Considering the Eternal Gospel

Scripture: Then I saw another angel flying in midheaven, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who live on the earth—to every nation and tribe and language and people. ... Here is a call for the endurance of the saints, those who keep the commandments of God and hold fast to the faith of Jesus. Revelation 14:6,12

Observation: John sees three angels proclaim messages. He introduces the first, stating the angel proclaims an "eternal gospel" to everyone on earth. However, after all three angels speak, he concludes them collectively as a call for believers, and therefore it seems that the three messages collectively are the good news. There is apocryphal imagery about these statements ... Babylon the Great referenced, discussion of the mark of the beast, etc. However, keeping it simple, the three messages summarize as follows:

-- We are to worship the Lord of all creation.

-- The kingdom of evil that oppresses faith has fallen.

-- Those who believed in evil lies have been judged.

Again, John is told this is an "eternal gospel" ... these messages represent a permanent proclamation of good news that lasts forever and ever. It is a declaration of both the victory of Lord, and of the victory of faith in Jesus over the lies of satan that causes others to reject faith. Permanently and forever, faith in Yeshua, and worship of Yahweh, are the way of life for joy and peace and love. This is for all people, of all nations and races and language, for all time.

Application: As Christians, we carry and proclaim the specific gospel of Jesus, which is that forgiveness and salvation is available to all people through simple faith in Jesus as the son of God. However, this gospel is for just this ... forgiveness and salvation ... which are critically important but are also part of a broader truth. The full truth is that the Lord of creation loves us, and seeks to provide for those who believe in and worship him forever and ever, but will indeed judge those who reject his love, his ways, and his truth.

I will worship only Yahweh, the Lord of all creation. I may fail often, but I desire to serve him, honor him, and obey him. I desire the endurance to keep his commandments and to hold fast to the faith of Jesus. This is what I will do for my entire life, and for all eternity.

Prayer: Lord, by your Holy Spirit, please give me your strength and your endurance, so I may better honor and obey you. I do worship you and only you, and I place my faith in Jesus Christ as my savior and redeemer. I will never worship another, and I know all truth and love and joy comes from you alone, and from your ways. Amen.

All Praise and Blessing for the Lord

Scripture: Blessed be the Lord, the God of our ancestors, who put such a thing as this into the heart of the king to glorify the house of the Lord in Jerusalem, and who extended to me steadfast love before the king and his counselors, and before all the king’s mighty officers. Ezra 7:27-28a

Observation: Ezra has been ordered by the king of Persia to truly become the priest of Yahweh in the temple in Jerusalem. He has been given materials to reinstate temple practices, authority to execute all the laws of the Lord, and commission by the king to prove the right of the Israelites to do so. After repeating the orders written by the king, this is Ezra's response ... blessed be the Lord! Ezra acknowledges that this is all the act of God, who has moved the heart and mind of the Persian king into honor for the Lord, respect for the Israelites, and action to align both into worship.

The Lord has created the scenario to honor himself, but has also done so by reestablishing the honor of Israel, and specifically ensuring that earthly honor and respect has been bestowed upon Ezra as the earthly representation of that respect for the name of the Lord.

Application: Earthly honor certainly must point back to the Lord. When I, my family, or my church community receive honor or respect, it is because the Lord has moved the situation to create it.

As we conclude a week where our church has been publicly respected and thanked for maintaining holiday traditions, may we give the honor to the Lord who has protected and aided us in all matters. It is only by the Lord that any honor may come, and it is truly only FOR the Lord that earthly honor exists. He is the only one worthy of praise and honor and glory, and such accolades are for him alone.

Prayer: Lord, blessed be your name, and blessed by Jesus Christ, who has created a scenario where unbelievers who do not know you would yet thank you for your love and kindness. May we pass those praises on to you in the days to come. Amen.

We are Truly at War

Scripture: So when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. But the woman was given the two wings of the great eagle, so that she could fly from the serpent into the wilderness, to her place where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time. ... Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to make war on the rest of her children, those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus. Revelation 12:13-14,17

Observation: This vision from heaven involves a great red dragon, identified as satan. He is the antagonist against a woman. She has given birth, and the child is taken to heaven while the woman is hidden away in the wilderness for care and protection. The dragon - who has along the way lost a battle to Michael and been cast out of heaven - pursues the woman. However, when he fails, he "makes war on the rest of her children" who are the Christians of earth.

