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)

Read More ->>

Immigration, foreigners' and natives from the perspective of Holiness and Love (Lev 19, Matt 22:37-39, 2 Chron 7)

This is a super long post but I wanted to be grounded in the Word as I prepare to set today apart to pray with my church for ourselves and our community, cities, counties, state, country and world. We want to seek the face of the Lord and listen to him, so we can conduct ourselves in a manor pleasing to him. 

When Solomon finished praying, fire flashed down from heaven and burned up the burnt offerings and sacrifices, and the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple...worshiped and praised the Lord, saying, “He is good!His faithful love endures forever!” ...all the people offered sacrifices to the Lord...singing, “His faithful love endures forever!”...Solomon then consecrated the central area of the courtyard in front of the Lord’s Temple,,,Festival of Shelters for seven days.  

Then one night the Lord appeared to Solomon and said,

“I have heard your prayer and have chosen this Temple as the place for making sacrifices. 13 At times I might shut up the heavens so that no rain falls, or command grasshoppers to devour your crops, or send plagues among you. 14 Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land. 15 My eyes will be open and my ears attentive to every prayer made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7

Jesus stated, "The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the Earth to listen to Solomon's wisdom, and now one greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). 

Old Testament: God’s Standard for Foreigners is still love oriented

But the stranger that dwelleth with you shall be unto you as one born among you, and thou shalt love him as thyself; for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God. Leviticus 19:34

The core "love God, love people" verses come from Matthew 22:37-39, where Jesus identifies the greatest commandments as loving God with your whole being and loving your neighbor as yourself, stating these two sum up all God's law and teachings, with Leviticus 19:18 providing the "love your neighbor" foundation

Leviticus 19 forms the ethical backbone of Israel’s identity. The NT amplifies these themes:

• Holiness becomes Christlike character - Ephesians 4:24.
• Love becomes the governing law - Romans 13:8–10.
• Foreigners become fellow citizens in God’s household - Ephesians 2:19.
• Justice and compassion become signs of the kingdom - Matthew 25:35–40.

Leviticus 19 is the blueprint. The New Testament is the fulfillment.  

• Honor dignity. Every person bears God’s image. Genesis 1:27
• Extend compassion. Love and defend the foreigner. Deuteronomy 10:18–19
• Uphold justice. One law for native and foreigner. Leviticus 24:22
• Model Christ’s welcome. Christ reconciles all people. Ephesians 2:14–16
• Live as exiles. Believers carry a pilgrim identity. 1 Peter 2:11
• Witness to God’s heart. Hospitality reveals the gospel. Hebrews 13:2

1. Holiness begins with identity

God anchors behavior in His own character.

• “Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy.” (Lev 19:2)

Holiness is not behavior first. Holiness is belonging. Behavior flows from identity.

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2. Honor for family and worship

Holiness begins in the home and extends to weekly rhythms.

• Respect for parents. Lev 19:3
• Observing the Sabbath. Lev 19:3, 30
• Reverence for God’s sanctuary. Lev 19:30

This sets the tone for a society rooted in order, gratitude, and rest.

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3. Exclusive loyalty to God

No divided allegiance.

• Reject idols. Lev 19:4
• Honor God in worship practices. Lev 19:5–8

This aligns with the NT call to “keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21) and worship “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).

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4. Generosity to the vulnerable

Holiness expresses itself in economics and land use.

• Leave margin in fields and vineyards for the poor and foreigner. Lev 19:9–10
  This matches God’s heart for foreigners in Deut 10:18 and the NT ethic of hospitality in Romans 12:13.

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5. Integrity in relationships

Holy people act with honesty and fairness.

• Do not steal. Lev 19:11
• Do not deceive. Lev 19:11
• Do not defraud. Lev 19:13
• Pay workers promptly. Lev 19:13

This anticipates the NT’s insistence on sincerity and truth (Eph 4:25).

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6. Compassion for the vulnerable and disabled

Holiness protects those who cannot protect themselves.

• Do not insult the deaf. Lev 19:14
• Do not cause the blind to stumble. Lev 19:14

This reflects Jesus’ ministry toward the marginalized (Luke 4:18–19).

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7. Impartial justice

Justice must be balanced and free of bias.

• Do not show partiality to either poor or rich. Lev 19:15
• Judge fairly. Lev 19:15

This aligns with NT teaching that God shows no favoritism (Acts 10:34).

