Prayer as Spiritual Command and Control

We've been exploring prayercourse.org with Teen Challenge that goes over the Lord's Prayer.  The Lord's Prayer (or "Our Father") is a central Christian prayer taught by Jesus in the Gospels of Matthew (6:9-13) and Luke (11:2-4), emphasizing praise, dependence on God for daily needs, and forgiveness. It focuses on hallowing God's name, the kingdom coming, and deliverance from evil. I was amazed to discover Pete Craig doesn't handle forgiveness, so we created our own set of videos  that expands the important topic of forgiveness.  

Hallowing God’s name means treating God's name as holy, sacred, and set apart, acknowledging Him with supreme reverence and honor. Jesus gives new power to walk differently - Mark 2:11 when we come to him in worship. Jesus told us the father is seeking people (not worship) who worship in Spirit and in Truth (John 4:24). Jesus explains our disposition is to be an The angry, stay at home brother of the prodigal (Luke 15)

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is fueled by joy in the Lord. Joy in the Lord is fueled by seeing the future joy set before us. Christ endured the cross because of the joy beyond it. Paul endures imprisonment because of the joy ahead. Believers endure daily pressures through prayer because the Lord is near, the resurrection is certain, and the kingdom is coming.

Ephesians 6:10–20 establishes the battlefield. Verse 18 is not an add-on. It is the command-and-control system that activates every piece of armor. Paul shifts from equipment to communication. Armor without communication leaves the soldier isolated.

Ephesians 6:18 says, “Praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” The context begins in verse 10. “Be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.” Verses 11–17 describe defensive and offensive readiness. Verse 18 commands the continual connection that keeps the soldier aligned with the Commander.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer
Spirit-led prayer is relational dependence rather than ritual repetition. Romans 8:26–27 teaches that the Spirit intercedes “according to the will of God” when our weakness limits our understanding. Jude 20 calls believers to “pray in the Holy Spirit” as the means of building themselves up. Colossians 4:2 adds, “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” Persistent prayer is the discipline that keeps the soldier awake and aligned.

Persistent, Spirit-led prayer is a central theme in Philippians. Paul teaches it not as a technique but as a posture formed by rejoicing in the Lord, remembering Christ’s endurance, and living with eschatological confidence. Philippians 1–4 frames prayer as a continual, joyful dependence on God in the middle of suffering, uncertainty, and conflict.

Persistent, Spirit-led Prayer in Philippians
Philippians opens with prayer. Paul says in Philippians 1:3–4, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you… always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy.” The persistence is visible in “always” and “every.” The Spirit’s work is visible in verse 6. The One who began the good work is the One sustaining prayer, faith, and perseverance.

In Philippians 1:19, Paul links prayer and the Spirit explicitly: “I know that through your prayers and the help of the Spirit of Jesus Christ this will turn out for my deliverance.” His circumstances (chains, trial, and an uncertain verdict) become a laboratory for Spirit-enabled endurance. The Spirit uses the prayers of the church to sustain him.

Philippians 2:12–13 ties perseverance to divine empowerment. Believers “work out” their salvation because God is “at work” in them to will and act for His pleasure. Persistent prayer is the channel through which this cooperation takes place. The Spirit works while we pray.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, Ephesians 3:20

Philippians 3 centers the believer on Christ Himself. Paul rejects self-confidence and presses toward knowing Christ, gaining Christ, and becoming like Christ in His death and resurrection (Philippians 3:7–11). Persistent prayer grows out of this ambition. It is the forward lean of a life that wants Christ above comfort.

As Jesus said, "The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field." Matthew 13:44-46

Rejoice in the Lord
“Rejoice in the Lord” is not sentiment. It is spiritual orientation. Paul says it three times:

• Philippians 3:1: “Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.”
• Philippians 4:4: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
• Philippians 4:10: “I rejoiced in the Lord greatly.”

The location matters. Joy is “in the Lord,” not in circumstance. Paul is in prison, uncertain of life or death. Yet he sees the advance of the gospel (1:12–18), the partnership of believers (1:5), the hope of resurrection (3:20–21), and the presence of the Lord who is “near” (4:5). This vision produces joy that does not depend on outcomes.

Rejoicing anchors prayer. Philippians 4:6–7 commands, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” Thanksgiving is joy expressed. Joy and prayer work together to replace anxiety with peace that “guards” the heart and mind. Persistent, Spirit-led prayer becomes the ongoing practice of rejoicing in the Lord instead of rehearsing fear.