Application: I truly understand almost nothing of this entire section of the bible. I can understand the basics about the fall of satan, and maybe I can come up with a couple interpretations about the woman, her child, her place of seclusion, the passing of time, etc. Certainly, every concept and idea I guess at would be just that ... guesses, which would require true divine inspiration to understand.

However, I can understand verse 17 ... the dragon makes war on those who keep the commandments of God and hold the testimony of Jesus. This is the primary issue for the Church of Jesus Christ today ... satan makes war against us. He makes war against the entire Church, each individual congregation, and one-by-one against every believer. He makes war in our private lives, and he makes war in public venues. He engaged in war within our very homes, at our churches themselves, in our communities, and across out entire culture. He uses as his weapons our personal sin, lies about what is right and wrong, earthly political practices, modern technology and media, and even our own flawed practices that have evolved over the passage of time.

This is the truth we as believers in Christ must understand: Satan cannot harm the Lord, he cannot harm Jesus, and he has already been cast out of heaven, so he has turned his wrath upon God's creation and especially upon the believers in Jesus Christ, in an attempt to destroy that which God loves.

God loves us, so satan hates us. And make no mistake, satan is powerful, and he acts. He plans and convinces and attacks. He uses all his abilities on earth to truly 'make war' against the faithful followers of Christ, which includes the lies he has imbued into all the rest of society. The battleground is the unbelieving ... it is to them whom Christ sends us to spread the good news, and it is they who have been given the weapons of satan - the lies about salvation and lies about the nature of God - to fight against the truth and love of Jesus.

We are at war. Satan first tries to prevent the good news, then looks to destroy us believers. He looks to destroy our belief system, our overall unity, our individual communities, our own families, and our very earthly lives. So warns the Lord himself.

Prayer: Lord, I know my terrible thought life is the result of the whispers of satan. Please, Lord, protect me and my mind and my heart from his deceptions. Furthermore, please protect my family, my friends, my church, and the entire community of those who follow the way of Jesus. Satan is strong, but your, my Lord, are so much stronger, and it is upon you I place my hope and my faith. Amen.

Go Tell It on the Mountain

That Jesus Christ is born!!

Memorizing my Lines

Scripture: After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" Revelation 7:9-10

Observation: As John looks upon heaven, he sees a gathering of believers celebrating the salvation that comes from the Lord through Jesus Christ. The Lamb is their shepherd, and he gives them life-giving water and comfort from all their earthly sorrows. This great multitude declares that the salvation of heaven is from the Lord, afforded by the Lamb.

Application: I declare this as a believer in Jesus Christ ... salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb! The Lord God himself is the arbiter and provider of all grace and salvation, and it is a gift I cannot earn or in any way acquire for myself, except as a gift offered through faith in Jesus.

Salvation belongs to the Lord God almighty. I will worship him forever as the creator father of mankind, the only source of truth, and the great provider of love, mercy, grace, and hope. The Lord is seated on his throne, and my greatest hope is to celebrate his authority in heaven.

Salvation is granted by Jesus and his redeeming love, which provides the sacrifice needed for me to receive eternal salvation. He has covered my transgressions, even though I have no reason to hope for such mercy. I celebrate and worship Jesus as my savior and Lord and Messiah.

Prayer: Abba, Lord, salvation belongs to you, the ruler of heaven and earth, and to your son Jesus. I worship you with my heart and my life. Thank you for your gift of salvation. I look forward to bowing before your and worshipping you in heaven. Amen.

Interpreting the Purpose of Earthly Work

Scripture: When he opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature call out, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse! Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand, and I heard what seemed to be a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a day’s pay, and three quarts of barley for a day’s pay, but do not damage the olive oil and the wine!” Revelation 6:5-6

Observation: As the seven seals of the scroll are opened, each reveals a new action. The first four involve horses with riders. They involve violence, war, and death itself. However, amongst them is this third horse, which appears to represent ... commerce. It wields market scales, and the voice of heaven declares prices for food. This is about the need to work for the day to earn enough to by one's own daily bread, and barely that as perhaps it is not enough to also buy the oil to make the bread, and wine to drink.

