The LORD is your Shepherd; you lack nothing. Psalm 23:4 inspired the imagery for our theme this year as we've been reminded that God's grace is stronger than we are. Psalm 23 A psalm of David. 1   The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2  He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3  he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 4   Even though I walk through the darkest valley [under death's shadow],  I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5  You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6  Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary Today's Summary section is a repost from April 10, 2024 Psalm 23 is certainly on any top 5 list of recognizable scriptures, maybe even in the top two. This Psalm has brought peace and comfort to scores of people throughout the generations, to both those who know God well and those who barely know His name. Often times people misunderstand theology to be dry and boring. Psalm 23 proves that quite the opposite is true: while it may be famous for its unsurpassed poetic beauty, Psalm 23 is pure theology, describing the relationship between you and your very personal Shepherd-King. Notice how David underscores just how personal this relationship is. He doesn't just write that God is our shepherd, although that would certainly be accurate as well, but he writes that the LORD is my shepherd. This is the relationship you must have with Him. For too many people, the LORD is just our  God. Make sure that you can say with David that He's my  shepherd. Your shepherd takes a very active role in your life. He makes you lie down, leads you, refreshes your soul, guides you, prepares a table before you, anoints your head with oil, as His goodness and love follows you all the days of your life. Surely you lack nothing.   Dig Deeper   Psalm 23 has been popular and endearing for so many generations, even amongst those who otherwise have little use for the Bible. But the reason why may be a bit surprising: it portrays a sovereign God whose care for His sheep never ceases. It's ironic, isn't it, that this attribute of God that gives us so much angst (after all, it was God's sovereignty that Adam rebelled against, and it's felt oppressive ever since) is what we cling to the most when we crave comfort and peace! It's here in the 23rd Psalm which we love so much that we read of a Divine Shepherd that makes me lie down, who leads, refreshes and guides, and who does all of this for His name's sake. This is the internal battle you fight every day: your flesh ( Sarx ) wants freedom and autonomy - the opposite of Psalm 23 - yet your soul deeply desires a sovereign Shepherd. Maybe you're used to reciting those menacingly mysterious words the valley of the shadow of death, and so the newer translations of it seem a bit jarring ( the darkest valley) . Although the deep canyon is darkened by death's shadow, it's not just a valley you pass through in the final chapters of your life. Rather, it represents your entire journey through life, continually walking under the shadow of your looming death , which comes as the result of our sin ( this dark valley serves as the inspiration for the imagery and theme on our home page this year ). But this is the comforting picture of God's sovereign salvation that Psalm 23 and the Canons of Dordt composes. In the midst of the dark valley we've plunged ourselves into, the LORD is with you, comforting you with His rod and staff. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for your shepherd to make, lead, guide, and comfort you as you walk through the dark valley under death's shadow; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 16

The One who calls you is faithful! Heartlight.org 1 Thessalonians 5:23–24 (NIV) 23   May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24  The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary Today's passage is one that's often used for a benediction, the words ( diction ) of blessing ( bene ) that often close out our times of corporate worship. The Bible's most famous benediction comes from the Old Testament book of Numbers, where God commands Aaron to say to His people, May the LORD bless you and keep you... Benedictions pass on God's blessing to His people, in which He promises to guide, guard and keep them. Ironically, although today's passage gets pressed into service as a benediction, it technically isn't one. Paul's prayer here isn't so much for God to bless the Thessalonians (and by extension, us), rather it's that God would perform two key operations upon His people. First, Paul prays that God would sanctify us - that He would make us holy . Holiness is a Biblical concept that can be hard to pin down, because it has so many different aspects and senses. Most people simply assume holiness refers to a sinless state, in which one is free from defilement. But it means more than that. The Hebrew word translated 'holy' means 'cut apart.' So in that sense, a holy person is one who's been set aside from the rest. Finally, to be holy also means to be whole and complete, with all the attributes that one created in God's image ought to have. Paul here asks God to do all of these things by sanctifying you through and through (completely) in Christ. Secondly, Paul implores God to keep His people - a word that plays a key role in the famous Aaronic benediction we referenced earlier: May the LORD bless you and keep you... Specifically, Paul prays that God would keep your whole spirit, soul and body blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Since you've been sanctified (made holy) in Christ, Paul prays that God would keep you - preserve you - free from any unholiness.   