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8. Responsible speech and community protection

Words shape trust. Holiness builds, not breaks.

• Reject slander. Lev 19:16
• Do not stand idly by when life is threatened. Lev 19:16

This parallels NT commands to guard our tongues (James 3:9–10).

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9. Inner holiness: resentment, revenge, reconciliation

God cares about the heart as much as actions.

• Do not hate your brother. Lev 19:17
• Do not seek revenge. Lev 19:18
• Love your neighbor as yourself. Lev 19:18

Jesus elevates this as the second greatest commandment (Matthew 22:39).

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10. Sexual ethics and protection of the vulnerable

Holiness governs intimacy and protects those with less power.

• Regulate relationships involving slaves and vows. Lev 19:20–22
• Do not prostitute daughters. Lev 19:29

The NT continues this with calls to honor God with our bodies (1 Thess 4:3–5).

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11. Respect for time, creation, and boundaries

Holiness shapes how Israel stewards the land.

• Fruit-tree laws that cultivate patience and gratitude. Lev 19:23–25
• Distinctions in agricultural and clothing practices. Lev 19:19

These laws form disciplined identity in an agrarian society.

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12. Reject occult practices

Holiness separates God’s people from spiritual counterfeits.

• No fortune-telling. Lev 19:26
• No consulting spirits. Lev 19:31

The NT echoes this in Galatians 5:20 and Acts 19:19.

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13. Honor elders and uphold communal dignity

Holiness shows respect across generations.

• Stand before the elderly. Lev 19:32

This anticipates Paul’s instructions to honor older men and women (1 Tim 5:1–2).

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14. Protect and love the foreigner

This is the capstone of the chapter’s ethical heart.

• Do not take advantage of foreigners. Lev 19:33
• Treat them as native-born. Lev 19:34
• Love them as yourself. Lev 19:34

This aligns with Jesus’ teaching in Luke 10:25–37 and the NT welcome ethic in Romans 15:7.

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15. Economic integrity and honest measurement

Holiness governs the marketplace.

• Use honest scales and measures. Lev 19:35–36

Echoed in Proverbs 11:1 and James 5:4.

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16. Consistent obedience

Holiness requires practice, not theory.

• Keep all decrees and laws. Lev 19:37

Jesus affirms this as fulfillment, not abolition, in Matthew 5:17–19.

Equal Justice

• One law for native and foreigner. Leviticus 24:22
• Judge fairly without partiality. Deuteronomy 1:16–17
• Do not deprive foreigners of justice. Deuteronomy 24:17

Compassion and Care

• Leave gleanings for the foreigner and poor. Leviticus 19:10
• Love the foreigner as yourself. Leviticus 19:34
• God defends the foreigner. Deuteronomy 10:18

Moral Alignment Required

• Same statute for native and foreigner in offering and worship. Numbers 15:15–16
• Foreigners may join Passover when they accept the covenant. Exodus 12:48–49

Distinction in Responsibility

• Foreigners protected but do not hold land inheritance. Ezekiel 47:21–23 (prophetic inclusion but with native structure)
• Natives steward land and covenant identity. Numbers 26

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2. New Testament: Fulfillment and Expansion

Barriers Removed in Christ

• No Jew or Greek in Christ. Galatians 3:28
• Gentiles become fellow citizens in God’s household. Ephesians 2:19

Believers Become Spiritual Exiles

• Christians are strangers and exiles on earth. 1 Peter 2:11
• Citizenship is in heaven. Philippians 3:20

Hospitality as Christian Practice

• Practice hospitality. Romans 12:13
• Show hospitality to strangers. Hebrews 13:2
• Welcome one another as Christ welcomed you. Romans 15:7

Clarification of the Law

• Love your neighbor as yourself summarized in Christ. Matthew 22:37–40
• The Good Samaritan expands neighbor love. Luke 10:25–37
• Christ ends hostility and makes one new humanity. Ephesians 2:14–16

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3. Biblical Contrast: Foreigners and Natives

Old Testament

Foreigners

• Protected by law. Exodus 22:21
• Loved and included. Leviticus 19:34
• Subject to the same moral law. Numbers 15:15–16
• May worship the Lord. Isaiah 56:6–7
• Do not inherit land automatically. Numbers 26
• Expected to honor Israel’s spiritual order. Exodus 12:48–49

