first thing Paul wants to do is tell these people how much he is thankful for them.

Before all of the "we're all sinners" stuff. Before the "salvation only through faith in Christ" stuff. Before all of that, Paul wants his readers to know that he cares about them personally.

He is so thankful for these people and their faith.

He showed this first through his prayers. Paul claimed as God as his witness that he is all the time thanking God for these people and praying for them. "Without ceasing" the Scripture says. Whenever he prays, he is praying for them.

Not only is Paul praying for them, but he is also yearning to come see them. He wants them to know that even though he has never met these people, he has a heart for them. He longs to be with them to be encouraged by them and to encourage them himself. He wants this so much that he says it before any of the other HUGE things he has to say (and the stuff is HUGE).

Application Para Mi

A heart for people is the source of helping them. If I don't care about people, then why should I try to teach them anything? Why should I care for their needs? I need a heart for people before I can teach them something. Paul is clear about this. Before he attempted to teach these people and impart the Word of God to the, he longed to show them his heart for them.

Not only that, but I need people as much as they need me. Paul longed to be encouraged by these people. They had something he needed. People have something I need. Encouragement. Chastisement.

I look forward to the next truth starting in verse 16.

Romans 1-3

I have been reading Romans 1-3 the past few days just to get a general picture of what Paul is talking about.

Next will be a more comprehensive study of verses 8 through a little bit.

Romans 1:1-7

9:34 am
sitting in bed
Lynsey is making pancakes and bacon-YUM
might be buying a road bike today!

Romans 1:1-7

Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son, who was descended from David according to the flesh and was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations, including you who are called to belong to Jesus Christ,

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul begins the book by summarizing a lot of things. Here's how I break down the first 7 verses.

The Outline

1. Paul introduces himself
a. bondservant
b. called to be an apostle
c. separated to the gospel of God
2. Describes the gospel of God
a. God promised it through the prophets in the Scriptures
b. the gospel is about Jesus
i. Jesus was from the seed of David
ii. Jesus was "according to the flesh"
iii. Jesus was declared to be the Son of God
iv. Jesus had power according to the Spirit of holiness
v. Jesus obtained this power by being resurrected from the dead
c. Jesus does things for man
i. we have received grace and apostleship
-we have this for obedience to the faith among the nations
-this glorifies the name of Christ
ii. we are the called of Jesus Christ
3. Paul greets the people in Rome
a. they are beloved of God
b. they are called to be saints
4. Paul blesses the people of Rome
a. grace
b. peace
-both are from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ

Word Study

servant (bondservant in NKJV)--a slave, chained to something, used exclusively in the NKJV (13 times in the Pauline epistles), used 26 times (servant) in ESV

apostle--a person sent by another, used sometimes referring to Christ, also refers to the 12 apostles (or disciples) of Christ

set apart--designated, to be called to do a specific task, made to do one specific thing, also being different

according to--in agreement or harmony with, assent towards

apostleship--the office of being an apostle

In My Own Words

Paul, someone who serves Jesus, the Messiah was called to be a messenger of this same Christ. His task is the gospel of God--his mission in life, what he was set apart to do. This gospel was promised and prophesied a long time before now in the holy Scriptures, written by prophets of God. This gospel is about the Son of God. This Son was born in the lineage of David. He was man, living as a man, in human flesh. When He eventually resurrected from the dead, this same Son of God, Christ, proved that He was the Son of God. He did this with the power of and in harmony with the Spirit of holiness. Now this Christ is the Lord, the ruler of all. It is through Him that we can receive grace, that which we cannot earn ourselves, and the status of being an apostle, one sent from God for a specific purpose. All of this brings obedience through faith. This is not for the glory of any but the name of Christ. This is to be shared among all nations, namely, everyone who is called to belong to Christ.

This message is for everyone in Rome. Everyone. Not just Jews. Not one specific nationality. Everyone is loved by God and called to be a saint. God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ want to extend grace and peace to you.

God,

Your Word is life. Your Word is truth. For the opportunity to learn and study, Lord, I'm grateful. All praises be to the One who sits on the throne, high and lifted up. Who calls all men to Himself, whether Jew or Gentile. Whether in rural or urban. You have called everyone to You and are offering up grace and peace. Your salvation is for all who would believe.

