Stillness is the discipline underneath all others (Psalm 46:10)

"Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10 

This week we finished BSF Exile and Return. I was enjoying the year in a word "Freedom." A big part of that is God, make my heart Yours again: obedience, integrity, and character. The Leader’s Inner Life

• Leaders lose their way when they lose their private life with God.
• Daily intimacy is the antidote to fear, comparison, pride, and exhaustion.
• Spiritual disciplines protect the soul and align the heart to Christ.

Here are targeted references for each point, with enough variety to choose from:

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Leaders lose their way when they lose their private life with God.

• 1 Samuel 13:8–14 — Saul acts without waiting on God; Samuel declares the kingdom will not continue. Loss of private obedience precedes public collapse.
• 2 Chronicles 26:16 — Uzziah's heart was "lifted up to his destruction" after his strength grew. Success without private humility breeds the fall.
• Psalm 51:10–12 — David's prayer after collapse: restore the inner joy of salvation. The crisis was first interior before it was public.
• John 15:4–5 — "Abide in me... apart from me you can do nothing." Fruitful leadership is contingent on hidden connection.

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Daily intimacy is the antidote to fear, comparison, pride, and exhaustion.

• Isaiah 40:31 — Those who wait on the Lord renew their strength. Exhaustion is answered by intimacy, not strategy.
• Psalm 27:1, 4 — "The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?" One thing David seeks: to dwell in God's presence. Intimacy displaces fear.
• Galatians 1:10 — "Am I seeking the approval of man or of God?" The cure for comparison is having an audience of One.
• Proverbs 4:23 — "Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life." Daily vigilance over the inner life is leadership's first work.
• Matthew 11:28–30 — Jesus invites the weary to come to him. Rest is relational, not recreational.

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Spiritual disciplines protect the soul and align the heart to Christ.

• Luke 5:16 — Jesus himself "withdrew to desolate places and prayed." Disciplines were Jesus's own pattern, not just a prescription for others.
• Psalm 119:9, 11 — "How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word... I have stored up your word in my heart." The Word as protective discipline.
• 1 Timothy 4:7–8 — "Train yourself for godliness... godliness is of value in every way." Paul frames spiritual disciplines as training (askeo), a deliberate, repeated practice.
• Romans 12:2 — "Be transformed by the renewal of your mind." Alignment to Christ is a disciplined, ongoing renovation of the inner person.
• Hebrews 12:11 — "No discipline seems pleasant at the time... it produces a harvest of righteousness." The fruit of disciplines is a protected, aligned soul.

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Dying to Self, Living for God (Galatians 2:20)

Because Jesus died and rose again, nothing will ever be the same. The old you does not have to run your life anymore. Sin does not have to win. Death does not get the last word. The same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive in every person who belongs to him. This is not just a story from long ago. Today, right now, in this year of our Lord, the risen Christ is calling people to stop living for themselves and start living for him. He says: give me your life, pick up your cross, follow me. Lose yourself and you will find something far greater. The seed that falls into the ground and dies does not stay dead. It rises and bears fruit that lasts forever. Resurrection Sunday is the proof that dying to self is not the end. It is the beginning. If you have never surrendered your life to Jesus, today is the day. If you have been holding back, today is the day. The tomb is empty, grace is real, and the door is wide open. This is the day of salvation.

🌱 The Old You Must Go

• Your old sinful self was nailed to the cross with Jesus, so sin no longer has to control you. Romans 6:6
• Get rid of your old self. It was full of wrong desires. Put on your new self, made to be like God, good and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
• You have died, and your life is now hidden safely with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3

✝️ Follow Jesus, Take Up Your Cross

• If you want to follow Jesus, say no to yourself, pick up your cross every day, and follow him. Luke 9:23-24
• If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But if you give your life up for Jesus, you will save it. Mark 8:35
• Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow Jesus cannot be his follower. Luke 14:27

🌾 Dying Brings New Life

• A seed must fall into the ground and die. If it does not die, it stays just a seed. But if it dies, it grows and makes lots of fruit. John 12:24
• If anyone belongs to Christ, he is brand new. The old is gone. The new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17

💧 Buried With Jesus, Raised to New Life

• When we were baptized into Jesus, we shared in his death. And just like Jesus rose from the dead, we get to walk in a brand new life. Romans 6:3-4
• If we have died with Christ, we will also live with him. Romans 6:8

🔥 Stop Letting Sin Be the Boss

• Think of yourself as dead to sin but alive to God through Jesus. Romans 6:11
• Sin does not have to be in charge of you anymore. You are not under the old rules. You are under God's grace. Romans 6:14
• Do not let the sinful parts of your body do wrong things. Instead, give yourself to God as someone brought back from death to life. Romans 6:13
• Put to death the wrong things in your life: bad desires, greed, and all that belongs to your old self. Colossians 3:5

