When Jesus began to prepare his departure from this earth, his disciples had a question for him.
It would be the last question they would ever ask of him on earth. They had walked with Jesus,
traveled with him, traveled out to minister in his name, they were in dangerous situations, often
hurt, arrested, threatened and more. They had worked very hard and diligently. All the time in
the back of their minds they expected Jesus to usher in a kingdom, his kingdom, and all would be
made right. Based on their question we can see this was clearly on their minds. Afterall, they
heard Jesus proclaim this kingdom often.
And he went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of
the kingdom…(Matt 4:23)
And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and
proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom…(Mat 9:35)
Proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the
people. (Lk 17:21)
Additionally, they would have heard about the coming of the kingdom as youngsters in their
Bible studies (the Old Testament). Plus they expected to hold places of honor in his kingdom.
They rightly expected to know when Jesus was bringing the kingdom to the world. Jesus was
preparing for his ascension when the disciples asked him the question. Let us join the flow of the
conversation:

In my former book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and to teach  2  until the
day he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the
apostles he had chosen.  3  After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many
convincing proofs that he was alive.
He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.  4  On one
occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem,
but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about.  5  For John
baptized with [a]  water, but in a few days you will be baptized with [b]  the Holy Spirit.”
The Question: Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going
to restore the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1)
Jesus’ response: He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set
by his own authority.  8  But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you
will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
9  After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.

By paraphrase, Jesus said that his kingdom was invisible to the world system. And the disciples
were charged to make his kingdom visible by going out into the world to demonstrate its reality
and viability. Jesus used a particular word in his directive to the disciples. This word conveys the
seriousness and intensity of the work ahead for the disciples.
and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the
earth.”
As it is occasionally with Bible translators, they tend to soften certain words, which in essence
waters down what the scripture actually says. In the italicized verse above the word witness is
actually Greek, for the word, martyr. If you read the above verse again replacing the word, you
see how much more impactful it is.
Martyr (Greek: μάρτυς, mártys, "witness", or μαρτυρία, marturia, stem μαρτυρ-, martyr-)
is someone who suffers persecution and death for advocating, renouncing, or refusing to
renounce or advocate, a religious belief or other cause as demanded by an external party.
Martyr can also carry the connotation of a willingness to give oneself up, not only physically but
in terms of intension, in terms of not being swayed from the truth of Christ when in danger of
doing so. Also, not to be overlooked in verse 8, we see how they (and us) will endure the trials
and dangers. The Holy Spirit is given to them/us. This is how they/us will be empowered to
stand firm. We would be unable to endure based on our strength alone. The point of all this is
that we are to bring the Gospel, at the very least, to our areas of influence and do so as a priority.
After Jesus responded to the disciples’ question, he was taken up into heaven in their sight. In his
glorious wisdom however, Jesus energized his followers by appearing to many after his
resurrection including:
 Mary Magdalene (Mark 16:9, John 20:11-18)
 The women at the tomb (Matthew 28:9-10)
 Peter (Luke 24:34, 1Corinthians 15:5)
 Two disciples on the Emmaus Road (Mark 16:12, Luke 24:13-31)
 The apostles except Thomas (Mark 16:14, John 20:19-25)
 All the apostles with Thomas present (John 20:26-29)
 Seven disciples fishing (John 21:1-13)
 Eleven disciples in Galilee (Matthew 28:16-18)
 More than 500 disciples in one gathering (1Corinthians 15:6)
 James --location uncertain (1Corinthians 15:7)
 The apostles and various others for forty days (Acts 1:2-3)
 Those at the Mount of Olives (Luke 24:50-51, Acts 1:6-12)
 Stephen (Acts 7:55-56)
 Saul (Acts 9:3-6, 1Corinthians 15:8-9)
 John (Revelation 1:9-19)

So, here we are, called to teach and preach, to share the Good News, to heal and help, to comfort
and bring peace, and in doing, make the Kingdom of God visible to a world that needs answers,
solutions and a better way. In Isaiah 60:1–2 and 66:22–23 God promised to build a kingdom.
This is what Jesus ushered in (Luke 4:18–19). In this we have a key to understanding Jesus’
death and resurrection. Through his death, he suffered the judgment for sin so that he could bring
the peace and justice of God’s kingdom to others.
God compassionately holds back judgment and the full release of his kingdom to give people the
opportunity to come to salvation through his son. “Do you not know that the Lord is not slow to
fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should
perish, but that all should reach repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).That is one of the most amazing verse
ever!
Amen!

Pastor Al Pirozzoli

Have you ever imagined yourself in a crown? Well, there are five heavenly crowns
mentioned in the New Testament that can be awarded to believers. You and I can one
day be awarded by the Lord with a crown, and to some, perhaps more than one.
The crown.
The Greek word translated “crown” means “a badge of royalty, a prize in the public
games or a symbol of honor generally.”
Used during the ancient Greek games, it referred to a wreath or garland of leaves
placed on a victor’s head as a reward for winning an athletic games (precursor of the
Olympics). This is used figuratively in the New Testament regarding the rewards of
heaven that God had promised those who are faithful. Paul’s passage in 1 Corinthians
9:24-25 best defines for how these crowns are awarded.
The Greeks, in ancient days would wear crowns (stephanoi) during a wide range of
festive occasions:
 a procession
 a sacrifice
 a festive dinner
 an athletic game
Generally, these crowns were fashioned of leaves or flowers. Honors bestowed on
behalf of the community were often made as a golden crown.
During the great international games, only the winners received a crown of leaves
including:
 An olive crown at Olypia
 The laurel at Delphi (the evergreen laurel tree was sacred to Apollo
 Pine branches and later dried sellery during the Isthmian Games
 a green celery crown during the Nemean Games
 Oak leaves at the Roman Capitolia
Unlike the laurel crowns given at the Pythian Games, the Olympic Games crowned their
victors with branches from the olive tree– a symbol of human continuity. Compared with
today, there wasn’t a first, second, or third place; there was only one winner for

each event, who would be crowned with a wreath of wild olive branches sourced from
the sacred tree near Olympia.
The use of crowns was customary at all games and functioned as a symbol of victory as
was the ceremony, in which the victor was officially proclaimed and the crown placed on
the head, it was the great moment of triumph for the athlete.
At the Greek games, there was a herald who announced the rules of the contest, the
names of the athletes, their cities, and the winners. He lso named the athletes who were
disqualified.
If representing a town or province the athlete was also given addition prizes, benefits,
and special treatment. In the modern games, crowns have been replaced by metals.
However, during the Olympics in Berlin, in 1936, and in Athens in 2004, athletes were
awarded a crown of leaves as well as a reference or honor to antiquity.
The symbol of the crown was taken over by early Christians and awarded to their
martyrs the “unfading crown” after their death in the arena. And therein lies the
magnificent difference. The crown that Christ provides can never perish like some
common leaves do. No this is eternal and the Bible reveals at least 5 crowns with which
we can be awarded. There is great honor and value in living a winning life as Paul
shows us:
1 Cor 9:24-27
  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  25  Everyone who competes in the games
exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we
an imperishable.  26  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a
way, as not beating the air;  27  but I  [a] discipline my body and make it my slave, so that,
after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

The Crowns
The Imperishable Crown
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the
prize? Run in such a way that you may win.  25  Everyone who competes in the games
exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we
an imperishable.  26  Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a

way, as not beating the air;  27  but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that,
after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
Here Paul has in mind the athlete in the Roman arena. Before the contest each
participant practiced self-discipline, being temperate in all things. There were
undoubtedly many pleasures and pastimes that the athletes might have entered into
and enjoyed, but they denied themselves these things in order to do their best. A crown
awaited the victor.
 All things on this earth are subject to decay and will perish. Scripture teaches that we
are not to store our treasures on earth “where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves
break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19). The winning athlete was crowned with a wreath
fashioned of leaves and sprouts that would soon turn brittle and fall apart. But not so the
heavenly crown; faithful endurance wins a heavenly reward which is “an inheritance
incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1
Peter 1:4).
The Crown of Rejoicing
1 Thessalonians 2:19
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of
our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming?”
The apostle Paul tells us in Philippians 4:4 to “rejoice always in the Lord” for all the
bountiful blessings our gracious God has showered upon us. As Christians we have
more in this life to rejoice about than anyone else. Luke tells us there is rejoicing even
now in heaven (Luke 15:7). The crown of rejoicing will be our reward where “God will
wipe away every tear . . . there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There
shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
This is essentially the soul-winner’s crown. Christians should pray and prepare to bring
the lost to Christ. Paul held confidence that when he would stand before the judgment
seat of Christ, the Thessalonian converts would be guaranteed a crown for all those
who shared in bringing them to Christ.

The Crown of Righteousness
2 Timothy 4:8

“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the
righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have
loved His appearing.”
We inherit this crown through the righteousness of Christ, which is what gives us a right
to it, and without which it cannot be obtained. Because it is obtained and possessed in a
righteous way, and not by force and deceit as earthly crowns sometimes are, it is an
everlasting crown, promised to all who love the Lord and eagerly wait for His return.
Through our enduring discouragements, persecutions, sufferings, or even death, we
know assuredly our reward is with Christ in eternity (Philippians 3:20). This crown is not
for those who depend upon their own sense of righteousness or of their own works.
Such an attitude breeds only arrogance and pride, not a longing, a fervent desire to be
with the Lord.
The Crown of Glory
1 Peter 5:4
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does
not fade away.”
Though Peter is addressing the elders, we must also remember that the crown will be
awarded to all those who long for or love His appearing. This word “glory” is an
interesting word referring to the very nature of God and His actions. Rememberl
Stephen who, while being stoned to death, was able to look into the heavens and see
the glory of God (Acts 7:55-56). This word also means that the praise and honor we
bestow to God alone is due Him because of who He is (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11; Galatians
1:5). It also recognizes that believers are incredibly blessed to enter into the kingdom,
into the very likeness of Christ. As Paul put it, “For I consider that the sufferings of this
present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us”
(Romans 8:18 ).
Many have been called and ordained by God to preach and teach His Word. These are
the under-shepherds who care for the flock of God and awaiting the return of the Chief
Shepherd. They are to give themselves over to the care of the sheep and the Lord’s
work. For the crown of unfading glory awaits them when the Chief Shepherd returns. If a
pastor ministers to serve himself or to please people or to be praised, or to keep
everyone happy then he will have a spiritually dismal ministry for which he will answer.
He must not focus on pleasing others but to please God. Jesus alone can assess a
man’s ministry and give him proper rewards. Some who appear to be the first may end
up last when the Lord examines each man’s ministry.

The Crown of Life
Revelation 2:10
“Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about
to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation
ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”
This crown is for all believers, but is especially dear to those who endure sufferings,
who bravely confront persecution for Jesus, even to the point of death. In Scripture the
word “life” is often used to show a relationship that is right with God. It was Jesus who
said, “I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly”
(John 10:10). Just as things such as air, food, and water are vital for our physical lives,
Jesus provides us what is required for our spiritual lives. He is the One who provides
living water, bread of life. (John 4:10, 6:35). Our earthly lives will end. But we have the
stunning promise that comes only to those who come to God through Jesus: “And this is
the promise that He has promised us—eternal life” (1 John 2:25).
James tells us that this crown of life is for all those who love God (James 1:12). The
question then is how do we demonstrate our love for God? John answers for us: “For
this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are
not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). We must keep His commandments, obeying Him, always
faithful. As we endure the inevitable trials, pains, heartaches, and tribulations—as long
as we live—may we ever move forward, always “looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2) and receive the crown of life that awaits us.
Closing Notes:
The first mention of a crown in the New Testament is a crown of thorns, representative
of the curse of thorns and thistles that was placed upon the earth when man sinned in
the Garden of Eden. This crown of thorns was placed upon the head of Jesus, but not a
crown to acknowledge His kingship. Rather, it intended to mock Him.  It brought forth
the redemptive, pure blood of the spotless Lamb of God. The crown of thorns was
placed upon the Lord’s head by men, but after the resurrection, when the
Lord ascended into heaven, He received a crown of glory for the work He had done on
this earth.  He had lived a sinless life, according to the will of the Father unto death.

