Crossword Puzzle 03/06/26
Credit for answers and questions: Colleen Frank
Note: Some questions have hints to help you solve them. To view the hint, click on the blue box at the end of the question.
Archive for year: 2026
Mr. Phil Sena: Here I Am
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Phil Sena is an area pastor serving in the Ohio region, and in a recent forum message to the Living Education-Charlotte students, he offered important lessons from the example of Biblical characters on how to show willingness to God’s will.
An Attitude of Willingness
The Bible gives us many examples of those who showed willingness and served God. Willingness is characterized by accepting God’s will and being willing to follow His direction no matter what. This trait is expressed in the phrase: “here I am.” Spoken by many biblical figures at key points, this phrase should be our go-to response when God gets our attention.
A Personal Relationship
One way we can cultivate a willingness to say “here I am” is by developing a strong personal relationship with God. Mr. Sena gave the example of Abraham in the book of Genesis. Genesis 22:1-2 is the account of God asking Abraham to sacrifice Isaac—a very difficult test that Abraham did not want to do. But this verse shows Abraham’s response to God was purely humble and faithful, and God revealed that it was a test later on by allowing Isaac to live. Interestingly, Abraham even said “here I am” before he had even heard God’s request. Hebrews 11:17 says that Abraham offered up Isaac “by faith”—he trusted that God would work it out. Abraham was able to say “here I am” because he already had a strong personal relationship with Him, and knew that He would honor His promises.
Personal Hardship
Another way we learn to say “here I am” might be by learning lessons through personal hardship. One example of this is the story of Jacob. Jacob was a highly confident individual who tricked his father and brother. But he had been humbled after being tricked by his father-in-law, Laban. God then humbled Jacob further by taking him out of where he had been living, and back to the land of Canaan. There, he experienced the heartache of losing his son, Joseph, who he thought was dead.
In Genesis 46:2, God appeared to Jacob and told him not to fear—he would meet Joseph in Egypt, and would eventually bring them back to the land of Israel. Interestingly, Jacob’s response was identical to Abraham’s: before he had even heard God’s statement, he said “here I am.”
In his youth, Jacob had been a confident, smooth-talking individual. But a life of hardship and humbling from God had helped him get to a place where he could finally say “here I am.” This might be familiar to us sometimes—it’s easy to get satisfied or even overconfident with our ability to figure things out for ourselves. But just like Jacob, we can’t figure everything out ourselves. Sometimes God allows us to be humbled before He makes His will known—after He knows we’re reading to show willingness.
Unexpected Ways
Mr. Sena also reminded the students that God can make His will known in unexpected ways. How will we respond in those situations?
Giving the example of Moses, Mr. Sena pointed out that God did not appear to have had contact with Moses during the 40 years he lived in Midian. Moses had left his life behind and was living as a shepherd—and he may have thought that’s all there was to it. But, seemingly out of the blue, we find in Exodus 3:1-4 that something happened that would change Moses’ life once again. Happening upon the burning bush, Moses heard God’s voice call his name. Moses’ response was the same as his ancestors—before he even knew what God wanted, he responded with “here I am.” This unusual setting for God to communicate His will didn’t stop Moses from presenting a willing heart, and we shouldn’t be surprised when God shows up in unexpected ways in our lives either.
Anyone Can Be Willing
Another important point to consider is that anyone can show willingness—we shouldn’t wait around for the right time. Like the examples of Abraham, Jacob, and Moses, we should be ready to faithfully follow God even if we don’t know what He’ll require of us. God can call anyone He chooses, including young people or those without offices. Mr. Sena pointed out the example of young Samuel—before he was ever a prophet, God spoke to him in the night in 1 Samuel 3:1-14. Samuel, unsure of what he was hearing, still listened for God’s voice, telling Him: “Your servant hears.” God often calls and uses young people and children.
And in the New Testament, a miraculous healing was performed by a Christian disciple who never appeared to have ever held an office. Acts 9:3-17 tells of the story of Saul’s—later Paul—conversion. Stricken blind, God used Ananias—a humble Christian in Damascus—to heal and baptize Saul. Paul would become one of the most prolific and charismatic apostles who spread the Gospel across the known world, contributing greatly to our modern biblical canon. Ananias was never ordained and not much is known about him as a person, yet God used him in a small but important part of Paul’s story. While God made a unique exception in this case to fulfill duties reserved for the ministry, Ananias was willing to overcome his fear of Saul and to serve him by presenting himself before God as a humble servant.
How Can I Know God’s Will?
These examples and the lessons we can learn from them give us a template for how to respond when God makes His will known to us. But you may be thinking: I am just as willing and want to do the right thing, but I don’t know what God’s will is.
Sometimes, God doesn’t always make His will immediately clear—it can be difficult to tell what He’d like for us to do. And sometimes, we face choices between two things that are not inherently bad at all—both choices could be good, and the decision falls to us to make.