It is now my duty and privilege, Father, to be a messenger, one who is set apart with a specific task to carry this gospel, Lord, to everyone.

May grace and peace go with us, Lord.

Jacob

Romans

6:47 am
sitting at the desk at home
said I would make breakfast, but didn't

Lynsey and I decided to start a Pauline epistle after the 3 and 1/2 months we spent on Isaiah's prophecy. We thought it would be a good balance. I suggested Romans, and she said that was fine. So, instead of dividing the readings by chapters, we thought it would be good to do it in smaller portions since Romans can have some heavy stuff in it.

Today I'm reading some background stuff on the book, including some things about Paul.

Background on Romans

Author: Paul
Scribe: Tertius
Birthplace: Tarsus
Ethnicity: Jewish, Pharisee (the strictest sect)
Date: A.D. 57

Bruce notes that Paul had never been to Rome before he wrote the book. He bases this on what Paul says about Rome in Acts 19:21 and Roman 15:23-25. Evidently, someone (possibly a converted Jew from the Day of Pentecost [Acts 2:10]) carried the gospel back to Rome and began a church there. Paul was writing to an already existing church in the great metropolis of Rome.

I will begin reading the book soon. Just wanted to get some background info in before I jump into it.

Isaiah 66

9:53 pm
on my bed
Lynsey is asleep

Isaiah 66

Today concludes the end of my study on the book of Isaiah.

The prophet does not disappoint. He concludes the book with God telling a little about Himself. God basically states how it will all work out in the end--with Him receiving everything.

I love the picture of God in the first few verses when He says (Jacob paraphrase):

I am the Lord. The heavens are my throne and the earth is my footstool.

I don't really understand the hugeness of God. I can't really get my mind around how large the earth is, much less the universe or the "heavens," whatever that means.

God is huge. He wins. He wants everyone to have a chance on knowing Him. There is the gist of what I got out of Isaiah.

Lynsey and I are thinking about what we're going to read next. Probably a Pauline epistle.

Is 65

I read Isaiah 65 yesterday. I didn't take time to write about it.

Is 64,

9:14 am
sitting at my desk
going to rush night at FWBBC tonight; six flags over Georgia tomorrow

Isaiah 64

These words are incredibly powerful. The prophet Isaiah is speaking to God. He longs to see God. He wants God to come down.

Oh, that You would rend the heavens!
That You would come down!
That the mountains might shake at Your presence--

Isaiah wants God to show Himself to His people. He then goes on to praise God, claiming that no man has seen a God like this God. Indeed.

The prophet then makes a turn when he acknowledges that man has sinned. That is the reason God is not showing Himself to His people--they have sinned. Isaiah realizes the need for his people to have a Savior.

In these ways we continue;
And we need to be saved.

He then goes on to say that man cannot save himself. The righteousness of man is like "filthy rags." Man is like a leaf. It lives for a while, fades away, and is eventually carried away by the wind. A leaf has no control over what it does with its life. It just lives on the supplies it has been given. When its time is done, it passes, and another leaf lives in its place. Interesting picture Isaiah paints here.

Isaiah then pleads with God, calling Him Lord, Father, and the potter. People are the work of the hand of God, the prophet says. He begs God not to be furious with His people, although He has a right to be.

He then concludes the section with a question. It's very post-modern of Isaiah. He just asks the question. The passage doesn't give an answer in this chapter. Isaiah says, "Will You hold Your peace, and afflict us very severely?"

The prophet leaves it at that.

Interesting.

That is really all man can do. When faced with the knowledge of my sin, I can do nothing on my own to fix it. I must come directly to God, pleading for mercy. Begging God to do something about it.

When I sin, it is against God. He is the holy One who is the standard of all righteousness. Perfection. So when any wrong happens, it is against God. Any wrong I do, no matter who it directly impacts, is ultimately against God Himself. He is angered by this. He cannot stand for imperfection. It is against who He is. He must hold everything accountable. He is the only one who can forgive the debts I owe.

Sometimes I think God wants us to sweat a little. It seems like Isaiah is sweating in this passage. Even the way Isaiah ends the passage with a question, waiting for God to answer.

Sometimes God wants me to wait before He gives me an answer.

