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

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

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

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

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

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

Romans reveals three dimensions of intercession:

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

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

The movement in Romans is:

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

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

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

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

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

A useful Romans-based framework is HELP:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Biblical model for culturally informed Bible translation

New Historical controversies help in understanding an audience in a cross cultural Bible study like BSFonline.org. Effective Bible translation is not only about linguistic accuracy but also historical awareness. Across Arabic, Bengali, and Burmese contexts, the recurring biblical themes are unity in Christ, careful speech, love across divisions, perseverance under suffering, wise witness, and removing unnecessary barriers to the gospel. Scripture repeatedly calls believers to proclaim truth faithfully while avoiding needless offense, hostility, or cultural misunderstanding.

Overall theological synthesis

Across all three contexts, the dominant biblical pattern is the apostolic missionary approach. The New Testament consistently teaches that translators and gospel communicators should:

• Preserve the truth of the gospel without compromise (Galatians 1:6-9; Jude 3).
• Remove unnecessary cultural and historical stumbling blocks (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
• Pursue peace without sacrificing truth (Romans 12:18; Ephesians 4:15).
• Expect opposition while responding with gentleness (1 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Timothy 2:24-26).
• Keep the focus on Christ rather than historical grievances, political identities, or denominational conflicts (Colossians 1:15-20; Philippians 3:7-11).

These principles align closely with Paul's missionary practice. He adapted his presentation to different cultures while refusing to alter the essential message of Christ crucified and risen (1 Corinthians 2:1-5; Acts 17:22-31). That provides a strong biblical model for culturally informed Bible translation today.

1. Arabic Context

Theme 1: Unity in Christ despite historical divisions

The Chalcedonian controversy reminds translators that historic theological disputes should not become unnecessary obstacles to presenting the gospel.

Key Scriptures

• John 17:20-23, Jesus prays for the unity of believers.
• Ephesians 4:1-6, preserve the unity of the Spirit.
• Philippians 2:1-5, humility produces unity.
• Romans 14:1-19, avoid unnecessary disputes.
• 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, divisions diminish Christ's witness.

Translation implication

• Distinguish essential gospel doctrines from historical ecclesiastical disagreements.
• Present Christ clearly without reinforcing centuries-old denominational divisions.

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Theme 2: Faithfulness amid persecution and suffering

The decline of Christian communities throughout Iraq and Syria highlights biblical themes of endurance.

Key Scriptures

• Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness. (Matthew 5:10-12)
• Christ has overcome the world's troubles. (John 16:33)
• Nothing separates believers from Christ's love. (Romans 8:35-39)
• Present suffering produces eternal glory. (2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
• Rejoice when suffering for Christ's name. (1 Peter 4:12-16)
• Remain faithful until death; receive life's crown. (Revelation 2:10)

Translation implication

• Passages on suffering should communicate hope rather than despair.
• Preserve the biblical promise that Christ remains with His people.

---

Theme 3: Respectful witness among communities with guarded religious identities

The Druze and Alawite traditions developed closed religious systems.

Key Scriptures

• Speak wisely and graciously to outsiders. (Colossians 4:5-6)
• Defend your hope with gentleness and respect. (1 Peter 3:15-16)
• Be wise, innocent, and discerning witnesses. (Matthew 10:16)
• Show humility, kindness, and respect toward all. (Titus 3:1-2)
• Live peaceably with everyone whenever possible. (Romans 12:18)

Translation implication

• Avoid unnecessarily confrontational wording.
• Present biblical truth with gentleness and respect.

---

2. Bengali Context

Theme 1: Peacemaking across religious divisions

The memories of Partition and the Bangladesh Liberation War make reconciliation especially important.

Key Scriptures

• Blessed are those who make peace. (Matthew 5:9)
• Overcome evil by doing what is good. (Romans 12:17-21)
• Christ reconciles divided people through Himself. (Ephesians 2:14-18)
• Heavenly wisdom produces righteousness and peace. (James 3:13-18)
• Pursue peace and holy living always. (Hebrews 12:14)

Translation implication

• Avoid language that could be interpreted as encouraging hostility toward religious communities.
• Explain difficult passages within their biblical context.

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Theme 2: Loving enemies

Passages that describe God's judgment should never become justification for hatred.