If the "four horsemen" represent a level of despair, hardship, and violence against mankind, then this hardship includes modern economics. As part of the earthly hardship, humans have to trade daily work for what it takes to survive. Working every day becomes a requirement to live, and therefore living itself involves working every day. If the end-time interpretation of the four horsemen is about hardship and death, then that death begins when we align ourselves to the model for work, and rely upon that earthly work to provide for our earthly lives.

Application: The alternative for me is that I must rely upon the Lord for my provision in life. Yes, I still need to work, as on earth we have a way to manage exchanges in goods and services. However, my work must never become the purpose of my life, as that is - by God's definition - death.

I dwell too often on the value of my work, and that value also only has earthly meaning and thus should be ignored. My work should be judged only in how it contributes to the Lord. Am I a witness of Jesus Christ in the workplace? Do I give my tithe to God? Does my work align to the will of God, based on how I see him acting around me? Do I do my job well enough so as to avoid anyone from bringing charges against me and thus tarnishing their understanding of Christ?

I am in good standing on these elements, though I know I could do better at the actual quality of my work. This is something I must return to as a focus of my work. The money, the outcomes, the large-context 'meaning' of it ... these only matter in the way that they point to Jesus as the savior of all mankind.

Prayer: Lord, may I improve my focus at work, and may my work reflect your love toward others and your character. Help me to release all pride I have about my earthly value within the worldly economy, for such cares are just another form of death. Amen.

Considering the Implicit Illicit Acts

Scripture:
This is the way of an adulteress:
she eats, and wipes her mouth,
and says, “I have done no wrong.”
Under three things the earth trembles;
under four it cannot bear up:
a slave when he becomes king,
and a fool when glutted with food;
an unloved woman when she gets a husband,
and a maid when she succeeds her mistress.
Proverbs 30:20-23

Observation: This proverb addresses the danger of those who truly sin through treachery and deceit. The first example is an adulteress who will sin and then sincerely declare she has done nothing wrong once the evidence is gone. However, the four other items reflect similar behaviors. In every case, they are about people who have exceeded their station, but very likely through a scheme of lies, deception, treachery, and theft. While it is implicit, in all cases it is unreasonable to assume the individual can achieve their ends without illicit action.

In the four examples that cause society to tremble and crash, the individual has achieved a noble goal, but certainly has done so in an illicit manner:

-- The slave has nicely improved his position in the world, but likely through rebellion and violence

-- The fool has earned enough money to eat well, but having great excess while still being a "fool" implies improper procurement - theft - of such resources

-- The unloved woman - who is thus still unloved even by the man who marries her - can only get a husband through improper seduction or coercion

-- The maid has improved her status in the household, but did so by improperly seducing the master of the house

This is the warning of the wise to the world ... that behaviors such as these - behaviors that create what many might consider desirable outcomes but are the result of harmful actions - will be the downfall of the world. This is not to say that improving the lives of those who struggle is the problem, but rather the scheming acts of people is the problem. When everyone is doing whatever it takes to advance themselves and achieve only their own ends - and then declares they have done nothing wrong because the outcome is perfectly acceptable - society cannot "bear up".

Application: Still today we talk about the means justifying the ends. We have so very many "causes" now whereby people are seeking to change the lives of people ... and many of those causes are valid. However, we are pursuing these causes through campaigns driven by hate and anger against others.

Our society is trembling ... it cannot bear up. The implicit actions that drive toward the just outcome cannot be dismissed ... they cannot be wiped away with a declaration that no wrong has been done.

Prayer: Lord, I ask that you help give us all wisdom. May we find ways to address issues of justice and equity, without introducing new methods of hatred and disunity. Amen.

