Compassion from the gut draws us to pray for our loved ones (Matthew 20:34)

I'm enjoying Restore the Roar translation process to German. On DAY SIXTEEN — I Need Three Miracles! Jesus teaches that spiritual blindness is not merely a lack of information but a condition of the heart. Yet His compassion moves Him to open blind eyes, restore hearing, heal the sick, and bring people to Himself. Because Jesus never changes, we can still pray with confidence for Him to awaken spiritually blind hearts today.

The story of the author's grandmother illustrates this hope. Drawing from Matthew 13:15, the author prayed that Jesus would open her eyes, ears, and heart so she could turn to Him. Before she died, she responded to the gospel, prayed for salvation and forgiveness, and trusted Christ. The author sees this as Jesus compassionately healing her deepest need by bringing her into eternal life.

Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matthew 20:34 

Compassion as the trigger, not the request. The text says Jesus "had compassion" before it says he acted. Elsewhere in Matthew this same word (splanchnizomai, a gut-level, visceral pity) drives him toward the crowds (9:36, 14:14, 15:32) and toward the leper (Mark 1:41). It's not abstract pity; it's the emotional root of his ministry of healing. Worth noting: the men had just cried out "Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David" (v. 30-31), persistent, even when the crowd told them to be quiet. Compassion answers persistent faith, not polished request.

Touch as identification, not necessity. Jesus could heal with a word alone (as with the centurion's servant, Matt 8:13, or Mark 10:52's "your faith has healed you"). He didn't need to touch anyone. That he does repeatedly, across different healings (the leper, Jairus's daughter, these blind men) — says something about incarnational ministry: he enters into the affliction physically rather than fixing it from a distance. It also breaks convention; touching a blind beggar (likely also seen as ritually unclean or cursed for his condition, per John 9:2) was socially risky.

Immediacy as a marker of divine action. "Immediately" recurs across nearly every one of these healing accounts (18:43, 10:52, Acts 9:18). This isn't incidental narrative pacing — in Scripture, instant and complete restoration (as opposed to gradual improvement, contrast Mark 8:22-25's two-stage healing) tends to signal that this is God's own power at work, not human medicine or magic ritual. It's evidentiary: the miracle authenticates the healer.

Sight restored fulfills prophecy. Isaiah 35:5 and 42:7 promise that opened blind eyes mark the inbreaking of God's kingdom and the ministry of the Servant. Matthew, writing to a Jewish audience, is almost certainly building this connection deliberately — this healing is a messianic credential, not just an act of kindness.

Following as the true outcome. The healing isn't the end of the story — it's the hinge. "They received their sight and followed him." Compare Luke 18:43, where the healed man follows "glorifying God," and Bartimaeus in Mark 10:52, who follows "along the road" (toward Jerusalem, toward the cross). Restored sight is functionally identical to discipleship here: to truly see is to follow. This pairs with John 9, where physical sight becomes a metaphor for spiritual sight — the healed man ends up worshiping Jesus while the sighted Pharisees remain blind.

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God's Role and Our Participation in Holiness, Peter's ladder ( 2 Peter 1:1–11, Hebrews 12:10)

 2 Peter 1:1–11, Hebrews 12:10 came to mind as I was reviewing discipline, in "Peter's ladder" this is equated with Self-Control, restraint and will. It's the first part of the ladder that transforms our focus toward others after having added to our faith virtue and knowledge. 

These two passages together answer one of the most important questions in the Christian life: Who does what? The answer is neither "God does everything" nor "you earn it by effort." It is a purposeful partnership — God initiates, provides, and disciplines; we receive, respond, and press forward.

God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. - Heb 12:10

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What God Does First

Peter is careful to establish the sequence. Before any human effort appears in the text, God has already acted decisively.

He gives everything required. "His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness" (v. 3). The word granted is perfect tense — completed action with ongoing effect. Nothing is withheld. The resource problem has been solved before the effort begins.

He gives access to his own nature. Through "precious and very great promises," believers become "partakers of the divine nature" (v. 4). This is extraordinary language. Peter is not describing moral improvement — he is describing ontological participation. God shares himself. Holiness is not a standard imposed from outside; it is the nature of the one who now dwells within.

He escapes us from corruption. The same verse grounds this transformation in a rescue: having "escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire." God's action in Christ removes the enslaving power of the old nature before the new one can take root.

He disciplines us into his holiness. Hebrews 12:10 adds the long-game dimension. God is not a passive benefactor who gives gifts and steps back. He is a Father who disciplines his children — specifically and purposefully — "that we may share in his holiness." The goal of discipline is not behavior modification. It is sharing. His holiness, not just better habits.

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What We Are Called to Do

Having established God's prior action, Peter pivots immediately — and without apology. "For this very reason, make every effort" (v. 5).

The phrase "make every effort" translates a Greek word (spoudē) that carries urgency, even haste. It is not passive reception. It is not waiting for holiness to arrive. It is active, directed, sustained effort.

Peter lists seven qualities that are to be added to faith — virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. The structure matters. Each quality becomes the platform for the next. Faith is the foundation; love is the summit. The progression is not random — it maps the shape of Christlikeness from inside out.

Three motivations anchor the call to participate:

Fruitfulness. "If these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ" (v. 8). Holiness has a purpose beyond the self. A fruitless Christian has lost sight of why the transformation matters.

Memory. "Whoever lacks these qualities is so nearsighted that he is blind, having forgotten that he was cleansed from his former sins" (v. 9). The failure to pursue holiness is, at its root, a failure of memory. Spiritual passivity forgets grace.

Assurance. "Be all the more diligent to confirm your calling and election" (v. 10). Effort does not produce election — but it confirms it. The person who is pressing forward has more, not less, ground for assurance.

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The Theology of the Partnership

Put these texts together and a clear pattern emerges.

God's Role	Our Role
Grants divine power (v. 3)	Make every effort (v. 5)
Gives precious promises (v. 4)	Add quality upon quality (vv. 5–7)
Enables partaking of divine nature (v. 4)	Do not be idle or unfruitful (v. 8)
Disciplines for our good (Heb 12:10)	Confirm your calling with diligence (v. 10)
Provides richly into his eternal kingdom (v. 11)	Press toward the entrance (v. 11)

The left column is the source of everything on the right. Human effort is not self-generated — it is a response to divine provision. But it is still real effort. God's sovereign grace does not dissolve human responsibility; it energizes it. ("Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you" — Philippians 2:12–13 runs the same logic.)