In general, we do know God’s will. We know He wants us to obey His word, follow the Ten Commandments, and stay focused on the Kingdom. There are fundamental things that we can know for sure, but the hang-up is often on specific things. What, you might ask, is God’s will for me?
- Look For the Open Doors
Mr. Sena advised the students to look for the open doors. What doors and opportunities are open, or opening? If there is a smooth and consistent path forward that doesn’t require us to force our own will, we can be confident that God is blessing it. Sometimes we shut those doors or try to force our own way, but the results will not turn out well. But if we aren’t hitting hard spots, we can show willingness to follow God by walking through the doors He’s opening.
- Seek Wise Counsel
It’s important to seek wisdom and counsel from those around us. Sometimes a choice isn’t necessarily between something good and something wrong—God might let us make a decision for ourselves. In those cases, it can be helpful to assess our priorities and seek advice from those who know us well. Proverbs 1:5 tells us: “A wise man will hear and increase learning,
And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.”
- Fleece Test
In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon was trying to understand God’s will. He laid down a fleece of wool on the ground, and asked for God’s will to be made apparent in two steps—if it was God’s will for him to lead the Israelites, in the morning there would be dew on the fleece only and not on the ground; the next day, there would be dew on the ground but not on the fleece. God followed these steps to make it very clear to Gideon what he should do. While we don’t want to tempt or goad God, it seems that God didn’t mind being tested in this way. And after this step, Gideon did obey—if we ask for a sign and are given confirmation, will we show willingness by acting on that confirmation?
Getting on Track
We might also find ourselves on the other side. Maybe we’re facing a difficult question and we may not want to follow where God is leading us, let alone are we sure of what He’s doing. In that case, we can do two things to help us get back on track:
- Ask God For Willingness
Pray to God to ask Him for a willing and humble heart to follow His will no matter what.
- Fasting
Fasting will help us draw closer to God and develop humility.
Say “Here I Am!”
Throughout our lives, we will all face situations where God tests us, calls us to follow Him, or faces us with a decision. Our attitude should be one of humility and willingness to serve and follow Him, even if we don’t yet know what He might require of us. And while it might take time, we should continually cultivate a strong personal relationship with God and be receptive to His direction, as well as His correction. When God begins moving in our lives, our response should be a wholehearted and earnest “here I am!”
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Mr. John Strain: Trust
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. John Strain is the local pastor for the Charlotte area, and has been a faithful long-time minister in the Church. In a recent forum message, he gave helpful advice to the Living Education-Charlotte students regarding trust and reinforcing relationships.
What is a Con Artist?
Sometimes in life we have people try to sell us things, and sometimes those people are con artists. What is a con artist? As Mr. Strain explained, a con artist is someone who attempts to get your money specifically by gaining your trust—your confidence. These individuals promise something too good to be true, often selling something that falls short of expectations. In life, there are many times we are offered
Selling Something
But selling something isn’t always nefarious. In reality, we’re all selling something—if anything, we are selling the idea of ourselves to other people, trying to gain their approval and trust. Even the ministry of the Church works hard at selling God’s way of life to people. Life in general can be a bit of a con game—in the right sense. The trust we extend is a way to develop relationships with people, which can be long-term investments. A big part of that investment is founded on trust.
Trustworthiness
Trustworthiness is an important component that we offer to others. We must consciously and intentionally offer and display trust in order to develop strong relationships. Hebrews 12:14 states: “Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.” We should be striving to have a positive relationship with others founded on trust.
Fulfilling Trust
God does this with us. He sets a precedent for trustworthiness by affirming that He will keep His covenant with us. In a similar light, our relationship with others is reflective of our relationship with God. The relationships and endeavors we invest in throughout our lives should reflect a mindset of love toward our neighbor, which is founded on trust.
For those attending Living Education-Charlotte, all students write a reason why they are interested in attending the program during the application process. For many, it’s to further their knowledge of the Bible, to be part of the Work, or to develop stronger relationships with other young people. To that end, the Church has placed trust in its students and treated them as an investment. The students who go through the program reciprocate that trust and work hard to fulfill the investment they have been offered.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Men’s Training Camp: Blowing Rock 2026
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
This year’s Men’s Training Camp was once again hosted in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina at the Blowing Rock Conference Center. The purpose of these weekends is to build bonds of brotherhood, help men become sharper tools in God’s hands, and to worship God together. The theme of this year was “Christian Masculinity in a Toxic World,” and the lectures presented reflected this important theme.
