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

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

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

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

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

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

Pray for solutions that honor God and all involved

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

Assume everyone has right motives

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

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

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

Include only those involved

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

Strive to protect unity

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

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

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

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Cross-Cultural Ministry

Know Your Group's Lived Experience

Before teaching, ask yourself what pain people carry -- suffering, poverty, persecution, minority status, or feeling like an outsider. These aren't abstract; they shape how people hear God's Word.

Supporting verses:

• Romans 12:15 -- "Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn."
• Hebrews 13:3 -- "Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body."
• James 2:5 -- "Has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith?"

Communicate with Cultural Humility

We naturally see others through our own lens. That blind spot can damage relationships and block discipleship. Eight practical strategies help bridge those gaps: summarize often, seek understanding over debate, speak clearly, be warm and open, invite rather than assume participation, ask good questions, match your tone, and align your words with your body language.

Supporting verses:

• Proverbs 18:13 "If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame."
• James 1:19 "Be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger."
• Colossians 4:6 "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person."
• 1 Corinthians 9:22 "I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some."

Build Gospel Unity Around God's Word

A multicultural group is not a problem to manage, it is a picture of the gospel. The Word unifies what culture divides. Our goal is to give people space to grow in Scripture and to celebrate both the unity and diversity of Christ's body.

Supporting verses:

• Galatians 3:28 "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
• Ephesians 2:14 "For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down the dividing wall of hostility."
• Revelation 7:9 "A great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne."
• Psalm 133:1 "How good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity!"

The Spirit Makes It Work

Cultural strategy alone falls short. It is the Spirit who opens hearts, and the Word that transforms them -- in every language, background, and life story.

Supporting verses:

• Isaiah 55:11 -- God's Word will not return empty; it accomplishes his purpose.
• 1 Corinthians 2:4-5 -- Paul's message came "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith might not rest in human wisdom."
• John 17:21 -- Jesus prayed "that they may all be one... so that the world may believe that you have sent me."

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God’s Standard for the Foreigner Has Always Been Love

The other day I was walking through the skyway and saw a person sitting on the ground with a sign, "anything helps." Occasionally, I try to intervene and offer a ride to teen challenge but this day I was busy with my work. This day, I felt myself have a critical attitude toward this person and felt my heart judging him for the life choices that brought him to this desperate point. The Lord reminded me about foreigners' and natives from the perspective of Holiness and Love.

God’s heart toward the foreigner was never exclusion first. It was love, dignity, justice, and covenant responsibility. In the Old Testament, Israel was commanded to treat the stranger not as an outsider to be exploited, but as a neighbor to be loved: “You shall love him as yourself” (Leviticus 19:34). Why? Because Israel knew what it meant to live as strangers in Egypt (Exodus 22:21; Deuteronomy 10:18–19).

This fits the larger moral center of Scripture. Jesus said the whole law is summed up in two commands: love God fully and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37–40). That second command comes directly from Leviticus 19:18, showing that God’s ethic has always been relational, not merely ritual.

Leviticus 19 is the ethical backbone.
It calls God’s people to holiness expressed through everyday love, fairness, mercy, and justice (Leviticus 19:2, 9–18, 33–34). The New Testament does not discard that vision. It deepens and fulfills it in Christ.

The New Testament fulfillment:

• Holiness becomes Christlike character (Ephesians 4:24; 1 Peter 1:15–16)
• Love becomes the governing law (Romans 13:8–10; Galatians 5:14)
• Foreigners become fellow citizens in God’s household (Ephesians 2:19; Ephesians 2:14–16)
• Justice and compassion become visible signs of the kingdom (Matthew 25:35–40; James 2:1–9)

The biblical pattern is consistent:

• Honor dignity because every person bears God’s image (Genesis 1:27; James 3:9)
• Extend compassion because God loves and defends the foreigner (Deuteronomy 10:18–19; Zechariah 7:9–10)
• Uphold justice because God requires one standard for all (Leviticus 24:22; Numbers 15:15–16)
• Model Christ’s welcome because Jesus reconciles divided people into one new humanity (Ephesians 2:14–16; Romans 15:7)
• Live as exiles because believers themselves are sojourners in this world (1 Peter 2:11; Hebrews 11:13)
• Witness to God’s heart because hospitality and mercy visibly proclaim the gospel (Hebrews 13:2; Luke 10:25–37)

Bottom line:
Leviticus 19 is the blueprint. Jesus is the fulfillment.
God’s people are called to reflect His heart by loving the outsider, practicing justice, and showing mercy. Love for the foreigner is not a side issue. It is part of what covenant faithfulness looks like (Micah 6:8; Matthew 23:23).

Lord Jesus,
Make my life a visible sign of Your kingdom.

Teach me to see people the way You see them.
Keep me from passing by need, ignoring suffering, or showing favoritism.
Give me a heart that welcomes the stranger, serves the weak, honors the poor, and moves toward those who are hurting (Matthew 25:35–40).

Guard me from partiality, pride, and comfort-driven obedience.
Do not let me value people by appearance, status, influence, or what they can do for me.
Instead, form in me the mercy and humility that reflect Your heart (James 2:1–9).