Hebrews 12:10 keeps this honest. The discipline God sends is not comfortable. It is painful in the moment (Heb 12:11). But it is purposeful. God is not experimenting with us. He is conforming us to something specific — his own holiness. The Father's goal for the child is not just better conduct. It is shared nature.

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

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A Summary Word

Holiness is not something we produce. It is something we receive, respond to, and grow into — under the care of a God who has already given everything needed and who disciplines us precisely because he refuses to leave us short of what he intends.

Peter's ladder (v. 5–7) is not a works program. It is the shape of a life that has received grace and is moving toward love. The effort is real. The resource is God's. The goal is participation in his nature — which is exactly what he promised.

Lord help me to keep loving you and loving people as my heart's motive and aim. Guide me today and give me eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. May everyone I encounter feel your grace

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Christian lives between promise received and promise completed (Joshua 21:43–45, Hebrews 4:8–10)

 Joshua 21:43–45

“The Lord gave them rest on every side… Not one word of all the good promises that the Lord had made… had failed; all came to pass.”

Big Idea

God is the giver of true rest.
The rest Israel experienced in Joshua was not merely the absence of war. It was the fulfillment of God’s promise, the enjoyment of His presence, and the settled peace of living under His covenant faithfulness.

This passage shows three powerful truths:

1. God keeps His promises

2. God gives rest after struggle

3. God’s rest points beyond Canaan to a deeper spiritual rest in Christ

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1) Rest is the fulfillment of God’s promise

Joshua 21 emphasizes that Israel’s rest was not accidental or self-made. It was promised by God, secured by God, and given by God.

Key supporting texts:

• Exodus 33:14
  “My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”
  Rest is tied first to God’s presence, not merely favorable circumstances.

• Deuteronomy 12:10
  “When you go over the Jordan and live in the land… and he gives you rest from all your enemies around, so that you live in safety…”
  Joshua 21 is the realization of what God had spoken long before.

• 1 Kings 8:56
  “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed…”
  Solomon later looks back and confirms the same truth: God’s Word does not fail.

Reflection:

Rest begins when we trust that God is faithful even when fulfillment takes time. Israel wandered, fought, waited, and endured, but God still brought them into what He promised.

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2) Rest often comes after conflict, not before it

Joshua 21 does not mean Israel never fought. It means that after seasons of warfare, uncertainty, and obedience, God established them.

Key supporting texts:

• Joshua 11:23
  “And the land had rest from war.”
  Rest came after battle, not instead of it.

• Joshua 23:1
  “A long time afterward, when the Lord had given rest to Israel from all their surrounding enemies…”
  God’s timing often includes process, perseverance, and preparation.

• 2 Samuel 7:1
  “When the king lived in his house and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies…”
  David also experienced that rest is something God establishes, not something man can manufacture.

Reflection:

Many people think peace means a life with no resistance. Biblically, peace often means God’s sustaining hand through the resistance until He settles what He has ordained.

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3) Biblical rest is more than stopping. It is settled peace in God

The Hebrew idea of rest carries the sense of security, settledness, and peace. It is not laziness or inactivity. It is living without fear because God has made His people secure.

Key supporting texts:

• Leviticus 26:6
  “I will give peace in the land, and you shall lie down, and none shall make you afraid.”
  God’s peace includes freedom from fear.

• Psalm 4:8
  “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
  Rest is inward before it is outward.

• Psalm 29:11
  “The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”
  Biblical peace is not weakness. It is strength under God’s blessing.

• Isaiah 26:3
  “You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.”
  Peace is maintained by trust, not by control.

Reflection:

The rest God gives includes:

• peace of conscience
• stability in uncertainty
• freedom from striving
• confidence in His care

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4) God’s rest is covenant peace, not merely circumstantial comfort

Israel’s rest in Joshua was tied to being in the land under God’s rule and promise. It was relational and covenantal.

Key supporting texts:

• Numbers 6:24–26
  “The Lord bless you and keep you… and give you peace.”
  Peace flows from God’s covenant blessing.

• Psalm 23:1–3
  “The Lord is my shepherd… he leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.”
  God gives rest not only to nations but to souls.

• Jeremiah 6:16
  “Walk in it, and find rest for your souls.”
  Rest is found in walking in God’s way.

Reflection:

Peace is not ultimately found in possessions, schedules, or control over outcomes. It is found in right relationship with God.

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5) Joshua’s rest was real, but not final

This is one of the most important biblical insights. Joshua 21 celebrates a true fulfillment, but the Bible later shows that this rest was not the ultimate rest God intended.

Key supporting texts:

• Psalm 95:7–11
  Long after Joshua, God still warns His people not to harden their hearts and miss His rest.

• Hebrews 3:18–19
  “They were unable to enter because of unbelief.”
  The greatest barrier to rest is not hardship. It is unbelief.

• Hebrews 4:8–10
  “For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken of another day later on… So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God.”
  This is crucial: Joshua gave a historical rest, but Christ gives eternal rest.

Reflection:

The land pointed to something greater:

• not just a place, but a Person
• not just military peace, but soul peace
• not just temporary safety, but eternal security

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6) Jesus is the fulfillment of promised rest

Everything Joshua 21 anticipates finds its fullest expression in Christ. Jesus gives what Canaan could only symbolize.

Key supporting texts:

Matthew 11:28–30

• “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
• Jesus offers rest not just for the body or nation, but for the weary soul.

John 14:27

• “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you… Let not your hearts be troubled.”
• Christ gives a peace the world cannot produce.

Romans 5:1

• “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
• The deepest peace is reconciliation with God.

Ephesians 2:13–14

• “He himself is our peace…”
• Jesus does not merely provide peace. He is peace.

Philippians 4:6–7

• “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

The believer can experience inward peace even when outward conditions remain unsettled.

Reflection:

Joshua shows us the shadow.
Jesus gives us the substance.

