Conflict resolution God's way (Matt 18:15, Col 3:12-14)

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. Matt 18:15

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. Col 3:12-14

The Matthew 18:15 passage is the structural backbone for almost the entire framework it's worth anchoring the whole discussion there. The Colossians 3:12–14 cluster covers the posture (humility, gentleness, patience, forgiveness, love) all in one tight unit, making it very useful for teaching the character required before any of the steps can work. 

Conflict is inevitable in a fallen world, but God uses it to reveal and develop spiritual maturity

• James 1:2–4 — trials produce steadfastness and maturity
• Romans 5:3–5 — suffering produces character and hope
• Proverbs 27:17 — iron sharpens iron; conflict as sanctifying friction

Pray for solutions that honor God and all involved

• Philippians 4:6–7 — present everything to God in prayer; the peace of God guards hearts
• James 1:5 — ask God for wisdom when you lack it
• 1 Timothy 2:1–2 — pray for all people; God desires peaceful, godly lives

Assume everyone has right motives

• 1 Corinthians 13:7 — love believes the best, hopes the best
• Philippians 2:3 — count others more significant than yourself
• Romans 15:7 — accept one another as Christ accepted you

Address issues quickly, graciously, humbly, and face-to-face

• Matthew 18:15 — go directly to the person, alone, first
• Ephesians 4:26–27 — do not let the sun go down on your anger
• Galatians 6:1 — restore gently, watching yourself
• Proverbs 15:1 — a soft answer turns away wrath

Include only those involved

• Matthew 18:15–17 — the full escalation process begins with just the two parties
• Proverbs 11:13 — a gossip betrays confidence; a trustworthy person keeps a matter private
• Proverbs 17:9 — whoever covers an offense promotes love; repeating it separates friends

Strive to protect unity

• Ephesians 4:3 — make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit
• Colossians 3:13–14 — bear with one another; love binds everything in perfect harmony
• John 17:20–23 — Jesus' own prayer for the unity of his people
• Psalm 133:1 — how good and pleasant when brothers dwell in unity

The scope of Christ's grace enables us to forgive freely

• Colossians 3:13 — forgive as the Lord forgave you
• Ephesians 4:32 — be kind, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave you
• Matthew 18:21–35 — the parable of the unmerciful servant; our forgiveness flows from being forgiven an unpayable debt
• Luke 7:47 — the one forgiven much loves much
• 2 Corinthians 5:18–19 — God reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation

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Cain Builds His Name; Seth Brings Repentance to God's Name

 AIM: Our sin nature leads to broken relationships. God alone can repair them.

Opening Reflection

• As we worship with our whole lives today, we praise the One who gave us life, ability, desire, and forgiveness. He gave us new life. That truth makes any sacrifice pleasing to Him.
• Lord, let our spirits leap for joy in praise for what you have done and continue to do. May everything we say and do point to you, so that many will come to saving knowledge of your work through the life, death, resurrection, and return of Jesus Christ. Amen.

A) The Blessing of Family Turns to Murder, Grief, and Banishment (vv. 1–16)
vv. 1–2. Adam and Eve bear two sons: Cain who works the soil and Abel who tends flocks.
vv. 3–5. Both bring offerings. God rejects Cain's offering. God accepts Abel's firstborn and its fat portions. Cain becomes angry.

• Their offerings reveal the heart. Cain said, “Look what I did.” Abel said, “Look what you did, Lord.” Jesus calls us to worship in spirit and truth. Paul urges us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices that please God. Romans and Titus clarify that no one is righteous apart from God. Cain’s heart displays that truth.

vv. 6–7. The Lord warns Cain. “If you do what is right, you will be accepted. If you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at the door. It desires you, but you must rule over it.”

Principle: Doing what is right protects us. Sin behaves like a predator that waits to control us.

vv. 8–9. Cain kills Abel. When God asks where Abel is, Cain deflects.
vv. 10–12. God says, “Your brother’s blood cries out.” The ground will no longer produce for Cain. He will be a wanderer.

• 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 12:10-29

vv. 13–14. Cain protests that his punishment is too much.
vv. 15–16. God places a sign on Cain to protect him. Cain leaves for Nod, east of Eden.

Application: What sin in my life needs to leave my home?

B) Cain's Line Builds Success; Lamech Builds a Bigger Name (vv. 17–24)
vv. 17–18. Cain’s wife bears Enoch. Cain builds a city and names it after him. The line continues to Lamech.
vv. 19–22. Lamech takes two wives.
Adah bears Jabal and Jubal, the fathers of herding and music.
Zillah bears Tubal-Cain, who forges tools of bronze and iron, and Naamah.

vv. 23–24. Lamech commits murder and boasts about it. He twists God’s protection of Cain and claims a greater right to revenge.