Natives

• Hold covenant identity. Deuteronomy 7:6
• Steward land inheritance. Joshua 13–21
• Responsible for national holiness. Leviticus 20:7–8

New Testament

Foreigners/Gentiles

• One body with all believers. 1 Corinthians 12:13
• Adopted as children of God. Romans 8:15–17
• No longer strangers but fellow citizens. Ephesians 2:19
• Full access to God through Christ. Ephesians 3:6

Believers

• Called exiles, sojourners, ambassadors. 1 Peter 2:11; 2 Corinthians 5:20
• Identity grounded in God’s kingdom. Colossians 1:13
• Called to reconciliation and peace. Romans 12:18

What the Bible Says About Expelling People from Community and Fellowship

1. Foundational principle

God’s goal is restoration, not removal.
Removal is corrective, limited, and purposeful.

• God disciplines those He loves. Hebrews 12:6

• Judgment begins within God’s household. 1 Peter 4:17

Expulsion is never casual. It is a last resort.

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2. Old Testament foundations

A. Removal for unrepentant covenant violation

In Israel, expulsion protected holiness and justice within a covenant community.

• “You must purge the evil from among you.” Deuteronomy 13:5; 17:7

• Serious moral or spiritual rebellion led to being “cut off.” Leviticus 18:29; Numbers 15:30–31

This was not ethnic exclusion.
It was behavioral and covenantal accountability.

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B. Foreigners were not expelled for being outsiders

Foreigners were protected when they respected the covenant order.

• One law for native and foreigner. Numbers 15:15–16

• Foreigners included if they honored God’s commands. Exodus 12:48–49

Expulsion was tied to persistent rebellion, not origin.

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3. Jesus’ teaching on discipline and exclusion

A. Graduated process of correction

Jesus outlines a careful, relational escalation.

1. Private confrontation. Matthew 18:15

2. Small group involvement. Matthew 18:16

3. Community accountability. Matthew 18:17a

4. Relational separation if unrepentant. Matthew 18:17b

Even then, the person is treated as someone still needing the gospel.

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B. Authority restrained by mercy

Jesus consistently rebukes self-righteous exclusion.

• Parable of the weeds and wheat. Matthew 13:24–30

• Warning against hypocritical judgment. Matthew 7:1–5

The community does not purge impulsively.
God retains ultimate judgment.

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4. Apostolic practice in the New Testament

A. Removal for unrepentant, public, destructive sin

Church discipline is explicit but narrow.

• Remove the immoral brother. 1 Corinthians 5:1–5

• Do not associate while calling them to repentance. 1 Corinthians 5:11

Purpose stated clearly.
“So that his spirit may be saved.” 1 Corinthians 5:5

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B. Discipline protects the whole community

Unaddressed sin spreads.

• “A little yeast leavens the whole batch.” 1 Corinthians 5:6

• Warn divisive people. Titus 3:10–11

This mirrors OT concerns for communal holiness.

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5. Restoration is always the desired outcome

A. Discipline ends when repentance occurs

Reintegration is commanded.

• Forgive and comfort the repentant offender. 2 Corinthians 2:6–8

• Restore gently. Galatians 6:1

Ongoing exclusion after repentance is disobedience.

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B. Love remains active even in separation

Separation does not mean hostility.

• Do not regard as an enemy, but warn as a brother. 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15

• Love seeks reconciliation. Romans 12:18

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6. What expulsion is not

The Bible never supports expulsion for:

• Ethnicity or nationality. Galatians 3:28

• Poverty or social status. James 2:1–7

• Doubt or honest struggle. Jude 22

• Repentant failure. Psalm 51; John 21:15–19

Exclusion without mercy contradicts God’s character.

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7. Synthesis: a biblical framework

Why removal happens

• To protect holiness. 1 Corinthians 5:6

• To awaken repentance. 1 Corinthians 5:5

• To preserve communal trust. Matthew 18:17

How it happens

• Slowly. Matthew 18:15–17

• Fairly. Leviticus 19:15

• Without favoritism. James 2:1

When it ends

• At repentance. 2 Corinthians 2:7–8

• With restoration. Galatians 6:1

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8. Connecting back to Leviticus 19 and foreigners

Leviticus 19 shows that holiness is:

• Ethical, not tribal. Lev 19:11–18

• Protective of the vulnerable. Lev 19:9–10, 14

• Equitable toward foreigners. Lev 19:33–34

The Bible’s discipline ethic applies equally to natives and outsiders.
Belonging is defined by covenant faithfulness, not background.

