Free Will(y) - Simplified

a scene from Free Willy 7 : Bondage Of The Will*


Has God determined the end from the beginning?
Has He chosen before the foundation of the world?
Will those whom he called be justified, be sanctified, and be glorified?
(see Isaiah 46:10, Ephesians 1:4, Romans 8:29-30 for the answers)

Phil Johnson boils down free willers (arminians) into one of two words:

If tomorrow is predetermined and you don't want to acknowledge that the plan was decreed by God, you have only two choices:

Some being other than God determines the future and is therefore more sovereign than He. That is a kind of idolatry.

Some impersonal force does the determining without reason or coherence. That is a kind of fatalism.

So anyone who denies that God preordained whatsoever comes to pass but wants to avoid both fatalism and idolatry is logically compelled to deny God's omnscience.

That of course, is precisely the rationale that has led so many to embrace Open Theism.

The more sensible option—and the biblical one—would be to abandon Arminian presuppositions and acknowledge that God declared the end from the beginning, and that He works all things according to the counsel of His own will.

-Phil Johnson on Pyromaniacs


God never hands over the reigns of sovereignty ever. Not for a single moment.

*not an actual movie

God's Role and The Believer's Role In the Discipleship Process

I was asked to give an analysis of the following sentence for a class on discipleship that I took as part of my masters program - “Disciples are created in the image of God, yet fallen and choosing to learn.” It was part of a discusssion board. 

There should be no disagreement as to the validity of the first part of that statement. All men are created in the image of God and thus by logical rationalization disciples are created in the image of God. However, the real question lies in how this pertains to the rest of the statement. It would be rather simplistic to divide this statement in two and deal with the first and second parts as individual thoughts. So how does a follower of Jesus Christ, created in the image of God yet fallen, choose to learn more about his Creator? 

I believe you must understand the implications of what it means to be chosen by God unto salvation and therefore chosen unto good works and to also understand the believer's responsibility before God and man to choose to learn and grow. Romans 8:29 states -  "For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren." The purpose of discipleship is to be in a continual process of transformation that is conforming us into the image of Jesus Christ. God has predestined us to this end. This is critical in understanding our own ability to be learners of the things of God. To know that God has called us and set us aside to be conformed to the image of His Son should empower us and motivate us to learn, grow, and desire after Him. 

Prior to verse 29 in Romans chapter 8, Paul defines what it means to be truly free from the power of indwelling sin. Verses 5 -8 state - "For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God." If we live our lives according to the Holy Spirit that indwells our very being at the moment of salvation, then Scripture teaches that the implications of that are minds that are set on the things of God. Followers of Christ are super-naturally geared towards learning the things of God. That explains how we as fallen human beings can still learn the things of God.

As far as being created in the image of God, Scripture teaches that God has created within us the ability to know Him. But man, in his sinful state, has repressed the truth in his heart. Romans 1:18-19 states - "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them." It is only the regenerate heart that can come to understand the truths of God.

So where does that leave man in choosing to learn? Paul's letters are filled with exhortations for his readers to grow in the truths of God. Paul's writings clealry implore his readers to take action in their faith implying that it also is of our choosing to learn. It is awesome how God's soveriegnty and our choice to learn about God intertwine and fit perfectly together. Knowing this enables us to teach the truths of Scripture without reservation knowing that the true disciple will be eager to learn them. 

election day

Today is election day. Regardless of the outcome, it helps me to remember:

Daniel 2:20-21

"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,
to whom belong wisdom and might.
He changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;"

Daniel 4:17

"The sentence is by the decree of the watchers, the decision by the word of the holy ones, to the end that the living may know that the Most High rules the kingdom of men and gives it to whom he will and sets over it the lowliest of men."

Proverbs 21:1

"The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the LORD;
he turns it wherever he will."

Rest in God's sovereignty, knowing that He is in control of the government. Everything is going exactly how it was planned.

It is also important to remember what kind of attitude to adorn in regards to responding to our government.

