Join King Jesus

Posted on October 11, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

A rhyming altar call for my friend’s funeral last month.

Join King Jesus
An Invitation from Larry

Maybe there is someone here today,
Who is lost and can’t find the way.
Someone who wants to get it right
So that they can sleep at night.
Someone who knows that Larry found peace
When he came to Jesus on his knees.
They know God’s love they can’t resist
And need to pray a prayer like this:

“Oh Lord, I give up the fight
I was wrong, you are right
I open the door and let you in.
Now you can have all my sin.
I thought that I was hiding
All my greed, lust, pride and lying.
I’m not as good as I look,
When I read the laws in your book.

I’ve been living for me each day,
Pouting and pushing to get my way.
You would be right to punish me
And send me to hell for eternity
I am guilty, your justice I can’t face
Oh Lord, I need your mercy and grace.

Now I join you, Jesus, in your story
Of why you left your power and glory
To come down to planet earth
And be born of virgin birth.
To live a life completely good
So it would be understood
That you were punished for my sin
So that I could live again.
When you bled and died on the cross
It was a win and not a loss.
You paid for all my guilt and shame
You stretched your arms and took my blame.

Now your payment I receive
When in your death I believe.
“It is finished” my debt is paid
Then in the tomb your body was laid.
Three days later you rose from the grave
Confirming only you have the power to save.

Now I stand in the hope of new life
Not in the ruin of my guilt and strife.
Knowing I’m welcomed to your side
To live in heaven and forever abide.

There I will see Larry and Ann
Who showed me how that I can
Continue in the rest of your story
Filled with your love, grace and glory.”
(Because when I arrive on heaven’s shore
Death and pain will be no more.)

