Philippians 2

If anyone has fellowship with the spirit, they should partake in Christs joy in a way that would be pleasing to him including our thoughts. Good actions are helpful when done with the intention of edifying God's, things done with selfish motivations however is an invitation for further pride. This means that we should refrain from doing things for ourselves and rather to lift others up. This is the same mindset of Jesus which is even more a reason for the Church to imitate it. Paul supports this statement by pointing them to the humility of Jesus. Though he had all the rights and privileges of his father in heaven, he didn't cling onto them and rather humbled himself to an obedient servant to all he encountered. If Jesus did not live among men, he could not have identified with them as the interceding High Priest. If he did not die on the cross as a substitute for sin, he could not have been elevated from the lowest degree back to heaven. Because of his humility, God put Him in the highest place. One day every knee will bow to King Jesus and proclaim he is lord. Until then, Paul urged the Philipians do live their life without grumbling or complaining and be cheerful. This was for the purpose of being blameless. Chapter 2 ends with Paul praising a native Philipian named Epaphroditus who is not mentioned anywhere else in the bible, as well as news of Timothy's upcoming visit to the Church. 

If everything should be done to edify God, then what things do I need to sacrifice in my life? And how so I love others in a way that is obligational?

Prayer/repentance:

- Jayne to refine her prayer life

- Tina to persist in loving her lg

- Help me go sleep earlier lol

- God thank you for giving me a period of rest

Philippians 1

Paul tells the Philippians that he's grateful to call them fam in Christ and that he always prays for them. He reminds the Church that God is in control and even though he faces many obstacles such as prison or pharisees etc, God always finds a way for the gospel to be advanced. Paul actually didn't panic when competitive/jealous preachers came into practise because at least more and more people were knowing Jesus through their ministry. While the intentions may not be selfless like an evangelist should be, the gospel message was spread nonetheless. Paul did not preach to make himself popular or famous but because wanted to be a selfless ambassador of God and the message many have not received. Paul ends the chapter with further encouragement that they push through suffering with the trust that Christ is supremely valuable above everything. They are to stand firm in the gospel/ 

Prayer/response
- Matt and Jane to relax, may they be reenergised for further ministry and not neglect praying and devotionals during their holiday
- Gospel be preached faithfully in service tmrw
- Thank you Lord for this long ass holiday lol
- Lord help me overcome temptations through grace and not by guilt or fear
- Help me to be the best witness I can be to Daniel viana. help him learn forgiveness and forbearance in this period

Ephesians 6 + Book Summary

Paul encourages a family members to pursue functional relationships with one another. Children are urged to live in Godly obedience to their parents in addition fathers are warned to not provoke their children's resentment. Nurturing and training them in the faith was vastly more important. The same code of ethics was also applied to slaves and masters who must serve each other in Godly attitudes, the masters were warned to be fair because they have their own master in heaven who is watching them. Paul writes the iconic metaphor that is the armour of God which we do not fight in the flesh but rather the deceptions and principles of the devil. Paul writes that we should adorn elements such as prayer, the gospel message, salvation and righteousness. Paul then informs the Church that he was sending a helper named Tychicus to them who will give them a report of what he was doing. Tychicus was a convert from Asia Minor (modern day Turkey) who was present with Paul during his first imprisonment from Rome where this epistle was written. The letter is closed with prayer for the Ephesian church to receive faith, peace and grace. 

I don't wan't to be like my dad. I don't want to be the reason my children run away from God. I don't want to live in regret. It hurts so god damn much to see my friends resentful because of spiritually poor fathers. Seems like no matter how much I can pray for John his past continually hold him back from God. It is all in God's hands. I want to pursue Godliness for the reason of raising up Godly children. Rn hoping Jesus gives me strength to put on the full amour of God and push through.

