Ephesians 1:1-14 - Top Ten Believer Blessings

LINK: Ephesians 1:1-14

Ephesians 1 is one of the richest chapters in all of Scripture so linger long over it!

BACKGROUND 

Paul writes from Prison in Rome - to Colossians, Philemon, Ephesians, and Philippians 
http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm 

Ephesians

Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest in Rome in about A.D. 60 (Acts 28:16ff). It was sent to Ephesus in Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey) via Tychicus. 

Unlike many other epistles, Paul did not write this letter to address any problems in the church there. He wrote it simply to strengthen the believers and to explain the nature and purpose of the church, which is the Body of Christ. Many scholars believe it was intended to be a circular letter read by all the churches in the area.

You might recall from your previous reading in the Bible Book Club that Paul had spent over three years with the Ephesians and had met with the elders of the church at Miletus (Acts 20:17-38). 

Ephesus was one of the five major cities in the Roman Empire with the others being Rome, Corinth, Antioch, and Alexandria. It was the capital of that particular Roman province of Asia and a major trade center of the empire. Its population was about 300,000 at the time. It is most famous for being the center of worship for the pagan goddess, Diana. The temple was one of the wonders of the ancient world. It was a "beautiful city, very sophisticated, wealthy, and pagan" (Holman New Testament Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, p. 88). 

In Ephesians 1-3, Paul explains what we have in Christ. A keyword is “riches.” We have spiritual wealth because of our relationship with Him. We have been given much. In Ephesians 4-6, he goes from speaking of our individual wealth to our walk within the body of Christ which should be a natural overflow of that wealth. This is the “rubber meets the road” practical section of this rich book where Paul exhorts them to line their conduct up with God's calling on them. Eugene Peterson calls it the knitting together of "belief and behavior" (The Message Remix, Introduction to Ephesians, p. 2122). 

Ephesians 1:1-14

After Paul's greeting of grace and peace (1:1-2), he summarizes how incredibly RICH believers are in one incredibly long sentence in Greek! It is as if he cannot stop in his enthusiasm for EVERY spiritual blessing needed for living a spiritual life we have through the Triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Let's look more closely at these "Top Ten Believer Blessings":

God the Father has chosen and adopted us as spiritual children (1:3-6):

1) Chosen (1:4) - "To choose for oneself, not necessarily implying the rejection of what is not chosen, but choosing with the subsidiary ideas of kindness or favour or love" (Vine's, 2:189). Jesus was "holy and blameless." Since we are "in Jesus," God sees us this way!

This verse does raise the question of God's election and predestination versus our free will. This has hung people up for two thousand years. The Bible does indicate that God sovereignly chooses those who will be saved (Ephesians 1:4-5; Romans 8:29-30; John 6:44), but several passages also indicate that we have free will (Matthew 11:28, John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:1, 3-4; 2 Peter 3:9). It is hard to make sense of this, but I fall on this Word from God: 

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, 

Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 

“For as the heavens are higher than the earth, 

So are My ways higher than your ways 

And My thoughts than your thoughts." 

(Isaiah 55:8-9)

I chose to believe both are true, but I do not try to merge the two! Only God can do that, and I am not God. So, I will rest in His mystery and leave it at that.

In addition, I do not want this debate to get in the way of you fully appreciating the riches you have in Christ Jesus!!!! So meditate on!

2) Adopted (1:5) - "Adoption is a term involving the dignity of the relationship of believers as sons; it is not a putting into the family by spiritual birth, but a putting into the position of sons" (Vine's, 2:32). During this historical period, adopted sons enjoyed the same rights and privileges as biological sons! See Romans 8:14, 23, and Galatians 4:5. 

A person was considered a new person and because of that "even all debts and obligations connected with his previous family were abolished as if they never existed" (The Letter to Galatians and Ephesians, The Daily Study Bible, p. 91-92). 

In Christ, we have been given redemption and forgiveness of sins; being spiritually enlightened and enriched (1:7-12):

3) Redeemed (1:7) - This means "to buy back for the purpose of setting free." 

To be redeemed means to be 'bought back.' It carries with it the sense of being released from slavery. By being redeemed by Christ, we are freed from sin, both the penalty and enslaving power. This redemption was accomplished by the death of Christ on the cross where he shed his blood and died to secure our redemption. His death paid the price for our release from sin and death. (Holman New Testament Commentary: Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians, p. 92)

4) Forgiven (1:7) - This is the result of redemption! It means "to carry away." The sacrifice of Christ's blood settled God's justice and cleansed us (Hebrews 9:22). Our sins were carried away like the scapegoat on the Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16). Christ died to carry away our sins so they would never be seen again (Psalm 103:12; John 1:29). 