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"I tell you the truth" is a repeated theme of Jesus - Holy Love of God.

 "tell you the truth"

Reflecting on the last few weeks of date nights and discussions with Kim. One of her most influential books was on the Holiness of God by RC Sproul. R.C. Sproul’s idea of holy love is central to understanding the Christian faith—and he presents it with both theological clarity and existential weight. 

What is Holy Love? Sproul emphasizes that God’s love is never abstracted from His holiness. Where modern culture tends to sentimentalize love, Sproul shows that God’s love is pure, consuming, and just—because it's holy. 

God’s Love Is Not Soft—It’s Set Apart (Holy)

• Holiness means God cannot tolerate sin.
• Love means He acts for our highest good.
• Holy love means He must deal with sin—not ignore it.

The Cross Is the Climax of Holy Love ("God does not negotiate with sin. He judges it—at the cross.")

• The cross is not divine leniency.
• It’s holy justice satisfied by holy love.
• Jesus absorbs God's wrath—not because God stops being holy, but because love found a holy way to save.

Holy Love Destroys Complacency ("We trivialize grace when we forget what it cost.")

• Holy love confronts our sin.
• It calls us to repentance and transformation—not just comfort.
• Sproul warns against cheap grace; true grace is awe-inspiring because it flows from holy love.

Holy Love Commands, It Doesn’t Coddle ("God’s love disciplines His children. That’s holiness at work.")

• Hebrews 12 shows love and discipline go together.
• God’s holy love sanctifies us—molding us into Christ’s image, not affirming us as we are.

Holy Love Fuels True Worship ("We don’t really worship until we tremble at the majesty of holy love.")

• Love that overlooks sin breeds entitlement.
• Holy love evokes gratitude, reverence, and humility.

Holy love is costly, cleansing, and compelling.

• Sproul’s vision of God is not of a tame deity who loves at the expense of righteousness, but of a blazing fire who loves through righteousness.
• "To be loved by a holy God is a terrifying blessing—because it means He will not leave you unchanged."

How great is our God! Universe declares your majesty, your are holy, holy! Lord of heaven and earth, alleluia to the Lord of Heaven and Earth!

Read More ->>

New covenant prophecy for how we identify "Israel" (Jer 3:18, 16:14-15, 23:7-8, 24:5-7))

“This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Like these good figs, so I regard as good the exiles from Judah, whom I have sent away from this place to the land of the Chaldeans. I will keep My eyes on them for good and will return them to this land. I will build them up and not tear them down; I will plant them and not uproot them. I will give them a heart to know Me, that I am the LORD. They will be My people, and I will be their God, for they will return to Me with all their heart - Jer 24:5-7

 Jer 16:14-18

14) No longer people God rescued from Egypt

15) instead God brought pepole of Israel back to their own land from north and from all countries which he exiled them

15b) " For I will bring them back to this land that I gave their ancestors."

• My friend Steve Stang said his favorite reason to give why he believes the Bible is true is prophecy fulfilled about Israel. It's a people, place on the map and part of real history. 
• In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel, and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave to your fathers as an inheritance. - Jeremiah 3:18
• So behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when they will no longer say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought the Israelites up out of the land of Egypt.' - Jeremiah 23:7
• Instead they will say, 'As surely as the LORD lives, who brought and led the descendants of the house of Israel up out of the land of the north and all the other lands to which He had banished them.' Then they will dwell once more in their own land." - Jeremiah 23:8

Theme is seen in Isaiah 14:1 and Ezekiel 36:23-28

• On that day the Lord will extend His hand a second time to recover the remnant of His people from Assyria, from Egypt, from Pathros, from Cush, from Elam, from Shinar, from Hamath, and from the islands of the sea. - Isaiah 11:11
• For the LORD will have compassion on Jacob; once again He will choose Israel and settle them in their own land. The foreigner will join them and unite with the house of Jacob. -Isaiah 14:1
• I will show the holiness of my great name, which has been profaned among the nations, the name you have profaned among them. Then the nations will know that I am the Lord, declares the Sovereign Lord, when I am proved holy through you before their eyes.
• “‘For I will take you out of the nations; I will gather you from all the countries and bring you back into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your impurities and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors; you will be my people, and I will be your God. - Ezekiel 36:23-28

We are seeing this prophecy fulfilled today in the nation of Israel. Blessed are you who have eyes that see, ears that hear and heart that understands. 

• Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to Your holy name, that we may glory in Your praise. - Psalm 106:47
• Lord give us a heart of repentance, glorify your name in us. 
• God has not rejected Israel (Romans 11:1, 11:2, 11:11)
• “I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, and in this way all Israel will be saved. As it is written: ‘The deliverer will come from Zion; He will turn godlessness away from Jacob. And this is My covenant with them when I take away their sins.’” Romans 11:25-27
• What Does the Bible Say About Restoration Of Israel?
  

Read More ->>

Regeneration Recovery, 12 steps with Biblical References

Enjoying regeneration recovery looking forward to getting this started at Portland house this January.

Step 1 (Admit): For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. - Romans 7:18 (ESV)

Step 2 (Believe): Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is

renewed like the eagle’s. - Psalm 103:2-5 (ESV)

Step 3 (Trust): But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved - Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)

Step 4 (Inventory): Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. - Psalm 51:6 (ESV)

Step 5 (Confess): But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. 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. - 1 John 1:7-9 (ESV)

Step 6 (Repent): So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. - 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV)

Step 7 (Follow): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. - Galatians 5:22-25 (ESV)

Step 8 (Forgive): Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children. - Ephesians 4:32-5:1 (ESV)

Step 9 (Amends): Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. - Romans 12:17-18 (ESV)

Step 10 (Continue): Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting! - Psalm 139:23-24 (ESV)

Step 11 (Intimacy): And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ

whom you have sent. - John 17:3 (ESV)

Step 12 (Regenerate): Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation.  - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 (ESV)

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The reason people forget about God and live miserable lives (Jeremiah 2-3:5)

key verses: 

"...Why then do my people say, ‘At last we are free from God! We don’t need him anymore!’... for years on end my people have forgotten me." Jeremiah 2:31-32

AIM: Every calamity's root is forgetting the God that made you and rescued you to be holy.

A) Leaders stopped asking 'Where is the LORD?' and turned to idols ruining their future (1-13)

1-3) another message to Jerusalem, "remember eagerness as young bride follows, Israel holy first child protected"

 - Interesting "holy first child" is not Isaac 

4-6) Listen LORD, "worship worthless idols, become worthless. Didn't ask 'where is the LORD who saved/led out of Egypt'

• God's desire for us is salvation in relationship with him (Hosea 13-14)

7-9) fruitful land, you defiled/corrupted. Priests didn't ask 'where is the LORD?' teachers ignored Him, prophets name of Baal (Numbers 25 sex plague, 1 Kings 18:21 tested,  Romans 11 explains) - worthless idol. Children's children charged.

• Similar message from Zephaniah 1:2-3) everything on earth, all mankind will be destroyed, Zephaniah 1:4-6) hand against Judah, Baal worship, idolatrous priests, astrologers, apostate believers
• 1 Kings 16:29-34) Omri, evil, worse than others, married Jezebel, worshiped Baal, setup Asherah pole, Jericho rebuilt costing life of oldest and youngest sons.

10-13) sent searching elsewhere exchanging glorious God for worthless idol, abandoned fountain of living water, dug cracked cisterns 

• Rescued, kept.. so now I can walk in your presence, O God, in your life-giving light (Psalm 56:13 Coram Deo))

Application: Getting off course starts with wicked leaders. Yet the Lord is interceding on your behalf, giving you a thirst for his righteousness. Your broken cisterns can't hold this holy water. We are lost. Pray the Father draws us to himself. Give us the gift of faith - let us repent of ignorance, help me to release my grip on worthless idols. Awake my soul. 

B) God delivered us from slavery, yet we've used our freedom to leave him (14-22)

14-17) "why Israel enslaved, tormented, destroyed? you rebelled against God, though he leading you"

18-19) "what gained from wicked world? punishment, shame - see evil bitterness = fearlessly abandon LORD."

20-22) "freed from slavery, yet said 'I won't serve God' - prostituted instead, stained guilty

Application:   I need to stop rebelling against God and let him led me in the fear of the LORD.

C) We claim to be right with God, yet we are living apart from him, living a lie (23-3:5)

23-25) "you deny worshiping images of Baal, yet lust is obvious, panting after other gods 'I can't stop'

26-27) "thief, shame only when caught, leaders bring idols, turned backs to LORD, in trouble cry out 'come and save us!'