Lord, let justice mark my choices,
let compassion shape my actions,
and let love govern my response to others.

Make me faithful in small acts of kindness and bold in moments that require courage.
Let my words, my generosity, and my presence reveal that Your kingdom is real.

May I not only speak of Your love,
but embody it.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Reaching into Their Future (Heb 11:20)

 It was by faith that Isaac promised blessings for the future to his sons, Jacob and Esau. Heb 11:20

By an act of faith, Isaac reached into the future as he blessed Jacob and Esau. (MSG)

Jim gave me his pastors book "Reaching into Their Future", it's really timely because we are doing this every week at Teen Challenge with Alpha and the Prayer Course. Last week they started a new sermon series on the topic: Reaching Into Their Future Pt. 1 | Reaching Into Their Future | Dr. Nate Ruch

Emmanuel MN centers on worship, transformation, and personal responsibility for the spiritual future of others.

Pastor Nate welcomes the church family, online viewers, and guests, emphasizing belonging and connection. This reflects Hebrews 10:24–25, which calls believers not to neglect meeting together, and Romans 15:7, which urges mutual welcome as Christ welcomed us. Attendees are encouraged to take next steps such as water baptism and joining Growth Track groups. Acts 2:38 highlights repentance and baptism, while Acts 2:42 shows early believers devoted to teaching, fellowship, and community formation.

In the sermon, Pastor Nate emphasizes that ordinary believers can profoundly influence the spiritual destiny of those around them. He challenges listeners to see people through God’s eyes and to take responsibility for shaping their future through prayer, humility, and repentance. This aligns with 2 Corinthians 5:20, which calls believers ambassadors for Christ, and Matthew 5:14–16, where disciples are described as light in the world.

Key exhortations include asking God what He sees in others, repenting of selfish or limited perspective, and humbling oneself for the sake of others. Psalm 139:23–24 models a prayer for heart examination. 2 Chronicles 7:14 calls God’s people to humble themselves and repent. Philippians 2:3–4 urges believers to value others above themselves.

The sermon concludes with a call to visualize specific people in one’s life and pray for their transformation. Jeremiah 29:11 affirms God’s good plans (thoughts towards you), while 1 Timothy 2:1 encourages intercession for others. The overarching message is that God uses surrendered, humble followers of Christ to “reach into” the future of others by prayer, love, and faithful witness, trusting Him for lasting transformation.

I'm looking forward to the future! 

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How to Pray Petitionary Prayers Well

Enjoyed the Prayer Course yesterday and reconnecting with Jacob. Chaz joined us as well and Dan and Heather received their Jesus focused Bibles. Dave, Art, and Drew were there as well. Jim and I had a wonderful talk in the car having experienced the Vertical Endeavor this last week end. This coming weekend we get to honor Margo and continue to praise the Lord for our friends and family. Here are the big takeaways from the video: 

Pray with others. Agreement adds strength.

Scripture shows that joined prayer carries unique spiritual force.

• “If two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” (Matthew 18:19)

• “They all joined together constantly in prayer.” (Acts 1:14)

• “Pray for each other so that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)

Praying together shapes unity, increases faith, and opens the door to God’s intervention in community, not isolation.

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Pray incrementally. Break big needs into small, faithful steps.

God often answers through steady, step-by-step faith.

• Jesus taught persistence one request at a time: “Give us today our daily bread.” (Matthew 6:11)

• The persistent widow shows incremental courage: she “kept coming” until justice was done (Luke 18:1–8).

• Nehemiah models this pattern. He prays repeatedly (Nehemiah 1:4–11) and acts in small, wise steps to rebuild the wall.

Incremental praying keeps the request active and your trust grounded while God works layer by layer.

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Pray God’s promises. Scripture guides specific, grounded requests.

Praying the Word aligns your desires with God’s revealed will.

• “This is the confidence we have… that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” (1 John 5:14–15)

• “The Lord is faithful to all His promises and loving toward all He has made.” (Psalm 145:13)

• Jesus prayed Scripture on the cross (Psalm 22).

• Daniel prayed God’s promises back to Him (Daniel 9:2–3).

Promises steady your heart. They give language to your petitions and reframe your expectations in truth, not emotion.

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Pray consistently. Keep “stacking dominoes.”

Consistency builds spiritual momentum.

• “Pray without ceasing.” (1 Thessalonians 5:17)

• “Ask… seek… knock.” The verbs are present-continuous: “keep on asking.” (Matthew 7:7–8)

• Jesus tells His disciples “always to pray and not give up.” (Luke 18:1)

• Paul urges believers to be “faithful in prayer.” (Romans 12:12)

Every prayer is a domino. One prayer moves the next. Over time, God weaves these consistent petitions into breakthroughs you could not engineer yourself.

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PEACE: invite God’s presence without pressure, shame, or coercion.

I like the PEACE framework for helping people through change (myself included). It stands for Problem, Empathy, Action, Change, End Result. 

P. Problem. Prayer of Truth and Illumination

Scripture anchor
Psalm 139:23–24
“Search me, O God, and know my heart.”