What I need to remember from this passage:

1. When I sin, it is against God.
2. God is the only one who can forgive me.
3. Sometimes God wants me to wait for an answer.

God,

Thank You for the truths of Your Word. Not only that they are true, as if they make sense when standing up with other things that are true, but that they are the literal truth. Your words, O God, are the standard of truth. The ultimate.

When I sin, it is against You, God. You are the only one who can forgive me.

O God, turn the hearts of Your people back to You! My heart longs for You! I yearn for the presence of the living God! Do not turn Your face from me.

There is no other God like You. God of the past, present, and future.

God of all nations.

Answer when and if You will, Lord.

Through the blood of Christ, who is God incarnate,
Jacob

What God Is Doing In My Life, Is 62

5:09 pm
Sitting in the grass in front of Memorial Auditorium at FWBBC
It is about 85 degrees.
Listening to Jon Foreman's "House of God Forever."

Isaiah 62

It is all about God's promise to send a Savior.

However, that is not what I want to write about today.

I don't know many unsaved people. Neither does Lynsey. We have been confronted with the theme lately that we are supposed to be living an outwardly focused faith. What does that mean? To me it means that I have been given the grace of God so that I can show it to others. It's about loving God and loving other people.

More specifically, we've been faced with the theme of helping those who cannot help themselves. Widows, orphans, the homeless, the hungry, the naked, the ones in spiritual darkness. It is my responsibility to help these people.

There is something about these kind of people that I can easily associate with. I think it's because their physical condition reminds me of my spiritual condition without Christ. I was once homeless, hungry, naked, ashamed, helpless, spiritually dark. Then when God called me into His grace, those things changed. There is something about serving those people who are like that physically that is directly connected with the heart of God.

God cares about the homeless.

We are praying as to what God would have us do in reaction to this theme we have faced in His Word. We know it's not enough for us to just understand that it's important to be mindful of homeless people. We have the Word of God so that we will respond to it. We have to literally feed the homeless in some way. Right now we're not doing that. We are not following a theme of God.

Praying for the courage to be obedient to the Word of God.

Rain, No Reading

I didn't read this morning. I might get to it tonight.

Lynsey and I have a date tonight. To be honest with you, I am still planning it. I hope she doesn't read this and get royally ticked off. No but seriously there are a few ideas I have running through my mind so I am sorting through them. We have only been on a few dates since we got married. I want to have the mindset that acts like every date is our first one. My goal is to make her want to go out with me again. We'll see how it goes.

Life is fine. It's rainy. I did not want to get out of bed this morning.

Is 60, The Light of God's Glory

8:11 am
Sitting at my desk, eating powdered donuts

Isaiah 60

I actually read this passage at 6:30 this morning. I probably didn't get as much out of it as I would if I would have read it in the evening. I am not a morning person. But if I wait until after work, I never seem to get around to reading the text.

Anyway, the whole chapter is prophesying about how the Gentiles will bless God and become a part of worshiping Him. The writer gives example after example of people groups that will glorify God.

Then near the end of the chapter, something struck a chord with me. Verses 19-20 (from the ESV):

The sun shall be no more your light by day,
nor for brightness shall the moon give you light;
but the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your God will be your glory.
Your sun shall no more go down,
nor your moon withdraw itself;
for the LORD will be your everlasting light,
and your days of mourning shall be ended.

I thought these verses were amazing. The glory of God will be so literally bright that there will be no more need for the sun or moon! That's craziness! The presence of the living God, literally able to be seen. Not only that, the light of His glory is what we will use to see everything. We see everything in light of the glory of God. Really an amazing picture here.

God,

I long to see Your glory. Reveal Yourself to me, O God. Let me use the standard of Your glory as a lens to view all of life. Turn my heart back to You again.

Jacob

Is 59, The Way of Salvation

8:15 am
Sitting at my desk at work
Very quiet day--Wednesdays are normally kinda blah


What's Going On

I am loving where I'm at right now. Being married is amazing. I'm so thankful for Lynsey. It's crazy how we complement each other. She helps me be more time oriented while I help her to slow down a little. On top of that, my job is going well. I'm looking forward to doing more with young adults not only at work, but also at church. A few leaders at church have talked to me about leading a small group. I'm excited about that. I am anxious to actually start what some would call "ministry." I've spent the last 5 or 6 years in college preparing myself. Now it's time to actually do the work. I'm also excited about the possibility of starting seminary soon, if I'm accepted.