Revelation 4:10-11   The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the
throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 19: 11,13, 16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he
that sat upon him was called Faithful and True…and on his head were many crowns;

and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself…The Word of
God…..KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.    
Revelation 4:10-11   The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the
throne, and worship him that lives for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the
throne, saying, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.
Revelation 19: 11,13, 16 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he
that sat upon him was called Faithful and True…and on his head were many crowns;
and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself…The Word of
God…..KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.    

The following is from Shari Abbott:
Because the crowns are given based on the works done here on earth and the intent of
the heart in doing those works, there will be differences in the rewards that we receive.
There will likely also be surprise and sadness at all the opportunities we missed,
opportunities we let pass by—opportunities to serve the Lord, to share His love and to
bring honor and glory to His name.  We were created for His pleasure, but all too often
we live for our own.  We do not want to stand before Jesus with sadness for all the
missed opportunities.
However, while we should understand that we will receive rewards, we should not live
our lives striving for the rewards.  We are not to be motivated to do good works by the
rewards that we might receive.  God wants us to serve Him, fueled by our love for Him.
Let us live our lives loving Jesus and growing in knowledge of Him and His Word.  Let
us learn of His will and ways, so we can trust Him and willingly surrender to Him.  Then
His Holy Spirit will work in us and through us to  be the guiding force in all we think, say
and do.
We do know that some will receive more rewards than others (1 Corinthians 3:11-15).
Some will receive the honor of reigning with Christ in the Kingdom to come, others will
not (2 Timothy 2:12; Revelation 3:21).  Some will have more treasures and riches than
others (Luke 12:21,33;16:11).  However, while there may be differences in rewards,
there will be no jealousy or envy when we receive our rewards.  Jealousy and envy are
sin, and we can be assured that, in heaven, our salvation is complete.  In heaven, we
will have been saved from the penalty of sin, from the power of sin and even from the
presence of sin.  Plus, all who are in Heaven will have received the praise of God (1
Corinthians 4:5).  It’s safe to say, whatever rewards we receive, however many jewels
there might be in our crowns, we will not be jealous or envious.

The 11 Kinds of Faith © Al Pirozzoli
Before we look at the kinds of faith we first, we need to define faith:
Hebrews 11:1 "Now faith is the assurance (total confidence) of things hoped (expectation) for, the conviction (set in reality) of things not seen."
How do we use faith daily?  “We walk by faith not by sight.”2 Cor. 5:7
1 No Excuse Faith
 Romans 1: 18-20 "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. 20 For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse."
If you are walking in a desert and your foot hits something in the sand, you bend down to pick it up and in your hand is a wristwatch with a leather watch band. You can conclude one of two things.
There is a watchmaker. Or you look around and think that the components in the sand, the silica and bits of stone somehow got together with a desert lizard. The component and materials in the sand of their own accord, built a watch and the lizard, well, poor fella, his skin was used to make the watch band strap. Of course, this begs the question who made the sand and the lizard? Well, you get the point. Considering all the complexities and details and orderly design of everything around us and in us, it is evident there is a Creator. As the scripture attests, there is no excuse for not knowing there is a God who creates. There is a time when you must clarify this truth by the design of all things. It is a baseline to build on.
 
2 Merciful Faith
1 Timothy 1:13-14, "I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief, but the grace of our Lord overflowed [for me] with the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus."
Paul was an unbeliever and a mortal enemy of the church (then called the Way). But then grace overflowed to him with faith.  We are prepared if willing, to receive salvation. This kind of faith is offered to all and rests in pure mercy. God, desires us to be saved—he shows mercy. Consider this verse:
“Or do you think lightly of the riches of God’s kindness and patience, don’t you know that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?” Romans 2:4                    
This is nothing short of stunning to read and to be its recipient. It’s applied to Paul and you and me. There are times when it is necessary for you to apply a merciful faith with someone.
3 Fundamental Faith    
Faith in what the Bible teaches. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. 22 But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.” Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again. “Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.  
She knew the fundamentals of her faith. There are times when you will need to apply the fundamental principles of faith in the Word of God.
4 Limited Faith
Thomas became known as Doubting Thomas because he wrestled with the truth that Jesus rose from the dead.  Limited to only what he could see. Yes, God can do this —-but he can’t do THAT! There are times when you will have to function in faith and not by sight.

5 Recall Faith  
“Remember His wonders which He has done, His marvels and the judgments spoken by His mouth.”   Ps 105:5   God has, more times than you know, stepped in on your behalf. It could have been a healing, or some kind of safety issue, of financially, or helped a loved one. There is something you can look back at and see the hand of God. There are times when you will need to bolster your faith by looking back, and be confident and grateful that God has helped and will again.
FOR CONSIDERATION:
God gave us many faith tools for various situations. Don’t get stuck in working with only one faith principle. There are different kinds of faith for different kinds of trials as you have seen above.
 To help illustrate that there is more than one kind of faith, and we should not  be stuck in one dimension of it.  This is an old story but nicely makes the point above.
A young woman walked along the seashore early one morning. Just ahead a man stood, feet in the water, casting out a fishing line. Every time he reeled in a fish, he would  pick up a metal ruler and measure the fish. In some cases, he would place the fish in his bucket but with other fish, once measured, he would throw it back into the waves. This unusual behavior went on for a while. Intrigued by all this, the young girl walked up to the man and politely asked why he was measuring the fish he caught and why he was throwing so many back?
The man replied, quite seriously, “I only keep the 8-inch fish.”
But why?” the girl asked.
“Well, I only have an 8-inch frying pan!”
Now, besides being a bit humorous, this is often what believers do. They think that faith is faith. God, knowing our ways saw it fit to demonstrate in the Bible that there are many kinds of faith to suit many kinds of situations. You can’t apply faith because you only have an 8-inch frying pan mindset.
There will be a time when you help someone step out of a paralyzed belief, out of the status quo.
6. Expectational Faith  
“Whenever you stand praying believe what you ask and it will be granted.” Mark 11:24
This are the words of Jesus himself. I don’t think it requires my commentary! There is no time when you pray without believing it has already come to pass.
7 Aggressive Faith
Peter and John at Gate Beautiful
"Peter and John looked at him. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” 5 The man who could not walk looked at them. He thought he would get something from them. 6 Peter said, “I have no money, but what I have I will give you! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!” 7
 Peter seized the man by the right hand and lifted him up. At once his feet and the bones in his legs became strong. 8 He jumped up on his feet and walked. Then he went in the house of God with them. He gave thanks to God as he walked.  Acts 3
This is a profound demonstration of the definition of faith as shown on the first page. See it here in action.  The proper translation as I underlined in the verse is “seized.”
Here is the definition:
To take hold of suddenly and forcibly; grab; overwhelm; to take possession by  force. Now that is amazing. There will be a time when you will act in this kind of faith.

8 Gentle Faith
By the humility and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you—I, Paul, who am “timid” when face to face with you, but “bold” toward you when away!  2 Corinthians 10:1    
There are times to bring someone along gently, unlike aggressive faith.
9. Explorational Faith  
Moses’ mother, Jochebed hides baby Moses in a basket and places it into the Nile River. Snakes, crocodiles, or the basket could sink. There were no specific faith writings that she could read to do such a thing. But it is a faith that God has imprinted in our hearts when we know Jesus intimately as sovereign. She explored a explorational faith action with God. There will be times when you too must apply faith in an exploration way.
10. Repentant  Faith
 
 "You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
"For this reason, I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."  
Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."
Those who were reclining at the table with Him began to say to themselves, "Who is this man who even forgives sins?"  And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." Her repentance is a physical and mental act as she wipes his feet. Confess sin, then a repenting heart and life. This is one of the most beautiful scenes in the Bible. Take some time and saturate in it.
There will be a time when you must kneel your heart and move to repentance. This is the preparation required for the next type of faith, and the single most important.
11.  Salvation Faith
 Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
This is ultimate faith— the other 10 cannot be accessed without salvation first.
There will come a moment ( if you haven’t already), when you give yourself to Jesus Christ and receive the benefit of forgiveness and the sheer, indescribable, beautiful, unfathomable, glory, and powerful love of God. If you have this transformation, the time will come when you help bring some else to know Jesus, our Christ!
 

 

St. Paul’s Night Before
A.S. PIROZZOLI
© Copyright 2021
Registered Writers Guild of America, East