28-30) you don't call on idols because you know the are lifeless, your rebellion punishes children, they don't respond to LORD discipline - because you killed your prophets

31-32) listen to the words of the LORD, why MY people claim freedom from God, forgetting him:

• 33-34) plot, scheme, win lovers, clothes stained with blood of innocent/poor
• 35) you say, 'I've done nothing wrong, God's not angry with me!' - claim you've not sinned
• 36-37) flit from ally to ally for help, Egypt/Assyria let you down, despair/exile - LORD rejected nations you trust
• 3:1) Divorce is final, you prostituted yourself, why are you trying to come back?
• 2-5) Look, shrines of defilement, adultery to other gods, polluted land with brazen prostitution/wickedness, spring rain fails - shameless fake repentance, fake obedience, "you keep on doing all the evil you can."

Application: People claim freedom from God because we don't live as we claim to believe. Lord, I've sinned against you in every way. I've surrounded myself with idols and have grown callous to your discipline. I've lived a life 'I can't stop' - a lie. I don't want to live a lie, but to live in Spirit and Truth. 

Thank you Father, Lord - you're mercy is made new everyday. Help me follow where you lead, the way you lead. Amen. Thank you for conviction of sin, righteousness, and judgement. Revelation 22:15

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Real Christianity, pursue holiness

Watching Sanctification: The Honorable Obsession learned that Wilberforce's main concern in life was Christian Living.  Real Christianity Wilberforce is about practical living. Professing Christians can be speaking of upbringing, nationality, religion, or morality but do they know the religion of Jesus? Wilberforce says, "Their standard of right and wrong is not the standard of the gospel: they approve and condemn by a different rule; they advance principles and maintain opinions altogether opposite to the genius and character of Christianity."

What did Jesus say? What does the Bible teach? So many have self-induced ignorance and suffer as a result, yet this is not a new way of life. I often go back to the Commandments of Jesus, one of my favorite studies. 

Everywhere in life, we see excellence is only attained through diligence, study, commitment, and practice, "Yet we expect to be Christians without labor, study, or inquiry. This is more preposterous, because Christianity, being a revelation from God, and not the invention of man, discovering to us new relations, with their correspondent duties; containing also doctrines, and motives, and practical principles, and rules, peculiar to itself, and almost as new in their nature as supreme in their excellence, we cannot reasonably expect to become proficient in it by the accidental intercourses of life, as one might learn insensibly the maxims of worldly policy or a scheme of mere morals."

He recommends the pursuit of Holy Scripture and seeing the promise to the first people in Genesis, the prophets, and the Christmas miracle to the desire of the nations in Revelation.  

The big message: you have the Bible, don't be ignorant of it's contents. 

People wish they were generally good, only failing a little, once in a while. "Far different is the humiliating language of Christianity. From it we learn that man is an apostate creature, fallen from his high original, degraded in his nature, and depraved in his faculties; indisposed to good, and disposed to evil; prone to vice, it is natural and easy to him; disinclined to virtue, it is difficult and laborious; that he is tainted with sin, not slightly and superficially, but radically and to the very core. These are truths which, however mortifying to our pride, one would think (if this very corruption itself did not warp the judgment) none would be hardy enough to attempt to controvert."

Arm yourselves also with the same attitude as Christ (1 Peter 4:1-4)

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

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We need a revival of personal godliness and domestic religion

My friend Don once said, the best thing I can do as a leader is to be Holy unto the Lord.

Urgently do we need a revival of personal godliness. This is, indeed, the secret of church prosperity. When individuals fall from their steadfastness, the church is tossed to and fro; when personal faith is steadfast, the church abides true to her Lord. We have in and around our own denomination many true-hearted servants of Christ, who are hardly put to it to know what to do. Their loyalty to their Lord and to His truth is greater than their love to sect or party, and they know not whether to abide in their present position, and fight out the great question, or to lift the old banner, and quit their apostatizing associates. Do whichever they may, it is upon the truly godly and spiritual that the future of religion depends in the hand of God. Oh, for more truly holy men, quickened and filled with the Holy Spirit, consecrated to the Lord, and sanctified by His truth! What can be accomplished by worldly professors, theatre-going church members, semi-infidel teachers, and philosophical preachers? Nothing but ruin can follow from a preponderance of these. Their presence is grievous to God, and disastrous to His people. Brethren, we must each one live if the church is to be alive; we must live unto God if we expect to see the pleasure of the Lord prospering in our hands. Sanctified men are the necessity of every age, for they are the salt of society, and the saviours of the race. The Lord has made a man more precious than a wedge of gold,—I mean, a decided, instructed, bold, unswerving man of God.

