Front doors, our assumptions and how to have a KNOCK mindset

Everyone puts up a front door, some are welcoming, some are scary, some are utilitarian. Connection primer helps leaders first learn the biblical mindset, observe a model conversation, practice one-on-one across perceived differences, and receive specific coaching. The desired outcome is not simply understanding welcome. It is demonstrating curiosity, dignity, mutuality, and continued connection.

Connection Primer: Tell, Show, Let, Coach

Session outcome

By the end of the session, each leader will be able to:

• Recognize assumptions created by appearances.
• Approach someone without pity, envy, favoritism, or superiority.
• Conduct a one-on-one conversation using the KNOCK mindset.
• Identify something to receive from the other person.
• Make a specific commitment to continue the relationship.

Ask:

“If these doors represented people, which would you approach first? Which would you avoid? What story have you already created about the person behind each door?”

Explain:

“The doors represent how people show up, not what they are worth. We naturally rank people by appearance, condition, influence, education, confidence, and usefulness. The gospel teaches us to cross the sidewalk without ranking the person behind the door.”

Biblical foundation

James 1:9–11: Status is reversed

• The person in humble circumstances has a high position in Christ.
• The wealthy person must remember their low position before God.
• Visible circumstances are real, but they do not determine eternal worth.
• Both people need an identity that circumstances cannot provide.

Romans 5:8: Love initiates

“While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Christ did not wait for us to become presentable before moving toward us.

Romans 15:7: Welcome reproduces grace

“Welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.”

We extend the kind of welcome we have already received.

Define belonging before belief

“Belonging before belief means relational welcome before agreement. It does not mean agreement is unnecessary, truth is unimportant, or boundaries disappear. It means dignity, attention, and relationship are not rewards people must earn by becoming like us.”

Teach the KNOCK mindset

• K: Kill the ranking. Place neither person above the other.
• N: Notice assumptions. Separate what you know from what you inferred.
• O: Offer welcome. Communicate interest without requiring performance.
• C: Come ready to receive. Believe the other person carries something you need.
• K: Keep showing up. Move from a pleasant encounter to a continuing relationship.

Show Model conversation

Leader:
“Thanks for taking a few minutes with me. I realized that I know what you do, but I do not know much about what has shaped you. What has been significant in your life recently?”

Other person:
“Most people assume everything is going well. Work has gone well, but caring for my father has been difficult.”

Leader:
“I would not have known that. What has that season been teaching you?”

Other person:
“It has been teaching me that I cannot control everything. I have had to ask for help.”

Leader:
“That challenges an assumption I had. I thought you were probably the person everyone else depended on. What kind of support would be meaningful to you?”

Other person:
“Honestly, having someone check in without asking me to solve another problem would help.”

Leader:
“I can do that. I would also like to learn more about what you are discovering. Would it be all right if I checked in next week?”
Observation questions


Ask the group:

• Where did the leader avoid ranking?
• What assumption was corrected?
• Which question invited honesty?
• What did the leader receive?
• How did the conversation create a next step?

Behaviors to notice

Mindset ->Observable behavior

• Kill the ranking -> Speaks as an equal
• Notice assumptions -> Admits an incomplete perception
• Offer welcome -> Expresses sincere interest
• Come ready to receive -> Asks what the experience is teaching
• Keep showing up -> Establishes a specific follow-up

3. Let: Practice one-on-one

Time: 10 minutes
Purpose: Let leaders exercise the mindset together in a real conversation.

Pair leaders with someone they know less well. If possible, pair people who differ in age, personality, professional background, culture, life stage, or visible circumstances.

 

Step 1: Name the door

Before beginning, each person privately selects the door that best represents how they currently feel they are showing up. They may explain their choice, but they are not required to disclose anything they wish to keep private.

Step 2: Begin with curiosity

The initiating leader may use one of these questions:
“What is something people might assume about you that is incomplete?”
“What experience is shaping you right now?”
“Where have you experienced unexpected encouragement?”
“What is God teaching you through your present circumstances?”
“What do you wish people would ask instead of assuming?”
“What strength has God developed in you that others may not immediately see?”

Step 3: Listen for the gift

The initiator must identify something they can receive from the other person:
Wisdom
Perspective
Encouragement
Correction
Experience
Prayer
A different way of seeing the situation

This keeps the conversation reciprocal. The other person is not treated as a problem, project, or ministry assignment.

Step 4: Reflect what you heard

Use this pattern:


“What I hear you saying is…”
“Something I respect in your story is…”
“Something I can learn from you is…”

The other person may clarify or correct the reflection.

Step 5: Create a next step

Close with one question:

“What would meaningful connection after today look like?”

Possible next steps include:

• A follow-up conversation
• A prayer check-in
• Sharing a meal
• Attending something important to the person
• Introducing them to another leader
• Serving together
• Practice boundaries

Leaders should not:

• Give advice unless it is requested.
• Correct theology during the exercise.
• Compare the story to their own too quickly.
• Ask for traumatic details.
• Promise confidentiality they cannot maintain.
• Turn the conversation into recruitment or problem-solving.

4. Coach: Reflect and improve

Time: 3 minute
Purpose: Convert experience into repeatable leadership behavior.

Partners first coach each other using the following questions.
Peer-coaching questions

• When did you feel most heard?
• Which question helped you open up?
• Did anything feel assumed, rushed, or overly directive?
• Did the conversation feel mutual?
• What should the leader repeat?
• What is one adjustment that would improve the next conversation?

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Helping through intercession, celebrating the gospel invitation of faith (Romans 1:8-15)

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is being reported all over the world. God, whom I serve in my spirit in preaching the gospel of his Son, is my witness how constantly I remember you in my prayers at all times; and I pray that now at last by God’s will the way may be opened for me to come to you.

I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong— that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that I planned many times to come to you (but have been prevented from doing so until now) in order that I might have a harvest among you, just as I have had among the other Gentiles.