Prayer reflection

God, we come to You without pretending.
We name what is real, not what we wish were true.
Show us where fear has blurred our vision.
Reveal what we have avoided facing.
Give us courage to see clearly without despair.

Silent reflection questions

• What reality am I resisting naming before God?

• What facts have I been afraid to acknowledge?

• Where has avoidance felt safer than truth?

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E. Empathy. Prayer of Lament and Compassion

Scripture anchor
Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted.”

Prayer reflection

Lord, this season has been heavy.
You see the grief, the disappointment, the shame we do not say out loud.
Meet us here without condemnation.
Sit with us in the sorrow we have carried too long.
Remind us that pain does not disqualify us from Your care.

Silent reflection questions

• What loss do I still need to grieve?

• Where do I feel unseen or misunderstood?

• What emotion have I been numbing instead of offering to God?

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A. Action. Prayer of Willingness and Obedience

Scripture anchor
Proverbs 16:3
“Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established.”

Prayer reflection

God, we do not ask for the full plan.
We ask for the next faithful step.
Give us willingness where motivation is weak.
Help us choose obedience over overwhelm.
Strengthen our hands for small acts of faithfulness.

Silent reflection questions

• What small action am I resisting?

• What step is within my control today?

• Where might obedience come before understanding?

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C. Change. Prayer of Identity and Stewardship

Scripture anchor
2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power, love, and self-control.”

Prayer reflection

Father, reshape how we see ourselves.
We reject the lie that we are powerless.
Teach us to steward what remains, not mourn only what is lost.
Restore our sense of agency as Your children.
Form character in us through this season.

Silent reflection questions

• What identity am I living out right now?

• Where have I confused limitation with helplessness?

• What does stewardship look like in my present reality?

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E. End Result. Prayer of Hope and Trust

Scripture anchor (sovereignty and freedom)
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord.” Jeremiah 29:11 "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," Philippians 4:13

Prayer reflection

God, we place the future back in Your hands.
Not demanding comfort, but trusting Your faithfulness.
Help us imagine a future marked by stability, dignity, and peace.
Give us endurance to walk toward it step by step.
Teach us to hope without denying reality.

Silent reflection questions

• What kind of future am I afraid to hope for?

• What would peace look like six months from now?

• Where do I need to trust God instead of control outcomes? Christ’s yoke reshapes the heart through the Spirit, not self-regulation (Matthew 11:29-30)

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Closing Prayer

Lord, we offer You what we have, not what we wish we had.
Meet us in truth.
Strengthen us in weakness.
Guide us in obedience.
And lead us into a future shaped by faith, not fear.
Amen.

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A Gentle Reminder for You

Prayer prepares the heart.
Action moves the feet.
God honors both.

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The Enemy Is Not Who You Think

Ephesians 6:12 rightly interpreted

Paul is explicit. “We do not wrestle against flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is not people, personalities, cultures, or institutions. Flesh and blood are never the final cause. When believers treat people as the enemy, they misdiagnose the battle and misapply their weapons.

Jesus modeled this clearly. On the cross He did not curse His persecutors. He prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Paul echoes this posture in 2 Timothy 2:24–26, warning that opponents may be “captured by the devil to do his will.” The problem is captivity, not character.

To fight people is to fight the wrong enemy.

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“Do Not Give Place to the Devil”

The battlefield of the renewed mind

Paul warns believers not to “give opportunity” or “place” to the devil (Ephesians 4:27). This implies access, not ownership. The enemy gains influence when space is yielded.

Romans 12:2 defines that space clearly. The mind. “Be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” Unrenewed thinking creates agreement with deception. Renewed thinking shuts doors.

Paul clarifies our responsibility in 2 Corinthians 10:3–6. Though we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to it. The war targets arguments, lofty opinions, and thoughts that rise against the knowledge of God. Patterns of thinking become a realm of safety for the enemy to operate from when they go unchallenged.

James reinforces this sequence. Desire gives birth to sin, and sin brings death (James 1:14–15). The battle begins long before behavior. It begins with belief.

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The Reality of Spiritual Rulers, Authorities, and Deception

Scripture does not minimize the reality of spiritual powers. Paul names rulers, authorities, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil (Ephesians 6:12). These forces traffic primarily in deception.

Fear is one of their most common tools. “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). Fear is not neutral. It is a spiritual influence that weakens clarity, courage, and obedience.

Paul contrasts fear with sound judgment. Deception clouds discernment. Truth restores it (John 8:31–32). Where fear dominates, faith erodes. Where truth is embraced, authority is regained.

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The Danger of Fighting the Wrong Enemy

Wounding the bruised reed

When believers misidentify the enemy, they often harm the very people God intends to heal.

Isaiah prophesies of the Messiah. “A bruised reed he will not break, and a faintly burning wick he will not quench” (Isaiah 42:3). Jesus applies this to His own ministry (Matthew 12:20). He protects the weak. He restores the wounded.

Fighting the wrong enemy leads to spiritual friendly fire. The bruised reed is broken. The smoldering wick is extinguished. Paul warns against this when he calls believers to restore others “in a spirit of gentleness” (Galatians 6:1).

