If Jesus rose from the dead and is alive why isn't he here for all to see?

This question was given to me yesterday by two different people. It's an honest question and one of the reasons I love Alpha. Where is Jesus, why doesn't he show himself to the world and tell us. 

In our session "Who is Jesus?", Jeff ask this question, "If Jesus rose from the dead and is alive why isn't he here for all to see?"

Kyle jumped in, "He's at the right hand of the father (Mark 16:19, Hebrews 1:3, Luke 22:69, 1 Peter 3:22, Romans 8:34) and doesn't come back until the prophecies are fulfilled (Matthew 24:14, 2 Peter 3:9)" 

I thought about Jesus explaining why he's going away, to send us all the Holy Spirit who will remind us of everything Jesus taught (John 14). This was fulfilled in Acts 1-2 (Acts 2:33).

Yes, I am the gate. Those who come in through me will be saved. They will come and go freely and will find good pastures. The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.

“I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd sacrifices his life for the sheep...

“I am the good shepherd; I know my own sheep, and they know me, just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep. I have other sheep, too, that are not in this sheepfold. I must bring them also. They will listen to my voice, and there will be one flock with one shepherd.

“The Father loves me because I sacrifice my life so I may take it back again. No one can take my life from me. I sacrifice it voluntarily. For I have the authority to lay it down when I want to and also to take it up again. For this is what my Father has commanded.” ...

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe. - John 10:9-11,14-18, 14:1-29

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The lion never breaks into the zoo

My dad once said this to me while I was struggling with my identity and direction in life. Sometimes a good word is like a stitch in time or as the Bible says, "Love covers a multitude of sin" 1 Peter 4:7-11. The Lord is doing great things and life goes well when we follow him rather than the world, the flesh, or the devil.
2 Peter 2:6-8) if condemned Sodom Gomorrah, if rescued righteous Lot (oppressed by the sensuality of unprincipled men/lawless deeds).
 - 9) Then God rescue godly from temptation, then unrighteous punishment day of judgment
 - 10a) especially those indulge in the flesh - it's corrupt desires (I do what I do because I want what I want) and despises authority (Biblical Authority of God), daring, self-willed

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

See also:
False prophets introduce destructive heresies, ignoring facts of wrath (2 Peter 2)
 - Defense against our Enemy, know his tactics
 - Satan deceives by questioning God's Word, denying it and substituted his own lie
Ministry makes a difference ONLY when people follow Jesus Christ
 - Tasteful, sunny disposition brings glory to God (Psalm 34:8, Matthew 5:13-16)
 - If you are too lazy to plow, don't expect a harvest
Abiding in Christ: the act of receiving and trusting all that God is for us in Christ (John 15:1-12)

Our Father in Heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, give us this day our daily bread and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil for thine is the power and glory forever amen.
Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most
Overcoming addiction: In the name of the LORD I will cut them off (Psalm 118)
Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, anointed to bring good news; freedom, favor, vengeance (Isaiah 61:1-2)
 - Mystery: it's hard to hear God when you don't believe

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False prophets introduce destructive heresies, ignoring facts of wrath (2 Peter 2)

2 Peter 2

1) false prophets introduce destructive heresies (paganism/pantheism, agnosticism, dissents), denying Master who bought them
 - 2) many follow sensuality because of them, the way of truth maligned
     God and the world are polar opposites (1 John 2:15‭-‬17)
 - 3a) their greed, exploit you with false words
3b) their judgment/destruction is not idle or asleep
 - 4) God didn't spare angels, cast to hell, committed them to pits of darkness, reserved for judgment
 - 5) God didn't spare the ancient world, preserved Noah, flood world of ungodly
Principle: God's faithfulness in the past at being true to his word, ensures faithfulness in the future
6-8) if condemned Sodom Gomorrah, if rescued righteous Lot (oppressed by the sensuality of unprincipled men/lawless deeds).
 - 9) Then God rescue godly from temptation, then unrighteous punishment day of judgment
 - 10a) especially those indulge in the flesh - it's corrupt desires (I do what I do because I want what I want) and despises authority (Biblical Authority of God), daring, self-willed

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

 - 10b) Daring, self-willed, not trembling revile (slander) angelic majesties,
   - Character traits of ungodly: lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy (2 Tim 3:2), Scoffers (Psalm 1, 2 Peter 3:3)
  - Antithesis Character: As God's steward, an overseer must be above reproach--not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. (Titus 1:7)
   - Revile/slanders: You must not blaspheme God or curse ruler of your people (Ex 22:28)

"Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, is any sin that a person clings to by continually resisting the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. Keep in mind that there is not one specific sin that is unforgivable, such as lying, stealing or murder, but rather a perpetual hardening of the heart and willfully sinning against God and man (1 Timothy 4:2; Titus 1:15). Can blasphemy be forgiven?