🙌 Live for God, Not for Yourself

• Give your whole body to God as a gift, a living sacrifice. Do not copy the world. Let God change the way you think. Romans 12:1-2
• Those who belong to Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to the cross. Galatians 5:24
• Walk by the Spirit, and you will not do what your sinful self wants. Galatians 5:16
• He must become greater. I must become less. John 3:30

💪 Christ Lives in You

• I have been crucified with Christ. I no longer live. Christ lives in me. The life I live now, I live by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
• For me, living is Christ. Dying is even better. Philippians 1:21
• I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

🤝 Put Others First

• Do not be selfish or try to look important. Be humble. Think of others as more important than yourself. Philippians 2:3-4

🏆 Nothing Is Worth More Than Knowing Jesus

• I count everything else as worthless compared to knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. Philippians 3:8
• What good is it if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Luke 9:25

🕊️ Nothing Can Separate You From God's Love

• Not death, not life, not anything in all creation can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

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Disciples, Apostles, Saints, and Missionaries

 DISCIPLES (Learners/Followers)

Definitional Passages

• Matthew 28:19 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (broadest use - all learners)
• Luke 14:26-27 - "If anyone comes to me and does not hate...cannot be my disciple" (defines discipleship requirements)
• John 8:31 - "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples"
• Acts 6:1-7 - "The number of disciples multiplied greatly" (broad community of learners)

The Twelve as Disciples

• Mark 3:13-19 - Jesus "appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles)" - they were disciples first
• Matthew 10:1 - "He called to him his twelve disciples"
• John 6:66-69 - "Many of his disciples turned back...But the twelve stayed" (showing broader group)

Broader Discipleship Beyond the Twelve

• Luke 10:1 - Jesus sent out seventy-two other disciples
• John 4:1 - Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John
• Acts 9:36 - Tabitha "a disciple" (showing term applied to individual believers)
• Acts 21:16 - "Some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us" (widespread followers)

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APOSTLES (Sent Ones with Authority)

The Twelve Apostles - Specific Calling

Primary Commissioning:

• Mark 3:14 - "He appointed twelve...to be with him and to be sent out"
• Luke 6:13 - "He chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles"
• Matthew 10:2-4 - Lists "the names of the twelve apostles"

Authority Given:

• Matthew 10:1 - "He gave them authority over unclean spirits"
• Matthew 18:18 - "Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven"
• John 20:21-23 - "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you" (apostolic commission)

Foundational Role:

• Ephesians 2:20 - "Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone"
• Revelation 21:14 - "The wall of the city had twelve foundations...names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb"

Matthias - Replacement Apostle

• Acts 1:21-26 - Specific criteria: must have been with Jesus from baptism to ascension, must be a witness to the resurrection. "He was numbered with the eleven apostles"

Paul - Apostle by Special Appointment

Called Directly by Christ:

• Acts 9:15 - "He is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name"
• Galatians 1:1 - "Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ"
• 1 Corinthians 9:1-2 - "Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?"
• 1 Corinthians 15:8-9 - "Last of all...he appeared also to me...I am the least of the apostles"

Apostolic Authority:

• 2 Corinthians 12:12 - "The signs of a true apostle were performed among you"
• Galatians 2:8 - "He who worked through Peter for his apostolic ministry...worked through me also"

Other Apostles Beyond the Twelve

Barnabas:

• Acts 14:14 - "When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it" (explicitly called apostle)

James, the Lord's Brother:

• Galatians 1:19 - "I saw...James the Lord's brother" (in context of "the apostles")
• 1 Corinthians 15:7 - "Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles"

Andronicus and Junia:

• Romans 16:7 - "Greet Andronicus and Junia...They are well known to the apostles" (or "outstanding among the apostles" - textual debate)

Silas and Timothy:

• 1 Thessalonians 2:6 - "We could have made demands as apostles of Christ" (Paul, Silas, and Timothy as authors)

Apostolic Criteria and Distinction

• 1 Corinthians 4:9 - "God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, like men sentenced to death" (special suffering/calling)
• 2 Corinthians 11:13 - "False apostles, deceitful workmen, disguising themselves" (showing the title could be claimed falsely)
• Revelation 2:2 - "You have tested those who call themselves apostles and are not"

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SAINTS (Holy Ones/Believers)

General Use for All Believers

Paul's Letters - Standard Greeting:

• Romans 1:7 - "To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints"
• 1 Corinthians 1:2 - "To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord"
• Ephesians 1:1 - "To the saints who are in Ephesus"
• Philippians 1:1 - "To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi"
• Colossians 1:2 - "To the saints and faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae"

Saints as Community of Believers:

• Acts 9:13 - "I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem"
• Acts 26:10 - "I not only locked up many of the saints in prison...but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them"
• Romans 8:27 - "He who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints"
• Romans 15:25-26 - "At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem bringing aid to the saints"

Saints' Identity and Calling:

• Romans 12:13 - "Contribute to the needs of the saints"
• 2 Corinthians 1:1 - "To the church of God that is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in the whole of Achaia"
• Ephesians 3:8 - "To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given"
• Colossians 1:12 - "Giving thanks to the Father...who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light"