I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. Romans 1:8-15

Intercession in Romans is God-centered participation in the lives of others. The Holy Spirit intercedes within believers when words fail, Christ intercedes for believers before God, and Christians intercede for one another through earnest prayer. Paul presents prayer not as solitary effort, but as participation in the continuing ministry of the Spirit and the Son. When we pray for others we are joining Christ in his eternal work (Heb 7:25). 

Passage	Intercessor	Focus
Romans 1:9–10	Paul	Prays continually for the Roman believers and for an opportunity to visit them
Romans 8:26–27	Holy Spirit	Helps believers in weakness and intercedes when they do not know what to pray
Romans 8:34	Jesus Christ	Intercedes for believers at God’s right hand
Romans 10:1	Paul	Prays earnestly for Israel’s salvation
Romans 11:2	Elijah	A negative contrast: Elijah appeals to God against Israel
Romans 15:30–32	Roman believers	Asked to struggle alongside Paul in prayer for protection and fruitful ministry

Romans reveals three dimensions of intercession:

1. Divine intercession
   • The Spirit works within believers.
   • Christ represents believers before the Father.
   • Christian confidence rests on God’s activity, not the quality of our words.
2. Missional intercession
   • Paul prays for people to be saved.
   • He requests prayer for protection, acceptance of his ministry, and future service.
   • Intercession advances God’s mission through human dependence.
3. Relational intercession
   • Paul prays for people he has not yet met.
   • He asks the Roman church to “strive together” with him.
   • Prayer makes distant believers active partners in one another’s ministry.

Romans 8:26–27 does not necessarily teach that the Spirit merely gives believers special words. The emphasis is that the Spirit himself intercedes according to God’s will. Our weakness does not prevent effective prayer because God supplies what we lack. 

The movement in Romans is:

Our weakness → the Spirit’s help → Christ’s advocacy → the church’s participation → God’s purposes

Intercession is therefore more than asking God to change circumstances. It is joining God’s concern for people while trusting the Spirit to align our imperfect prayers with God’s will.

Romans also holds together confidence and struggle. Believers can be confident because Christ intercedes for them, yet Paul still describes prayer as strenuous participation. Divine sovereignty does not make prayer unnecessary. It makes prayer hopeful. 

The strongest claim is that intercession begins with God. Romans 8 places both the Spirit and Christ between human weakness and every possible accusation or hardship. Paul’s prayer requests then show how this divine ministry becomes a pattern for the church.

A common misunderstanding is that effective intercession requires eloquence, emotional intensity, or certainty about the desired outcome. Romans 8 challenges this assumption. Believers may not know what to pray, but they are still heard and helped. 

A useful Romans-based framework is HELP:

• Humble yourself: Admit that you may not know what should happen.
• Entrust the person to God: Depend on Christ’s advocacy.
• Listen for the Spirit: Allow your desires to be aligned with God’s will.
• Persist together: Invite others to participate through focused prayer.

Intercession is love expressed through dependence. It brings another person’s salvation, suffering, calling, or need before God while surrendering the outcome to his wisdom.

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To be a bugler, using a lifeless instrument, to strengthen the whole church (Romans 10:14-17, 1 Cor 14:6-12)

 A dream more than 10 years old is giving birth. From Money, the power of God's word and dreams, I was reminded that some dreams matter and know when they occur. 

Meditating on 1 Cor 12-14, Ephesians 4, I'm seeing how beginning with the end in mind is better than just doing something. There is a thread I'm seeing throughout the scriptures:

But how can people call for help if they don’t know who to trust? And how can they know who to trust if they haven’t heard of the One who can be trusted? And how can they hear if nobody tells them? And how is anyone going to tell them, unless someone is sent to do it? That’s why Scripture exclaims, A sight to take your breath away! Grand processions of people telling all the good things of God! But not everybody is ready for this, ready to see and hear and act. Isaiah asked what we all ask at one time or another: “Does anyone care, God? Is anyone listening and believing a word of it?” The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to. Romans 10:14-17 MSG (The Message)

Knowing if someone has not heard the Bible involves identifying a lack of familiarity with core biblical figures, stories, and teachings, often stemming from a lack of exposure to preaching or scripture. According to Romans 10:14, faith comes by hearing the gospel, meaning those who have not heard will not have believed or know the message of salvation, Romans 10:14-17

Dear brothers and sisters, if I should come to you speaking in an unknown language, how would that help you? But if I bring you a revelation or some special knowledge or prophecy or teaching, that will be helpful. Even lifeless instruments like the flute or the harp must play the notes clearly, or no one will recognize the melody. And if the bugler doesn’t sound a clear call, how will the soldiers know they are being called to battle?

It’s the same for you. If you speak to people in words they don’t understand, how will they know what you are saying? You might as well be talking into empty space.

There are many different languages in the world, and every language has meaning. But if I don’t understand a language, I will be a foreigner to someone who speaks it, and the one who speaks it will be a foreigner to me. And the same is true for you. Since you are so eager to have the special abilities the Spirit gives, seek those that will strengthen the whole church. 

So anyone who speaks in tongues should pray also for the ability to interpret what has been said. - 1 Cor 14:6-13

Here are ways to identify if someone has not heard the Bible:

• Lack of Knowledge: They may be unfamiliar with key figures like Jesus Christ, Moses, or common bible stories.
• Absence of Faith/Preaching: The primary marker is that they have not had the message of the Gospel preached or explained to them
• Rhetorical Markers: As described in Romans 10:14-17, someone who has not heard is generally someone to whom no one has been sent to preach.
• Cultural Context: In some cases, people may have heard snippets of stories but do not understand their origin or significance. 