BOOK SUMMARY
Paul spent the first three chapters of this letter discussing God's grace in the death and resurrection of His son. Through Abrahams descendants this is how through this the nations are blessed. Tbh I don't remember Paul roasting anyone in this church. While much time is spent in the previous letter Galatians dealing with members overrun with legalism, Paul writes this book about what it means to be a Christian both in faith and in practise. Paul didn't respond to particular corruption in the congregation or distorted theology, rather it more seems as if he was warning them to stand firm in what they were taught by him. The church was encouraged to mature in the faith as prevention from potential future problems. After laying out theological truths in the first half of the book, Paul intentions are made clear, he wants them to live out their heavenly calling Ephesians 4:1. If the Ephesians accept and continue to stand firm in the gospel message that Paul preached, their outward living should follow according to God, individually and collectively. 


Prayer/response:
- Jayne to reorganise/refine her prayer life. 
- Thank you Lord that you are providing Daniel Viana with spiritually mature men in his life.
- Thank you Lord that you are providing Celine with spiritually mature women in her life
- Thank you for clean air today. Please protect the firefighters today and may they come to know you
- Thankyou for being good!

Ephesians 5

Paul encourages the Ephesians to follow in Jesus footsteps, the code of ethics for a sanctified people. Christians will not continue in pagan habits such as godless behaviour and obscene language as obscenity infects holy character which invites in more sin. Because Christians live in thanksgiving, this will not be obligational as our self interests will eventually become aligned with God's interests. v11 implies that we avoid having fellowship with what corrupts our character but rather expose them. The responsibility of exposing sin doesn't just isn't just existent in our own lives but also within the church, we should be lovingly rebuking each other to keep the Bride of Christ faithful. This can also be connected to v6 "let no one deceive you with words, the wrath of God come to the disobedient". This reminds us that is it dangerous to assure someone of their salvation who's lifestyle is still characterised by unrepentant sin. If we really love them we would lead them back to scripture. Paul then talks about Marriage, just how the Church submits to Christ so the wife must should submit to the Husband as the spiritual head of the household. God is the driving force behind her loving submission to her husband because her ultimate obedience is to God. God also puts expectations on the husband as he must mimic Jesus love and self-sacrifice serving His bride. 

I'm sure many Christian males question whether they'll marry anytime soon or even get to marry, this chapter does not hold back to bringing up those thoughts. I want to cling onto scripture, I want to love Jesus and I want to love His bride. I want to keep my eyes on the cross and not what I left behind. I know I'll never be perfect but god dammit I can't imagine myself as someone above reproach right now. 

Prayer/response:
- Read my bible earlier, fix my sleeping scheduale
- Thank you Jesus for doing what you did for me

Ephesians 4

This chapter talks more about unity and Church life than the previous chapters do. Paul starts the chapter by telling those called to Christ that they should be humble and gentle towards one another as there is just one body of Christ and one spirit. Just like how organs must cooperate with one another for a body to function, we christians with our unique God given gifts must be united to be effective. Jesus equiped His apostles all what they needed to preach the gospel message. Paul tells the Ephesians that if their pursuit of God is genuine, should they should no longer be oblivious as infants, rather they should aspire to mature in knowledge and attitudes together, loving one another. These fruits will be the byproducts and evidence of their faith unlike the infants (pagans) who are insensitive to these. The final verses say that we shouldn't grieve the Holy Spirit of God, referring to the grievance/offence God is given when His children willingly refuse to change their ways whether it be idol worship of spouse, identity in ministry, pornography etc.

One particular thing that I could definitely be working on is lying as many of my stories seem to have frequent fabrications whether minor or major. I don't know why I do this, I don't know if it's to build up my ego or because it makes the story more engaging. I don't know at this moment how to confront this issue since it seems so minor in my eyes. 

Ephesians 3

Isaiah prophesied that through Israel the gentiles would find salvation in Ch49:6, Paul addresses the fulfilment of this pledge and the gospel therefore must be proclaimed. While Paul calling himself the "least" of the apostles, he acknowledged God's plan in using him to reach out to the gentiles. Paul prayed that the gentiles would be aware of God's plan for them, that they will be a testimony of God's character. Paul wanted them to know God's love, and to be moved by it to love God and His people. 

