New Active Duty Prayer List

Find a copy of our newly revised BCC Military Prayer List here.  If you attend BCC and have someone serving on active duty and would like to add them, send us a photo.  If you see a correction that should be made, let us know!  Remember to pray for these servants: pray that God would guard their hearts and minds and bodies, and that they might "bear the sword" for good (Romans 13:4).

Saved by Personal Realization, or Saved by God's Grace?

Are you saved by coming to a realization of God’s love for you, or are you saved by the love of God graciously given to you?

I ask this question, and make this distinction, because I hear people say our biggest problem is that we don’t embrace God’s unconditional love for us. As Christians, this may be true, but I get the impression that people also apply this to the lost, and their understanding of the gospel message. For, I also hear people apply God’s unconditional love to mankind simply because we are human and made in the image of God. The implication is that God loves everyone because they are human, and salvation comes when we simply realize His love for us.

What ever happened to the separation between man and God because of Adam’s sin? Didn’t Jesus die to reconcile us to the one who is justly angry with us because of Adam’s fall, and our resulting guilt? Did His death remove God’s wrath from all human beings? If so, then what is Hell, and why would the Bible describe anyone going there? If God’s wrath is no longer hanging over any human being, then aren’t all saved?

I sure hope you don’t see this as splitting theological hairs, because in reality it is a matter of grace, and understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ. For, if God’s love is hanging over every human being then our realization of this “truth” is the only thing keeping us from Him. The problem with this is that salvation then becomes a matter of personal enlightenment, and not God’s mercy from start to finish. God’s unmerited favor is not gained by independent enlightenment. We are all under the wrath of God, and the good news is that God alone gives us eyes to see His salvation. This is a gift of God. This is His unmerited favor. 2 Corinthians 4:3-6 describes that we were blinded by Satan and that our remedy is not realizing what already exists, but instead it is the power of God that creates our faith.

In the beginning, when God said, “Let there be light” there was no choice to be made; light simply came into existence. This is the connection Paul makes (in 2 Corinthians 4) to our salvation.

And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled only to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

God's wrath is real, people are blind to the gospel, and if you know His love for you then you have been delivered from God's wrath by His grace in both providing reconciliation through Jesus, and in creating light in your previously dark heart, so that you might rightly see Jesus.

May God be praised for His glorious grace!

From Him and Through Him and To Him

A Summary of Pastor Dale's Sermon on Romans 11:11-36

In this section of Romans we think of the place of ethnic Israel in God’s redemptive plan. In it we read of their stumbling, and their being pictured as branches broken off an olive tree while the unnatural, Gentile branches are grafted in. A partial hardening has come upon Israel (v.25), and so we ask; why did God harden the Jews?

In Genesis 50:20 we hear Joseph say to his hardened brothers, “What you meant for evil, God meant for good.” And even the sinful, hard-hearted actions of those who crucified Jesus are said (in Acts 4:27-28) to be the predestined plan of God. So it is not new or unusual that God would harden some for His ultimately good purposes.

Jesus said, “the kingdom of God will be taken away from you [the Jews] and given to a people producing its fruits” (Mt 21:43), and in Matthew 8:11-12 He says, “I tell you, many will come from east and west … while the sons of the kingdom will be thrown into the outer darkness. So the purpose of this hardening has brought about God’s mercy being shown to you (Acts 13:46, 48; Rom 11:30-32), and yet there is no room for either boasting or anti-Semitism because God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all. Faith is the only thing by which we are grafted in (Rom 3:20, 27-28). The severity of God not only sends us fleeing to Him for mercy, but it also keeps us from taking God’s kindness for granted.

These are hard truths, and yet Paul’s response to God’s sovereign plan ends in praise:

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways!

“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?”

“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?”