While natural revelation (nature/conscience) exists, it is distinct from hearing the specific message of Christ.

https://www.bsfinternational.org/supporting-the-church/

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Biblical Framework of Spiritually Gifted Evangelists

Beyond Philip "the evangelist" (Acts 21:8) and the Ephesians 4:11 framework, the New Testament reveals a broader pattern of evangelistic ministry through figures like Timothy (explicitly charged to "do the work of an evangelist" in 2 Timothy 4:5), Barnabas (whose Spirit-filled ministry added "a great many people" to the Lord in Acts 11:24), Apollos (who "powerfully refuted the Jews in public" proving Christ from Scripture in Acts 18:28), and the seventy-two sent by Christ in Luke 10. The evangelist gift-office appears distinct from the general call to evangelism given to all believers (Acts 8:4), characterized by frontier-crossing proclamation, Spirit-empowered confirmation through signs, bridge-building between diverse groups, and a movement-oriented ministry pattern. These evangelists functioned not in isolation but alongside apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, with the specific purpose of equipping the saints for ministry and building up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:12). The biblical evidence suggests that while all Christians are called to bear witness, Christ gives certain individuals a specialized gift for gospel proclamation that pioneers new territory, establishes initial witness, and trains others in effective evangelistic ministry - a calling marked by divine compulsion (1 Corinthians 9:16) and ambassadorial authority (2 Corinthians 5:20) to reconcile people to God.

Explicitly Identified or Commissioned Evangelists

1. Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5)

• Paul's direct charge: "do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry"
• Context: While Timothy served as a pastor/overseer in Ephesus, Paul specifically exhorted him to maintain evangelistic activity
• Significance: Shows that pastoral and evangelistic roles could overlap, but evangelism needed intentional emphasis even for those in other leadership positions

2. The Seventy-Two (Luke 10:1-24)

• Christ sent them ahead in pairs to "every town and place where he himself was about to go"
• Their commission: proclaim "The kingdom of God has come near to you" (v.9)
• This represents an organized, commissioned evangelistic deployment with specific instructions and authority

Figures Who Functioned as Evangelists

3. Philip's Evangelistic Ministry (Acts 8:4-40)

• While Acts 21:8 names him "the evangelist," Acts 8 shows his work:
  • Proclaimed Christ in Samaria (v.5)
  • Performed signs and wonders validating the message (v.6-7)
  • Responded to Spirit-directed individual evangelism (Ethiopian eunuch, v.26-40)
• Pattern: Combined public proclamation with Spirit-led personal witness

4. Barnabas (Acts 11:19-26; 13:1-3)

• Sent to Antioch to encourage new Gentile believers (11:22-23)
• "He was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. And a great many people were added to the Lord" (11:24)
• Partnered with Paul in the first missionary journey explicitly for evangelistic purpose
• The phrase "a great many people were added" indicates evangelistic fruit

5. Apollos (Acts 18:24-28; 1 Corinthians 3:5-6)

• "Competent in the Scriptures," "fervent in spirit," spoke and taught accurately about Jesus (18:24-25)
• "Powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus" (18:28)
• Paul describes him as one through whom people "believed" (1 Cor 3:5), indicating evangelistic effectiveness
• Represents the teaching-evangelistic gift combination

6. Priscilla and Aquila (Acts 18:2, 18, 26; Romans 16:3-4)

• Taught Apollos "the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26)
• Had "a church in their house" (Romans 16:5)
• Paul calls them "fellow workers in Christ Jesus" (Romans 16:3)
• Model: Evangelism through hospitality, teaching, and partnership

7. Ananias (Acts 9:10-19)

• Sent by the Lord to evangelize/disciple the newly converted Saul
• Demonstrates Spirit-directed, individual evangelistic ministry
• Shows evangelism isn't only public proclamation but includes obedient witness to specific individuals

8. The Samaritan Woman (John 4:28-30, 39-42)

• Left her water jar and "went away into town and said to the people, 'Come, see a man...'" (v.28-29)
• Result: "Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman's testimony" (v.39)
• Represents immediate, spontaneous evangelistic witness following personal encounter with Christ

Corporate/Collective Evangelistic Activity

9. The Scattered Believers (Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19-21)

• "Those who were scattered went about preaching the word" (8:4)
• "Those who were scattered... traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, speaking the word" (11:19)
• This wasn't organized mission work but spontaneous evangelism by ordinary believers
• Distinction: Not all were "evangelists" (office), but all evangelized (function)

10. The Church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:6-8)

• "The word of the Lord has sounded forth from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place" (v.8)
• Corporate evangelistic impact through community witness
• Shows how a church can function evangelistically even beyond individual evangelists

Theological Distinctions to Consider

The Gift/Office vs. The Activity:

• Ephesians 4:11 describes "evangelists" as a gifted office Christ gives to the church (along with apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers)
• Acts 8:4 and 1 Thessalonians 1:8 show all believers engaging in evangelistic activity
• The gift-office of evangelist equips others for evangelistic work (Eph 4:12)

Characteristics of the Evangelist Gift:

1. Frontier-crossing: Philip to Samaria (Acts 8), Paul/Barnabas to Gentile regions
2. Proclamation-centered: Public declaration of Christ (Acts 8:5; 18:28)
3. Spirit-empowered confirmation: Signs and wonders often accompanied evangelistic ministry (Acts 8:6-7; Romans 15:18-19)
4. Bridge-building: Evangelists often connected different groups to the body (Philip bringing Samaritans, Peter bringing Gentiles in Acts 10)
5. Movement-oriented: Evangelists moved on after establishing initial witness (Philip after Samaria; Paul's missionary pattern)

Additional Supporting Texts

Romans 10:14-15

• "How are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?"
• Assumes a sent, commissioned role for gospel proclamation

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

• "Ministry of reconciliation" given to believers
• "Ambassadors for Christ" - official representatives with a message
• While applicable to all believers, this language supports the concept of authorized gospel messengers

1 Corinthians 9:16-23

• Paul: "Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!"
• Describes evangelistic calling as compulsion, not mere choice
• "I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them"

Implications for Understanding the Gift

The biblical evidence suggests:

1. Distinct but not isolated: Evangelists worked alongside apostles, prophets, pastors, and teachers, but had a specific function
2. Both office and overflow: Some were specifically called/gifted as evangelists (Philip, Timothy instructed); others evangelized from other callings
3. Equipping function: Per Ephesians 4:12, evangelists equip saints for ministry - suggesting they train others in evangelism
4. Pioneer spirit: Evangelists often broke new ground or crossed cultural/geographical barriers
5. Sign-gift association: Several evangelists demonstrated signs validating their message (Philip, Paul), though this isn't universal

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Together, let’s build what only God can bless

I just returned from BSF HQ training, and I have exciting news: now is the time to build. BSF is inviting volunteers to help make our ministry more accessible than ever—through translations, modern technology, and refreshed training materials.