Key Scriptures

• Love your enemies and pray for them. (Matthew 5:43-48)
• Do good to those who hate you. (Luke 6:27-36)
• Overcome evil with persistent goodness. (Romans 12:20-21)
• Live honorably among all people. (1 Peter 2:11-17)

Translation implication

The message of Revelation should remain directed toward spiritual faithfulness rather than ethnic or religious hostility.

---

Theme 3: Cost of discipleship

Conversion often results in family rejection or community ostracism.

Key Scriptures

• Following Christ requires wholehearted commitment. (Matthew 10:34-39)
• Count the cost of discipleship carefully. (Luke 14:25-33)
• Christ rewards sacrifices made for Him. (Mark 10:29-30)
• Expect the world's hatred for Christ. (John 15:18-21)
• Count everything loss for knowing Christ. (Philippians 3:7-10)
• Bear Christ's reproach outside the camp. (Hebrews 13:13)

Translation implication

• Prepare readers honestly for the cost of following Christ.
• Balance suffering with God's promises of hope and belonging.

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3. Burmese Context

Theme 1: The gospel transcends political history

Christianity's association with colonialism and ethnic minorities requires careful distinction between the gospel and historical events.

Key Scriptures

• All believers are one in Christ. (Galatians 3:28)
• God shows no favoritism among people. (Acts 10:34-35)
• Every nation worships before God's throne. (Revelation 7:9-10)
• Make disciples of all nations. (Matthew 28:18-20)

Translation implication

• Emphasize that the gospel belongs to every nation.
• Avoid reinforcing perceptions that Christianity is a foreign religion.

---

Theme 2: Becoming all things to all people

Judson modeled long-term engagement with Buddhist culture.

Key Scriptures

• Become all things to reach others. (1 Corinthians 9:19-23)
• Proclaim God using familiar cultural bridges. (Acts 17:22-31)
• Pray faithfully and speak with wisdom. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Translation implication

• Use language that communicates biblical truth naturally within Burmese thought patterns.
• Preserve biblical meaning while reducing unnecessary cultural barriers.

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Theme 3: Faithful witness through humility

Historical distrust requires humility rather than triumphalism.

Key Scriptures

• Humbly serve others with Christ's mindset. (Philippians 2:3-8)
• Correct opponents with gentleness and patience. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
• Live honorably before an unbelieving world. (1 Peter 2:12)
• Let your good works glorify God. (Matthew 5:16)

Translation implication

• Let transformed lives support translated words.
• Emphasize servant leadership rather than cultural superiority.

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Cross-language themes

Theme	Biblical Support	Translation Principle
Unity of believers	John 17:20-23, Ephesians 4:1-6	Avoid reviving historical church conflicts.
Peace and reconciliation	Matthew 5:9, Romans 12:18, Ephesians 2:14	Present the gospel as reconciling people to God and one another.
Respectful witness	1 Peter 3:15-16, Colossians 4:5-6	Speak truth with gentleness and wisdom.
Endurance under suffering	Romans 8:35-39, 1 Peter 4:12-16	Encourage perseverance in difficult contexts.
Cost of discipleship	Matthew 10:34-39, Luke 14:25-33	Prepare believers for social and family opposition.
Cultural sensitivity	1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Acts 17:22-31	Remove cultural barriers without changing biblical truth.
Gospel for every people	Revelation 7:9-10, Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 10:34-35	Demonstrate that Christ's kingdom includes every language and nation.
Humility in ministry	Philippians 2:3-8, 2 Timothy 2:24-26	Let humility characterize both translation and proclamation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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The Covenant with Levi

The "covenant with Levi" (Mal. 2:4-5, 8) is not a single, formally enacted covenant recorded in one passage it is a composite theological concept drawn across several texts and historical moments. Malachi invokes it as a standard against which the corrupt priests of his day are measured.

For teaching purposes: The Levi Covenant functions in Malachi the way the Davidic covenant functions in the Psalms — as a theological baseline against which failure is measured and restoration is promised.

Its Components

1. Phinehas — the founding act (Numbers 25:10-13) The most concrete anchor. When Phinehas killed the Israelite man and Midianite woman in flagrant sin, God declared:

"I am making my covenant of peace with him... a covenant of a lasting priesthood" (Num. 25:12-13)

This is the only place where God explicitly calls something a "covenant" with a member of the tribe of Levi. Notice Malachi 2:5 echoes this exact language — "life and peace."