Joshua led Israel into a land.
Jesus leads His people into peace with God, rest for the soul, and eternal hope.

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7) God’s promised rest includes both “already” and “not yet”

As believers, we experience real rest now, but we also still await the fullness of it.

Present rest:

• peace with God now (Romans 5:1)
• peace in trial now (John 16:33)
• soul rest in Christ now (Matthew 11:28–30)

Future rest:

• Revelation 14:13
  “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labors.”

• Revelation 21:3–4
  “He will wipe away every tear… neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.”
  Final rest means the complete removal of sorrow, sin, death, and conflict.

Reflection:

The Christian life is lived between:

• promise received
• and promise completed

Joshua 21 teaches us that what God starts, He finishes.

Joshua 21:43–45 teaches us:

• God is faithful to every promise
• God gives rest after seasons of struggle
• God’s peace is deeper than outward calm
• Earthly rest points to spiritual rest
• Jesus is the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promised rest

Ask:

• Where am I still living like God’s promises might fail?
• Where am I striving instead of resting in God’s faithfulness?
• Am I seeking peace from circumstances, or from Christ Himself?
• What battle has God already brought me through that should deepen my trust in Him now?

Joshua 21:43–45 is a monument to the faithfulness of God.
Israel stood in the land because God kept His word. And believers stand in grace today for the same reason.

The God who gave Israel rest on every side is the same God who gives His people peace in Christ.

Not one word failed then. Not one word will fail now.

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Praising God for life change (Ron Williams)

 My friend Ron Williams has been recovering from cancer surgery over the past few months. When I serve guys in Teen Challenge I see into their future the potential of a good dad, grand father and pastor. Someone who can help people heal and find true hope in God. He's line is that he went from a "hopeless dope addict" to a "dopeless hope addict."

As I've praying for him I was thinking about the church he pastors outside of his work at Teen Challenge and googled him. This was the results:

Ron Williams is a chaplain at Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge based in the Minneapolis area, celebrating five years in this role as of late 2023. After overcoming personal struggles with addiction, homelessness, and incarceration, he now guides others toward recovery, serving as a mentor and coach. 

Key Details About Ron Williams (Chaplain/Minneapolis):

Role: Chaplain and recovery coach at Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, helping men overcome addiction.

Background: Graduated from the Teen Challenge program in 2007 after serving time in prison.

Focus: Uses his life experiences to provide hope and guidance, with over 18 years of sobriety.

I'm healing, Hebrews 13:5, "God will never leave us or forsake us." he means that. People asked him about the Bible at his nightstand, this opened the opportunity to testify about God's intervention in his life. Night and Day, Day and Night - visions and presence (Zech 14). Ron's Facebook message

 

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Three Days: A Biblical Pattern for Heart Change

Problem: Our hearts often cling to bitterness, sin, or worldly desires. This keeps us from God’s presence and healing.

Empathy: Like Saul, we sometimes need a season of blindness and waiting to truly see.

Answer: Scripture shows a recurring theme: three days as a turning point for blessing, obedience, and restoration.

Saul’s Three Days Blind, fasting, waiting for Ananias (Acts 9:9). A time of surrender, repentance, and preparation for healing. Other “Three Days” Patterns Blessing or curse: Joseph interprets dreams (Gen 40:12-19). Darkness vs. light: Egypt vs. Israel (Ex 10:21-23). Jonah: Three days in the fish, then obedience (Jonah 1:17; 3:3). Jesus: Three days in the earth (Matt 12:40). Fasting crowd: Fed after three days (Matt 15:32). Mocked for prophecy: Jesus and resurrection promise (Matt 26:61; 27:40,63).

Healing and Restoration James 5:15-16 reminds us: Prayer of faith restores and forgives. Confession brings healing and reconciliation. Persistent prayer is powerful and dynamic. God uses seasons of waiting, like Saul’s three days, to: Heal spiritual blindness. Restore broken hearts. Prepare us for mission.

 

Reflection Questions

1. When will I set aside time to truly listen to God?

 

2. What distractions or desires keep me from His presence?

 

3. How can I apply Saul’s example of fasting, prayer, confession to experience healing and restoration?

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How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!

Enjoyed completing our 3rd Alpha at Portland house. We gave out 6 Jesus Focused Bibles and the Pursuit of God by Tozer as well as Purpose Driven Life by Warren.

My desire for these men: Luke 8:39

“Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.

We've always gotten a few family and friends to join for part of the time. Only KC and Missy were consistent. I got to see KC this year at my second Spiritual Emphasis week at Wooddale Church in Eden Prairie.  

Dave received an answer to prayer this week. After 10 years he got in touch with his daughter and opened the door to connect with his son. He asked us to pray for him before Thanksgiving and that he'd be an honorable man and reconcile with his family over the holidays. 

I met a great guy who lives in Rochester. He was talking about bringing his family to church. I was going to mention the place I started BSF satellite group in and he said it first, "Autumn Ridge." 

We prayed for healing for the guys, Dave's hip has been hurting for a long time. So we prayed about that, believing in a physical miracle. Stacy had a lot on his heart for his family, twins and special needs. We prayed for miracles of healing in relationship and for the wisdom of God to fill his heart and mind, replacing worry with peace. Jim prayed for Jacob, Art and the others. Juan Carlos left the program early and we prayed for him and the others who are on their own. 

Mark 5:19-20

But Jesus would not allow him. “Go home to your own people,” He said, “and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and what mercy He has shown you.” / So the man went away and began to proclaim throughout the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And everyone was amazed.

Acts 22:15

You will be His witness to everyone of what you have seen and heard.

Romans 10:14-15

How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach? / And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

Tale of two cities, no one is neutral with Jesus

Money, the power of God's word and dreams

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God defines victory by persistent faith and obedience

 Enjoying God Is Restoring You and Fulfilling His Promises in Your Life - Bill Johnson. Great reminder that God calls us into battle and loss because character growth comes when our response is prayer and obedience. He gives what we can handle (John 16), the weight of his glory.

