><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Matthew) CHAPTER 5:1-16 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Describe the qualities of the happy life as detailed in verses 1-12 What makes them such? To what rewards do they lead, and why? 2) Verses 13-16. What is the significance of the two metaphors with which our Lord describes the relation to the world of those who belong to the kingdom? And in what ways does He warn them that they may fail to exercise their proper function? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Matthew) Chapter 5:1-16 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The wording of this question is strange- "Describe the qualities of the happy life..." I don't think the Beatitudes are necessarily "happy" things- maybe I've missed the point though? v6 says "Blessed are those who MOURN, FOR THEY WILL BE COMFORTED. " It's a beautiful promise, but certainly isn't happy. Honestly, the worldly-minded (who mostly just desire "to be happy" in life) must see them as "pathetic and fanatical" qualities. Poor in spirit, mourners, meek, seekers of righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, persecuted, insulted and spoken evil of- not very cheery. But those who believe God's Word to be Truth with a capital "T" make no mistake that these are qualities God desires to see in us, which have their correspondent blessings. Our citizenship is in heaven. 2) Salt and light are two common things all people know about very well. They are very easy to detect when present, and they are things which MAKE A NOTICEABLE DIFFERENCE. These verses should be well known to Christians, yet we are always reminding ourselves of them because it is too easy to fail to be salt and light in this world- to be dynamically different. If there is no detectable difference about us, then we have no witness and are useless as representatives of Christ. May we strive to be noticeably different each day. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Matthew 5 The Kingdom's Constitution 5:1-12 The Nature of the Kingdom People Nine Blessings of Kingdom People Poor in spirit; Mourning for the present situation; Meek in suffering opposition; Hungry and thirsty for righteousness; Merciful toward others; Pure in Heart; Making peace with all men; Suffering persecution for righteousness; reproached; Being evil spoke of by the world. "The kingdom of the heavens" is a specific term used by Matthew. It is different from the kingdom of God addressed in the other three Gospels. The kingdom of God refers to God's reign in a general way, from eternity past to eternity future. The kingdom of heavens is a specific section within the kingdom of God; it composed only of the church today and the heavenly part of the coming millennial kingdom. [The Recovery Version] 5:13-16 The Influence of the Kingdom People They are the SALT to the corrupted earth and LIGHT to the darkened world. Glory is God expression. When the kingdom people express God in their behavior and good works, men see God and give the glory to God. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) This question's wording is unique. It describes 'the happy life' and then you realize these are not all that happy of things to the world, but this is dealing with the happy kingdom life and life in Jesus. To be growing and happy in Him means suffering, testing, and temptation. The rich deeper life includes the following traits: poor in spirit, mourning, gentleness, hunger and thirsting for rightreousness, mercy, purity, peace, suffering, and being despised. These Beloved attitudes or beattitudes are mirrored in the Fruits of the Spirit. in Gal 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. We see the repetition of many of these attributes. These are the characteristics by which men will know we are Christians - (hymn) They'll know that we are Christians by our...love, (ADD) peace, joy, patience, kindness....etc... 2) Jesus says that we are salt and light. The following ideas are taken from ideas presented in Bill Hybels Becoming a Contagious Christian. In order for salt to be effective it must: be in close proximity to that which it is salting and be potent. If it is just potent, but is in a salt shaker, it will never be effective or yielf Maximum impact. If it is in close proximity to the food, but is stale and old, it will also not be effective. HP+CP -> MI High Potency + Close Proximity = Maximum Impact. It is interesting to note here in v16 that Jesus say let our light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify God the Father who is in heaven. I have never really be so struck by the works portion, but had always seen the let our light shine, but not just our light, but our light and our works. We must live and practice lives which reflect the presence of Christ living in us. If we just shine, but do not have the works to show the source of the light, then we are merely letting others see us and putting self in the spotlight. We must let our light and works reflect the glorious light of Jesus Christ our Saviour. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Matthew) CHAPTER 5:17-48 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Our Lord demonstrates His respect for the law in vs17-20. What does verse 20 mean? Does it leave us any hope? Cf Rom 3:20-22;8:3,4. In what way does our Lord make the law more demanding? 