5/14/24

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord (Eph 5:10,Romans 12:1-2)

 Eph 5:1-2) Imitate God, all we do as children filled with love, exemplify Christ: offered himself sacrificially for us, pleasing aroma to God.

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

3-5) no sexual immorality, impurity, greed (idolatry/worship of world) among God's people, obscene stories, foolish talk, coarse jokes. Instead thankfulness to God, inheritance in Christ's kingdom.

Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near. (John the Baptist) Matthew 3:2

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17

God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:3

God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. Matthew 5:10

So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 5:19

Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. Matthew 6:33

But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you. Matthew 12:28

Mark gives us the secrets of the Christ's Kingdom comes from repenting from sin and believing God via the parables of growing seed, believing like children. Mark 4:11, we don't die before we see the Kingdom of God arrive in great power Mark 9:1

6-9) Don't be fooled by excuses for sin, don't participate in darkness but live as people of light, Christ in us produces good, right, true.

10-14) Carefully determine what pleases the Lord, expose intentions with light, the why behind evil deeds done in secret. 

 - Thoughts, words, actions, habits, character, destiny

Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.” John 8:12

15-20) Careful how you live, wise, make the most, thoughtful, understanding Lord's aim, filled with Holy Spirit, music in your hear, give thanks.


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5/11/24

Doorway to hope, out of discouragement

Let us examine our ways, and test them, and turn back to the LORD. 

Lamentations 3:40 NKJV

  Disobedience to God can cause great pain, but the doorway out of discouragement leads to the LORD. Love you

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4/26/24

National Day of Prayer for the Government

2 Chronicles 7:14 says “if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.” In 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Paul urges us, “…to pray for all people. Asking God to help them; to intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for … all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity,”


Heavenly Father, Creator of all, draw near to us as we draw near to you. Sovereign ruler over the universe, You are the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, and Your promises are steadfast and true. We praise You for Your justice, mercy, and righteousness that fill the earth.


Lord Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice on the cross, making a way for us to enter Your kingdom. We open the door of our hearts to You, our Prince of Peace, You have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Fill every part of us with light, we leave nothing hidden from you. Forgive us Lord, we receive your grace and see our shame and guilt carried away by Your living water. Help us all to live as faithful citizens of Your eternal kingdom, in the resurrection power that is at work within us through the Holy Spirit.


Holy Spirit, dwelling within us, guide our thoughts, words, and actions. Stir in us a deep desire to seek Your face, to walk in humility and repentance, and to act justly in our communities. Empower us to be a light in the darkness, reflecting the love of Christ in every interaction and decision.


We pray for wisdom for all who govern, from our local city council here in Minneapolis to the state government in Minnesota, and up to the federal branches in Washington, D.C. May they govern with integrity and wisdom, seeking justice and peace, and promoting the welfare of all people.


We acknowledge, Lord, that all authority comes from You, and You place leaders in positions to govern Your people. Lord, bless each person in authority, equip them to act with ethical resolve and to foster a community where peace and justice flourish. We ask that Your will be done through their leadership and that they would be mindful of the least among us. Give us grateful hearts towards our government, to encourage and uphold them honorably, regardless of political or religious background.


Lord Jesus, as our ultimate authority and righteous judge, instill in these leaders the desire to serve faithfully and honorably. Let them remember the great responsibility they carry, not to wield power for their own benefit but to promote the good of all. Help them to render what is rightful to the laws of the land while never forgetting their ultimate accountability to You.


Holy Spirit, guide our leaders in Washington, Minnesota, and Minneapolis to be agents of peace, advocates for the poor, and defenders of justice. Encourage them to be steadfast in their duties, compassionate in their leadership, and bold in their advocacies for equity and the common good.


We pray for their protection, their families, and their advisors. May they be surrounded by wise counsel and uphold the values that bring life and hope to our communities. Let them not be led into temptation or deliver decisions borne out of selfish ambitions but let them seek the greater good that aligns with Your eternal principles.

We ask these things in the mighty name of Jesus, who reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. May Your peace, which surpasses all understanding, guard the hearts and minds of those serving in government. Amen. Holy Scriptures 

2 Chronicles 7:14 ESV

If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.

Psalm 22:28, John 19:11, Romans 13:1-7, 1 Peter 2:13-17, Titus 3:1, 1 Timothy 2:1-3,Matthew 22:21, Acts 5:29, Proverbs 21:1, Daniel 2:44, Daniel 4:17, Isaiah 9:6-7, Philippians 3:20, Matthew 28:18, 1 Timothy 6:15, John 18:36

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

Daniel 4:17 ESV

The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men.’

Isaiah 9:6-7 ESV 

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Philippians 3:20 ESV

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,

Proverbs 29:2 ESV

When the righteous increase, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.

Matthew 28:18 ESV 

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Proverbs 11:14 ESV

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

1 Timothy 6:15 ESV

Which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords,

John 18:36 ESV 

Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews. But my kingdom is not from the world.”