God’s scepter, His skepal, represents righteous authority exercised with justice and mercy (Hebrews 1:8, 4:12, Psalm 110:2). Kingdom authority is never harsh, reactionary, or fear-driven. It is discerning, redemptive, and truth-centered.

King of Kings, resurrection and the Kingdom of Heaven (part 1)

Revelation of the church, a kingdom of priests (Rev 1:6, 5:10, 22:5-6)

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord (Eph 5:10,Romans 12:1-2)

The Only Kingdom That Prevails The Doctrine of the Kingdom of God

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Closing Emphasis

The enemy thrives in misdirection. When believers attack people instead of lies, symptoms instead of roots, or behavior instead of belief, the real enemy advances quietly.

Scripture calls us to clarity. Renew the mind. Discern the spirits. Refuse fear. Protect the wounded. Pull down strongholds. And stand firm in truth.

Victory begins when the enemy is correctly identified and rightly resisted.

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Good to great in the kingdom, Spirit-empowered maturity (1 Cor 16:12-18)

Be (watchful) on (your) guard, alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous (act like men of courage). Be strong. 1 Corinthians 16:13

In context, "Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was not at all inclined to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity. Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. Do everything in love. You know that Stephanas and his household were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the saints. Now I urge you, brothers, to submit to such as these, and to every fellow worker and laborer. I am glad that Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus have arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. For they refreshed my spirit and yours as well. Show your appreciation, therefore, to such men." - 1 Cor 16:12-18

Have you ever "put yourself out there" only to be passed-up or unnoticed. Its uncomfortable at best, and can be demoralizing if we take it personally. However when we trust God's timing we are able to carry on and continue in faith, courage and love. The story of Apollos is interesting, in Acts 18:24-28 we see a bold but immature believer who was FAT (faithful, available, teachable) - goes from good to great. 

"...Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well...He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately...

Apollos had been thinking about going to...the brothers and sisters...encouraged him to go. They wrote to the believers...asking them to welcome him. When he arrived there, he proved to be of great benefit to those who, by God’s grace, had believed... Using the Scriptures, he explained to them that Jesus was the Messiah."

I did a word search to learn more about Apollos and found  that 1 Corinthians 1-4 is largely about "who's better" - but really it's about Christian leadership. Christian leadership is Spirit-empowered dependence on Christ, the power of the cross, and faithful stewardship.

Sometimes the answer is yes but not now

• Church and BSF Over the Years, foundational to living Coram Deo
• Vision for ministry
• Sometimes we need to be reminded about light and love (James 1:2-3,Heb 12, Revelation 21:9-14)
• Am I giving my time, treasure, and talent for God's Glory?

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The loving kindness of pizza ministry

Praying for the Alpha Weekend and my training this Friday. Remembering that many of you were once like that (1 Cor 6:11) But you were washed, you were made holy, you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God" My favorite gospel message is Titus 3:3-8:

Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other. But—

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. Because of his grace he made us right in his sight and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life.

This is a trustworthy saying, and I want you to insist on these teachings so that all who trust in God will devote themselves to doing good. These teachings are good and beneficial for everyone.

Alpha weekend our church provides Papa John's Pizza for everyone, 100 slices and we usually get new people to join that night. We believe, "1 Cor 14:24, But if everyone is proclaiming God's message, speak what God has revealed, prophesying, foretelling the future, speaking a new message from God to the people, when some unbelievers or ordinary people come in, they will be convinced of their sin by what they hear, he is called to account by all [because he can understand what is being said], They will realize that they are sinners, and they will want to change their ways because of what you are saying. They will be judged by all they hear, he is discerned by all, he is refuted by all, he is examined by all,  he will be convinced by everyone and judged by everyone,

And I will give them singleness of heart and put a new spirit within them; I will remove their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh, / so that they may follow My statutes, keep My ordinances, and practice them. Then they will be My people, and I will be their God. - Ezekiel 11:19-20

so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it. Isaiah 55:11

The hand of the LORD was upon me, and He brought me out by His Spirit and set me down in the middle of the valley, and it was full of bones. / He led me all around among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, and indeed, they were very dry. / Then He asked me, “Son of man, can these bones come to life?” “O Lord GOD,” I replied, “only You know.” ... Ezekiel 37:1-14

“Is not My word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that smashes a rock?” Jeremiah 23:29

because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power, in the Holy Spirit, and with great conviction—just as you know we lived among you for your sake. 1 Thessalonians 1:5

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!” / But not all of them welcomed the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” - Romans 10:14-17

Alleluia! God is so good (Psalm 135:3), praise the Lord in my heart (Psalm 150:1), I lay me down (Romans 12:1-3), His rule and eternal reign is lighting up the sky before the new day dawns (Rev 19:1-6), Thank you for eyes that see (Heb 11-12, Luke 2:19). For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:6)

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Pulling down strongholds with gentleness and respect (2 Corinthians 10:4, 1 Peter 3:15)

Normally on Saturday morning, Paul and I would walk and talk about what we're learning about God and other life topics. We generally end up with, "I can't believe God that would punish people in hell forever and ever just because _________..." 

