On Mount Olivet

Luke 21:37

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He must suffer for My name’s sake

But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.” - Acts 9:15-16

Paul is called to suffering - similar to 1 Peter 2:21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps...

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God’s word as delight of the heart

Your words were found and I ate them, and Your words became for me a joy and the delight of my heart; for I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts. - Jeremiah 15:16

God’s word becoming part of us - powerful imagery!

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Yet they are not gods

It is He who made the earth by His power, Who established the world by His wisdom; and by His understanding He has stretched out the heavens. When He utters His voice, there is a tumult of waters in the heavens, and He causes the clouds to ascend from the end of the earth; He makes lightning for the rain, and brings out the wind from His storehouses. Every man is stupid, devoid of knowledge; every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols; for his molten images are deceitful, and there is no breath in them. - Jeremiah 10:12-14

He is the real God, the one true God - also in Jeremiah 16:20 Can man make gods for himself? Yet they are not gods!

Undeniable when we know Him - Jeremiah 16:21 “Therefore behold, I am going to make them know--This time I will make them know My power and My might; and they shall know that My name is the Lord.”

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Boast of understanding and knowing the Lord

Thus says the Lord, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the Lord.  - Jeremiah 9:23-24

The only thing worth boasting of is that we understand the know the Lord

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The Lord will repay

The Lord will repay each man for his righteousness and his faithfulness; for the Lord delivered you into my hand today, but I refused to stretch out my hand against the Lord’s anointed. - 1 Samuel 26:23

The Lord is the arbitrator and executor of justice --> why David can refrain from hurting Saul

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No turning back

For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I prove myself to be a transgressor. - Galatians 2:18

No turning back - like the dog returning to its vomit in Proverbs 26:11

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Receiving the gospel

For I would have you know, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ. - Galatians 1:11-12

Gospel is special because it can be received directly from God

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Protection from the pillar of cloud

The angel of God, who had been going before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud moved from before them and stood behind them. - Exodus 14:19

Eeeee! The protection!

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While you stay silent

But Moses said to the people, “Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent.”  - Exodus 14:13-14

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Tradition vs. commandment

“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.” He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition.” - Mark 7:8-9

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Jesus walking on water

When it was evening, the boat was in the middle of the sea, and He was alone on the land. Seeing them straining at the oars, for the wind was against them, at about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea; and He intended to pass by them. But when they saw Him walking on the sea, they supposed that it was a ghost, and cried out; for they all saw Him and were terrified. But immediately He spoke with them and said to them, “Take courage; it is I, do not be afraid.” Then He got into the boat with them, and the wind stopped; and they were utterly astonished, for they had not gained any insight from the incident of the loaves, but their heart was hardened. - Mark 6:47-52

LOL just casually see you over there - pass by walking on water

Also stark and scary reminder that even the disciples’ hearts could be hardened

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Resting

The apostles gathered together with Jesus; and they reported to Him all that they had done and taught. And He said to them, “Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.” (For there were many people coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat.) - Mark 6:30-31

The work is heavy but it’s okay to rest!

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He wondered at their unbelief

And He could do no miracle there except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He wondered at their unbelief. - Mark 6:5-6

He wondered at their unbelief - the wording is so poignant

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The gift of God is priceless

But Peter said to him, “may your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money!” - Acts 8:20

The idea that Simon thinks he can purchase the gift of God is so repulsive that Peter says he can have no part or portion in this matter because his heart is not right before God - such danger to believing that we can “earn” God’s gift rather than accepting that it is all by His grace and His power!

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Broken cisterns

“For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water.” - Jeremiah 2:13

How foolish we are!

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Jonathan and Abigail see David as chosen

“You shall not cut off your lovingkindness from my house forever, not even when the Lord cuts off every one of the enemies of David from the face of the earth.” - 1 Samuel 20:15

“Please forgive the transgression of your maidservant; for the Lord will certainly make for my lord an enduring house, because my lord is fighting the battles of the Lord, and evil will not be found in you all your days.” - 1 Samuel 25:28

Wasn’t just Saul that knew David was God’s chosen one-- before David actually became king

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The weight of sin

There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities are gone over my head; as a heavy burden they weigh too much for me. My wounds grow foul and fester because of my folly. - Psalm 38:3-5

For I confess my iniquity; I am full of anxiety because of my sin. - Psalm 38:18

Do I feel the weight of my sin? The anxiety and burden because sin is displeasing to the Lord?