THE CITY OF CORINTH had become a bustling center of trade by the time I arrived–a virtual “boom town,” offering luxury, merchant trading opportunities, a multitude of religions, and sensuality of all kinds. Located in the isthmus that connected the Peloponnrsia to the mainland, between the Gulf on the west and the Aegean Sea on the east, the city also held a strategic location of ports of commerce. Having grown up in Jerusalem, this brought me a new and entirely unexpected experience—the droves of strange looking people, sites and aromas I had never known before, buildings and temples that were foreign, merchants, soothsayers, all served to both intrigue and unsettle me.
I accompanied a small group of people who formed to travel with a man named Paul, the Apostle, a man of notable reputation. In addition to me, his top aides, Timothy, Silas, Luke, Priscilla, and Aquila were there. Personally, I felt more in common with Paul’s newer converts like Crispus, Stephanus who were the first converts to the Way, in Achaea. Then there was Erastus, a Corinthian city official of high rank—the only one acquainted with the athletic games and served as our guide. I didn’t ask but assumed he had converted to a follower of the Way, otherwise there would be no logical reason for his accommodating us through the city.
My brother Trois and his wife Jenia with whom I lived had become followers of the Way after meeting Paul. They suggested I accompany him on this missionary journey to Corinth. They felt strongly it would provide me with a spiritually rich experience. Paul had spent two evenings with us prior to leaving for Corinth. I admit Paul’s physical size surprised me; I expected a physically larger person.
My expectation came from hearing my brother speak of Paul’s having been imprisoned, shipwrecked, survived the bite of a poisonous viper, beaten and left for dead. People were healed by the touch of his handkerchief. He had been chained in prisons full of rats and disease. He had been robbed, deserted, and betrayed.  He alone, stood his ground and preached to the Pharisees in the Temple, and faced the Romans authorities. In terms of brilliance and debate he stood unmatched even by the scholarly Pharisees and Scribes, and on and on it went.  In my naivety I expected someone of that reputation to look more physically formidable.
A small group of us sat together and listened as he outlined his strategy for the Corinth trip.  Because he couldn’t afford the time it would take to visit every Mediterranean port it would be much more effective to make disciples of the Way in Corinth because people from all walks of life and other countries would be there both for trade and the Isthmian athletic games. Bringing them in as converts of the Way would, in turn, carry the message beyond Corinth once they departed.  Paul referred to his strategy as the power of duplication. I knew little of such matters, but if following the Way impacted others as life changing as it did my brother and his wife, I could see no limit to its expansion, and going to Corinth would be an aid in that.
This great city hosted the Isthmian athletic games every two years, drawing hordes of people who arrived by ship, horse and on foot from all points, swelling the city. Merchants, business owners, dignitaries, athletes, delegates, hucksters, pickpockets, priests of various religions, common thieves and a host of visitors activating the city and surrounding areas. Corinth played host to them all.
As the Isthmian games approached, Paul modified the strategy assuring that the Gospel we were to preach would engage visitors both attending and participating in the games. There would be no lack of customers for the tents and leather goods he crafted during the preceding weeks. Paul believed in making his own way by making tents and leather goods. He would not miss a single opportunity to sell his goods and offer the Gospel in the same transaction.
His ability as a strategist was impressive which extended to the use of his name. His Jewish name was Saul, but he was also a Roman citizen. He went by Paul, his Roman name, because it opened more doors. Although no one would ask him, some believed that his father had rendered some signal service to the Roman army in order to be honored with Roman citizenship, but no one knew for sure.
One of the team members told me that there were many occasions when Paul’s father gave tents and leather goods to Roman soldiers when they didn’t have the money. Most Roman soldiers were paid poorly, but they were protected by being in the military. Later, the Romans, it was assumed, repaid his generosity by offering Roman citizenship to his family. Whatever the case it provided an incredibly valuable asset for a Jew who needed to move from place to place. I would come to greatly appreciate and apply Paul’s lessons on spiritually strategic thinking later in my own life.
From the time he encountered the call to be an apostle through an impactful event with the resurrected Christ, on the road to Damascus, he determined to fulfill that single purpose in life. I heard him tell this very story one evening in camp. All of us were mesmerized by the powerful clarity as Paul spoke of his life before and after his encounter with Jesus. When he clarified his purpose, he uttered with great and total conviction, “This one thing I do. I forget the past and move upward to the high call of Christ.”
Compared to the others who were called as apostles before him, who had been actual daily companions of Jesus, Paul stood as odd man out because he had not walked with Jesus. However, as far as Paul was concerned, the encounter on the Damascus Road provided that specific reality. Regardless of the odds he remained unstoppable, driven and focused like no one I ever met before.
 It didn’t take long before I came to reevaluate my original assessment of him and to realize that his physical size was inconsequential, his power came from elsewhere—a man of constitutional toughness and spiritual depth. I had wrongly made an assessment based on the physical, but he dealt in something much, much bigger, a source of cosmic power.
Once we arrived in Corinth, Paul decided it would be wise to have a firsthand look at the competition—specifically the spiritual atmosphere of city and the athletic games. As we walked the city, I overheard some discussions  among the crowds about how the athletes were gathering for some sort of sacred ritual, so I picked up my pace and caught up to Paul and Erastus. I told Paul what I’d heard.
“Follow along,” Erastus said. I had overlooked the fact that Erastus held familiarly with all this. We made our way into the temple of Poseidon. Paul thought it valuable to see first-hand the work of the opposing forces, entities he referred to as spiritual authorities in high places.    Except for occasional wall mounted torches, the passageways were dark, muggy, and musty. We stayed in a tight grouping as a form of protection because from time-to-time thieves would hide along the passageways and mug likely looking loners. We continued through the maze of passageways within the temple and finally entered a large open room, already crowded with people, a mixture of visitors, curious onlookers, and devout worshippers.
Flickers from large torches set in the ground blended with the flames from a large open pit, cast the room in a pulsing, deep reddening glow. Many of the worshippers carried sacrificial jugs of oils which they cast into the pit as though feeding the voracious flames. I didn’t feel very comfortable. There was nothing like this in Jerusalem, at least not that I had ever seen, and I thought naively, like most young people that I had seen it all.
The ceremony had already started, and everyone’s attention focused on a group of younger men who were straining with all their strength, pulling ropes by which they dragged a tenaciously struggling young bull toward the large burning pit. The bellowing of the bull marked its duress as it kicked and contorted various body postures. In the next few moments, the bull’s valiant struggle was subdued. A heavily robed man wearing a headdress looked on carefully as the bull’s life blood drained out from the slit that he had cut across its throat. Blood drained onto the floor trickling down to the pit leaving a long red stain over a series of older ones, attesting to the ritual’s long history.
     The colorful ceremonial beads, ribbons and garlands that had decorated the bull’s horns and hoofs were dismantled and shredded under the pressing weight of the animal’s struggle against the tugging ropes.  The robed man obviously did not represent the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the one God that Paul always spoke of with a definite sense of awe and reverence. I leaned forward to ask Priscilla about this. She explained that the robed man was a priest dedicated to Poseidon the pagan god of the sea and to the boy-god Palaimon to whom he was in the process of offering another sacrifice on behalf of the Isthmian games.
The men dragged the lifeless, heavy bull past the priest to the edge of the pit where its own weight pulled it down into the waiting flames. How strange the scene as the ropes whipped about as though dancing like wild serpents over the open pit when released by the exhausted men. The pit room filled with smoke, saturated with the pungent odor of burning hide, meat and melting fat. The priest, in his heavy, thick ceremonial robes, sweated profusely, stepped back from the pit and without as much as a glance, skillfully slid his ceremonial knife back into its sheath. The ceremony had come to an end. All that remained were dancing flames that had consumed the bull, the ropes, and the devotions of the worshippers.  
The athletes of the Isthmian games then completed their oath to Poseidon by which they swore willingness to comply with the rules of the games and not attempt to win the Isthmian Crown by cheating. The athletes were reminded of the implications of what they had done and were fully assured that the god Palaimon would punish those who falsely swore an oath in his crypt.
In a final step the priest gestured to some men near a passageway. A moment later several men carried a life-sized  wooden statue of Palaimon to the priest and set it down. He invoked the blessings of Palaimon upon the athletes, their trainers, and the ranking officials connected with the games.
The games would commence in the morning. The athletes had come to run and win the wreath as a crown of glory. To win the prized wreath meant everything to them, the ultimate prize, and the chief reward for which they would push their bodies beyond all limits to possess.
To stand before the arena crowds as the games umpire placed the crowning wreath upon one’s head was to taste greatness; to share a moment of vicarious glory with Olympus, the abode of the greater Grecian gods.
The winning athletes would, like those of the other Panhellenic games, receive prizes of varying degrees of money and prominence from the cities they represented.  However, none of these rewards in essence, were esteemed more highly than being crowned with the wreath of the Isthmian games.  The ceremonial pit room slowly emptied out.  Priscilla wondered out loud at her surprise that Paul had remained quiet. Unexpectedly to her and me, Paul heard her comment and stepped next to us.
“Priscilla,” he said, “We do not choose when or where to fight the fight. It is for the Holy Spirit to instruct the place and the time. We can see that those who will oppose us have weak deities as they cannot move themselves but must be carried about by men.” He turned to me and placed his hand on my shoulder adding, “Heed the wisdom of the Spirit young man, and it will serve you well.
“This is a strange place…frightening,” I said.
“Greater is he who resides in us than he who is in the world,” Paul added with determined conviction. “Let us depart.”
Together, we made our way back out to the courtyard.  For each of us, it was in many ways most fitting to be in Corinth during the games.  Like the athletes, we had also come on an ultimate quest. We were also, in Paul’s view, present at the games to run a race and to win a crown, a spiritual crown to place on others; one that unlike the Isthmian wreath, made of pine and wild cherry celery, would never perish.
We made our way by the stadium’s stepped embankments through crowds of visitors who hypnotically watched the athletes on the practice field area in their final preparations for the games. The athletes were oblivious to the crowd, deeply focused on practice runs on the racecourse. Over and over, they would practice their take-off technique; muscles tensed, feet in position, eyes fixed on the rope stretched tautly in front of them anticipating the start.  
The start held a key moment for the runners. A good start could win a race. They focused their attention on that moment when the rope would be jerked away, immediately signaling their tensed muscles to catapult them out of the start position and onto the course. They crouched in start formation, waiting. The only sound came from their controlled breathing.  Suddenly, the trainer sharply snapped the rope.
The athletes exploded off the start mark only to stop a few yards out and walk back to the start line to practice it again. As they walked, I noticed one of the trainers go alongside a runner and appeared to be offering some corrective instruction.
Just beyond the runners I could see several pairs of men sparring. Their fists wrapped with leather straps as they jabbed at one another. I walked closer.  Occasionally the trainer stepped between the boxing partners to assure no injuries were sustained during the practice session. The trainer reminded them how an injury before the games would result in disqualification from the actual competition.
As I watched, the similarity between the athletic life and the spiritual life became more apparent, just as Paul had taught. The athletes were well prepared for this Grecian competition. Paul helped us to understand the importance of it all as we too had to be prepared for competition—a competition that would go far beyond the visible games in the stadium. Paul cautioned us that it would affect the winning of souls against the opposing forces of darkness that had disguised themselves as various Grecian deities.
Judging by Paul’s intensity which had increased over the last 24 hours, I could see this greater competition, set in an arena of cosmic proportion. As we made our way up out of the stadium, we again walked past the row of statues dedicated to past victorious athletes. Timothy noticed an unusually shaped enclosure to the far right.
Upon closer investigation the enclosure revealed an altar on which sacrifices were made to the Cyclops, those one-eyed monsters who were said to have been the builders of mighty citadels throughout Greece.   Farther along we passed through an open market area congested with people and statuary representing heroes and of course Caesar. There were merchants selling all manner of religious gift, idols, souvenirs, foods, and wares of all kinds. Crowds moved about in a frenzy of activity.  As we continued back through the colonnade, we could see the main entry gate where people entering the grounds were dipping their hands in a marble basin for what appeared to be cleansing.
Just beyond the main entry gates to the inner hall of worship stood a tall and ornate archway. A large and imposing statue of Caesar peered down over it.  First Paul, then the rest of us peered inside for a moment and made our way into the hall. A series of wall mounted torches illuminated colossal statues of deities on both sides casting long flickering shadows across the hall. Moving through the entry hall, a statue of the god Poseidon loomed over us, holding his trident in a foreboding stance. At his side, the goddess Amphitrite, joint ruler of the sea. They stood on a tremendous base of marble with carved reliefs across the front, depicting the twin sons of Tyndarus, Castor and Pollux.
Erastus told us they were considered to be saviors from the terrors of the sea. The statues peered down as though evaluating us. Paul observed that the forces of dark deities were well entrenched. All the more reason for us to be here and offer the power of the Gospel. I observed Paul greatly distressed at seeing all the altars and idols to which people were in bondage. Having completed our investigation, Paul led us off the grounds walking toward the north where the Geranion mountains descend toward the sea. I felt a sudden longing to run to the sea and breathe fresh air into my lungs to clear myself of the past hours of mustiness, darkness, strangeness and deities I knew not.
Back at our camp Paul reminded us that the athletes had prepared sharpened bodies and minds to win at the games tomorrow, yet their souls were in danger of losing the race of life. In the morning the games would commence, and so would we. Paul then had us sit in the field and shared an event with us. He told of Peter and John having healed aa lame man in Jesus’ name and then preached the gospel to the people who had gathered at Solomon’s Porch.  Paul went on,
“Hearing of this healing, the captain of the Jewish temple brought with him guards and arrested  Peter and John and held them overnight, but many of those people who saw the healing and heard the word they preached were saved, some five thousand. In the morning the high priest, Caiaphas and other rulers questioned them as to what name or power had they used to heal. Peter, to his own peril chided them with the truth of Christ. The authorities spoke in private confirming that a notable miracle had been done. They firmly commanded Peter and John never to speak in Jesus’ name ever again. Peter spoke up to inform the group that they could not hold back on telling the truths of the Gospel, regardless of the laws of men.
“The authorities sternly threatened them further and released them. They left and went to report to their companions what the chief priests and elders had told them. So, they decided to go back and continue preaching the Gospel that more would be saved. Then they prayed to God.” Paul waved his hands, “now listen to what they prayed for, they did not pray for God for protection, but rather, they asked God for more boldness to carry out the work, and that my friends, is what we shall do now.”  
Paul then prayed over us, laying hands on us that the Holy Spirit would embolden us to preach the word to the people and the athletes. As we all went into our tents, I knew somehow that of all of us, Paul would be the one who remained awake this night before, in anticipation and in prayer. Tomorrow would be the time and the place to fight the good fight.
The next day we broke into three smaller groups. I followed Paul and Timothy. How amazing to see Paul engaging people in conversation including several athletes. He made effective comparisons between the spiritual and athletics which they understood, First, he would listen intensely then asked pointed questions about why they believed what they professed about worshiping multiple deities. Once engaged he would speak with logic and a powerful rationality of the one God that which was simply unassailable. Underlying this was Paul’s deep compassion for those who were deceived by idols made with men’s hands. I vividly recall one of the athletic trainers respond to Paul saying,
“Explain more of this Jesus you proclaim. You are saying many amazing things to us.”
They may have been skeptical of his teaching, but they were totally taken in by the sincerity of his concern for them. I asked Paul about this as we walked the grounds later and he said, “You must always esteem others higher than yourself. It is vital that you remember each person carries in him, some manner of our great God’s image and likeness and we are to aid them to return to that understanding, and in so doing bring them to the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. That is our battlefield.”
Observing Timothy, I could see how he had been groomed by Paul as he functioned in much the same way with people. I observed and absorbed all of it like a sponge. Over the three days at the athletic games a good number of Jews and Greeks and others believed in the work that Jesus had accomplished. Especially with the Jews, Paul could make his case by showing that the promises of the Torah had been fulfilled by Jesus. With the Jews he desperately wanted them to celebrate the fulfillment of the Torah and engage Jesus’ fulfilling the ancient promises.
He held an uncanny command of the Torah and cited many passages on the spot. The result was that several small, but enthusiastic communities formed, and Pricilla and Aquila remained in Corinth to help support and train these groups as house churches.
After the mission to the games, which stunned me for its success, Paul remained at my brother’s house another day where he provided more training and teaching on how the writings of the Torah had been fulfilled by Jesus. The man did not need to refer to the scrolls; the verses and principles were imbedded in his very being.
On the morning of his departure, we all prayed.  Paul hugged each of us. When he came to me, his embrace was strong, and he patted my back. He carried such an aura of power, one could feel tangibly. I finally understood the source of that power. It was nothing like the Roman legions and its military power. Their power as Roman Soldiers resided in their swords and battlements, but when the weapons were taken away, they were mere men.  For Paul, power came from a spiritual energy of the sword of the Word of God; invincible, unstoppable, penetrating.
To my sorrow I did not see Paul again. He did continue his missionary journeys preaching the Gospel. His efforts were so powerful that we received word from Thessalonica that Paul and Jason and Silas were marched by the Jewish leaders to the city officials who pronounced against them saying, “These men are defying Caesar’s decrees, saying there is another king, named Jesus. These men who have upset the world have come here also.”
Of course, this news caused us grave concern for their wellbeing, and also sparked new zeal in us to do what must be done to preach the truth of God’s relentless love. The words of Stephanus  rang in my ears the rest of my life. “You see…the Gospel preached without compromise or fear had upset the world of Thessalonica. The door had opened for the greater world to be upset and turn to Christ.”
I did have occasion to be in Corinth two years later on my own missionary journey. I stayed in the house of Potiosis, where Paul had sent a letter to his house church. Potiosis gave me the honor to read the letter.
I opened the scroll and read aloud. I saw the clear comparisons that Paul made, using analogies to win the wreath, gaining the imperishable prize, and strong metaphors of running races, boxing, and athletics. The games made a lasting impression on him. And he had made a lasting impression on me. I knew the Gospel  would make an impression across the world because Jesus is alive. As I read the letter to the group, my heart beamed in gratefulness  that I’d had the opportunity of walking with the great Apostle Paul on that night before.