Men from nine different states arrived on Friday afternoon, February 13th, coming together for dinner, then the introductory session. Sabbath morning offered time to relax, enjoy God’s creation, and partake in a shared breakfast. Services started at 10:00am, and, after lunch, four of the visiting ministers presented important and helpful lectures on the topic of masculinity in a toxic world. After dinner, the men participated in a rousing game of Jeopardy based on the topics presented earlier, and headed to bed before the last day’s activities.
The next morning, the men listened to six sessions before sharing a last lunch, and heading off to their homes. This year’s Men’s Training Camp in Blowing Rock, NC was a successful and invigorating opportunity for the men of the Church to develop better friendships and learn to be better men for both their families and their congregations.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Mr. Jonathan Bueno: Oral Tradition or Written Scripture?
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Jonathan Bueno is an area pastor serving in the Pacific Northeast area. In a recent forum message at Living Education-Charlotte, Mr. Bueno spent time asking and answering an important question about Scripture: Does the Bible contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have?
God Communicates With Us
Hebrews 1:1 states: “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son.” This verse is important because it establishes the precedent that God does communicate with His people.
As the Bible was put into writing, we see a clear pattern from Moses onward in which communication occurred through inspired writings. Today, our complete Biblical canon forms the basis of our faith—our ability to carry out our mission as Christians depends on living by every word of God.
Is Something Missing?
Some denominations, such as the Catholic Church, also rely on various traditions and sacraments. Many of their foundational doctrines are based on oral tradition not found in recorded Scripture, yet are regarded as equally important and valid. This raises important theological questions. Does the Bible indeed contain all the inspired words from God that we are meant to have? Is God’s revelation through the Bible really complete?
Mr. Bueno offered three reasons why God’s Church rejects the oral traditions of the Catholic Church.
- God’s pattern for preserving truth among His covenant people is through inspired writings, not inspired sayings.
While there was likely a time before Moses when God did communicate primarily orally, it is clear that Moses’s effort to record both historical and contemporary accounts of God’s dealings with His people set a precedent going forward. Adam and Eve did know the law, which they likely received directly from God and passed on to their children. However, once God began working with Israel as a nation, we have an extensive record of history, prophecy, and divine interactions recorded in real time.
Over the years, many scribes and scholars preserved these Scriptures. Towards the end of the first century AD, the apostles themselves contributed to the canon and completed it. Written Scripture is the primary vehicle for God’s revelation.
- Oral tradition is unreliable because of human weakness and sin.
Human beings have an amazing intellect and ability to remember. But that long-term memory often falls short, and we are prone to sin. Our intellect and willpower are fallible, making oral tradition a difficult and unreliable way for God to preserve His truth. Over the thousands of years of God’s plan unfolding, it would have been very difficult to preserve that truth accurately. Furthermore, oral tradition is more easily discredited than a written record, which is more credible. God avoided a less effective method of sharing His truth not only to preserve its accuracy, but to keep its validity ironclad.
- Oral traditions typically contradict Scripture.
So many doctrines and dogmas that come from “sacred” tradition actually contradict things that the Bible is clear about. If we treat the Bible as the primary and fundamental source of authoritative revelation, there is no room for oral tradition to usurp its role as the primary vehicle for God’s truth.
We Have God’s Word
2 Corinthians 11:4 states: “For if he who comes preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or if you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted—you may well put up with it!” Oral tradition is an unreliable contradiction to Scripture. Instead of relying on mixed messages and unbiblical dogma, we should let the Bible speak for itself and appreciate God’s foresight in having His word written down.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Crossword Puzzle 02/27/26
Credit for answers and questions: Colleen Frank
Note: Some questions have hints to help you solve them. To view the hint, click on the blue box at the end of the question.
Mr. Ryan Dawson: Befriend the Ministry
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Ryan Dawson, an Assistant Pastor serving in the North Florida and South Georgia area, addressed the Living Education-Charlotte students in a recent forum message. In his forum message, he encouraged the students to make a point of befriending the ministry.
What Will You Take Back?
Mr. Dawson prompted the students to ponder what they would write in a letter to their local congregations about their experience at Living Ed-Charlotte. What stories, experiences, and lessons would you bring back as a result of this experience? Mr. Dawson told the students that while they were the authors of this letter, they themselves were the letter. Your example as a student speaks to what the program is about and the value of what you’ve learned here.
One thing Mr. Dawson encouraged the students to consider including in the vast fold of their experiences here is the opportunity to get to know the ministry better. Being in Living Ed-Charlotte presents a great chance to get to know many ministers and leaders in the Work of God, and the relationships and mentorships formed can have a lasting impact in a student’s life.
5-Point Friendship Questionnaire
As part of this exercise, Mr. Dawson presented the students with a five-point questionnaire to help the students assess and develop better relationships with the ministry.
- Do you pray for the ministry?
The ministry are human beings who get tired and who need prayers. In order to more effectively serve the brethren, specific and thoughtful prayers make a difference.