2. Sinai selection — Deuteronomy 33:8-11 Moses' blessing of Levi describes the priestly calling in covenantal terms: Levi was tested at Massah, proved faithful at Meribah, and was entrusted with the Urim, the Torah, and the altar. The passage frames this as a divine appointment with defined obligations.

3. The Levitical priesthood at large — Deuteronomy 17:18; Jeremiah 33:21 Jeremiah treats God's covenant with "the Levitical priests" as parallel to the Davidic covenant — equally unbreakable by God's design. This shows the covenant had ongoing dynastic/institutional weight, not just personal application to Phinehas.

What the Covenant Required (Malachi's Portrait — 2:5-7)

Malachi constructs the ideal from the covenant's terms:

Covenant Term	Priestly Obligation
Life	Reverence (yir'ah) — holy fear of God's name
Peace	Integrity (shalom) — uprightness in walk and word
—	True instruction (Torah) on the lips
—	Nothing false in his mouth
—	Walking with God in peace and uprightness
—	Turning many from iniquity

Verse 7 is the covenant's job description in summary: "the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge... for he is the messenger of the LORD Almighty."

How the Priests Violated It (2:8-9)

They inverted every term:

• Turned from the way → should have walked uprightly
• Caused many to stumble → should have turned many from sin
• Violated the covenant of Levi → showing partiality in rulings (Torah)
• Result: God made them despised and humiliated before the people — a precise reversal of the honor they were supposed to reflect

The Theological Weight

The Levi Covenant as Malachi uses it is essentially the theology of priestly mediation: the priest stands between God and the people as a messenger (mal'ak — same root as "Malachi"). He carries God's word down and intercedes upward. The covenant grants dignity and life; it demands holiness, truth, and care for the people's moral wellbeing.

This sets up Malachi's larger argument — corrupt priests corrupt the whole covenant people, which is why chapters 2-3 move from priests → marriages/divorce → justice → tithes → the coming messenger who will purify the sons of Levi (3:3).

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True Christian is Witness to Christ's personal reality (1 Pet. 3:15)

My friend Clark posted the 10 Vital Signs of a True Christian

1. Christian fruit (John 15:8)

2. Love for God's people (John 13:35)

3. Concern for personal holiness (1 Pet. 1:13-21)

4. Love for God's Word (1 Pet. 2:2-3)

5. A desire to obey (John 14:15, 21, 23)

6. A sense of intimacy with God (Rom. 8:14-17)

7. Perseverance (Phil. 1:27-28)

8. Fellowship with God's people (Heb. 10:24-25)

9. A desire to glorify God (Matt. 5:13-16)

10. Witness to Christ's personal reality (1 Pet. 3:15)

- MacArthur and Mayhue

The last on got me thinking. A true Christian is not merely a carrier of ideas about Christ. A true Christian is a witness to Christ as a living and personal reality. 1 Peter 3:15 grounds this identity: “Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and respect.” The verse assumes something vital. Hope is already present, visible, and compelling enough that others ask about it. Witness begins not with argument but with an encountered Lord.

Witness is rooted in inward allegiance.
Peter starts with the heart. To sanctify Christ as Lord means Christ is not abstract doctrine but reigning presence. The believer’s life is ordered around Him. This inner reality produces coherence. Decisions, responses to suffering, patience under pressure, and moral clarity all flow from a lived relationship. Apologetics follows devotion, not the other way around. Authority in witness comes from submission before it comes from speech.

Witness is experiential, not theoretical.
The Christian testifies to what Christ has done and is doing. Forgiveness received. Conscience cleansed. Fear reoriented. Purpose clarified. This aligns with the biblical pattern of testimony. “What we have seen and heard we proclaim.” A witness speaks credibly because their life has been intersected by truth. Christianity spreads not only by explanation but by presence shaped by encounter.

Witness is hope made visible.
Peter emphasizes hope, not debate. Hope is resilient confidence grounded in Christ’s resurrection and reign. In a hostile or confusing world, hope stands out. It is calm under threat. Steady under loss. Joyful without denial of pain. When hope is visible, questions follow naturally. Witness happens when the Christian life creates holy curiosity.

