After devotions this morning, I ate lunch and then went to the self paced center, where I worked on my last self paced project and completed my final self paced quiz. I'm almost done with the project. I also finished up the final big computer science project for 61C due this wednesday shortly after lecture.

I spent a little more time than usual today walking on the streets and taking photographs. I had to ship off two of my lenses to the canon irvine repair center, so that gave me another opportunity to walk around.

In the evening, we went to dwinelle to study, and I started working on my one unit of discrete math again.

Devotion time questions:

Jeremiah 4

What is the relationship between my putting away of detestable idols and the other nations being blessed by God?

Turning away from sin and idols is a blessing to others because it helps them turn to God. Persisting in sin and idolatry causes you to be a stumbling block to others.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:16

What insight does this provide regarding the stakes involved when I struggle with idolatry?

Idolatry does not merely affect our own lives and relationship with God, but the spiritual lives of those around us. Therefore, I must always be mindful not to allow my own actions to be a stumbling block to others. The stakes are so much higher when you're adversely affecting many people around you rather than just yourself.

How does the folly (described in this passage) of sowing in thorny and hardened unploughed soil apply to me today regarding my heart, and the word of God?

When reading the Bible, doing devotions, participating in worship, listening to sermons, or trying to connect with God in any way, I need to first make sure that my heart is ready to receive. Trying to grow spiritually with a sinful heart is like sowing seeds among thorns.

It is irresponsible for me to try and receive God's word with an unrepentant heart, and unfair towards the people who lovingly and faithfully work to sow those seeds.

Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
Psalm 26:2

What are some heart-hardening realities—sins, other factors such as fatigue, fear, etc. -- that I need to plow up so that God’s word can take root and grow in my life?

Thoughts omitted here.

Reflect on God’s heart, as revealed in this verse. Pray that I will always be a person who will take to heart God’s exhortation to repent and be saved.

God truly desires for us to repent and be saved. He does not passively wait to see what we do, but continually calls upon us to return to him. Despite all my past, present, and future sin, the fact that God still calls out to me demonstrates his great love and faithfulness towards us.

...how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ
Ephesians 3:18

Who is considered a “fool” in God’s eye? How does this view contrast with the world’s definition of a “fool”?

The world considers Christians foolish for putting their faith in the Bible, praying to an unseen God, and being obedient to a set of moral laws that seem ancient and is counter-cultural. Christians are considered foolish for "being closed-minded", eagerly anticipating a future eternal life, and believing in a supernatural history of the origins of the universe.

This verse shows that the truly foolish ones are those who are unable to discern good from evil, who are senseless children with no real understanding. Matthew Henry points us to this verse for the opposite way we are to act:

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
Romans 16:19

Reflect on the words “skilled in doing evil” and “they do not know how to do good.” To what extent have I been trained in the skills of doing evil just by my socialization in today’s culture? What am I doing to cultivate my heart, habits and character to become a person skilled in doing good?

Thoughts omitted here.

What does the near-cosmic impact of Judah’s sin show about the nature of human sin, and the typical view that my sins impact only my life?

Human sin is the cause of our fallen world, so simply from that fact it's clear that our sins are not simply personal, but negatively affect creation. It causes not only our own destruction, but the destruction of those around us.

But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned.
Hebrews 6:8

The largest example of this is Adam, whose sin affected not only himself but all of creation. That was truly a "cosmic" sin.

However, Jesus provides a "cosmic" redemption that solves the problem of this sin.

[Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ]
Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned— [...]

Consequently, just as the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men, so also the result of one act of righteousness was justification that brings life for all men. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
Romans 5:12-19

Reflect on the heart of the prophet as he agonizes together with creation over the human condition, and consider the extent to which I share in this kind of note of anguish and groaning over my generation.

He did not become desensitized, dulled, or complacent to the ways of his culture and generation, but instead stayed vigilant against sin and worked towards fixing the sinfulness that was prevalent in his time. Too often I find myself desensitized to the ways of the world we live in, and too comfortable living in it. I need to be more sensitive towards the sinfulness in our world.

Thoughts omitted here.