Advice from a Mentor to a Mentoree in the Kingdom -- 1 Timothy 2

Simple Faith and Plain Truth

2 ^1-3 The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.

Whether it's money, sex, power and/or technology it can all be used for good and bad so we need to pray into this so that the leaders in education, health care, business, politics, media ... recognize the need for the wisdom of a God which is bigger than any one individual's perspective. 

Jesus -- the Undercover Boss

The Jews, God's people were living under the rule of the Romans and were struggling to understand what God really meant when He gave them all the commands in the Old Testament and then Jesus showed up, started observing what was going on and began to show a select few how to live the way God meant them to live in the context of where they were at.  How cool is that!

Matthew, Mark, Luke and John are biographies of Jesus.

Thanks for the learning -- Psalm 138

It's hard to believe this was written over 2000 years ago!  It's just as relevant today!

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+138

The 10 Commandments -- Exodus 20

Exodus 20:2-17

If God made us and knows what's best for us should we be following the 10 commandments in the Kingdom?

The AA solution

In reading the Big Book of AA I discovered this advice:

Ask God to:

• direct our thinking
• divorce our brains of self pity, dishonesty, and self seeking motives
• clear our brains of wrong motives
• use our brains
• give us inspiration when we’re indecisive
• give us intuitive thoughts for our decision making

Then relax; take it easy; don’t struggle

Ask God through out the day to:

• show us our next step
• give us what we need to take care of each problem we encounter
• give us freedom from self will so that we only ask for things that benefits others.

And at the end of each day ask yourself if you:

• have been resentful, selfish, dishonest afraid
• need to apologize or share with someone else
• were:
•     kind and loving towards others
•     thinking of ourselves most of the time
•     thinking of what we could do for others
• could have done better

Don’t worry; feel remorse; or entertain morbid reflection; all of these limit our effectiveness; instead ask God how to fix things.

Seeing the best --Philippians 4:8

With so much information out there these days it's important that we focus on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and worthy of praise.

Celebration of discipline

I was reading Celebration of Discipline  today and thinking of a teenager's comment "I feel like such  nerd".  So this begs the question what is fun for a Christian.

Being asked to make wine by your Mom is a little over the top!  Can you imagine being that respected that your Mom asks you for help?  I think that would be fun.

How about planning an adventure?  Jesus says to his disciples I don't want you to take anything; I just want you to go out and tell folks how much God loves them and if they don't like that message don't worry about it; just go to the folks that want to be with you.

One of my most exciting times was succeeding at something God and I had been planning for 10 years;  a short term mission to Asia!  I was sitting on a bus in Singapore thinking yes!  We've done it!

To me these are all fun; just knowing that God is good and has wonderful plans for our lives is exciting to me.

The Keys of the Kingdom

I was reading a testimony in the AA big book titled Keys of the Kingdom and it reminded me of Jesus dialog with Peter in Matthew 16.  What a treat it is when God allows us to give keys to God's Kingdom to others.

Jesus becomes public in church -- Luke 4

Meditate on His mission, the church's response, and His response to the church found in Luke 4

In addition, looking at a beautiful picture of God our Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob
by clicking on the words Our Father.

Jesus of Nazareth

I'd love to know all the attributes and characteristic of the Messiah in the eyes of the Jewish people and I would love to know all the attributes and characteristics of Jesus from a Moslem perspective.  Which is making me ask the question; what does Jesus look like from a Christian perspective?  We know a Christian is a follower of Christ yet how can we follow Him if we don't know what His attributes and characteristics are like?

To start with we know that at a young age He began questioning the elders/leadership in the church.  He was so caught up in this His parents left Him in church and it was a while before they realized He wasn't with them! What do you think?

Emotions in the Kingdom

I'm still thinking through this one.  Jesus was angry at the temple, He wept at the loss of his friend,
I'm seeing
"David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works" Romans 4:6

Wise behaviour -- In the Kingdom Ephesians 5:15-21

Wise Behavior

15 So, then, be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, 16 making the best use of your time[i] because the times are evil. 17 Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is. 18 Stop getting[j] drunk with wine, which leads to wild living, but keep on being filled with the Spirit. 19 Then you will recite to one another psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs; you will sing and make music to the Lord with your hearts; 20 you will consistently give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah;[k] 21 and you will submit to one another out of reverence for[l] the Messiah.[m]

Fun in the Kingdom -- Galatians 5:22

When Bruce Marchiano got the role of Jesus in the movie Matthew he was told to play a joyful Jesus and this makes a lot of sense.  One of the fruit of the Spirit is Joy; Galatians 5:22

Focus of the mind -- Philippians 4:8

... whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.