Practicing the presence of God (Philippians 4:6-8)

Rejoice in the Lord and Hebrews 12

• Hebrews 12:1–2 describes Jesus “for the joy set before him” enduring the cross, scorning its shame, and sitting at the right hand of God. Paul echoes this pattern throughout Philippians.
• Philippians 2:5–11 presents Christ’s humility and obedience unto death, followed by His exaltation. This is the same movement Hebrews 12 describes. Christ endured suffering because He saw the joy ahead. (as does everyone is Hebrews 11, "By faith we understand that the entire universe was formed at God’s command, that what we now see did not come from anything that can be seen." Heb 11:3)
• Philippians 3:10–14 shows Paul living the same pattern. He wants to know Christ, the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings. He presses on “for the prize” set before him. His persistence mirrors Christ’s endurance.
• Philippians 4:13 reinforces this dependence. Paul can endure all circumstances “through him who strengthens me.” The same Spirit who empowered Christ’s endurance empowers the believer’s persistence.

Prayer as Frontline Communication
Prayer is not retreat. It is battlefield communication with the Commander who directs movements, supplies strength, and gives timely intelligence. Psalm 18:6 says, “In my distress I called upon the Lord… my cry reached His ears,” which reflects direct, immediate access. Hebrews 4:16 commands bold approach to the throne of grace for “help in time of need.” First Thessalonians 5:17’s “pray without ceasing” mirrors a radio kept open in active combat. This prevents spiritual isolation and enables real-time response under fire.

“Someone is Home” Theology of Prayer
Prayer rests on the truth that God is attentive, present, and responsive. Psalm 34:15 says, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry.” Isaiah 65:24 reinforces, “Before they call I will answer; while they are yet speaking I will hear.” Jesus models this confidence in John 11:41–42: “Father, I thank You that You have heard me. I knew that You always hear me.” First Peter 5:7 adds the invitation, “Cast all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you.” Prayer assumes Someone is listening and ready to act.

Biblical Prayer Warriors and Results

Epaphras: The Prayer Warrior (Colossians 4:12) and Results (Colossians 1:3-8)

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Christian life sustained by awe, glory of Jesus glorified in you, you in Him (2 Thes 1:1–12)

Loved Tim Keller's take on the good news of judgement day in his sermon Marveling at Jesus. This is a topic my brother and I often wressle over, how people going to eternal destruction could be justice. 

"Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy,

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers and sisters, as is only fitting, because your faith is increasing abundantly, and the love of each and every one of you toward one another grows ever greater. As a result, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you indeed are suffering. For after all it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted, along with us, when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God, and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified among His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—because our testimony to you was believed. To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will consider you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, in accordance with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Thessalonians 1:1–12

In the sermon Keller gives an illustration of a light bulb. Because the filament is encapsulated, air tight bulb, when electricity goes through it lights up but doesn't go out (Ex 3:2 not consumed by fire). This illustrates "Jesus glorified in you, you in Him." The sermon had another great point that everyone who honestly turns to the Lord is received. The only person who honestly turned to the Lord throughout all time and was rejected was Jesus on the cross, "my God why have you forsaken me." - this is hell. "These people will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,"

Keller centers on Paul’s vision of Christ returning “to be glorified… and marveled at” by believers, and Paul’s prayer that God would make us worthy of that calling. 

Big idea: The Christian life is sustained by awe, seeing the beauty and glory of Jesus, especially amid pressure and pain. On the last day, every believer will marvel; the call is to begin marveling now. 

Why it matters:

• Suffering reinterpreted: Present afflictions don’t mean God’s absence; they are the context in which faith grows and love increases.  
• Justice assured: God will set things right relief for the oppressed; judgment for persistent evil so we endure without bitterness. 
• Glory anticipated: The endgame is mutual glory Christ glorified in his people, and his people glorified in him. Awe fuels holiness. 

How to live it (Paul’s prayer → our practice):

Pray toward worthiness: Ask God to “fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.” Make obedience beautiful, not begrudging. 

Pursue awe, not just duty: Regularly contemplate Christ’s character and work so worship, not willpower, drives change. (Keller’s through-line across the sermon.) 

"Marvel at Jesus now, and you’ll have strength to endure, love to give, and a life that points to his coming glory."

Another happy note this week, I learned my friend Prasad was baptized this month. 

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Threads of the inner veil (unrebuked self-life, self-sins), true rending should be excruciating

"Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning." -Hosea 6:3

The word "excruciating" originates from the Latin word "excruciatus," meaning "to torture, torment, or rack." This Latin word is derived from "crux," which means "cross," and refers to the suffering endured during crucifixion. The word "excruciating" itself first appeared in English around the mid-1600s. 