Maybe there is someone here today
That needs to stand up and say
“That’s the prayer I need to pray
I want Jesus, show me the way.”

~~~~~~~~~~~
In 1939, Larry starred as the baby in the opening scene of the movie “Miracle on Main Street.” He grew up in Colorado and played football for USC. He enjoyed engineering and was awarded with a patent. He loved singing and played in several bands. His most important quest was to find out who Jesus Christ really is and give his heart and life to Him. Larry started his relationship with Jesus Christ on earth, and it now continues in eternity. His wife, Ann, is faithfully inviting people to know Jesus Christ, while she looks forward to being reunited with Larry.

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Political Involvement in the Early Church

Posted on September 10, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Questions to consider as you read this article below:
• Where was the political capital of Israel?
• What buildings were significant political structures in the capital?
• What political city did the book of Acts start in and what politically significant city did it end in?
• Would Peter’s first and second speech in Acts set an example to follow?

Political Involvement in the Early Church

There are many examples of political involvement in the New Testament. Jesus Christ set the example and the early church continued to engage the centers of political power. The early church started by engaging the politicians in the political capital of Israel and continued to the political capital of Rome and the rest of the world.

Many misled Christians have said, “The Bible doesn’t give any examples of the church being involved in government and politics in the New Testament Church. Romans 13 just says to submit to the government. Therefore, voting and being involved in politics is not part of making disciples of Christ.”

In contrast, the knowledge of God commands disciples of Jesus Christ to be very active in government and politics. Disciples should be very active in persuading all people to follow all the teachings of Christ. Jesus taught a lot about how we are to live as a community, the responsibility of governors and what righteous laws look like.

Definitions:
• The Knowledge of God includes everything God wrote in scripture, God’s character and wisdom revealed in nature, and much more. What God wrote in scripture includes the Law, the Prophets, the examples and commands of Jesus, and the letters of the Apostles. (We are commanded to teach every man all wisdom in Mark 16:15-16, Colossians 1:28 and Matthew 28:18-20)
• Politics is the process of persuasion for unifying people under leaders, goals and standards. Politics includes proposing different laws, policies, focus and leaders. (Disciples of Christ are responsible to promote God’s laws (Since they are the commands God will judge everyone by). Disciples of Christ are to promote leaders who fear God, are not greedy and obey God’s laws themselves. Disciples of Christ are to focus people’s attention on the things God cares about. We are exhorted to fight against philosophies that exalt themselves against the knowledge given to us by God (2 Corinthians 10:4-6).
• Government is the institution of one man having authority over another. The simplest forms of government include a parent having authority over their children and a man having authority over his slave. The more complex forms of government include kings, presidents, corporate boards, and the United Nations, where one person or group has authority over thousands and millions of people. Government includes lawmaking, judgment and leadership (Isaiah 33:22 was used to form the United States Congress, Supreme Court and President). The role of government is to protect the governed, administer justice, oversee the flow of resources and provide leadership. God instituted government, therefore it is not owned by Satan or evil by nature. Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
• God’s Kingdom – Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Jesus always was and will be King. The earth is merely an outpost of rebellion in the middle of God’s Kingdom. Leaders choose to bring their followers closer to God or to lead their followers to rebel against God.

The Commands of Jesus

Matthew 28:18-20 The Great Commission
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Observations:
• “Of all nations “ – Jesus groups people in the world by their political boundaries. This is significant because if Jesus said, “Of all languages”, we would focus on Bible translation and intellectual teaching. Because Jesus said, “nations”, He is encouraging us to influence the political and legal authority in the lives of those to whom we share the commands of Christ. Jesus intended us to be in conflict with political leaders who are in rebellion against God.
• “Make disciples of all nations … teaching them to observe” – We are to teach them to OBSERVE all things that Christ commanded. Observance is not just a vague awareness, but an active participation in doing what God says to do.
• “All authority has been given me in heaven and on earth” – Jesus fully intended our teaching nations to submit to Jesus’ commands to be a power struggle. The fight between the saints and rebellious political rulers does not end until “The end of the age.” The saints are on the winning side now and later. (Not because we successfully persuade everyone, but because God judges His enemies, past and future.)

Acts 1:8 The global strategy
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Observations:
• Jesus commanded the disciples to use the political capital of Israel as the base to radiate out into the rest of the world.
• The political capital was opposed to Christ’s commands, because they had just put Christ to death. The political leaders were to trying to stop the political teachings of Christ from influencing the nation.

The Example of Jesus

Jesus was very active in politics in his teachings and actions. He confronted politicians, addressed the standards of how laws were applied and taught about the standards used to hold politicians accountable.