We talk about the reality of free will and the reality of God's sovereignty, the impact of words (God's word and our own words). The trinity of God and what love is. We talk about the church, the return of Jesus and God's plan for humanity as contrasted by the devil's plan for humanity. 

Growing up I perceived the goal of church was "say the sinner's prayer" but having matured somewhat in my faith I've been able to see that Jesus said, "go and make disciples" and "when you did this for the least of these, you did this for me." 

I've been watching some videos about, God or Science - Why the Choice? and loved the idea that Science answers different questions. Why is water boiling? Science talks about excited molecules, from heat transferred through he kettle but the question can also be answered I wanted to make tea.

My brother likes Simon Sinek "start with Why" but instead of trying to figure out why God does what he does, figure out "who" God is. Do a character study of God, look for how he describes himself via "names of God", see how Jesus describes himself and the Holy Spirit.

 Doctrine of Election is God's irrevocable call for everyone (Genesis 25:23)

 Can You FORFEIT Your Salvation? A Unique Perspective on Once Saved Always Saved

2 Peter 2:20-22;John 15:4-6;Matt 24:9-13,10:13; Heb 4:11,6:4-6; Rom 5:9-10;11:20-23; 1 Tim 4:1; 2 Peter 3:17; Col 1:21-23; 1 cor 1:18; 2 Cor 2:15

In 2 Corinthians 10:4, the phrase "pulling down strongholds" refers to using God's power, not worldly weapons, to dismantle false beliefs and arguments that oppose the knowledge of God, ultimately bringing every thought into obedience to Christ.  

The "Weapons of Warfare": Paul emphasizes that the weapons used in this spiritual battle are not "carnal" (worldly or fleshly) but "mighty in God". 

"Pulling Down Strongholds": This phrase signifies the destruction of strongholds, which are often understood as:

• False beliefs and arguments: These are the ideas and reasoning that people hold onto that are contrary to God's truth. 
• Arrogance and pride: The "high things" that exalt themselves against the knowledge of God. 
• Captivating thoughts: Taking every thought captive to make it obedient to Christ. 

The Goal: The ultimate goal is to bring every thought into obedience to Christ, demonstrating the power of God's truth to overcome opposition. 

How to "Pull Down Strongholds":

• Meditate on God's Word: Allow the Holy Spirit to make God's Word a reality in your heart and mind, and meditate on how it applies to your life. 
• Repent and Believe the Truth: Identify the lies you have believed, repent of them, and believe in God's truth. 
• Declare the Truth: Declare God's truth and tear down the faulty arguments raised against it. 
• Seek God's Guidance: Ask God to show you the lies you have believed and the truth, and to help you choose His ways. 

1 Peter 3:15, is the call to be prepared to defend your faith with kindness and respect, rather than with harshness or fear, so that others might see the good in your character and be drawn to Christ. This verse encourages believers to be ready to give a reason for the hope that is in them, but to do so with gentleness and respect. 

• Gentleness and Respect: The key is to approach discussions about faith with kindness, humility, and a desire to understand, rather than with aggression or a need to win an argument. 
• Clear Conscience: The verse also emphasizes the importance of having a clear conscience, so that even if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see the good life you live because of your faith. 
• Not a call to Apologetics: Some say that this verse is often misused to serve as a proof text for a rational defense of Christianity, but the inspirational aspects of the text include the possibility of no fear, persistence in defending our hope, and the privilege of honoring the Lord Jesus. 
• Living Out Your Faith: Ultimately, the best way to share your hope is through your actions and the way you treat others, demonstrating the love and grace of Christ. 
• Focus on God's Grace: Remember that the goal is not to convert others through force or argument, but to allow God's grace to work in their hearts. 

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"I Asked God" shows us how to listen to God

Poems are great when you understand the person who wrote them. "I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz is often shared on social media and has a stoic voice around what God gives and the desired response. He gives us a desire to pray for and wisdom to see how it's accomplished. This is akin to the still small voice of God. The phrase "still small voice" is a biblical reference that appears in 1 Kings 19:12: In the story of Elijah, God speaks to him in a still small voice after sending a wind, earthquake, and fire. The phrase is used to illustrate that God's work doesn't always need to be accompanied by dramatic manifestations.

• To give up prideful habits, rather God taking it away. (Romans 12:1-4)
• To see the spiritual reality in people, rather than the physical (2 Corinthians 4:16)
• To have patience is to go through tribulation with God (Psalm 46:10, Psalm 1:1-6)
• To have joyful happiness is receiving blessings of God (James 1:17)
• To separate from the world is painful but joy is in relationship with God (Hebrews 11)
• To grow spiritually we must receive nourishment, light, and pruning (John 15)
• To know God's love is to know and follow Jesus (Hebrews 12)
• To love others is God's desire for us (John 12:23-13:20)

We're starting the Prayer Course at MNTC next week. Christian prayer is a way for Christians to communicate with God and develop a personal relationship with him. It can be a form of worship, praise, or conversation. Christians pray for many reasons, including: 