11-13) Slander where they have no knowledge like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, suffering wrong for doing wrong, reveling in their deceptions as they carouse with you
14) eyes full of adultery, never cease from sin, heart trained in greed
Principle: Looking comes before the sin (David and Bathsheba)
Application: Biblical Logic: If then conclusion about who God is and what He's historical done will prove for us in the future.
15-16) forsaking the right way, gone astray, the way of Balaam - who loved wages of unrighteousness
 - Balak and Balaam share fear, madness and condemnation
17-18) springs without water, speak arrogant words, vanity
19) promising them freedom while they themselves are slaves of corruption, enslaved
20) if escaped defilements of world by knowledge of Lord, Savior Jesus Christ then entangled/overcome again. The last state has become worse for them than the first
21-22) would be better not to know, than to know way of righteousness, then having known it turn away from holy commandment handed to them
Application to save your life: Works the Holy Spirit does in the believers life
 - see also: Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most, Geysers, planters and pruners: How people are born into and matured in the Faith


Bottom line:

Bible claims to be effective, it dramatically effects people (Isaiah 55:9-11 like rain, seed is Word from my mouth - it accomplishes all I desire). Matthew 13:1-23; Luke 8:1-15
Seed: 2 Corinthians 9:10; Isaiah 61:11;Hosea 10:12
Rain: Deuteronomy 32:2; Isaiah 30:23; Psalm 72:6,7;
Response: Hosea 2:21; Isaiah 30:23; Matthew 13:23; Luke 8:15; Luke 8:18
Never underestimate the power of God’s Word to change a person’s heart

Helps received from:
2_peter/2-10 

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God graciously calls and equips Moses to return to Egypt, to deliver Israel

AIM: God provides all that's needed to complete his plan Exodus 3 &amp 4

1. God calls Moses at the burning bush
1. (3:1-3) God appears to Moses in flames of bush that didn't burn up at Horeb
2. (4-5) God calls Moses by name, warned to stop, remove shoes - holy ground
3. (6) God: I am God of your father &amp Abraham, Isaac, Jacob
4. (7-10) God: aware of suffering/oppression/distress &amp cry of his people in Egypt, sending Moses to Pharaoh to lead people out to land of milk &amp honey
5. (11-12) Moses: who am I?, God: I will be with you, you'll know because it will happen as I said and you'll worship God here
6. (13-15) Moses: who are you?, God: I AM WHO I AM, LORD, Yahweh, YHWH, Jehovah - God of your ancestors
7. (16-18) Go instructs Moses to call together the elders of Israel, tell what I said, they'll listen w\them tell king of Egypt God met with you, we need to take a 3 day journey - sacrifices to the LORD, our God
8. (19-22) King of Egypt will no let you go unless forced, miracles - all Israelite woman will ask & get silver, gold, fine clothes - plunder Egypt
• Principle: God gives clear instructions, answers our doubts and foretells signs authenticating himself as God
• Application: When has God tried to get my attention and what was my reaction? Have I ever cried out to God and known in my heart that he was aware of my suffering/oppression/distress? Has anyone who knows my name ever shared God's redemptive plan for humanity with me? If I'm a Christian who has God placed in my life that needs to hear about Him?
2. God gives Moses miracles and a spokesman to deliver His message
1. (4:1-5) Moses: what if they won't listen &amp believe? God teaches him to turn staff to snake, back to staff.
2. (6-9) God teaches Moses to turn his hand leprous, then healed and turn Nile water to blood
3. (10-12) Moses: I'm not a good speaker. God: I give people mouths, make deaf/mute, give sight or blindness - now GO I WILL help you speak &amp teach you what to say
4. (13-14) Moses: PLEASE send someone else. God (literally burned in anger against him): your brother Aaron can speak well - He's on his way to gladly meet you
5. (15-17) God: speak to him, I'll help you both to speak and teach you what to do - Aaron's spokesman to the people, you will tell him what to say on my behalf
• Principle: God has provides all we need to share His message with people
• Application: Do I get in the way of ministry with doubts about how people might respond? Have I seen God do miracles and yet continue to ask him to "send someone else"? Will I trust God to help me and teach me what to do? How can I demonstrate that trust today? Who is God leading me to share his message with?
3. Moses returns to Egypt by the grace of God shown in Jethro, Zipporah and Aaron
1. (18-20) Moses asks Jethro to return to relatives in Egypt, receives his blessing, assurance from God of safety, brings wife, sons and staff of God
2. (21-23) God instructs Moses to Go to Pharaoh, perform the miracles - he'll refuse so tell him "God will now kill your firstborn son!"
3. (24-26) God confronted Moses to kill him, but Zipporah circumcised her son - God left him alone. (Ben's thought: prayer doesn't change God's mind, rather doing the right thing in love covers a multitude of sins 1 Peter 4:7-11)
4. (27-28) God tells Aaron to meet Moses, Moses tells him what God said and about the signs
5. (29-31) Moses &amp Aaron go to Egypt, called elders together, told them everything, performed miracles and they were CONVINCED, bowed down and worshiped God
• Principle: God's Grace is more than we deserve or could ever pay back
• Application: Do I see people acting in my favor as a gift from God? Do I show appreciation for the people who are helping me, even saving me by doing what I should have done? Am I convinced about God's message or is it a "passive" belief. Does my life show I'm convinced, if so how?