This reminds me of Nehemiah 1:9–11—a prayer of deep faith. Nehemiah sought God’s favor before taking action, trusting that even a person exiled "to the ends of the earth" could be brought back to the place God chose for His name to be honored.

It’s also the Old Testament echo of Jesus’ miracle of the loaves and fishes. He prayed, worked with His disciples, and God multiplied a modest offering to feed over 5,000—with leftovers.

That’s how movements begin—with prayer, obedience, and action.

Nehemiah’s story ends with this testimony (Nehemiah 6:15–16):

“The wall was finished… in just 52 days. And when our enemies heard about it… they realized this work had been done with the help of our God.”

Together, let’s build what only God can bless. 

It’s clear: the Lord is moving and answering our prayers. He’s encouraging us to “bring our lunch to Jesus”—and then watch Him do the miracle.

I’ve been deeply encouraged by these words from our resurrected Lord:

“It is not for you to know the times or dates… But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses.”

(Acts 1:7–8)

We are witnessing it now.

God is turning our small offerings—like lunchtime availability—into miraculous impact:

• Training materials
• Handouts
• Recordings
• Even the BSFOnline.org experience
• —fully accessible in native languages.

And today—Pentecost Sunday, June 8, 2025—we remember that God’s answer to the brokenness of Babel wasn’t judgment alone, but grace: Everyone hearing the Gospel in their own language.

He’s still doing it.

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Worry is a dark thought that is cured with heavenly insight (Matthew 6:19-34)

 Matthew 6:19-7:29

Key verses: 

"Your eye is like a lamp that provides light for your body...the light you think you have..." Matthew 6:22-23

Key insights

• Desire for the kingdom of heaven, serving God, seeking the Kingdom of God above all else and living righteously dominate the thoughts of believers.
• You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. (Matthew 10:18)
• Let love be your highest goal! But you should also desire the special abilities the Spirit gives—especially the ability to prophesy....Prophecy turns unbelievers into believers (1 Corinthians 14:1-4,22-25
• Worry (negative desire) and complaining enslave unbelievers (Matthew 6:32)
• Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? 2 Cor 6:14
• unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. 1 Cor 5:10
• Therefore, come out from among unbelievers, and separate yourselves from them, says the Lord. Don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you. 2 Cor 6:17

6:19-21) Store your treasures in heaven, not earth. Where your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. 

• Psalm 37:4) Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires.
• Luke 12:34) Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.

22-23) Eye is a lamp that provides light for your body, healthy filled with light, unhealthy, filled with darkness. "light you think you have is actually darkness"

• Interesting metaphor eyes provide light and light is thought. 
• Reminds me that people take things personally and are offended, instead of seeing the offender as having a bad day.
• How am I praying for people? Forgive us as we forgive, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
• Dark thoughts are worry and complaining (Matthew 6:31-32)

24) Either serve God or be enslaved to money. Fork in the road, hate/love, devoted/despise

25-27) Don't worry about everyday life (food, clothes), look at the birds (don't plant, harvest, store/barns)

• Worry is a dark thought, the cure is to look with new questions
• Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?
•  Look at the birds with the light of God: your heavenly Father feeds them
• And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? 
• Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?
• 28-30) And why worry about your clothing?
• Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. they don't make clothing, yet dressed more beautifully than Solomon
• God cares for them, certainly will care for you
• Why do you have so little faith?

31-33) Don't worry with complaining words about food and clothes

These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

Ned's Atomic Dust Din opened for Jesus Jones in 1991, it was a wonderful show and the first time I heard Grey Cell Green and the confusing line 

"When your 'Dis zay high eerrr',

it has been found

you'll be running far away"

then it clicked 'Dis zay high eerrr, Desire!'

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Clones from clipping versus planting and nurturing seed

My friend Eric gave me this book today Christ of the Indian Road by Stanley Jones. Great reminder to keep Jesus at the center. Don't worry about defending bad culture, knowing Genesis to Revelation (Jesus fulfilled the law and prophets). 

This reminds me that we don't want to have behavior change, we want heart change that bears fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:22-23).  Only God can do this. We plant (seed, the Word of God, Jesus), we water (living water flowing from within, Holy Spirit), but God makes it grow (Creator, Father, LORD of all). 

The Lord also grafts us into his family (Romans 11:17-24), this metaphor also remind me of a "circumcised heart (Romans 2:25-29)." This variety is amazing to me right now. What amazing progress people have made since 2000 years ago when the Lord began to pour out his Spirit onto all people (Acts 1-3). When we have a heart felt conversation, or divine appointment - this circumcision and grafting is taking place. We've taken something to heart - for good or for bad. Our words matters. 

When I started this post I was thinking that "clones don't bear fruit" like Banana's and other seedless fruit. But now I'm seeing we too can graft in what others who came before us learned, we can see their good fruit and incorporated it into our lives. The Fascinating Science of Fruit Tree Cloning. The important thing is that the variety is the same, so it's both/AND, not either/OR. By their fruit you will know (words expose our heart and attitude). Is your fruit nourishing and easy to carry to others like bananas, or is it like buck-thorn, invasive, destructive, spreads like a virus and takes years to remove?

Jesus said, "abide in me", "remain in me" and you will bear much fruit. Also when we put our lives in God's care, the LORD will prone us, those branches that aren't bearing the desired fruit of Spirit. This can be lies we've let get established from our upbringing (1 Peter 1:18-21 calls this an empty way of life). It can also be lies we've internalized from anti-heroes in popular music.  