I'm still in struggle street as idk how to love my own church. Am I scared to love them or is it arrogance. still not sure. Guess I'll keep trusting and praying that God's word will open me up, and for me to discern how I can best be loving God and His people. 

christians are lame lol

Prayer/response:

- Trust that God will help me deal with my lovelessness in His due time. 

- Sleep earlier 

- God, please keep Celine and Peter spiritually safe. Help their friendship or whatever the hell their relationship it is to grow in it's dependancy on you

- Please help me reach out to Lucas. Help me not rely on my own methods 

Ephesians 2

Paul reiterates that Jesus brought those who once walked according to the flesh have been raised to sit in heavenly places in Christ, this is in reference to the results of grace such as perseverance and blessings etc. We believers are God's craftsmanship, created for the good works of His kingdom. They have all been saved by grace, not by works. Paul then goes onto explain that Jesus has reconciled the Jews and the Gentiles into the same everlasting kingdom. The gentiles were and shouldn't be alienated from God's people due to prejudice that lasted over a thousand years. The covenant between Abraham and God is an open door for the gentiles, Israels blessing to the nations (Jesus sacrifice) allows them to be close to God. As citizens of the Kingdom of God, Jews and gentiles were no longer strangers. The word of God has become their foundation with Jesus as the cornerstone. 

Prayer/response:
- Thank you God for being faithful and making gentiles like us a part of your plan
- Please reconcile Cheil people with the most unlikely of people. Please let the strippers and pushers know you!
- Help mature us, and help us love fellow churchgoers walking in the flesh

Ephesians 1

Paul tells the Ephesians that God makes those He has elected into the image of Jesus as well as his blessings and characteristics. So us as sanctified people should pursue holiness not because we chose God but rather we were chosen by God. In the process of our sanctification we align ourselves, or more accurately, God aligns our interests along His interests. Next Paul talks about the inheritance of our adoption into Gods kingdom. Those who submit under the gospel message and pursue God with their hearts, souls and minds are promised holiness and salvation, this continual lifelong process is called sanctification. 

The doctrine of unconditional election states that when someone is adopted to Christs family, there is no way we can resist this grace. The way I know I am God's son is if I am repentant, and continue to grow and mature in repentance in a greater degree. Something important that I should note is verse 22 in how they describe Christ "and hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church". This is a blunt statement, Jesus is the highest authority. Whatever signs and symbols from God we are convinced to be genuine are only proved legitimate when looked through the context of scripture. Personal interpretation of scripture must fall under submission of all of scripture, how would I know how to do this in the best way I know to right now? Study context, maybe even study original greek and Aramaic to juice out directly what the passages are trying to say. 


Prayer/response:
- Align my interests along Gods interests
- Study scripture
- Be a better son to my earthly father

Galatians 6 + Book Summary

Paul is aware that no matter how healthy some churches may appear, there will always be some members who need to to be rebuked whether it be severely or gently. He instructs those who have tested themselves according to scripture being above reproach (living according to the spirit) should be doing the rebuking. However, Paul warns that this shouldn't be an excuse for members to compare themselves with one another as no one is better than one another or too important to help each other. Paul moves onto the next topic of sowing what one reaps. Those who succumb to the lust of the flesh would be reaping sins that furthermore corrupt their character and those who pursue and submit under God will reap rewards like Godliness and eternal life. Paul then concludes in his own handwriting that circumcision has no importance for Christians as we are not under the law and reiterates that Christ is enough. Christ + law = nothing, Christ + nothing = eternal life. 

Prayer/response:
- Help me love those who I rebuke. Strip away my pride and help me love those who rebuke me
- Lord take away bitter thoughts of Daniel and help me cater to his needs
- Thank you for being patient with me and for pushing me to test myself agains't scripture.