Today's Passage=Isaiah 59

Initial reaction
The passage seems to go along with chapter 58 in that it picks up where 58 left off. God had just gotten done rebuking the Children of Israel for using their status with God for their own profit. God seems to have a righteous indignation against these people. They have wronged Him.

A few observations
The thing I found most interesting was in verse 17.

For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.

When I read these objects of clothing/armor, my mind automatically went to the things these pieces of armor or clothing protect.

A breastplate protects vital organs. If you get hit with something in the heart, stomach, or other part of the torso, chances are you're going to be in bad shape. Christ put on a breastplate of righteousness. He used righteous living as protection against very important parts of his body. His righteousness protected Him from anything that might harm a vital part of His life.

The flip-side of this is that when I am not practicing righteousness, I am leaving myself open for dangerous stuff!

Christ also put a helmet of salvation on His head. How interesting that salvation is directly related to the mind. Salvation protects the organ that controls the rest of the body. The thinking. The movement. The ability to reason. The memory. Really awesome picture there.

Without salvation, my mind is impacted in a negative way. I am left open to anything that might hinder me from thinking, moving, reasoning, remembering, etc. things properly. How awesome is the Lord's salvation.

Lord,

I am grateful for your provision and blessings. May I have the mindset that realizes You are in control and that all of this that is happening is not the end in and of itself but in reality some strange combination of the means and the end. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Don't give us too much Lord. We do not want to be reliant upon our own skill and insight. It is You that sustains us.
Continue to grant us opportunities to meet people who don't know You. Those whom You love. Help us become uncomfortable in order to build relationships.
Thank You for Your salvation and righteousness, protecting us from harm to vital parts of our bodies.
Lead us, O God. Turn our hearts back to You.

Jacob

9/2/08, Is58, Fasting

10:10 am
My desk at work
Listening to Andy Gullahorn

Isaiah 58

First reaction to reading the passage: Wow. Intense stuff. I feel like I need to say "Whew." Just did actually.

Verses 1-3a
Evidently the Children of Israel had been seeking God but not trying to do righteousness. They were crying out to God. They even fasted. When God did not answer them, they began to question why God was not responding. These people were afflicting their souls while God paid them no attention. They were getting frustrated. Cry, cry, cry to God they did. But follow righteousness they were not willing to do.

Verses 3b-9
God answers them. He said that when they fasted they would seek their own pleasure. They actually oppressed their workers when they did so. Fasting in order to receive something from it. It was pure selfishness masked in religion. God's fast, He said, is the following:

Is not this the fast that I choose:
to loose the bonds of wickedness,
to undo the straps of the yoke,
to let the oppressed go free,
and to break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry
and bring the homeless poor into your house;
when you see the naked, to cover him,
and not to hide yourself from your own flesh?

Whoah! God totally punched these people in the face! Here they were, going through the motions of their religion by trying to get God to bless them. He saw right through their selfish motives and told them how terrible they really were.

Fasting, God said, is to take care of those that cannot take care of themselves.

I am so terrible at that. I am not involved in anything like that. I mean Lynsey and I pay our tithes out of our gross, and we work for Christian organizations, but that's about it. I am doing nothing directly to help the homeless, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, etc.

This kind of stuff is so closely connected with God's heart. I remember that verse that says true religion is visiting widows, helping orphans, etc.

God's people were using their privileges of knowing God in order to receive more and more blessings from God. This thinking is so backward from Scripture.

My entire life I have been in church, learning about God. I have been a Christian since I was 7. Nearly all of that time has been spent focused on me doing the right things and avoiding evil. These things aren't bad. But they are very incomplete.

Doing the right things, living holy, executing righteousness, is directly connected with helping those who cannot help themselves.

God,

Thank You for Your Word. Forgive me for any and every bit of arrogance I might have because of my position in You. I have spent too little time helping those who cannot help themselves--those people Your heart beats for. Help me understand that righteousness and holiness is helping people with their needs. Give me the courage to do something about it.

Jacob