Jesus Christ is the root of my life now. And I've grafted into my spiritual life Charles Ryrie, Donald S. Whitney, Warren Wiersbe, A.W. Tozer, Jonathan Edwards, Lenard Ravenhill, Timothy Keller, John Bevere, as well as many others. It's interesting how we continue to grow by being close to a stream of living water (Psalm 1:1-5). BSF discussion groups offer this for me. Renewed by the washing of the Word (Titus). We need God and we need eachother. 

Into my work life, I've grafted Edvard Deming, Peter Drucker, Earl Nightingale, Edgar Codd, Bill Gates, Joel Schwartzberg, Seth Godin and others. Into my family life, I've grafted in Joseph Bailey, Ken Sande, Andrew Murray and many others. 

matthew 16:15-19;1 Corinthians 1:23-24;Romans 1

How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of the messenger who brings good news, the good news of peace and salvation, the news that the God of Israel reigns! (Isaiah 52:7), Romans 10:13-21 expands;

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

• But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:

• “The message has gone throughout the earth, and the words to all the world.”
• But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said, “I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation. I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”
• And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying, “I was found by people who were not looking for me. I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
• But regarding Israel, God said, “All day long I opened my arms to them, but they were disobedient and rebellious.”

 

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Biblical perspective on Active Listening (Luke 6:27-49, 8:8,18)

Active Listening helps us understand and demonstrate compassion towards obstinate people. Active listening helps us see clearly and truly help people. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart. Obeying Jesus in relationships puts us on firm ground and leads to greater understanding.

Still other seed fell on fertile soil. This seed grew and produced a crop that was a hundred times as much as had been planted!” When he had said this, he called out, “Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand.” - Luke 8:8

“So pay attention to HOW you hear. To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be given. But for those who are not listening, even what they think they understand will be taken away from them.” Luke 8:18

Luke 6:27-49

• But to you who are willing to listen (or who are listening NIV), I say, love your enemies!...You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. (or Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. NIV) Luke 6:27,36
• Don't judge, give and receive...then you will see well enough (then you will see clearly NIV) to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. Luke 6:37,42
• ...What you say flows from what is in your heart. Luke 6:45
• ...comes to me, listens to my teaching, and then follows it...stands firm - Luke 6:47-48

Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my Chosen One. Listen to him.”  - Luke 9:35

“Listen to me and remember what I say. The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies.”  - Luke 9:44

Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. - Luke 10:39

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a “crumb” from Jesus is better than anything this world can offer (Matt 15:21-28)

Focus Verse: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” – Matthew 15:8 

This morning I was reading the prayer from our BSF Lesson 16 (BSFblog). As I was reading, I was glad to see the BSF worldview that no one is excluded from the Gospel. "Jesus, You are the Savior of the world...No one is beyond the reach of Your compassion and deliverance." Over the past week, I've been seeing preaching that challenges this notion the "God so loved the world (John 3:16)" and he desires that "none should perish but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9)". It's from "great Bible teachers" but is nonsense in that it claims the "highest view of God" but missing his heart. 

All this makes me grateful for reading God's Master Plan for Evangelism, the point is it's always person to person. Jesus healed many and influenced many but he poured himself into 12 guys (even though one was a betrayer). 

"the Church proclaims the changed world as the consequence of changed men... It is this conviction, grounded in the Good News that "God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself," that makes evangelism immensely more than a theory or a slogan. It brings it into focus as a necessity."

Yesterday I got an email calling for the church to mentor people recovering from the lies of addiction. I recognized my friend Kevin. He's a successful lawyer, judge, and mentor to Rolando. I met Rolando at MNTC Alpha in 2020 where he said "yes" to Jesus and I have personally been witness to his life transformation. He went to long term treatment where I helped him study for his GED (via https://www.ixl.com/)

Here's an email I sent to my Monday night prayer group back on June 7, 2021 praising God for Rolando

"See attached prayer list for tonight (updated as of 6/2).

We have been having an amazing time at Teen Challenge. Over 15 men prayed with Nicky at the end of "how can I have faith." Pray for the team as we have Holy Spirit week Tues, Friday, Saturday (Rob, Ron, Duke, Ben). Praise God for the Alpha graduate volunteers ( Nate, Rodney, David).

I got to see Rolando (Alpha/TC graduate) yesterday at church and had breakfast with him and his mentor. Praise God he works at schools sharing his testimony, this week after a three-hour session, he led 25 people to Christ. Rolando is going to college in September and received a $27,000 scholarship - he is also in the running for a George Floyd memorial scholarship. Please keep Rolando in your prayers. 

Pray for the next team of volunteers at Alpha TC and for all campuses to have an Alpha team. "

Bible Study Fellowship has a question every week, "how you have seen God’s activity during the week. How has He provided, answered, comforted, restored, guided, etc.?"

Disciples, making disciples, making disciples. I'm grateful for many who work diligently, creating opportunities for many to be healed, fed, and nurtured in Christ. As God was in Christ reconciling the world, he has also made us his ambassadors and we get to recognize the person we are serving is the Almighty Himself (Matt 25:40). 

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Bring yourself to God, then bring people to God before talking to people for God

AIM: Effective ministry is conditional on the minister.  

or

The power to pray the effectually is dependant on the life of the prayer

Talking to men for God is a great thing, but talking to God for men is greater still. He will never talk well and with real success to men for God who has not learned well how to talk to God for men. More than this, prayerless words in the pulpit and out of it are deadening words. - Power Through Prayer - EM Bounds

Reading, The-Ministry-of-Intercession-Andrew-Murray, it's clearly a condition on the person praying for the other. 

We found that Christ taught us that the answer depended upon certain conditions. He spoke of faith, of perseverance, of praying in His Name, of praying in the will of God. But all these conditions were summed up in the one central one: "If ye abide in Me, ask whatsoever ye will and it shall be done unto you."; It became clear that the power to pray the effectual prayer of faith depended upon the life. It is only to a man given up to live as entirely in Christ and for Christ as the branch in the vine and for the vine, that these promises can come true.