Vengeance vs. Forgiveness. Cain’s line magnifies revenge. Jesus reverses it. “Forgive seventy-seven times.” The Old Testament already taught this ethic.

• One of the greatest barriers to Christian maturity is knowing what to do with forgiveness. Jesus' use of exaggeration makes the point that one forgives and forgives. There is no limit. How long does it take until you have worked through forgiveness? Until you can want the well-being of the other who has trespassed against you. The import of Jesus' teaching here is that our lack of willingness to forgive our neighbor acts as a barrier to accepting God's forgiveness of our own sin.

Sidebar: Forgiveness and Unresolved Conflict

• Reading C. S. Lewis this week reminded me how unresolved childhood wounds damage adult relationships. Scripture warned us early. “Do not hate your brother in your heart.” The New Testament does not invent forgiveness. It clarifies and perfects it.
• Lewis notes the continuity between the Testaments. Jesus repeats and fulfills Old Testament ethics.
• Help your enemy. Do not celebrate his downfall. Feed him when he is hungry.
• Scripture shows seven as a number of grace. God uses it throughout the story for cleansing and restoration.
• Lewis also warns that religious zeal without repentance produces great harm. A high calling can fuel humility or self-righteousness. There is no neutral ground.

C) Seth Is Born. People Begin to Call on God’s Name (vv. 25–26)
vv. 25–26. Adam and Eve bear Seth. Eve says, “God has granted me another child in place of Abel.” Seth fathers Enosh. At this moment people begin to call on the name of the Lord.

Principle: Our testimony shapes others. Eve’s words of faith over Seth set in motion a renewed movement of worship.

Questions for reflection

• What fruit has forgiveness produced in your life?
• How can we teach our children and ourselves to live in the light of forgiveness instead of the shadow of unresolved conflict?

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The Shield of Faith: Trust Under Fire (part 2)

 Expanding on The Shield of Faith: Trust Under Fire

I. The Military Reality Behind the Metaphor

Gotquestions teaches the Roman shield (thureos) Paul references wasn't a small buckler. It was a full-body shield, approximately 4 feet tall and 2.5 feet wide, capable of protecting the entire body. Roman soldiers would link shields in formation, creating an impenetrable wall.

Spiritual Application:

• Faith doesn't just protect one area of life; it covers our entire being: mind, emotions, will, relationships, and purpose. Romans 12:1-4
• Faith is both individual and communal; we stand stronger when our shields overlap with other believers. Faith overcomes the world. “Everyone born of God overcomes the world” because Jesus is the victory that secures our endurance (1 John 5:4–5; John 16:33).
• The shield was held, not strapped. Faith requires active engagement, not passive possession. “...Take up the shield of faith” because it extinguishes every flaming arrow aimed at you (Ephesians 6:16).

Reference: "Above all, taking the shield of faith" (Ephesians 6:16a, emphasis added). The phrase "above all" can mean "in addition to" or "most importantly." Faith either integrates all other armor pieces or ranks as the most critical defense.

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II. The Anatomy of Flaming Arrows: Understanding the Attack

The Delivery System

Ancient flaming arrows were designed for maximum psychological and physical impact:

• Wrapped in oil-soaked cloth
• Designed to ignite panic as much as to injure
• Effective at long range, giving no time to trace the source
• Multiple arrows could be launched simultaneously

Modern Spiritual Equivalents

Accusatory Arrows:

• "You're not good enough for God to use"
• "You've sinned too much to be forgiven"
• "Your prayers don't matter"

Reference: Romans 8:1, "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus." Faith quenches accusation with truth about our position in Christ.

Comparative Arrows:

• "Your ministry is smaller than theirs"
• "Everyone else has it together"
• "You're falling behind"

Reference: Galatians 6:4, "Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else."

Circumstantial Arrows:

• Financial pressure timed with ministry opportunity
• Health crisis coinciding with major decisions
• Relational conflict during spiritual breakthrough

Reference: Romans 8:28, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."

Doctrinal Arrows:

• Subtle theological distortions: "if you are the son of God..." (Matthew 4:3, 3:17)
• Half-truths mixed with lies ("ism's" instead of following Jesus Christ)
• Questions designed to create doubt: "Did God really say...?" (Genesis 3:1)

Reference: 2 Timothy 3:16-17, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

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III. How Faith Specifically Extinguishes Each Type of Arrow

Faith Counters Accusation with Identity

When the accuser whispers "You are your sin," faith declares:

• "I am crucified with Christ" (Galatians 2:20)
• "I am a new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:17)
• "I am being transformed" (Romans 12:2)

Faith Counters Fear with Sovereignty

When panic rises, faith remembers:

• "God has not given us a spirit of fear" (2 Timothy 1:7)
• "Perfect love drives out fear" (1 John 4:18)
• "He who began a good work will carry it to completion" (Philippians 1:6)

Faith Counters Doubt with Evidence

When questions flood, faith reviews:

• Past deliverances: "Thus far the LORD has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12)
• Present promises: "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5)
• Future certainty: "He who promised is faithful" (Hebrews 10:23)

Faith Counters Temptation with Alternative Satisfaction

When desire whispers, faith responds:

• "I have learned the secret of being content" (Philippians 4:12)
• "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence is fullness of joy" (Psalm 16:11)
• "What does it profit a man to gain the world and lose his soul?" (Mark 8:36)

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IV. Faith Formation: How the Shield is Forged

Through the Word (Romans 10:17)

Faith doesn't grow through experience alone. It grows through exposure to God's promises:

• Reading: Taking in Scripture systematically
• Hearing: Sitting under sound teaching
• Memorizing: Storing truth for instant access
• Meditating: Letting truth reshape thinking patterns

Practical Application: When a flaming arrow hits, the shield's effectiveness depends on how much Scripture has been absorbed. A shield without substance cannot protect.

Through Testing (James 1:2-4)

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance."

Each attack we survive strengthens the shield:

• Previous victories build confidence for current battles
• Tested faith becomes proven faith
• Perseverance develops maturity

Reference: 1 Peter 1:6-7, "These [trials] have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith (of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire) may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

Through Community (Hebrews 10:24-25)

"And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."

Isolated faith is vulnerable faith:

• We need others to hold up our shield when we're wounded (Exodus 17:12, Aaron and Hur holding Moses' arms)
• We strengthen others' faith through testimony
• Corporate worship reminds us of God's worthiness

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V. Faith Integration: How the Shield Works With Other Armor

The shield of faith doesn't stand alone. It protects and enhances every other piece:

With the Belt of Truth (Ephesians 6:14a):

• Faith believes truth even when feelings contradict it
• Truth gives faith its content and direction
• Without truth, faith becomes wishful thinking

With the Breastplate of Righteousness (Ephesians 6:14b):

• Faith receives Christ's righteousness (Romans 3:22)
• Righteousness gives us confidence to approach God (Hebrews 10:19-22)
• The shield protects the heart that righteousness guards

With the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15):

• Faith stands on reconciliation with God
• Peace gives stability under pressure
• We can advance (feet ready) because faith secures our position

With the Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17a):

• Faith protects our assurance of salvation
• Doubt about salvation is a primary target of flaming arrows
• Settled confidence in our eternal security frees us to fight effectively

With the Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17b):

• Faith wields the Word offensively
• Jesus modeled this: "It is written..." (Matthew 4:4, 7, 10)
• The shield protects while the sword strikes

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VI. The Faith Crisis: When the Shield Feels Heavy

Honest Biblical Examples of Faith Under Strain

Job's Lament:

• "Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?" (Job 3:23)
• Yet: "Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him" (Job 13:15)

David's Desperation:

• "How long, LORD? Will you forget me forever?" (Psalm 13:1)
• Yet: "But I trust in your unfailing love" (Psalm 13:5)

Habakkuk's Confusion:

• "How long, LORD, must I call for help, but you do not listen?" (Habakkuk 1:2)
• Yet: "Though the fig tree does not bud... yet I will rejoice in the LORD" (Habakkuk 3:17-18)

Key Insight: Faith doesn't mean absence of questions or emotions. It means bringing those questions and emotions to God rather than letting them drive us from Him.

Reference: Mark 9:24, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!" This paradoxical prayer is perfectly valid.

When Faith Feels Inadequate

The Mustard Seed Principle:

• "Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move." (Matthew 17:20)

The issue isn't the amount of faith. It's the object of faith:

• Small faith in a great God moves mountains
• Great faith in a small god accomplishes nothing
• The shield's power comes from God, not from our grip strength

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VII. Faith in the Dark: When God Seems Silent

The Valley Experience

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me" (Psalm 23:4)

Notice:

• Through not "stuck in." Valleys are passages, not destinations
• Walk. Keep moving even when you can't see the path
• For you are with me. God's presence, not His explanation, sustains us

The Silence of God

Sometimes the greatest test of faith is God's apparent silence:

• No answered prayers
• No clear direction
• No emotional confirmation

Reference: Psalm 22:1-2, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish? My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest."

Yet David continues praying. Faith persists in prayer even when answers don't come.

Historical Example: Horatio Spafford wrote "It Is Well With My Soul" after losing his four daughters in a shipwreck. Faith doesn't deny the pain. It anchors through the pain.

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VIII. Corporate Faith: The Shield Wall Formation

The Power of Collective Faith

When Roman soldiers locked shields, the formation became nearly impenetrable. Similarly:

Reference: Ecclesiastes 4:12, "Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

Practical Applications:

• Prayer partnerships for specific battles
• Accountability relationships for recurring temptations
• Small groups for mutual encouragement during trial
• Church family for sustained support through prolonged difficulty

Reference: Galatians 6:2, "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."