Dig Deeper   This prayer - let's just go ahead and call it a benediction - that Paul prays on your behalf that you would be sanctified and kept blameless, as amazing as it is, isn't even the most amazing part of today's passage. It's the theological aspects that grab our attention today. These two short verses provide tremendous insight as to who and what God is. He's the God of peace: John Stott notes here that God is both the author of harmony and that He's the only perfectly integrated personality who exists. In other words, God isn't just peaceful, He's the creator, designer, and perfect example of the very concept of peace , and as such, you are able to truly find peace in Him. The One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it: Paul's description of God here forms the very foundational principle of this wonderfully comforting doctrine we call the perseverance of the saints. Just as you didn't have to (nor could you) sanctify yourself, you can rely on your faithful Father to keep you blameless. This, of course, doesn't mean you don't need to exert any effort at all to keep yourself blameless, for the New Testament often implores you to make every effort to do exactly that! Rather, you can make such an effort only because your faithful Father is equipping you to do so by breathing into through the Holy Spirit, which He never takes from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the God of peace, who is faithful; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray for the Spirit fueled desire to be kept blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 16

Confidence doesn't come from what you've done, but from what you have. Faithlife.com Hebrews 10:17–25 (NIV) 17  Then he adds: “Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more.”  18  And where these have been forgiven, sacrifice for sin is no longer necessary. 19  Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20  by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, 21  and since we have a great priest over the house of God, 22  let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23  Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24  And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25  not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary There's a lot riding on the phrase Therefore... since we have. First, it reinforces that you as the reader is included and participating right alongside the author. He isn't just telling us of some obscure feeling he discovered for himself, but rather what we have together. And what is it that we have? Nothing less than the confidence that comes from receiving our Father's full forgiveness of our sins and lawless acts . What a comfort this is after a couple of weeks reading about the moral failures every saint falls into! Secondly, this phrase makes clear that those who've experienced such salvation have an obligation. Since you have been forgiven, you must enter the Most Holy Place, draw near to God, hold unswervingly to the hope you profess, spur one another on, and not give up meeting together. In other words, since you have been forgiven, you must live a saintly life (notice the order there; you don't live a saintly life to be forgiven, but because you've been forgiven!). And don't miss how you've been equipped to meet this obligation we have: with the confidence that comes through the new and living way through... Christ's body. You have the full assurance that faith brings; your heart has been sprinkled to cleanse your guilty conscience. And most of all, you can have all of this confidence because you know that He who promised is faithful. His grace is stronger that you.   Dig Deeper   We've been unpacking this fifth and final doctrine of grace - the Perseverance of the Saints - for six weeks now. So far we haven't read much about our saintliness. Quite the opposite, in fact: the focus has been on our persistent sinfulness! As Martin Luther famously declared, Christians are simil justus et peccator - at the same time saints and sinners. So we've learned that although our continuing sins can cause us to lose sight of God's grace for a time, they can never pry us away from it. This week, article six informs you that despite your sins, your Father will never take his Holy Spirit from you completely, or let you fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification. So it is that the writer of Hebrews reminds you of what it is that we have because He who promised is faithful, not because we who followed are. You can be confident, bold, assured, and certain knowing that you are firmly held in your Fathers omnipotent hands. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, the One who promised, is faithful; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will live as the saint you are in the confidence that comes from confession and repentance; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 15