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Fundamental attribution error: We overestimate disposition, underestimate situational factors (Galatians 5:22-23)

"Fundamental attribution error, which states that people overestimate the importance of dispositions—such as individual motivations or personality traits—while underestimating the importance of situational factors—such as random chance and social norms—in explaining the behavior of others." -britannica.com

Seems like I'm always working on my psychology and behaviors, trying to form good habits and breaking bad habits. I like habits because they become situational factors that inform our dispositions. For instance, in the morning, I do things automatically; pray, make the bed, coffee, take out the dog, feed the dog, brush my teeth, spend time with the Lord. These happen in the situation of the morning when I wake up. I do this consistently, early - every day. 

Yesterday I got to participate in Holy Yoga at work and was reminded to "set your intention" and slow down, taking time to listen to God fully, "with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength (Mark 12:30)."

"Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?" - Isaiah 43:19

Grace for the Moment - Lucado begins with EACH DAY, I CHOOSE... statements. I wanted to write them down and remember to be intentional. This is what the Lord is saying to me.

I CHOOSE LOVE...

No occasion justifies hatred; no injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love. Today I will love God and what God loves. 

I CHOOSE JOY...

I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance. I will refuse the temptation to be cynical... the tool of the lazy thinker. I will refuse to see people as anything less than human beings, created by God. I will refuse to see any problem as anything less than an opportunity to see God. 

I CHOOSE PEACE...

I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live. 

I CHOOSE PATIENCE...

I will overlook the inconveniences of the world. Instead of cursing the one who takes my place, I'll invite him to do so. Rather than complain that the wait is too long. I will thank God for a moment to pray. Instead of clenching my fist at new assignments, I will face them with joy and courage. 

I CHOOSE KINDNESS...

I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone. Kind to the rich, for they are afraid. And kind to the unkind, for such is how God has treated me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS...

I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one. I will be overlooked before I will boast. I will confess before I will accuse. I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS...

Today I will keep my promises. My debtors will not regret their trust. my associates will not question my word. My wife will not question my love. 

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS...

Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL...

I am a spiritual being. After this body is dead, my spirit will soar. I refuse to let what will rot, rule the eternal. Impassioned by faith, influenced by God, taught by Christ. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23)

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

Jeremiah 12-14

outline: 

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

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

Key verses:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Before You Ask God for Anything, Do What Nehemiah Did First (Nehemiah 1:4-11)

Enjoying a weekend to remember the dreams and visions the Lord has placed in my heart. Thinking about the past year, where Nehemiah reminds us to seek the Lord in prayer and fasting. Rediscovering Hardships can bring us closer to the Lord. I had a wonderful conversation with Beverly, a long-time servant leader with a passion for bringing God's Word into the lives of people all over the world. She invited me to prepare a presentation on a Bible Requirements Interface for AI-enabled translation. As I was contemplating I realized I needed to slow down and take Nehemiah's prescription found in Nehemiah 1:4-11. 

In Nehemiah 1, a man learns that the walls of Jerusalem are rubble and its people are in disgrace. His response is not a plan. It is not a petition. It is grief.

"When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven." — Nehemiah 1:4

Notice the order. He wept first. He mourned. Then he fasted. Then he prayed.

By the time Nehemiah asks God for anything (verse 11), he has done four things that most of us skip entirely. Those four movements are a complete model for fasting. They map onto a single day, a single week, or as I used them four days of intentional preparation over this memorial day weekend.

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The Four Movements of Nehemiah's Prayer

1. Mourning (verse 4): Start with grief, not goals

Nehemiah did not open with a request. He opened with tears.