Old Testament Saints

• Psalm 16:3 - "As for the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones"
• Psalm 30:4 - "Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints"
• Daniel 7:18, 22, 27 - "The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom" (eschatological reference)

Saints in Glory

• 1 Thessalonians 3:13 - "At the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints"
• Jude 14 - "Behold, the Lord comes with ten thousands of his holy ones [saints]"
• Revelation 5:8 - "The golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints"
• Revelation 8:3-4 - "Another angel...was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints"

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MISSIONARIES (Sent Cross-Cultural Messengers)

Old Testament Precedent

Jonah:

• Jonah 1:1-2 - "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it" (cross-cultural sending)
• Jonah 3:1-4 - Preached to Gentile city resulting in mass repentance

Isaiah's Vision:

• Isaiah 6:8 - "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" Then I said, "Here I am! Send me"

Jesus' Missionary Commands

The Great Commission:

• Matthew 28:18-20 - "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations" (explicitly cross-cultural)
• Mark 16:15 - "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation"
• Luke 24:47 - "Repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem"
• Acts 1:8 - "You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (geographic expansion)

Early Missionary Examples

Philip - First Cross-Cultural Evangelist:

• Acts 8:5 - "Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed the Christ to them" (crossing Jewish-Samaritan boundary)
• Acts 8:26-40 - Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (crossing to Africa)

Peter - Sent to Gentiles:

• Acts 10:1-48 - Peter sent to Cornelius (Roman centurion), breaking Jewish-Gentile barrier
• Acts 10:34-35 - "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him...is acceptable to him"

Barnabas and Paul - First Missionary Journey:

• Acts 13:2-3 - "The Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them'" (formal missionary sending)
• Acts 13:4 - "Being sent out by the Holy Spirit, they went down to Seleucia"
• Acts 13-14 - Cyprus, Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, Derbe (crossing multiple cultural boundaries)

Paul's Missionary Journeys:

• Acts 15:36-18:22 - Second journey (Macedonia, Achaia - entering Europe)
• Acts 18:23-21:17 - Third journey (Ephesus, returning to Jerusalem)
• Acts 16:9-10 - "A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia...saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us'" (divine guidance across cultural boundaries)

Timothy and Titus - Sent Missionaries:

• 1 Corinthians 4:17 - "That is why I sent you Timothy...to remind you of my ways in Christ"
• 2 Corinthians 8:23 - "As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit"
• Titus 1:5 - "This is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order"

Priscilla and Aquila - Missionary Couple:

• Acts 18:2, 18, 26 - Traveled with Paul, taught Apollos, risked their lives for the gospel
• Romans 16:3-4 - "Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus...to whom...all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks"

Missionary Theology and Practice

Paul's Missionary Self-Understanding:

• Romans 1:5 - "Through whom we have received grace and apostleship to bring about the obedience of faith for the sake of his name among all the nations"
• Romans 15:16 - "To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God"
• Romans 15:18-21 - "I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience...from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel"
• 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 - "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some" (missionary contextualization)

Church Sending and Support:

• Acts 11:22 - "The report about them came to the ears of the church in Jerusalem, and they sent Barnabas to Antioch"
• Acts 13:1-3 - Church at Antioch fasted, prayed, laid hands on, and sent Barnabas and Saul
• Philippians 4:15-16 - "In the beginning of the gospel...no church entered into partnership with me...except you only"
• 3 John 5-8 - "You are acting faithfully in whatever you do for the brothers...we ought to support people like these, that we may be fellow workers for the truth"

Missionary Suffering:

• 2 Corinthians 11:23-28 - Paul's extensive list of missionary hardships
• Acts 14:19-22 - "They stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing that he was dead...strengthening the souls of the disciples"

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KEY DISTINCTION PASSAGES

Disciple vs. Apostle

• John 13:16 - "A servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger [apostolos] greater than the one who sent him" (disciples are servants; apostles are sent messengers)
• Luke 6:13 - "When day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles" (subset relationship)

Apostle vs. Missionary

• Ephesians 4:11-13 - "He gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints" (apostles as foundational; evangelists/missionaries as ongoing)
• 2 Corinthians 11:5, 13 - "Super-apostles" and "false apostles" (apostolic title was unique and contested; missionary work was broader)

All Are Saints

• Philippians 4:21-22 - "Greet every saint in Christ Jesus...All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household" (universal designation)
• 1 Corinthians 14:33 - "As in all the churches of the saints" (standard designation for all Christian communities)
• Hebrews 13:24 - "Greet all your leaders and all the saints"

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SUMMARY WITH BIBLICAL SUPPORT

Disciples = Broad category (all followers): Acts 6:1-2, 7; Acts 9:1, 26; Acts 11:26 ("disciples were first called Christians")

Apostles = Specific, authoritative foundation: 1 Corinthians 12:28 ("First apostles..."), Ephesians 2:20, 2 Peter 3:2

Saints = All believers: Consistently used throughout epistles as standard designation (50+ NT occurrences)

Missionaries = Sent cross-culturally: Acts 13:2-4 (formal sending), Romans 10:14-15 ("How beautiful...feet of those who preach"), 2 Corinthians 5:20 ("We are ambassadors for Christ")

Overlap: Paul was disciple (learned from Christ), apostle (uniquely called), saint (believer), and missionary (sent cross-culturally) - Acts 9:15, Galatians 1:1, Ephesians 3:8, Acts 13:2

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God’s call is always present-tense

God’s call is present-tense, active, and responsive now. Scripture consistently frames God’s invitation as something to answer today, not later.