God restores. That is the heartbeat of Johnson’s message. Victory is defined by faith, not comfort. Israel lost twice in Judges 20 yet God still called their obedience victory. God is drawn to weakness to display His strength. He often answers in “seed form” because the process prepares us for the weight of blessing. The sermon ends with a call to breakthrough, reversal, and Jubilee-level restoration. Corporate faith matters. Pray boldly. Expect God to finish what He promised.

This sermon by Bill Johnson focuses on God’s heart for restoration and the fulfillment of His promises, even when life has delivered disappointment or loss (0:00-0:04, 1:46-1:50). Johnson teaches that God defines victory not by the absence of struggle, but by persistent faith and obedience (13:00-13:20). This aligns with Hebrews 10:36, which reminds believers that endurance is required to receive what God has promised.

God’s Attraction to Weakness and Need

Johnson explains that God is drawn to weakness, need, mourning, and even sin, not to affirm brokenness but to reveal His strength, comfort, and redeeming grace (3:44-7:06).
Scripture affirms this:

• Joel 3:10 — “Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”

• James 2:5 — God has chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith.

• Psalm 34:18 — The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.

• 2 Corinthians 12:9 — God’s power is made perfect in weakness.

• Matthew 5:4 — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God is attracted to the spaces where we feel defeated because those spaces reveal His nature most clearly.

Israel’s Battles in Judges 20

The core story comes from Judges 20, where Israel asks God whether to go to battle. God says yes, yet they lose two battles despite obeying His word (Judges 20:18-25).
Johnson notes that God still calls their obedience “victory,” because victory is measured by courage, endurance, and willingness to obey again (Judges 20:26-28).
This mirrors Galatians 6:9, urging believers not to grow weary in doing good because in due time they will reap.

God’s Process and Character Development

Johnson teaches that God is deeply committed to the process that forms Christlike character (19:05-19:16). This echoes:

• Romans 5:3-5 — suffering produces endurance, character, and hope.

• James 1:2-4 — trials produce maturity.

• Mark 4:26-29 — God often answers in “seed form,” growing the answer over time (18:37-18:41).

God prepares hearts to handle the weight of blessing before He releases it.

Breakthrough and Reversal

The sermon builds toward a call for breakthrough and reversal of hardship (20:44-21:37). Johnson proclaims a Jubilee season (Leviticus 25:10) where God restores what was lost and releases miraculous provision (24:25-25:00).
This reflects promises like:

• Isaiah 61:7 — “Instead of your shame you shall have a double portion.”

• Joel 2:25 — God restores the years the locust has eaten.

Importance of Corporate Faith and Prayer

The message ends with bold, united prayer for breakthrough, healing, restoration, and renewal (27:07-30:16).
This is supported by:

• Matthew 18:19-20 — agreement in prayer invites God’s action.

• Acts 4:31 — corporate prayer shakes places and fills believers with power.

• Hebrews 10:24-25 — encourage one another toward faith.

The “offering reading” (30:57-32:50) underscores how natural obedience and spiritual expectancy work together (Malachi 3:10, Luke 6:38).

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Reflection Questions

1. Where have I mistaken struggle for failure instead of seeing it as part of God’s forming process?

2. What area of weakness do I need to invite God into so His strength can be revealed?

3. What breakthrough or restoration am I being called to pray for with renewed faith and persistence?

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True worship is submitting yourself to God wholeheartedly (Jer 17:11-18:17)

focus verse: 

O Lord, if you heal me, I will be truly healed; if you save me, I will be truly saved. My praises are for you alone! Jer 17:14

 Jer 17:11-18:17

• A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)
• B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)
• C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

A) Worship the LORD with your whole self and find living water, healing, and salvation (Jer 17:11-18)

11-12) WORSHIP: Wealth by unjust means is lost by fools, worship LORD instead

• Devotion to God enables visibility and employment in his kingdom (Matthew 6-7)

13) APOSTASY: all who turn away/abandoned LORD (fountain living water) are disgraced, dead

• Jesus ministers to the Samaritan woman at the well
• Jesus teaches about Living Water at Festival of Tabernacles

14) FAITH: LORD, if you heal me, I'm truly healed, save me, I'm truly saved, I praise you alone

15) People scoff, what message from LORD, predictions don't come true

16) WORK: LORD, I've not abandoned my job as shepherd, patient, in your presence, hoping in you alone

17-18) Don't terrorize me but double on them, meshame/dismay on perecuters, not me.

B) Keep the Sabbath Holy and receive incalculable blessing (Jer 17:19-27)

19-23) LORD says: stop carrying your trade on Sabbath day, make it holy, pay attention, accept discipline 

• Love will slow you down - to your benefit
• Application: I'm here Lord

24-26) Obey me in Sabbath and city will be strong forever, blessing everyone with offering/thanksgiving to the LORD's Temple.

27) Refuse me in Sabbath and I will set fire to gates spreading to palaces

• Application: we have two choices in life, obedience or refusal

C) God molds us and re-molds us until he see repentance (Jer 18:1-17)

1-4) Potter working his wheel, jar didn't turn out, so he crushed it into a lump and started over

5-10) As clay in potter's hand so we are in God's hands; God announces destruction but if nation renounces evil ways, I won't destroy as planned. If announces blessing but then nation turns to evil and refuses to obey, I won't bless.

11-12) Jeremiah warns about disaster instead of good, turn from evil ways, do what's right

• Does God change his mind?

13-17) LORD, "snow capped mountains, reliable cold streams? not so, people deserted, incense worthless idols, muddy path, land desolate, stupidity, scattered - LORD turned back on them, refuse their distress

Diagnostics of a depraved psychology and consequences (Romans 1:18-32)

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False religion is obvious, life is rotten apart from God (Jeremiah 12-14)

Jeremiah 12-14

outline: 

• A) False religion is uprooted, so that we can learn the way, the truth and the life (Jer 12)
• B) We were made for God, purified in Him to care his flock, nothing from myself (Jer 13)
• C) We need to be completely "poor in spirit" to see God (Jer 14)

AIM: LORD, Create in me a pure heart that pursues You in love and truth. 