This is the part fasting guides leave out. We are taught to come to God with our needs. Nehemiah came to God with his sorrow first. He let the weight of what was broken land on him before he tried to fix anything.

Every fast should begin here. What is broken? What is missing? What have you been avoiding feeling?

Sit with it. That is not weakness. That is the beginning of prayer.

2. Confession (verses 6-7): Include yourself in the problem

Here is where Nehemiah earns our respect. He is not the one who broke the wall. He was not even in Jerusalem. He was a cupbearer to a foreign king, far away. Yet he prays: "I confess the sins we Israelites, including myself and my father's family, have committed."

He includes himself.

This is the hardest movement. We fast to get things from God, not to admit that we are part of what is broken. But Nehemiah knew something important: the people who build things carry responsibility for the systems they build and maintain, even the ones they inherited.

Ask during this movement: Where have I drifted? What do I need to own?

3. Claiming God's promises (verses 8-9): Stand on what God already said

After mourning and confession, Nehemiah does not invent a case. He quotes one.

"Remember the instruction you gave your servant Moses... if you return to me... I will gather them."

He finds the promise that fits the need. He brings God's own word back to God.

This is what makes fasting different from wishful thinking. You are not asking God to do something new. You are asking him to do what he already committed to do. The fast is a way of saying: I believe you meant it. I am holding you to it.

During this movement, find one verse that speaks directly to what you are fasting about. That is your anchor. Return to it every day.

4. Bold petition (verse 11): Now, ask

Only after grief, confession, and standing on a promise does Nehemiah make his ask. And when he does, it is plain and direct.

"Give your servant success today."

No hedging. No elaborate justification. Just: this is what I need, Lord.

The boldness is earned. It flows from the three movements before it. When you have sat with grief, when you have confessed your part, when you have found the promise that covers your need — you can ask without apology.

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How to Use This as a 4-Day Fast

Each day takes one movement as its anchor. You do not rush to petition. You earn it.

Day 1 — Mourning. Ask God to show you what is broken. Let yourself feel it. Do not fix it yet. Psalm 19:4, Romans 10:14, Revelation 7:9 are good companions for this day. End the day by naming, before God, the specific person or situation you are fasting about.

Day 2 — Confession. Ask God to show you your part. Read Proverbs 3:5-6 and Psalm 25:4-5. Nehemiah included himself even when he was not the obvious culprit. Follow his example. Confess what you have not said out loud.

Day 3 — Claiming the promise. Find the verse that covers your need. Isaiah 55:10-11 is a strong anchor: God's word will not return void. Read it slowly. Pray it back to God. Let your faith grow before your ask.

Day 4 — Bold petition. Ask plainly. Colossians 4:3-4 is a good prayer for this day: an open door and clarity. Close the fast with Philippians 4:6-7 — thanksgiving, not more asking. End in peace.

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One More Thing Nehemiah Did

He did not fast alone. He prays: "to the prayer of your servants who delight in revering your name" (verse 11). He includes the community.

If you can, share your fast with someone. Tell them what you are mourning. Ask them to pray on day four when you make your bold ask. Fasting in community multiplies what fasting alone only starts.

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The wall got rebuilt. The people came home. It started with a man who sat down and wept.

Start there. 

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Tasteful, sunny disposition brings glory to God (Psalm 34:8, Matthew 5:13-16)

Tasteful is defined as "showing good aesthetic judgment or appropriate behavior" and sunny is "(of a person or their temperament) cheery and bright", when we bring these qualities to our disposition it brings glory to God. This is what Jesus talked about in Matthew 5:13-16 (as he alluded to Psalm 34:8 - "Taste and See that the LORD is good"), "Salt and Light together...so that many will see your good works and praise God"

Stickers promoting my friends cafe

Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness

• The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-7

 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness

• The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)

 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness

• The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8

Disposition is a person's inherent qualities of mind and character

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." -2 Peter 1:3‭-‬11 NLT

Disposition is the way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things:
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
 - Years ago this became part of my "life verse" (1 Peter 4:7-11). I've said it before but this "love covering a multitude of sins" is preventative. When we share our lives with people, showing the way and blessing them with our gifts, talent and blessing. We change, the world changes and God is glorified.
 - Glorifying God isn't something we add to God, it's pointing out to others that He is glorious, awesome and wonderful.