Witness is marked by posture, not aggression.
Gentleness and respect are not optional. They are evidence that Christ truly reigns in the heart. Harshness undermines credibility. Pride contradicts the message. A true witness reflects the character of Christ while speaking about Christ. The manner of defense validates the content of the defense.

In summary.
A true Christian witnesses to Christ’s personal reality by living under His lordship, speaking from lived experience, embodying durable hope, and engaging others with humility. The Christian does not argue Christ into existence. They bear witness to the One who has already made Himself known.

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Non-coercive discipleship, God’s way is invitation, not compulsion

Reflecting on Truth With Tenderness: Leading Without Spiritual Harm in Conversations, the idea of Non-coercive discipleship made me take a deeper look. 

Non-coercive discipleship is a relational approach to spiritual growth that relies on love, voluntary participation, and respect for free will, rather than force, threats, or manipulation, focusing on leading individuals to faith and deeper understanding by modeling Christ's principles and empowering them to choose their path, much like William Glasser's educational model, promoting autonomy and intrinsic motivation in learning and following. [1, 2, 3]

Key Principles

• Love & Respect: Building relationships based on care, encouragement, and valuing the individual's choices, mirroring Jesus's rebuke of disciples who wanted to harm a Samaritan village for not welcoming him, emphasizing that "everyone gets to choose".
• Voluntary Participation: Discipleship is an invitation, not an imposition; people come to faith and grow through personal decision, not coercion.
• Leading, Not Bossing: Instead of dictating or berating, effective leaders (teachers, mentors) provide stimulating environments and help, trusting that people will be drawn to what fulfills their needs (freedom, love, fun, achievement).
• Modeling & Invitation: Sharing experiences and beliefs through deeds and words, inviting others to experience new life in Christ, rather than shoving them towards it.
• Patience & Prayer: Recognizing that faith journeys take time, requiring consistent prayer and support without pressure, as seen in the gradual process of conversion. [1, 2, 4, 5, 6]

Practical Applications

• Storytelling: Using scripture stories to engage listeners, rebuild them together, and encourage personal retelling, fostering deep engagement.
• Empowerment: Helping people discover their own desire to follow by meeting their needs and fostering independence, as shown in parenting and teaching.
• Focus on Choice: Presenting faith as a joyful choice and a fulfilling path, not a set of rules enforced by fear. [2, 3, 7, 8]

Contrast with Coercion

• Coercive: Threatening, punishing, forcing compliance, using emotional pressure (e.g., "boss teachers").
• Non-Coercive: Inspiring, enabling, encouraging, leading through love and positive example (e.g., "lead teachers"). [1, 6, 7]

Below are biblically grounded references that support each idea behind non-coercive discipleship. The pattern is consistent across Scripture. God invites. He does not force. Transformation flows from love, truth, and the Spirit’s work, not pressure.

Core Biblical Foundation. God’s way is invitation, not compulsion

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” - Joshua 24:15

• Faith is framed as a voluntary choice, not enforced allegiance.

Christ stands at the door and knocks. He does not break it down. Revelation 3:20

• When many disciples walk away, Jesus lets them go and then asks the Twelve if they also want to leave. No coercion. Only invitation. - John 6:66-67

Key Principles with Scripture

1. Love and Respect for Free Will. Discipleship rooted in love honors choice.

Jesus rebukes the disciples for wanting to call down fire on a Samaritan village. He refuses coercion even when rejected. Luke 9:51 to 56

“God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance.” Romans 2:4

• Repentance flows from goodness, not fear.