5) Enlightened (1:8-10) - As a result, believers are given wisdom (practical, applicable knowledge) and understanding to know His will and the mystery of His purpose in Christ.  His purpose is that one day everything will be united in Christ.  Sin tears everything apart but, one day, all will come together, and we are a part of God's big plan! 

6) Enriched (1:11) - I am doing our taxes, and although it is a pain, I am grateful for the inheritance that has been left to us by our deceased parents. We have been enriched and so have you! We have an inheritance (1 Peter 1:1-4), and we are an inheritance in that we are valuable to God! We are "joint heirs with Christ" (Romans 8:17). 

In the Holy Spirit, we are sealed, made secure, and guaranteed an inheritance and final release from sin (1:13-14):

7) Sealed (1:13) - After we hear the Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1ff) and believe it, we are sealed. This implies a finished transaction and validation of ownership. It authenticates us as His adopted sons and protected by Him (1 Corinthians 6:19-20; John 14:16-17). 

8) Secured (1:13) - Because we are sealed, we can be secure in that knowledge!

9) Guaranteed inheritance (1:14) - The Holy Spirit is our down payment for future things to come!

Originally, earnest–money deposited by the purchaser and forfeited if the purchase was not completed, was probably a Phoenician word, introduced into Greece. In general usage it came to denote a pledge or earnest of any sort; in the N.T. it is used only of that which is assured by God to believers; it is said of the Holy Spirit as the Divine pledge of all their future blessedness, 2 Cor. 1:22; 5:5; in Eph. 1:14, particularly of their eternal inheritance (Vine's, 2:11)

10) Released from sin (1:14) - We are sealed until that final day of redemption when we will be free from sin as we stand before God in heaven. 

REFLECTION 

When I first studied this chapter in the fall of 1979, I had been a believer for ten years, but my belief was not aligning with my behavior. This chapter gave me encouragement to walk away from the slavery of my sinful behavior into the freedom I had in Christ! It was a major turning point in my life, and God blessed that decision abundantly!

It has been so special to revisit Ephesians 1 the same week I have been studying Romans 8 in my "face-to-face" Bible Study. Many of the concepts overlap, and Romans 8 marks another major turning point in my life that occurred in the spring of 1983. Hopefully, you already read about it when we studied Romans! 

Many believers live as slaves when they are positionally free and fully adopted sons and daughters of the King of kings. 

I invite you to live into that freedom today. You will never turn back. 

APPLICATION 

Meditate on some of these blessings. Is there one where you can specifically remember where you encountered God when you realized you were chosen, adopted, redeemed, enlightened, enriched, secured, sealed, guaranteed an inheritance, or released from sin?

Go back to that "Golden Memory" in your mind.

A "Golden Memory" can be any time where "everything felt it was as it should be; the beauty of creation, hitting on all cylinders, deep peace; knowing why God brought you into this world; tears of joy; more fully alive; sensed God's nearness; knew you were loved." (Life Model Study Group, Session 1)

When you get to that memory, experience it all over again with all of your senses. 

I can specifically remember studying this chapter when I was a sophomore in college. I remember the house and where I was sitting. I can visualize the people sitting around the room (a bunch of followers of Jesus who were also athletes at Oregon State University). I had been involved in a very toxic relationship, and I felt pretty horrible about myself. This chapter gave me such hope. All the spiritual blessings that God has for me. It was overwhelming. God spoke to me about my true identity in Him. It gave me the courage to walk away from that relationship a few months later. 

FREEDOM. I felt freedom from these words. 

Dialogue with God if you too have a "Golden Memory" regarding any of these!

Ask Him to help you live into these blessings in the nitty-gritty of daily life! I took one to two of these blessings each day and bathed in them! I suggest the same for you!

PRAYER

Praise to You for setting me FREE! May we all live into that freedom on a moment-by-moment basis. Amen. 

TOOL TIME TIMES TWO: Structuring and Word Studies

It's Bible Study TOOL TIME TIMES TWO TODAY (oh how I love alliterations)!

Structuring (fabulous to do with Epistles!)