The Cleansing of the Political Headquarters (Matthew 21:12, Mark 11:15, John 2:14-16)
• On two occasions Jesus throws out the money changers and merchants from the Temple in Jerusalem.
• The temple was the central building of the political headquarters of the Jewish Nation.
• Jesus used physical force including a whip.

Jesus does not cower in the face of political leaders
• To Herod … “Tell that fox.” (Luke 13:31-32)
• To Pilate … I am the King of the Jews and the Son of God. You have been granted permission to harm Me from God (John 19).

Jesus raised the standard on the Ten Commandments
• Jesus Christ joined the political discussion of current laws and the standards used to apply the law.
• Jesus did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law (Matthew 5:17-18). Jesus came to fulfill the law of substitutionary sacrifice. The law of substitutionary sacrifice started with sheep in the Garden of Eden and was fulfilled in Christ. The celebrations and traditions changed, but God’s law did not change. God’s law did not change, because God’s character did not change. The display of God’s mercy and grace started in the Garden of Eden and continues after the millennium. God’s law that comes from His holiness never changes. That’s why James says there is One Lawgiver (James 4:12). God’s law is the same for the unbeliever and the believer. It does not change, because God’s holy character does not change.
• Looking with lust is the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27-28).
• “Let your yes be yes and your no be no” raises the standard on lying (Matthew 5:37).
• Dedicating every day to the Lord as a His slave, raises the standard on the Sabbath. “Take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
• Calling someone a worthless fool in anger is the same as murder. This raises the standard on murder (Matthew 5:22).
• Jesus attacked the laws that allowed honor for the person who was not taking care of his parents (Matthew 15:3-9).

Jesus teaches on Servant Leadership (American elected officials were called ‘Public Servants’ in the past)
• We are to esteem the ones who serve best as the greatest (Matthew 23:11).
• The son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and give His life as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45).
• Jesus referred to Himself as the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 11:11 & Luke 7:28, see also Philippians 2:5-11).
• Jesus washed the disciple’s feet (John 13:3-5)
• King Jesus provided the Holy Spirit for those who serve Him (John 15:26). Leaders are responsible for the provision of those who follow.
• Jesus gives His life for those who follow Him (John 10:11 & 15).

The Book of Acts

The Book of Acts is a record of how the commands of Christ traveled from the political capital of Israel to Caesar, the political ruler in Rome. The Book of Acts ends in the political capital of the Roman Empire. There is constant interaction between the Words of Christ and political leaders. The disciples’ political speech is so inflammatory to current political thought that they are often beaten, imprisoned and killed. The disciples don’t change their message.

Peter’s First Speech Acts 2
36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Observations:
• Peter preached his first sermon in the city that was the political capital of Israel. Of all the cities and towns in Israel, the political capital was the chosen location.
• Peter calls the people in the political capital, including the political leaders, the guilty party in Christ’s crucifixion.
• Peter is not just advocating for Jesus Christ, but for what Jesus Christ taught.
• Offending the Jewish political leaders in Peter’s first recorded speech sets a very strong example to follow.
• Peter’s style of addressing political issues does not change.
• Peter continued to daily repeat his message in the central political building of the political capital of Israel, the temple. (Acts 2:46)

Peter’s Second Recorded Speech Acts 3:11-26
Observations:
• Peter preaches from Solomon’s porch, a political pulpit, in the capital of Israel. (Acts 3:11)
• Peter gives a partial pardon to Pilate and places the blame on the Jews for Jesus’ death. “And killed the Prince of Life” (Acts 3:13 – 15)
• This upset the Jewish political leaders. Peter called them murderers from the political stage of the nation.
• Peter assumed authority to use the political capitol building, the temple. Peter met with his disciples in the political capitol building for weeks, before his first arrest in Acts 4. Peter was an active political force from the capital for weeks and months. Over 3,000 people were listening to him in the capitol buildings.

More from Acts
• Peter judges and administers the death sentence on liars in Acts 5. They die immediately. Administering justice and applying laws is a governmental function.
• Peter continues speaking from Solomon’s Porch of political authority in Acts 5. Peter upheld God’s law from the same place David’s son, Solomon, administered justice.
• Peter and John continue going back and forth between Solomon’s porch and the Temple in Jerusalem (Acts 3:1).
• The disciples addressed the political issue of welfare in Jerusalem and appointed leaders to administer the political program. The Jewish politicians opposed the welfare reform and made false accusations to have Stephen killed (Acts 6 & 7).
• Paul openly taught politically inflammatory concepts in the marketplace (Acts 16:21-22).
• Paul used the Roman law to provide protection to the early Philippian Church (Acts 16). The Philippian rulers had mistreated Paul, and he could come back later and have them punished.
• Paul engaged in political discussions with political philosophers on Mars Hill (Acts 17).
• Paul played one political party against the other. Paul played the Pharisees against the Sadducees to gain support for the truth. (Acts 23:6-10).
• Paul uses Roman Law to provide safety and provisions on his mission to make disciples of Caesar and his household (Acts 25:11-12). “I appeal to Caesar.”
