•Revelations 5:6-13•Philippians 2: 6-9•Matthew 13:44-46•Mark 12: 41-44•We want everything the kingdom of God has to offer. We want to have a secure sense of God's presence, we want all our prayers to be answered, we want to "feel close" to Jesus, we want to flourish in the riches of God's glory - we want it all. But we are unwilling to give up everything for it. Many times there is a "blue marble" in our lives that we seem unwilling to offer to the control of Christ. Until we can fully subjugate ourselves to God's will, our participation in God's kingdom will be limited. How sad and ironic that we expect God to give us all in return for only a portion of what God asks from us. The kingdom of God is a treasure, and to acquire the fullness of all that is there, we must give up everything, submitting our lives to God's control. - Christopher L Heuertz

•Revelations 5:6-13•Philippians 2: 6-9•Matthew 13:44-46•Mark 12: 41-44•We want everything the kingdom of God has to offer. We want to have a secure sense of God's presence, we want all our prayers to be answered, we want to "feel close" to Jesus, we want to flourish in the riches of God's glory - we want it all. But we are unwilling to give up everything for it. Many times there is a "blue marble" in our lives that we seem unwilling to offer to the control of Christ. Until we can fully subjugate ourselves to God's will, our participation in God's kingdom will be limited. How sad and ironic that we expect God to give us all in return for only a portion of what God asks from us. The kingdom of God is a treasure, and to acquire the fullness of all that is there, we must give up everything, submitting our lives to God's control. - Christopher L Heuertz

•Revelations 5:6-13•Philippians 2: 6-9•Matthew 13:44-46•Mark 12: 41-44•We want everything the kingdom of God has to offer. We want to have a secure sense of God's presence, we want all our prayers to be answered, we want to "feel close" to Jesus, we want to flourish in the riches of God's glory - we want it all. But we are unwilling to give up everything for it. Many times there is a "blue marble" in our lives that we seem unwilling to offer to the control of Christ. Until we can fully subjugate ourselves to God's will, our participation in God's kingdom will be limited. How sad and ironic that we expect God to give us all in return for only a portion of what God asks from us. The kingdom of God is a treasure, and to acquire the fullness of all that is there, we must give up everything, submitting our lives to God's control. - Christopher L Heuertz

•Revelations 5:6-13•Philippians 2: 6-9•Matthew 13:44-46•Mark 12: 41-44•We want everything the kingdom of God has to offer. We want to have a secure sense of God's presence, we want all our prayers to be answered, we want to "feel close" to Jesus, we want to flourish in the riches of God's glory - we want it all. But we are unwilling to give up everything for it. Many times there is a "blue marble" in our lives that we seem unwilling to offer to the control of Christ. Until we can fully subjugate ourselves to God's will, our participation in God's kingdom will be limited. How sad and ironic that we expect God to give us all in return for only a portion of what God asks from us. The kingdom of God is a treasure, and to acquire the fullness of all that is there, we must give up everything, submitting our lives to God's control. - Christopher L Heuertz

Matthew 28:16-201 John 4:9-10How does Jesus respond to this mixed group of worshipers and doubters? He gives them all the same commission: "Go and make disciples." The command to "go" is what brought these disciples here to Jesus and the command to "go" is what will take these disciples out to others. One might have expected Jesus to do something else, like calling of the uncertain to get things figured out, and for the hesitant to answer their unanswered questions. But instead, Jesus simply speaks to them all in the same way, "Go and make disciples." They are again being called into an unseen future, since there is no guarantee that anyone will listen. Nonetheless, the word is "go." One wonders whether this is a good idea, to have this group of disciples who do not all have their act together going out to make other disciples. Jesus might have been more selective in whom he called and sent. But apparently Jesus sees things differently. These disciples whom he tells to "go" are in no position to make themselves the object of faith. That is part of the good news. The invitation to follow Jesus. - Craig Koester