Faith Declarations in Community

• Corporate worship declares God's character when individual faith wavers
• Others' testimonies strengthen our confidence
• Shared Scripture memory becomes collective ammunition

Reference: Hebrews 3:13, "But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called 'Today,' so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness."

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IX. Faith and Prayer: The Shield in Motion

Mark 11 Expanded: The Prayer of Faith

Context: Jesus curses the fig tree (Mark 11:12-14, 20-25)

• Disciples are amazed it withered
• Jesus responds: "Have faith in God"

The Connection: Faith and prayer are inseparable:

• Prayer without faith is mere words
• Faith without prayer is passive belief
• Faith-filled prayer moves mountains

Critical Verse Unpacked: "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:24)

This is not blank-check theology. It's relational theology:

• "Whatever you ask" is filtered through relationship with God
• "Believe that you have received it" means trusting God's wisdom and timing
• "It will be yours" acknowledges God's sovereign choice in how/when to answer

Qualifying Verses:

• "This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us." (1 John 5:14)
• "You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives." (James 4:2-3)

The Forgiveness Component (Mark 11:25)

"And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Unforgiveness creates a breach in the shield:

• Bitterness is a slow-burning arrow we shoot at ourselves
• Holding grudges gives the enemy a foothold
• Forgiveness isn't excusing. It's releasing the debt to God

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X. Offensive Faith: Beyond Defense

While the shield is primarily defensive, faith also enables offensive action:

Faith Advances

Reference: Joshua 1:9, "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

Faith doesn't just block attacks. It moves forward into enemy territory:

• Evangelism requires faith that God will work
• Obedience to difficult calls requires faith in God's provision
• Risk-taking for the Kingdom requires faith in God's plan

Faith Claims Promises

Reference: 2 Corinthians 1:20, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God."

Faith doesn't passively wait. It actively claims what God has promised:

• Healing (James 5:15)
• Provision (Philippians 4:19)
• Wisdom (James 1:5-6)
• Peace (John 14:27)
• Strength (Isaiah 40:31)

Faith Confronts

Hebrews 11 Examples:

• Moses confronted Pharaoh (11:27)
• David confronted Goliath (implied in 11:32-34)
• Prophets confronted kingdoms (11:32-33)

Faith gives courage to speak truth to power, challenge injustice, and stand against cultural compromise.

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XI. The Ultimate Example: Jesus and Faith

Jesus as the Author and Perfecter of Faith (Hebrews 12:2)

"Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Jesus modeled perfect faith:

• In the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11): wielded Scripture against temptation
• In Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39): submitted will to Father even in agony
• On the cross (Luke 23:46): trusted Father even in abandonment

Jesus' Trust in the Father's Plan

Every flaming arrow Satan could design hit Jesus:

• Physical suffering
• Emotional isolation
• Spiritual darkness ("My God, why have you forsaken me?")
• Temptation to escape ("Come down from the cross")
• Mockery and accusation

Yet Jesus' faith never wavered. He is both our example and our empowerment.

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XII. Practical Faith Exercises: Strengthening Your Shield

Daily Disciplines

1. Morning Declaration: Speak truth before lies arrive
   • "This is the day the LORD has made" (Psalm 118:24)
   • Personalize promises: "God works ALL things for my good" (Romans 8:28)
2. Scripture Saturation: Memorize verses for specific vulnerabilities
   • Anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7
   • Inadequacy: 2 Corinthians 12:9
   • Temptation: 1 Corinthians 10:13
3. Testimony Review: Keep a record of God's faithfulness
   • Journal answered prayers
   • Note coincidences that reveal God's hand
   • Remember deliverances
4. Gratitude Practice: Thanksgiving neutralizes arrows
   • "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
   • Gratitude shifts focus from problem to Provider

In-Battle Responses

When a flaming arrow hits:

1. Identify the lie: Name the specific accusation/fear/temptation
2. Counter with truth: Speak Scripture that directly addresses it
3. Pray immediately: "Lord, I believe; help my unbelief"
4. Reach out: Contact someone who can pray with/for you
5. Worship: Declare God's character regardless of feelings

Example:

• Arrow: "You're a failure as a parent"
• Truth: "God's grace is sufficient; His power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Corinthians 12:9)
• Prayer: "Father, I feel inadequate, but I trust You're working in my children's lives"
• Action: Text a trusted friend for prayer support
• Worship: "You are faithful even when I am faithless" (2 Timothy 2:13)

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XIII. Faith's Ultimate Victory

The Guarantee

"Everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God." (1 John 5:4-5)

Faith wins. Not because we're strong, but because:

• Christ already defeated the enemy (Colossians 2:15)
• We're sealed until redemption (Ephesians 1:13-14)
• Nothing can separate us from God's love (Romans 8:38-39)

The Present Reality

We fight from victory, not for victory:

• The war is won (Revelation 12:11)
• Battles remain (1 Peter 5:8)
• The outcome is certain (Revelation 21:4)

Reference: 1 Corinthians 15:57, "But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

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Closing Application: What This Means Monday Morning

Faith isn't just Sunday theology. It's Monday reality:

• At work: When pressure mounts, remember "God has not given me a spirit of fear"
• In relationships: When conflict erupts, remember "Love keeps no record of wrongs"
• In finances: When lack threatens, remember "My God will meet all your needs"
• In health: When diagnosis comes, remember "By His wounds we are healed"
• In calling: When obstacles appear, remember "If God is for us, who can be against us?"