Love is not self-seeking and not controlling. 1 Corinthians 13:5

2. Voluntary Participation. Faith grows through willing response.

• “Come to me.” The invitation is open and gentle. Matthew 11:28-30
• Those who received Him became children of God. John 1:12
• God values willingness over compulsion. This principle applies broadly to obedience and devotion. 2 Corinthians 9:7

3. Leading, Not Bossing. Spiritual authority is relational, not authoritarian.

• Jesus contrasts worldly power with servant leadership. Mark 10:42-45
• Shepherds are commanded not to lord authority over others, but to lead by example. 1 Peter 5:2-3
• “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy.” 2 Corinthians 1:24

4. Modeling and Invitation. Truth is embodied before it is explained.

• Jesus teaches by example, then invites imitation. John 13:14-15
• The gospel came not only in words but in lived witness. 1 Thessalonians 1:5-6
• “Follow me.” An invitation tied to relationship, not force. Matthew 4:19

5. Patience and Prayer. Spiritual formation unfolds over time.

• God is patient, desiring repentance, not pressure. 2 Peter 3:9
• Persistent prayer and gracious speech shape faithful witness. Colossians 4:2-6
• Growth requires endurance without manipulation. Galatians 6:9

Practical Applications Anchored in Scripture. Storytelling and Engagement

• Faith is passed relationally through shared story and conversation. Deuteronomy 6:6-7
• Jesus opens Scripture through narrative, allowing hearts to awaken. Luke 24:27-32

Empowerment and Ownership

• God works within us, not over us, cultivating internal desire. Philippians 2:12-13
• Wise leaders draw out what God is already stirring in a person. Proverbs 20:5

Focus on Choice and Joy

• “Taste and see that the Lord is good.” Experience precedes commitment. Psalm 34:8
• Jesus presents life as abundance, not obligation. John 10:10

Contrast with Coercion in Scripture. What Scripture Rejects

• Condemns harsh and forceful leadership. Ezekiel 34:4
• Heavy burdens without care misrepresent God. Matthew 23:4

What Scripture Commends

Christ leads into freedom, not control. Galatians 5:1

God’s wisdom is gentle, open to reason, and full of mercy. James 3:17

Summary Insight

• Biblical discipleship aligns with this truth:
• God transforms hearts through love, truth, patience, and invitation.
• Anything that bypasses choice may produce compliance, but it will never produce Christlikeness.

AI responses may include mistakes.

[1] https://faculty.washington.edu/cadavis1/503%20Readings/GlasserChapter.pdf

[2] https://pastors.ai/bible/verse/jesus-non-coercive-kingdom-and-political-authority/

[3] https://www.caratedstonetherapy.com/parenting/blog-post-title-one-l7s99

[4] https://uncg.edu/~bblevin/class_management/moremodels/WilliamGlasser.html

[5] https://www.smallgroups.com/articles/2010/sharing-your-faith-without-embarrassment-or-coercion.html

[6] https://www.patheos.com/blogs/uncommongodcommongood/2012/10/conversion-not-coercion-or-capitulation/

[7] https://sharperiron.org/article/when-followers-don-t-follow-closer-look-at-coercion

[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yia7_mNjfSs

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Christ’s Ambassadors Behind Enemy Lines

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should. Ephesians 6:19–20

Paul describes himself as an ambassador in chains. This is diplomatic language set inside spiritual warfare. Ambassadors do not choose the territory. They are sent. They carry authority that is not their own. They speak on behalf of a King while standing in contested ground. 

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Representing Christ in Hostile Territory

Believers are not tourists in the world. We are envoys stationed where allegiance to Christ is resisted.

• Jesus prays not for removal, but for protection and faithfulness in the world

  I’m not asking you to take them out of the world, but to keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to this world any more than I do. Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, I am sending them into the world. John 17:15–18

• The Church advances in a kingdom that collides with darkness

  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. John 1:5

  Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves. But beware! For you will be handed over to the courts and will be flogged with whips in the synagogues. You will stand trial before governors and kings because you are my followers. But this will be your opportunity to tell the rulers and other unbelievers about me. When you are arrested, don’t worry about how to respond or what to say. God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10:16-20

• Our citizenship is elsewhere, yet our assignment is here

  But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. Philippians 3:20
  So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20

This reframes suffering. Resistance does not mean failure. It often confirms placement.

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Speaking with Boldness and Wisdom

Paul asks for prayer not for safety, but for clarity and courage. Boldness is not volume, it's faithfulness under pressure.

• The Spirit supplies words when opposition rises

  “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Luke 12:11–12

• Boldness flows from intimacy, not personality

  And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

  After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:29–31

• Wisdom governs timing, tone, and method

  Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. Colossians 4:5–6
  

  A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.Proverbs 15:1

Ambassadors speak truth without compromise and love without fear.