On God's Timing and Our Patience

Scripture: Then the king said, “What honor or distinction has been bestowed on Mordecai for this?” The king’s servants who attended him said, “Nothing has been done for him.” Esther 6:3

Observation: The plot of Haman against Mordecai is about to unfold the very next day. However, the king cannot sleep, and in his unrest he is reminded that Mordecai once saved his life, but also that - at that time - nothing was done to thank Mordecai. He was not acknowledged, honored, or rewarded for his loyalty. It is now that the king corrects that oversight, and it is that timing that saves Mordecai from Haman's plot.

While Esther's work to undo Haman's larger plot against the Jews is already in motion, it is at this micro level - the actions of Haman to kill just one man - where the Lord acts exactly when needed. At the same time, this perfect timing required Mordecai to live with the fact that he had acted honorably toward the king, but had received no reward or even acknowledgment for an extended time.

Application: When it comes to the Lord's provision in our lives, we all talk often about his "perfect timing". However, we likely ignore our need for "faithful patience." This is beyond a type of patience where we just wait because ... well, because there is nothing to do BUT wait. If we need God's help, and it doesn't yet come, then we don't really get a choice. However, faithful patience means we also do not dwell on that, we do not care, we do not feel overlooked for forsaken. Beyond just saying we trust that God will still take care of us, we even just reconcile the idea that the Lord has something so important in mind in the future that waiting will make a future provision even better.

If Mordecai had been rewarded immediately by the king, then there would have been no action to take now. In addition, when Haman came and accused him and asked for him to be executed, the king could permit it even knowing the past ... perhaps he would have thought Mordecai had changed, or that he had grown arrogant due to his past reward. Instead, the fact Mordecai is never rewarded creates a scenario that saves his life, which is a reward far beyond what he would have received if the reward had been ... some gold provided real-time, or a feast years earlier.

I do not know if I am in need of God's protection and provision at this time. I suspect I will be in need someday. When that day comes, I am faithfully certain I will receive just what I need, just when I need it, and perhaps without even knowing I did need it. I hope I can be a patient as Mordecai.

Prayer: Lord, may your peace and patience be upon my heart at all times. I hope to wait upon you with joy, and maybe even with ignorance of need, as I certainly trust in your provision for myself and my family. Amen.

Recognizing our Life in Pergamum

Scripture: I know where you are living, where Satan’s throne is. Yet you are holding fast to my name, and you did not deny your faith in me even in the days of Antipas my witness, my faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan lives. But I have a few things against you: you have some there who hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to put a stumbling block before the people of Israel, so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and practice fornication. So you also have some who hold to the teaching of the Nicolaitans. Revelation 2:13-15

Observation: John is writing to the church of Pergamum. They are in a city at the very heart of the evil ways of the time, and doing well to be Christ's witness there. However, they also fall into a dangerous category ... believers who effectively interpret the forgiveness of sin by Jesus to mean that all Mosaic law is void, and immoral practices are now permitted - maybe even encouraged as ritual practices - because if they are sin, they are also forgiven.

To put this another way: This church exists in a place that is actively opposed to Yahweh, and yet they have the courage to declare Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, to proclaim the good news, to publicly demonstrate their faith. However, they also choose to embrace certain activities that would be more aligned to that local culture, especially laying aside certain moral principles, likely due to both their own upbringing within the worldly culture, and a misapplication of the Jesus' redemptive gift.

Jesus - through John - praises the former actions, and corrects the latter behavior.

Application: Seattle is the center of secular behavior in the United States. We are the home of the largest modern transportation company, the largest online retail company, the largest technology company, the largest warehouse wholesale company, the largest coffee company ... in the world. With the exception of entertainment and politics, these are the very industries/organizations that now influence thought and cultural norms on our planet.

Meanwhile, Seattle is the least-churched place in the United States, aligned more closely to the "10-40 window" when it comes to Christian faith. The politics, culture, and attitude of Seattle are radically leaned toward behaviors that are the very definition of "anti-Mosaic law". In fact, most people wouldn't know what that means ... they have no concept of any connection between "morals" and any teachings of the bible. They are more likely to adamantly deny there is any possibility of such a connection. They actively declare as 'right' those things that are morally wrong beyond debate, and declare morally wrong any person who doesn't agree.