- Do you consistently cultivate your friendship with the ministry?
As with all relationships, building a friendship takes time. We as members should be friendly and make the effort to be friends with our local ministers.
- Do you give the ministry some of your time?
While the ministry gives up much of their time to serve, one way to serve them back is to be available and give of our time as well, particularly to cultivate a positive and cordial rapport.
- Do you value what the ministry has to say?
While we should strive to be friends with our ministers, we should also respect their office. This means being receptive to the correction and guidance they offer at times. We should appreciate and seek out their advice and counsel.
- Do you give grace to the ministry?
Ministers are human like the rest of us. Sometimes misunderstandings or mistakes can cause rifts between friends, but, as with all our friendships, we should avoid imputing negative motive on others. Instead, we should give the ministry—and all those around us—grace and the benefit of the doubt if misunderstandings arise.
Start a Friendship
Mr. Dawson admonished the students to pursue positive relationships with the ministry, not only in Charlotte but wherever they go, and encouraged them to seek out a local minister to befriend as the semester goes on—and furthermore, to make a point of developing a good relationship with their local pastors as they head home at the conclusion of the year. Like with any relationship, a close friendship can take intentional time and effort to develop. Mr. Dawson reminded the students of the importance of praying for others—the best way to start a relationship is to pray for the person. As the semester continues and the time comes when our students return home, the value of befriending the leadership and ministry of the Church is an important aspect of the learning experience of the Charlotte program.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Crossword Puzzle 02/20/26
Credit for answers and questions: Colleen Frank
Note: Some questions have hints to help you solve them. To view the hint, click on the blue box at the end of the question.
Mr. Chet Carpenter: Prepping For the End Times
Author: David Markopoulos | Living Education
These posts summarize the forums that our Living Education-Charlotte students attend each week.
Mr. Chet Carpenter is an area pastor serving in the northern California and south Oregon area. In a recent forum message addressed to the Living Education-Charlotte students, Mr. Carpenter gave important principles to be prepared for the end-times.
Are You a Prepper?
Mr. Carpenter began by asking this question. Many of us know individuals who enjoy camping and the outdoors, and those who aim to be preppers in case of survivalist situations. The world is an unpredictable place, and the results of being unprepared for disasters can be deadly. The things we hope won’t happen often do, and we should be prepared for physical danger.
As we march closer toward the end and the return of Christ, we see world events heating up. It’s important for us as Christians to be prepared not only physically, but also spiritually for the trials that we know are coming. God expects us to be prepared and ready as we seek to inherit His Kingdom.
Building a Fire
Mr. Carpenter spent time explaining some important elements of prepper skills, beginning with fire. Any survivalist should know how to build a fire for emergency situations—but what about spiritually?
It takes physical action to be mentally prepared. Open the Bible, pray, fast, and meditate—these actions help not only keep us focused on God and His way, but they also build a fire of zeal within us. We should be actively stoking this fire and allowing God’s will to consume us. 2 Timothy 1:6 states: “Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” Maintaining this fire takes effort on our part. As trials come, our motivation, fortitude, and resilience that are rooted in God’s word keep us ignited for His purpose. To be spiritual preppers, it’s important to start and maintain a spiritual fire.
Food
One of the other critical elements of being a prepper is food. Knowing how to find safe food in the wilderness is an important skill, and spiritually, we have access to spiritual food as well. God has given us His word as a source of sustenance, inspiration, and learning, and through it, we are both informed and satisfied.
Water
Water is undoubtedly a necessity of life. Without water, no one can survive very long. A prepper needs adequate water storage. Spiritually, God has given us living waters and the gift of His Spirit to help us.
The other side to this equation is the fact that we must have a thirst for that living water God is offering. Psalm 63:1 states: “My soul thirsts for You; my flesh longs for You in a dry and thirsty land where there is no water.” God offers the only solution to our thirst, and we must appreciate and seek it out by developing a relationship with Him. If we have a deep awe and thirst for what God gives us, He in turn will give us that gift of His Spirit.
Spiritual Shelter
As a natural result of these steps—igniting an internal fire for God, seeking out the food of His word, and relying on the living waters of His Spirit—we can have rest, protection, and true shelter in God.
While there is nothing wrong with preparing physically for emergencies and trials, we should also remember to keep the big picture in mind, follow the right steps, and keep God first. We should always stay loyal and on fire for God and His will, seek and crave His spiritual food, and rely on the refreshing water of life He gives. God loves us and promises to watch over and protect us, and we should take comfort in His promises.
David Markopoulos is a Living Education alumnus from the 2023-2025 school years. Originally hailing from Chicago, he currently works for the Living Education program.
Crossword Puzzle 02/13/26
Credit for answers and questions: Colleen Frank
Note: Some questions have hints to help you solve them. To view the hint, click on the blue box at the end of the question.