In The Pursuit of God, A.W. Tozer talks about the "threads out of which this inner veil is woven."

It is woven of the fine threads of the self-life, the hyphenated sins of the human spirit. They are not something we do, they are something we are, and therein lies both their subtlety and their power.

To be specific, the self-sins are these: self-righteousness, self-pity, self-confidence, self-sufficiency, self-admiration, self-love and a host of others like them. They dwell too deep within us and are too much a part of our natures to come to our attention till the light of God is focused upon them. The grosser manifestations of these sins, egotism, exhibitionism, self-promotion, are strangely tolerated in Christian leaders even in circles of impeccable orthodoxy. They are so much in evidence as actually, for many people, to become identified with the gospel... (wowza! sounds like me Anointed Enthusiasm, "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (John 6:63 ESV)" We are God's instruments, not God's conduits

One should suppose that proper instruction in the doctrines of man's depravity and the necessity for justification through the righteousness of Christ alone would deliver us from the power of the self-sins; but it does not work out that way. Self can live unrebuked[Pg 46] at the very altar. It can watch the bleeding Victim die and not be in the least affected by what it sees...

Self is the opaque veil that hides the Face of God from us. It can be removed only in spiritual experience, never by mere instruction. As well try to instruct leprosy out of our system. There must be a work of God in destruction before we are free. We must invite the cross to do its deadly work within us. We must bring our self-sins to the cross for judgment. We must prepare ourselves for an ordeal of suffering in some measure like that through which our Saviour passed when He suffered under Pontius Pilate.

Let us remember: when we talk of the rending of the veil we are speaking in a figure, and the thought of it is poetical, almost pleasant; but in actuality there is nothing pleasant about it. In human experience that veil is made of living spiritual tissue; it is composed of the sentient, quivering stuff of which our whole beings consist, and to touch it is to touch us where we feel pain. To tear it away is to injure us, to hurt us and make us bleed. To say otherwise is to make the cross no cross[Pg 47] and death no death at all. It is never fun to die. To rip through the dear and tender stuff of which life is made can never be anything but deeply painful. Yet that is what the cross did to Jesus and it is what the cross would do to every man to set him free.

Let us beware of tinkering with our inner life in hope ourselves to rend the veil. God must do everything for us. Our part is to yield and trust. We must confess, forsake, repudiate the self-life, and then reckon it crucified. But we must be careful to distinguish lazy "acceptance" from the real work of God. We must insist upon the work being done. We dare not rest content with a neat doctrine of self-crucifixion. That is to imitate Saul and spare the best of the sheep and the oxen.

Insist that the work be done in very truth and it will be done. The cross is rough, and it is deadly, but it is effective. It does not keep its victim hanging there forever. There comes a moment when its work is finished and the suffering victim dies. After that is resurrection glory and power, and the pain is forgotten for joy that the veil is taken away and we have entered in actual spiritual experience the Presence of the living God.

Lord, how excellent are Thy ways, and how devious and dark are the ways of man. Show us how to die, that we may rise again to newness of life. Rend the veil of our self-life from the top down as Thou[Pg 48] didst rend the veil of the Temple. We would draw near in full assurance of faith. We would dwell with Thee in daily experience here on this earth so that we may be accustomed to the glory when we enter Thy heaven to dwell with Thee there. In Jesus' name, Amen. - AWTozer

Doctrine: Humanity tied to the Romans road. 

• Image bearers of God, uniquely given a spirit for relationally bear fruit, rule and subdue. Yet all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. 
• Distinct from other created beings. God proves his own love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us
• God's representatives. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord
• Made for fellowship with God, everlasting friendship. "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved" 

Lord I lay me down, I'm not my own - I belong to you along, lay me down, lay me down. Hand on my heart this much is true, There's no life apart from you...Letting go of my pride, Giving up all my rights, Take this life and let it shine...It will be my joy to say, Your will, Your way!