1 Peter 2:13-18
"Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust.

The interesting thing about Peter's letter is that he was writing to Christians living under the rule of Emperor Nero, who was torturing Christians. With this in mind, he tells them to "honor the emperor". This may be tough for us, but if Christians could do that under Nero, then I'm sure it's possible for Christians in America. My question is "are we honoring our rulers with our words?" 1 Peter's emphasis is the Christian's testimony ("Aliens and strangers" 1 Peter 2:11). Are people wondering what the reason is for the hope that is in us? (1 Peter 3:15) Do we look different from the world? Or are we complaining like EVERYONE else? I pray that the Lord takes control of my heart, and that I will always respond with "gentleness and respect" (v.16) I pray my focus will be on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 3:18
"For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit"

A Prayer of Questions About His Church

Father in heaven,
Why do you allow your church to falter? Why does it seem so weak at times? Why is there such a lack of discernment? Why is sanctification so slow? Lord, how long will you tolerate the mediocrity that sits in the pew? Lord, how long will you put up with your children who are ashamed and unlearned to speak of your name to the unbelieving? Why do you permit your shepherds to starve the sheep instead of feeding them? Father, I don't understand. There is so much wrong with your church and to my limited mind it seems like you are slow to act. But I know that nothing escapes your eyes, Father. And to the outsider it may seem that you are complacent towards a church that is filled with hypocrisy and lethargy. But being complacent and patient are not the same thing. You are patient with us even though we don't deserve it. We are forgiven in Christ and the more we sin the more we become aware of the magnititude of your grace. Perhaps that is why you allow us to fail daily--that your grace might be magnified. Lord, my mind cannot grasp your ways. My thoughts are so small. They are so fixed on the temporal that I cannot always see your eternal purposes in the affairs of mankind. I cannot tell whether your people are growing in the word or shrinking in the world. In one moment they have victory over sin and the next they wallow in it. In one moment they are willing to suffer for the sake of Your Son, the next they prefer comfort over conformity to His image. Pondering these things is enough to drive one to insanity at times. Yet your wisdom reigns over all. You are in complete control. You are accomplishing your will. You are glorifying yourself and all of history leads to this great end. It's just that in painful moments we cannot always see this end in sight. Lord, let me rest in your wisdom. Your church is in your hands, not mine. The church is your idea, not mine. The church is your gift to your Son, not mine. The church is yours to sanctify, not mine. It is yours to save, not mine. Remove the self-imposed burden of thinking that it's my job only to ensure the health of the church. Lord, I am but a clay vessel in your pantry and if you see fit to put me on the shelf or if you see fit to use me everyday, Lord it is your choice. Let me be only a clean vessel. Christ Jesus, you are building the church and the gates of hell cannot prevail against it. Let me rest on the promise of your sure and unchanging word. This I pray in the marvelous, powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

new birth

"A dead man can not assist in his own resurrection."

-W.G.T. Shedd

Deeper with God

Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. - Job 13:15

The life of Job in the Bible was a testimony of God's providence, chastening, and steadfast love in the life of a man who feared Him, but was tested beyond measure. What God allowed Job to go through, seems out of line with His character- as a loving, holy, kind God who exercises holiness and righteousness. I don't understand why God works the way He does. The verse stated above is exactly that kind of perplexity that fills my mind with wonder and amazement. Though He slay me... yet will I trust Him, hope in Him, love Him.

Jeremiah 9:23-24 says: "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.

There seems to be a depth that God allows His servants to suffer, that they continue to trust Him. To the unbelieving eye, this sort of relationship almost seems demented. Who would treat someone that way? In a sense, it seems as though God purposefully slays His servants, knowing that His grace will carry them through and they will be humbled, and cling to God more. God means to be glorified in our lives, for our eternal joy and to allow us to enter a relationship that is fulfilling. There seems to be a maturity that arises through trials that make no sense and cause the most intense suffering- pleading with God asking for His deliverance but He does not seem to deliver. The writer of Psalm 44 speaks of this turmoil:
8In God we have boasted all day long,
And we will give thanks to Your name forever. Selah.
9Yet You have rejected us and brought us to dishonor,
And do not go out with our armies.
10You cause us to turn back from the adversary;
And those who hate us have taken spoil for themselves.
11You give us as sheep to be eaten
And have scattered us among the nations.

Here he makes his argument to God. They have been faithful to Him, and loved Him, but why is not God acting on their behalf?

18Our heart has not turned back,
And our steps have not deviated from Your way,
19Yet You have crushed us in a place of jackals
And covered us with the shadow of death.
20If we had forgotten the name of our God
Or extended our hands to a strange god,
21Would not God find this out?
For He knows the secrets of the heart.
22But for Your sake we are killed all day long;
We are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.