• Expressing gratitude: Thanking God for blessings
• Asking for help: Requesting guidance, healing, or clarity
• Confessing sins: Asking for forgiveness
• Praying for others: Interceding on behalf of others
• Expressing thoughts and feelings: Sharing love, fears, and desires with God

Prayer is a central part of the Christian life, and Christians are encouraged to pray "continually". Some ways that Christians pray include: 

• Vocal prayer: Following the example of Christ, who taught the Our Father to his disciples 
• Meditation: A prayerful practice that involves thought, emotion, imagination, and desire 
• Contemplative prayer: A practice that involves the Holy Spirit and is compared to a kiss from God 
• Formal prayers: Pre-written prayers like The Lord's Prayer, which are often used in special ceremonies 
• Informal prayers: "Chatty" prayers that Christians often use 
• Arrow prayers: Quick prayers for specific situations 

"I Asked God" by Claudia Minden Weisz

I asked God to take away my pride (habit), And God said, “No.”

He said it was not for Him to take it away, But for me to give it up.

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole, And God said, “No.”

He said her spirit already is, While her body is only temporary.

I asked God to grant me patience, And God said, “No.”

He said patience is a by-product of tribulation; It isn’t granted, it is earned.

I asked God to give me happiness, And God said, “No.”

He said “I give blessings; Happiness is up to you.”

I asked God to spare me pain, And God said, “No.”

He said, “Suffering draws you apart from Worldly cares and brings you closer to Me.”

I asked God to make my spirit grow, And God said, “No.”

He said I must grow on my own, But He will prune me to make me fruitful.

I asked God if He loved me, And God said, “Yes.”

He gave me His only Son, who died for me. And I will be in heaven someday.

I asked God to help me love others As much as He loves me,

And God said, “Ah, finally, you have the idea.”

• Lord help me give up Pride: (Psalm 10:4 (NLT) — The wicked are too proud to seek God. Psalm 75:4-7 (NLT) — 4 I warned the proud, 'Stop your boasting! Proverbs 11:2 (NLT) — Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 13:10 (NLT) — Pride leads to conflict; those who take advice are wise.

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Faith connected to the renewed mind, brings hope to every situation (2 Cor 10:3-5, Proverbs 21:22,

How to Renew Your Mind and Live with Hope for Every Situation - Bill Johnson Sermon | Bethel Church

For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 2 Corinthians 10: 3-5 (NKJV)

A wise man scales the city of the mighty, And brings down the trusted stronghold. Proverbs 21: 22 (NKJV)

• Proverbs 21 is captioned "the LORD Considers the Heart", Proverbs 21:1) the heart placed in God's hands is like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes. 
• Put this together with 1 Corinthians 2:16 & Romans 12:1-3, we get "The renewed mind creates a context for faith, like the banks of a river create a context for the river flowing." - The mind trained by Faith, the ascended life (James 3:13-18). Wisdom comes from heeding God's word and obeying (Jeremiah 23:18). Spirit and mind are sometimes used inter changeably (Isaiah 40:13, Romans 11:34). Our most important responsibility is to what we think about Jesus (Luke 10:22).
• We see ourselves as right, but LORD examines our heart, righteousness and justice please him (Proverbs 21:2-3)
• Sinful: haughty eyes, proud heart and evil action (4), hasty shortcuts, love pleasure (5, 17,20), lying (6), violence, unjust (7), guilty walk a crooked path (8,16) , quarrelsome (9,19), evil desire/wicked/traitor (unmerciful) (10,12,18), scoffer, mocker (11,24), deaf to poor (13), evildoer/worker of iniquity (15), lazy (25), covetous greed (26), wrong motives (27), false witness, bluffs (28,29)
• Wise: good planning, diligent (5), innocent, pure (8), instructed, common sense, thoughtful, virtuous (11,16, 29), just, joyful, godly (15), wealth and luxury (20), follows/pursues righteousness, mercy/unfailing-love (21), conquer/brings down strongholds (22), guarded words (23), benevolent giver (26), credible witness (28), trusts LORD (30), prepared (31)
• Trust is the issue: Mark 10:24 (AMPC), And the disciples were amazed and bewildered and perplexed at His words. But Jesus said to them again, Children, how hard it is for those who trust (place their confidence, their sense of safety) in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
• Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” - Heb 13:5
• You cannot serve God and money. Matthew 6:24
• For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs...As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 1 Tim 6:10-17

But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11: 6 (NKJV)

The Lord is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble; And He knows those who trust in Him. Nahum 1:7 (NKJV), 2 Timothy 2:19-26 shows the results of giving our lives to the Lord. 

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Make disciples: baptized and then taught to obey

The church has had different interpretations of ministry and baptism over the centuries. Like temporary exclusivity vs. marriage many don't see the point - "we love each other, why get married?" People may love God but don't want to go through the spectacle of public baptism. They don't want to commit to being a disciple, in a formal committed relationship to a local church. 

Ministry happens when we live in Jesus and make disciples (defined as fully baptized and taught to obey).