BOOK SUMMARY
Judaizers came to the Galatian Church and successfully influenced members that in order for them to first become Christian, they must obey Jewish law. This disheartens Paul and obviously pisses him off. Paul starts the book defending his authenticity as a man of spiritual authority which in turn gives him the right to rebuke Peter (Jesus brother) for favouring the jewish christians ever gentile/uncircumcised christians. Paul condemns the necessity of Jewish customs > grace as he sees it as a contradiction of the cross. Abraham was declared righteous before God not because of works but simply because of his faith, a faith that his descendants will be a blessing to all the nation in whom they will find God. This was not meant to displace the law since it was a necessary rulebook to point out and restrain our sin up until Jesus comes. Jesus fulfils the purpose of the law on Israels behalf since everyone else failed, and lives in his children through the spirit. When we trust in Jesus and remain dependant on his spirit his characteristics become ours (fruits of the spirit). This fruit requires cultivation just like real fruit, it requires intentional labour and for us to prune off our old habits. Through this Jesus reshapes our minds and hearts and make us into people who love Him and others. 

Galatians 5

Many Christians were being persuaded that they to be circumcised in order to have a correct standing with God. If they didn't follow certain Jewish customs/become Jewish first they cannot know God and therefore do not have salvation. Paul writes that they should ignore if not condemn these teachings, if they want to live according to the law they should follow Jesus. However, even though we are free from the ministry of death (2 Corinthians 3:7) which is the law we should not misuse our liberty as an excuse to sin. As the purpose of the 10 Commandments wasn't just to point out our depravity but also how we can best love God and our neighbour. Paul then gives some comparisons between someone who lives by the flesh and one who is led by the Holy Spirit.. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is joy which as a gift from God we should delight in the blessing that we posses.

Prayer/repentance:

- God help me love you 

- Thank you for being patient with me

- Help me overcome trials through grace and not grumbling obligation

Galatians 4

Paul is worried that his labour for the Galatians would end up in vein, as they seemed to cater to the "weak and beggarly elements" (legalistic) teachings that imposters were infesting them with. Paul writes that because Jesus died for us, we are sons and daughters of God, we call him Abba which means father just like Jesus called Him on earth. We are all heirs to him and not just mere servants. Jesus dying for us doesn't show us our great depravity but also how valuable we are to God, like a father to his son. And so in verse 12  the Galatians are encouraged to imitate Paul as in referring to abandoning everything to trust and confide as much as we can in God. Paul then thanks the Church for their hospitality during his previous visit despite he was sick (bible scholars say it was most likely Malaria).

Tbh having difficulty juicing out new info from this book since the messages are quite repetitive. 

Prayer/repentance:
- Continue watching over your vision team. Keep them reliant on you
- Keep me reliant on you
- Spend my time more wisely. stop procrastinating on productive things

Pray and Be Alone With God - Paul Washer

* Luke 11:1. It's interesting to note that the disciples never came to Jesus and never asked him how to preach, cast out demons etc. Much rather they actually asked him how to pray. They observed that in all the things Jesus had done whether it would be performing miracles, the way Jesus prayed had caught their attention the most.

* You can't fake prayer. Jesus was a man of prayer and when he prayed people could see a difference between religion and a relationship 

* If prayer was so important to the son of God how much more important should we make it to our lives. We may ask "why does Jesus pray so much?", the answer isn't complicated. Jesus, literally and just simply prayed because he loved his father

* Luke 5:16 says that Jesus would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. How do I slip away?  Netflix? Impulsive masturbation? Facebook?

* I'll know when I'm walking with God, when I slip away TO HIM. when I'm stressed, overworkedi should be finding relief. How often do i find relief in Jesus?

* Sometimes I can prioritise the study of theology so much that I spend more time studying God than i am talking to him. 

* Luke 6:12-13 Jesus prayed for the whole night on a mountain. When finished he called his disciples and chose 12 of them to be his apostles. How often do i spend a lengthy amount of time to discern Gods will for my important decision? How often do i wrestle with God until he wins. I should overcome obstacles by struggling in prayer

* To practice the presence of God is by intentionally spending private time with him.