• Paul explains the righteousness of God to Roman political magistrates Felix, Festus and Agrippa. Felix is filled with fear, after Paul explains the righteousness of God and the judgment to come (Acts 24:24-25). Agrippa almost agrees to become a Christian (Acts 26:28).

The Book of Romans

The book of Romans was written to the political capital of the most politically powerful country in the world. Paul is very politically inflammatory in the first chapter and doesn’t back down.

Observations:
• Chapter 1 – Paul immediately attacks the philosophy of the Roman Emperor that all good things come from the government. Paul explains that all blessings and power flow from God the creator. We are to thank God first. (The Democratic Party in the United States has the philosophy that all good things come from the government – Housing, Education, Healthcare and Retirement.)
• Chapter 1 – Paul attacks the legalized, sexual chaos that is allowed by the government of Rome. Paul warns that there is a higher authority than the government of Rome that holds the Romans as guilty in the sight of God’s wrath.
• Paul speaks about a variety of political issues in the rest of the Romans including standards, covenants, slavery, justice, mercy, racial law differences, the role of government and the role of those under the government’s authority.

The Book of Galatians

Paul has a long political discourse about how God’s laws, man’s laws and traditions and the consequences of disobedience interrelate.

Paul explains how the substitutionary death of Jesus Christ fulfills the law, so we can live in grace. We don’t fear the law, we focus on doing the things that please God. However, those who continue in sin will not inherit eternal life. Even though we live in grace, God still hates sin (Galatians 5). There are still consequences to disobedience, because of the law of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7).

Paul explains that the fruits of the Holy Spirit are some of the few things, that there aren’t political opinions and laws against (Galatians 5:22-23). This portrays a belief that few things aren’t political, because there are laws that demand self-control, patience, etc.

The Books to the Thessalonians

Paul addresses the political issue of welfare. If a man refuses to work, then don’t let him eat (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

The Books of Timothy and Titus

Paul commands them to set things in order and appoint leaders. These books have a lot of wisdom about how to train and select leaders who will govern. Rulers must rule well over their own household, to stay eligible to serve as leaders.

The Book of Philemon

Paul addresses the political issue of slavery. Owning another person is the most direct form of government. The owner commands and controls every aspect of the life of his slave. Everything the owner says is law to the slave.

Paul explains how Christians are to treat slaves and how slaves are to obey their masters in the book of Philemon. Paul exhorts slaves to obey their masters and for masters to take care of their slaves.

Slavery is an extremely political issue that was a central factor in the US Civil War.

The Book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ

Jesus judges the nations with the sword of His mouth. God’s law wins. The words and commands of Jesus are the sword that judges the nations. The words and commands of Jesus are not confused by grey areas. The Word of God cuts a clean separation between right and wrong. Hebrews 4:12-13.

In conclusion, the abundant examples of Jesus Christ and the Early Church clarify that His disciples are to be engaged in political changes and not fear the opposition from those who rebel against God’s righteousness.

Some say, “Just pray.” Yes, pray to get your heart right with God. And then put your feet in motion to do what Jesus Christ commanded to do. You can’t pray long without obeying.

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Z Finger … This is my decision to follow Christ

Posted on August 27, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Then Jesus said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.  _Luke 9:23-24

A stocky inmate came up to me after the worship service, held up his hand and said, “This is my decision to follow Christ.”  I looked at his hand and his little finger was visibly mangled in unnatural directions.  I wasn’t sure how to respond, so I asked him to tell me more.

He explained in short sentences, “I was running a dorm for them at state (The Mexican Mafia).  Then, I decided to follow Jesus.”

“I told them that I wasn’t going to do that anymore, because I had decided to follow Jesus.”

“At first they came at me.  I told them again that I was not going to do that anymore.  I was going to follow Jesus.”

“So they did this to me.” He s slowly turned his hand to show me the twisted, Z-looking finger from different angles.  “It still hurts, but it reminds me that I decided to follow Jesus.”

I smiled at him, and praised God for his changed life and courage as a new believer.

Only the gospel of Jesus Christ can truly change a hardened heart.  Z Finger (My nickname for him.) was serving time at a California State Prison.  At the prison, he was an enforcer for the Mexican Mafia.  In prison, he heard the gospel and decided to follow Jesus.  Following Jesus was in conflict with his responsibilities to the mafia, and they didn’t want to let him go.  So they beat him up several times.  At one of the beatings, they left him with a mangled finger that looks like a Z.  We met in jail, while he was going through the court system to have more time added to his sentence, for crimes committed while serving the mafia in prison.

Z Finger changed roles from being the one who inflicted pain on those who would not follow evil, to willingly accepting physical abuse for following Jesus Christ.  Praise God!

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Intercessory Prayer

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Chaplain Dan