Faith in Jesus is my response to his Spirit speaking to me (Genesis 8:20; 9:9; Hebrews 11:7)

Take off your sandals and put on the Gospel of Peace

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Active obedience, consecrated, holy (heart, soul, body) Leviticus 20:8

Obey my laws, observe them, and live by them. I am the LORD who sets you apart as holy. Keep my decrees, statutes and follow them, by putting them into practice, do them, practice them, perform them. I am the LORD, who makes you holy, sanctifies you. I have chosen you as my people, and I expect you to obey my laws. Obey my laws, because I am the LORD and I make you holy. Lev 20:8

• Leviticus 11:44-45 For I am the LORD your God; consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, because I am holy. You must not defile yourselves by any creature that crawls along the ground. / For I am the LORD, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt so that I would be your God; therefore be holy, because I am holy.
• Leviticus 19:2 “Speak to the whole congregation of Israel and tell them: Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy.
• Leviticus 22:31-33 You are to keep My commandments and practice them. I am the LORD. / You must not profane My holy name. I must be acknowledged as holy among the Israelites. I am the LORD who sanctifies you, / who brought you out of the land of Egypt to be your God. I am the LORD.”

for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:13

Offer ourselves as a living sacrifice (Romans 12:1-5), our heart is refreshed and our mind is renewed. This prepares our soul to test and approve God's perfect and pleasing will in our lives. Keeping a humble mindset as we are as fragile as jars of clay. Let the word of Christ dwell within, shape me an mold me, and place me where you will. 

• Romans 6:19: I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to escalating wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
• Romans 12:1: Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
• Hebrews 12:14 Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.

We are grafted into Israel. Romans 11:17-24, uses the metaphor of grafting trees to illustrate God's relationship with Israel and the Gentile church. It portrays Gentiles being "grafted" into the "olive tree" of Israel, representing God's covenant people, while some natural branches (representing disobedient Israelites) were broken off. This signifies the Gentiles' inclusion in God's blessings through faith in Christ, mirroring the practice of grafting where a branch from one tree is joined to another. 

• Exodus 31:13: “Tell the Israelites, ‘Surely you must keep My Sabbaths, for this will be a sign between Me and you for the generations to come, so that you may know that I am the LORD who sanctifies you.
• Deuteronomy 7:6 For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.
• Deuteronomy 28:9 The LORD will establish you as His holy people, just as He has sworn to you, if you keep the commandments of the LORD your God and walk in His ways.

It wasn’t so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, easy marks for sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing; we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior Jesus poured out new life so generously. God’s gift has restored our relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there’s more life to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this.

I want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless, pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code. That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then be done with him. It’s obvious that such a person is out of line, rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself off. Titus 3:3-11 MSG

• 1 Peter 1:15-16 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, / for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
• 1 Thessalonians 4:7 For God has not called us to impurity, but to holiness.
• 1 Corinthians 1:2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their Lord and ours:
• 1 Corinthians 6:11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
• 2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, beloved, since we have these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from everything that defiles body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
• Ephesians 1:4: For He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless in His presence. In love

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We pray to God in the presence of people, not to people (Heb 12:22-25, Matt 6:5-8)

"...you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to countless thousands of angels in a joyful gathering. You have come to the assembly of God’s firstborn children, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God himself, who is the judge over all things. You have come to the spirits of the righteous ones in heaven who have now been made perfect. You have come to Jesus, the one who mediates the new covenant between God and people, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks of forgiveness instead of crying out for vengeance like the blood of Abel. Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking..." Heb 12:22-25

"When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. When you pray, don’t babble on and on as the Gentiles do. They think their prayers are answered merely by repeating their words again and again. Don’t be like them, for your Father knows exactly what you need even before you ask him!" Matt 6:5-8

How interesting life is. I've just turned 50 and have been thinking about God promises obeying Sabbath and Jubilee years bring blessings. Last year was a personal year of Jubilee (7x7=49) (Days of Elijah) yet I've found my heart has been holding God's decrees with contempt, through arrogant disobedience. Lev 26:14-46, woe to me, Lord forgive me and help me to renounce my pride - help me to see clearly and walk in your ways in spirit and truth. Help me to pray and not give up, knowing you see everything. I surrender my contemptuous attitude toward you, myself, and others. 

Sensing God's pleasure motivates our devotion

Repentance proclaimed, Holy Spirit reveals Jesus the Messiah in baptism (Matthew 3)

Repentance: Turning From Sin and Turning to God

Knowledge of SIN cultivates a conscience and heart for God

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Wisdom comes from being sensitive to God's character (Jer 10)

 Jer 10-12

key verse

"The shepherds of my people have lost their senses. They no longer seek wisdom from the Lord. Therefore, they fail completely, and their flocks are scattered." Jer 10:21

AIM: We need the living God who created everything to give us wisdom

A) People look passed God at stars, or look at what they hold

10:1-5) LORD, "Don't read into stars, predictions, idol makers, like scarecrows"

6-7) No one like LORD, king of nations, holy, wise

8-9) idol worshipers foolish, expensive dolls

B) God is everything we need and available right now

10) LORD is only true, living God, everlasting King

11-16) LORD is Creator, power, preserves by wisdom, understanding, causes weather, destroys idols