2) What is the relevance in our modern world of Christ's teaching in verses 33- 48 on the subject of oaths and taking vengeance? Consider the application of the question in v47, 'What more are you doing than others?' to the whole subject of Christian love. 3) Comparing verses 31,32 with 19:3-9, what is our Lord's teaching on the sanctity of marriage and the possibility of divorce? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Matthew) Chapter 5:17-48 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) v 20, IMO, means that there is no way to enter the kingdom of heaven by following the law/by works. That condition - surpassing the Pharisees, is rather impossible. They were the most strict of all, yet inwardly were hypocrites. The beauty of Jesus preaching in ch 17 is that it shows just how incapable we are of attaining salvation by works. We must receive it by grace, by Jesus sacrifice for us on the cross. 2&3) Oaths and revenge are two things that modern society does not follow God's Word on. Included in this is marriage. Unfortunately, circumstances are often beyond one's control and they walk into a life/situation that they never planned. However, God's Word stands firm on these issues. What a wonderful thing to know that He is unchanging. And He is also compassionate and merciful, yet righteous and holy as well. I am just glad to serve a God who tells us to pray for our enemies and love them; how much more would He forgive His own when we are truly repentant. The goal, I think is summed up in v48, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." This should be our goal, in response to such love. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Matthew 5:17-48 The Law of the Kingdom People - New Standard Is Higher Than The Old The Fulfillment of the Law, 5:17-20 The Lord did not come to abolish the law; but to fulfilling the law of which is lacking. Through His death on the cross, Christ has fulfilled the requirement of the law. He brought in the resurrected life to complement the law, to fill the law to the fullness. Murder, 5:20-26 The law of the old deals with the act of murder, but the new law of the kingdom deals with anger, the motive of murder. Hence, the demand of the new law of the kingdom is deeper than the requirement of the law of the old dispensation. Adultery, 5:27-32 The old law deals with the outward act of adultery, whereas the new law of the kingdom deals with the inward motive of the heart. Oaths, 5:33-37 The new law of the kingdom forbids the kingdom people to swear in any manner. An eye for an Eye, 5:38-42 To turn the other cheek to the striker, to let the suer have the cloak, and to go with the compeller the second mile, prove that the kingdom people have the power to suffer instead of resisting. Love for Enemies, 5:43-48 This concerns the motivation of love. The love here is neither love out of one's preference, nor love out of one's affection. Rather, it is love out of one's compassion. There are four kinds of love: affectionate love; preferential love; respectful love and compassionate love. We should not close our compassionate heart toward our enemies. [The Collected Works of Watchman Nee]. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In Verse 20, Jesus talks of a person's righteousness. He is probably referring more to the 'religious' duty and rote action of a person that to real genuine faith produced righteousness through justification by grace. He is condeming the Pharisees by saying that no matter how good they are in the eyes of the law, they are never good enough. It leaves us hopeless but for one thing, the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross to pay the penalty, to cover us with His righteousness. 2) We live in a world full of meting out our own justice and a world of high revenge factor, where we feel we must avenge a wrong done to us. We are taught in the media and popular culture that we should do unto others before they do unto us. In view of this we need to as a culture take a close look at vs33-48. Here Christ tells us that our yes should be yes our no, no and that we should put up a front of non-resistance to those who would do evil to us. We must let it to God to deal with them. This is the concept of compassion, to love someone who does not love you, better yet to love someone who hates you. 3) The Lord here tells us that He does not want us to divorce, and believes in sanctity within the institution of marriage. One of the main reasons for this was the practice in Jesus' day of seeking a divorce for any reason of dissatisfaction. Men were seeking divorce on the grounds that his wife had not covered her head in public. Jesus was again establishing a trend towards kingdom life. These can be see in What is said by: -=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- The Letter of the Law The Spirit of the Law -=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- No Murder No Rage No Adultery No Lust Divorce Okay Lasting Marriages Fulfill Vows Don't Make Vows Seek Revenge Seek Reconciliation ----------------------------------------------------- (Taken from Matthew Commentary by Dave Schroeder) May God give us strength to seek to live out the Spirit of the Law rather than holding to the legalistic law itself. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Matthew) CHAPTER 6:1-18 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) What was wrong with the religion of the scribes nad Pharisees, here called 'hypocrites', and what kind of religion does our Lord commend in contrast? Cf Je 17:10. How do you practice your piety?(v1). 2) In the Lord's Prayer, what may we learn a) from the order of the petitions, and b) from the kind of subjects which are particularly mentioned? What must be our relation a) to God, and b) to our fellow men, if we are to make it our prayer? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Matthew) Chapter 6:1-18 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) The scribes and Pharisees did things for men to see, a display. Jesus taught us to pray in a secret and succinct manner (though public grace for food and long prayers are certainly not wrong). We are to be humble, forgiving, and not to make a showy display of our faith, rather to be humble and to not let others know when we are fasting. Rewards are promised too. 2) The Lord's Prayer: 1) Adoration and praise, 2) submission (Your will be done), 3) petition for needs, 4) for forgiveness, 5) for protection (lead us not into temptation bu tdeliver us from evil). From it, I gather that we are to see God as Holy King, to be merciful and fair to others. I like to start my breakfast with it- it's spiritual Wheaties to me... -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Matthew 6 Righteous Deeds of the Kingdom People 6:1-4 Giving to the Needy The hypocrites give to needy to gain honor from men. Kingdom people give for the reward from their Father in heaven. Because God is not only their God, but also their Father. They are not only created by God, but also regenerated by the Father. Therefore, they help others not to gain man's glory, but with the understanding of receiving the Father's reward. 6:5-15 The Kingdom Prayer In John 15:16b, the Lord told us to pray in His Name - "---that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you." Again, in John 16:26 - "In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the father for you; --- ." Jesus is not praying for us. We are praying through His names to the Father. The reason is that we are in Christ as stated in John 15:4-5a that " Abide in Me, and I in you. ---- I am the true vine, you are the branches." Our relationship with Jesus is through the Holy Spirit and in the blood of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we pray in spirit, through His name. Here, in Matthew 6, it is a prayer for God's Kingdom, the Lord did not instruct us to pray in His name - It is for His kingdom we pray. Instead, it ended with Amen only, 6:13. Amen in Greek means firm, steadfast, or trustworthy. Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name - It refers to God the Father; Your kingdom come - It refers to King Jesus; Your will be done - It refers to the Holy Spirit. Matthew 6:9-10 indicates that God is not yet come to have the complete control of the earth yet and Christians bear a great responsibility of bringing the kingdom to the earth through prayer. "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever, Amen." 6:13. Do not lead us into temptation, means that we are weak in faith can not win the temptation. Please protect us from the evil one. Kingdom is the sphere in which God rules; Power is the operation of God; and Glory is the effulgence of God, which shines out from God Himself. [Study on Matthew, Watchman Nee] Fasting 6:16-18 Fasting is an expression of self-humbling before God. Fasting is an expression of self-buffeting before God; Fasting is indication of one's seeking for God's grace. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) In this portion, Jesus condemns the scribes for their outwardly self glorifying piety. He warns not to make an outward demonstration to men or that will be the only reward. In other words, don't do things for recognition or the recognition will be all the reward you get. Instead let us focus our motivation in the proper direction, upward. Let us not focus it downward lest we miss seeing God through it. Because as C.S. Lewis said 'If we're always looking down on everyone it is impossible to see God above'. It is interesting to note that this work even though religious is still useful, but not in God's kingdom, and it utility has been cheapened by a selfish, self-seeking heart. Here we see the hypocritical action and Jesus' call to us: Hypocritical action Jesus' Call -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- Announced giving to poor Give without fanfare Prayed as a display Pray in your 'closet' Want forgiveness Forgive others first Announced fastings Fast unnoticed The world would have us practice religion, Jesus calls us to Live our Faith. He calls for a silent practice, a ninja practice if you will, where we take all care to hide or not make known our practice of giving, prayer, and fasting. Each of these is activities between us and God, no others need necessarily be involved. Prayer granted is something which also contains a corporate component. Forgiveness too needs to be given to others. 