Key verses:

• Q: Why are wicked, evil people prosperous and happy... Your name is on their lips, but you are far from their hearts. (Jer 12:1-2)
• A: Desolate, wasteland mourns...My people have planted wheat but are harvesting thorns. They have worn themselves out, but it has done them no good. They will harvest a crop of shame because of the fierce anger of the Lord.” (Jer 12:13), So this is what the Lord says to his people: “You love to wander far from me and do not restrain yourselves. Therefore, I will no longer accept you as my people. Now I will remember all your wickedness and will punish you for your sins.” (Jer 14:10)
• Response: "Lord, we confess our wickedness and that of our ancestors, too. We all have sinned against you. For the sake of your reputation, Lord, do not abandon us. Do not disgrace your own glorious throne. Please remember us, and do not break your covenant with us. Can any of the worthless foreign gods send us rain? Does it fall from the sky by itself? No, you are the one, O Lord our God! Only you can do such things. So we will wait for you to help us." (Jer 14:20-22)

A) False religion is uprooted, so that we can learn the way, the truth and the life (Jer 12)

 Jer 12:1-4) LORD, justice - Jeremiah complaint Evil people happy, God lips, hearts empty, land suffers

• Eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands

5-13) LORD reply, tired now, family against you, my chosen people act like vultures, now abandoned, overtaken, barren, desolate and no one cares. They plant wheat and harvest thorns, warn out and will harvest a crop of shame.

• Do we spend our efforts on awareness (programs) or life changing power of God (prayer)?
• Do we meet physical (food/shelter) and spiritual (love God/worship) needs, cultivating the ground of repentance? 
• We need both, Knowledge of SIN cultivates a conscience and heart for God

Jer 12:14-17) LORD, I will uproot evil nations, uproot Judah from them - afterward I will have compassion on them all, learn my name, way and obey - else destroyed

• How God's wayward children repent with healed hearts (Jeremiah 3:6-4:2)
• I will destroy those who used to worship me but now no longer do (Zephaniah 1:6)
• Jesus explains working in his kingdom is about giving not taking (Matthew 19:30-21:17)

B) We were made for God, purified in Him to care his flock, nothing from myself (Jer 13)

Jer 13:1-11) Loincloth, buried in a grave, rots - this is how pride of people who refuse to listen, follow selfish desires, worship other gods (popular music). As loincloth clings to mans waste, God created us to cling to Him to be His pride, glory, honor to His name.

• God answers Billie Eilish's question "what was I made for?"
• When have I spent more energy in things taking me away from the Lord than pursuing the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. How is pride at the root of my refusal to listen to the Lord. What might humble me before my I'm dead and buried? 
• Do we wash our robe or love to live a lie (Rev 22:14-15)

Jer 13:12-14) Jars meant for wine, everyone will be drunk; king, priests, prophets, common people - smashed against eachother, parents against children, pity/compassion won't keep Me from destroying them.

Jer 13:15-23) Listen, humbly, give glory to God, acknowledge Him before he brings darkness upon you, poverty, captives, exile, open eyes, where is your beautiful flock he care you to care for? Allies I cultivated rule over me. Why? I can't start doing good, when I've always done evil.

• I've spent more time mentoring non-believers than the beautiful flock the Lord gave me to care for. I've reaped thorns when my lips spoke of the Lord but he was not present. I didn't invite the Lord to show me, I showed the Lord what I would do. My heart now understands and I turn to the Lord to be healed. 
• Scribe who has read and the prophet who has seen

Jer 13:24-27) Scatter like chaff those who forgotten LORD, put trust in false gods, exposed to shame, adultery, lust, disgusting idol worship, sorrow awaits you, How long before you are pure?

• Spiritual believers but not followers of Jesus Christ
• The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)
• Wisdom comes from being sensitive to God's character (Jer 10)

C) We need to be completely "poor in spirit" to see God (Jer 14)

Jer 14:1-10) Drought, dry wells, death - People acknowledge wickedness, God's salvation, yet God reveals people love separation from God, unrestrained lives, wickedness. 

• John 3:16-21, "God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."

Jer 14:11-18) Don't intercede, while their prophets lie in God's name saying "all is well", foolishness from lying hearts, war, famine, disease - their own wickedness, pouring out death on them.

19-22) Rejected, wounded past hope of healing? Without peace, terrified. We confess our wickedness, sin against You, please remember us, don't break covenant with us. Worthless foreign gods can't make it rain, only LORD our God.

• Waiting on the Lord like a restaurant server, not a customer in line (Psalm 27:4,7-8)
• Principles and applications in praying for others
• Leave your jar behind and pick up your mat and walk

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How God's wayward children repent with healed hearts (Jeremiah 3:6-4:2)

Key verse: 

"My wayward children,” says the Lord, “come back to me, and I will heal your wayward hearts." 

" Yes, we’re coming,” the people reply, "for you are the Lord our God.  Jer 3:22

 Jeremiah 3:6-4:18

AIM: God's people recognize dis-alignment, hearing God and examining our path. 

A) LORD sees our insincerity, yet provides shepherds for repentance (Jer 3:6-15)

• 3:6-10) During King Josiah LORD said, "Israel/Judah like an adulterous prostitute wife, worshiping idols. Faithless, insincere, pretending to be sorry."
• Examine your surroundings, what do you worship? Examine your relationships, where are your faithless. Examine your religion where are you insincere, pretending to be sorry?
• 11-13) Judah knew better, guilty of treachery - God calls "come home, I'm merciful, acknowledge guilt, admit rebellion/idolatry, confess refusal to listen.
• Holy Spirit poured out on all men, convicts the world of sin, righteousness and judgement; John 14, Acts 1-3
• 14-15) Return wayward children, I'll give shepherds from my heart, guide with knowledge and understanding.
• Gifts of Jesus; Ephesians 4:11

Application: Examine yourself, 2 Cor 13:4-6;

"For He was indeed crucified in weakness, yet He lives by God’s power. And though we are weak in Him, yet by God’s power we will live with Him to serve you. Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Can’t you see for yourselves that Jesus Christ is in you— unless you actually fail the test? And I hope you will realize that we have not failed the test"

B) Father God promises family time, mindful, mature and honorable. (Jer 3:16-21)