The shield of faith is raised daily, moment by moment, arrow by arrow.

It is not perfection. It is direction. It is not arrival. It is movement. It is not absence of struggle. It is presence of hope.

Faith trusts that God is working even when we can't see it, that He is good even when circumstances aren't, and that He is faithful even when we are faithless.

The shield stands because the One behind it never falls.

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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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Limitless Forgiveness (Matthew 18:21-22)

Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven! - Matthew 18:21-22

Jesus teaches that forgiveness has no cap. Peter wanted a rule. Jesus wanted a heart. Forgive without keeping score.

Why it matters

• True forgiveness reflects God’s character (Matthew 18:35).

• God forgave us at infinite cost, so we forgive freely (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13).

• Unforgiveness traps us emotionally. It becomes a prison.

• A forgiven heart releases grudges and restores peace (Romans 5:1).

What Jesus meant

• “Seventy times seven” is not a math problem. It is a mindset.

• Forgiveness is an attitude before it is an action.

• When your heart is surrendered, you can forgive the eighth time as easily as the first.

• Nothing justifies clinging to an unforgiving spirit.

Broader Biblical reinforcement

• God forgives lavishly and repeatedly (Psalm 103:8–12).

• Love “keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Corinthians 13:5).

• We are called to restore gently, not retaliate (Galatians 6:1).

• Mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13).

• Bear with each other and forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13).

• If we do not forgive others, we block our own freedom (Matthew 6:14–15).

Spirit of the teaching
Forgiveness restores wholeness. It repairs relationships. It mirrors the grace God pours into us. A heart ready to forgive is a heart aligned with the Kingdom.

Reflection prompt
Who needs forgiveness from you today? What freedom would it create in your soul if you released the record of wrongs?

Closing quote
“He who cannot forgive breaks the bridge over which he himself must pass.” —George Herbert

This was a repost from here: Jesus prescribes limitless readiness to forgive from the heart (Matthew 18:21-22), 

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Fellowship, and good announcement: be made right with God (Matthew 6:1-18)

I enjoyed learning about the euangelion gospel, my friend said Euangelion reminded him of Eulogy, if Eu means good and angelion means announcement, we discovered Eulogy means Good Word (Eu, logas). My insight from the video was thinking of the prophets like we do the gospels, we say the "gospel of Matthew" but never say the "gospel of Isaiah." Then this morning I realized I had this insight last year Isaiah 48:12-51:23 is Jesus life and teaching from Isaiah. 

I got to celebrate the retirement of my friend Paul M and connect with Paul J and Dan (Tom's boss). We all lived downtown at various times. As we were talking I was sharing about the SALT network has many people joining that aren't church goers. How fellowship is what people need, a community of faith, people to praise and people to pray. The Minneapolis community has changed over the years but for better we have many great churches downtown like Substance, River Valley and even the traditional ones seems to be vibrant. I remember going to a church with my dad years ago downtown when I wasn't a church goer. I don't remember much of that experience, just enjoyed being with my dad while I was going through a confusing part of life. This morning I was remembering reading Isaiah from a "Student Bible" my dad had given me, the word of the Lord accomplishes all that it has in store for us. 

Today all the flowers are blooming on Judy's tree, its amazing to see what happens in just a few days in spring. This is a time of growth and new beginnings, praying for my brother, sisters, mom and dad this morning and all our cousins and extended family. I'm looking forward to seeing family on Mother's day and next week in Mason City, Il. Praising God the for the gift of friendship and bright hope for tomorrow. 

God sees us and rewards good deeds received with prayer, forgiveness, and fasting (Matthew 6:1-18)

Forgiveness is more than incredible and beautiful than I had imaged. We generally accept blessing other with bring a blessing from God but receiving forgiveness from God is absolutely life changing. 

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Binary: Belong to the Lord or belong to the enemy

My friend Paul M. is retiring this month, he shared this truth with me years ago: 10 types of people, those who understand binary and those who don't

Continuing the theme Corrie Ten Boom says, 

The world is very sick. There is tragic amount of darkness and sin in the world. And every child of God is standing on the front line of the battle, and the battle is very severe. There's no time anymore for a compromise. You do belong to the Lord Lock Stock and barrel, or you do not belong to him, and then you belong to the enemy. 