Your Father sovereignly has you in His grip, and nothing can pull you out. Are you, or is somebody you know, a "Cage-stage Calvinist"? 2 Corinthians 1:21–22 (NIV) 21  Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22  set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary Maybe you know a 'cage-stage Calvinist.' Maybe you are one! A 'cage-stage Calvinist' is a Christian who's recently come to understand these Doctrines of Grace we've been learning about this year, and seeing for the first time the power of God's sovereignty over all that exists - especially our salvation. The beauty, wonder, peace and mystery that these doctrines evoke cause such people to want to talk about nothing but God's sovereignty at every juncture, prompting their friends to want to keep them in a cage somewhere. While God does have lots of other attributes we ought to dwell on and discuss, like His love, justice, mercy, and goodness, it's hard to overemphasize His sovereignty. Especially since the Bible emphasizes it so much, as we see once again in today's passage: it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. Or, as many of the other translations put it, God sovereignly established you in Christ. Other synonyms for what God sovereignly has done for you would include words like confirmed, sustains, and strengthens. No matter what word gets used, it evokes a picture of God's total control over your salvation: He chose you, called you, purified you, and keeps you. Or, as Paul puts it in our passage today, God in His sovereignty anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts. When you come to understand the the extent of God's sovereignty in your salvation, and just how utterly impossible it would be for you to save yourself, it's hard NOT to want to talk about it all the time!   Dig Deeper   Often times people don't like to talk about God's sovereignty because they don't really understand it. They might think it makes God seem arbitrary and capricious as He callously saves some and passes over others. Maybe it makes them feel like a helpless pawn, since it may seem to them that our choices and actions don't really matter in a world where God has predestined all that will take place. It's not that these aren't valid concerns, and there will always be a massive element of mystery remaining no matter how long you study these doctrines. But the Bible does give many insights to these difficulties; enough so that they shouldn't keep you from truly enjoying the benefits that come from having a solid grip on these doctrines. The Canons bring us to this short passage today, not because it was written by a bunch of cage-stage Calvinists, but so that you can bask in the most comforting aspect of God's sovereignty: that God will not let you fall down so far that you forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death. Your Father sovereignly has you in His grip, and nothing can pull you out. That's what Paul announces to you today in this short snippet from his second letter to the Corinthians: that God has sovereignly done so many things - He makes you stand firm, anointed you, set His seal upon you, and put His Spirit in your heart as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come. This is why our theme this year has been to learn all about how it is that God's grace is stronger than you are. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who sovereignly makes us stand firm; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will walk in step with the Spirit whom God has put in your heart as a deposit; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 14

God's grace is stronger than you are - especially in your weakest moments! Matthew 12:30–32 (NIV) 30  “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. 31  And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32  Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 6: God’s Saving Intervention For God, who is rich in mercy, according to his unchangeable purpose of election does not take his Holy Spirit from his own completely, even when they fall grievously. Neither does he let them fall down so far that they forfeit the grace of adoption and the state of justification, or commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge themselves, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin. Summary How often haven't we noticed as we've read the Bible together this year the stark contrasts that the Bible - and especially Jesus - so often draw. They stick out to us so much because we live in a world infatuated with nuancing nearly everything. But once again, Jesus eliminates the gray areas and makes clear that there are only two types of people in this world: You're either with Christ , or you're against Him. You're either gathering with Him or you're scattering. There's no middle ground or in between. Jesus goes on here to summarize the entire gospel: every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven! God teaches us all sorts of important things in His Word, some of which are really complicated and tough to wrap our heads around, so don't lose sight of just how profoundly simple the gospel is at its core: every sin you've ever committed can be forgiven! But there's a but . We're not used to reading about exclusions and disclaimers in the gospel! There is a sin, Jesus reports, that will not be forgiven: blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. D.A. Carson helps unpack what Jesus means here: The first sin [ speaking against the Son of Man ] is rejection of the truth of the gospel, but there may be repentance and forgiveness for that [when one finally realizes the truth of the gospel]. The second sin [ blasphemy of the Holy Spirit ] is rejection of the gospel truth in full awareness that this is exactly what one is doing—thoughtfully, willfully, and self-consciously rejecting the work of the Spirit... For such a sin there is no forgiveness, either in this age or the age to come.   