• 16-18) "Filled w/People, not wishing to rebuild Ark, Jerusalem Throne, All nations honor LORD, not stubbornly evil desire"
• Don't build on the law, build on Jesus - God's grace; Romans 5:20-21 and Romans 6:14-23
• 19-21) LORD loves us as offspring, call me Father - yet we're an unfaithful wife, crooked path, forgotten LORD their God. 
• Remember Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12

Application: Listen to the still small voice, God has reserved thousands of pure people (1 Kings 19)

"When the Counselor has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me." John 15:26

C) Repentance begins at God's call, we respond with confession and obedience. (Jer 3:22-4:18)

• 22) LORD, "Come back to me, I will heal your wayward hearts" - people reply, "Yes, we come - you are LORD our God."
• 23-25) Israel, "Our idol worship, orgies are delusional, LORD salvation, ancestors squandered on delusion. Shame, dishonor for sin against LORD our God - never obedient."
•  Our world today is falling apart (proud tares stand tall) and becoming awesome (humble wheat bows down). 
• 4:1-2) LORD, "If you want, you could - throw away idols, stray no more, in my name - truth, justice, righteousness - blessing the nations of world, people come and praise my name.
• Repentance is easy, let your yes be yes and no be no. Ask anything in my name and it will be done. (Matthew 5:38, John 14:13-17)
• Prayer for self: And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' - Matthew 6:13
• Prayer for our family: I am not asking that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from the evil one. - John 17:15, Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16, 
• Pray forgiveness: They know not, Luke 23:34, don't hold this sin against them Acts 7:60
• Faithfulness with God: In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. - Ephesians 6:16, But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one. - 2 Thessalonians 3:3, pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

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Leave your jar behind and pick up your mat and walk

I'm enjoying this season of ministry with BSF Gospel of John, SALT, Alpha at MNTC Portland with family. I've enjoyed talking with friends about struggles and insurmountable situations. We pray about it and see God make miraculous provisions. This week we're studying John 6:22-40 where Jesus gives the first of seven "I am" statements. 

I am the …

1. Bread of Life (or Living Bread), John 6:35, 48, 51
2. Light of the World, John  8:12; 9:5
3. Gate (or Door) for the Sheep, John 10:7, 9
4. Good Shepherd, John 10:11, 14
5. Resurrection and the Life, John 11:25
6. Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6
7. Vine, John 15:1, 5

Treasure from the past: 

• Bread from Heaven - More than Words
• This is the bread of my affliction, this is my body

• Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life
• Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most
• Humbly Grateful Or Grumbly Hateful

I'm convicted this year to "leave my jar behind" as the woman at the well did. John 3:28-29: The woman left her water jar beside the well and ran back to the village, telling everyone, “Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did! Could he possibly be the Messiah?” 

How long will I struggle with trauma and attitudes of the past? Thirty-eight years ago I was 11 years old and first introduced to porn. I was talking with a friend this week about how alcohol dulls our minds and can lead us into temptations. Sometime we need to let go of some things to help us break free from other things. And sometimes we just need ears that hear Jesus and a heart that understands. 

John 5:5-6,8-9 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”...Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 

It really is that simple. Would you like to get well? We all have excuses but the command from Jesus is to STAND UP. We see this further illustrated in Ephesians, which tells us we have been given every spiritual blessing in order to STAND.

Eph 1:3, 6:11,13-14 

All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ...Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness.

This Friday at Alpha we're learning "How can I resist evil?", I love how God brings two ministry initiatives together. Praise the Lord. 

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Healing night at Alpha MNTC

We had a wonderful time of healing and fellowship yesterday. I got to meet Jordan's group with Carlos and Caleb as helpers. As we ate pizza and chicken/rice/salad we talked about prayer and how to keep focused when our minds often drift asleep. My friend Karl had been struggling with this as well as Ted and Jeff. 

This is the largest Alpha we've had in over 5 years and we've been seeing God at work in so many peoples lives. Pastor Ron shared his testimony of conversion through miraculous healing of his feet. I've known Ron for so many years and never heard his testimony like this before. He often says he went from "dope dealer" to "hope dealer."

Sin is the root cause of all suffering, pain and death. Sin is the work of the devil and Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (1 john 3:8)

This morning I'm reading Hope: a practical guide to praying for healing, the author had been sick for so many years, surviving by a strict regiment of lifestyle and medical procedures. Regarding prayer she says,

"There were moments when I cried out for relief of secretly wished for a miracle, but in many ways, my sickness and theology pacified my resistance to illness. I was resigned to my fate and lacked the physical and emotional energy necessary to do anything more than survive the day at hand...Miraculous healings and the idea that something spiritual could affect me physically were entirely foreign to me before I was healed. In fact, I was ignorant of any relationship between the spiritual and physical that could influence my daily life and found the idea offensive." - Rebecca Ribnick

This idea that people often see prayer and hope as "well-wishing" or "our thoughts and prayers are with you" until something miraculous happens is natural. To react to God's intervention with "I don't believe it."

A corner stone of the Christian of the Cristian faith is that God did something physical "Christ Crucified" that affects us spiritually. 2 Cor 5:19-20 NLT, summarizes how this happened: "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.  So we are Christ's ambassadors, God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!"

Not only Crucified, but Risen, alive today and interceding on your behalf. Romans 8:34 says that Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” In 1 John 2:1 we read that Jesus is our “advocate with the Father,” and from Hebrews 7:25 we learn that Jesus “always lives to intercede” for us.

• For if, when we were enemies of God, we were reconciled to Him through the death of His Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through His life! - Romans 5:10

May all the healings we experience build our faith to carry forward the word of Christ to everyone in the world.

• As God's fellow workers, then, we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. - 2 Corinthians 6:1

Theology that doesn't lead us into an encounter with God greatly minimizes the life-giving power available to us. Even healing and the gifts of the Holy Spirit are not an end unto themselves - they are also meant to bring us into deeper relationship with our loving God. - Rebecca Ribnick

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Jesus heals individuals over three days, feeding 4000+ (Matthew 15:21-39)-

A) Jesus heals Canaanite woman's daughter because of her persistent faith Matthew 15:21-28

21-22) Canaanite woman's daughter demon-possessed, ask Jesus for mercy

23-26) Jesus ignores her, "only to lost sheep of Israel", "children's bread to dogs?"