This is Yeshua
Pastor Joe Chabot
February 23, 2022

I had a dream this morning, the first part of my dream that I remember is that I was trying to get somewhere, I believe I was driving but not entirely sure, but I was moving trying to get somewhere and I had a sense of urgency that I needed to get to this place. I felt a bit frustrated in that I was either making wrong turns or that the way to get where I was going was being kept from me. There was a sense that someone or something was attempting to keep me from finding the way.

Abruptly the scene changes and I find myself walking in a public space, on a town green or large courtyard of sorts where there are many people all around.

I notice a group of people that were dressed as if they walked right out of "The Chosen," and intuitively I knew that these were disciples of Jesus. Then Jesus, Himself walks through the crowd, right up to me and embraces me with a hug that instantly gave me the truest understanding of what Love and Humility are! Love was not possible without Humility, and Humility was impossible without Love. I didn't want the embrace to stop and I remember trying to see what he looked like to see if He looked at all like Jonathan Roumie of "The Chosen," or like Akiane Kramarik's painting, "Prince of Peace," but His features were kept from me and instead I felt in my spirit that Jesus wanted me to know Him by His Love & Humility which was more important than physical features.


Next, my attention was drawn toward a man sitting in a position of importance, I sense that he is in charge of whatever was taking place, a town meeting, or outdoor church service, whatever it was must not have been important enough for me to know. I begin walking toward this man with Jesus walking along side of me and it struck me with awe as I realized that The King of the Universe is letting me take the lead toward this man, again true humility revealed!
As we are walking toward this man, I hear myself say these words to Jesus, "I should introduce You as Yeshua, right? Jesus responded, "Yes Yeshua".



Note: I almost never use the name Yeshua in referring to Jesus but I knew in my spirit that that was how I was to introduce Him.

I walked right up to the man and although there was what I perceived as a sense of arrogance about him, I had the confidence to approach him because Jesus was right there with me! I tapped him on his right shoulder and he turned toward me with a look of disdain on his face as if he was thinking, "How dare you interrupt me, don't you know who I am?"

I motioned with my hand for him to come toward me as I said, "I want to introduce you to Someone, this is Yeshua."

The man said with a sarcastically doubting tone, "Yeshua?" to which I simply responded, "Yes Yeshua," and then began to walk away.

I looked over my shoulder to see the man begin to speak to Yeshua in a mocking disbelieving manner to which I felt myself shouting in my spirit, "No, no, you don't recognize who you are talking with." The next thing I know, the Spirit is calming me down quickening in me to remember when the disciples didn't immediately recognize the risen Lord as He walked with them until He revealed Himself to them. Holy Spirit then told me that my job was to make the introductions to Yeshua and not to worry about who responds to the introduction. As this instruction is being impressed into my understanding I begin to wake from my dream and as soon as I was fully awake and realized what just happened I tried so hard to go back into the dream to hug Yeshua one more time, but as I laid there in my bed fully awake, I realized that I have been charged with the privilege of introducing people to Yeshua and that I will strive to do as often as possible.

By Al Pirozzoli

Do you ever think about thinking? Really, do you? Most of us would be inclined to say, no, or something like, I’ve never thought about thinking.

Well, we all have access to our 100 billion or so brain cells, each of which is a packet of divine instructions available to meet the challenges we face in this fast-changing modern world. What’s more, and this is critical scientific fact: the uncharted regions of your brain, the human genetic code, is still vast. Much of this area cannot be tracked under current limitations of science.

Therefore, you have no idea how deep your thinking potential resources go. You’ve never run mining operations into your mind so why in the world would you want to self-limit it? Most of us do put limitations on ourselves that the Creator did not. Limitations are self-installed. It’s a true DIY function.

Research is now only beginning to come closer to filling in the mapping of the three billion chemical genetic building blocks resident in each person’s genome; a complete set of genetic directions contained within the 24-chromosomes in the nucleus of every one of your brain cells. Just imagining that vastness is overwhelming.

How anyone can read brain-related specifications like this and not become exhilarated about their personal potential is beyond me. God has divinely engineered you to be a truly formidable creature with capabilities far beyond your expectations. Yes, it’s true. Let me provide one example for you.

Think about this for a moment. Not so many decades ago astronomers pursued an idea that at first hearing sounds like something only a delusional person would say. “We need to discover new planets and their location out in space, even though we can’t see them.” Did you catch that, the part about...even though we can’t see them? What makes us think we can geographically, in space, locate invisible, never-before-known planets? Because we are engineered as formidable creatures (made in God’s likeness and image).


How did they locate invisible planets?

They applied their brains and reasoned it out—quality levels of thinking. When known and observable planet’s trajectories warped inexplicitly and erratically, outside known astronomical laws, researchers looked into what could be influencing the changes to those elliptical orbits. By combining sphere geometry with gravitational theory, scientists were able to theorize: “The only way known planet X could be this far off course is if unknown planet Y is behind it at so much mass and distance. That alone would account for planet X’s asymmetrical odyssey. As they worked to develop this theory it proved out. A planet was there causing the erratic orbit. You see, quality levels of divinely driven thinking is why men can land on the moon while monkeys can only land in trees.

The King Solomon Example

Much the same way as in astronomy, solutions can hide behind what we know. But somebody has to decide to look for what can’t be seen. It’s the laser-sharp ability of quality thinking that gets behind to the invisible. When you think about it, the latest and greatest high technology is the human mind that the Creator fashioned into every person. In the Hebrew Bible we find a telling verse by King Solomon:

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings to search out a matter.” (Proverbs 25:2). What King Solomon means by this is the Creator has hidden his wisdom in the elements, therefore it is an advantage for rulers in power to encourage research. Solomon assures us that the answers to our questions and the solutions to our problems do exist. In fact, they are eagerly waiting to be discovered.

Philosophers, scholars, and scientists have debated and tested many ways to support the search for knowledge and understanding. They have found ingenious ways to unravel God’s mysteries in the world, and to uncover the latent knowledge we need to live and progress. Much has already been uncovered over the centuries. We have a vast reservoir of knowledge contained in records of all kinds. New sources of wisdom and knowledge can be found whenever we encounter opportunities to think, to learn and then apply it properly.

“Wisdom,” Solomon said, can be heard in these places:

“in the streets in the chief place of concourse, in the openings
of the gates: in the city.” (Proverbs 1:20-22).

“in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths
at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.” (Proverbs 8:2,3).

The point King Solomon makes in these words is that knowledge is all around us. As we move about all areas of life we must observe and become cognizant of imbedded solutions and opportunities to make improvements and enter new realms that will benefit others and expand God’s Kingdom. All freely available to us. Within this vast reservoir is truth and non-truth, myths and realities.

Solomon advised seeking authentic truths and sound wisdom. It can be seen wherever you find knowledge of “excellent things,” “knowledge of clever inventions,” information about the “ways of righteousness” and the “paths of justice.” (See Proverbs 8).
Think about how amazing this is—notice how combinations of 26 letters make up every word in the English language. Similarly, all material things in the world are composed of different combinations of some 100+ different elements. An element is a substance that cannot be broken down into any simpler substances through ordinary chemistry. In other words, it can’t be destroyed by acids, it can’t be changed by electricity, light, or heat.

Philosophers in the ancient world held only a rudimentary concept of elements. Until researchers began to identify these elements that make up all life, they could not decode these properties and make use of them. Identifying the Periodic Table of Elements changed everything. In the same way, until we delve into our own make up and better understand God-embedded principles and laws that govern thinking (inner brilliance, quality thinking), we will remain at a disadvantage to expand it. Solutions will not suddenly appear in our science textbooks on their own. No cute little science or business elves are hidden in trees writing up the secrets to the elemental principles of life.