Dig Deeper   Think of how close so much of life is to the edge. A moment's distraction on the interstate could end in disaster. A flippant remark might cost you your job. A flash of anger can mortally wound a friendship that took years to build. After reading Jesus' warning here, it might seem paralyzingly scarry to think how easy it is to commit what's come to be known as the unforgiveable sin! Perhaps after a really bad day, or year, or decade, when the truth of the gospel seems distant and your faith is weak, you'll lose control and let fly with curses against the Spirit, and just like that lose the salvation and eternal life you once had. The Canons here seek to assure you that your Father will never let this happen! He will not let you commit the sin which leads to death (the sin against the Holy Spirit), and plunge yourself, entirely forsaken by him, into eternal ruin . This, in fact, is one of the key truths of the Canons that we've seen all year long: God's grace is stronger than you are - especially at your weakest moment! AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who guides, guards and protects us with grace that's stronger than we are; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you will trust God's protection over every aspect of your life so that you can live free from any sort of worry; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 13

Sin crushes you spiritually, physically & mentally. Confess it and find help in the Lord. Photo: Billy Leivon, Unsplash Psalm 38 A psalm of David. A petition. 1   Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger or discipline me in your wrath. 2   Your arrows have pierced me, and your hand has come down on me. 3   Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. 4   My guilt has overwhelmed me like a burden too heavy to bear. 5   My wounds fester and are loathsome because of my sinful folly. 6   I am bowed down and brought very low; all day long I go about mourning. 7  My back is filled with searing pain; there is no health in my body. 8   I am feeble and utterly crushed; I groan in anguish of heart. 9  All my longings lie open before you, Lord; my sighing is not hidden from you. 10  My heart pounds, my strength fails me; even the light has gone from my eyes. 11  My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds; my neighbors stay far away. 12  Those who want to kill me set their traps, those who would harm me talk of my ruin; all day long they scheme and lie. 13  I am like the deaf, who cannot hear, like the mute, who cannot speak; 14  I have become like one who does not hear, whose mouth can offer no reply. 15  Lord, I wait for you; you will answer, Lord my God. 16  For I said, “Do not let them gloat or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.” 17  For I am about to fall, and my pain is ever with me. 18  I confess my iniquity; I am troubled by my sin. 19  Many have become my enemies without cause; those who hate me without reason are numerous. 20   Those who repay my good with evil lodge accusations against me, though I seek only to do what is good. 21  Lord, do not forsake me; do not be far from me, my God. 22  Come quickly to help me, my Lord and my Savior. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary If you're looking for a quick pick-me-up as you page through the Psalms, or for a note of encouragement for yourself or to share with a friend, you'll probably skip over Psalm 38 for something like the 23rd or 46th psalms. Psalm 38 is heavy and gasping, both in it's poetic form and in its message, and the psalm ends with David's pain unresolved. David wrote this psalm in a time of deep turmoil, which affected every aspect of his being: spiritually, physically and emotionally. Spiritually, David recognizes that his troubles have come from the discipline of the LORD's hand, which has come down on him. David doesn't mention, and we don't know the particular sin(s) that precipitated his ordeal. All we know is how it affected his body - Because of Your wrath there is no health in my body, there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin. David goes on to mention the specific parts of his body filled with searing pain: his back aches, his heart pounds, the light has gone from his eyes, he cannot hear or speak, And right alongside the physical pain came the mental anguish: David's guilt had overwhelmed him like a burden and he groans in anguish of heart. Even his friends and companions avoid him because of his wounds.   Dig Deeper   Even though Psalm 38 might not be anyone's first choice to read or dwell upon, perhaps we ought to become a little more familiar with it. What an excellent choice to share with those who are not well, for there's likely to be some, if not several, of the conditions David mentions here that they'll be able to readily identify with. David offers some lessons on how to endure suffering well in this psalm: v1-4 - As we've already noted, David realizes it was his own sin that's resulted in his pain. Even though we - and maybe not even he - could not identify a specific causal sin that led to the particular symptoms he experienced, all of life's suffering is the result of sin in one way or another. Our sin reminds us that things are not the way they're supposed to be, and as we learned last week from the Canons, give us continual cause to humble ourselves, flee to Christ and to battle indwelling sin. v18 - David confess his iniquity; and is troubled by his sin . Confession is the first step to experiencing healing through the blood of Christ. v15, 21-22 - David expresses his faith that God will provide salvation: he waits for the LORD's answer and prays that his Lord and Savior will not forsake him, but come quickly to help him. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who disciplines our sins and even pierces us with His arrows as His hand comes down on us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Confess your iniquity, and pray for your Lord and Savior to come quickly to help you; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 13