For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

In this we hear:

1. All things are from him and through him (Eph 1:11); so remember,

2. No one can give a gift to God so as to make him need anything from us (Acts 17:25); likewise

3. No one can give any counsel to God about how he should do things (Job 40:2-3); because (of course)

4. His ways and judgments are unsearchable and inscrutable to our finite minds (1 Cor 13:12); so that, finally, it only makes sense that

5. We should give all glory to God, and be content with an utterly dependent Christ-exalting happiness in God.

Concerning this, Charles Spurgeon said,

This should be the single desire of the Christian. All other wishes must be subservient and tributary to this one. The Christian may wish for prosperity in his business, but only so far as it may help him to promote this – “To him be glory forever.” He may desire to attain more gifts and more graces, but it should only be that “To him may be glory forever.” You are not acting as you ought to do when you are moved by any other motive than a single eye to your Lord’s glory. As a Christian, you are “of God and through God,” then live “to God.”

Let nothing ever set your heart beating so mightily as love to him. Let this ambition fire your soul; be this the foundation of every enterprise upon which you enter, and this your sustaining motive whenever your zeal would grow chill; make God your only object. Depend upon it, where self begins sorrow begins; but if God be my supreme delight and only object,

To me ‘tis equal whether love ordain

My life or death – appoint me ease or pain

This Sunday we also celebrated communion by watching a special Advent meditation given by Pastor John Piper. You can watch it here. I hope you are blessed as you remember the purpose for Christ’s birth, and God’s mercy shown to you, who have been grafted into this great salvation by faith.

Discipleship Begins As We Get To Know Jesus

A Summary of Pastor Dale's Sermon on 11/28/2010

Another name for a believer in Jesus Christ is disciple. When Jesus called his disciples to follow him so that he might make them fishers of men (Matt 4:18-22) it was only 36 months later that he told them to go and make disciples. How did they go from fishermen to fishers of men? By getting to know Jesus.

As we get to know Jesus we will think on these 6 things:

1. The need for Jesus’ work – Why do you or I need Jesus? John 8:34 tells us that everyone is a slave to sin, and James 1:15 says that the result of sin is death. So, our need of Jesus begins with a realization that Scriptures says we are slaves to something that will kill us, and the work of Jesus is to free us from the penalty of sin.

2. The cost of Jesus’ work – When Jesus came to Earth he took the form of a servant, and he humbled himself to the point of dying on a cross (Phil 2:7-8). 1 Peter 1:18-19 tells us that the price Jesus paid as our ransom was his own precious blood. As we get to know Jesus, we see someone who willingly gave everything to free us.

3. The result of Jesus’ work – How did Jesus’ death change our relationship to God? Romans 5:10 says that it brought about reconciliation to God. In other words, because of our sin we were not acceptable to a holy God, but the result of Jesus’ work made us acceptable in His sight. Jesus willingly suffered for this great end of bringing us to God (1 Peter 3:18).

4. The motive of Jesus’ work – What could have motivated God to send His Son to willingly give himself to save us? As we get to know Jesus we see that God’s love and mercy are on display (Rom 5:8; 1 Peter 1:3).

5. The continuation of Jesus’ work – So, now that Jesus has saved us, what does he continue to do for us now? Hebrews 7:25 tells us that he intercedes for us. Another way to describe this is his role of mediator (1 Tim 2:5). Jesus is the one who is pulling for you. He prays for you, and helps you, and comes to the Father on your behalf. He is your defender and your advocate. The continuing work of Jesus is what enables you to grow as his disciple.

6. The application of Jesus’ work - If these truths about Jesus are to be yours then it begins as we acknowledge that we have sinned, and that our sin makes us unacceptable to God. In response to this, we repent and call on Jesus to save us; we ask for forgiveness through his blood; and we thank God for His love and grace. This is where we all must begin as Jesus calls us; and as we get to know him he then tells us to go and tell others about their need for Jesus, and all he has done to bring them to God. Like the first disciples, we are called to follow Jesus, and learn about Jesus, and to then go and make disciples.

As a church we value: being really nice to others; sound, reformed theology; encouraging families and various age groups to be unified in our fellowship; accountability and support that comes in small groups; and being involved both internationally and in our local community. BCC also values the spiritual health and growth of each person, and so discipleship needs to be another emphasis of our church. We want a church full of people who are growing, and healthy. We want you to be like trees; but not just any tree – not a delicate, manicured Bonsai Tree, but instead, to be like Torrey Pines that are able to withstand any storm that blows and threatens you. This is the type of tree described in Psalm 1; planted by streams of water (refreshed by the Holy Spirit working through the Word), and healthy even in times of drought.