* When we don't pray habitually, it is either because we are not passionate for the advancement of the kingdom or we feel like it can be advanced through the power of the flesh

* Jesus although God was absolutely dependant upon the working of the holy spirit. He was "lead" out into the wilderness. His ministry was sensitive to the holy spirit because he knew God and what he wanted

* Jesus is the most dependant person in history. He withdraws himself to the wilderness and prayed. It was his dependance up in God that wrought the obedience and victory

* We often tell God that we are too busy to pray because theres so much ministry to do. "I have so much work, so much activity to do today, I must pray at least three hours or I will never get done" - Martin Luther

* If a church should hire a pastor, they should ask him how long he prays for. How long does he meditate, go away into secret prayer

* The most important thing for us Christians to do is to seek God. Be in his presence

Galatians 3

Paul purposely calls the Galatians foolish, not for being ignorant since they were clearly taught of salvation by faith, but because of their lack of obedience to both the gospel and Paul. The greatest concern was that they were being misled into believing that they received the spirit by works of the law. This argument was backed up by referencing the story of Abraham, his faith was counted as righteousness and through his offspring all nations on earth will be blessed (Genesis 22:18). Whoever lives by the law is cursed because no one can perfectly upkeep the law, but through Christ we were redeemed from the curse (judgement). 

Galatians 2

Peter (brother of Jesus, not the apostle) travels Antioch to visit the gentile christians, participating in fellowship and eating with them (eating in communion was culturally important back then, much more significant that is it today). What made the gentiles questionable to many Jewish Christians was their foreign practises and culture especially regarding how they weren't circumcised. They believed that to be Christian, you must practise Jewish customs. So when these legalistic Judaizers came, Peter caved under pressure avoided the "unclean" gentiles and stopped eating with them. Favouritism was very unsubtle. Paul hears of this, gets pissed and rebukes tf out of Peter as he deliberately wasn't staying true to the gospel message. Peter wasn't ignorant and had to be reminded again that God's children are literally and equally justified by faith alone, not by observations of the law. Peter repentance must've been a huge victory for Paul as he's finally  publicly acknowledged to have the apostolic authority as the og 12.

I reckon this holds so much important to Churches today and throughout history. Godly men are capable of making bad decisions, sometimes even deliberately. To make sure Cheil is for God and not man is by us submitting to the truth even if it hurts out pride and breaks down our natural prejudices. Our leaders must test every teaching and every decision according to the gospel, when they waver I pray that we are prepared enough to confront them in love and theology. 

Pray/response:

- Rest in God in biblical manner during holidays

- Test my leaders teachings and decisions agains't scripture, Confront them if necessary

- Lady "L" will persist in her pursuit of you and spread the gospel

Galatians 1

Paul writes this letter because he's pissed. The Galatians easily allowed themselves to be influenced by teachers who claimed to be from God, but preached a legalistic heresy. They attempted to discredit Paul, and were successful with some members. Paul considers anyone who preaches anything other than that of the grace of King Jesus to be accursed. I don't particularly remember Paul being so aggressive as to "curse" someone lol. Paul submitted under God before he would any man, knowing that souls were at stake, and thus defended the gospel message vigorously. For some reason, the chapter takes a turn from talking about the issues at hand. Paul recalls how when he became a Christian, he didn't consult with the og apostles but instead travelled to Arabia for 3 years(to learn more/evangelise i think???) and then visited Peter in Jerusalem for 15 days. The other apostle Paul spoke to was Jesus brother James. 

Prayer/response:

- Defend the gospel

- be more intentional in prayer

2 Corinthians 13 + Book Summary

Paul lets the Corinthians know that he'll be visiting them again in fellowship, but he'll also be dealing seriously to those who've remained unrepentant and those dividing the congregation. He proves his authority by reminding them that it was because of Gods work through him that they had been transformed into the Christ pursuing people they were today. Because they, like all of us are weak people who fall short the glory of God we must make sure we rely on him. Paul writes that we must examine ourselves in the faith, making sure that it is Him who we run toward in times of spiritual prosperity and poverty. He empathises on this because he wants to make sure the congregation he started will prosper in the faith without him. Paul finishes the Second Epistle to the Corinthians by wishing them joy, asking them to labour and mourn with one another. This letter was written in the hope that from now onwards they would repent and continue to repent. They were warned to live according to the gospel as Pauls job was to build them up, leading them towards holiness and righteous living. And through this they would enjoy God's peace and love. 