You don't need to prove your love for Jesus. He already knows it. alittleperspective.com CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, Moses, King David, and also Peter, who wilted under pressure rather than stand for His Savior . This week, we're seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, to be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. John 21:1–23 (NIV) 21 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Galilee.  It happened this way: 2   Simon Peter, Thomas (also known as Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together. 3   “I’m going out to fish,” Simon Peter told them, and they said, “We’ll go with you.” So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing. 4   Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples did not realize that it was Jesus. 5   He called out to them , “Friends, haven’t you any fish?”  “No,” they answered. 6   He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish. 7   Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. 8  The other disciples followed in the boat, towing the net full of fish, for they were not far from shore, about a hundred yards. 9  When they landed, they saw a fire of burning coals there with fish on it, and some bread. 10  Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish you have just caught.” 11  So Simon Peter climbed back into the boat and dragged the net ashore. It was full of large fish, 153, but even with so many the net was not torn. 12  Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples dared ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. 13  Jesus came, took the bread and gave it to them, and did the same with the fish. 14   This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead. 15  When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”  “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”  16  Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”  17  The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”  Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep. 18  Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” 19  Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, “Follow me!”  20  Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them. (This was the one who had leaned back against Jesus at the supper and had said, “Lord, who is going to betray you?”) 21  When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?” 22  Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.” 23  Because of this, the rumor spread among the believers that this disciple would not die. But Jesus did not say that he would not die; he only said, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you?” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary This 21st chapter of John's gospel is often referred to as an epilogue, because it sure seemed like Jesus' story had found it's conclusion at the end of chapter 20 where Jesus finally appears to Thomas, the last of the disciples to see the resurrected Jesus. Thomas, now fully convinced that the crucified Christ is alive and well, famously confesses, My Lord and my God, and John caps things off with a couple of sentences explaining the purpose of his gospel. It seems like the perfect dénouement . The story's over. That's the way Peter felt too as chapter 21 begins. His three year career as a disciple had been a good ride. He truly loved Jesus, but it turned out he loved himself even more when he was put to the test and failed. Now Jesus was alive - Praise God - but at this point He'd have no use for a cowardly loose canon like Peter. So the story seemed over for Peter. It was time for him to go back to what he knew: commercial fishing. Being the natural leader he was, he talked many of his colleagues into going back into business with him. But it turns out that Jesus wasn't done with Peter. So when John tells Peter he recognizes Jesus standing on the shore early in the morning after a long night of hard work, Peter immediately and joyfully jumps out of the boat like a lost puppy scampering to be reunited with its people.   