Matthew 28:16-201 John 4:9-10How does Jesus respond to this mixed group of worshipers and doubters? He gives them all the same commission: "Go and make disciples." The command to "go" is what brought these disciples here to Jesus and the command to "go" is what will take these disciples out to others. One might have expected Jesus to do something else, like calling of the uncertain to get things figured out, and for the hesitant to answer their unanswered questions. But instead, Jesus simply speaks to them all in the same way, "Go and make disciples." They are again being called into an unseen future, since there is no guarantee that anyone will listen. Nonetheless, the word is "go." One wonders whether this is a good idea, to have this group of disciples who do not all have their act together going out to make other disciples. Jesus might have been more selective in whom he called and sent. But apparently Jesus sees things differently. These disciples whom he tells to "go" are in no position to make themselves the object of faith. That is part of the good news. The invitation to follow Jesus. - Craig Koester

Matthew 28:16-201 John 4:9-10How does Jesus respond to this mixed group of worshipers and doubters? He gives them all the same commission: "Go and make disciples." The command to "go" is what brought these disciples here to Jesus and the command to "go" is what will take these disciples out to others. One might have expected Jesus to do something else, like calling of the uncertain to get things figured out, and for the hesitant to answer their unanswered questions. But instead, Jesus simply speaks to them all in the same way, "Go and make disciples." They are again being called into an unseen future, since there is no guarantee that anyone will listen. Nonetheless, the word is "go." One wonders whether this is a good idea, to have this group of disciples who do not all have their act together going out to make other disciples. Jesus might have been more selective in whom he called and sent. But apparently Jesus sees things differently. These disciples whom he tells to "go" are in no position to make themselves the object of faith. That is part of the good news. The invitation to follow Jesus. - Craig Koester

Matthew 28:16-201 John 4:9-10How does Jesus respond to this mixed group of worshipers and doubters? He gives them all the same commission: "Go and make disciples." The command to "go" is what brought these disciples here to Jesus and the command to "go" is what will take these disciples out to others. One might have expected Jesus to do something else, like calling of the uncertain to get things figured out, and for the hesitant to answer their unanswered questions. But instead, Jesus simply speaks to them all in the same way, "Go and make disciples." They are again being called into an unseen future, since there is no guarantee that anyone will listen. Nonetheless, the word is "go." One wonders whether this is a good idea, to have this group of disciples who do not all have their act together going out to make other disciples. Jesus might have been more selective in whom he called and sent. But apparently Jesus sees things differently. These disciples whom he tells to "go" are in no position to make themselves the object of faith. That is part of the good news. The invitation to follow Jesus. - Craig Koester

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Mt. 6:14-15The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be. –Cornelius Plantinga Jr.Sin is not only the breaking of law but also the breaking of covenant with one’s savior. Sin is the smearing of a relationship, the grieving of one’s divine parent and benefactor, a betrayal of the partner to whom one is joined by a holy bond. . . . Sin offends God not only because it bereaves or assaults God directly, as in impiety or blasphemy, but also because it bereaves and assaults what God has made. –Cornelius Plantinga Jr.aphesis (Gr.): “letting go”; it is pardoning an offense; letting go of a demand for retribution or payback.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Cor. 5:17-20.God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro. 8:5But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36Forgiveness does not mean ‘I didn’t mind’ or ‘it didn’t matter.’ I did mind and it did matter; otherwise there wouldn’t be anything to forgive at all. –N. T. WrightWhen ‘forgiveness’ denies that there is anger, acts as if it never happened, smiles as though it never hurt, fakes as though it’s all forgotten—Don’t offer it. Don’t trust it. Don’t depend on it. It’s not forgiveness. It’s a magical fantasy. –David AugsburgerA successful performance at a moment of crisis rests largely and essentially upon the depths of a self wisely and rigorously prepared in the totality of its being—mind and body. –Dallas WillardWe cannot behave ‘on the spot’ as Jesus did and taught if in the rest of our time we live as everybody else does. The ‘on the spot’ episodes are not the place where we can, even by the grace of God, redirect unchristlike but ingrained tendencies of action toward sudden Christlikeness. –Dallas WillardThe Sermon on the Mount is not a set of principles to be obeyed apart from identification with Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit has his way with us. –Oswald ChambersWhen there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. –Mother TeresaLet us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another. Heb. 10:24-25a.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Ro. 12:2When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways. Acts 3:26We take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5bOur hearts are first broken before they harden. –Célestin MusekuraOur wounded hearts instruct us to harbor grudges and seek revenge in the name of justice. . . . Our memories converge to shape our attitudes and postures toward the one who hurt us. How can we move toward reconciliation with former enemies if we are held captive by the memory of their violence? –Célestin Musekura & L. Gregory JonesLove always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:7b-8.If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from God is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:20-21God works all things together for those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Ro. 8:28.Unfailing love and truth have met together.Righteousness and peace have kissed!Truth springs up from the earth,and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Ps. 85: 10-11