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The Mission Never Pauses During Conflict

Chains did not suspend Paul’s calling. Prison became a pulpit. Conflict often becomes the platform.

• The gospel advances through adversity

  And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News. For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ. And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear. Philippians 1:12–14

• Warfare clarifies purpose rather than cancels it

  Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them...Think about what I am saying. The Lord will help you understand all these things. 

  Always remember that Jesus Christ, a descendant of King David, was raised from the dead. This is the Good News I preach. And because I preach this Good News, I am suffering and have been chained like a criminal. But the word of God cannot be chained. 2 Timothy 2:3–4,7-9

• Faithfulness is measured in endurance, not ease

  It has come at last, salvation and power, and the Kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ.

  For the accuser of our brothers and sisters has been thrown down to earth the one who accuses them before our God day and night.

  And they have defeated him by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony.

  And they did not love their lives so much that they were afraid to die.

  Therefore, rejoice, O heavens! And you who live in the heavens, rejoice!

  But terror will come on the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you in great anger, knowing that he has little time.Revelation 12:10-12

  But the one who endures to the end will be saved. Matthew 24:13

God does not wait for peace to act. He reveals His power in the middle of the battle.

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Core Truth

Christ’s ambassadors do not retreat when opposition increases.
They stand, speak, and advance.
Not because conditions are favorable.
But because the King has already won.

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

 Matthew 6:19-7:29

Key verses: 

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

Key insights

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"When your 'Dis zay high eerrr',

it has been found

you'll be running far away"

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

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

 Reflecting on King David and Jesus "King of Jews" 

• David chosen by God, brings victory against Goliath (1 Samuel 16-17). 
• King Jesus fulfills prophecy of salvation on the cross and is buried (Matt 27:32-66, Psalm 22)
• When Jesus was dying he was speaking God's word

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Sam 16:7

What is the kingdom of heaven, paradise, a world uncorrupted by sin. A place of perfection, where we will be like Jesus (eyes, ears, heart, and mind). 

Kingdom in the New Testament

Matthew 3:2: “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

• Matthew 4:8: Next the devil took him to the peak of a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. (Jesus remember "serve the Lord only" and don't forget all of Deuteronomy 6-8 MSG  

Matthew 4:17: From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

• Matthew 4:23: Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. (pattern continues in Matthew 9:35, Go and announce to them that the Kingdom of Heaven is near Matthew 10:7)
• Matthew 5:3: “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.
• Matthew 5:10: God blesses those who are persecuted for doing right, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs. (like John the Baptist Matthew 11:11-12)

What does turning to God and humbly doing the right thing look like? Righteousness is asking God "your kingdom come, your will be done - on earth as it is in heaven." It's like the correct way to swing a golf club - the ball ends up where you wanted it. Humility doesn't swing harder, it swings righteously - trusting the club and learned mechanics to do the work. Turning to God, we find effortless joy and peace, the presence of God in our heart, the kingdom of heaven is ours. 

What does jesus say about ignorance, obedience, and teaching? To ignore is to forget, disregard, overlook, neglect, miss, reject, bypass, or omit. To obey is to follow, observe, conform (to), adhere (to), comply (with), abide by, keep to, mind, fall in with, submit (to), yield (to), surrender (to), hear, defer (to), agree (to), heed, watch, accede (to), regard, take, listen (to). 

Matthew 5:19: So if you ignore the least commandment and teach others to do the same, you will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But anyone who obeys God’s laws and teaches them will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

• Matthew 5:20: “But I warn you—unless your righteousness is better than the righteousness of the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Pray and seek the kingdom of God above all else. Enter through the narrow gate by actually doing the will of Father God.

• Matthew 6:10: May your Kingdom come soon. May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
• Matthew 6:33: Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.
• Matthew 7:13: “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way.
• Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will enter.

Jesus shared that when the Kingdom of Heaven is near we should repent of our sins and turn to God. 

• Matthew 8:11: And I tell you this, that many Gentiles will come from all over the world—from east and west—and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob at the feast in the Kingdom of Heaven.
• Matthew 8:12: But many Israelites—those for whom the Kingdom was prepared—will be thrown into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Turning to God in repentance is changing our minds. To receive the light of God and say yes to him, is to say no to all other spiritual forces that make us miss the mark. 