Just imagine when you are on the front line of a battle. And you compromise a little bit with the Enemy and the other side. You yourself are in danger, and you, your nation, is in danger because of you.  - Choose Your Side - Corrie Ten Boom

John 14:23: Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. 

This may be my most important insight: It's evil to refuse to follow the Lord completely (1 Kings 11:6, Mark 8:36)

• God heals our unfaithfulness when we listen and obey him (Book of Hosea)
• Acknowledge God for three days and you'll experience mercy (Hosea 6, Acts 9:9)
• Three Days, recurring theme in the Bible for changing your heart

Aleluia, You have saved me, so much better Your Way, Aleluia. Aleluia Great Defender, so much better your Way! Jehovah-Nissi, Banner of protection, El Shaddai, our Lord God Almighty, El Olam, the Everlasting God, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord Who provides for us, Jehovah Rapha (Great Physician Luke 5:31), the Lord Who heals us, Jehovah Mekoddishkem, the Lord Who sanctifies, to Jehovah Shalom, the Lord our Peace, Jehovah Sabaoth, the Lord of Hosts, to Jehovah Raah, the Lord our Shepherd, Jehovah Tsidkenu, the Lord our Righteousness, Jehovah Shammah, the Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:1-35, 35). 16-Names-of-God

the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The LORD is there. - Ezekiel 48:35

• Revelation 21:3: And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying: “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man, and He will dwell with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.
• Revelation 22:3-4: No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be within the city, and His servants will worship Him. / They will see His face, and His name will be on their foreheads.
• Revelation 21:22-23: But I saw no temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. / And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp. Isaiah 60:19-20: No longer will the sun be your light by day, nor the brightness of the moon shine on your night; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your splendor. / Your sun will no longer set, and your moon will not wane; for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and the days of your sorrow will cease.
• Revelation 21:10-11: And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, / shining with the glory of God. Its radiance was like a most precious jewel, like a jasper, as clear as crystal.
• Revelation 21:2: I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
• Zechariah 2:10-11: “Shout for joy and be glad, O Daughter of Zion, for I am coming to dwell among you,” declares the LORD. / “On that day many nations will join themselves to the LORD, and they will become My people. I will dwell among you, and you will know that the LORD of Hosts has sent Me to you.
• Zechariah 14:9: On that day the LORD will become King over all the earth—the LORD alone, and His name alone.
• Isaiah 12:6: Cry out and sing, O citizen of Zion, for great among you is the Holy One of Israel.”
• Isaiah 7:14: Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will be with child and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel. Matthew 1:23: “Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel” (which means, “God with us”). John 1:14: The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.
• Jeremiah 3:17: At that time they will call Jerusalem The Throne of the LORD, and all the nations will be gathered in Jerusalem to honor the name of the LORD. They will no longer follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts
• Jeremiah 33:16: In those days Judah will be saved, and Jerusalem will dwell securely, and this is the name by which it will be called: The LORD Our Righteousness.
• Genesis 22:14: And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovahjireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen.
• Jeremiah 33:16: In those days shall Judah be saved, and Jerusalem shall dwell safely: and this is the name wherewith she shall be called, The LORD our righteousness.
• Zechariah 14:21: Yea, every pot in Jerusalem and in Judah shall be holiness unto the LORD of hosts: and all they that sacrifice shall come and take of them, and seethe therein: and in that day there shall be no more the Canaanite in the house of the LORD of hosts. 
• Exodus 15:26: And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.
• Exodus 17:15: And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
• Judges 6:24: Then Gideon built an altar there unto the LORD, and called it Jehovahshalom: unto this day it is yet in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.

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My spirit is the lamp of the LORD, who sheds light on my inmost being (Proverbs 20:27)

Matthew 6:22-23: The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. / But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!

Luke 11:34-36: Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are good, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are bad, your body is full of darkness. / Be careful, then, that the light within you is not darkness. / So if your whole body is full of light, with no part of it in darkness, you will be radiant, as though a lamp were shining on you.”

Lord, help me to stay away from media that takes me away from you. Help me to see what you want me to see, to be clear minded and self controlled so that I can pray. Above all to love eachother deeply, covering a multitude of sins. Let the peace of Christ dwell inside me, Coram Deo Alleluia.

 Proverbs 20:27 is so interesting as it's translated into various ideas: 

• The human spirit is the lamp of the LORD that sheds light on one’s inmost being. NIV
• The LORD’s light penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive. NLT
• The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart. NKJV
• The spirit of a person is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the innermost parts of his being. NASB
• The spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being. AMP
• The LORD’s lamp sheds light on a person’s life, searching the innermost parts. CSB

Genesis 2:7: Then the LORD God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils, and the man became a living being.

Job 32:8: But there is a spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty, that gives him understanding.