27-28) Even dogs get crumbs, Jesus sees her faith daughter healed at that moment

- Great faith comes from those who are far off but willing to surrender to Jesus Roman centurion was the other Matt 8:5-13 and Jesus healed from a distance in both cases.

Application: Our persistent prayers for others matter and makes a huge impact on their lives. 

B) Jesus heals gentiles over three days and miraculously feeds them Matthew 15:29-39

29-31) Jesus mountainside Sea of Galilee, healed lame, blind, crippled, mute multitudes praised God of Israel.

32) Jesus called disciples "compassion, three days nothing to eat, don't send them away hungry"

33-34) Where's the bread? How many do you have? Seven, + few small fish

35-39) Everyone sat, Jesus took resources, gave thanks, broke them for the disciples who gave to 4000+ who all were satisfied. Disciples picked up seven extra baskets.

 - Mark 7:31; 8:1

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Jesus reassured John, confronted unbelief, and demonstrates the kingdom of heaven (Matt 11-12)

Aim: Truth about Jesus leads some to believe in Him while others refuse to believe. Doctrine: Satan and demons, Attribute: Faithful, Big idea: Belief vs. unbelief

A) Jesus reassured John, condemned unbelievers, and called the weary. – Matthew 11

11:1-3) John's uncertain if Jesus is the Messiah and asks

4-6) Jesus answers scripture, blind see, lame walk, leprosy cleansed, deaf hear, dead raised

 - 6) "blessed is anyone who doesn't stumble on account of me" 

7-11) Jesus praised John as greatest to the crowds 

 - today the least believer today has a greater privilege than John the baptist

12-15) John came in spirit and power of Elijah

16-19) Jesus condemned critical unbelievers; self-willed, irritating children refuse God's message

20-24) Jesus condemned indifferent unbelievers who ignored the great works and words

 - God holds us accountable to the truth He reveals, the greater the spiritual privilege the greater the responsibility. 

25-27) Jesus praise God for believers who come with awe and confidence of children

28-30) Jesus offers himself as the Way to the Father (Promise, call)

 - God ordained that knowledge of Him would come only through His Son. The Spirit of God must draw us to the Son, who alone can reveal the Father to us (John 14:6), Not work we do but what he does to remove our shame and guilt for sin (1 Peter 2:24).

 - Submission to Jesus brings rest to weary souls

B) Jesus warned the Pharisees demonstrating the kingdom of heaven. – Matthew 12

12:1-8) Jesus confronted by Pharisees about eating on Sabbath

 - "I desire mercy, not sacrifice" 

 - 9-14) in the synagogue, Jesus teaches right from wrong logically, healing man's hand

 - "stretch out your hand", we just need to obey to experience life-changing miracles

 - Pharisees reaction to miracles, "plotted how they might kill Jesus"

15-21) Jesus heals the crowd that follows him fulfilling (Matthew 12:18-21, Isaiah 42:1-4)

22-24) Jesus heals demon-possessed blind/mute, talk/see, Pharisees call him the prince of demons

 - Pharisees and Scribes (Mark 3:22) witnessed the miracles, believe super-natural is demonic not from God

25-29) Jesus knew their thoughts, explains healing by Spirit of God, the kingdom has come upon you.

30-32) More than a failure to believe, blasphemy calls God’s work evil, a very serious sin against God. 

33-37) A tree is recognized by its fruit, we speak from our heart, good/evil comes from what is stored up inside - by words we are acquitted or condemned.

 - Today if you hear his voice don't harden your heart (Hebrews 1-4:13)

Prayer: Lord please forgive me and heal me from my habitual sins, change me from the inside out. Make me holy, that I can come into your presents un-ashamed and live righteously today. Grant me the serenity to accept the things I can't change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference. 

38-42) Pharisees, Scribes ask for a sign, "wicked, adulterous generation ask for sign" only sign of Jonah, 3 days, 3 nights heart of the earth Son of Man - repent be wise

 - 43-45) impure spirit comes out of a person, if unoccupied comes back with more wicked, the final condition is worse than first - so will be with this generation

Wow, Matthew 12 is Revelation in a nutshell!

46-50) who is saved, in God's family? Whoever does the will of Jesus' Father in heaven!

Applications:

1. What doubts or hard questions should you bring to Jesus?

2. How have you experienced true rest in Christ? 

3. What truth about Jesus do you resist?

Principles:

People who believe in Jesus find refuge, but people who do not believe await judgment.

Your response to Jesus determines your eternal destiny.

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It's always right to help hungry people ( Matthew 9:13, 12:7)

 Matthew 9:13, 12:7

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” - Matthew 9:10-13

 - Sinners break the law they didn't know about

 - Jesus didn't go into the place of sin (nightclub, riot), sinners came to a place of eating and fellowship 

At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”...If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.” - Matthew 12:1-8

 - Trespassers break trust when they know better, Jesus explains why the Pharisees should know better.

 - God welcomes hungry people to glean on his word, I think his disciples understood this lesson but went over the Pharisees heads. 

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Life within reach (John 15:7)

Wow, Andrew Murray - what grace that's lasted over 100 years! I'm excited to start this series of books by him. Andrew Murray Collection on Prayer Humility, Absolute Surrender, the Ministry of Intercession, the Power of the Blood of Jesus and Others

In The-Ministry-of-Intercession-Andrew-Murray He confesses on behalf of every minister a general failure to believe God and simply live completely surrendered to him. 

Christ waits to fit us by His Spirit to pray as He would have us. This call, of course, brings me back to what I spoke of in connection with the former volume: that there is life in the Spirit, a life of abiding in Christ, within our reach, in which the power of prayer both the power to pray and the power to obtain the answer can be realized in a measure which we could not have thought possible before. Any failure in the prayer-life, any desire or hope really to take the place Christ has prepared for us, brings us to the very root of the doctrine of grace as manifested in the Christian life. It is only by full surrender to the life of abiding, by the yielding to the fulness of the Spirit's leading and quickening, that the prayer-life can be restored to a truly healthy state. 