One way to help you grow is by encouraging you to be discipled, and then to make disciples. One temptation might be to just grab the workbook we recommend (Fundamentals of the Christian Faith), but this is not discipleship. A disciple gives you direction, accountability, and the support you may need in life.

To get started, Pastor Jim will be organizing the men of our church, and Marla Lance, the women. Contact them, and they will be happy to match you up with someone who has been discipled and is ready to take you through this workbook. Today’s message on Jesus comes from one of its chapters, and as you work through this material it will help you become more familiar with the basics of our faith, and better prepared to then go and make disciples.

Even Better Than The Garden

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." – John 1:1

I love the fact that Scripture speaks of Christians as being “in Christ.” We typically hear of Jesus being in us, but do you ever consider what it means to be in Jesus? As I look at John 1:1, I notice something more than a proof-text for the deity of Christ; I notice relationship, sacrifice, and our great hope as those who are “in Christ.”

The first phrase in this great verse teaches us that Jesus, the Word (see Jn 1:14), did not begin in a Bethlehem stable, but that He had no beginning at all. For, we read, “In the beginning was the Word;” that is, at the beginning of creation, when God spoke time and matter into existence, the Son of God, Jesus, was. He did not come into existence at the beginning; rather, at the beginning, He existed.

What caught my attention and took me from one thought to another, was the next phrase. Instead of a restatement of the deity of Christ, we discover something about His existence before the beginning of time. We discover that Jesus, the Son of God, the Word that became flesh and dwelt among us, was not alone. “The Word was with God,” and because God is relational, perfect in love (and in every other way), we can rightly conclude that Jesus was never lonely before “the beginning,” and that this perfect relationship with God the Father and God the Holy Spirit is better than any relationship we have ever enjoyed.

We all want to know and be known; that is, to be in a loving relationship with others. Some of us know the joy of family; but even in the best of marriages, and with wonderful kids, there is pain because of the imperfections associated with our sin. But God, who is perfect and without sin, enjoyed the relationship we now only long for; one better than we are even capable of imagining.

If we cannot even imagine such perfection, then we certainly cannot rightly appreciate God giving this up. When I think of Jesus being with God, in perfect relationship, I also think of the enormous sacrifice described in John 3:16. Not only did Jesus willingly come to save us, but the Father willingly gave His Son into a dark and sinful world – knowing that they would reject him, and eventually murder him on a cross. Think of the sacrifice of the Father. Think of the sacrifice of the Son – not only in dying, but in experiencing loneliness and separation, as the Father turned His face away from the one whom He had always, and perfectly, loved. God willingly sacrificed this loving, perfect, eternal relationship so that we might be brought into the union He enjoyed before creation.

We long for the relationship enjoyed by our first parents in the garden - an innocent, sinless, and shame-free existence; but God has something even better in mind. He did not make this sacrifice to only give us what Adam and Eve previously enjoyed; He sacrificed so that we might be “in Christ,” and therefore brought into the relationship Jesus enjoyed within the Godhead before the garden was created. Like all of Scripture, God uses types and shadows to point us to the greater reality of Christ. If you are “in Christ,” the reality that awaits you is infinitely better than a walk with God in the garden. Better than this, what awaits you is seen in Jesus’ own prayer for us:

“Holy Father, keep them in your name, which you have given me, that they may be one, even as we are one … But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves … that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me … Father, I desire that they also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory that you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.” – John 17:11, 13, 21, 24

God has something better for us than another walk in the garden. What awaits us is not a relationship from the perspective of Adam and Eve, but instead from the perspective of the Word who was with God before the garden, and who will be with Him forevermore.

Blessed Thanksgiving!

Greetings to you and yours this holiday week.   I hope that it is filled with reminders of the reason for our lifestyle of thankfulness.

Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!

Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!  (Psalm 105:1-2)

Remember, if we only have Jesus, we are rich beyond human imagination.  If we only are justified, we are totally relieved of all guilt and shame and sin’s dreadful consequences. If we only are saved, we are set for life and for eternity, in joy, with Him!