One of the things I often do when studying Scripture is structuring. This helps me to understand the flow of thought in the chapter or book. This tool takes some practice. Here is my example to get an idea of how it is done: 

Ephesians 1  (Print it off and enjoy Paul's rambling!)

Word Studies

Ephesians 1 is FULL of rich words that have a FULLER meaning when you define them in the original language. Here is a handout to download for doing it with a Strong's Concordance: 

How to Do a Greek Word Study

In addition to the Strong's Concordance, I use:

Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words 

(The Old Testament word definitions are not that great. So, you can get a cheap used copy of just New Testament words HERE.) 

Theological Dictionary of New Testament Words, Abridged (TDNTA)

The Complete Word Study Old Testament and New Testament.

(I have all of the above resources in electronic form through the premier Logos Bible Software because I did not want to carry all those heavy books overseas. It is an investment though. I have built up my library since 1996 when it was much cheaper to buy the initial package.)

There are many online tools(and many more since I wrote this post in 2010). Here are some things specifically for this chapter:

Vine's online with the definition of the word "chosen"


Bible Study Tools: Ephesians 1 with Strong's numbers hyperlinked

To set this up, you must always be on the New American Standard Bible or King James Version, click on the "settings" button on the far right that I have circled in red in this example from Exodus 36:

This will lead you to a drop-down menu: 

When you click on "Strongs Numbers," it will show Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament) words in blue. If you click on the blue words, they will lead you to a new page with the definition! 

The website www.preceptaustin.org has some amazing study tools:

Reference Searches

Greek Word Studies 

The online options keep expanding and growing so explore!  I like to define words and then rewrite the passage in my own words with my newfound understanding of what the words mean in the original language. Don't leave out talking to God as you rewrite the passage. What words "shimmer" for you? How is God speaking to you through that word? Interact with Him about it. It is nice to pray through it in a Lectio Divina way. 

The only caution is to not spend all your time on word studies and forget to ask God how He wants you to live it out. 

This is a pitfall of getting “carried away” in word studies! 

So get read for Ephesians Tomorrow!

1 Corinthians 12 - The Body and Maturity in Christ

LINK: 1 Corinthians 12 

BACKGROUND 

It's Bible Study TOOL TIME: Chapter Study

Here is an inductive study I lead when I do Spiritual Gifts workshops. Usually, I have to give the context of 1 Corinthians to my students, but you already know the context. Regardless, let's review it anyway! 

1 Corinthians 12 Context

Context is important for understanding why the authors of the epistles wrote what they did.  Let's review the verses that give context to 1 Corinthians 12.

1 Corinthians 1:10-12

Now I exhort you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you all agree and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be made complete in the same mind and in the same judgment. For I have been informed concerning you, my brethren, by Chloe’s people, that there are quarrels among you. Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cafes,” and “I of Christ.”

1 Corinthians 3:1-4

Now that you have reviewed the context, read through 1 Corinthians 12 three times:

First time:  Read meditatively and prayerfully. Ask God to speak to you.

Second time: Observe and mark keywords/phrases:

God, Jesus (Lord), Holy Spirit, varieties, gifts, same, all, each one, one, another, body, members, many, division, all are not, list of gifts in the text (Example: word of wisdom, word of knowledge, etc.) 

Third time: Ask these inductive questions of the chapter and record your answers: 

What are the gifts? How are they described?

Who receives the gifts?

Why are gifts given?

When did the gifts start?

When do they cease? (Hint: the answer is in 1 Corinthians 13)

How are they given?

What illustration is used? What does it say about it?

Is there an order to the gifts?

Are there any instructions or cautions? (Look for command verbs)

What gifts are listed?

Now, skim 1 Corinthians 13.  What is the topic?  Why does it follow Chapter 12?

An important part of an inductive study is using cross-references to help in interpretation. You might want to go to the other passages about spiritual gifts and ask these kinds of questions in those passages. They are Romans 12:1-8, Ephesians 4:1-16, and 1 Peter 4:7-11. 

See how Paul's other epistles align together in explaining the spiritual gifts and the final goal!

Isn't this an amazing pattern that all ends with LOVE being the byproduct of maturity in Christ?

Copyright Carol Weaver

The alternative is this:

Copyright Carol Weaver

or this:

Copyright Carol Weaver

I believe this is why Paul starts out talking about the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit and the unity and diversity within the Godhead at the beginning of the chapter. Did you notice that?