In John 14-16 Jesus explains how he is the Way, the Truth, and the Life in response to Thomas' question, “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?” (John 14:5,6)

THE TRUTH:

• The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. (John 14:10)
• Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me (John 14:11) - Key Christian Doctrine: Jesus is God's son (John 3:16)

THE PROMISE:

• anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works (John 14:12)
• You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it (John 14:13)
• Question: Are you living in this reality of asking anything in Jesus' name and it's done? Have you asked God for something and witnessed him doing it? If not keep reading.

THE WAY:

• “If you love me, obey my commandments." John 14:15 has a few conditions, "If you love me" is not followed by then I will give you the Holy Spirit. It is followed by "Obey my commandments"
• Question: if your prayer life is weak, repetitive, boring, or non-existent. Consider getting to know what Jesus has commanded but know that Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit
• Love for Jesus is the way

THE TRUTH:

And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. 

The Advocate, Helper comes alongside and leads into ALL truth. Think of all the great truths that have been discovered since Christ rose from the dead and sent the Holy Spirit onto all people. 

Question: Have you experienced God in your heart as you've discovered the truth in your own life? Do you receive divine truth and recognize that it's not you but God showing you? 

The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. 

Question: Why must we receive the Holy Spirit? Do you know the difference between other spirits and the Holy Spirit? Will you take the time to find out? Holy Spirit tactics vs the devil tactics 

THE LIFE:

But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. (John 14:15-17). 

Question: Have you ever known someone who demonstrated the love of God to you? Where they authentically love you on behalf of God and you knew it was true? Or maybe you had an experience where some terrible calamity was upon you and "for some reason" you were spared by some force outside yourself? Or some benevolent thing happened to you or your family that was life-giving or life-saving? This is the Holy Spirit who is with you. The life Jesus talks about is allowing the grace of God into your life. 

Christ changes me, my relationships benefit (Col 3)

Praise God who comforts us, so we can comfort others (2 Cor 1:3-4)

Relational Grace: Loving kindness of Christ in me

Live the New Life in Christ

God promises to help me obtain the promises

Suffering in Christ, with Holy Spirit brings unfathomable hope (Romans 8:17-30)

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Jesus heals all sick, challenges faith of followers, calms the natural and spiritual storms (Matt 8)

 Matt 8

AIM: Faith is our right response to God's faithfulness. 

A) Jesus demonstrates faith healing

B) The cost of discipleship is living faith, not wishy/washy words (18-22)

C) External and internal (spiritual) storms rebuked by Jesus (23-27)

Big ideas: Jesus’ Authority, Merciful, Doctrine of Faith

A) Jesus demonstrates faith healing

1-4) Jesus, crowds, humble leper shows faith, intimacy/touched "willing/clean". "don't tell/show-offer gift as testimony"

5-13) Jesus, Capernaum, centurion "help, paralyzed suffering servant/Just say the word, he'll be healed" GREAT FAITH: “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.”

 - shocking; Jesus to those following him, "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith"

 - David's son's marriage, Dan's neck, and internal organs, Kevin's diabetes, my dad's diabetes, Jeannie's body aches, I know so many suffering people. When will I bring them to the Lord in prayer? 

14-17) Jesus, Peter's house, mother-in-law, from fever to serving, evening demon-possessed drove out spirits word/healed ALL sick "took up infirmities, bore our diseases" 

The principle from BSF lesson: "Jesus’ healing power demonstrated His authority over disease."

B) The cost of discipleship is living faith, not wishy/washy words (18-22)

18-22) Jesus, crowd, other side lake, teacher of law, "I will follow wherever you go" - "Son of Man has no place to lay his head." another disciple "Lord, first let me go and bury my father" "follow me, let dead bury their own dead"

 - First of 29 times the "Son of Man" shows up in Matthew - son of man

 - truly follow Christ means He has become everything to us, overcome with the Holy Spirit.

 - Count the Cost

 Although the gift of eternal life is free to anyone who asks (John 3:16), the asking requires a transfer of ownership (Luke 9:23; Galatians 5:24). “Counting the cost” means recognizing and agreeing to some terms first. In following Christ, we cannot simply follow our own inclinations. We cannot follow Him and the world’s way at the same time (Matthew 7:13-14). Following Him may mean we lose relationships, dreams, material things, or even our lives....when we choose to follow Christ, we are releasing control of our lives. When Jesus is in control, pure living results (1 John 3:4-10; 2 Corinthians 5:17). In Jesus’ parable of the sower, it was only the soil that allowed the seed to put down roots and bear fruit that was called “good.” If we are going to be disciples of Christ, we must first count the cost of following Him.

 - When you decide to buy a house, you don't care that most of your income is going into the house. You live there now and it's an investment for the future. 

C) External and internal (spiritual) storms rebuked by Jesus (23-27)

23-27) Jesus, boat, Disciples, a sudden, furious storm “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” REBUKED wind/waves completely calm/obedience 

28-34) Jesus, other side, two violet demon-possessed men  "Son of God", herd of pigs lost, pig tenders poison the town with the story, town ask Jesus to leave. 

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Sign of Jonah - Listen and repent for salvation and receive true Light (Luke 11:29-36)

The evil generation wants a miraculous sign, ONLY sign Jesus gives is the sign of Jonah. 

What happened to him was a sign to the people of Nineveh that God had sent him. What happens to the Son of Man will be a sign to these people that he was sent by God. Luke 11:30

Judgment day condemnation: queen of Sheba, traveled to hear wisdom of Solomon, greater than Solomon but refuse to listen. People of Nineveh repented of their sins at the preaching of Jonah, greater than Jonah but you refuse to repent.

Evaluate is the light I think I have actually darkness? (see Luke 11:24-28 demons)

• Healthy Eye: provides light for your body (Luke 11:28 - blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice)
• Power of Prayer, God's Sovereignty, and Immutability misunderstood by most - Robert Morris
• Unhealthy Eye: body is filled with darkness (Luke 11:26 - when healed we do nothing, waiting for more evil) 

Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness. If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light. Luke 11:35-36

 Daily Reading for Personal Growth, 40 Days with God, Day 2 but also less than a month ago: Discovering the Light of listening and being Salt (Luke 8-14)

Prayer: Forgive me Lord, I continue to go my own way. I want to live for you and honor you with the rest of my life. 

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