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People have four dispositions, three are toxic, one is from God

Disposition is the power to deal with something as one pleases

The Bible teaches we have 3 enemies, the Eph 2:1-3, the world, the flesh, and the devil
 - a "fleshly" disposition says "I do what I do, because I want what I want" -selfishness
The Holy Spirit opposes the flesh: Gal. 5:16-17
 - a "worldly" disposition says, "take all you can, no one will give it to you" -godlessness
The Father opposes the world: I John 2:15-17, the world tries to shape our thinking toward godlessness (John 15:18-25)
 - a "devilish" disposition says, "I do what I do, because I hate myself and others" - wickedness
The Son opposes the Devil: Luke 4, I John 3:8 - 

Disposition is a person's inherent qualities of mind and character

"By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone. The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." -2 Peter 1:3‭-‬11 NLT

Disposition is the way in which something is placed or arranged, especially in relation to other things:
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8 ESV
 - Years ago this became part of my "life verse" (1 Peter 4:7-11). I've said it before but this "love covering a multitude of sins" is preventative. When we share our lives with people, showing the way and blessing them with our gifts, talent and blessing. We change, the world changes and God is glorified.
 - Glorifying God isn't something we add to God, it's pointing out to others that He is glorious, awesome and wonderful.

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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?

---

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?

---

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?

---

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?

---

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)

---

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.

---

A Gentle Reminder for You

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

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Practice sinning or practice righteousness

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+3%3A4-10&version=NLT

Sin is lawlessness. Unruly. "I do what I do because I want what I want"

John is talking to the church, Jesus came to take away our sins. In him IS no sin, currently not just in the past. 

Abide in him, stop sinning. Born of God? Look at your life's fruit. Practice righteousness in Love for people? Or practices sinning,  lawlessness, against people?

Practice sin. Habit, acquiring a skill or proficiency. Of the devil, God's son came to destroy the works of the devil. 

Psalm 14, Matthew 14 today. Get proficient in the Word.

We must desire truth and hate sin.

PSALM 25:5, Lead me in your truth and teach me, God of my salvation.  I wait all day long. When we love truth, we hate sin. 

Sin is born when we desire.  (James 1) take it to the Lord. 1 Cor 15:33, Bad company ruins good morals. Psalm 1, if your not an active participant in your own rescue - you have a problem. 

We must have a burning desire to change our lives (Gal 2:20, Christ in me living by faith, we will be like Jesus so one of us will have to change). Change is happening. Ecclesiastes 3:1. Malachi 3:6, Lord doesn't change  (his promise), therefore Jacob's children are not consumed.

Surrender and sacrifice our lives to the will of God. Romans 12:1 in view of God's mercy present yourself to God. Get out if the way, let God have you. 

We are the issue.  "I do what I do because I want what I want"

Thanks to Pastor John Steger, https://www.graceinthecity.org/

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Walk the promised land with faith and humility, not fear and humiliation

Numbers 13:25-14:11, 1 Cor 10

‘The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, forgiving iniquity and transgression, but he will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, to the third and the fourth generation.’ Please pardon the iniquity of this people, according to the greatness of your steadfast love, just as you have forgiven this people, from Egypt until now.”  Then the Lord said, “I have pardoned, according to your word. Numbers 14:18-20

These things happened as a warning to us, so that we would not crave evil things as they did..Don’t be concerned for your own good but for the good of others... Don’t give offense to Jews or Gentiles or the church of God. I, too, try to please everyone in everything I do. I don’t just do what is best for me; I do what is best for others so that many may be saved. 1 Cor 10:6,24,32-33

Ten days, second Sabbath since my friend pass away and I've been fasting and seeking the Lord. Listening to How to Pursue Your Promised Land (Lessons From the Wilderness) - Bill Johnson Sermon | Bethel Church.

Ambition, designed to stand before the Lord and hear, "well done, good and faithful servant." (Matthew 25:23)

Faithfulness is defined by what you're done with His promises. 

Careless theology says, whatever God wills to happen will happen. Yet God's will is that none shall perish (2 Peter 3:9) but many are perishing (Matthew 7:13-14). 

• Somethings happen whether you believe it or not, like gravity (physical world) or love (spiritual world) or promise (Jesus will return).
• Somethings happen only when we believe and follow through with obedience. 
• God can make a promise that we don't see fulfilled, but it's not God's fault
• Unbelief is the result of fear. Fear is a horrible teacher. Fear and humility never work together, fear and humiliation will. 
• Humility is a modest opinion of one's own importance, while humiliation is the act of causing someone to feel a painful loss of pride, self-respect, or dignity. 

Here are some other differences between humility and humiliation:

• Perspective: Humility is about dealing with circumstances honestly and finding ways to navigate them. Humiliation is about feeling embarrassed by circumstances. 
• Self-awareness: Humility is about acknowledging what makes you special and unique, while humiliation is about feeling separated from the rest of humanity. 
• Emotions: Humility can produce more happiness, positive emotions, and well-being. Humiliation can lead to feelings of impotence, frustrated rage, despair, and a desire for revenge. 