17-22) siege, trouble, driven out, My wound-grief, unbearable, children gone, shepherds senseless, no longer seek wisdom from LORD, fail completely, destroyed

• Seek the Lord while he may be found, call on Him while He is near. Forsake your wicked way, your unrighteous thoughts, return to the LORD - My thoughts, not your thoughts, my way, not your way (Isaiah 55:6-8). 
• He desires truth in our inmost being and teaches wisdom there (Psalm 51:6). The LORD gives wisdom, His mouth come knowledge and understanding (Proverbs 2:6). I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me (Proverbs 8:17). 
• Perseverance, maturity and completeness. God gives wisdom generously to those who ask in faith, Ask God for wisdom (James 1:4-6). Give me an "understanding heart to judge and discern between good and evil, govern Your people (1 Kings 3:9).
• Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). In all your ways acknowledge Him, He will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:6). 
• Desire wisdom with all of your heart (Proverbs 2:3-5 ). Study and learn God's Word (Psalm 19:7 ). The more you devote yourself to God's Holy Word, the more you open yourself up to the greatest wisdom in the universe.

23-25) Our lives not our own, I submit to your will, correct me gently, let your wrath be on those who refuse to acknowledge you, don't call on your name, removed people making land desolate

• Refuse to acknowledge: Pride, worldview that dismisses miracles (i.e. science, variation "we don't understand")
• God has clearly revealed Himself in nature (Romans 1:20) and in the hearts of people (Ecclesiastes 3:11). The problem is that the human race is sinful; we all reject this knowledge of God and rebel against Him (Romans 1:21-23). If it were not for God’s grace, we would be given over to the sinful desires of our hearts, allowing us to discover how useless and miserable life is apart from Him. He does this for those who continually reject Him (Romans 1:24-32)
• Six theological flaws (God and ourselves)
  
• Analogies of what the Bible is
  
• Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)
  

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90 day quick plan

Reading The Daily Edge: Simple Strategies to Increase Efficiency and Make an Impact Every Day
Find an area in your life you want to change, creating this plan should take less than 30 minutes to complete.

1. What does the ideal me look like? Think about your best day. How do you feel? What character traits does the ideal you possess in abundance? How does the ideal person help other people? What kind of impact do I want to make? What do I want people to remember me by?

2. Where am I? Examples; where am I with my health? Where am I with my kids? Where am I in comparison to my expected results? Find an objective way to measure where you are, in health it could be your weight or calorie intake. In relationships, ask the person to provide a rating from 1 (not even close) to 10 (consistently there).

3. Where am I going in 90 days? Write a clear, quantifiable goal? Think about the number above, where will it be in 90 days?

4. Why am I going? If the why is strong enough, the plan doesn't need to be perfect. If a building is on fire and my kids are there I don't need to know all the details, I'm going it.

5. How am I going to get there? Ask How? Keep asking How until you commit to taking specific actions.

6. How am I going to get there?

7. How am I going to get there?

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All sin is first against God, only God can make it right and change us

From Bsfinternational.org notes (https://resc.mybsf.org/PPL1_AdNotes_14_062018.pdf)

All sin is first against God. Saul confessed his wrong toward David but never acknowledged his rebellion against God.42 Saul’s life kept moving away from God. As believers struggle with sin, their lives ultimately move Christward.43 When the struggle is hard, remember: God has committed Himself to making each of His children like Jesus.44 If God is your Father,45 He will bring you safe to heaven.46 Ask Him for courage to allow His Word and Spirit to examine47 and change you.48
41: Confession: Psalm 51:1-10, 17
42: Saul’s rebellion: 1 Samuel 15:22-30
43: Believers’ struggle: Psalms 32; 41:4; 51; Romans 7:1-8:17; 1 John 1:5-9
44: Like Jesus: Romans 8:29; 1 John 3:1-3
45: God’s children: Matthew 6; John 1:12-13; 1 John 2:15-16,23-24
46: Eternal security: John10:27-30; Philippians 1:6;1 Thessalonians 5:24
47: Sin exposed: Psalms 19:7-11;139:23-24; John 16:8
48: Transformed: Romans 12:1-2;Philippians 2:12-13

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How does being in Christ, set us free from sin?