So, how does this relate to the Christian? It takes the labor of thinking, pondering, examining, questioning and so on. It requires time, study, and application of biblical principles. The hitch, however, is that you can’t apply something you don’t know. Therefore, studying scripture is the key to success on every level of human existence.

The Ultimate Solution: The Mind of Christ.

The Apostle Paul said, "we have been given the mind of Christ"(1 Cor 2:16).Those who have the mind of Christ can discern spiritual things that the natural man (or the unbeliever) is unable to. Having the mind of Christ is essentially the same as being indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Rom 5:1-2; Acts 2:38)

Through the Holy Spirit, we are now "partakers of the divine nature" (2 Pet 1:4). We gain new qualities, like humility (Phil 2:5), compassion (Matt 9:36) along with other and other effective divine "fruit" (Gal 5:22-23). We have a new purpose that is aligned with His (Luke 19:10).The mind of Christ is only accessible through faith in Jesus Christ. Once a person is saved, the Holy Spirit comes upon him, filling him with understanding and hope and wisdom and power. Thinking at this level of wisdom is a divine undertaking. Jesus demonstrated the ultimate in high quality of thinking and faith, and we have that same access. And indeed, we will need it to expand his kingdom and bring people to liberty and salvation.

There are dozens of Bible verses that deal with quality thinking. You might want to collect these amazing verses and apply them. We can’t tend only to the daily lives we live; we must become well-prepared disciples that are effective in our areas of influence.

Consider this carefully, why would Jesus ever tell us that we can do something if we can’t? No, that would make him a trickster of sorts. No, he is life and death serious about us bringing people into his kingdom and bringing divine solutions to our areas of influence. After all, God has created us as walking, talking warehouses of creative solutions that help others and ultimately glorify him. What an exciting mission God has called us to!

To get you started here are a few verses to ponder and start you thinking about divine thinking.

Philippians 4:8
Romans 12:2
Colossians 3:2
Romans 8:5-6  
2 Corinthians 10:5
1 Corinthians 3:18
2 Timothy 2:7
Proverbs 23:7

Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I am going to the Father.  John 14:12

Now that’s a verse to think about, don’t you agree?
 

Creating a Spiritual Work Plan
Al Pirozzoli
 BEFORE READING: This plan is practical and actionable for men, women, and young adults as well. If you are planning a business, want to be promoted, seeking to get a better job, or revitalizing the work you currently do, looking for new ideas, this plan will work for you.
Over the years, I have been honored to coach and council many, many men and women regarding work, career, job issues, self-esteem, lost confidence, various business issues and similar topics. In over three decades in ministry, I found something quite interesting. People in difficult work situations did not have any specific plan on what to do about it. Yes, they want to get a job or launch a business, or they have lost a good job, but there is no actual plan to work out. I’m not referring only to creating a business plan, rather, and more importantly, a spiritual work plan. This is not a fast-read document nor is its application. It requires prayer, thought and fasting—which will return answers and direction to you.
Almost to the person, I observed a pattern. When individuals are out of work for any significant time they imperceptibly go into a form of paralysis. The first stage is shock, then anger, then high motivation, then networking and if this does not result in a job a whole new string of stages ensues. Self-doubt, loss of confidence, lack of value, loss of identity and embarrassment. The next stage is paralysis. They no longer know what to do and often give up. They place themselves at the mercy of the situation. An elephant of discouragement sits down squarely on his chest and pins him down.
There is very little I can think of that would be more devastating to a bread-winner than being caught in these situations. When I meet with them, I pose a few questions:
 “Do you have a work plan to move you forward that is based in a spiritual strategy?”
“Do you have a work plan you can offer God to help you get where you want to go?”
“Do you think biblical principles can help you in this difficult time?”
The responses are varied but almost no one answers in the affirmative. Paralysis is devastating. It brings doubt even to one’s relationship with God. I offer a spiritual plan workbook to remdey this issue, outlined in this document.
A written plan gives you something tangible to look at (much like a vision or mission). Having a plan/vision in writing helps drive commitment which far more effective than motivation alone. Motivation may last a few days or weeks but cannot be sustained. Commitment changes all that and focuses actions. It’s a fact that just about anything we do fares much better if it is written down. Writing down a plan makes it conscious and clear and helps weed out unproductive thinking and actions.
Note the interaction in the book of Habakkuk 2:1-3
“I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, and how I may reply when I am reproved.”
Then the LORD answered me and said, “Record the vision and inscribe it on tablets, that the one who reads it may run.”
“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal, and it will not fail though it tarries, wait for it…”
The verse is often misunderstood. It’s that the runner may run, without making any stop, because the vision is written in such large letters. The runner being able to read it as he was running; no need to stop his pace or stand to read because it is so clearly inscribed on tablets. And what tablets are more visible than those written in your heart? The tablet you write on is in your mind and heart.
It’s vital that your plan compels you to run toward something you want and not merely run away from where you are, otherwise, you will likely not make the finish line. Further, your plan must align with and support what God is doing on earth (which is presented in this paper)..
The purpose of this workbook is to assist you to:
- Clarify your intentions/needs for your work life situation.
- Examine yourself, as Paul encourages us. 2 Corinthians 13:5 Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you fail the test.
- Detail the positive results you have achieved in using your talents and experience in past situations.
- Submit your plan and needed resources to God.
-Explain what God’s investment in your plan will do to support his mission on earth.
Scripture bears out the logic of presenting what you hope to achieve through your giftedness, in the marketplace; all in accord with God’s primary mission on earth.
God as Investor
Many years ago, when I started out in business, I was in a position to make my first investment in stock ownership. I found a fast-growing company I decided would be a good investment. Something quite interesting happened the moment I mailed my check. I became amazingly interested in the pharmaceutical industry. My focus shot toward that industry and company and its competitors. Annual reports, quarterly reports, news articles, in fact every bit of data I could find on that company and industry became ongoing input (there was no internet then.) I wrote letters to the CEO and the Board. I watched competitors, medical categories, trends, new discoveries, and spoke with my stockbroker every two weeks.
Because I made an investment in that company, I wanted to do whatever I could to be aware of how they were doing. Investors expect a return on their investment. I do not believe it is inappropriate to approach God as an investor. He has invested his only begotten son in humanity. Why would he not expect a return from those he has redeemed?
How often have you thought about God as an investor? To do so can transform your work life and much more. A business I owned at one time had an investor. When I wanted to expand, I went to see him and presented my growth plan detailing why I felt this was needed, why I was confident it would work, what resources I needed from him and what his return would be. Perfectly obvious and straight forward and makes sense. Although the focus of this document is work and work-related issues, whatever you are dealing with in a given situation, you should consider presenting a spiritual plan to God. This process is intended to help you with that.
Creating Your Spiritual Plan
Let’s start with God’s mission, he does have one. It’s found in Numbers 14:21: “Surely as I live, says the Lord, all the earth will be filled with my glory.” The kingdom, the church, the believers are all here to contribute to this intention.
The word glory in this passage means presence. God is going to fill the earth with his presence. This is not going to be achieved by spreading rays of light breaking through trees, but by human beings who are “in Christ.” In other words God wants to fill the earth with believers and that requires preaching the Gospel and making disciples.
God initiated this mission with Adam and Eve and regenerated it through Jesus, after they fell from grace. He became the Second Adam. Jesus’ death and resurrection made us new creatures, outfitted to continue this extraordinary mission. This is where God has made his investment. Therefore, we must align ourselves with it. How amazing that you and I have been invited to participate in the global/cosmic mission of God; a privilege and an opportunity that gives each of us meaning, purpose and passion.
God Gifted You for His Mission
“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”   1 Peter 4:10
“Every good thing given, and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”   James 1:17
“Your gifts will make a way for you and bring you before great men.”   Proverbs 18:16
“He has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work as craftsmen, designers, embroiderers in blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen, and weavers—all of them master craftsmen and designers.”   Exodus 35:35
These and many other verses show work as God’s idea and its vital importance. You might want to saturate in prayer with such verses.
There are a series of assignments you should commit to complete in order to create a spiritual work plan.
Preparatory
In most cases when I work with men in this capacity, they are in one or more phases. There are many such as: discouragement, anger, frustration, disillusionment, unforgiveness, given up, don’t care anymore, fear, isolation from friends and even family, to mention a few. Any of these become barriers to moving forward. Because we are all individuals and our relationships with God are at varied stages, I urge you to start this plan by spending time with the Lord and express what you are feeling.
Be honest because he already knows you intimately. This will be deeply therapeutic, and it will, if you are open, become a place for the Lord to bring healing, and that is key because it leads directly to a new expectation and faith which you (all of us) require beyond all else to move into what the Lord has in mind for you. You are not abandoned nor alone. Secondly, if you have another man who is strong in faith with God, that you can trust completely to be your sounding board as you go through the plan, recruit him. This person will hold you accountable as you work things through. Once you have done so, begin working on the plan. The following assignments are provided as a guide. You may modify them as you feel impressed by the Lord.
Assignment: #1
Self-Exam.
In your current work situation, are you/were you giving it your very best? “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.” (Col 3: 23-24)

• What areas, if any, do you feel need improvement?
• What do you think your co-workers think of you?
• What do you think of them?
• Do your interactions with co-workers need to be improved?

What do you feel the Lord thinks about these issues? If you have been honest about these questions, pray to God for guidance to improve where it needs to be done.
 
 

• List your gifts (natural talents) and the times they were functioning well in what you did.
• When did they make a difference for others in your work and in other scenarios?
• How have your gifts made positive results happen for you and others?
• How do you feel when you are engaging your God-given gifts?
• How did you feel when you experienced these results?
• Have you truly appreciated these powerful gifts God imprinted in you?
• When was the last time you were at your best?
• 
  
• If you think back over your work experience, did you include God in your daily work, ask for his guidance, work as unto him and not men?
• 
  

You can answer these questions in as many pages as needed. What’s important here is to write/review the successes you have achieved by applying your gifts in the world. This builds confidence and helps with direction. Then share this with the person who is your sounding board and see what he thinks about it for feedback to consider.
“Remember His wonderful deeds which He has done, His marvels and the judgments from His mouth…” 1 Chron. 6:12
Consider: Why would God give you gifts and not expect you to apply them, grow in them; and bring solutions to your areas of influence through them? (R.O.I)?
Assignment: #2
Forgiveness is the place to ponder now. Most of us have made decisions that were not wise. Our motives may have been all wrong and led us to some grave difficulty. We may have misused the giftedness God imprinted in us, or have disregarded those gifts, or have not appreciated them. It could have been a series of mistakes or outside circumstances that caused work issues. Or there may be something in the past that is even more serious.
Whatever the case: bring these situations to God and through the grace-filled work of Jesus, ask for forgiveness. Then if there are any people you have not forgiven from the past, forgive them. Christ has forgiven you therefore you forgive others, and you must forgive yourself as well. No matter how exceptional your plan turns out, without the process of forgiveness it will have very little divine power behind it.
Assignment: #3
Write this out:

• What is your objective: 
• What are you seeking to accomplish? A job, what kind in detail?  
• A better job and what that entails? 
• A business opportunity, describe in detail?  
• A better opportunity in your job? 
• Starting a new business?
• Dealing with a difficult boss or with coworkers?  
• Solving a business or work matter?

Whatever it is, write it out after careful forethought and prayer. Be as clear and as detailed as you can. You must write it out.
Assignment # 4
Look at Assignment 3 and explain why God should consider investing in this with you?

• How does it support Numbers 14:21?
• What benefits accrue to His kingdom?
• How will it bring prominence and presence to Jesus Christ?
• What benefit will it bring other people?
• How will it impact you?
• God has already invested heavily in you— how are you going to invest in his plan and mission?