Our daily devotional quotes the Puritan, William Cooper, who wrote:

Thanksgiving demonstrates a spiritual and noble frame of the soul in the highest pitch of grace. The Lord Jesus taught us thankfulness both by pattern and precept, and he thanked God frequently and fervently... We live precariously, and are always at God’s mercy. God in his sovereignty might have never made us; or, he could have crushed us into nothing as soon as we were made, for, ‘has the potter no right over the clay?’ (Romans 9:21). Every moment we depend upon him, and all we have are gifts from him. His power over us is absolute and infinite. To this Sovereign we owe all, and therefore we owe him our thanks. ‘For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen’ (Romans 11:36).

Here at my house we are delighted to have the family under one roof.  David and Mandi and granddog Brody arrived Sunday afternoon after driving from Fort Hood,Texas.  You parents know there is no earthly treasure more valuable than having your kids all at home.  And it’s a hoot to be together, especially to watch the more puppy-like Brody interact with the slightly grumpier Scooter: last night I walked into the house late to find everyone nearly in tears from laughing so hard. Hearing me arrive, Scooter was waiting anxiously by the door, tail wagging furiously, while Brody stood patiently right behind her, being repeated whacked by that happy tail.

The Army is sending David and three other artillery officers to South Korea on Sunday for a pre-planned trip of three weeks or so, so he takes off on Friday. But our daughter-in-law will be here for that time,  so we are thankful that we get to have her close for so long. We’ll get together on Sunday, and I’m already looking forward to that, echoes of last Sunday’s wonderful service still reverberating in my heart.  As promised, you can find Pastor Brian’s communion meditation here on the blog, and here is Pastor Jim’s prayer, adapted from a prayer in Valley of Vision, The Giver:

Creator, Upholder and Proprietor of all things, we cannot escape from your presence and control, nor do we desire to do so.  Our privilege is to be under the agency of your omnipotence, righteousness, wisdom, patience, mercy and grace; for you love with more than parental affection.  We admire your goodness, stand in awe of your power, fall on our face before your purity. It is the discovery of your goodness alone that can banish our fear, allure us into your presence, help us to regret and confess our sins. We review our past guilt and are conscious of present unworthiness. We bless you that your steadfast love and attributes are essential to our happiness and hope; You have demonstrated your grace and mercy in the bounty of nature, in the fullness of your providence, in the revelations of Scripture, in the gift of Your Son, in the proclamation of the gospel.  Make us willing to be saved in your own way, perceiving nothing in ourselves but all in Jesus. Help us not only to receive Jesus, but to walk in Him… depend on Him… commune with Him… follow Him as dear children, imperfect, but still pressing forward, not complaining of labor, but valuing rest, not murmuring under trials, but thankful for our situation. And by so doing let us silence the ignorance of foolish men. Father, all these words and commitments we commend to you…to establish and accomplish in our lives.

For Jesus’ sake we pray, Amen

-Pastor Dale

Discipleship: A Summary of Pastor Dale's 11/21/2010 Sermon

This Sunday, instead of continuing on in our study of the book of Romans, Pastor Dale encouraged us with a message on discipleship. As healthy things tend to grow, such as plants and children, so Christians (both individually, and as a church body) need to be in a constant state of growth. If there is health, there is growth, and yet one of the biggest challenges facing the church today is the perpetual immaturity of believers. Discipleship is the answer to this problem, and it occurs when two or more people encourage each other to grow in Christ.

Paul tells us that God’s purpose for every believer is this process of being conformed to the image of Jesus (Rom 8:29). Our natural tendency is to listen and observe, yet Jesus didn’t tell us to go and make spectators, He said, “Go and make disciples.” But what do we mean by growing and being a disciple? Is this a matter of age, church attendance, Bible knowledge, or our behavior at church? Jesus answers this question when he said we will know his disciples by their fruit. When we think of a disciple we ought to think of a student, a learner, or a follower; but even more than these, Jesus’ disciples are to be doers of the word, not hearers only.

To sum this up, here are some answers to two questions:

First, let’s ask; “What is a disciple?”