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4/23/24

Using ChatGPT to embrace Christian faith and living according to its principles

I was watching a documentary called the Unbelievers that outlines the speaking careers of famous anti-religious atheist. The basic premise I got from them is that belief in God is a cop out because "it isn't true." That asking certain questions that point to God are non sensical like "What is the color of envy?" One thing I do agree with these atheists is the value in questioning your beliefs and even testing them. A great way to do this is through the Alpha Course in community with people, another tool that seems to be "unbiased" is ChatGPT.

See the whole thing here: https://chat.openai.com/share/72f340b0-1905-4fe0-827f-18ec8f036d81

Or do it yourself:

Non Biblical Reality of Jesus Impact on the World you live in:

  • What are historical non-biblical sources about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
  • Why is modern time (BCE and CE) associated with the birth of Jesus?
  • What industries wouldn't work without a shared calendar?
  • What industries were developed by Christians because of their Christian faith?
  • Expand on Education and it's influence on political forms of government. (PS I'm getting ready for national Day of Prayer in a few days)

Biblical truths on Being a Christian:

  • What does the Bible teach are the reasons for all the benefits you listed about being a Christian?
  • Why is asking God for forgiveness, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and welcoming the Holy Spirit to come into my life necessary to be a Christian?
  • According the Bible what makes asking God for forgiveness, accepting Jesus as my Lord and Savior and welcoming the Holy Spirit to come into my life a permanent like birth, marriage or dying?

Biblical truths on living a new life with God:

  • If I'm a Christian, what are external proofs of my faith that would testify to the world that I believe in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ?
  • What are the reasons the Bible gives for people who are unbelievers? How can an unbeliever become a believer?
  • Can you explain how the Father draws us, Jesus knocks on the door and Holy Spirit guides us?
  • What does it mean that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved? Saved from what?

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4/21/24

Ways to meditate on the Bible passage your reading.

I'm excited to start BSF Online workshops in our area. BSF has had a tradition of seminars offered for in person groups and include topics like Bible Navigation, Personal Quiet Time, Homiletics, Sharing the Gospel, Leading Small Groups, and Serving in Church. BSF Online will take these materials and make them more into a workshop where participant interaction will take higher priority over presentation. We use the Tell, Show, Let, Coach method of training where 50% of the time is letting people practice the concepts. 

The big idea is to help people understand the Bible and apply it to regular life. In this process we magnify God and mature his people. Maturing as a Christians is the work of God in our lives (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). God gives us a wonderful and compelling spiritual hunger and thirst that Donald S. Whitney explains in his work Spiritual Disciplines:

"all who come to God trusting in the person and work of Jesus to make them right with God are given the Holy Spirit (see Ephesians 1:13-14). The presence of the Holy Spirit causes all those in whom He resides to have new holy hungers they didn’t have before. They hunger, for example, for the Holy Word of God—the Bible— that they used to find boring or irrelevant. They have new holy longings, such as the longing to live in a body without sin and to have a mind no longer tempted by sin. They yearn to live in a holy and perfect world with holy and perfect people, and to see at last the One the angels perpetually praise as “holy, holy, holy” (Revelation 4:8).

These are some of the holy heartbeats in all those in whom the Holy Spirit resides. Consequently, when the Holy Spirit indwells someone, that person begins to prize and pursue holiness. Thus, as we have seen in Hebrews 12:14, anyone who is not striving for holiness will not see the Lord. And the reason he or she will not see the Lord in eternity is because he or she does not know the Lord now, for those who know Him are given His Holy Spirit, and all those indwelled by the Holy Spirit are compelled to pursue holiness. And so, the urgent question every Christian should ask is, “How then shall I pursue holiness, the holiness without which I will not see the Lord? How can I become more like Jesus Christ?”

We find a clear answer in 1 Timothy 4:7: “Discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness” (nasb). In other words, if your purpose is godliness—and godliness is your purpose if you are indwelled by the Holy Spirit, for He makes godliness your purpose—then how do you pursue that purpose? According to this verse, you “discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.”

Some of my favorite Bible study techniques are;

Personal Quiet Time:

  • Lectio Divina: Prepare (Silencio), Read (Lectio), Mediate (Meditatio), Pray (Oratio), Contemplate (Contemplatio).
  • Four Rs: Read, Reflect, Respond in Prayer, Rest in Silence.

Magnifying God and his will for me:

  • Three Questions: 1) What does it say? 2) What does it mean? 3) How will I Respond?
  • Homiletics: 1) Content, 2) Divisions, 3) Subject Sentence, 4) Aim, 5) Application
    • Internalizing the passage
    • One's own words
    • Finding the big idea
    • Evaluating with with key questions
    • Spiritual benefits: Ps. 119:105, Eph. 6:17-18, 2 Tim. 2:15, Heb. 4:12, James 1:22-25 
  • Four Squares: 1) Read a passage. 2) Create a foursquare grid with squares labeled: Attribute of God, Human Need, Gospel Connection, and Personal Reflections. 


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