Scripture consistently presents God’s call as present-tense and active, not deferred or theoretical. From “Today, if you hear His voice” in the Psalms and Hebrews to Paul’s declaration that “now is the day of salvation,” God’s invitation is always framed as something to be answered in the moment. Jesus reinforces this pattern by announcing that the kingdom is at hand and by calling people to follow Him daily, not someday. The urgency is not pressure but grace. God is near, speaking, guiding, and offering life now. Delay is what hardens the heart, while responsiveness keeps us aligned with His will. In the Bible, faith is not merely believing something once in the past but continually responding to God’s voice in the present.

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Core Anchor Texts

Hebrews 3:7–8
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…”
God’s voice is framed as immediate. The danger is not ignorance but delay.

2 Corinthians 6:2
“Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
Grace is not deferred. God’s offer operates in the present moment.

Psalm 95:7
“Today, if you hear His voice…”
Hearing God assumes nearness. Obedience is expected in real time.

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Jesus’ Teaching Reinforces the Present Call

Mark 1:15
“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe.”
Jesus announces availability, not future access.

John 5:24–25
“Whoever hears My word and believes… has passed from death to life.”
Eternal life is received now, not merely promised later.

Luke 9:23
“If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily.”
Following Jesus is a continual present decision.

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God’s Voice in Daily Life

Isaiah 30:21
“Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it.’”
Guidance assumes immediacy and responsiveness.

Psalm 32:8
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.”
God’s leadership is ongoing, not episodic.

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Warning Against Postponement

Proverbs 27:1
“Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.”
Delay is the enemy of obedience.

James 4:13–15
“You do not know what tomorrow will bring… Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills…’”
Faith lives attentively in the present.

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Theological Summary

• God speaks now, not only historically.

• God calls for response, not passive belief.

• God’s grace is available, not pending approval.

• Delay hardens hearts. Presence softens them.

The biblical pattern is unmistakable. God does not merely call once. He calls today.

Come, let us sing to the Lord! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come to him with thanksgiving. Let us sing psalms of praise to him. For the Lord is a great God, a great King above all gods. He holds in his hands the depths of the earth and the mightiest mountains. The sea belongs to him, for he made it. His hands formed the dry land, too. 

Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker, for he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the flock under his care.

If only you would listen to his voice today!  Psalm 95:1-7

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Don’t Pray More, Pray Better: How to Pray Effectively

Don’t Pray More, Pray Better: How to Pray Effectively - Bill Johnson

 Prayer is not about saying more words. It is about aligning with God’s heart and partnering with Him to release His will on earth.

Matthew 6:7–10, John 15:7

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1. Prayer Is Partnership, Not Performance

Effective prayer invites believers to co labor with God in what He already desires to do. God chooses to work through human agreement and obedience.
Genesis 1:26–28, Matthew 18:18–20, 2 Corinthians 6:1

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2. Pray from Discernment, Not Assumption

Powerful prayer flows from listening to the Holy Spirit. Like Simeon and Anna, discernment grows through devotion, waiting, and sensitivity to God’s presence.
Luke 2:25–38, Romans 8:26–27, John 16:13

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3. Agreement Sustains the Miracle

Words spoken after prayer matter. Doubt and negativity can undermine faith, while agreement with God protects what has been prayed into motion.
Mark 11:22–24, Proverbs 18:21, Hebrews 10:23

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4. Jesus Secured the Victory

Sin and sickness were dealt with at the cross. Prayer is not convincing God to act but enforcing what Christ has already accomplished.
Isaiah 53:4–5, Colossians 2:13–15, John 19:30

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5. Prayer Releases God’s Glory

Answered prayer advances the gospel and shifts spiritual atmospheres. Persistent, focused prayer has global impact, even across generations.
Habakkuk 2:14, Acts 4:29–31, Matthew 24:14

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6. Pray Specifically and Expect Testimony

Targeted prayers invite targeted breakthroughs. Testimonies strengthen faith and multiply impact.
Philippians 4:6, Revelation 12:11, Psalm 66:16

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Bottom Line
Do not pray longer. Pray aligned. Listen first. Agree fully. Speak life. Expect fruit.

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Exiles rebuild alter and temple with support from kings despite opposition (Ezra 3-6)

Subject: Exiles rebuild altar and temple with support from kings despite opposition

Aim: Worship and sacrifice prepares us for success in spite of challenges. 