 - https://theprayeroftheday.com/Prayer_Meeting.pdf

Holiness: https://www.gotquestions.org/holiness-Bible.html

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Getting rest in Christ (Upperroom Sundays at 9pm)

 Take my yoke, learn from me and you will find rest for your souls. 

"it is complete" on the seventh day, God rested (Gen 2). God made it holy. Sabbath rest is about sanctification. He rested not because he was tired, but because it was complete. Doesn't say evening and morning because it was completed, finished - forever - the whole story, now - us. 

Gen 2:1-3) So the creation of the heavens and the earth and everything in them was completed. On the seventh day God had finished his work of creation, so he rested from all his work. And God blessed the seventh day and declared it holy, because it was the day when he rested from all his work of creation.

What about the gospel? Jesus said, the son of man has no place to lay his head Luke 9:58

"it is finished" John 19, Jesus rested his head

John 19:30-31) When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished.” And bowing His head, He yielded up His spirit. 31It was the day of Preparation, and the next day was a High Sabbath. In order that the bodies would not remain on the cross during the Sabbath

Same word for "Lay" in Luke 9 as "bowing" in John 19

https://biblehub.com/greek/2827.htm

resting waters - meditative streams. His voice is like the sound of many waters. 10 Minutes detoxing

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjAUIZZrRZY

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Speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water (Exodus 20:8)

Take the rod; and you and your brother Aaron assemble the congregation and speak to the rock before their eyes, that it may yield its water. You shall thus bring forth water for them out of the rock and let the congregation and their beasts drink. Exodus 20:6 NASB

I rediscovered this verse while reading the Gospel of Mark and pondering a new class called "First Steps" where people can have their questions answered about Christianity (http://christianityexplored.org/). They ask really good questions in the process of going through the Gospel of Mark such as, Mark 1:2-3, "What are the strange quotes at the start?", Mark 1:13, "What are angels"... It was there that I wanted to see the details of Jesus being tempted by Satan (Mark 1:12-13) that is detailed in Matthew 4:1-11 and Luke 4:1-13, specifically Luke 4:12 and Matthew 4:7. The quote:
"It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’" Matthew 4:7 NIV from Deut 6:16. Now I've heard many a preacher talk about giving money and "testing the Lord" in this way. But here Jesus says "don't test the Lord". So I wanted to see what Jesus was alluding to and read Deut 6:16  which clarifies: "You shall not put the Lord your God to the test, as you tested Him at Massah. (NASB)"

Now Massah is the place where Moses struck the Rock at God's command which brought forth water for the people (Exodus 17:1-7). God said, " I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock, and water will come out of it for the people to drink.”

So Moses did this in the sight of the elders of Israel. And he called the place Massah and Meribah because the Israelites quarreled and because they tested the Lord saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”

Much had happened between Exodus 17 and Numbers 20, especially the death of Moses sister.

• Moses partially obeyed God, took the rod, gathered the people but then instead of "speaking to the rock before their eyes", Moses yelled at the people and struck the rock twice.
• But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.” Those were the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended with the Lord, and He proved Himself holy among them. (Numbers 20:12-13 NASB)

Application: As God's ambassador and someone who desires the salvation of those living in darkness. I will pray to God in front of them that they would be blessed with his insight, provision and come to know his salvation and light. I will believe God who can move mountains and take down every stronghold of evil. God who loves us and sent Jesus and His Holy Spirit to us, who doesn't leave us as orphans but comforts us in times of trouble. The creator, who breathed into man and gave him life. The sustainer of heaven and earth by the word of his command. The faithful one, the Anointed One, the God of Abraham.

Miriam and Aaron’s death have a huge impact on Moses

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Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to change a person’s heart

Heb 4:12 - For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

AIM: Our faith is based on testimony in the Bible about God, Sin, Mankind, Salvation, Church, Angels and End Times

Scripture is true (2 Timothy 2:15; John 17:17)
Scripture comes from God (2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:20-21)

"how then can God use these human authors without adulterating His Word. And the perfect analogy to that is the virgin birth because in the virgin birth you have God and God is the agency by which the Lord Jesus Christ is born" - MacArthur

Revelation is truth God want to communicate, inspiration is the method, illumination is method by which you understand it.

