I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. (1 Corinthians 9:22-23)

Overheard:
Molly: "I LOVE our new church web site! It's better than our church!"
Mike: "Now Honey, I wouldn't go THAT far."

The famous passage from 1 Corinthians (above) gives us a window into the heart of the apostle Paul. Love will use every legitimate means to bring the gospel to people for their salvation. When Paul says, "I have become all things to all people" he's not referring to compromise. Rather, it's a great reminder of how Jesus became man, in the incarnation, for the sake of our salvation. Christians creatively use neutral tools to bring the gospel into the space being occupied by real people.

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. (Acts 2:5)

On the day of Pentecost, there were people from every nation in one city. In a reversal of the Tower of Babel, these people heard the gospel in their own tongue. The Holy Spirit was poured out, and Peter preached the gospel. Those who believed were baptized, and 3000 souls were added that day. This historic day was no accident. God had said in the Old Testament, "I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh."

...praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel... (Ephesians 6:18-19)

A number of the verses in the New Testament about prayer include a call to "alertness." Sometimes our spiritual senses can grow dull, and there is a kind of spiritual alertness needed in prayer. One reason for that is the spiritual conflict that rages in the unseen realm, what Donald Gray Barnhouse called "the invisible war." That's the context of these verses in Ephesians 6. The only way to wage such a conflict is on our knees, with spiritual alertness. 

Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord. (Exodus 14:13)

This scene from the Book of Exodus finds the people of Israel between a rock and a hard place. Behind them: the fearsome army of Pharaoh. In front of them: the impassable sea. These stirring words of Moses call them to stand and see the salvation of the Lord. 

Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Have you noticed how the parts of your physical body are interdependent? So it is, with the body of Christ, the church. When we're connected in healthy ways to others in the church, we grow up into Christ. Notice that the body "builds itself up in love." Each person has something to give, and is vital to the community. And, each person has something they need from relationships in the community. In a growing church, the relationships are dynamic, not static. Time and space are given for new people to be added, adding new richness to our community.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. (Acts 1:8)

After his resurrection, Jesus entrusted his mission to the disciples. He promised them the power of the Holy Spirit. He also gave them a geographic mandate. The result was the planting of vital churches throughout the Roman world.

We have this hope as an anchor of the soul, firm and secure. (Hebrews 6:19a)

On storm-tossed seas, a ship needs a strong anchor to keep the ship from drifting off-course. We learn from this passage that our hope, our anchor, "enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf." (Hebrews 6:19b-20). Christian hope is not a "hope so" hope--it's a "know so" hope. It is firm and secure.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

When the apostle Paul wanted to affirm the health of a church in the New Testament, he noted three things: faith, hope, and love. Today, we pray simply for the nurturing and strengthening of faith in the hearts of the people of Lake Baldwin Church.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Colossians 3:17)

Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

It's Monday morning, and it's back to another week of prayer. These verses remind us of the high view of Christ in the book of Colossians. He is not only the head of the church, his body, but he is also Lord of all creation. As Colossians 1:17 says, "He is before all things, and in him all things hold together."

Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name. (Psalm 100:4)

It's the Lord's Day! So we rest and worship today. We rest from our daily labors in prayer, knowing that the Lord builds the house. We worship because the Lord is good, and his steadfast love endures forever.

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel. (Ezra 7:10)

Ezra's approach to the Word of God is an example to every follower of Christ. He sought to learn the Scriptures, to obey the will of God, and to teach others. Jesus himself placed a high value on the Word of God, using it frequently and quoting it three times in the temptation story of Matthew 4:1-11.

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. (1 Peter 5:1-4)

The Lord Jesus Christ is the chief Shepherd, and he has called the elders of the church to be his under-shepherds. In God's wisdom, there is a plurality of leadership. And, there are words for the heart of the elder: to be willing and eager; to be an example; and to look to Christ for the reward.

O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come. (Psalm 71:17-18)

Faith is often formed in our younger years, while children, or as youth. The Psalmist looks back on his youth, and how he learned about God. The long-term view is that those who learn about God in their youth will follow him even to old age, proclaiming the deeds of the Lord to another generation.

For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. (Hebrews 6:10)

The heart to serve is a well-established part of Christianity, patterned after Jesus Christ himself, who took the servant's towel and washed the feet of his disciples. Serving does involve a kind of sacrifice, and we can be grateful for the love that inspires service. And God knows that our deeds of service, though not always noticed, are never forgotten by him.

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.  (1 Timothy 2:1-7)

What a glimpse into the heart of God! He desires people to be saved, and he provided one mediator, Christ Jesus, to be our ransom. In light of this, we are called to make prayer a first priority. This also affected Paul's participation in the mission. The church carries on that work today of preaching and teaching.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to grant those who mourn in Zion--to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified. (Isaiah 61:1-3)

Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing. (Jesus, in Luke 4:21)

The words of the prophet paint a beautiful picture of gospel renewal. This renewal would be "good news" and would proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and grace. Those who mourn would be comforted, the captives would be set free, and those changed by this gospel would become "oaks of righteousness." In Luke, Jesus announces that he is the fulfillment of Isaiah's vision of gospel renewal!

So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation. (Genesis 2:3)

One thing I have asked of the Lord that I will seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. (Psalm 27:4)

We are 1/3 of the way through a month of daily prayer for the work of the church. If you have tried to spend good time in prayer each day, you know that sometimes prayer is work. In our culture, it's quite an effort to be still, to be silent, to be expectant. And then, actually spending time in prevailing prayer, for the in-breaking of the kingdom, is diligent work. It's easier to do activity than to stop to pray.

O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger. (Psalm 8:1-2)

Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 19:14)

There is such a wide-eyed wonder that children have toward God. Perhaps that is why the kingdom of heaven belongs "to such" as these. Children have a place in the heart of God, and they had an open-armed welcome from Jesus. The disciples blundered in the Matthew story. They rebuked the people who were bringing the children to Jesus. Perhaps they wanted to keep things orderly. But Jesus welcomed the delightful disruption that comes with children.