REFLECTION

I love 1 Corinthians 12 because it emphasizes that no gift is more important than any other gift. The gifts unseen are vital to the functioning of the Body of Christ like your internal organs are vital to the functioning of your physical body. I pray you will discover your gifts. 

APPLICATION

Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren,

 I do not want you to be unaware (ignorant).

1 Corinthians 12:1

I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which . . . lives in you . . . 

For this reason I remind you to fan into flame 

the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

 2 Timothy 1:5-6 (NIV)

I wholeheartedly believe that learning about and exercising your gifts is important for maturity in Christ!

Here is an online version of the test I give my students:

SPIRITUAL GIFTS SURVEY

Here is a two-page summary you can give your friends to help them give you honest feedback about what they think your gifts are:

"Spiritual Gifts at a Glance" 

I also have studies for each of the gifts listed in the Spiritual Gifts Survey that are available upon request. Just leave a message in the comments section of this post. 

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for allowing us to share with You in Your wonderful work by giving us gifts of grace! We love You. Teach us to use these gifts to build up the Body of Christ and glorify YOU! Amen. 

Jeremiah 28 & 29 - Let His Presence Make a Difference Today

LINK: Jeremiah 28 & 29

BACKGROUND

Jeremiah 28 - Jeremiah versus Hananiah, Truth versus Lies

This chapter is very straightforward. Hananiah was a false prophet because his prophecies did not come true. In a symbolic gesture, he broke the yoke off of Jeremiah to prove that the yoke of Babylonian oppression would be broken, but Jeremiah prophesied that the wooden yoke would be replaced by an iron one of Babylonian oppression. Hananiah was removed from this earth for telling lies.

Jeremiah 29 - A Letter

Jeremiah inserted the text of a letter he had sent to the exiles from Jerusalem. The deportation he mentions occurred in 597 B.C. and is mentioned in 2 Kings 24:8-17; Jeremiah 13:18; 22:24-27, and Daniel 1:1-2. 

Jeremiah announced a long exile of 70 years for Judah. Consequently, life would go on as normal. They were to seek peace and prosperity for Babylon in prayer! The judgment would lead the exiles to seek God with their whole heart (Daniel 9:2-3; 15-19). Once they did this, God would gather them back (Deuteronomy 30:1-10).

Jeremiah condemns the false prophets and singles out Ahad and Zedekiah. They would be handed over to Nebuchadnezzar who would put them to death.

The chapter concludes with a second letter to the exiles. Things are a bit out of sequence. After Jeremiah's first letter to the exiles in 29:1-23, another prophet of Babylon, Shemaiah, wrote to the leaders and urged them to punish Jeremiah (29:25-28). The letter was read to Jeremiah (29:29) who then wrote a second letter to the exiles. He quoted the text of Shemaiah's letter (29:24-28) and gave a word of condemnation to Shemaiah for preaching rebellion against God (29:29-32).

REFLECTION/APPLICATION

Is your yoke on straight? Take a moment and read about it in Matthew 11:28-30. Compare it to Jeremiah's experience

Jeremiah's yoke was a heavy, wooden implement made of straps and crossbars, representing the harsh domination of Babylon. Jesus' yoke symbolizes His relationship with His disciples, a fellowship of joy and rest. Jeremiah's was a heavy, lonely burden; Jesus promised to share the burden with His followers.

Both yokes stand for submission: one to a foreign conqueror, the other to a Savior's love. Jeremiah spoke to a rebellious nation about the need to yield to the enemy in order to survive. Jesus also spoke of yielding, not to an enemy but to a friend -- one who provides all that is necessary for life and godliness.

As you go about your routine today, picture yourself yoked to Jesus Christ. Make a list of things you would do differently if you knew He was yoked beside you. What problems would you turn over to Him? What worries would you forsake? What attitudes would you change? Would you talk to Him more often? Let His presence make a difference in your life today. (Daily Walk, August 2008) 

TOOL TIME - Journaling

Another key verse in these chapters is Jeremiah 29:11:

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, 

“plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future.

This verse gets to the heart of God's love for His people. Here are some journaling prompts that will help you understand what you believe about God:

What is my picture of God? 