People wrongfully interpret fear and humiliation as "humility." Any time we take a dysfunction in our life and give it a virtuous name, we give it permission to stay. 

• Fear masquerades as wisdom. Unbelievers were afraid to walk into the promised land and this is a warning to us. (Numbers 13:25-14:11, 1 Cor 10). They wanted to go back to slavery, forgetting how bad it was. How do we know when we are guided by fear disguised as wisdom? Because promise didn't take them there. 
• Where am I going in life that promise didn't take me? Any area of our life that we are not being pulled by a promise...we are being driven by fear. 

When the Lord gives us a promise, he is actually going into our future and giving us a word that will be necessary to get us there. 

• 1 Timothy 1:18-20 The Passion Translation (TPT): With this encouragement use your prophecies as weapons as you wage spiritual warfare by faith and with a clean conscience. For there are many who reject these virtues and are now destitute of the true faith, such as Hymenaeus and Alexander who have fallen away.
• Promise from God doesn't mean it's quick and easy, but that there will be a conflict between now and it's fulfillment. 
• Two parts to Christian advancement, 1) receiving from the Lord as a child a submissive response to our good father. What you need will be brought to you. What we need to survive is brought to us. 2) apprehending by force as one planted in the middle of a war, what we were born for is on the other side of a fight. 
• Stewarding the promise of God by memorizing and putting into action what God has said, as Joshua did. "Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do. Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." Joshua 1:7-8 
• Declare, confess, say, do what ever is necessary to keep it in front of me. Otherwise it's easy to lose track of what God says is supposed to happen in my life. 
• We die to self will and get an upgrade into what God is declaring into our life. Saying YES to the will of God, gives us grace to fight. 

Anointing 2 Cor 1:20-22: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. It is God who enables us, along with you, to stand firm for Christ. He has commissioned us, and he has identified us as his own by placing the Holy Spirit in our hearts as the first installment that guarantees everything he has promised us.

• Not "maybe" but YES for EVERYONE: For Jesus Christ, the Son of God, does not waver between “Yes” and “No.” ... he always does what he says. - 2 Cor 1:19
• YES from GOD and AMEN from US: For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory. - 2 Cor 1:20
• Over 7000 promises from God in the Bible. Stewarding promising can be difficult, because when we hear the promise, we fail to join it with faith. We join it with fear and take comfort in fear because it keeps us away from the risk that intimidates us. 
• God declares a promise but he's waiting for human agreement. "For all of God’s promises have been fulfilled in Christ with a resounding “Yes!” And through Christ, our “Amen” (which means “Yes”) ascends to God for his glory."
• God designed his will to be done through human agreement. Since the beginning, we were made co-laborers with Him. Take off your sandals and put on the Gospel of Peace
• Jesus gave us keys of authority and said, now accomplish what I told you to do. Matthew 16:19, John 20:23, Matthew 28:16-20, John 14:26. 
• God's Will: "On earth as it is in heaven.", "I will pour my Spirit on all fresh (not a token representation of every tribe)", "glory of the Lord will cover the earth as water covers the sea (Hab 2:14)"
• We often have more faith in Second Coming than the power of the Gospel. If we believed in the power of Gospel like the second coming - Christ return wouldn't be to rescue us but the crowning achievement of church victorious. 
• The gospel is powerful enough to transform a person, therefore a family, therefore a community, therefore a nation, therefore the world. Jesus is not coming back to die again and upgrade what is possible in our lifetime. The cross is enough. Faith in Jesus is my response to his Spirit speaking to me (Genesis 8:20; 9:9; Hebrews 11:7)

Promised Land, stepping into what we were born for. We were designed to work, create, be productive - not from a place of stress but inspiration. God is bringing us into a place of in productivity, fruitfulness, increase where labor would be breathed on by God and it would have an effect on surrounding nations. We see this exemplified in Joseph, Daniel, David and ultimately in Jesus and the Church. 