Divisions

A) Exiles rebuild the Altar and sacrifices set the stage for rebuilding the temple in year 2 (Ezra 3:1-6)

B) Rebuilding the Temple has opposition slowing down and stopping the work (Ezra 3:7-4:24)

C) Rebuilding temple completed in 4 years with Darius support (Ezra 5-6)

Content: 

Ezra 3:1-6) Rebuilding the Altar, 7th month, Moses sacrifices written in Numbers 29

three major assemblies in 22 days, moving the people from awakening → repentance → renewal 

7) Rebuilding Temple: gave money, traded food/oil for cedar logs

8-9) second year, working aged Levites supervise

10-13) foundation laid, celebration and praise, joy mixed with weeping

4:1-5) Opposition to the Rebuilding: enemies want in on building but are denied, set out to discourage, make afraid and bribe, frustrate

6-16) Later Opposition Under Xerxes and Artaxerxes, written accusation of rebellious and wicked city, walls to avoid taxes, sedition

17-24) King aligns with accusation, Temple building stops until 2nd year of Darius 

5:1-2) Tattenai’s Letter to Darius: Haggai/Zechariah prophesied 

3-17) Tattenai questions building started, sends letter to Darius quoting elders, we/servants of God rebuilding the temple as ordered by Cyrus

6:1-12) The Decree of Darius: looks up Cyrus decree, and doubles down on it - we'll fund it completely at elders direction. 

6:13-15) Completion and Dedication of the Temple: Jews build, prosper under Haggai and Zechariah's preaching, temple completed 6th year under Darius

16-18) Israel, exiles celebrated dedication offering 500+ bulls, reams, lambs, 1 goat per Israel tribe, installed priests divisions Levites groups in service to God, Moses writings

19-22) Passover: Levites slaughtered Passover Lamb for all exiles, separated selves from neighbors to seek the Lord, 7 days joy Festival Unleavened Bread

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Faith in step with my professed hope

Friday, July 21, Mike and I drove 4 hours to Ely, MN, to embark on my first Waters of Rest Boundry Waters canoe and camping experience. I remember learning about Spiritual Disciplines and struggling with "silence and solitude." In our technology-heavy world, we need to make room for this discipline. Waters of Rest provides the opportunity and structure to do this. 

We spent five days pondering God's work in creation, the fall, redemption, and restoration with a study guide and Bible. We enjoyed good food, fellowship, and working together with the natural world around us. We followed the trails to established campsites built by others before us. I found myself thanking God for those strangers and praying for the needs of my fellow campers. 

I've been working on establishing Alpha for MNTC.org's thirteen-month program and listing to Revival God's Way by Lenard Ravenhill. The big Biblical idea is that one plants, others water, but God makes things grow (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). This trip cemented the truth that all ministry is futile without prayer from a righteous person (James 5:12-14,15-17). Prayer ministry is serving others through prayer. We do nothing to make prayer effective; Instead, we present our gratitude, faith, and hopes to God. 

God can do more than we can ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). God intercedes on our behalf, over and over (Isaiah 53:12, Romans 8:34), and calls us to intervene through prayer for everyone (1 Timothy 2:1). 

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Complementing the faith God gave me holistically (Eph 2:7-10, 2 Peter 1:5-11)

Prayer tonight for Alpha in TC thinking of how God intercedes on our behalf, was drawn to Only A Prayer Meeting by Charles Spurgeon after reviewing Prayer Tool: How to Run a Non-boring Prayer Meeting from prayercourse.org/toolshed/ continuing my 40days, brought me to the familiar passage: 2 Peter 1:5-11 that I've written in my work journal to remind myself of the character I'm working toward developing. I like meditating on multiple verses that link and expand on an idea and then reading it in multiple translations for Example: Eph 2:7-10,2 Peter 1:5-11 version=NLT;AMP;MSG

In view of all this (Eph 2:7-10), make every effort to respond to God’s promises (2 Peter 1:5-11);

• Complementing your basic faith with good character, spiritual understanding, alert discipline, passionate patience, reverent wonder, warm friendliness, and generous love, each dimension fitting into and developing the others.
• I like how the Amplified Version defines Christian Love in verse 7) and in your godliness, brotherly affection, and in your brotherly affection, [develop Christian] love [that is, learn to unselfishly seek the best for others and to do things for their benefit]. 
• Today is building on yesterday's lesson: Sign of Jonah - Listen and repent for salvation and receive true Light (Luke 11:29-36)
• 8-9) For as these qualities are yours and are increasing [in you as you grow toward spiritual maturity], they will keep you from being useless and unproductive in regard to the true knowledge and greater understanding of our Lord Jesus Christ. For whoever lacks these qualities is blind—shortsighted [closing his spiritual eyes to the truth], having become oblivious to the fact that he was cleansed from his old sins.
• So, friends, confirm God’s invitation to you, his choice of you. Don’t put it off; do it now. Do this, and you’ll have your life on a firm footing, the streets paved and the way wide open into the eternal kingdom of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.