Reconsider your commitment and dedication to do this...are you sure you want to go forward and ask for God’s resources?
Assignment # 5
The Presentation:
Now present this plan to God in a prayerful way. It is best to read it aloud to him. You decide but here is a suggestion. Read the plan three times a day on the first day: morning, noon, and prior to going to bed.  Present the plan to God in prayer. That is, read it aloud to him in a meaningful, prayerful way.
For the first week, I strongly suggest you do this at least three times a day. Ask God to consider your plan and to help you correct it to his liking. Listen and remain alert and he will impress you on what to change, add, or any other input. God has no problem communicating with us.
Once this takes place. Modify the plan. Then go back to God again...with your own sense of how often per day and number of days. But also, be sure to read it to yourself and saturate in it. Meanwhile conduct yourself in gratefulness, appreciation and faith and hope. Keep in mind that faith and hope require action. Begin working on those factors that will move you toward the goal and be expectant while waiting on God. Consider what you can do to create the positive results you promised God even while you are waiting for the resources.
Phil.4:6—Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”
Assignment # 6
Find scriptures that support your spirit, and build your faith, expectation and meditate on them constantly. Saturate on these verses. This is your storehouse of power. Keep in mind that God’s Word is not merely vocal sounds we speak or simply words written on paper. The Word of God is“alive.” The root word being “Bios” which means life!
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
      Here you have the absolute in divine power.
Do not be discouraged. Do not give up.
1 Chronicles 28:20
“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the LORD is finished.”
Nehemiah 6:9  “They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed. But I prayed, now strengthen my hands.”
Acts 20:35  “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”
Colossians 3: 23 “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not to men.”
You may need to adjust the plan as you sense God’s input in the inner voice of your heart. This could take place in an instant or the process may take time. The key is that you no longer remain paralyzed with uncertainty, and you gain a strong sense of direction to give you momentum and expectation. The plan must remain on your mind daily. Speak to yourself and to God about your expectation for the plan to become reality.
This is absolutely critical, meditate on and repeat the following verse as often as you can to build belief and true expectation.  Mark 11:24   Therefore, I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you.
As you better understand and realize that you are intended to work within God’s mission, Numbers 14:21, you start thinking in a larger scope and see that your work and giftedness are of great value to God, his plan, and to others. You can make a difference in your area of influence and then out to the world...you gain meaning and purpose. As you walk into new opportunities always evaluate what is being done by asking… “Is there any way that what I am doing can somehow contribute to the global mission of God?”
One more thing: as soon as you can, begin to encourage, help and uplift others. You will experience more mental and spiritual freedom by doing what Jesus does...bring people to understand his forgiving and uplifting gift.
Meditate on key verses and ask God to fortify your trust so you can actually live liberated. The vital point here is “TRUST” in God in your situation. He promises to meet our needs as we place his interest first. Pay particular attention to this verse in the way most Christians express it.
How offer have you heard believers and pastors proclaim,
“My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”
Wow. How amazing and true, whether it’s your work or other need but, that is not the whole verse. Yes, God will supply all your needs when you do what the entire says and notice the underlining. You do something “Give,” and God does something, “Provide.” The verse does not simply say that God will supply all your needs. It’s usually taken out of context that way.
Phil 4: 15-20
You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
 
 
 
Additional Affirming Verses
Matthew 6
 25 “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 26 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27 Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?
28 “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30 If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? 31 So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
You and I can live like this. How can I make that claim? Simple: Why would Jesus tell us to do something if we couldn’t do it? If he says, do it...you and I can do it. It’s all about making a decision!
How many people will put this effort in? I cannot say, but it takes work. It requires commitment. The process is biblical and powerful but only if you do the work.
Our daily work is not a burdensome punishment for sin, but rather an embedded nature driven by the need to achieve. God wants the planet filled with his people, his ways and thoughts and likeness. People are “driven” to achieve in that mission. Work is also part of God’s nature. God works. We work. God loves the world through his work. We love others through our work. Work is in fact, a sacred trust!
Key Point to understand: Prior to the fall, Adam never worked out of need since his every need was provided. Love was the only reason to work. The Genesis record informs us that he tilled the ground, named animals, and essentially began to discover and manage God’s resources.
“The Lord God took the man and settled him in the Garden of Eden, to cultivate and care for it” (Gen 2:15).
Frankly the project was so immense that God had to provide him with help in the form of Eve. That said, it would be truly wonderful and helpful to share this plan with your wife and have her support and insights. The calling from God to work, cultivate and care for the garden, was and is part of God’s mystery of generous, creative, solution-bearing love. Adam and Eve explored wondrous creativity and broke thorough unimaginable boundaries to catch a glimpse of true holiness and purity in an unrestrained form. They were that close to it.
Work began as a sacred trust due to the fact that it was ordained by God and was fully in action before the fall of man. Work did not come into being after the fall. But many people think that way. This is a key point to keep in mind. In the aftermath of the fall, the process of work became more cumbersome. Then in a post fallen world, Jesus came to re-bind us to God and his work and excellence in work’s intention. Excellence in work is more than executing your skills to the utmost. It goes to the intention of the work: serving God, self and others.
Our gifted work provides opportunities to declare the glory of God by the care we  take in serving our giftedness to others just as the Master Worker has done for us. Gifted work functioning in the calling, in the Numbers 14 mission, as an unmerited gift, is effective for our growth and on-going conversion as followers of Jesus and is truly a grace contributing to our sanctification. In case you are unaware of it, St. Francis was well versed on the purpose of work and spoke much about it. In The Rule of St. Francis, 1223 he wrote to his friars:
“Those brothers, to whom the Lord has given the grace of working, should do
their work faithfully...”
St. Francis knew that all should work. Those that could work but chose not to, were, in effect, stealing from those that did work. The following story deals with the brother who never worked:
...and yet [he] ate considerably more than others at table. When the Saint Francis
observed that he was a friend of the belly, one who shared the fruits without
sharing the labor, he once said to him: “Go your way, brother for you want
to eat the sweat of your brothers and to do nothing in God’s work. You are like
brother drone who wants to be first to eat the honey, though he does not do the
work of the bees.”
Francis was not one to mince words.
Jesus conferred an eminent dignity on labor by working as carpenter. Later in his ministry he never felt uncomfortable or embarrassed when they referred to him as the “carpenter’s son.” He didn’t correct them when this was expressed.  Jesus held a clear picture of work and its relationship to the Numbers14 mission. So then, you and I must do the same.
“My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working” (Jn. 5:16).
In fact, work is a sacred trust. We bring glory to God by working industriously, demonstrating what He is like, and serving others by cooperating with God to meet their needs. In serving others, we serve God. And that’s why it matters so greatly to be aware of what we do, how we do it, where we do it, when we do it and why we do it.
Closing note. If you are in ministry, chaplaincy or otherwise, it can become discouraging at times. Jesus said something that should give us an unstoppable energy and compelling fortitude:
Matt. 9:35-38
Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Seeing the people, He felt compassion for them, because they were distressed and dispirited like sheep without a shepherd. Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore, beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”
The world in our area of influence is hurting. God’s kingdom business will never have a shortage of customers, so to speak. There are needs everywhere and Jesus, in telling us this also makes the urging: …Lord of the harvest send out workers into your harvest. That is, you and me. We are those sent out to demonstrate the compassion of Christ and his power. We are to bring in others.  Jesus tells us there is a need. Jesus tells workers are needed to address that. There is plenty of work, the question is where does God want you to report for work? This plan will help you answer that question with the Lord directly.
My prayers go with you.
This program has been conducted at Walnut Hill Community Church, The Bible Church, Kingdom Life Christian Church and others as well as other venues. For more information contact Pastor / Chaplain Al Pirozzoli through Litchfield Hills Church or contact:
 
pirozzolimarketing@gmail.com    203.232.5527
This is a USA copyrighted intellectual property and cannot be copied or distributed without written permission of the author.

A Hole in Rome
By Al Pirozzoli
Travel back with me to AD 68. We find ourselves in a place in Rome which is now the Church of San Giuseppe and close to the old Roman forum. There you’ll find a metal grate in the street that opens to a hole leading down to two small dungeon rooms, one above another. Prisoners were held there awaiting trial or execution in the roman courts. Not surprisingly, Christians were held in the lower dungeon. The lower dungeon was a smaller space.  This prison was literally a hole—notorious and to some degree served as a deterrent to would-be law breakers.
In the words of an historian
Here’s how Gaius Sallustius Crispus, an ancient Roman historian described the hole prison.678
Disgusting and vile by reason of the filth and darkness and stench. It was positioned next to the sewer and where dead bodies of executed prisoners were often dropped. The place itself was horrendous. Claustrophobic, virtually no light, rats, insects, human and related odors, hideous and terrifying in appearance. There was no medical aid given, barely any food or water, many died of starvation or thirst awaiting trial or execution. Most prisoners were thrown down through the hole in the street.
The Apostle Paul was held in the lower dungeon of the Hole in Rome-- in that very prison he wrote a second letter to Timothy, an absolutely astounding letter. But before we look at that letter let’s do a survey of what Paul achieved as a devoted follower of Jesus Christ, fueled by his loyalty. Let us take a look at Paul’s life of loyalty in some of the Bible verses regarding his ministry.
This post will deal with a word of tremendous value: Loyalty! Paul will be our example. Have you ever been hurt or disappointed by someone you felt held great loyalty to you? What about you? Did you ever find yourself being disloyal to a friend or someone close to you? Loyalty is a major feature of life. Paul understood loyalty at its very depth.
The Apostle Paul was being held in the lower dungeon of the Hole in Rome, awaiting trial. In that very prison he wrote that second letter to Timothy which is nothing short of absolutely astounding and sobering. 
Let us take a look at Paul’s life of loyalty in some of the Bible verses regarding his ministry.
 
  
This one thing I do:
Phil 3:10-14
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection. Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the upward call to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
This goal of Paul’s requires powerful loyalty to see through.
1 Cor 9:16-23
For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am compelled to preach the Gospel; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
We see that in Paul there is a compelling force, a total sense of importance and loyalty to bring the message of Good News. How loyalty do you have to be to become all things to all men as he has done!
Philippians 2:17
But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.
He is joyful of himself being poured out as a sacrificial offering. Loyalty drives his own willingness to be a sacrifice for Christ.
Gal 4:11 Are you so quickly turning to another gospel which is no gospel at all. I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored over you in vain.
His loyalty seemingly deterred from these people brings grave concern to Paul that all he poured into them may have been unfruitful labor. It’s not his investment in question so much as the notion that they may be forfeiting the salvation message he brought to them.
Phil 1:21-24 For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake.
Again, Paul’s loyalty to people and to Christ holds him back from his own desire and remains continued labor for the Gospel. His sense of loyalty is unsurpassed.
Phil 3:8 More than that (he refers to verses1-6), I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ.
Here we see the Value-Trade, so to speak, as Paul makes a comparison to what holds the greater value. Counting former things as useless he stands on his commitment of loyalty. 
in summary, here is Paul’s Loyalty List:

• I labored more than anyone
• I was unwelcomed by the Apostles for a time
• In prison more often
• Faced death more often
• Received 40 lashes from the Jews
• Three times beaten with rods
• Stoned, Abandoned. Betrayed. Left for dead
• Shipwrecked three times
• Bit by a poisonous viper
• Spent a night and a day in the open sea
• Dealt with traders
• Corrected Peter to his face
• Abandoned by my own countrymen
• Very little sleep    
• Naked and poor
• Danger from robbers
• Lived by making tents and leather goods not to be a burden