Our church - my friends, my wife, and I - live in Pergamum. We believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and savior, declare his gospel, and seek to show his love to others. So I must ask myself ... do I fall into the teaching and the stumbling block of Balaam? Do I hold to the ways of the Nicolaitans? Are there elements of my life that are a conflict to the laws and teachings of the bible, but which I actively embrace (or at least tolerate) in my life?

This is a warning I must take very, very seriously. Clearly the first churches, still receiving teaching and council from the apostles, could fall into such a trap. And clearly the Revelation of Jesus was meant to be timeless and heeded by all churches throughout history.

I want the 'hidden manna' and the 'white stone' with a new name, promised to those who overcome. I do not want war waged against my city and my country.

Prayer: Lord, please show to me the elements of my life where I have embraced cultural norms that are opposed to your teaching, and help me to repent. I want to live a life you would teach, and not a life that looks like all the others in this region. Amen.

Woe to Be a Shepherd

Scripture: Thus said the Lord my God: Be a shepherd of the flock doomed to slaughter. Those who buy them kill them and go unpunished; and those who sell them say, “Blessed be the Lord, for I have become rich”; and their own shepherds have no pity on them. Zechariah 11:4-5

Observation: The Lord declares that he has lost his patience with the 'shepherds' of the world. Previously in v10:2, he pointed out that those people who pretend to give direction to the people - seers and diviners ... leaders - speak lies, and the sheep therefore have no shepherd. Now he points out even the wickedness of the shepherds. The shepherds raise sheep for their own prophet. Those who buy the sheep kill them for their own sustenance. There is no one who actually raises the sheep out of love, compassion, and support. For this reason, the Lord declares he will care no longer for such people.

Application: Jesus declared himself to be the "good shepherd" and used the metaphor several times. He is the one who will protect and care for sheep, not for prophet, but just by his love. If it is true that Jesus is the shepherd, and earthly shepherds are despised by the Lord due to their motives, then I should actively conclude that I have no desire to be a shepherd on earth.

I sometimes think about what I should do to reassume some kind of leadership position, at work or in the church. I need to set that aside. In fact, I need to reconcile the fact that I shouldn't even want that. I have a leader to follow! To the extent he would use me to help others, that just makes me a well-behaved sheep. Jesus is still the shepherd, at all times, in all situations. And Jesus is the only person I - or anyone else - should truly follow.

Prayer: Lord, please be my shepherd. I ask for your nurturing protection. I will follow you as you lead me, and if others in the flock also walk where I am going, it must only be because they also follow you. Amen.

Examples of Foolish Pride

Scripture: But these people slander whatever they do not understand, and they are destroyed by those things that, like irrational animals, they know by instinct. Woe to them! For they go the way of Cain, and abandon themselves to Balaam’s error for the sake of gain, and perish in Korah’s rebellion. Jude 1:10-11

Observation: As Jude calls out certain members of the church for their wrong thinking, he gets specific about their errors. He blames them of obeying their worldly instinct and not the instructions of God. He then aligns them to three Old Testament figures:

-- Cain, who withholds his best offering and jealously murders his brother

-- Balaam, who accepted money to curse the chosen people

-- Korah, who challenged the priestly structure pronounced by Moses

All three suffered from greed and pride, hand in hand. Cain wanted to keep the best of his flock for himself, but was angry when his offering was therefore rejected as inferior. Balaam was personally instructed by the Lord about the Israelites, but wanted the money offered him and was proud of how kings turned to him for help. Korah declared himself and others as equally holy and thus fully allowed to serve in any capacity they desired.

In all three cases, these people - again motivated by their greed and pride - reject God's authority. Cain didn't want to give God the best of his offering; Balaam didn't want to obey instructions to not accept the king's money; Korah didn't want to accept others as priestly leaders. As Jude says in verse 8, such people "defile the flesh, reject authority, and slander the glorious ones."

Application: This, too, is how my pride manifests ... I reject God's authority in my daily life and take actions I know to be wrong, simply because I can choose to do so.

In all circumstances, I can choose to turn to God for instruction and guidance and direction, or I can use my own 'instinct' and intelligent - or may just my prideful will - and decide for myself what course of action to take. Far too often, I take the latter path.