At the end of the psalm, the writer places his hope in God's loving kindness and mercy. He knows that God will not be hidden forever and will one day deliver. This sort of faith can only be found in Christ Jesus, given to us by grace from God. The Christian struggles under the sculptors hand. Like Jacob struggled with God in the wilderness, so it seems that He wrestles with the sinner's heart. What love and commitment He has to continue to shower grace that we would know Him in His holiness and righteousness, and seek to flee sin, and hate that evil yet in our hearts. All for His glory- and commitment to His eternal plan to glorify Jesus Christ and make His name known to all nations.
Do not lose heart when you are tested by the fiery trial of your faith. It is not some strange thing, but is working for you an imperishable inheritance. Soli Deo Gloria.

A lesson from Job.

I took my lunch break today by making a visit to 7-11, getting a bite and an energy drink, sat in a car, and read Job 1-2;38-42 (as suggested from a friend who knew what I was dealing with in my heart). I knew a little about this book; however I hadn't read it before today.

After work, I was able to sit down and take a few to read a few chapters of the dialog of Job and his 3 friends. This book is a great book to turn to in the time of confusion, pain or disillusionment. As seen in Job, God gives and He can take away whenever He pleases. Why? We might find out...we might not. However, knowing that whatever God does for us is ultimately bring glory to Himself, is great joy. There's two major things I picked up from this book; One being God's Sovereignty in our suffering, the other being God's purpose in our suffering.

First, God is aware of our past, current and future suffering and is in control of it all! I knew this...but I obviously needed to be reminded. God was there with Job during his suffering, He is the one that Satan gained permission from in order to invade Job's life to bring about pain. Because of this, I can be assured that when I am in pain and suffering, God not only is aware of it, He is in absolute control of it.

Second, God has a purpose my suffering and pain. God challenged Satan to take away Job's possessions and family. Satan thought that Job would curse God's name if he were take it all from Job. God challenged Satan to do all of this because He KNEW how Job would respond. God knew that Job would overcome it all and bring glory to Himself! Isn't that enough!!! Isn't it enough to know that my pain and suffering is being put upon me because in the end it brings glory to God!? Job was tried, tested, and approved. However, Job never knew why he suffered. I don't always know why things happen. Sometimes God makes it evident of the reasoning, but He has no obligation to. But I can trust that God does bring upon pain and suffering so His name will be praised and glory onto Himself. That is enough!

I post this not thinking this will be some new realization, but as a reminder; a reminder that this life isn't ours and it's not about us.

Irresistable Grace #3

To add to Josh's "thunder", and his post down under; I would like to point out a couple of specific details about Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus.

What did Jesus mean by:

*"unless one is born of water and the Spirit,"

and

* "The wind blows where it wishes,"

and

*Why was Nicodemus so shocked and ask "How can these things be?"

and

*Why did Jesus respond "“Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?"

Well, I believe Jesus was referring to the teaching of the Law and the Prophets. Specifically this verse (which is often cross-reference to the John 3 passage:

Ezekial 36:25-27

"Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you will be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols.

Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.

I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances."

I believe that being born of water and spirit was referring to regeneration. Jesus expected Nicodemus to know this since he was a teacher of the law.

Can we resist God from putting into us a new heart? Can we resist Him as he "causes" us to walk in His statutes"? It says "YOU WILL be careful to observe My ordinances" after he puts a new heart in us.

The greek word for wind is "Pneuma", which is the word Jesus used when he said "the wind (pneuma) blows where it wishes"
The greek word for spirit is also "Pneuma". Jesus also used it in the same context saying:

"The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. (Pneuma)"

Jesus was clearly using a 'play on words'. Comparing the spirit to the wind in the way in which the spirit works like the wind - blowing (working) where He wishes.

The spirit works regardless if we are resisting or not. This is why Nicodemus was so shocked. God's sovereignty didn't rub him the right way.

Irresistable Grace

We are not more powerful than God's grace.
If we were to be able to somehow resist God's effectual call of regeneration, then we would be able to take credit for the faith by which were saved. But as Ephesians 2:8-9 states, faith is a gift of God. Not of ourselves. Faith is a gift of grace. Let's see how we know that it's irresistable...

Look at what Jesus said:

John 6:44

"No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day."

verse 37:

"All that the Father gives me will come to me."

How many that the Father gives to Christ? ALL

Look at Romans 8:29

"And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified."

So WHO does he end up justifying? Those whom HE CALLS! Who does he call? Those whom HE PREDESTINES!

ALL glory be to God. Thanks to His power and love we are able to know Him.

effectual grace?