 
Now Paul says in 2 Corinthians 11:28 with regard to the above list of sufferings:
Apart from such external things (listed above), there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches.
He has endured unimaginable hardships and yet his concern is for who? Himself? No, the Churches! Consider all his hardships and difficulties done to him and yet—the churches are in his concern, not himself. We see this unique loyalty throughout his ministry.
1 Cor 11:1 It’s no wonder he could say, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.”
Now, back to the Hole in Rome and the letter he sent to Timothy.
2 Timothy 4:5-18
As you read this portion of Paul’ letter observe the topic of loyalty and it’s result. 
But you, Timothy, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.
In these words, Paul speaks no complaint of his past or current hurts, and remember where he is, imprisoned in this hole in Rome. He tells Timothy to deal with the hardship to come, he does not soft-soap anything. Paul is not at all being arrogant in his statement of having been poured out of finishing his course or having kept the faith or the crown he expects, since he goes on to say that the Lord awards this and more; for Paul’s extraordinary loyalty. He then mentions that all who believe in Christ may also receive these granted and wonderful rewards. Loyalty brings confidence!
Make every effort to come to me soon; for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you, for he is useful to me for service.  But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
Here we read the sadness and disappointment in the loss of loyalty by those he endeared. He mentions them by name to Timothy. Yet, Luke is there as a visitor and confidant. Then he says to bring Mark as he would be useful for service. Again, we see no concern for his terrible situation, but his concern is with a continuity of loyalty in service to the Gospel. 
When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.
Paul asks for two things; one is his cloak which might offer some small bit of warmth in this hole. The key request however is his request “especially the parchments.” This is the greater value to Paul; likely scrolls of notes and writings of other biblical issues which again demonstrates his sense of loyalty. He does not request extra blankets, food or water but “especially the parchments.” There is no mistaking the absolute loyalty to his work for Christ.”
Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them.
In this note Paul speaks of the false teaching and opposition he faced from the coppersmith. Many deserted him. Note once more, not a complaint about his past or current difficulties, but only in regard to the Gospel and the ministry.
But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 
Here we find Paul’s thoughts speaking of the power that has allowed him to endure all things as he preached the Gospel of Good News. He encourages Timothy that he is not alone. As to his mention of being saved from the Lion’s mouth; there may be one of two explanations. The lion could be a reference the Emperor Nero who was insane and perhaps the very cruelest and sickest in mind of all the Roman leaders. Or the reference could be his possible end in the Colosseum facing actual lions.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. 
Paul’s confidence in the Lord remains evident and confident and deserving of glory forever!
We will glean many lessons to bolster our own loyalty to the Gospel and to others from this letter, if we invest prayerful time studying Paul’s words and life.
Loyalty Create Effectiveness
Paul’s loyalty is an amazing example to follow and should encourage and inspire us to rise to the high calling of loyalty to Christ and to share the Gospel with others.
2 Cor 13:5
Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.
Paul offers sound spiritual advice here. We must look in the mirror and ask ourselves, are we bringing total and dedicated loyalty to the Lord Jesus Christ? It is a tough and likely uncomfortable self-assessment. As I write these notes and as I have preached this message in September, I am making that very assessment and I admit that I have fallen short. However, this afternoon and tomorrow offer another opportunity to correct that and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I can imitate Paul as he did Christ.
So, remember the Hole in Rome and Paul’s attitude next time you grumble or complain or put something first before Jesus and the work to which you are called in expanding the Kingdom of God. And in so doing there is nothing improper about seeking one of the 5 crowns as Paul did, that the scriptures offer us to gain.
The incorruptible crown:
“And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown.”
– 1 Corinthians 9:25.
The crown of rejoicing:
“For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is it not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy.”
– 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 20.
 The crown of righteousness:
“Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.” 
– 2 Timothy 4:8.
The crown of life:
“Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”
 – James 1:12.
The crown of glory:
“And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.”
– 1 Peter 5:4.
Each of these astounding crown rewards require “loyalty,” to endure.
May God’s compassion and mercy and blessings overtake all of you.
 
 

A blind man teaches us about seeing FAITH and DOING FAITH.
Al Pirozzoli ©
We know very little about this particular blind man. In fact, we don’t even know his name, although we think we do: Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus. The three letters “Bar” indicate son of. He is known as the Son of Bartimaeus.
He would sit by the road and beg alms. Untold numbers of people walked by him on the road from Jericho to Jerusalem. He heard news of all kinds. Passersby held conversations as they discussed the things that were going on in the area.  The blind man would ask them to hear more about what was being said regarding unique happenings in Jerusalem and Jericho.
Among the news, he began to hear a great deal about a young upstart rabbi. What he heart be began to take to heart, and something began to change in his mind.
It changed the way he sat and moved about while begging alms, adding a certain alertness and expectation to it. He knew a few vitally important factors, that if indeed true, could possibly change his life.
Mark 10:46-52
46 Then {Jesus and his disciples} came to Jericho. And later, as He was leaving Jericho with His disciples and a large crowd, there was a beggar who was blind   named Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, who was sitting by the road. 47 
When he heard that it was Jesus the Nazarene, coming by he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
48 Many were sternly telling him to be quiet, but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” 49 Jesus stopped and said, “Call him here.”
They called the man, saying to him, “Take courage, stand up! He is calling for you.” 50 And throwing off his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus.
51 Jesus said, “What do you want Me to do for you?” Greatest of questions
The man who was blind said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has [b]made you well. And immediately he regained his sight and followed Him on the road.
Within these verses we will discover 6 factors that move knowing faith to active faith. They include:
 
1 Knowledge
2 Expectation            
3 Persistence
4 Action
5 Result
6 Commitment
In verse 46
Knowledge: He is sitting by the road. He hears many conversations and builds knowledge about Jesus. He also recalls his childhood training in the Torah. He recalls Isa 9:6-7 where it tells that the coming Messiah would be in the line of King David. Comparing the many prophecies of healing and signs and wonders the Messiah would perform, Bartimaeus connects the dots. He now has knowledge upon which he can depend. So, he sits at the curb, waiting, waiting, waiting with expectation and a growing belief after having heard so many witnesses of the wonders taking place.
· Jesus had unstopped the ears of the deaf (Mark 7:35).
· He had cast out demons (Mark 3:11).
· He had raised the dead (Mark 5:42).
Bartimaeus must have wondered if Jesus could give sight to the blind.  Something beat in his heart— “Maybe there is hope for me!”  Knowledge births belief and that is what Bartimaeus needed above all.
In verse 47
Expectation: When the crowds coming by swelled with great commotion and noise, he heard that Jesus the Nazarene was coming by. He began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”
In verse 48
Persistence: His expectation came alive, but he found people hindering him from Jesus; so, he cried out all the more, even louder: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” He remained persistent thinking this might be the only time he would be near Jesus, and he was not letting that pass him by. He was blind and now he deafened his ears to the throng of people hindering him to stay away from Jesus.
In verse 49
Action:  Now Jesus stops and calls Bartimaeus to come to him. Interesting that suddenly those who hindered him, helped him. Their self-interest somehow on hold. We also see that Jesus responds to active faith.
 
In verses 50-51
Result: Throwing aside his cloak, he jumped up and came to Jesus. This is significant, Bartimaeus threw off his cloak. A blind person often wore a cloak that signified he was a blind person. The result of his, knowledge, expectation, persistence, and had brought him to the point of decision.
It all came down to this. Either there would be a result or there wouldn’t. And his decision was that Jesus would heal him. He moved through the 6 factors that allow faith to translate into reality. In many ways Bartimaeus functioned on a verse not yet penned:
“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen,” Heb 11:1.
The two keys of the result were that (1) Bartimaeus believed Jesus would heal him. And (2) He threw off his cloak of identity. At the very moment Jesus called to him, he was no longer to ever be identified with blindness, and in that belief, he threw off the cloak of his old identity and walked into a new destiny.
In verse 52
Commitment: And answering him, Jesus said, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, I want to regain my sight!”  And Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.”
What does Bartimaeus do next? He immediately moves into commitment to the Lord and follows along with him.
Although there is no Gospel record of Bartimaeus beyond these verses, it would be inconsistent and even intellectually dishonest to assume he didn’t play a committed role in the ministry of Jesus. Bringing the Good News, healing and saving people from their sins and lost-ness in order to re-bind (the root word for religion), to God.
Conclusions:
Faith is mechanical, that is, it has parts that make it flow as observed in the event above.
You must have Knowledge in something before you can ever believe in it.
You must focus your mind and heart and faith on Expectation.            
You must function in Persistence, moving pass the hindrances.
You must take determined Action when the source is present to help.
You must assimilate the Result given and never let it go.
You must stand in Commitment to the one who has graciously provided the solution.
Faith is all about doing. James is clear in his epistle: Faith without works is dead!
I pray you will study these factors and apply them in your own life and help others to do the same.

The Opportunity
One morning back in time, the most astounding,
incredible, and significant offer was given to a small group.
The single greatest opportunity in the history
of the universe!
“Come follow me.”

 Al Pirozzoli ©
Matthew 4:1
"Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
 Can you imagine the extraordinary conversation that took place that morning?
· Jesus had met Peter and Andrew before this call to them.
¨ Andrew spent a day with Jesus. Before bringing Peter to Jesus he told him:
      "We have found the Messiah." John 1:35-42
¨ They believed Jesus was the long-promised Christ.
¨ Their faith and “enlightenment” caused quick action to follow right in the midst of their work day.
¨ It was common then for a rabbi to gather students who would follow him in his daily life.
¨ They would be mentored by him, learning through his words and by observing his daily interactions and choices.
¨ The idea of fishing for men may have been strange, but in time they understood.
¨ But they also understood this was beyond following an ordinary rabbi, as they began to sense the immensity of what was being offered.
How amazing that we are being offered the very same opportunity in our day. 
Jesus was comparing fish with men, symbolically.
The nets lift the fish out of the deep, dark water and up to the sunlight.
And so he offers this opportunity to his disciples, and to YOU!
Jesus was about to do something in the world: Transformation! He and his followers would
bring people out of darkness into the light of the sun (Son). 
         
This ties to so much of what Jesus taught:
-Light is knowledge.               -Darkness is ignorance.
-Truth is unhidden, seeing is knowing and understanding.
-Walking in the light marks our path.
-We are in Jesus, the light of the world.
-With him we never walk in darkness.
-The light of truth enlightens the human mind.
-The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
-Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good
  works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
-But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship
with  one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses
us from all sin.   1 John 1:7
-God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1 John 1:5
This is what we are called to do as disciples of Christ.
 Walking with him we are empowered to be bearers of light.
 We have become coworkers with God on earth.