God's view -- 2 King 6:15-17

15 Meanwhile, the attendant to the man of God got up early in the morning and went outside, and there were the elite forces, surrounding the city, accompanied by horses and chariots! So Elisha’s attendant cried out to him, “Oh no! Master! What will we do!?”

16 Elisha[j] replied, “Stop being afraid, because there are more with us than with them!”17 Then Elisha prayed, asking the Lord, “Please make him able to really see!” And so when the Lord enabled the young man to see, he looked, and there was the mountain, filled with horses and fiery chariots surrounding Elisha!

Hebrews 10 -- Let's meet together to encourage each other

Hebrews 10:23-25
 23 Let us continue to hold firmly to the hope that we confess without wavering, for the one who made the promise is faithful. 24 And let us continue to consider how to motivate one another to love and good deeds, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another even more as you see the day of the Lord[n] coming nearer.

Freedom and the use of it in the Kingdom

1 Corinthians 10:23-26

All things are lawful, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful, but not all things edify. 24Let no one seek his own good, but that of his neighbor. 25Eat anything that is sold in the meat market without asking questions for conscience’ sake; 26FOR THE EARTH IS THE LORD’S, AND ALL IT CONTAINS.

Rules for the new life -- Ephesians 4:25-32

Ephesians 4:25-32International Standard Version (ISV)

25 Therefore, stripping off falsehood, “let each of us speak the truth to his neighbor,”[a] for we belong to one another. 26 “Be angry, yet do not sin.”[b] Do not let the sun set while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the Devil an opportunity to work.[c] 28 The thief must no longer steal but must work hard and do what is good with his own hands, so that he might earn something to give to the needy.

29 Let no filthy talk be heard from your mouths, but only what is good for building up people and meeting the need of the moment.[d] This way you will administer grace to those who hear you. 30 Do not grieve the Holy Spirit, by whom you were marked with a seal for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, quarreling, and slander be put away from you, along with all hatred. 32 And be kind to one another, compassionate, forgiving one another just as God has forgiven you[e] in the Messiah.[f]

A prayer for the church that is learning how to love each other

Ephesians 3:14-21International Standard Version (ISV)

To Know the Messiah’s Love

14 This is the reason I bow my knees before the Father of our Lord Jesus, the Messiah,[a]15 from whom every family[b] in heaven and on earth receives its name. 16 I pray[c] that he would give you, according to his glorious riches, strength in your inner being and power through his Spirit, 17 and that the Messiah[d] would make his home in your hearts through faith. Then, having been rooted and grounded in love, 18 you will be able to understand, along with all the saints, what is wide, long, high, and deep— 19 that is, you will know the love of the Messiah[e]— which transcends knowledge, and will be filled with all the fullness of God.

20 Now to the one who can do infinitely more than all we can ask or imagine according to the power that is working among[f] us— 21 to him be glory in the church and in the Messiah[g] Jesus to all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

A great prayer for the Kingdom

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqDOXfj9W0w

Warfare in the Kingdom -- Ephesians 6

You would think this is a Salvation Army chapter and I did first learn the armour in Corps Cadets and the Salvation Army does believe the bible and song book are their weapons and a bible verse is actually a bullet (making the promise cards exciting) but I actually learned the power in battle from YWAM (Youth With A Mission) and ALPHA.

I think the most important verse in this chapter is Ephesians 6:12.  The enemy would choose to have us focus on a person or a group of people but the battle is in our assumptions, prejudices, communication etc so we need to be careful that we don't get caught up in virtual reality that's not true.

The best tip I have received in this area is to pray offensively (quietly so others can not over hear you but offensively).  The way you do this is if you're struggling with anything; focus, headache, etc start praying for everyone else in the world who has the same problem.  After a while satan will get annoyed with attacking you because you're helping so many other people in the world.