• In the promised land they had to work for it, plant and care for crops, but in the wilderness manna appeared on the ground. 
• God takes us through seasons of absolute trust, where we have nothing, so that he can trust us with something. The measure of what he can entrust to us, is in our measure of trust in Him. As my trust in God expands, so does my capacity to be entrusted. 
• Challenges ahead: "See, I am sending an angel before you to protect you on your journey and lead you safely to the place I have prepared for you. Pay close attention to him, and obey his instructions...You must serve only the Lord your God. If you do, I will bless you with food and water, and I will protect you from illness...I will send my terror ahead of you and create panic among all the people whose lands you invade. I will make all your enemies turn and run...But I will not drive them out in a single year, because the land would become desolate and the wild animals would multiply and threaten you. I will drive them out a little at a time until your population has increased enough to take possession of the land." Ex 23:20-33
• Law of the harvest, it takes time and effort. Reaping and sowing. Like planting trees: year 1) survive, stay alive, thrive. We can't speed it up but we can slow it down. "Bonsai Christians"
• God doesn't drive out "block E" if we are not prepared to occupy it.
• God doesn't remove abortion clinics if we are not prepared to help fathers be accountable and support families. 
• Challenges behind drive us into trusting God even when there's risk. See (Ex 11-15)
• They were baptized into Moses (1 Corinthians 10:1-5)
• This could have been an eleven day journey into promises, but lasted 40 years! 
• Rebelion was measure by the unwillingness to connect faith with the promises God gave them. 
• Our Faithfulness is seen in what we do with His promises. 

• Promised land is today, not when we die. We live the life Jesus modeled for us here on earth, as it is in heaven. Jesus is the person called the promised land. Through his life, death, and resurrection, Jesus reverses the land-exile cycle by going into exile on our behalf and then giving us the land he inherits (Bible Project). See Dispensationalism
• I've seen this inheritance in Alpha at Teen Challenge, alleluia. 
• The Holy Spirit is referred to as a river in John 7:37-39, baptism sets us up for entering this promised land of healing and ministry. 
• Romans 15:4. ESV For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
• Gifts are given to take territory, we are comforted so that we can comfort others (2 Cor 1:4, from 1 Cor 12-14)
• Teaching doesn't give gifts, we must pursue these gifts earnestly. He has given me every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms. My inheritance is your inheritance. 
• I introduce you to what God gave to me. 
• Godly hunger and thirst for righteousness. 
• Promised land is found in the person of Jesus
• He had more Joy than everyone around him put together. 
• Hebrews 1:8, 9: God anointed Jesus with gladness beyond his companions because he loved righteousness and hated wickedness. 
• Hebrews 12:2: Jesus endured the cross for "the joy that was set before him". 
• Matthew 13:44: Jesus taught that joy was essential to receiving his kingdom. 
• Luke 15:7, 10: Jesus said that there would be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance. 
• John 3:29: John the Baptist said, "He is truly the Messiah. and my joy is now fulfilled just in hearing him". 
• Acts 2:25–28: Peter's first sermon is about the gladness of Christ.
• 120 people in a room for 10 days, came to a place of humility, tenderness and brokenness. The crowning achievement of Pentecost.
• Faithfulness, crown by explosive touch of God (you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you). 

Much of what we experience in life is determined by what we've become. When we get our inheritance quickly we squander it. Which reminds me of , yesterday, John Price shared his faith with me: The Only Thing We Can Do for God "When God whisper we say yes!

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God reproduces 10 commandments, reveals himself and convenant conditions

Exodus 33:7-34:35

AIM: God precedes people who follow his way

A) God speaks to Moses as a friend and shows his holiness

(33:7-8) Tent of Meeting outside camp with the Lord (Pillar of Cloud)

(9-11) Lord speaks face to face as a friend, people who saw would stand and worship

(12-13) Moses: teach me your ways (you know me, I want to know you)

(14-17) Lord: my presents with you, will give you rest, do what you ask (Moses: yes!)

(18-20) Moses: show me your glory, Lord: goodness/name/mercy/compassion

(21-23) Lord: stand on a rock ‘my hand’ (hides/protects you) from my (holy) face           

Principle: God is personal, holy and is in charge of how we may be present with him

Application: How do I truly come into the presents of the God? Do I confess my sin, repent from it and believe in his promises or do I come by some other man-made way? Will I ask God to teach me his ways, so that I can know him and understand his plan?

B) God has Moses prepare the tablets for 10 commandments and explains himself

(34:1-3) Lord: chisel out 2 stone tablets, I’ll write the words like the first ones you broke

(4-6) Moses obeyed, Lord proclaimed his name, compassionate, gracious God, slow to anger abounding in love and faithfulness

(7) forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin, yet he doesn’t leave the guilty unpunished, multi-generational

(8-9) Moses worshiped,

Principle: God’s name represents all that is good and benevolent

Application: What is my standard of quality and goodness? What do I base that on? What choices do I need to make this week that I can view in binary terms, God’s way or another way? If the choice isn’t obvious to me, will I take a moment to worship God for who he is and trust him for the answer?