In my last post on grace, i compared grace to a battery. Now, there actually are many that would disagree with me.
There are many who believe that God's grace is the saving gift of Christ's work on the cross, and if we accept that gift, then we have partaken of grace. However, they would argue that grace is not actually "effectual". In other words, that grace doesn't "cause" anything. They may say that God "helps" people, but they wouldn't agree that God's grace "causes" people to do anything.

There are a couple of terms that we use often to describe "effectual" grace.

1. Regeneration - The supernatural work of God's grace that causes us to repent and believe. (2 Timothy 2:25 - God grants repentence)So regeneration precedes belief, which means we aren't technically justified (saved) until we are regenerated. (Titus 3:5-6 - We are saved BY regeneration - this verse is SO clear because it not only distinguishes between the two [justification [declared not-guilty] and regeneration], but it also gives the order!)

(also Romans 8:30 - "And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified") - the call precedes the justifying. This is really important because this verse also shows us that grace is irresistable. Those who he predestines HE WILL CALL. Those who he calls HE WILL JUSTIFY.

2. Sanctification - The supernatural work of God's grace that causes obedience. (John 17:17 -Jesus asks the Father to grant sanctification to his followers) (Philippians 1:6-7 - If God began a work in us then HE WILL COMPLETE IT) (Philippians 2:13 - It is God who causes us to desire to obey and causes us to obey)

NOW

with all that being said, I have always had trouble with Paul's closing statements in all of his epistles (except Romans). He always says, "grace be with you." It never really made sense because I used to take a take a different view of grace. But when you look at Paul's closing words with "effectual grace"-colored lenses, it makes complete sense.

Paul's closing sentences in the following letters:

1 Corinthians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you."

2 Corinthians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."

Galatians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers, Amen"

Ephesians: "Grace be with all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with love incorruptable"

Philippians: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Colossians: "Grace be with you."

1 Thessalonians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you."

2 Thessalonians: "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all."

1 Timothy: "Grace be with you."

2 Timothy: "Grace be with you."

Titus: "Grace be with you all."

Philemon: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit."

Hebrews: "Grace be with all of you."

What kind of grace? The kind of grace that has the power to supernaturally transform people to deny sin, desire to do good, and obey.

10 plagues.

Question:

What is the primary reason why God sent the plagues on Egypt?

Answer? :

To get Israel out of Egypt? No.

A direct assault on individual egyptian gods in the name of God's fame? YES!


Plague......................Egyptian god

Livestock.......................Hathor - Egyptian Cow goddess

Locusts.........................Osiris - god of vegetation

Nile to Blood...................Anuket - nile goddess

Frogs (getting stepped on)......Heket - frog goddess

Hail............................Min - sky god of rain for fertility of land

Flies/Beetles...................Kephri - beetle god

Boils...........................Anubis - healer god

Lice............................Bes - domestic god, protector against pests

Darkness........................Ra - sun god

Firstborn.......................Pharaoh, a god in human form

The last two plagues (darkness and firstborn) were direct attacks on the most important of the egyptian gods: ra (the chief god) and the pharaoh himself.

Egypt was seen by the rest of the world at that time as the greatest empire. The whole world was watching as God demonstrated his power.

Romans 9:17

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, "For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth."

Exodus 7:14

"Thus says the LORD, "By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, with the staff that is in my hand I will strike the water that is in the Nile, and it shall turn into blood."

Exodus 8:10

"And he said, 'Tomorrow.' Moses said, 'Be it as you say, so that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.'"

Exodus 9:14-16

"For this time I will send all my plagues on you yourself, and on your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is none like me in all the earth. For by now I could have put out my hand and struck you and your people with pestilence, and you would have been cut off from the earth. But for this purpose I have raised you up, to show you my power, so that my name may be proclaimed in all the earth."

This was the primary purpose for the plagues. In fact, many egyptians were impacted so greatly that they decided to join the israelites on their exodus!

Exodus 12:37-38

"That night the people of Israel left Rameses and started for Succoth. There were about 600,000 men,[a] plus all the women and children. A rabble of non-Israelites went with them, along with great flocks and herds of livestock."