John 15:7, Abide means to remain, abide, stay, wait; "I wait for, await", "to stay"

One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, "Ask, and I will give it to you!" - 1 Kings 3:5

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. - Matthew 7:7

So He said to the Jews who had believed Him, "If you continue in My word, you are truly My disciples. - John 8:31

You did not choose Me, but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit--fruit that will remain--so that whatever you ask the Father in My name, He will give you. - John 15:16

(John 15:7) If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you . . .--He is now passing from the figure, which recurs again only in John 15:8; John 15:16. We should have expected here, "and I abide in you" (John 15:4); but His abiding in them necessarily accompanies their abiding in Him. The abiding of His words in them is the means by which, and the proof that they do abide in Him. (Comp. John 14:15; John 14:23-24.)

Ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.--The reading is not certain, but the first verb should probably be imperative, "Ask what ye will . . ." The promise in all its width is the same as that in John 14:13-14 (see Note there), and it is attended by the same condition, for they who abide in Christ, and in whom Christ's words abide, cannot pray otherwise than in His name. . . . Ellicott's commentary

Pulpit Commentary

...But in such harmony with Christ as these words supply, all the conditions of acceptable prayer are present. The believer in Christ, full of his words, evermore consciously realizing union with Christ, charged with the thoughts, burning with the purposes, filled with words of Jesus, will have no will that is not in harmony with the Divine will. Then faith is possible in the fulfillment of his own desire, and prayer becomes a prophecy and pledge of the answer. The apostle, after many years of pondering and of putting these principles into practice, confirms the truth of them (1 John 5:14-16). This is the true philosophy of prayer. The psalmist had gone a long way in the same direction (Psalm 37:4, "Delight thyself in the Lord; and he shall give thee thy heart's desire").

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Finding the freedom, promised by Jesus (2 Cor 3:16-18)

Talking with my dad yesterday about evangelism, handing out Bibles, and sharing the gospel. I thought about how odb.org is such a great resource and it's free. They also have high-quality videos on youtube as well. Instruments of Peace. I get a quarterly pack our daily bread and give them out at MNTC along with the Why Jesus? booklet during alpha.

2 Cor 3:17

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.

But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into His image with intensifying glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. 2 Cor 3:16-18

 - The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; - Isaiah 61:1

 - And the book of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. And He opened the book and found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me ,  Because He anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor.  He has sent Me to proclaim release to the captives,  And recovery of sight to the blind,  To set free those who are oppressed, To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord ." - Luke 4:18‭-‬19 NASB

Language reveals truth that saves lives (sets prisoners free to live righteously) - Luke 4:18

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Jesus requires humble, devoted follow through from Disciples (Luke 14)

A) Jesus demonstrates healing on the Sabbath, humble exalted by God (Luke 14:1-24)

B) Jesus teaches following him means 100% yes and costs your whole life (Luke 14:25-33)

C) Being salt is flavorful for soil and manure piles (Luke 14:34-35)

 Luke 14:1-6) Sabbath, Lead Pharisee's home dinner, "healing permitted?", then Jesus healed a man

7-11) People try and sit in place of honor, Jesus advice: take the lowest place, then someone will honor you in front of others

 - Saying, "Those who exalt themselves will be humbled, those who humble themselves will be exalted"

12-14) Invite people to luncheon/banquet who can't pay you back

15-24) "banquet in the Kingdom of Heaven?", servant told guest it was ready but they made excuses, so the master invited poor, lame, crippled, blind but still had room so servant urged anyone they could find

25-27) Crowd followed Jesus, "If you want to be my disciple, by comparison you must hate everyone else, including your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.

 - Saying, "If you don't carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple"

28-30) Don't begin until you count the cost, otherwise you might complete only the foundation before running out of money - everyone would laugh at you

31-33) Kings have counselors, how can 10k defeat 20k? Delegations discuss terms of peace

 - Saying, "So you cannot become my disciple without giving up everything you own."

34-35) Salt is good for seasoning, flavor, soil, manure pile

 - saying, "Anyone with ears to hear should listen and understand!"

 - Luke 8:4-10) Parable of sower and soil, means “To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that ‘seeing they may not see, and hearing they may not understand.’"

Luke 8:11-15) Seed: God's word, on hard hearts (devil), rocks (immature), in weeds (distracted), fruitful (honest, good heart, patience)

 - "Success" where failure would have been better

 - Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another

 - Guidance controls the path, giving counseling while guiding

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Jesus explains how faithful, sensible servants seek the Kingdom of Heaven (Luke 12:22-59)

Key verses:

 But seek his kingdom, and these things (food, clothing, possessions) will be given to you as well. Luke 12:31

For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, Luke 12:34-35

 Luke 12:22-34) Don't worry about everyday life, life is more than food/clothes, God cares for you, seek the Kingdom of God above all else, he will give all you need.

 - Thinking about life, relationships, and the kingdom of heaven Jesus said, "Look at the birds" - Luke 12:22-34

 - Idolatry inflates something to function as a substitute for God, God's X-ray to your heart is your checkbook register

 - See how God provides and makes beauty in nature and the kingdom (Luke 12:22-34)

Luke 12:35-38) Be dressed for service, keep your lamps burning - ready for master to return

 - Rags to Riches, how the Holy Spirit changes us everyday

39-40) Son of Man will come when least expected

41) Peter, "for us or everyone?"

42-48) "faithful, sensible servant takes ownership, knows and does the masters work, much given/entrusted even more required - reward good job: in charge of all he owns"

 - Lamps with Joyful oil (Matthew 25:4, Psalm 45:7)

 - Words of wisdom from some awesome elders

49-56) Jesus came to bring fire (Holy Spirit) to earth (Luke 3:16), but must go to the cross first (Luke 9:44-45), yet hypocrisy prevents you from knowing this present time. (Luke 11:37-12:3)

 - Division from empty way of ancestors (1 Peter 1:18, Freedom Luke 4:18), a clean knife cut ( Holiness is freeing; evidence is a joy and peace at heart (Isaiah 35:8-10)

 - Adoption into God's family, Repentance means forsaking the old you, to renounce and abandon iniquity

 - Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

 - Misunderstanding trials threatens our faith

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You can't kill time without injury to eternity (1 Peter 4:1-6)

This year in SALT my co-chair Jim, wanted to change up and own SALT and Light today, where we talk about one verse and two questions with whoever comes. We started with the Fruit of Spirit Gal 5:28-29, now we have Phil 4:8 for our monthly topic, "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things" this month is Noble: "righteous before God and the world noble implies moral eminence and freedom from anything petty, mean, or dubious in conduct and character."