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death...And he (Jesus) who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. ...Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Romans 8:1-2,27,34 NIV

•  My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God (Job 16:20), while Job's life is caving in (Job 16:1-17) he sees Christ through heartfelt tears and prayer (Job 16:18-21)
• The Anointed One, Messiah was prophesied to make intercession for the transgressors (Isaiah 53:12), having poured out his life unto death - he bore the sins of many
• Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
• The ascended Christ enter heaven and now appears for us in God's presence (Hebrews 9:24)
• Christ's love and faithfulness atoned for our sin, we avoid evil through fear of the LORD (Proverbs 16:6), but if we do sin, we have an advocate with the Father - Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1)

Thank you Lord for buying my freedom and giving me new life. Let me use my life for good, helping others in your name (Matthew 25:34-36). I make plans and pursue goals but it's you who established my steps (Proverbs 16:9). Teach me to number my days, give me a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). Thank you for my family, friends, and acquaintances who have died, showing the brevity of life (Psalm 39:4), thank you for the pains in my own body showing me how fragile my own life is, yet all that you've given me to do will be accomplished in your perfect time (Psalm 139:16, Eph 2:10).

In Christ, I am a new creation. Free to live righteously, giving my life for the benefit of others, to the glory of God. 

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Trust in the Lord with all your heart...submit to him (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

    and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him,

    and he will make your paths straight. - Proverbs 3:5-6

A) Everyone can gain wisdom, but not all do because fear of the Lord is required
(Proverbs 1:1-7) All people can use Proverbs for instruction, insight and prudent behavior - Fear the Lord is the beginning
(8-19) Listen to mom and dad, sinful men entice you to steal, kill and destroy - don't give in, they ambush themselves, ill-gotten gain takes away the life of those who get it
(20-33) Wisdom calls to all, "simple, mockers, fools - repent! I will make my teaching known to you" - hear when I call, if not when you call I won't answer

B) Wisdom comes from God,  guides us when trusted in our heart
(Proverbs 2:1-22) Accept wisdom inside yourself from the LORD, for protection and salvation from wicked men and women - paths of the righteous
(Proverbs 3:1-6) Memorize in your heart my teaching: peace, prosperity, love, faithfulness - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (3:5-6)

•  Application: Trusting is submitting, follow-through on the plan and your path will be straight. How have I encountered this truth or the opposite of it? When have I known the right thing to do, yet done the opposite? I think of times when I've boasted about proud intentions, yet failed to follow thorugh. James 4:16-17 reminds us this is a sin (the source of guilt John 9:41, shame Luke 12:47 and personal disturbance 2 Peter 2:21). Trusting and submitting to God requires a conscious, daily action on our part. I'm reminded of Romans 12:1-2, in view of God's mercy, submit yourself to him as a living sacrifice and Hebrews 3:12-14 about helping one another today to hold firmly to the faith in the living God, Jesus Christ.

(7-12) don't be wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD, shun evil - Honor the LORD with your wealth, yours will overflow. Lord disciplines those he loves
(13-18) Blessing comes to those who find wisom, understanding; riches, long life, pleasant ways, path of peace: She is the tree of life those who hold fast will be blessed

• Application: See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original conviction firmly to the very end. -Hebrews 3:12-14 
• We were taught to put off the former way of life that is actively corrupted by deceitful desires (Eph 4:22)
• Let us consider how to spur on another on to love and good deeds (Hebrews 10:24)
• Not neglecting to meet together but to encourage on another all the more as the Day approaches (Heb 10:25)

(19-20) By wisdom, the Lord created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1)

(21-26) We need to keep wisdom front and center and all around for judgment, discretion, understanding, safety, rest, avoid disaster/ruin - Lord will be with us.

(27-31) don't withhold good from those due when we have power to act - today, don't plot evil, accuse without reason, ency the violent

(32-35) Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence, Lord's curse on wicked, blesses home of righteous, Lord mocks mockers, shows favor to humble and oppressed, wise honor, fools shame

• Application: Truths reiterated in James 4:16-17 do what the Lord says and it will go well with you, all else is sin that leads to shame and being "beaten" (Luke 12:47) and personal disturbance (2 Peter 2:21).

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Judging people in love, according to the faith

Jesus said judge not lest ye be judged , as we judge so we will be judged (Matt 7:1-5). Luke 6:37 expands this teaching of Jesus with "Forgive and you will be forgiven" both passages warn us about judgement that condemns, is usually something we don't like in ourselves (the log in our eye Luke 6:41). Jesus illustrates this with the towns people who would stone the woman caught in the act of adultery. Jesus said, "whoever is without sin among you, let him be the first to cast a stone at her (John 8:7)". Jesus tells us remove the log in our eye, then we'll see clearly to remove the speck from our brother's eye (Matt 7:5)". The world passes judgement to condemn but the church passes judgement from within to restore.