We live at the mercy of our ideas. This is never more true than with our ideas about God. Meaning well is not enough. Those who operate on the wrong information are likely never to know the reality of God’s presence in the decisions which shape their lives and will miss the constant divine companionship for which their souls were made.  (Hearing God: Developing a Conversational Relationship with God, Dallas Willard, p. 12)

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” (The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer, p. 11)

Here are some journaling prompts:

• When and what was your first memory or experience of God? Put yourself back in that scene and ask him, “What do you want me to know from this picture?”
• Recall your overall childhood picture of God. Did any scripture influence your picture?  Write down those impressions and consider drawing a picture.
• What are three words to describe God? What might they teach you about your view of God?
• What is your concept of God as a loving Father? Where did it come from? 

More about journaling HERE.

PRAYER

Lord, we praise You that the yoke of Jesus is easy and the burden is light. Lord, help us to continue to remember to bring You into all of the challenging things that come our way today. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Habakkuk - Tool Time Soaking

LINK: Habakkuk 1-3

BIBLE STUDY TOOL: INDUCTIVE STUDY 

It has been a long time since we have had one of Bible Study Tool Time. So, we will soak in Habakkuk over the next two days. You can do a mini-inductive study of this book. Get some colored pencils out and have fun studying it for yourself! Here are some handouts to guide you through the process:

The Book Survey

The Basics of Inductive Study

I will see you tomorrow!

PRAYER

Lord, "Establish Your word to Your servant, as that which produces reverence for you"(Psalm 119:38). Amen.

2 Kings 23 & 2 Chronicles 35 - Giving God our ALL

LINK: 2 Kings 23 & 2 Chronicles 35

BACKGROUND

Josiah moved quickly by gathering ALL the elders, priests, prophets (probably including Jeremiah and Zephaniah), and people to read ALL the words of the Book. It may have been the whole Book of the Law which included the first five books of the Bible (also called the Pentateuch with Penta meaning "five"), or it may have just been the sections promising to bless if God's people obeyed and discipline if God's people disobeyed (Deuteronomy 27:15-28). The effect of reading God's Word was wonderful. Josiah pledged himself to follow the LORD faithfully with ALL of his heart and ALL of his soul. Then the people followed suit.

His pledge was not just words but was followed up by action. He removed ALL the things connected to the worship of false gods that his ancestors had brought into Judah and Jerusalem. What a mess they had made, and what a tremendous amount of work to clear it all out, but Josiah followed through. In the midst of all of this, he did not disturb the man of God from Judah in 1 Kings 13:2-3 who had predicted Josiah's future actions, and the old prophet from Bethel who was buried next to him (1 Kings 13:31-32). The "Hill of Corruption/Destruction" mentioned in 2 Kings 23:13 is the southern hill of the famous Mount of Olives.

Josiah not only abolished idolatry but also reestablished the Passover feast commemorating God's redemption of His people from their bondage in Egypt. It is described in more detail in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19. An explanation of the Passover can also be found in our previous study of Leviticus 23 & 24 here.

This has been such a positive chapter, but it ends on a sobering note. Josiah reigned righteously for 31 years (640-609 B.C.), but he was killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt in the battle of Megiddo (It is explained more fully in 2 Chronicles 35:20-27).

Three out of four of Josiah's sons ruled after him. His son, Jehoahaz (Shallum) did not follow Josiah's ways but did "evil in the eyes of the LORD" and was taken prisoner to Egypt by Pharaoh Neco after only reigning for three months. Neco then placed Jehoahaz's older brother, Eliakim (changed to Jehoiakim), on the throne. Sadly, Jehoiakim also did "evil in the eyes of the LORD" and reigned as the "puppet king" of Neco 609-598 B.C.).

Even though Josiah followed the Lord in wholehearted obedience, "the LORD did not turn away from the heat of His fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of ALL that Manasseh had done to provoke him to anger" (2 Kings 23:26). 2 Kings will conclude with the fulfillment of the Lord's intention to "remove Judah" (23:27) from His presence just like he had removed Israel in 722 B.C.

2 Chronicles 35:25 says that "Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah."  This is the same Jeremiah we will read after Zephaniah. These laments are not the same thing as the Book of Lamentations. We have no record of the laments of Josiah. 

Although Kings Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim are introduced at the end of 2 Kings 23, I will do a quick rundown of all the final kings of Judah in my next history post after the prophet Zephaniah. 

REFLECTION

I love reading about the life of Josiah after so many compromising kings. He heard the Word and he responded in humble obedience to it with action and not just "intellectual assent." This is true faith. He was willing to go against the culture of his day and apply the Word of God to it despite popular opinion. To use a word tossed around quite a bit lately, he was an ancient-day maverick!