Psalm 18:28: For You, O LORD, light my lamp; my God lights up my darkness.

Psalm 139:23-24: Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. / See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the way everlasting.

Isaiah 11:2: The Spirit of the LORD will rest on Him—the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and strength, the Spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.

Isaiah 26:9: My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Isaiah 29:24: Then the wayward in spirit will come to understanding, and those who grumble will accept instruction.”

Jeremiah 17:10: I, the LORD, search the heart; I examine the mind to reward a man according to his way, by what his deeds deserve.

Zechariah 12:1: This is the burden of the word of the LORD concerning Israel. Thus declares the LORD, who stretches out the heavens and lays the foundation of the earth, who forms the spirit of man within him:

John 1:4-5: In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. / The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.

John 3:19-21: And this is the verdict: The Light has come into the world, but men loved the darkness rather than the Light because their deeds were evil. / Everyone who does evil hates the Light, and does not come into the Light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. / But whoever practices the truth comes into the Light, so that it may be seen clearly that what he has done has been accomplished in God.”

John 8:12: Once again, Jesus spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in the darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Romans 8:16: The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.

Lord fill my life with your presence, and lead me into your promises. I place my life into your hands and I'm willing to let you carry me away. Yet I hear your servants say, "get up and walk." So Lord, I'll walk with you today. I'll let my yes be yes and my no be no. You are enough, you fill my cup, you make me strong, you're will be done. In my heart, my mind, my strength, my soul. I love you Lord, amen. 

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Spirit of heaviness and other "spiritual ailments"

Listening to How Demons Can Cause Negative Thinking - Derek Prince and looking at, What Does the Bible Say About Spirit Of Heaviness?

I can see how modern preachers recycle the classics and make them their own. Robert Morris (Free Indeed) appears to have been influenced heavily by Derek Prince (Pulling Down Strongholds) and John Bevere (Bate of Satan) by Warren Wiersbe (Strategy of Satan). 

Derek Prince highlights that we can be given over to torment by lack of forgives. Matthew 18:33-35, "…Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should repay all that he owed. That is how My heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart.”

Notes from how demons can cause Negative Thinking: 

• Compelling to bite nails. Cutting self, self harm. 
• Enslave.  People can sin and stop sinning. Enslaved can’t stop
• Compel + enslave = addiction
• Addition can be respectable. 90% demons.
• Defile, dirty unclean, evil impure images and thoughts in our minds.
• Anything to keep you from worshiping God is demonic
• Deception: deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.
• Week, sick, tired or killed. You spirit of tiredness come out of her… they make us go to sleep, spirit of slumber…

Remedy is found in God's promise delivered in Jesus Christ

Isaiah 61:1-3 ESV 

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified.

Luke 4:14-21 Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power...taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone...he stood up to read...the prophet Isaiah...“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor...Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” 

Grateful to share these truths with my brother yesterday as we watched Tim Mackie - What Many Christians Misunderstand About The Bible. We talked about what it means to be a child of God who wanders away from God, rejects God. Is it right to kidnap them and force them into heaven or allow a door for them to walk through? I was able to accept Jesus into my life after rejecting him in my foolish youth because I learned the principles of healthy spiritual and mental functioning. From insecurity to peace of mind (Serenity Principle)

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Freedom, liberty in communion with God

Sometimes we need a fresh start, we've been a failure and need to get back in step with the Lord. Sometimes a quick prayer doesn't feel like enough. Hebrews reminds us that God made a special day called "today" - today WHEN you hear his voice don't harden your heart, today is the day of salvation. Warn each other every day, while it is still "today", so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. (Heb 3:13) 

• Before work talk to God and give your ideas to him: “O Lord, God of my master, Abraham,” he prayed. “Please give me success today, and show unfailing love to my master, Abraham. (Gen 24:12-14)
• Then Pay attention:  Before he had finished praying... (he witnessed the answer)... “Praise the Lord, the God of my master, Abraham,” he said. “The Lord has shown unfailing love and faithfulness to my master, for he has led me straight to my master’s relatives.” (Gen 24:15-27)
• Acknowledge the Lord to others: “So today when I came to the spring, I prayed this prayer: ‘O Lord, God of my master, Abraham, please give me success on this mission. (Gen 24:42)

Sometimes our prayers are interrupted by thoughts, obsessions, or desires that want to carry us away from the LORD. We need to "be still" and turn the lights on inside our heart, have a moment of reflection, let the word of Christ dwell within ourselves and take Holy Communion. In our hearts we can hold up the shield of faith that extinguish the enemy arrows from the outside, but on the inside of faith is peace. 

• Psalms 11:5 says that “the LORD tests the righteous,” and in Job 23:10, Job says of God, “When he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.” Similarly, God told Jeremiah, “I the LORD search the heart and test the mind” (Jeremiah 17:10), and Proverbs 17:3 declares that “the LORD tests hearts.”