Dig Deeper   Jesus likely had a big smile on His face as He watched His wayward disciple swim towards Him, for it wasn't the first time He'd seen Peter impetuously jump out of a boat. But Jesus wanted more from Peter than just a quick emotional response. So He pressed Peter. Three times. Enough to thoroughly hurt Peter's already shattered self confidence. There's far more to unpack from Jesus' thrice repeated interrogation of Peter's love than we have space for today. Suffice it to say that Jesus' question isn't limited to the three times He asked it of Peter. Rather, it comes as a continually repeated question for all of His disciples, including you: Do you love Jesus more than these (with these applying to whatever seeks your attention at the moment). Notice the humility in Peter's replies; he doesn't lay out an elaborate presentation to prove his love. Rather Peter rests in His Savior's omniscient sovereignty: Yes, Jesus, you know that I love you. You don't need to prove your love for Christ; indeed, how would you even do that? God knows your love for Him better than you do, because He gave it to you. Although you don't need to prove your love for Jesus, you do need to demonstrate it. Jesus' consistent reply to Peter shows you how. Repent. Continually turn from the sin that denies Christ in your life and feed His sheep in the capacities the Good Shepherd has placed you in. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who commands us to follow His Son; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that the concerns and temptations of the world will not crowd out your love for Jesus and for concrete opportunities to demonstrate your love for Him; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 12

David found freedom from guilt for two key reasons. Photo: Unsplash CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, Moses, Peter, and also King David, whose adulterous affair ended in murder . This week, we'll be seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, and so be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. 2 Samuel 12:1–23 (NIV) 12 The LORD sent Nathan to David. When he came to him, he said, “There were two men in a certain town, one rich and the other poor. 2  The rich man had a very large number of sheep and cattle, 3  but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him. 4   “Now a traveler came to the rich man, but the rich man refrained from taking one of his own sheep or cattle to prepare a meal for the traveler who had come to him. Instead, he took the ewe lamb that belonged to the poor man and prepared it for the one who had come to him.” 5   David burned with anger against the man and said to Nathan, “As surely as the LORD lives, the man who did this must die! 6  He must pay for that lamb four times over, because he did such a thing and had no pity.” 7   Then Nathan said to David, “You are the man! This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you from the hand of Saul. 8   I gave your master’s house to you, and your master’s wives into your arms. I gave you all Israel and Judah. And if all this had been too little, I would have given you even more. 9  Why did you despise the word of the LORD by doing what is evil in his eyes? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife to be your own. You killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10  Now, therefore, the sword will never depart from your house, because you despised me and took the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your own.’ 11  “This is what the LORD says: ‘Out of your own household I am going to bring calamity on you. Before your very eyes I will take your wives and give them to one who is close to you, and he will sleep with your wives in broad daylight. 12  You did it in secret, but I will do this thing in broad daylight before all Israel.’ ” 13  Then David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the LORD.” Nathan replied, “The LORD has taken away your sin. You are not going to die. 14  But because by doing this you have shown utter contempt for the LORD, the son born to you will die.” 15  After Nathan had gone home, the LORD struck the child that Uriah’s wife had borne to David, and he became ill. 16  David pleaded with God for the child. He fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground. 17   The elders of his household stood beside him to get him up from the ground, but he refused, and he would not eat any food with them. 18  On the seventh day the child died. David’s attendants were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they thought, “While the child was still living, he wouldn’t listen to us when we spoke to him. How can we now tell him the child is dead? He may do something desperate.” 19  David noticed that his attendants were whispering among themselves, and he realized the child was dead. “Is the child dead?” he asked. “Yes,” they replied, “he is dead.” 20  Then David got up from the ground. After he had washed, put on lotions and changed his clothes, he went into the house of the LORD and worshiped. Then he went to his own house, and at his request they served him food, and he ate. 21  His attendants asked him, “Why are you acting this way? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept, but now that the child is dead, you get up and eat!” 22  He answered, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept. I thought, ‘Who knows? The LORD may be gracious to me and let the child live.’ 23  But now that he is dead, why should I go on fasting? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary Nathan's proclamation of you are the man! hit King David like a ton of bricks. That's what's so shocking about this sad story: David's cold callousness and seeming lack of guilt. Internally, we know David's bones were being crushed by his conscious ( Psalm 51:8 ), but externally he doesn't seem to have a care in the world. Afterall, it had been almost a year since those awful events, and he seemed to have gotten away with it. David likely thought the prophet Nathan just dropped by to say hi. Apparently Nathan needed the king's help bringing a sheep swindling noble to justice, but just like that, BAM! Everything changed in an instant as God's messenger leveled His indictment. Yet David's demeanor at the beginning of this episode isn't the only mysterious element; his reaction becomes even stranger after his newborn son, the product of his sin, died, having taken the brunt of the punishment that should have been due to David. His servants were so terrified to tell him for fear he'd commit some sort of self harm, but after deducing the baby's death on his own, David immediately washes up and resumes life. What's going on here?   