Random Thought

No picture, no verse, no quote. The Christian faith is not about the "things we do" or the "things we don't do". We are not super-spiritual just because we are doing so many "good things" and we are not super-spiritual just because we are not doing certain sins. It is easy to get caught up in a routine or system where it becomes all about "do, do, do" or "don't, don't, don't" and slowly forget about the One whom we are supposed to be glorifying. Our lives/walks should demonstrate a love for Christ and be centered around Him, not ourselves and our own accomplishments. This faith is a race and it is a struggle. We are being set apart by God for His own purpose. It is foolish to think that we can speed that process up by things that we do or won't do. Be active in the faith because we love Christ and want to glorify Him-not just because it is another thing to do. We cannot make the faith a list that simply gets checked off when things are/aren't done. Remain humble and know that we do mess up at times and experience trials, but that God is constantly in control and is changing us day by day to conform us more to His Son. It is not about us.

2007 Water ski trip

This years Water ski trip was a success. For once in my life I come back home content and happy about the worship and teaching that went on in the wilderness rather than the fun we had. Being surrounded by other christians who sincerely loved christ 24 hours a day was the most awesome thing that I've ever experienced. It was something that I had lacked since I stopped going to Friday morning prayer.

Worship was like nothing else. The songs. The band. The people. Everything was bent towards God's glory. The band provided such a awesome example of how we should worship Christ. They urged us not to sing if it wasn't sincere, that we should sing knowing what we were singing rather than just sing because everyone else was singing. The music was centered around God's attributes and the Gospel.

The teaching was deep but easy enough for us teens to understand. The first night we jumped straight in and Chris Muller taught us on God's sovereingty and the difference between being dead or alive in christ. After that, for the next couple of nights, Scott taught out of 1 thessalonians giving some elements that a true christian should possess.

being with The youth was another learning experience for me. I had never really met any other christians who were so devoted and with such love for our Lord. For about a week or two before camp, I had fallen in a spiritual slump. And I'm embarrassed to say, wasn't devoted as I should be. I pretty much just did whatever. Behaved wrongly. But being with these other students, with the other teachers, with our own church, was just so uplifting.

In only four days I learned so much on how to Love God. Even though I had been raised in the church, I felt like an unbeliever discoverung Christ and what its like to be in his family for the first time.

One thing we learned was that since God is sovereign, there are no accidents. I'm Glad that the Lord has opened my eyes to this. Everything that happens, happens for the Glory of God.

Please pray for me that I would continue to Love God the way that I have. That I would never lose sight of what Jesus has done and that I would just continue to Grow.

trials.

1 Peter 1:6

"In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials,"

Peter tells gives us some of the reasons that we go through trials in 1 Peter 1:6-9. I wanted to focus on just one reason to start out with. Notice he says that the trials will come "if necessary". God sovereignly allows trials to purify us. The purifying involves the burning away of any sin in our lives. Verse 7 compares it to metal being tested by fire. When the metal is held up under the fire, the impurities will burn away. God is doing what is necessary in our lives.

Sometimes these things aren't actually sins, but things that we have turned into sin ourselves. Any gift from God can become an idol in our lives.

So when going through a trial, it is often beneficial to do a self-examination.
This is not to say that all trials are for this reason (ie. persecution for the sake of righteousness). It's just to say that It is a good possibility.

the process of sanctification.

"Sanctification is that inward spiritual work which the Lord Jesus Christ works in a man by the Holy Ghost, when He calls him to be a true believer, separates him from his natural love of sin and the world, puts a new principle in his heart, and makes him practically godly in life."

-J.C. Ryle

My definition:

Santification = God-controlled change in a Christian's life.

Philippians 2:13
"for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure."

Hebrews 13:20-21
"Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen."

1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
"Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it."

God doesn't leave us hanging...

1 Corinthians 10:13

"No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it."

I love our Lord. Our Lord loves me. He knows whats too much for us and will always provide a way out of doing wrong or sinning. What love that is, we can always depend on him for anything. You are AMAZING FATHER!!!

God does the growing

1 Corinthians 3:6-9

I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.

We must always remember that God is the one who changes people, not us. We simply plant the seed (the gospel) someone else waters it but God is the one who changes people. We must always give God the glory and take none for ourselves.

The Lost

Be in prayer for those who we recently gave the gospel to. The Scientologist man on Hollywood Blvd. The homeless man, Jerry, that Paul bought lunch for, and two of his co-workers, (one who rejected, and one who was interested).

Be in prayer that we would each be bold to give the gospel, which is the "power of God for salvation", at all times... Urgency.

Beseech (Beg) God to allow us to reap the harvest.

Luke 10:2

"And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest."

Beseech God to have mercy and change hearts and minds to believe in Him (Romans 9).