Scripture to reflect on when praying for others

Pray for everyone to be saved and to know the truth

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.    I Timothy 2:1-4

Pray for boldness to be a good soldier and share the Gospel

17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints– 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.   Ephesians 6:17-19

Pray for mercy on the sinner, while hating their sin.

20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.
22 And on some have compassion, making a distinction; 23 but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.    Jude 1:20-23

 Pray for God’s mercy and patience to give more people time to repent

23 Therefore He said that He would destroy them,
Had not Moses His chosen one stood before Him in the breach,
To turn away His wrath, lest He destroy them.  Psalms 106:23

 Thank God that He is able to save the worst of the worst

25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.  Hebrews 7:25

Pray for more people to pray for the lost

30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one. 31 Therefore I have poured out My indignation on them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; and I have recompensed their deeds on their own heads,” says the Lord GOD.  Ezekiel 22:30-31

Pray to earnestly seek God’s compassion on sinners

7 And there is no one who calls on Your name,
Who stirs himself up to take hold of You;
For You have hidden Your face from us,
And have consumed us because of our iniquities.  Isaiah 64:7

 Pray that God would save the lost for His own Glory

16 He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;  Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him; And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.  Isaiah 59:16

Praise God that He is powerful and can do what we can’t

17 “Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.  Jeremiah 32:17

Pray with confidence that our Savior hears and cares

7 Therefore I will look to the LORD;
I will wait for the God of my salvation;
My God will hear me.   Micah 7:7

 Pray that we would make choices that God rewards

6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  Hebrews 11:6

 Pray  that our confidence would grow, based on God’s promises

20 He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, 21 and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. 22 And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.”
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him,  Romans 4:20-23

Pray that we would have confidence that what we do pleases God

23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Romans 14:23

Pray for those things that God would be glad to do to bring glory to Jesus

13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.   John 14:13,14

Pray for what you need to obey His commands in your life

24 Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.   Mark 11:24

Praise God for His mighty power

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power    Ephesians 1:19

Pray to know God’s plans for you and those around you

7 Surely the Lord GOD does nothing,
Unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets    Amos 3:7

 Pray to recognize and listen to God’s voice

3 To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. 4 And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice.   John 10:3,4

Pray to hate the things God hates

13 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way
And the perverse mouth I hate.   Proverbs 8:13

Pray for those in authority that they would bring godliness, reverence and peace

2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.   1 Timothy 2:2

Pray for peace in our city for the sake of our neighbors

7 And seek the peace of the city where I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray to the LORD for it; for in its peace you will have peace.   Jeremiah 29:7

Pray for God’s blessing and to not cause harm

10 And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.  1 Chronicles 4:10

Pray that we would be bold in tearing down lies that are against the truth of God

3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.   2 Corinthians 10:3-6

 Pray that their eyes would be opened to see the glory of Jesus Christ

4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them.   2 Corinthians 4:4

Pray that we would want to imitate Jesus Christ

19 Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.   John 5:19

Pray for the destruction of Satan’s influence in people’s lives

 31 Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out.   John 12:31

 Pray that we will discern the difference between God’s Kingdom and Satan’s kingdom

30 I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming, and he has nothing in Me.   John 14:30

 Pray for righteous discernment

11 of judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.   John 16:11

Pray for alertness to Satan’s schemes to devour us

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.   1 Peter 5:8

Praise God that He has and will punish Satan for harming nations

12 “How you are fallen from heaven,
O Lucifer, son of the morning!
How you are cut down to the ground,
You who weakened the nations!   Isaiah 14:12

Praise God because He has already won

10 The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.   Revelation 20:10

Pray for alertness

1 He who scatters has come up before your face. Man the fort!

Watch the road!
Strengthen your flanks!
Fortify your power mightily.   Nahum 2:1

Thank God for His power and the He is in control

19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And He put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.    Ephesians 1: 19-23

 

15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Pray for them to be reconciled to Christ

19 For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.      Colossians 1:15-20

Pray for humility and patience

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.   Philippians 2:5-11

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