C) God makes conditional covenant with Israel

(10) Lord makes covenant-awesome wonders never before done in any nation

(11-17) Obey Lord, he’ll clear the land, no treaty, remove idols, God is Jealous

(18) Celebrate festival of unleavened bread for 7 days Aviv out of Egypt

(19-20) Redeem first born sons to the Lord

(21) six days labor, seventh day rest even during harvest

(22-24) Celebrate Festival of Weeks- first fruits wheat, Festival Ingathering turn of year, 3 times a year all men appear before the Sovereign Lord God of Israel

(25-26) No blood sacrifice with yeast, Passover Festival has no left overs

(27-28) Lord said Moses write down these words, accordance of covenant I made with Israel

(29-35) Moses radiant face, gives commands from Lord

Principle: God makes his way clear and unambiguous

Application: What idols do I believe are more valuable and powerful than God? What religious actions do I partake in that leads to a radiant face? Would I describe my encounters with God in terms of celebration, festival or worthy of a full day out of every week, why or why not?

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Jesus explains his body and why communion matters

 John 13:7,19,34-35,14:15-17;14:29;Luke 24:13-24;24:25-35;1 Corinthians 5:7-8; 10:1-22;11:23-32;12:12-13:3;John 2:13-25;

Jesus' explanation is LOVE one another. If you don't understand what love is, neither did his disciples. Jesus demonstrated his love for them and the command is love one another as I have loved you (John 13:7,19,34-35). 

• Jesus turns water into wine, says his resurrection is the authority (John 2)
• Crowds don't understand Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:22-40)
• Jesus the Bread from Heaven, offered to all offensive to most (John 6:41-71)

Jesus doesn't leave his followers in ignorance (Luke 24:13-24,25-35). The lives of people in the Torah and Prophets shed light on Jesus' new commandment to agape love one another.

• Abram demonstrates living by faith, Lot and Sodom a lifestyle of disaster (Gen 13-14)
• Calling on the name of the Lord is central to our faith (Gen 4:26, Romans 10:13, Acts 2:21)
• Wisdom is understanding the will of the Lord and sacrifice (altar) are linked (Eph 5:15-17, Romans 12:1-2) leading us to honest humility (Romans 12:3)
• Wisdom and grace from calling on the name of the Lord (James 1:5, 3:17; Proverbs 3:13-18)
• Principle: God’s grace in us blesses others. God’s grace equips us for spiritual victory in our lives and in the lives of others. 
• Jesus our eternal high priest, order of Melchizedek (Hebrews 4:14-5:10) - I believe Hebrews was written by one of the men on road to Emmaus.

Love, Belief and Works are hallmarks of disciples of Jesus (John 13:31-14:14)

Jesus teaches love precedes obedience and the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:15-31)

• “If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth..." - John 14:15-17
•  "I have told you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe." - John 14:29

Paul brings clarity that we should all apply to our lives today. God's purpose in Jesus Christ is salvation from sin. Corrective, redemptive, restoring, healing, empowering, life-changing, life-giving, honoring, holistic, pure, worthy, righteous, strong, firm, imperishable, everlasting salvation from sin. 

• Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with ... malice and wickedness, but with ...sincerity and truth. - 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
• The old yeast was handed down from grandmother to mother to daughter. What family tradition do I hold onto that needs to go away? What new family tradition do I need to start, that enables us to leave malice and wickedness behind and walk-in sincerity and truth? 

1 Corinthians 10:1-22 (Paul warns about going through the motions of faith without sincerity and truth)

For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry (lively and noisy festivities, especially when these involve drinking a large amount of alcohol.).” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did—and were killed by the destroying angel.

These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come. So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry. I speak to sensible people; judge for yourselves what I say. Is not the cup of thanksgiving for which we give thanks a participation in the blood of Christ? And is not the bread that we break a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one loaf, we, who are many, are one body, for we all share the one loaf.

Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

1 Corinthians 11:23-32 (Paul received insight in the way those on Road to Emmaus did: Scripture, fellowship, personal experience)

For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

So then, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. Everyone ought to examine themselves before they eat of the bread and drink from the cup. For those who eat and drink without discerning the body of Christ eat and drink judgment on themselves. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment. Nevertheless, when we are judged in this way by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be finally condemned with the world.

1 Corinthians 12:12-13:3 (God's plan for unity in diversity)

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

... parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. .... If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

I heard an illustration that was helpful. If we are playing a basketball game and invite Lebron James onto our team. It's no longer our team, we are actually on his team. The same applies when we invite Jesus into our lives. It becomes his life. 

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