APPLICATION

What challenges me about Josiah is that he applied the Word to his life rather than just looking at it and thought it was a very "nice" book to read:

Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.

But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life! —even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action. (James 1:23-25 - The Message)

We can do that too. It has been a long time since I shared a Bible study tool with you, but here is something I wrote many years ago about applying the Word of God:

APPLICATION - DO IT!

You know that Nike advertisement: Just do it! Application is the whole point of Bible Study. It is putting God's Word into practice - recognizing the voice of the Lord and responding accordingly. 

"I considered my ways, and I turned my feet to Your testimonies. 

I hastened and did not delay to keep Your commandments." 

(Psalm 119:59-60)

"The benefit of Bible Study is not derived from the method, 

the technique, or diligent effort to decipher the text. 

The benefit is obeying the voice of the Lord, 

receiving what He says and putting it into practice" 

(Search the Scriptures, The Navigators, 1974, out of print).

A good acronym for approaching application is S.P.E.C.K. 

Put on your "specks" and "see" how the Scriptures you have been studying can apply to your life!

S.P.E.C.K. stands for:

S -- Is there a SIN to avoid?
P -- Is there a PROMISE to claim?
E -- Is there an EXAMPLE to follow?
C -- Is there a COMMAND to obey?
K -- How can my heart KNOWLEDGE of God increase?

        (Heart knowledge is true, personal, intimate knowledge)

(I did not make this acronym up, but I have never been able to credit who did. I learned it from my discipler who learned it from someone else.)

Some suggestions for making applications:

1. Pray - We need His guidance. He knows where we need to grow and will lead us. It is about listening to what the Lord has for you.
2. Write it out - It clarifies what you plan to do in your own mind and is a record for reference. It is also helpful to write out a prayer regarding your application. Prayer personalizes the passage.
3. K.I.S.S. - Keep it to Simple Steps! Don't make it complicated and set yourself up for failure.
4. Be specific - It is easy to say, "I am going to pray more." That kind of application is seldom put into practice. It is far more meaningful to write down, "I am going to spend five minutes of my lunch this week in prayer for my brother's salvation."
5. Avoid being rigid or legalistic - Be flexible and focus on what is going on with your heart not what you are "doing." Using the example of praying for five minutes, I might be considered rigid if a coworker or child interrupted me in the middle of it, and I had only prayed for 2 minutes and 30 seconds! Let everything be led by the Holy Spirit who creates time and place. God looks at the heart.
6. Be accountable - Applications are very effective when we share them with others. It is part of "stimulating one another to love and good deeds" (Hebrews 10:24) and also develops true oneness with other believers. We need each other, and another person can often tell us if our applications are unrealistic, unprofitable, or legalistic.
7. Memorize - It helps cement it in our hearts (Psalm 119:11).
8. Illustrate - A story, poem, or illustration can help you to retain the truth.
9. Make a reminder - I am very forgetful. Just like the person looking in the mirror of James 1! I have reminders of past applications in full view to help me remember that time with God. Right now, I have a card on my windowsill that says: "Presence 24/7/365" to remind me that God wants me "in His presence" all the time. If I am doing this in a group, someone writes down people's applications so we can ask each other how it went when we next meet. It is always encouraging to hear how God worked through it. 
10. Pass it on - We build up the body by passing on what we have learned. It also helps to cement the truth in our own life. This can be done with an accountability partner or someone we are discipling. Much of what discipleship is about is just passing on what you are learning from God. Discipleship delights God's heart and benefits everyone.

PRAYER

Lord, thank You for Josiah. He walked in ALL Your ways, and he influenced ALL the people. Help us to walk in ALL Your ways too by applying what we are learning from You and to pass that on to the people around us. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen.

Isaiah 30 - The Lord Longs to Be Gracious to You

LINK: Isaiah 30

BACKGROUND

This fourth “woe” was pronounced against Judah because Hezekiah had been seeking an alliance with Egypt against Sennacherib of Assyria (2 Kings 18:21). They would carry their bribes through the Negev desert on their way to Egypt, but Egypt was “utterly useless “and “Rahab the Do-Nothing” (30:7). In Ugaritic mythological literature, Rahab was a female sea monster associated with Leviathan (27:1; Job 9:13; 26:12). It is thought that this is referring to the hippopotamuses that looked like Rehab, sat on the Nile River, and did nothing. Rahab was a poetic synonym for Egypt.