I was just updating and migrating my bullet journal and growing in my own organizational skills. I realized that 1/3 of my day is ministry-related. So my index is now three pages with the first being the ministry index to track Alpha (Prayer, TC, Leadership, Mentoring). The SALT (Outrageous Justice, Unshakable Hope, Leadership, SALT and Light, Prayer), BSF (Dan & Ben, Leaders Meeting). The next index is project work (CDO database migration, Uplifting legacy systems, Tech evaluations) feeding into the Strategy index (DM, Arch, 1 x 1 coaching, Personal development, Reference Architecture).

God is so good, yesterday was the second week in row of going to church with my brother and mom and then having a meal afterward. We got to talk about childhood memories and our thoughts on the sermon. I'm looking forward to next week where we'll cover my life verse 1 Peter 4:7-11.

Here are my notes from 1 Peter 4:1-6 by Troy Dobbs:
1 Peter 4:1-6) Suffering in flesh, as a way of thinking like Christ. Live in the Spirit.
1) arm yourself with the same way of thinking.
- get mentally prepared. How will I spend my time?
- 2) Resist sin. Militant attitudes toward sin. Make time to battle sin or sin will steal quality time from your life.
- Sin can ruin years of hard work
God's will discovered:
- Read the Bible and pray rather than looking for signs. Following the general revelation, leads us to specific, personal revelation.
- Be the new you, not the old you. Stop wasting time doing sinful things. Move on toward godliness.
4) Unbelievers don't understand when God changing people. So they criticize what God is doing. They malign God's will.
- 5) We know something they don't know. Judgement is coming
https://benlorence.blogspot.com/2020/11/how-is-it-determined-that-someone-will.html
6) reach lost people.
People need the Lord

Everyday they pass me by
I can see it in their eyes
Empty people filled with care
Headed who knows where

On they go through private pain
Living fear to fear
Laughter hides their silent cries
Only Jesus hears

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
When will we realize people need the Lord?

We are called to take His light
To a world where wrong seems right
What could be too great a cost
For sharing life with one who's lost?

Through His love our hearts can feel
All the grief they bear
They must hear the words of life
Only we can share

People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door
People need the Lord, people need the Lord

When will we realize that we must give our lives?

For people need the Lord, people need the Lord

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Prayer brings God to the mind of those who are far off (1 Peter 4:7-11)

Enjoying Pray First, reminding us that the work is prayer - not an add on.  

“Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear” (Isaiah 59:1). Even when a loved one is on a prodigal path in “a far country” (Luke 15:13), through our prayers, God mercifully intervenes in people's lives in the kindness of others.

Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Then He said, “Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves” (Luke 10:2–3), this is more important than supplies (Luke 10:4).

Jesus also told His followers that we are to be continually dependent on Him. He told the disciples, “Apart from me you can do nothing,” saying that if they “remain” in Him, they would “bear much fruit” (john 15:5). It is through prayer that we stay close to Jesus in the moment, and so God’s Word encourages us to “pray continually” (1 thessalonians 5:17). Through prayer we receive the direction and wisdom we need to do the work God has given us. - James Banks

I've been the answer to another person's prayer and I've seen God answer my prayer through others. Sometimes our loved ones need to hear the Word of God from someone else (Romans 10:18). This someone else is the worker sent into the field of influence of our loved one. Yes Lord, send your worker and "Here am I send me" (Isaiah 6:8). We need God's power to obey the message, this is true faith (Romans 10:16,John 5:39–40, John 14:23, Jer 7:23, Phil 2:8).

Our lives of obedience matter greatly as we influence the world around us. "For as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)" Love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:7-11). 

https://www.bibleref.com/Romans/10/Romans-10-18.html

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Knowledge of SIN cultivates a conscience and heart for God

Reading God Has a Wonderful Plan for Your Life: The Myth of the Modern Message, chapter 6 the Motive and the result - Ray gives some compelling reasons why many in the church lack the "things that accompany salvation (Hebrews 6:9)." He says that the Law brings knowledge of sin and leads to a 100% turning from sin to God. As Jesus said, "Let your yes be yes and your no be no - anything else is from the devil (Matt 5:37)."

It wasn't until COVID 19 that I realized how wishy-washy I've been in my commitments and how strong I've allowed my bad habits to become. In a study of James, BeMature I realized several fallacious ideas that had created a beach-head for demonic "maybe now" or 98% repentance. I've been here before and really appreciate the ministry of 2 Peter 1:1-11 that talks about God's gifts to live a godly life in him but also making every effort to add to your faith (Personally) and Ephesians 4:1-32 talking about making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit (with God and God's people). But Ray's book shows how many people trample the gospel and end wishy-washy commitments with bitterness towards those who gave them so-called "good news." Wishy-washy commitments come from not understanding sin and create an "inoculated and bitter 'backslider'" who the Bible calls worse off now than before (never saved Matthew 13:20-21 but think they were Hebrews 6:4-6).
 - On a side note, as I grew up in an "easy believe and receive" culture of "say a prayer asking Jesus into your heart" every Sunday culture. I read the parable of the sower as every seed that germinates is "saved." As I learned more about Jesus and his teaching it became clear that only 1 of the 4 soils was saved, and so it became known to me as the parable of soils rather than the sower, and it makes sense - a prepared field is ready to accept seed and produce a bountiful crop. 

 - It's still the parable of the Sower - because it's about God who is the one who prepares the field.