• Matthew 12:28: But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you.
• Matthew 13:11: He replied, “You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not. 

Our heart must be prepared to receive the good news about the Kingdom. 

• Matthew 13:19: The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. 
• Matthew 13:24:  Here is another story Jesus told: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who planted good seed in his field. 
• Matthew 13:31: Here is another illustration Jesus used: “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field.
• Threads of the inner veil (unrebuked self-life, self-sins), true rending should be excruciating
• Love is the tool that unveils our hearts, crucifies our flesh, and welcomes God into our lives (Gal 2:20,5:22-25,Rom 6:6-14)
• Love keeps us faithful to the Lord (James 1:12)
• How the wayward in spirit will gain understanding (Isaiah 29, Mark 7)

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God’s Word nourishes our souls and renews our mind (Revelation 10:9-11)

Enjoying BSF this year as we study Revelation. I think perspectives on the rapture and second coming of Christ are influenced heavily on what people believe about the purpose and role of the Church. Some see the Church as a waiting room until death or rapture takes them into God's heavenly presence. Others see Church as heaven coming down to earth and witnessing God's promises be fulfilled here and now. It's fun to learn about different perspectives and how doctrines impact understanding. That's why I love BSF, they provide scripture guided tour to shape our thinking. For example, lesson 16 unpacks Rev 12:11 like this:

Explain the following phrases in verse 11.

• “They triumphed over him” (Colossians 2:15; James 4:7)
• “By the blood of the Lamb” (Romans 5:9-11; Ephesians 1:6-10) 
• “And by the word of their testimony” (1 John 5:11-12; Revelation 1:3)
• “They did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death” (Matthew 16:25-28; John 15:13)

I've been enjoying thinking about the Church and church traditions as I connect with people from all over the world. Mystery of Christ's body being revealed (Rev 10:7, Eph 1:9–10, Rom 1:16-17). BSF Notes on Little Scroll (Revelation 10:9-11):

The angel tells John to take the scroll and eat it. God’s Word is food that satisfies our souls. While in the wilderness, Jesus turned away Satan with the words, “Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” David found God’s words “sweeter than honey,” and Jeremiah said he ate God’s words and they were his joy and heart’s delight. (Deuteronomy 8:3; Matthew 4:4)

God’s Word renews our minds so we increasingly love what God loves, including the world that does not know Him. (Psalm 19:9-11; Jeremiah 15:16; Romans 12:2)

Why does the angel warn John that the sweet-tasting scroll would sour his stomach? The next instruction given to John provides the answer; he is told to “prophesy again about many peoples, nations, languages and kings.” The scroll is God’s Word, which holds supernatural delight. However, the Bible reveals both comforting and difficult truths. As we regularly take God’s Word into our lives, we can experience hard words of truth spoken in love. Like the prophet Ezekiel, God called John to prophesy His truth to people who would not obey or listen to the message of judgment contained in the scroll. (Ezekiel 3:1-15)

God called John to make His revelation known with urgency, regardless of the response of the people. (Isaiah 28:17; Amos 7:7-9)

Treasured possession: Malachi 3:16-18, Power of God’s Word: Isaiah 55:11; Hebrews 12:29

Communion is taking God's word to heart (John 6:56), faith comes by hearing the word about Christ (Romans 10:17). Just as every human birth has two parents, so divine birth has two parents: the Word of God and the Spirit of God. "That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (John 3:6).", "for you have been born again [that is, reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose] not of seed which is perishable but [from that which is] imperishable and immortal, that is, through the living and everlasting word of God. (1 Peter 1:23 AMP)"- see Barrier against temptation - God's divine nature within (James 1:18; John 3:6; 1 Peter 1:23)

In Communion we remain in Christ, Spiritually (joyfully, righteously) satisfied with other believers.

• Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. Just as no branch can bear fruit by itself unless it remains in the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. / I am the vine and you are the branches. The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit. For apart from Me you can do nothing. / If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers. Such branches are gathered up, thrown into the fire, and burned. ... John 15:4-7
• Whoever keeps His commandments remains in God, and God in him. And by this we know that He remains in us: by the Spirit He has given us. 1 John 3:24
• By this we know that we remain in Him, and He in us: He has given us of His Spirit. 1 John 4:13 
• Is not the cup of blessing that we bless a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? 1 Corinthians 10:16 

Communion reminds us about Jesus Christ's loving life, death, and resurrection. 