Dig Deeper   David could break free from the guilt and move after his son's death for two key reasons: 1) His confession After Nathan levels the boom, David immediately came clean. He didn't offer pathetic denials, or make flimsy excuses. He simply and humbly admitted he had sinned against the LORD. And as the child lay sick and David fasted and spent the nights lying in sackcloth on the ground, he penned the Bible's model confession of sin in Psalm 51 . Total and complete confession is the key to experiencing total and complete forgiveness. 2) His theology David understood the value of his confession because he knew so well the God he confessed his sin to. He knew exactly what it is that the Canons have reminded us of this week: that as he returned to the right way by genuine repentance, God’s fatherly face would again shines upon him . AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who has mercy according to His unfailing love (Ps. 51:1); A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Confess your sins to your Father, knowing that in doing so He will restore to you the joy of your salvation and grant you a willing spirit to sustain you (Ps. 51:12); A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 11

You'll likely suffer consequences from your sin, but the LORD remains faithful to you! This is the view that Moses had of the Promised Land, which the LORD prohibited him from entering due to his sin. But the LORD remained faithful to Moses, and He does to you as well. Photo: inhisfootstepsholyland2014.wordpress.com/ Deuteronomy 31:1–8 (NIV) CONTEXT: Last week we read about the failures of Biblical saints like Abram, David, Peter, and also Moses, who in a fit of rage struck a rock (twice!) to provide water for his thirsty people rather than speak to it as the LORD commanded . This week, we'll be seeing how it is that the LORD remained faithful to these sinners, and so be reminded that He remains faithful to sinners like us as well. 31 Then Moses went out and spoke these words to all Israel: 2   “I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has said to me, ‘You shall not cross the Jordan.’ 3   The LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua also will cross over ahead of you, as the LORD said. 4   And the LORD will do to them what he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, whom he destroyed along with their land. 5   The LORD will deliver them to you, and you must do to them all that I have commanded you. 6   Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.” 7   Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their fathers to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8  The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary Imagine what it was like for Moses, having finally arrived at the edge of the Promised Land, to which he led a stubborn and obstinate people over the course of many decades. Their journey had been so long that the generation who began it had given way to the generation that would complete it. Moses had climbed the mountain, overlooked the Jordan river and into the land flowing with milk and honey that he'd longed for. But he could not enter. Moses first blamed it on his age for no longer being able to lead, for he was a hundred and twenty years old. We often equate Moses with Charlton Hesston - bold, full of strength and confidence - but the reality is that he probably wasn't, especially at 120 years old. The Bible doesn't comment here about how Moses' voice sounded as he spoke these next words, giving the real reason that he would not be crossing the Jordan with his people, but I'll bet it was soft and choked with emotion: The LORD has said to me, 'You will not cross the Jordan.' As he announces this to the people, Moses gives no commentary or back story as to why the LORD had made this prohibition. He doesn’t deflect the blame (as he’d done once before, back in Deut. 3:26), but nor does he completely confess his sin. But he really doesn’t need to, for his stoic acceptance of the LORD’s sentence says enough.   Dig Deeper   We’re not here today to critique Moses’ confession. We’re here to notice what Moses noticed: that the LORD will be faithful to His people despite our continual failure to keep His commands. Moses seeks to instill this confidence in the people - people who would need to go into a new land, now with a new leader for the first time in their lifetime. But it wouldn’t be Joshua who would lead the people in, rather The LORD your God Himself will cross over ahead of them. The LORD would destroy and deliver  so that His people could take possession of the land. Joshua would follow after the LORD. Moses was buried not far from the mountain upon which he’d gotten his glimpse into the Promised Land. In that sense, he suffered the consequence of his sin. But Moses accepted his lot and died in peace because he knew the LORD would be faithful to him as well. As it says in the famous Hall of Faith chapter, he persevered because he saw him who is invisible (Hebrews 11:27) . Moses wouldn’t physically cross the Jordan, but he knew he’d do so spiritually. You, just like Moses and every other saint who’s gone before you, have fallen and continue to fall into sin. But you, like Moses, can have confidence that God’s grace is stronger than you. Remember that you can be strong and courageous, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, who Himself has crossed the river ahead of us; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that you would be strong and courageous in the confidence won for you in Christ; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 10