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Pray First! The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel

I re-discovered odb.org via https://twitter.com/ourdailybread, I ordered encouraging booklets for Christmas for my mntc.org friends (who I'm in Alpha series 18). Yesterday I had a wonderful conversation with Joe who miraculously answered the call to help start Alpha at Freedom Works, who then miraculously started Alpha yesterday without our help. So we prayed for them, knowing it's God who makes it all happen, not our efforts. So back to odb, I read this excerpt from Pray First! The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel by James Banks in the article The Power of Prayer in Sharing the Gospel

 Jesus declared His dependence on God in everything He did. He told His disciples, “By myself I can do nothing” (john 5:30). Then He demonstrated that dependence in a practical way by keeping the lines of communication constantly open through prayer, confident that the Father “always” heard Him (john 11:42). The New Testament makes clear that “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission” (hebrews 5:7). Jesus prayed continually, submitting His life to the Father moment by moment and drawing every strength from Him.

When Peter told the crowd on the day of Pentecost to “repent and be baptized,” he added, “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call” (acts 2:38–39). Jesus is calling, calling lost souls out of darkness and into His everlasting love and light.

He is also calling us to follow Him into a world which desperately needs the salvation only He can give. Pray and go! The “Lord of the harvest” (luke 10:2) is waiting. He has promised, “We will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (galatians 6:9).

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How the Holy Spirit arrives and transforms our lives making us ready for heaven (Acts 2)

Earlier this year I began the study of Acts with my wife as she was preparing to teach the evening women class in Burnsville. In the study of Acts 2 I recognized that The Holy Spirit brings new communication and community. Now in reading the BSF notes for Acts 2, I rediscovered these wonderful verses in the "going deeper" section and added my own thoughts having read the verses.

When the Holy Spirit arrives our lives are forever, noticeably changed.  
Calls: John 3; Ephesians 2:4-5, 8
 - Jesus tells us about the coming Holy Spirit and his impact being like wind, being like birth. We don't choose it but it's unmistakable.
 - Even our faith, it a free gift of God - not something we do. What we do is receive the gift.
Indwells: Philippians 2:1
 - United with Christ, sharing the Spirit gives us encouragement, compassion, tenderness, and love for one another.
Deposits: Romans 5:5
 - God's love is poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

The Holy Spirit brings continual change and guidance to us every day.
Counsels: John 16:13; Acts13:2; 16:7
 - As a guide, the Holy Spirit gives us a clear "yes" and "no"
Renews: John 14:26;1 Corinthians 2:11-13
 - God knows our thoughts and teaches us everything we need to know about Jesus and how to follow him.
Transforms: Galatians 5:22-23
 - He produces the best in us, love patience, gentleness, self-control. People know we are Jesus disciple by our love (John 13:34-35)
Empowers: Philippians 2:13;1 Corinthians 2:4
 - It's God at work in our lives, giving us the life-changing good news for others.
Comforts and convicts: John 16:7,8-11
 - Thank God that He accepts us where we are but doesn't leave us there.

The Holy Spirit prepares us for eternity with God
Holy: 2 Thessalonians 2:13;1 Peter 1:2
 - By the Holy Spirit at work within us we understand the truth and are obedient to God.
Grieves: Ephesians 4:30;1 Thessalonians 5:19
 - Yet we fall short and grieve the Holy Spirit. obedience comes from our desire to please God, not appease Him.
Seals: Ephesians 1:13-14
 - And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory.

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CALLING: a place were deep gladness and world hunger meet

Loving thebanner.org the quote by Frederick Buechner is spot on, or is it?

The call to "pick up the cross and follow me"

I say yes, both/and

Leadership is a burden that brings joy. I like how Jesus talks about labor pains, then joy of new life. (John 3:3-15)

A stunning musical performance is preceded by hours of tedious preparation

In addition to experiences of deep self-fulfillment amid suffering love Expressed in their callings, Christians have the assurance that "those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it" Luke 9:24 - Douglas J Schuurman St Olaf College,  Northfield Mn

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God's promises and sovereign will, seen in our lives (Romans 9:1-19)

Romans 9:1-29

AIM: Understand your choice within God's sovereign wrath and mercy

1) Speak truth in Christ, conscience confirmed by Holy Spirit
2-3) sorrow in heart, wishing self-cursed rather than kinsman Israel

• 4-5) adoption to sonship, divine glory, covenants (law, temple, promises), 
• patriarchs to Messiah (Matthew, Luke trace lineage)
• Messiah is God (John 1:1, Colossians 2:9)

6-9) God's word didn't fail, Abraham/Sarah, Israel's descendants are reckoned (Gen 21:12), not from birth but from promise (Romans 8:14, Galatians 3:16)
10-13) Rebekah/Isaac, twins, God's purpose, election (not works but him who calls) Jacob loved Esau hated (Mal 1:2,3)
14-15) Is God unjust? No, he says to Moses: mercy and compassion is God's sovereign choice (Ex 33:19)

• Yet our lives and decisions are part of this "choice". Jer 18:7-10, God announces people will be destruction or blessing but then if those people change for either good or bad - the Lord will not do as he said. Jonah 3:10 and Jeremiah 26:3 are also helpful to think about how God's sovereign choice interacts with our choice. 