2) The Lord's Prayer is a topic that could be studied for weeks in and of itself. We see here Jesus' model for prayer, and the components thereof. Jesus calls us to give exaltation to God, give thanks, pray for forgiveness - while having a forgiving heart, and pray for help. Three ideals that dominate are worship, petition and confession. We too can adopt these into our own daily prayer life. An interesting note is that Jesus closes with a recognition of God's control. Do we acknowledge this in our prayer life, and recognize that God has the kingdom, the power and should be given the glory for all in our life? ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Matthew) CHAPTER 6:19-34 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Vs 19-24 are a word to the rich. What should be a Christian's attitude to material posessions? In what way do these verses portray the character and danger of worldliness? 2) Vs25-34 are a word to the not-so-rich. Note the recurrence of the phrase 'Do not be anxious', and the list of reasons given why anxiety is wrong. =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Matthew) Chapter 6:19-34 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1&2) We should not seek after materials- what a command! Verrrry hard; I mean, if we think at the level Jesus Christ would have us to. However, worrying is a negative word; whereas preparing ahead is positive. A fine but defineable line. We don't just go around naked expecting God to clothe us- absurd thought, yet Christ commands us not to worry over these kinds of things. Anxiety shows a lack of trust/faith in Him to provide all our needs. The Bible tells us not to do that, yet we do. worrying is pictured here as a useless, fruitless activity, which it is. We need to take small steps at first in trusting Him, then we can move on to bigger ones. What strikes me is "store up treasures in heaven" which are things we do, not possessions. Some things we do in this body life last forever- these are eternal. I Jn2:17: "THE WORLD AND ITS DESIRES PASS AWAY, BUT THE MAN WHO DOES THE WILL OF GOD LIVES FOREVER"!!!! -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Matthew 6: 19-34 Where Your Treasure Is There Your Heart Will Be Also (6:21) This paragraph of the King's decree concerns the dealing with treasures. Treasures include not only money, but also things precious to us. To lay up treasures in heaven, 6:20, is to give material things to the poor,19:21, and to take care of needy saints and the Lord's servants, Romams 15:26; Philippians 4:16-17. The kingdom people must send their treasure to heaven so that their hearts can also be in heaven, 6:21. The key message is 6:21. Verse 22 is a supplement to verse 21 to emphasize that "---. If therefore your eye is single, your whole body will be full of light." On the contrary, if our eyes are not singe and our hearts are divided between the heaven and the world. Another expression is that your feet are standing on two boats; you would end up in water. "No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve Gad and mammon." 6:24. "Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?" 6:25b. "Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?", 6:27. Therefore, "--- seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, ---" 6:33. Because, "The kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit", Romans 14:17. The righteousness described here can only be obtained by seeking from the teaching Jesus gave in Matthew chapters 5 to 7, to live a life with higher standards. "So do not worry about tomorrow; -----. Each day has enough trouble of its own." 6:34. The Lord told us very clear that each day has its own trouble and affliction. Whether you take it or drop it is totally dependent upon what are you hoping for after going through these troubled days. -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) It is interesting to note the word treasure. It indicates a surplus, an abundance of goods, something precious, to consider something precious. These are the definitions of treasure. Jesus told us in v19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Dave Shroeder's commentary on Matthew states that the time period this was being preached MAY have been during a Jubilee Year. the th year. After a fasting year of the 7th year and every 7, 7 years(49th year) there was to be an additional year of fasting called Jubilee. This would have been a hard message to hear at this time. We are not to have overabundance stored here on earth. Jesus did not call us to be paupers or to be lacking in material possessions. He told us instead to use that which we have in abundance to further the kingdom. It is a call to responsibility fiscally. He says He will provide our NEEDS, not our wants, but our needs and we should in turn use our resources for Kingdom treasure(feeding needy, helping the widow, etc...) This is not just financial resources either, but our time, the one resource with which we are all equally blessed. No man has more of this resource than another. Each of us is given 365 days/yr, 24 hours/day, 60 min/hr for 1440 minutes/day, and 60sec/min for 86400 seconds/day. What are we doing with our 86,400 seconds? Are we responsible stewards storing up treasure in heaven? 