If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins. Mt. 6:14-15The webbing together of God, humans, and all creation in justice, fulfillment, and delight is what the Hebrew prophets call shalom. We call it peace, but it means far more than mere peace of mind or a cease-fire between enemies. In the Bible, shalom means universal flourishing, wholeness, and delight—a rich state of affairs in which natural needs are satisfied and natural gifts fruitfully employed, a state of affairs that inspires joyful wonder as its Creator and Savior opens doors and welcomes the creatures in whom he delights. Shalom, in other words, is the way things ought to be. –Cornelius Plantinga Jr.Sin is not only the breaking of law but also the breaking of covenant with one’s savior. Sin is the smearing of a relationship, the grieving of one’s divine parent and benefactor, a betrayal of the partner to whom one is joined by a holy bond. . . . Sin offends God not only because it bereaves or assaults God directly, as in impiety or blasphemy, but also because it bereaves and assaults what God has made. –Cornelius Plantinga Jr.aphesis (Gr.): “letting go”; it is pardoning an offense; letting go of a demand for retribution or payback.Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. 2 Cor. 5:17-20.God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Ro. 8:5But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. Luke 6:27-36Forgiveness does not mean ‘I didn’t mind’ or ‘it didn’t matter.’ I did mind and it did matter; otherwise there wouldn’t be anything to forgive at all. –N. T. WrightWhen ‘forgiveness’ denies that there is anger, acts as if it never happened, smiles as though it never hurt, fakes as though it’s all forgotten—Don’t offer it. Don’t trust it. Don’t depend on it. It’s not forgiveness. It’s a magical fantasy. –David AugsburgerA successful performance at a moment of crisis rests largely and essentially upon the depths of a self wisely and rigorously prepared in the totality of its being—mind and body. –Dallas WillardWe cannot behave ‘on the spot’ as Jesus did and taught if in the rest of our time we live as everybody else does. The ‘on the spot’ episodes are not the place where we can, even by the grace of God, redirect unchristlike but ingrained tendencies of action toward sudden Christlikeness. –Dallas WillardThe Sermon on the Mount is not a set of principles to be obeyed apart from identification with Jesus Christ. The Sermon on the Mount is a statement of the life we will live when the Holy Spirit has his way with us. –Oswald ChambersWhen there is a gap between me and Christ, when my love is divided, anything can come to fill the gap. –Mother TeresaLet us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another. Heb. 10:24-25a.Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Ro. 12:2When God raised up his servant, Jesus, he sent him first to you people of Israel, to bless you by turning each of you back from your sinful ways. Acts 3:26We take every thought captive to obey Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5bOur hearts are first broken before they harden. –Célestin MusekuraOur wounded hearts instruct us to harbor grudges and seek revenge in the name of justice. . . . Our memories converge to shape our attitudes and postures toward the one who hurt us. How can we move toward reconciliation with former enemies if we are held captive by the memory of their violence? –Célestin Musekura & L. Gregory JonesLove always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Cor. 13:7b-8.If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 1 John 1:8-9Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from God is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also. 1 John 4:20-21God works all things together for those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. Ro. 8:28.Unfailing love and truth have met together.Righteousness and peace have kissed!Truth springs up from the earth,and righteousness smiles down from heaven. Ps. 85: 10-11