So we need to cultivate the ground, giving the knowledge of sin to cultivate a conscience and heart for God, but how?
 - don't start with Jesus can improve your life, but rather warn people about the day of judgment. "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment (Heb 9:27)."
 - "God has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness (Acts 17:30,31)."
 - "Riches do not profit in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death (Proverbs 11:4)."

Peace and joy are legitimate fruits of salvation, but it is not legitimate to use these fruits as a drawing card for salvation. If we do, the sinner will respond with an impure motive, lacking repentance.
 - Christians have "joy and peace in believing (Romans 15:13)." but read all of Romans!

The product of man-centered gospel is people come lacking repentance, without which they cannot be saved (Acts 2:38, 3:19). This is why Jesus commanded that repentance be preached to all nations (Luke 24:47).
 - Superficial repentance can be 100% sincere, "yes, I want joy and peace for myself"
 - Superficial repentance creates backsliders because they don't understand the wrath to come. Remember Romans 7:7, "I would not have known sin except through the law."
 - Superficial repentance is at best horizontal, to make amends with others.
 - True repentance acknowledges sin is against God, "Against You, You only, have I sinned, and does this evil in Your sight (Psalm 51:4)."
 -  Remember when Joseph was tempted sexually, he said "how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God (Gen 39:9)."
 - Remember the prodigal son admitted, "I have sinned against heaven (Luke 15:21)."
 - We must preach to exercise "repentance toward God (Acts 20:21)."

Following up with a false convert is like putting a stillborn baby into intensive care. Neither approach solves the problem.
 - Deliverance and Discipleship: You can't deliver a person from the flesh and you can't disciple a demon. We deliver the person from the demon through prayer and fasting, then disciple the freed person - teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded.

The Law converts the soul (Psalm 19:7), so that the person becomes a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17)

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Take off your sandals and put on the Gospel of Peace

How can we hear God? How can we be still in His presence? You might be thinking, what does the Gospel of peace have to do with taking off your sandals?

Take off your sandals: Exodus 3:5, Joshua 5:9,15, Matthew 3:11, Acts 7:2,33
 - Peace and rest are the states of being without disturbance.
 - When God speaks to our heart their is peace, the Gospel means "good news"
 - The Holy Spirit guides us, counsels us and many other things in our hearts. It's our heart connection that allows us to hear God and the sacrifice of Jesus has taken away the barrier of sin that prevented us from hearing God in the first place.
 - Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life

But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed steadily into heaven and saw the glory of God, and he saw Jesus standing in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Acts 7:55
 - Christian Code of Conduct for the Church Militant

Parenthetical background:

Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God...So Jesus washed their feet saying, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will...Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” John 13:3-8

Stephen was recounting God's word given to Abraham - Moses - Joshua - David - Solomon, about Jesus. Warning people:
You stubborn people! You are heathen at heart and deaf to the truth. Must you forever resist the Holy Spirit? That’s what your ancestors did, and so do you! Acts 7:51
 - Love is rejoicing in truth not wrongdoing
 - Best response when someone confesses sin and what to avoid
 - Peter's letters explain how faith, grace, and hope work in our lives

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Sent to all people, with a message, empowered by God

Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” John 20:21 NIV

We are sent - yes
But to where,  among whom, doing what?

Ed Stetzer, Second Opinions, chapter,  verse... foriegn African dancing, punks, country music... all people, not your natural cohorts.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18‭-‬20 NIV

With a message
and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Luke 24:47 NIV

And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.  If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.” John 20:22‭-‬23 NIV

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Personal Holiness is being honest with God daily

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:3 NASB
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule. MSG

God is holy and wants us to follow him in holiness. To do this we must listen and obey daily. - 1 Peter 1:16, Philippians 2:12, Luke 9:23

Jesus talks about the requirements for being his disciple (John 15:1-17) and how others will know it (John 13:35)
The Cross/Burden: Luke 9:23 : Matt 10:38; Luke 14:27

• If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me. - Luke 9:23
• And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. - Matt 10:28
• Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. - Luke 14:27

Jesus explains this idea of the Cross/Burden on the believer's life in John 15:18-25. And the power to live in connected holiness to God, John 15:26-27. Read John 15

This reminds me of the promise in Matt 11:28-30, "come to me, and I'll give you rest"

Prayer: Lord help me to live a life of integrity with you and let that flow into everything I do and say today. AMEN

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Spiritual growth is stunted by the "world"

1 cor 3:1-9
Biggest threat is seduction to accommodate our bodies. To be disconnected from God. Biblical worldview is everything for the glory of God; enjoy the world, engage the world and be God's ambassador in the world.

But how do you know your spiritual growth is stunted by the "world"
1. Sin doesn't bother you
2. You're passion for Christ and his mission is wilting
3. You're growth in Christ is not evident to yourself or others. You're a complainer who can't get along with anyone.

It's okay to be new in Christ. Time matters in the Christian walk as in physical life. It's okay to enjoy the world (God made), engage the world (as God commanded), and evangelize the world (go, make disciples).

I have two trees the same age, one is huge and healthy. The other is identical to when I planted it 10 years ago.
- wisdom comes with age, but sometimes age comes alone
- worldliness stunts our spiritual appetites
- spiritual kindergarten, while being high-school age

Junk food, ruins appetite for good food
- six days in the world,  only 1 hour for God
- get sick, dehydrated need intravenous feeding in ER. Don't do it!

If you don't love God's word, you'll never
grow. Hunger for God's word.

Being "on the fence" is not genuine and offensive to believers and nonbelievers alike.

Worldliness stunts our ability to see how God works.

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
1 John 2:15‭-‬17 NIV

Said another way
Don’t love the world’s ways. Don’t love the world’s goods. Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father. Practically everything that goes on in the world—wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself, wanting to appear important—has nothing to do with the Father. It just isolates you from him. The world and all its wanting, wanting, wanting is on the way out—but whoever does what God wants is set for eternity.
1 John 2:15‭-‬17 MSG
https://bible.com/bible/97/1jn.2.15-17.MSG

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