AIM: Sin in our lives, in our church needs to be confronted and removed so the little ones can be restored

First remove the sin from within yourself
Regarding Matthew 7:1, I found biblehub.com shows the Matthew Henry Commentary, "We must judge ourselves, and judge of our own acts, but not make our word a law to everybody. We must not judge rashly, nor pass judgment upon our brother without any ground. " I've often heard people say, "the prayers of a righteous man are powerful and effective." however this is only the second half of James 5:16 which says, "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective." This is a clear teaching of how and why the church meets together in small groups, so that we can share our convictions as illuminated by the Holy Spirit in context of the Bible and our own lives. We also hear other believers sharing in the same way so we can pray for each other so that healing can occur.
Matthew Henry Commentary says, "To acknowledge our faults to each other, will tend greatly to peace and brotherly love. And when a righteous person, a true believer, justified in Christ, and by his grace walking before God in holy obedience, presents an effectual fervent prayer, wrought in his heart by the power of the Holy Spirit, raising holy affections and believing expectations and so leading earnestly to plead the promises of God at his mercy-seat, it avails much. " On a side note when ever you see a "Therefore" in scripture you should always back up and see what it's there for James 5:12-18 gives context.

Confession of personal sins

• Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Matthew 3:6)
• Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. (Mark 1:5)
• Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. (Acts 19:18)

Righteous people having powerful and effective prayer

• We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He does listen to the one who worships Him and does His will. (John 9:31)
• Abraham prayed to God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife and his maids, so that they bore children. (Genesis 20:17), Abraham's faith is explained as obedient to God's call on his life and legacy, confidently looking forward to "a city with eternal foundations, designed and built by God" (Hebrews 11:8-10). Abraham is the father of our faith (as well as Judaism and Islam Genesis 17:3-6).
• So the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people. (2 Chronicles 30:20), Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel (2 Kings 18:5), the Lord was with him and he was successful in everything he did (2 Kings 18:7). Hezekiah is in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:9-10)
• My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has (Job 42:8). This is beautiful truth for our church and people we love. Looking back at my life I can see how I was spared because of another intercession on my behalf. When I was not walking with God but against him; God heard the prayers of others and I was saved. This truth is also found in Luke 22:31-32, Jesus prayed for Peter. Peter's folly was to think his faith was fine Luke 22:33, but Jesus then explained it wasn't (Luke 22:34). Luke 22 shows us both Judas and Peter betrayed Jesus but Jesus prayed for Peter and while Judas killed himself (Matthew 27:1-5), Peter repented saying "Lord, I love you" and accepted the call to "feed my sheep" (John 21:1-19) - but we notice the repetition of Jesus asking Peter "do you love me" three times (John 21:17) - this hurt Peter as I'm sure he was remembering his own sin of deny Jesus three times earlier (Luke 22:54-62). 
• Jesus has prayed for all Believers (John 17:20-26), who believe through the message of the apostles for perfect unity so that the world will know that Jesus is from God who loves the world as revealed in Jesus through the Holy Spirit and his word (John 3 and 14-16).

Sin within the Church like cancer (hurting the little ones)
From the article To Judge or Not to Judge? on Grace to You says, "A church that does not discipline a sinning member is like a person who has good reason to believe he has cancer but who refuses to go to a doctor—because he either does not want to face the problem or does not want to face the treatment. If he waits too long his whole body will be permeated with the disease and it will be too late for treatment to do any good. No church is healthy enough to resist contamination from persistent sin in its midst, any more than the healthiest and most nutritious bushel of apples can withstand contamination from even a single bad one. The only solution in both cases is separation."

Matthew 18 starts with disciples asking "who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?" and Jesus answered unless you turn from your sins and become like little children you will never get into the Kingdom of Heaven, so anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. (Matthew 18:1-4). Jesus then says, if any causes one of these little ones who trust in me to fall into sin they would be better off drowned in the depths of the sea (Matthew 18:5-6). Sorrow awaits the world, because it tempts people to sin. Temptations are inevitable, but sorrow awaits the person who does the tempting (Matthew 18:7).

The church is the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:27; Romans 12:4-5; Colossians 1:18) and there is cause for separation from within the body. Regarding those who do the tempting that causes a little one who trust in Jesus to sin, it's better to cut them out even if they are as precious as a hand or an eye (Matthew 18:8-9).