You're God's dearly loved child. Be sure not to grieve Him! FaithLife.com Ephesians 4:22–5:2 (NIV) 22  You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23  to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25  Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. 26  “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27  and do not give the devil a foothold. 28  Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. 29  Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30  And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31  Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. 32  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. 5 Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children 2   and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. Canons of Dordt Point 1 - God's Unconditional Election Point 2 - Limited Atonement Point 3 - Total Depravity Point 4 - Irresistible Grace Point 5 - Perseverance of the Saints Article 5: The Effects of Serious Sins By such monstrous sins [that saints often fall into], however, they  greatly offend God,  deserve the sentence of death,  grieve the Holy Spirit,  suspend the exercise of faith,  severely wound the conscience,  and sometimes lose the awareness of grace for a time— until,  after they have returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  God’s fatherly face again shines upon them. Summary We spent last week sifting through the sad stories of some of the Bible's biggest heroes - men like Abram , Moses , King David  and Peter - as a motivation to, as the Canons had put it, constantly watch and pray that we may not be led into temptations . Lord willing, we'll spend the remainder of this week reading about how these men returned to the right way by genuine repentance,  so that God’s fatherly face once again shone upon them. We love to focus upon and dwell in God's grace, and to be reminded that since it's so much stronger than we are, it can pull us out of whatever awful situation our monstrous sins get us into. This is exactly what we'll see this week as we see it at work in the life of Moses, David and Peter! The fact that our sins are taken away, having been fully paid for the blood of Christ, can cause us to minimize their seriousness and the horrible damage they cause. After all, we might think to ourselves, what's the big deal about sin if Jesus can instantly wipe it away? But that is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. So before we launch back into their stories, we need to be once again reminded of the monstrous effect our sins have - not just the serious sins  like what we read of last week, but each and every time we sin (literally: to miss the mark God has set before us).   Dig Deeper   Our article from the Canons this week lists six effects of serious / monstrous sins have on the saints (that's you, by the way) . This isn't to say that your minor sins aren't worth worrying about, but that the effects of serious sins wreak more visible havoc - both for God, and for you. First, serious sins greatly harm the sinner (that's also you, by the way). Such sins: Deserve the sentence of death - maybe that doesn't seem like a big deal, since we've already learned this year that each of us was conceived and born under a death penalty. But your serious / monstrous sins remind you that you truly deserve this sentence. Suspend the exercise of faith, severely wound the conscience and sometimes cause you to even lose the awareness of grace for a time. It's no wonder the psalmists write about the bone crushing guilt that serious sins cause. As awful as those effects are, the Canons also remind that serious sins greatly offend God, and grieve the Holy Spirit. Literally translated, these sins vex, irritate, offend and insult the Holy Spirit! John Calvin explains, "Since the Holy Spirit dwells in us, every part of our souls and bodies ought to be dedicated to him. If we give ourselves over to something that is unclean, then we drive him out of his home." The Canons don't include this article, nor does Paul include these words, to compound your guilt and crush your bones. Rather, they do so to remind you that you're sealed in the Spirit for the day of redemption, and that God forgave you because Christ loved you and gave Himself up for you as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. AAA Prayer (About) A CKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS : Our Father, whom we are created to be like in true righteousness and holiness; A LIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that your actions, decisions and speech do not grieve the Holy Spirit; A SK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Read the New Testament in a year! Today: John 9