Unsolicited Advice...in the Kingdom -- Matthew 7:1-5

Judging Others

7 “Stop judging, so that you won’t be judged, 2 because the way that you judge[a] others will be the way that you will be judged, and you will be evaluated by the standard with which you evaluate others.

3 “Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye but fail to notice the beam in your own eye?4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when the beam is in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite! First remove the beam from your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”

Jesus is with us in everything -- My heart Christ's home

My heart Christ's home drama

Unity and maturity in the Kingdom Ephesians 4

Unity and Maturity in the Body of Christ

4 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; 5 one Lord,one faith, one baptism; 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.

Humility -- 2 Corinthians 10

Humility is being who you are; not better and not worse and recognizing that you are where you are because God has placed you there.

The mentor Paul to the mentoree Timothy in the Kingdom -- 1 Timothy 2:1-4

"First of all, I ask you to pray for everyone.  Ask God to help and bless them all, and tell God how thankful you are for each of them. Pray for kings and others in power, so that we may live quiet and peaceful lives as we worship and honour God.  This kind of prayer is good and it pleases God our Saviour..."

A prayer in His Kingdom -- Matthew 6:9-13

"Our Father in heaven, help us to honour your name.
Come and set up Your kingdom,
so that everyone on earth will obey you, as you are obeyed in heaven.
Give us our food for today
Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others.
Keep us from being tempted and protect us from evil."

Jeremiah 31:31-33 -- A new agreement

"I will write my laws on their hearts and minds.  I will be their God, and they will be my people." Jeremiah 31:33

A cool prayer and perspective -- Ephesians 3:14-21

A Prayer for the Ephesians

14 For this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom every family[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

The Kingdom's take on children -- Luke 18:15-17

"And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16But Jesus called for them, saying, "Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all."

Jesus take on violence

"Put your sword back in its place," Jesus said to him, "for all who draw the sword will die by the sword."  Matthew 26:52

... and then He heals the soldier's ear!  Wow!

Jehovah-Raah (The Lord my Shepherd) -- Psalm 23

11 “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it. 13 The man runs away because he is a hired hand and cares nothing for the sheep.

14 “I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me— 15 just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheepthat are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd. 17 The reason my Father loves me is that I lay down my life—only to take it up again. 18 No one takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. I have authority to lay it down and authority to take it up again. This command I received from my Father.” Jesus

Wisdom in the Kingdom -- James 3:13-17

Two Kinds of Wisdom

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deedsdone in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15 Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.

17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Doubt in the Kingdom -- Mark 9:14-29

Mark 4:22 "If you can" -- us
Mark  4:23 "Anything is possible for someone who has faith!" -- Jesus
Mark 4:24 "I do have faith! Please help me to have even more" -- us
...then lots of commotion
Mark 4:29 "Only prayer can force out that kind of demon." -- Jesus

The laws are simple; Matthew 22:37-40

'Love the Lord your God wit all your heart, soul and mind.  This is the first and most important commandment.  The second most important commandment is like this one, and it is, "Love others as much as you love yourself."  All the Law of Moses and the Books of the Prophets are based on these commandments.'

Matthew 16:1-12 -- The Kingdom is seen by faith

Jesus told the religious folks you can't demand a sign; you need to look around you and remember what God has done and is doing.

I like Ravi's organization because they combine faith and thought. RZIM
http://www.rzim.org/a-slice-of-infinity/what-is-faith-2/

Control in the Kingdom of God -- Romans 8:1-17

Condemnation versus conviction; satan will condemn and say you're a looser and you can't do anything. God convicts and says you need to do "...." and He waits for you to obey Him before He gives you your next assignment.

When God, as opposed to our flesh, is in control the direction is life and peace; not death.  Life comes because of righteousness. (I could be wrong but I suspect the statistics would say the death rate amongst those involved with things of the flesh is higher)

We have an obligation to live according to the Spirit.  The Spirit does not bring about fear but adoption into the Kingdom of God.

Life Through the Spirit

8 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you[a] free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh,[b]God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering.[c] And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

5 Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.6 The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. 7 The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. 8 Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

9 You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. 10 But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life[d] because of righteousness. 11 And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of[e] his Spirit who lives in you.

12 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live.

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” 16 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17 Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.