2) Next, Jesus moves into our anxiety. This portion of the Sermon on the Mount(Chp 5-8) is concerning the concept of worrying. Many examples are given in nature as to why we shouldn't worry or use up our inelastic resource of time concerning ourselves with what we don't have. We are given the focus that we should put in our lives, the Kingdom. Seek first the Kingdom of God and all these things will be added unto you. I am reminded of the great hymn based upon this passage that follows, may this be our song of motivation for each day... I Know Who Holds Tomorrow By Ira F. Stamphill I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day. I don’t borrow from its sunshine For its skies may turn to grey. I don’t worry o’er the future, For I know what Jesus said. And today I’ll walk beside Him, For He knows what is ahead. Chorus: Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand But I know who holds tomorrow And I know who holds my hand. Every step is getting brighter As the golden stairs I climb; Every burden’s getting lighter, Every cloud is silver-lined. There the sun is always shining, There no tear will dim the eye; At the ending of the rainbow Where the mountains touch the sky. I don’t know about tomorrow; It may bring me poverty. But the one who feeds the sparrow, Is the one who stands by me. And the path that is my portion May be through the flame or flood; But His presence goes before me And I’m covered with His blood. ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> (Matthew) CHAPTER 7:1-12 ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> ><> -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Directing Questions -=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= 1) Compare vs1-5 vs 6,16; and see Jn 7:24. If judging is not always wrong, what is our Lord here condemning? 2) What is the teaching of verses 7-12 on the practice of prayer? What place is there for persistency, and what place for trusting? Is there any conflict between these two ideas? =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-==-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Comments from (Matthew) Chapter 7:1-12 =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=--=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= -------------------------------------------- * Blenda Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) Self-righteous judging and hypocriticality is being condmened here. 2) We should ask God for everything we want that is good. I believe we know what right requests are and are not, usually at least, in the bottom of our heart. We should be persistent in pursuing upright desires, but trust God when He closes doors on things. -------------------------------------------- * James Chao -------------------------------------------- Matthew 7:1-12 The Conclusion Of The Teaching On The Mountain Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, Do also to them, For this is the Law and the Prophets. 7:12 Matthew chapters 5 through 7 are the teachings given on the mountain. It can be divided into three sections: (1) 5:1-20 deals with our relationship with the old law and general characteristics of the kingdom of the heavens; (2) 5:21-7:12 deals with the Ten Commandments; (3) 7:13-27 gives the exhortations. 7:1-5 Do Not Judge Do not Judge or you too will be judged. Is he spiritual? Does he serve the Lord in our church? Is he participating? Is he productive? In a biblical sense, do I have any right to judge my master's servants? However, in verse 6, it talks about dogs and pigs. They are unclean animals and sheep should not associate with them. It implies that spiritual beings should keep themselves away from the unclean ones. To ask is to pray in a common way. To seek is to pray in a specific way and to knock is to pray in a direct way. This indicates that we must pray to live a kingdom life. "Do for others what you want them to do for you. This is the teaching of the laws of Moses in a nutshell." 7:12. [Life Application Bible] -------------------------------------------- * Alvin Chao -------------------------------------------- 1) We as humans are interestingly created. Our eyes can only see external things to our bodies. We can so easily see the sin and wrong actions of others, but it takes introspection(deep thought) to see inside and use our Mind's Eye to see the wrong we are doing. Our Lord is condemning overly judging others, or holding others to a higher code of morality than ourselves. The image of a plank in my eye is rather humorous, and ultimately effective. 2) In v7-12 Jesus teaches about petitioning prayer. He tells us to ask, seek, and knock. Asking implies a general inquiry usually followed by a timely response. Seeking suggests a detailed searching and may require a long time period before finding. Finally, Knocking represents an action which may be necessary to repeat, and is a directed action at a particular 'door' in life. We don't usually knock on five doors at once... The ideas of persistency and trust need to be done in concert. We need to ask requests persistently when we trust that they will be answered and that the answer has not come. Many times we don't listen or look closely enough to hear God's still small voice, or see the indications of His work being done. We need to Be Still and Know... and Be Silent and Hear...