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

Ministry Is Supernatural, not professional

“I bear on my body the marks of Jesus” (Galatians 6:17). “I am crucified with Christ” (Galatians 2:20). “I die every day!” (1 Corinthians 15:31). “For the sake of Christ I am content with weaknesses” (2 Corinthians 12:10). “He was crucified in weakness . . . we also are weak in him, but in dealing with you we will live with him by the power of God” (2 Corinthians 13:4). “We are the aroma of Christ . . . a fragrance from death to death . . . a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?” (2 Corinthians 2:15–16).

Pastors say, “Who is sufficient for these things!” And then they look to God. Professionals say, “Education and training and savvy are sufficient.” And then they look to experts.

Yet their is a very important point in baptism that isn't talked about much: Holy Spirit Power for witnessing (Acts 1:8), commitment in God's name (Acts 2:38),  preparation for Holy Spirit (Acts 8:16), Death to sinful nature (Romans 6:3-4), buried and resurrected (Colossians 2:12), clothed in Christ (Galatians 3:27)

What does Baptism mean, why do it?

We count ourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus (Romans 6:11)

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Bereans that serve Corinthians on Mars Hill

This title is so "Christianese," but I like it. It's basically Bible scholars who serve unchurched people in a place of consumerism. Open minded Bereans received the gospel of Jesus with eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day for truth (Acts 17:11). While Corinthians are prone to deception and habitual sin (2 Cor 11:3,12:21). Mars Hill, is like our world full of people worshiping at best an "unknown god, a higher Power" (Acts 17:22-23). We do this with gentleness and hospitality to benefit everyone in spite of ridicule (1 Cor 4:13,9:20). 

Mars Hill is full of false teaching that have denial of Jesus Christ at their root (2 Peter 2:1). My favorite secular argument for the reality of Jesus is our time, today is July 31, 2024 (in the year of our Lord). If you know your birth day, or your age and when it's time to vote. You are living in a time zone that is marked by the birth of Jesus Christ. 

The idea is people fruitful in God's word (Gal 5:22-23, John 15) are able to plant and water, and see God make it grow (1 Cor 3:6-8), making the reality of God's resurrection clear in the hearer (2 Cor 13:5). 

Some may be annoyed with my life, while others rejoice. My aim is to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume (2 Cor 2:14-17).

2 Peter 1:5-7 outlines how personal faith, is exercised adding moral excellence (principles of right/wrong behavior, proper conduct)/virtue (ESV showing high moral standards)/goodness (NIV the quality of being good, in particular). To Moral excellence we add knowledge and self-control (commitment, what we say we'll do), perseverance, steadfastness and godliness. Add brotherly kindness/mutual affection and love (Rom 12:10, devoted to one another, 1 Thes 3:12, increasing/overflow for each other).

...strive to make your calling and election sure, practice these things you will never stumble, (2 Peter 1:10). letters to stir you to wholesome thinking (2 Peter 3:1) be on your guard so that you will not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure standing. 2 Peter 3:17

Symptoms of being carried away by error;

• who thinks he is standing firm - 1 Corinthians 10:12
• trying to be justified by the law - Galatians 5:4
• (Lot) distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless - 2 Peter 2:7
• lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error. - 2 Peter 2:18 

Therefore, keep in mind how far you have fallen. Repent and perform the deeds you did at first. But if you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. Revelation 2:5

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Bonjour, journal what God is doing on your journey today (Luke 2:19, 51)

Hearing God and treasuring his word in our heart.

psalm 19,Luke 2:19, 51

Great resources I've been researching preparing for January's prayer course at MNTC Portland House. 

https://app.messengerx.com/en-US/watch/5NWN1FHnz2afPjuEvv3yhN/brightcoveVideo_6173785206001 and https://prayercourse.org/toolshed/

“I have still many things to say to you, but you are not able to . . . grasp them now.” (John 16:12 AMPC)

There was so much Jesus desired to share with His disciples, but He was restrained. His followers did not have the capacity to grasp the more He wanted to share with them. While conversing about being born again with Nicodemus, a respected teacher of his day, Jesus discerned his inability to comprehend heavenly reality, concluding, “If you’re unable to understand and believe what I’ve told you about the natural realm, what will you do when I begin to unveil the heavenly realm?” (John 3:12 TPT).

Jesus was very aware of the disconnect which occurred between God and man and supplied the solution—the Holy Spirit. Jesus affirmed, “When the Spirit of truth comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own but will tell you what He has heard. He will tell you about the future. He will bring Me glory by telling you whatever He receives from Me” (John 16:13–14 NLT) - Unmuted John Bevere

“Be careful that you do not refuse to listen to the One who is speaking. For if the people of Israel did not escape when they refused to listen to Moses, the earthly messenger, we will certainly not escape if we reject the One who speaks to us from heaven!” (Hebrews 12:25 NLT).