1. To be a disciple I must have a relationship with Jesus and, as with any other relationship, we should enjoy spending time with him. John 12:26 says, “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also.”

2. To be a disciple I must love Jesus supremely. In comparison to Jesus, all other affections should not come close. In Luke 14:26 Jesus is saying that being his disciple means we love him to such a degree that we are willing to lay down every other relationship (even our own lives) in order to follow him. Not only this, but we are to love God with ALL our heart, ALL our soul, ALL our mind, and ALL our strength (Mk 12:30).

3. To be a disciple I must love Jesus’ church, his family. “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another (Jn 13:35).” And, 1 John 4:20 says, “If anyone says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother; he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen.”

4. To be a disciple, I must obey him completely; partial obedience is disobedience. “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (Jn 8:31-32).” (Also, see Jn 15:7-8).

5. To be a disciple, I must serve others unselfishly. “If anyone would come after me (as my disciple), let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mt 16:24).”

6. To be a disciple, I must pass on the good news! “And he said to them, ‘Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ Immediately they left their nets and followed him (Mt 4:19-20).” As we see in 2 Timothy 2:2, disciples make disciples. “What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

The second question related to discipleship is, “How do I grow?”

1. Spiritual growth is incarnational; we grow by letting Christ grow in us. The root word “carne,” means meat, or flesh, and so the one who became flesh (incarnation) now dwells in us by the Spirit. If we are to grow, then God in the flesh (Jesus) must be growing in us. “I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).”

2. Spiritual growth is intentional; it doesn’t happen automatically. “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure (Phil 2:12-13).” Working out your salvation is not passive. If you don’t do anything; if there’s no plan or strategy for growth then nothing will happen. Be intentional.

3. Spiritual growth is incremental. Growth doesn’t happen all at once. It’s a slow process and, just as a plant grows from small to bigger, so we have a beginning and then grow. You don’t see a plant grow, but it grows nonetheless - slowly and progressively. “[We] are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit (2 Cor 3:18).”

4. Spiritual growth is personal. So, “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves (2 Cor 13:5).”

5. Spiritual growth is habitual. There are habits that help us grow. When you care for a plant you develop habits, such as regular watering at a certain time of day. The same is true for your spiritual growth. Develop habits for your Bible reading and not neglecting fellowship by being at church. “[Do not neglect] to meet together, as is the habit of some, but [encourage] one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

6. Growth is relational. Our relationship is not only to God, but God has saved us into a body to be in relationship with each other. Your intentional relationship with your brothers and sisters in Christ encourages their growth, and their encouragement to you also helps you to grow.

With all of this in mind, the elders want to encourage you to begin this process of learning and encouraging someone else in the faith, and an excellent resource for this is “Fundamentals of the Faith,” by John MacArthur. We have several copies available, and this will help you learn more about your faith and give you an opportunity to encourage someone else as well. There are several people in the church who have already worked through this book (see your bulletin), and are excited to continue working through it with others. If you would like to begin growing in this way you can contact either Pastor Jim (541-821-0343) or Marla Lance (541-664-5796), and they will introduce you to a person or group for you to get started with.

Has God Rejected the Jews? A Summary of Pastor Dale’s 11/14/2010 Sermon

Paul’s letter to Christians in Rome is clearly one of the most important books of the Bible we can study. If you were deserted on an island, and could only have one book of the Bible, Romans would be a good choice because it helps us understand much of the Old Testament and focuses our attention on the grace of God in saving us through Jesus Christ. One person who recognized the treasure of Romans was Martin Luther; a man used by God to reform the church from the unbiblical, works oriented, practices of the 16^th century Roman Catholic Church. Concerning Romans he said;

“In this epistle we … find most abundantly the things that a Christian ought to know, namely, what is the law, gospel, sin, punishment, grace, faith, righteousness, Christ, God, good works, love, hope, and the cross; and also how we are to conduct ourselves toward everyone, be he righteous or sinner, strong or weak, friend or foe-and even toward our own selves. Moreover, this all ably supported with Scripture and proved by St. Paul’s own example and that of the prophets, so that one could not wish for anything more. Therefore it appears that he wanted in this one epistle to sum up briefly the whole Christian and evangelical doctrine, and to prepare an introduction to the entire Old Testament. For, without doubt whoever has this epistle well in his heart, has with him the light an power of the Old Testament. Therefore let every Christian be familiar with it and exercise himself in it continually. To this end may God give his grace. Amen.