Like obstinate children, Judah did not want to listen to God’s warnings through Isaiah. So, Isaiah had them write it down so they could not claim that they never heard the message. The scrolls would bear witness to Isaiah’s central message:

For thus the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, has said, 

“In repentance and rest you will be saved, 

In quietness and trust is your strength.” 

But you were not willing. 

(Isaiah 30:15)

Consequently, they would experience God’s judgment. When Assyria invaded the land, Egypt really did “do nothing”! Yet, God stepped in and rescued His covenant people (37:35-36).

Amid the judgment, God’s message through Isaiah is one of love because of His covenant relationship with them:

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you, 

And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you. 

For the Lord is a God of justice; 

How blessed are all those who long for Him. 

(Isaiah 30:18)

And at some future date, they would be restored to their land and enjoy the blessings that God intended for them:

O people in Zion, inhabitant in Jerusalem, you will weep no longer. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears it, He will answer you. Although the Lord has given you bread of privation and water of oppression, He, your Teacher will no longer hide Himself, but your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, “This is the way, walk in it,” whenever you turn to the right or to the left. (Isaiah 30:19-21, NASB)

REFLECTION

Sharon, a dear college friend, shared Isaiah 30:18-21 with me when I was feeling afraid about my future after college. God truly is: 

• Gracious (18, 19)
• Compassionate (18)
• Just (18)
• Our Guide (20, 21)

These verses tell us our part is to . . .  

• Repent (15) – "In repentance and rest you will be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength." 
• Rest (15) - You can do this because He is gracious, compassionate, and just (18). We have the ultimate rest because of Jesus's finished work (See the post on Hebrews 4). 
• Long (18) – "How blessed is the one who longs for Him."
• Look and Listen (20-21a) - "Your eyes will behold your Teacher. Your ears will hear a word behind you, 'This is the way, walk in it,'
• Respond (21b) - "'Walk in it,' whenever you turn to the right or the left."

     "The Lord God has given Me the tongue of disciples, that I may know how to sustain the weary one with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning, He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple. The Lord God has opened My ear; and I was not disobedient nor did I turn back" (Isaiah 50:4-5).

APPLICATION/TOOL TIME - Lectio Divina and Immanuel Journaling 

The reflection above is the result of my Lectio Divina in the passage. Lectio Divina has four steps and "listening as a disciple" is part of the rhythm of this practice. It is a way to slow down and interact with God more deeply. Here is a podcast interview about Lectio Divina that I did with my friend, Paul:

Lectio Divina Podcast Interview

Here are the steps. They are not "set in stone" though! Don't get caught up with doing it "right" and just enjoy interacting with God over the passage. 

Recenter and Relax Yourself

Recenter your scattered senses on the presence of God. Still your mind, heart, and body. Let go of all other distractions. Relax in His presence and attend to Him. I usually read it again at the beginning of each step.

Read the Passage (Lectio)

Read slowly and attentively, followed by a time of silence.

Read it again and...

Reflect on it (Meditatio)

Listen for a word or phrase that shimmers for you. In what way does it touch your life? Let thoughts surface that connect the text to your life.

Read it again and...

Respond to God (Oratio)

Converse with God about the word or phrase and what it has triggered. Think of God in the second person (“you”). Tell God what you are thinking and feeling. Be honest! What do you want of God? What help do you need?'

Read it again and...

Rest in Him (Contemplatio)

Rest in God’s presence. Be silent and without words. Move on when you are ready. 

(Note: Praying Scripture has nothing to do with “getting through” passages; it has everything to do with letting the meaning sink into your life.)

Take a word or phrase with you and repeat it as you perform your daily activities.

Take time to listen to God’s voice and journal something so you will remember the encounter. We often have our time with God and forget to "listen as a disciple" (Isaiah 50:5). Make sure you write down what He tells you, so you do not forget! 

Immanuel Journaling

The foundation of Immanuel Journaling is that God sees you, hears you, understands you, is glad to be with you, and can do something about what you are going through. This passage in Isaiah 30 exemplifies this perfectly!

God wants to guide you. Here are two books I heartily recommend to help You understand that He does speak to us today:

Hearing God by Dallas Willard 
God Guides by Mary Geegh

PRAYER

Lord, we praise You for Your grace and compassion toward us in the person of Jesus Christ; who satisfied Your justice by His death on the cross. Thank You that we can rest in His life. Teach us to walk according to Your will all the days of our life, and we ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.