Now Jesus goes into the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Matthew 18:12-14) explaining that it is not God's will that even one of these little ones should perish. Jesus said, "Temptations are inevitable" (Matthew 18:7), a sheep will wonder off and yet God pursues that little one like the good Shepard he is (Psalm 23:1-6). He is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2) and he that began the work is faithful to complete it (Philippians 1:6).

Jesus teaches how to correct another believer who sins
Go privately and point out the offense. If the person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. If that doesn't work, take one or two others with you and go back again so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If they refuse to listen take your case to the church and if he or she won't accept the church's decision, treat that person as an unbeliever/heathen/pagan/Gentile/tax collector (Matthew 18:15-17). Forbid and permit on earth as it is in heaven, in unity and agreement as followers of Jesus (Matthew 6:10; 18:18-19). This is exactly what James 5:16 is talking about.

As we judge ourselves and others in the church, we must forgive according to the faith
Jesus continues the discussion with his disciples about "who will be the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" with the parable of the Unforgiving Debtor (Matthew 18:21-35). Forgive 70 times more than you think is the most gracious you can show forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22).

The parable shows a man forgiven of a debt that couldn't be paid who doesn't forgive a small offence from a person begging for mercy. Jesus concludes parable, "When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.

“That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” - Matthew 18:31-35

Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed
When Jesus Prays for Your Faith
Body Of Christ, The Church
What does it mean that Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2)?

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Jesus emphasizes repentance for Pergamum, Thyatira and Sardis

Revelation 2:12-3:6

AIM: Consecration is our obedience in Sanctification

A) Jesus, the word and light of correction
(12) To angel/messenger of church of Pergamum, from Jesus-with two edge sword (Hebrews 4:12; Psalm 149:6; Isaiah 49:2; Jeremiah 23:29)
(13) "I know you live in city of Satan, yet remain loyal to me, refused to deny me even when Antipas witnessed and martyred
(14-15) But complaints, tolerate among you teaching like Balaam, who showed Balak how to tirp up Israel. Teaching to sin with food offered to idols, committing sexual sin. Nicolaitans follow same teaching.
(16) Repent of your sin or I will fight them with the sword of my mouth ( 2 Tim 3:16-17)
(17) Anyone with ears must listen to the Spirit and understand what he is saying, victorious I'll give manna that's hidden away in heaven AND white stone, engraved new name understood only by one who receives it
(18) To angel/messenger of church Thyatira, from Jesus Son of God-eyes like flames, feet like polished bronze (Rev 1:14; 19:12; Daniel 1:6; Matthew 5:16; John 15:8; 1 Peter 2:12)
(19) "I know, seen love, faith, service, patient endurance, constant improvement in all
(20-21) But complaints, permitting Jezebel self called prophet to lead servants astray with sexual sin, food to idols. She's given time to repent but doesn't want to turn from immorality
(22) "I will throw her on a bed of suffering AND those who commit adultery will suffer unless they repent, turn away from Her evil deeds
(23) "I will strike her children dead, all churches will know I am the one who searches thoughts, intentions of every person-giving whatever you deserve
Principle: Permitting false teaching in the church leads ourselves and others astray. The way against teaching is the word of God and the light of Christ.
Application: God searches my heart for wrong, immoral teaching and I ask Him to remove it from me (Psalm 139:1,23-24) and give me the courage to not permit false teaching in my church family.

B) Jesus gives authority to obedient victors.
(24-25) To faithful of Thyatira, (not followed false/"deeper truths") I ask nothing more-hold tightly to what you have until I come
(26-27) Victorious obey me to the very end, "I give authority over all nations, rule with an iron rod, smash like clay pots
(28) They will have the same authority I received from my Father, I will give them the morning star!
(29) Anyone with ears must listen to the Spirit, understand what he is saying to the churches
Application: What needs to change in my life this week to count me as obedient? What "deeper truths" am I  following? What will I do to separate myself from that teaching?

C) Jesus, Holy Spirit holds messengers; repent believe as you did at first

(3:1) Angel/messenger of church Sardis, from Jesus, has the sevenfold Spirit of God & the seven stars

(1b-2) “I know all, reputation being alive-but dead. Wake up, strengthen what remains, the action doesn’t meet the requirements of my God

(3) Go back to what you heard, believed first, repent or I’ll come suddenly/unexpected

(4) Some have not soiled their clothes with evil, will walk with me, worthy

(5) Victorious will be clothed in white, never erase names from Book of Life, announce before my Father, his angels they are mine

(6) Anyone must listen to the Spirit and understand, saying to churches

Application: For an audience of One, not others. How can I know my ministry is meeting the requirements of God if not by prayer and His word?

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