BOOK SUMMARY
Paul reassures the Church that they shouldn't expect another painful visit as the purpose of him seeing them was to reassure them the love he has for them. They were repentant and Paul is glad, however there were still a minority in the congregation that were sceptical of Paul and the message he preached. He was criticised for the way he speaks and compared to more popular speakers and so he validates his authenticity and authority as an apostle of Christ. Now convinced that Paul is legit, the Corinthians finally decide to contribute money to help out other Churches who aren't as financially healthy. Paul ends the Book with how God has changed his life. 

The cross challenges our values as it leads us to view our wealth and momentary success as secondary. God values humility and weakness because those qualities show a not just a proper view of oneself but also the necessity for God in our lives. We are weak and cannot fight spiritual battles by our own merit. The Corinthians didn't realise that when they criticised Paul for imitating this behaviour and mentality, they were actually criticising the character of Jesus himself. 

2 Corinthians 12

"my grace is sufficient for you, my strength is made perfect in weakness" (v9) Paul mentions again that he is reluctant to boast about himself except what forces him to rely on God (his weaknesses). Paul requested God many times for the "the thorn" to be removed but instead God gave him the constant availability of divine grace in order to persevere through life. Although no pleasure is taken in suffering, Paul rejoices that God is working and being revealed to others through him. He financially supported himself by making tents, thus never making himself a burden to the Corinthians and yet they seemed to think lower of him for rejecting financial support. So after accusation and accusation from the false apostles, Paul is frustrated that members of the congregation he started could question his authenticity. He defends his character, his associates and his ministry, reminding the church that he is jealous for their hearts, not their money. He labours for them, gladly, because he loves them and feels like a father towards them. Because God loves them. 

What I love about the Old Testament is that the most powerful Godly men were weak. Samson was strong in weakness, he destroyed the enemies of God. David was strong in weakness, he became King and lead his people towards God. Joseph was strong in weakness, God raised him to political power and saved Egypt from the casualties of drought. Job was strong in weakness, he lost everything and still proclaimed God is worthy. 

God is jealous for me! God loves me so much that he wants me to be humbled even to the point he'll literally allow satan to torture me to assist in my humility. What Satan throws can be painful, but is always purposeful. The more weaker or damaged I can be, the more clearly the results of God's grace can be shown. God doesn't take away my trials, but He increases the grace! While I'm in this period of self chastising, I hope I will face troubles head on knowing that God doesn't allow trials to pass for no reason. When me, a retarded dropkick with little to no future asks God for relief, he'll give me unrest and exposure. I ask for power, and God gave it to me. From the day I became a Christian God gave me power, and that power is weakness. 

WEAKNESS. IS. POWER.

2 Corinthians 11

Paul doesn't hold back against his distaste of the false apostles as he calls them emissaries of Satan. Not only was their claim of apostleship a deliberate lie but also the doctrine that they preached. In Godly jealousy Paul validates the gospel as this beef wasn't just a mere theological debate, but rather the souls of the Corinthians were at stake. Paul himself admittedly while not as great a speaker compared to those who were infiltrating the Church, however his message was the truth. He acknowledged that boasting was not according to the Lord (2 Corinth 10:1) and expresses distaste for it (v23) but this desperate situation forced him to boast, not to exalt himself but to protect the gospel message. He had suffered way more and then proceed to write a roll call of the extreme troubles he had faced to spread the gospel message. He leads all these tribulations back to how weak he is, in fact Paul boasts in it! Paul is proud because it was his weakness (his dependancy) that showed that Christ is supremely powerful and faithful, He has never and will never abandon Paul. 

Prayer/response:
- Boast in God, lead my weaknesses back to Him
- Labour in scripture for the purpose of not just a continued relationship with Jesus but also to defend the gospel message. 
- Help me love Erin. Please keep her accountable to read her bible daily from now on
- Help build up Minnie as a witness of Christ to Christian, please allow him to surrender to you
- Lead Jerry to build up his life group.