God's instructions are clear ... turn to him and follow his plan and path, for he loves me and wants what is best for me. My lack of understanding, and my personal pride that seeks authority, position, status, or wealth, must not guide my actions. In my own life, these actions cause me pain and trouble. However, especially if I apply these to my actions toward others, I would then be operating in a manner far outside of Jesus' love for believers, and for all mankind.

Prayer: Lord, I confess again today that it is my own pride that causes me to sin and to take actions and express thoughts I know in my heart to be wrong. Please forgive my sin, and my pride. I wish to seek your will, and then obey that will, both in my daily walk, and in my ongoing life journey with you. Amen.

Once Again, Love One Another

Scripture: I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father. But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 2 John 1:4-5

Observation: As John is an apostle full of the Holy Spirit, he writes a letter in the most spirit-filled manner. It is addressed metaphorically to a "lady" - which is the bride of Christ, his church - and discusses her children ... the body of believers. In that same spirit, John clarifies the true "work" of believers. He is overjoyed to see that many believers live their daily lives in full belief that Jesus is the Messiah, and obeying his teaching. It is this faith and obedience that is the command of the father. However, he then reenforces the "new commandment" that is directly from Jesus at the last supper ... to love one another.

It is critical that this command truly be at the heart of Christian life, pertaining to the interaction of believers. It is the one thing Jesus adds to the differentiate believers. And if John is "overjoyed" to see that believers are truly walking in the truth of Jesus, yet needs to remind us to love one another, it is clearly one of the hardest instructions to obey.

Application: I know there are Christians I don't like. I can make a lot of excuses about their behaviors, attitudes, or flawed perspectives initiating that attitude, but those are just excuses.

Loving everyone in the Church is a journey ... even John knew that. He is the disciple who repeatedly talks of love and tells of the command to love one another, so he knew that this was a struggle. He likely struggled to love the other disciples, and we know he had conflicts associated with respect with some church leaders in later life. So loving everyone else in the church is not a switch I can just flip. But it is an attitude I can adopt and strive to practice. It is a 'default' position I can begin with upon meeting others.

Prayer: Lord, may I more and more love others in the church. I believe I have improved in this, but I have a long way to go as well. This is important, and it is your command, Jesus. I will strive to do it. Amen.

What 'Loving the World' Means

Scripture: Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. 1 John 2:15-16

Observation: As John warns of the difference between loving the world and the things of the world versus loving the Lord, he identifies those things that are in the world and that come from the world. They are desires of the flesh, desires of the eyes, and pride of riches. To summarize these then, those things that come from earthly knowledge and not from God's wisdom are:

-- Activities we pursue only because they make us feel good

-- Things we covet without even really understanding why

-- Money that becomes how we define our success

Even in the time of first century - and certainly we know long before that - these were the "scorecards" people kept to prove their greatness. The ease of their daily lives, the size of their homes, the land and wealth they had ... especially as these all existed in scope and quantities far beyond what they could need, these were the indications of earthly authority and greatness. And they are in fact indications of earthly success. However, they have nothing to do with actual, valuable success, and the pursuit of - and desire to - obtain them is the greatest blocker to pursuing the love the God.

Application: I am a person who lives in comfort, who can obtain things I desire beyond want I truly need, and who has financial savings. I need to be very careful about how I desire and pursue these things, and about my attitude toward them, as I must never love of the world.

In my heart, and in my mind, and in my actions, my attitude toward comfort, material items, and money must begin with my love of the Lord, and my service to Jesus.

-- How am I pursuing activities that the Spirit wishes to exist in my life?

-- How am I seeking and applying my resources to advancing his kingdom?

-- How am I using my time to love others and proclaim the gospel?

Truly loving God and not loving the world go hand in glove.

Prayer: Lord, my life is dedicated to you as my Lord and my God. I thank you so much for the blessings of my life, which is far beyond what I could ever deserve. However, I also desire to know how I can use these blessings for you, and not for my worldly endeavors. I do not want to love the world. May I do your will and live for your kingdom every day. Amen.