 
When Christ began preaching, he started  to gather disciples who would first be his hearers, and afterward, the preachers of his doctrine, and witnesses of his miracles, and testify concerning them.
Good news for each of us:
 
Jesus didn’t go to Herod's court, or to Jerusalem. He didn’t look among the chief priests and the elders. He didn’t invite the learned men and great notable teachers.  Instead, he went to —    (He invited ordinary people to change the world)
But Jesus confounds the wise. We see God do this throughout the scriptures.
He calls ordinary people to his work in the kingdom:
¨ Saul was out seeking his father’s donkeys and David was keeping his
      father’s sheep, when the Lord called them to the kingdom.
¨ Shepherds were feeding flocks when they had the honor of the birth of Christ.
¨ Amos is called from among the herdsmen of Tekoa
¨ Moses called when keeping Jethro’s flock
¨ Gideon is called from the threshing floor
¨ Esther from the safety of the palace.
¨ He calls four apostles from their fishing businesses.
¨ Saul was persecuting Christians when God called him.
¨ Matthew was called while he was a tax gatherer.
The 12 Disciples 
Peter      James     John     Andrew     Bartholomew       James, the Younger   Judas           Jude or Thaddeus    Matthew or Levi     Philip     Simon the Zealot     Thomas  (Paul)
PLUS:
 
Your Name Here:
 
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,”
(Mat. 9:37).     
                                     
Let’s not allow that to be said about us.
To the followers pertains the promise of salvation. John 14:2-3
Followers of Jesus receive hundredfold blessings for whatever they have lost.
               Matthew 19:27-29, Mark 10: 28-30; Luke 18:28–30
Jesus regards his followers or disciples as His family; that is, they are mothers, brothers,
                 and sisters to Him. Matthew 12:49
Followers of Jesus Christ have the power to trample over all the powers of the enemy.
           Luke 10:19
Followers of Jesus are empowered to cast out demons and heal all kinds of diseases.
           Matthew 10:1, Mark 16:17-18
Followers of Jesus have Divine protection, i.e. ‘Nothing shall by any means hurt them.’
           Luke 10:19
Followers of Jesus receive the Holy Spirit. John 14:17, 26; John 16:7–13, Acts 2:4
In following Jesus, the disciple has access to the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
           1 Corinthians 12:4 – 10.
Jesus reveals the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven to His followers.
           Matthew 13:11
In following Jesus, Christians or disciples come into many spiritual blessings,
           Ephesians 1:3
Followers of Jesus Christ receive ‘rest for the soul’,
           Matthew 11:28-30.
In following Jesus Christ, God takes care of your needs.
           Matthew 6:33
Above all, it is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord in expanding his kingdom on earth

God’s invincible love not only turns us away from being judged, but in fact is intended to immunize our own predisposition to judge and overlook forgiveness. Of course, we cannot, must not, dismiss sin, minimize it, or sweep it under the counter. At the same time, judging accusers with a hindrance to forgiveness remain behind a blind spot. We can be quick in judging ourselves while adding a certain leniency, but we tend to do the opposite when judging others.

Having forgiveness for someone doesn’t mean allowing him back in a trusted position. By the same token, it doesn’t mean they tar and feather him either. One of the many things I respect about the Bible is that it pulls no punches: “All have fallen short of the glory of God,” (Rom 3:23).
 Key word: “ALL.”

“Judge not, that you be not judged. With the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye,” (Matt 7:1-5).

The danger of the blind spot.

Whenever I judge others and decide whether they have suffered enough to outweigh their sin, I place myself in direct opposition to Jesus who died for their sins, seeks to restore them, and removes the blind spot just as he has with me and you. The Father seeks to be a purifying presence within us. Consider this: Peter, after betraying Jesus went on to climb the mount of redemption. Judas, after betraying Jesus climbed the mount of remorse. Judas hung himself and his bowels gushed out. Peter hung his fears and returned by forgiveness. Peter removed the blind spot, Judas did not.
We must always remember that God's correction is not condemnation. The Father convicts while the devil condemns and fuels self-judgment. Self-judgment advances our judging of others while minimizing grace; that’s a blind spot. It prevents us from seeing clearly. We must keep in mind the many teachings Jesus offered on forgiveness: the most challenging is forgiving our enemies. Nonetheless this is the command of the very one who hung on a cross actively absorbing our sins.

The blind spot reaction.

Elijah came to a window and asked to be fed. Within a few moments of their interaction and her preparation of a last meal, the widow’s son became sick and died. The amazing thing is her reaction: “And she said to Elijah, what have you against me, O man of God? Have you come to me to call my sin to remembrance and to slay my son?” (1 Kings 17). Here we see our human response portrayed in her. She places a judgment on God and the prophet. This is absolutely stunning to read. The human mind is loaded with blind spots, especially in dealing with spiritual matters. Only after her son is returned to life does her blind spot diminish. Our blind spots hinder the power flow of God’s love, and it blinds us to his relentless, invincible mercy.

Realization.

Most of us are unfamiliar with the name, Ignaz Semmelweis.  He was a physician who practiced medicine in the Vienna General Hospital during the 1840’s, in the obstetrics ward, where the patient mortality rate hit 1 out of 10. Obsessed with the problem, he set his mind on uncovering the underlying cause for so many deaths. He looked into temperature, fresh air versus stagnant air, climate, overcrowding, and the cleanliness of bedclothes.  For a time, the cause of this rate of death eluded him. But over time he developed a theory that particles of some kind were being transferred from the hands of physicians to the patients. Particles called Germs.

This breakthrough occurred in 1847, following the death of his close friend who had been performing a postmortem examination when he was accidentally pierced by a student's scalpel. His friend’s autopsy turned up a pathology of similar nature to that of the women who were dying from puerperal fever. Semmelweis immediately observed a connection between cadaveric contamination and puerperal fever.

His blind spot fell away as he concluded that he and the medical students were carrying cadaverous particles on their hands (germs). When they moved from the autopsy room to the patients these particles moved with them. This explained why the student midwives in the other clinic, which were not engaged in performing autopsies and had no contact with corpses; saw a much lower mortality rate. At that time, germ therapy had not yet been developed.

Semmelweis became convinced that some unknown transfer of cadaverous material caused childbed fevers. He went on to institute a policy for washing hands with chlorinated lime, a compound found today in common household bleach. Washing between autopsy work and patient examinations became the standard practice. The mortality rate immediately dropped to
1 in 100. Untold numbers of lives were saved. Doctors were doing their best, but they couldn’t see the reality of germ contamination due to their blind spot.

A way to experience a physical blind spot is simple. If you look at the cross and the dot below, close your left eye and hold this page about 8-9 inches from your right eye. Look at the cross and slowly move the page forward and backward until the black dot disappears. The black dot disappears when light rays from the black dot fall on the place where the optic nerve enters the retina. This occurrence is known as a “blind spot.”

When we fall into judgment and reluctance to forgive, we function in a blind spot. Yet our Lord seeks to bring us true transformation. A breaking of the greatest of blind spot: sin!
Why is it that while scripture is so clear on this reality that we remain in the blind spot? When we believe we do not deserve God’s grace we are obviously correct however, grace essentially means unmerited favor. Unmerited favor is our reality. Sinners saved by grace and total forgiveness defines who we are. We stand in the silence of divine peace. Emancipation. Sin, the ultimate blind spot has been removed.

The chief of blind spots.

The apostle Paul made a tremendous claim about himself as the “chief of sinners.”  He had served as the embodiment of anti-Christianity.

“And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.  And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
 
“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me, first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
 
“Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:12-17)”.
 
He persecuted Christians. In his blind spot he believed his actions against believers to be a service to God. But every Christian he bound added to the weight of his own chains and Paul came to a place where he felt weighed down as the chief of sinners. Over time, through the Christ-encounter, he came to the realization of his blind spot, seeing how Jesus came into the world to save sinners. In that act of power, he obtained forgiveness, grace, and mercy. The evidence of Paul’s stepping out of the blind spot is apparent throughout the above verses and all his New Testament letters. Look at how much he achieved with the Lord without the blind spot. This is a ministry and life template for you and I as well.

But the first line is so telling, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry…” Paul isn’t fooling himself here. He is not making a claim of lifting himself up. The grace was given, not earned in any way shape or manner. Paul is exceptionally clear on this as he stepped out of the blind spot into the expansive view of divine ministry. Paul’s journey from enmity with Christ to effective service to Christ exemplifies the result of a removed blind spot. For some time, the followers of Jesus did not, nor could not, trust or forgive Paul. They viewed him through a blind spot. Over time this situation resolved itself among believers as Paul suffered for the Gospel without hesitation. That can only happen when a blind spot is removed.

Looking isn’t seeing

The time has come to see ourselves as Jesus sees us. In fact, Paul provides this instruction: “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus” (Phil 2:5). Just how much does Paul have to cajole us, chase us, and convince us to live as though what Jesus did for us is an actuality; that his love generates the greatest power ever known to man: forgiveness! During my art school training, one of my professors, an accomplished painter whose work was international in recognition, helped us understand the difference between looking and seeing. The blind spot keeps us looking and never seeing.
 
Col 1:21, 22   
“And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach—”  
Each of us functioned in that very blind spot until as scripture assures, “He reconciled us.”

2 Cor 5: 18,19
“Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their wrongdoings against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation.”

How utterly amazing that we are told here that God did not count the wrong doings we committed against his holiness and purity, but rather saved us to eternal life in Christ. Having reviewed the above we can ask, is there a divine way to discern right from wrong and in so doing make a judgment?

A coin with two sides.

The command that we do not judge others is not intended to mean we throw out all discernment. There is a place for judgment. Jesus tells us, “Do not judge,” then he adds, “Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls before swine” (Matt 7:6).

Jesus also warns, “Beware of false prophets…by their fruit you will identify them” (verses 15–16). We identify who are the “dogs” and “swine” or “false prophets,” by making a judgment call on doctrines and actions. In other words, as people of God we must be able to tell what is right from wrong.

We are also cautioned to gently confront erring brothers or sisters. (Gal 6:1).
A procedure for church discipline is to be followed, (Matt 18:15-17).
In this regard we are to speak the truth in love (Eph 4:15).
Here is the bottom line: Jesus provides a pattern to judge by: “Do not judge by mere appearances, but instead judge correctly,” (Jn 7:24). There is a proper to way judge as opposed to the wrong way. In all cases we must be extremely careful not to wrongly judge. When our ego, anger and humanity go unchecked we will find ourselves judging in the wrong way. For instance:

• Unforgiving judgment with a harshness of heart.
• Superficial judgment based on appearances with no facts or investigation, jumping to conclusions.
• Holier than thou. Self-righteous judgment is wrong.
• False judgment is wrong. 

There is a clear difference.

The joy set before him.

 “…looking only at Jesus, the originator and perfecter of the faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God,” (Heb 12:2).
 
What was the “joy set before him? What did Jesus see? One thing is clear, Jesus had no blind spot. He saw the “joy.” The joy clearly set before him became twofold: Fulfilling the will of the father, and the once for all redemption of the world including you. Anyone that wants to come to Jesus and experience divine forgiveness can do so. In short, the joy Jesus saw while enduring the rejection, abandonment, suffering, scourging, humiliation, on the cross, was YOU!  Yes: Y-O-U!
Therefore, Jesus is never hindered by the blind spot of your sins. Never! This transformation, this salvation, recreates us as new creatures in Christ. This means that the only blind spots we experience now are those we allow. The good news is that we have the power to do so. Keep in mind that Jesus would never tell us we can do something if we can’t, including managing our thoughts:
“Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ,” (2 Cor 10:5). This includes blind spots. We have been given more divine power than we had ever imagined. It’s time for us to apply it.

The cross and the resurrection become for us the instruction of peace. And therein we must become more aware of our blind spots and cast them down. I remain absolutely convinced that judgment and un-forgiveness are our most dangerous blind spots.
“Having eyes and you do not see…” (Mk 8:18).  It is no wonder why Jesus healed so many blind persons: not only from physical blindness but from spiritually deprived blind spots.

Blind Spot Hindrances.

Limits your growth in Christ.
Hinders receptive learning.
Fosters unforgiveness.
Retains unforgiveness.
Limits experiences with the Holy Spirit.
Retards finding peace.
Minimizes ministry achievements.
Hinders relationships.
Dampens the Mind of Christ (MOC) thinking.
Downplays abilities and idea generation.
Isolates you.
Holds you back.
Fosters judgment.
Minimizes miracles.

Al Pirozzoli serves as Associate Pastor and Marketplace Chaplain at the Litchfield Hills Church in Woodbury, CT with Sr. Pastor Joe Chabot. We would be happy to be of service.