“For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it” (Job 33:14 NLT)

“My heart has heard you say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming’” (Psalm 27:8 NLT)

Jesus is knocking at the door of our hearts. He did this with Moses. Moses was on the backside of the desert tending his fathers-in-law’s sheep when the Lord got his attention. God caused a bush to burn in an unusual way—He was knocking! God waited to see how Moses will respond. It wasn’t until Moses said, “I will now turn aside and see” that God spoke: “So when the Lord saw that he turned aside . . . God called to him from the midst of the bush” (Exodus 3:3 NKJV) - - Unmuted John Bevere

I got a bunch of journals and stickers getting ready for this new season of ministry. Before praying in the Spirit, I will tell God I don't know how to pray and asked God to pray through me and to lead me to people who want God. I will do this for 15 minutes each day for the next 21 days. I believe the Lord will go before me and prepare the way. I pray my eyes will see, my ears will hear and my heart will understand. 

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Listening helps people discover where they want to be

Being lost is funny because you know where you are but don't know how to get where you want to be. Sometimes we can be so distraught about the current situation we can't even describe where we want to be. I enjoy Bible study in BSF because we bridge scripture into our lives and see miraculous breakthroughs. 

This week we studied Lamentations and how to respond to difficult people and life situations. The big idea of Lamentations is that when we cry out to God about specific hurts, he responds with specific healing. Similar to when we confess specific sin, he gives specific grace to overcome sin. We can learn through Biblical poetry that grieving with God, brings us to hope and ultimately worship to him. We see Jesus on the cross praying Psalm 22 going from despair to hope. Lamentations doesn't end on a "happy note," and we got to discuss this question: "Describe a situation in which you are waiting on God to fulfill His promises. What are you learning about yourself? About God?"

I thought about someone with whom I've been sharing the good news about Jesus weekly for several years. Every week we land in a good place of clarity, and then it seems to fade until we meet again. So we prayed for him, and I got to experience a miraculous breakthrough less than 24 hours later. 

We drove around for a few hours, and I listened to him talk through what was on his heart and mind. We have a unique friendship and trust each other. While he was distraught and down about where he was in life, I shared what I saw as being good things in him and areas of accomplishment that were his. 

He tends to drudge up the past, and I encouraged him with a word from Earl Nightingale, "Don't water last year's crop," instead think about the person you want to become and focus on your ideal self.

I had the good news from Lamentations 3:22-24 on my mind, "Great is thy Faithfulness."

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father

There is no shadow of turning with Thee

Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not

As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest

Sun, moon and stars in their courses above

Join with all nature in manifold witness

To Thy great faithfulness, mercy and love

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth

Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide

Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow

Blessings all mine with 10,000 beside

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me

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Perfecting the Saints with men given by God (Eph 4:11-16)

I came across  Grace to You on youtube, gty.org

All believers are given gifts of the Spirit (1 Cor 12 and Romans 12). But we see in Eph 4 the gifts from Jesus, men to perfect the church. Since Eph 2 we've seen the necessity of unity. Unity marked by love is what Jesus' desire is for the us (John 13-17). This verse gives us attributes of that unity, developed by leaders:

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors, and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.  - Eph 4:11-13

2 Cor 8 mentions apostles of the church. 

1 Tim 5:17, Elders, rule well - preaching (proclaim) and teaching (feeding the flock John 21:15-17 from love).

Pastors are accountable

Gal 4:19, In labor until Christ is formed in you

Col 1:28, Until all, are complete in Christ

1 Thes 3:8-9, we live in joy for we see your ministry

Perfect the saints, long-term process marked by 1 Cor 13 love. Patient, kind, long suffering. 

Benefits: protection from false teachers and tricks of the devil

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. - Eph 4:14

Benefit 2: Proclamation of the gospel - "go and make disciples"

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. - Eph 4:15-16 

Application: The only thing the world needs from the church to know that God is real is love. 

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

AIM: Effective ministry is conditional on the minister.  

or

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pulpit Commentary

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

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Characteristics God wants to develop in me

My wife is reading a book by 9marks Discipling which highlights that being Christian is not checking a box on a survey but "following Christ." Faith and obedience go together. When I first looked at the book I thought it said disciplining and it hit me that a disciple is someone under the discipline of another. Likewise, Character is who we are at the core is made up of characteristics. Charisma and talent cannot supplant character and faithfulness (What Does It Mean to Be “Qualified” for Ministry?)

I want to be known for godliness in my private and public life. 

• Seeking God every day, trusting His guidance, understanding the past (Deuteronomy 1:26-38; Psalm 95:6-11; Hebrews 3:7-19; Hebrews 4:1-8) (Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life)
• In relationships at home, at work, and with strangers 1 Timothy 3:1–6; Titus 1:5–9
• Faithfulness in God's calling Eph 4:1-2, lowliness (humble and contrite in spirit, humility under God), meekness (mildness or gentleness of character, restrained strength). Humility under God gives strength in saying yes to God and no to all moral filth and evil (James 1:21). Meekness towards others brings gentle instruction (2 Tim 2:25) that builds up others (Acts 20:32, Eph 4:12,29, Romans 14:19, 1 Thes 5:11). Patience (steadfast endurance of suffering, slow to avenging wrongs) not retaliating (1 Peter 2:23). Forbearance is the practical outworking of patience. (Four Ways to Walk Worthy of Your Calling)
• Not taking advantage but serving others Philippians 2:6-7, no matter how difficult (Acts 20:19)

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