16) No human desire or effort but God's mercy

• Remember Romans 8:28, Genesis 50:20, truth is same on the flip side of the Sovereignty coin

17) Pharaoh displayed God's power, God's name proclaimed in all the earth (Exodus 9:16,17, 14:4)

• Judgement, salvation to all humble, yet a remnant of wrath (Psalm 76:9-10)
• Think of Shadrach, Meshach, and Adeb-nego. By Nebuchadnezzar's wrath, God's glory was shown and proclaimed throughout the land (Daniel 3:15-27,28,29-30)

18) God mercy whom he wants, hardens whom he wants

• Who does God have mercy on? Think Beatitudes, The parable of the sower and faith comes by hearing (Seven blessings in Revelation explain faith, eternal life and sanctification)
• Who does God harden? Those who ignore, refuse or mock his call for salvation. (Lamb's seventh seal brings prayer and six trumpets for repentance)

19) Why does God still blame us? Who is able to resist his will?

• 20-24) Who are humans to talk back to the Creator, we are his work, for His purpose and glory
• Search scriptures like Paul to let the Holy Spirit reveal the mystery for you 
•  - mouthing off to God: Job 1:22,9:12,40:2 linked to clay/potter Isaiah 45:9
•  - clay and potter: Isaiah 29:16, 64:8, Jer 18:6 links to movement/ability Isaiah 10:15
•  Recurring theme in Paul's life: 2 Tim 2:20, gold/silver, wood/clay - common verses special use
• See God's kindness and forbearance/patients (Romans 2;4), The Lord works out everything to its proper end - even the wicked for a day of disaster (Proverbs 16:4)

25-29) Principle: Scripture interprets scripture. Application: How can you know how to live as God's loved, adopted children? Ho does obeying what you know, fulfill your God-given purpose? Where are you resisting God's will in your seeing, hearing, and understanding - when will you repent of this resistence?

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Ears to hear and eyes to see - both are gifts from the Lord. (Proverbs 20:12)

My friend is going to Jordan in March this year. They will be aiding our wonderful missionaries in their work and partnerships with anti-trafficking safe homes, refugee learning centers and local middle eastern churches.
These thoughts came to mind in prayer, people have been blessed with ears to hear so that they can understand.
Matt 11:15,Deut 29:4, Isaiah 6:10, Luke 8:4-18, Proverbs 20:12
Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand! (Matt 11:15), But to this day the Lord has not given you minds that understand, nor eyes that see, nor ears that hear! (Deuteronomy 29:4) The rest of  passage gives evidence of why our hearts are hardened by God (Deuteronomy 29:2-29,19,24,25,29), making his word of little impact in our lives (Isaiah 6:10, Luke 8:10-14)

Lord give me wisdom that I would pay attention to how I hear. To listen for more understanding. History shows that when I'm not listening, even what I think I understand will be taken away from me.

Help me to follow where you lead, to understand and trust you fully. Amen

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There is a huge difference between believing and knowing

I've been researching how other faiths and people view Christian Bible teaching. By Christian Bible teaching I mean to say, taking the Bible lierally, trusting what it says is true and applying that truth to our lives. Time and again I see offence coming between people who hold to religious dogma and tradition. As a self-professing bridge builder, I like to help people see the way to cross over to a new life relationship with God. 

Big Idea: Knowing is experienced

Time and again I've witnessed this truth, "But to this day the Lord has not given you a heart to understand or eyes to see or ears to hear." Deuteronomy 29:4, ESV

How to build a bridge to knowing

A guy walks into the doctors office, the doctor says, "What seems to be the problem?"
 - "It's not a problem per se, just something strange. You see I pass gas alot but it doesn't smell or make a sound. In fact while I've been in your office I've passed gas 20 times."
 - "I see" says the doctor and he writes a perscription asking him to come back in a week. The guys comes back very alarmed, "Doc, what was in those pills! Now my farts are loud and smell terrible!"
The doctors says, "well now that we cleared up your sinus and unpluged your ears we can take a look at that." (author unknown)

I did a Bible search on "Know" and found the word 1,163 times. Ezekiel 16:59-63 explains how God is faithful to his promise as seen in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

(59) Sovereign Lord says: I WILL as you deserve you despied my oath, breaking covenant

(60) I WILL remember my covenant, I WILL establish everlasting covenant w/you (Gen 9:16, Ezek 37:4-6,14, 23-24,26)

• (61) You'll remember, be ashamed. In John 16:7-8 Jesus talks about sending the Holy Spirit in fulfillment of this prophesy - the spirit of truth will convict hearts. I love Ezekiel 37:14, "I will put my Spirit in you an dyou will live...KNOW that I the LORD have spoke, done it, declares the LORD"
• (62) I WILL establish my convenant with you, KNOW that I am the LORD. Luke 1:77 says, " to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins," 
• (63) "when I make atonement for you..." Matt 26:28, Luke 22:20, affirms the new covenant is established by the Cross of Jesus, his blood". The ressurection proved the sacrifice was acceptable to God and Jesus opened their minds to truths pointing to him in the old testiment (Luke 24:44-48)

What is the New Covenant?

Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

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Discover your calling

joyfultoons.com

A friend last weekend told me about our mortal enemies being "the flesh, the devil and the world" These are from Eph 2:1-3 and God's marvelous grace in saving us through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (4-7) that we received in faith God granted to us, empowered to live our destiny (8-10).

Now I'm checking out https://www.messengercourses.com/products/called cool how ideas harmonize 

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Ezekiel is called to speak God's word to stubborn people

Ezekiel 2-3:15
AIM: to let God's word change me before giving it to others

Have you heard the rule; "don't swim after eating" or been told "you have to learn to swim before jumping in with both feet". This is good advice but you should also know how to float. In chapter 2 and the first part of chapter 3, Ezekiel is listens to the Spirit's call on his life. He's told to call to his own people who are stubborn and obstinate and tell them what God says. For some of us who like to "always be doing" we receive godly wisdom, directly from God's Spirit. He's instructed to first take the word to heart for himself and is promised to be made strong and competent for the task of telling others. God's plan for Ezekiel is laid out here and our primary lesson to learn from it is to let God's word change us before giving it to others.

A) Ezekiel receives the call of God to be sent to speak and not be affraid or rebellious
(1-2) Spirit says, "stand, I will speak" entered into Ezekiel, set him on his feet, he listened

• Same Holy Spirit who converts us (John 3:3-21), was sent to us by Christ (John 14:23,26) and works miracles of faith in us (Galatians 3:1-6)

(3) "Son of man, I am sending you to Israel rebellious nation, against me
(4) descendants stubborn, hard-hearted - tell them 'this is what the Lord God says'
(5) whether they listen or not, they will know a prophet among them
(6) son of man, don't be afraid of them their threats surround you like briers, thorns and scorpions
(7) give them my messages, whether they hear or refuse to hear
(8) son of man, hear what I say, don't be rebellious, open your mouth and eat what I give you
Application: Have I received the word of God today and allowed the Spirit to come in and change my life? What evidence is there of the Holy Spirit working in my life?

B) Ezekiel takes the word sweet as honey but leaves him overwhelmed for days
(9-10) then Ezekiel saw hand stretched out scroll, unrolled writing front and back words of lamentation (dirge, funeral songs), mourning (sorrow), woe (pronouncements of doom)

• Bummer - the message to the sinful human race is that this world is doomed and headed for judgement, therefore repent form sin and turn to God for salvation

(3:1) Son of man, eat what I am giving you, this scroll - go speak to Israel, he opened his mouth and ate it
(3) Fill your stomach with this" - he ate it tasted as sweet as honey

• Jesus lived not on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4)

(4-6) Son of man, go to  Israel, give my message - not a foreign people, language you can't understand, If so they would listen

• This I've seen to be true, in Myanmar where they've not heard the Gospel when they do it changes everything and they hunger to know more

(7-9) Israel won't listen to you or me, they are stubborn (hard head/heart), but look I made you obstinate - face and head like theirs, don't be dismayed by their looks

• Promises to equipping for good works, Philippians 4:19 God supplies all we need, the church is built up as we work together Ephesians 4:12 with the full armor of God Ephesians 6:11-18

(10) Son of man, let words sink deep into your own heart first, listen for yourself

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebrews 4:12 - let God's word do it's work, correcting, teaching and yes rebuking - cutting through the thoughts and attitudes of the heart
• Luke 11:28, blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it

(11) then go to your people say to them 'this is what the Lord God says' (verse 4) whether they listen or not

• going is doing (James 1:22) and we need his word to direct us in that (Psalm 119:105 lamp for feet, Psalm 119:9 staying pure according to his word)
• When we share the truth of God entrusted to us we are sharing God's testimony (2 Timothy 3:16; delivered and handed down in the Bible, it's not our message - it's his 
• and we know that faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17)

(12-13) Spirit (or Wind) lifted him up, heard four beings "Blessed be the glory of the Lord from its place!"
(14) Spirit lifted me up and took me away, Ezekiel went in bitterness and turmoil but the Lord's hold on me was strong

• John 3:34; Luke 4:18-19; Acts 10:38; Acts 11:24 

(15) then came to exiles in Tel-abib, Chebar canal/Kebar River overwhelmed, sat among them for seven days
Application: How am I being changed by God's word and being lifted up? Does my heart feel troubled by the looming judgement of the people close to me?

http://dailyverses.net/the-word

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