The epistle is really the chief part of the New Testament, and is truly the purest gospel. It is worthy not only that every Christian should know it word for word, by heart, but also that he should occupy himself with it every day, as the daily bread of the soul.”

We currently find ourselves in chapters 9-11 where Paul deals with the problem of his people, the Jews, and their rejection of Jesus as messiah. In 9:6 he asks if this problem means God’s word has failed. He answers this three times in chapters 9-11. First, in 9:8 he says, “…it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are counted as offspring.” In other words, “No, God’s word has not failed because God’s promises are for people who are true Israel by election, not simply those who are born into Israel by race.”

Paul asks a similar question, when he asks, “What shall we say, then? That Gentiles who did not pursue righteousness have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith?” Paul again answers with a “no,” this time in 10:4 when he says, “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” In other words, “No, God’s word hasn’t failed concerning the Jews because Gentiles are being saved. God’s word stands because it is being fulfilled in those who have faith.”

Finally, in 11:25-26, Paul answers that God’s word has not failed concerning the Jews because “a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved.”

Why does this matter? Because if God’s word has failed, then God is not God, and there is no reason to depend on Him with our lives.

So, has God rejected the Jews? Paul answers this by pointing to himself (11:1). “No, look at me! I’m an Israelite.” Also, in 11:2-5 he points out that God has foreknown a remnant, and that anyone who is saved is saved by grace (11:5), not performance.

In light of this study, Pastor Dale suggests the following applications:

1. Think hard about these (sometimes) hard things. We have been saved into a faith that requires us to be learners. The gospel is a message communicated to us, and God reveals both its message and Himself, in the Bible. Because God has communicated this to us in writing we ought to understand that this requires reading and thinking and carefully interpreting what God intends to show us about Himself, us, and how we can be in a relationship with Him.

2. As you think about unconditional election, ask “Have I switched roles with God?” As Americans, we live in a culture that prides itself on independence and freedom. We not only want to be in control, but we see this as a virtue. What do you do when God’s word communicates that He is in control, and that He is the one who chose you? If we are to read and think and understand God’s word, then we need to ask if other things (such as our cultural assumptions) have caused us to think differently about this teaching of Scripture. Ask yourself, “Am I hearing what God declares in His word, or am I making it say what I think it ought to say?”

3. Humble up. Instead of the teaching of election making you proud, it ought to cause the opposite. Instead of thinking that you’re special because God chose you; election should humble you because it teaches that there’s nothing you can do, and even nothing about you, that causes God to choose you. God chooses you completely for His own reasons. As He declares, “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.” Right understanding of Scripture will always lead you to humble up.

4. Pray for ardent unbelievers. God is the one who saves, but He invites us to pray, and He uses our prayers to accomplish His will. Prayer is like a tool in the hand of God that He uses as He works, so … pray for unbelievers and God may use your prayer as a mean of their salvation.

5. Share the gospel with everyone. Your responsibility is to faithfully communicate the gospel, but the results belong to God. God invites us to be a tool in His hand, as we share the good news of Jesus Christ. It’s His work, not ours. Instead of feeling that someone’s eternal destiny is in your hands, understand that you are a tool in God’s hand to save those whom He chooses to show His mercy. The weight is off your shoulders, so share the gospel with everyone, and leave the results to Him.

6. Take risks with your money and your life. Don’t be foolish, be wise, but understand that your money and this life are temporary, so trust God with them. Be generous with both. Is there anything better than being a part of what God is doing? You’re invited to be a part of what He’s up to, so take a risk and let Him use these as you have an attitude of generosity.

7. Don’t say: “I may not be chosen” Instead, have faith in God and grow in His grace.

8. Find joy in the Lord of grace. Be thankful for God’s grace and recognize that in Him there is great joy.