 Communion: The Meal of Absolute Victory - Bill Johnson (Sermon Clip) | Bethel Church

• "This is my body" - "broken for you"
• "By His stripes you WERE healed" - today I get to experience the liberty and forgiveness 
• Put someone on your lips and declare healing for them, in Jesus name. 
• As for me and my house we will serve the LORD. 

Communion, the body and blood and the weekend (Psalm 23, John 13-21, Exodus 12)

Psalm 19

Don't hold on theology of problems, hold onto theology of our solution. Take time with the LORD. 

Psalm 19:13: Who can discern his own errors? Cleanse me from my hidden faults. Keep me safe (from arrogant people/things), also, from willful (presumptuous, flagrant, conspicuously offensive, obviously inconsistent with what is right) sins; don't let them rule (control, dominion) over me. Then I shall be perfect (blameless, without spot) and free (acquitted, declared innocent, cleansed) from the evil of sin (transgression, greatest sin). May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

• But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. / Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. James 1:14-15
• If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. / If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. / If we say we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar, and His word is not in us. 1 John 1:8-10
• Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. / Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness. / For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. Romans 6:12-14
• So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. / For the flesh craves what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you want. Galatians 5:16-17
• No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
• And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ Matthew 6:13
• Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Hebrews 12:1
• or because of these surpassingly great revelations. So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. / Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. / But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:7-9

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Anyone who does what pleases God will live forever (1 John 2:17)

How can we know what pleases God, what brings him Joy? We can look to Jesus. 

My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. 1 John 2:1-6

Jesus is our advocate pleading our case before the Father. "Our Father... Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Forgive us our trespass, today, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one." 

Jesus also advocates for us in John 17 and now in heaven he and the Spirit advocate for us (Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1; Romans 8:27)

Most people are familiar with the ten commandments. But how familiar are we with the commandments of Jesus?

Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit

Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome (1 John 5:3)

Commandments of Jesus part 1

God's word and Spirit changes the perverse to be meek and obedient

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Spiritual believers but not followers of Jesus Christ

Reading an analysis of Ephesians this week I'm reminded how easily we can be led astray by false teachers. I know I have loved entertainment that is opposite of what I've learned about God and his will for my life. Yet we see the Lord's mercies are made new everyday. I believe the Holy Spirit is poured out on all people, we can choose to acknowledge God's work like Abel or puff ourselves up like Cain ("didn't we do these great things.."). Jesus paid it all the cross, so there is no bearer between people and God. Have you felt the Spirit of God guiding you? Jesus said "when I send the Holy Spirit he will guide you into all truth. He will remind you of everything I taught." - The gifts and the call of God are irrevocable (Romans 11:29), the only sin left to condemn us is to reject gifts and call of God (Matthew 12:32, Mark 3:29).

Every day we have a choice to make, to accept the gifts and call of God or to rely on our own understanding. This is how Isaiah put it:

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will...If you are walking in darkness, without a ray of light, trust in the Lord and rely on your God. But watch out, you who live in your own light and warm yourselves by your own fires... - Isaiah 50:4,10-11 (see Jesus life and teaching: Isaiah 48:12-51:23)

Spiritual believers will come to a decision about Christ, but how can we say we've really understood if we haven't followed the prescribed way (Heb 6:4) of Sanctification connects repentance, restoration, and service to God. Today if you hear his voice don't harden your heart - this is the message of Hebrews and Psalms (Psalm 95:8,Hebrews 3:15), let the Word of God do it's work in you (Heb 4:12). 

Discover a relationship with Jesus as Lord and Savior, you'll find following Jesus is the best decision a person can ever make. 

People can be honest with God and ask Him to reveal himself

• But I, O Lord, cry to you; in the morning my prayer comes before you. - Psalm 88:13
• I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. - Psalm 119:147
• This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24 , Phil 4:4-7
• Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust. Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. - Psalm 143:8, Romans 12:1-3

The Lord will reveal his Loving Kindness when we ask him to open our eyes to see Him this morning.

• The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. - Lamentations 3:22-23, Titus 3

What are you preparing in your heart, what are you setting apart for God in heart? What would you like to see God do in your life today? 

• O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. - Psalm 5:3, Romans 12:1-3, Romans 12:6-18

When we come to the Lord in Spirit and Truth we often see how wrong we are, consider how God didn't just forgive you, but He died in your place - so that you can live in Him. Now consider how Jesus rose from the grave and has given us his Holy Spirit to live, and abide. How does this joy change your outlook on your family, community and situation (it's a wonderful life!).

• For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. - Psalm 30:5, Hebrews 12, Romans 5
• Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. - Psalm 90:14 
• “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, - Job 38:12
• My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning. - Psalm 130:6 
• But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. - Psalm 59:16
• For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. - Psalm 91:11

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