Bible claims to be infallible and inerrant (no mistakes, error-less in total - MacArther) Psalm 119:160 says Thy word is truth, righteous (Deuteronomy 4:8), perfect (Psalm 19:7), upheld forever (Psalm 111:7-9; Ecclesiastes 3:14; Matthew 5:17-19;John 10:35), settled in heaven (Psalm 119:89), your law is truth (Psalm 119:152), God's thoughts (Psalm 139:17), faithful (Psalm 119:86,138), pure/flawless (Proverbs 30:5)

"All, in every age, who receive God's word in faith and love, find every saying in it faithful." - Matthew Henry Commentary Psalm 119:153-160

Bible claims to be authoritative, speaking from God (Exodus 4:10;33:17;Numbers 12:2;14:17,35;Deuteronomy 18:21; 18:22; Ruth 2:13; 2 Samuel 7:19,25,29; 1 King 14:11; 22:28; 2 Kings 10:10;19:21;20:19; 1 Chronicles 17:17,23; 2 Chronicles 6:17; 18:27;Job 42:7; Isaiah 1:2,20;16:13;21:17; 22:25;24:3;25:8;37:22;39:8;40:5; 48:16; 49:1;58:14; ; Jeremiah 13:15; 23:35,37; 25:3;26:16;44:16; 48:8; 51:62; Ezekiel 35:12;24:14;35:12; Daniel 10:19; Joel 3:8; Amos 3:8; Obadiah 1:18; Micah 4:4  ("Lord has Spoken") Revelation 19:9 "true words of God" and Revelation 21:5 "words are faithful and true"

• 3,808 times in the Old Testament the writers say what they're saying is the Word of God - MacArthur
• 2600 direct claims to inspiration; Somebody calculated 680 in the Pentateuch, 1307 in the prophets, 418 in the history books and 195 in the poets. - MacArthur
• If you hear his voice (Deuteronomy 5:24; Psalm 95:7-11; Hebrews 3:7-8,15; 4:7) Do not harden your heart (1 Samuel 6:6; Isaiah 63:17; Mark 8:17) 
• My favorite attributes of God are Holy, Creator and Lord. As Creator God has beginning Authority and as Lord he has ending Authority. He is Holy, separate/independent from creation. Holy also means pure.

Bible claims to be complete, no more, no less (Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18-19)
Bible claims to be effective, it dramatically effects people (Isaiah 55:9-11 like rain, seed is Word from my mouth - it accomplishes all I desire). Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15

• Seed: 2 Corinthians 9:10; Isaiah 61:11;Hosea 10:12
• Rain: Deuteronomy 32:2; Isaiah 30:23; Psalm 72:6,7;
• Response: Hosea 2:21; Isaiah 30:23; Matthew 13:23; Luke 8:15; Luke 8:18

We know it's true

• Scientifically accurate, miracles occurred, archaeological evidence, unity, historically accurate. Jesus "confirmed the creation of Adam and Eve. He said, 'Have you not read that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female and said, For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother and cleave to his wife and the twain shall be one flesh.' If you want to deny the creation account of Genesis, then you're going to have to deal with Jesus because He believed it. He believed in the creation account and He sustained it." - MacArthur. Second law of thermodynamics says all matter is breaking down, see Genesis 3:17-19, "cursed is the ground because of you", DNA points to our human ancestors Genesis 3:20
• Fulfilled prophecy in Christ Jesus, scripture agrees with itself (Acts 1:16; Galatians 1:11,15; 1 Timothy 5:18; Deut 25:4; Luke 10:7), New Testament writers claiming that the Old Testament writers are inspired by 320 quotes and 1,000 references and direct statements like those. God's first promise of restoration through blood sacrifice was by his hand Genesis 3:21. God has protected us in the fall as his plan is being worked out, Genesis 3:21-24
• Spirit of God convinces us it's true, not lofty speech or wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1-2,3-5, 10-13,14-16 )
• Mockers hate God's word, in darkness of the devil  (Jude 17; 2 Corinthians 4:1-6, 4,13-15,16, 17,18)

http://www.gty.org/resources/sermons/DOC-1/Doctrine-of-Scripture
http://biblehub.com/psalms/119-160.htm
http://biblehub.com/isaiah/55-10.htm

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