• I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. Galatians 2:20
• For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3:3
• You, however, are controlled not by the flesh, but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. / But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin, yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness. / And if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, who lives in you. Romans 8:9-11

Communion reminds us to be united with Christ

• so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. Then you, being rooted and grounded in love, Ephesians 3:17
• Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you—unless you fail the test? 2 Corinthians 13:5
• Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and dine with him, and he with Me. Revelation 3:20

Communion reminds us that Christ made atonement for us, he is our passover lamb.

• For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for your souls upon the altar; for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul. Leviticus 17:11
• They are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs. / They are to eat the meat that night, roasted over the fire, along with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. / Do not eat any of the meat raw or cooked in boiling water, but only roasted over the fire—its head and legs and inner parts. ... Exodus 12:7-13

Communion reminds us that God's word and promises makes a difference in our physical world.

• Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8
• “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you without money, come, buy, and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost! / Why spend money on that which is not bread, and your labor on that which does not satisfy? Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of foods. / Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David. Isaiah 55:1-3

Communion nourishes our souls and renews our mind.

• “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people. Jeremiah 31:33

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Thankful obedience is our acceptable worship, leads us to understanding

The most important parable Jesus gave was to explain how people hear God's word (seed) and understand it (taken to heart in "good soil").  Preparation of the soil and good timing increases the likelihood of proper growth in Christian life. At church, we always sing songs, hymns and spiritual songs before receiving the message about Christ. One of my favorite songs in Joy to the World. The verse, "Let every heart prepare Him room, Let heaven and nature sing - Joy to the World." 

God is our natural environment, everything in life is better with Him in us, we find we are in Him. Yet we must "prepare Him room" in our hearts. Singing truth about who God is and who we are in concert with other believers is a way this happens. People can "hear" praise and worship but not see "heaven and nature" sing. When we stop ourselves from singing we are tempted to judge and not let the word of Christ dwell in our hearts. We can get trapped in the same distracting thoughts and attitudes and miss out on being healed. Jesus describes this effect here:

• For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’  Matthew 13:15

I remember years ago in a prayer meeting, we were singing a new song, "be my everything." It has easy to accept and receive statements of "God in my living, there in my breathing, God in my waking, God in my sleeping, God in my resting, there in my working,  God in my thinking, God in my speaking...Be my everything, be my everything, Be my everything, be my everything" I found myself singing this song to God in heaven with my heart full of gratitude. The second verse has harder to accept and received statements, that highlights our frailty and inability to fulfill our hopes and dreams. "God in my hoping, there in my dreaming, God in my watching, God in my waiting." So we go on with life and through the ups and downs we ask God, be my everything. "God in my laughing, there in my weeping, God in my hurting, God in my healing, Be my everything, be my everything, Be my everything, be my everything." 

As I worshiped God through this song I couldn't hold back the tears. Because our whole life culminates in the bridge, "Christ in me, Christ in me, Christ in me, the hope of glory, You are everything. Christ in me, Christ in me, Christ in me, the hope of glory, Be my everything" 

• The the negative and positive response to God's word is explained in the parable of the soils from Moses (Deuteronomy 29:4) to the prophets (Isaiah 6:9-10, Ezekiel 12:2, Jeremiah 5:21) and taught by Jesus in all the Gospels (Matthew 13: Mark 4:12, Luke 8:10, John 12:40). The Church in gives us this reality post resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 28:26-27, Romans 11:8). 

Yet when we offer ourselves to God as a living sacrifice our heart, mind, and world opens up.

• The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will. Isaiah 50:4, Romans 12:1-3
• And he will startle many nations. Kings will stand speechless in his presence. For they will see what they had not been told; they will understand what they had not heard about. Isaiah 52:15. 
• Christine Foster opened her new Bible on the way to BSF the day after she received Jesus as Lord and Savior. God revealed as Psalm 91:1 to her "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, 'He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust'”. Psalm 91 is considered a song of comfort in Judaism. It is also interpreted as a victory for the Messiah and those who are perfected by him. 
• Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come. Isaiah 57:1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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