My Ultimate Prayer: Xerox Me, Lord, Your Life Repeated in Mine!
Elijah said to Elisha, "What can I do for you before I'm taken from you? Ask anything." Elisha said, "Your life repeated in my life. I want to be a holy man just like you." —2 Kings 2:9 MSG
When I first read Elisha's request in The Message, Your life repeated in my life. I want to be a holy man just like you, it shaped the ultimate prayer for my life-purpose: "Empower me, Lord, by your Son, to become all you created me to be. Energize me, Lord, by your Spirit, to accomplish all you call me to do." If God will accomplish that in my life, I will feel that I have fulfilled his awesome plan for me.
In a study I did in Ephesians, I found thirty-nine variations of "In Christ," "Through Christ," and so forth. In reviewing all of those occurrences, I discovered the ABCs of being in Christ. There is at least one "In Christ" concept for each letter of the alphabet. The letter X represents the fact that in Christ God Xeroxes us. Paul said, Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:24 NIV). Put your face down on a copy machine and push the copy button. What prints out? A likeness of your face. As Christ followers, we were created to be like God, Xeroxed—an image of his likeness: his true righteousness and holiness reproduced in us. When people see us, who we are and how we act, they should see the likeness of Christ in us. It's like God Xeroxes us.
This is what I have been praying on my wooded prayer trail, "Xerox Me, Lord. Your life repeated in my life. I want to be a holy person just like you. Empower me, Lord, by your Son, to become the all you created me to be. Energize me, Lord, by your Spirit, to accomplish all you call me to do." That's being Xeroxed by God, being the likeness of Christ, a eflection of his image in us to other people.
After Lee Strobel became a Christ follower, his five-year-old daughter Allison said, "Mommy, I want God to do for me what he's done for Daddy."10 That's Christ's life repeated in a person's life—God Xeroxed Strobel, and even his five year old daughter recognized the transformation.
This is my ultimate life-prayer: Xerox me, Lord. May your life be repeated in my life, the image of Christ reflected to others! Empower me, Lord, by your Son, to become all you created me to be. Energize me, Lord, by your Spirit, to accomplish all you call me to do. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,
Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University, Member, Transformation Team
Connect/Refresh
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 23, 2011
DAY 39
The Power of Prayer
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. —James 5:16 NLT
We believe prayer unleashes God's power. Over the years, I have seen amazing things happen when people pray. I could tell you stories from my own life and family of answered prayers—incredible works of God's power in physical healings, physical protection, God's provision in incredible ways that show how big God really is.
Recently, my brother and sister-in-law were praying for a little girl who was dead for a few minutes and who came back to life. God is incredible. I could tell you of times when I have seen God do incredible things in ministry settings, of life changes that only God could do. Something happens when we pray. E. M Bounds said it best: "All I know is when I pray coincidences happen and when I don't pray coincidences don't happen".
On the other hand, if we are honest, sometimes we pray and nothing happens. We pray for God to heal or to help in a particular situation, and it seems like God is so far away. A few years back, I prayed and prayed for a godly young mother with young kids to be healed from cancer, yet she died.
This really shook me, and honestly, I still have trouble understanding. Some people who don't experience a miracle from God stop praying, feeling that God doesn't listen. It is a great deception of the enemy to have us believe that if God is sovereign, then whatever is going to happen is going to happen, so don't bother praying. That reasoning is usually the result of frustration. I have been there. But prayer often times is more about what God does to our hearts when we pray than about God's answering our requests the way we think they ought to be answered. It is about God shaping us, not us shaping God.
A while back, I really wanted to dive down deep into what God said about prayer. I spent some time in the library trying to find all the scriptures that mention prayer. What does the Bible really say? I found numerous scriptures on prayer and found that prayer is a major part of our
relationship with God. It is more about our dependence, listening, investment, yieldedness, and openness to God than about what God can give us.
God often protects us from our own prayers. Had God answered some prayers according to my plans, I would have settled for less than God's best for me. Remember that prayer is a journey with God that often has twists and turns that we don't understand, but God sees the whole journey. Often, we can see only a few feet in front of us. Be encouraged on your journey, God sees the whole picture.
Lord, thank you for the power of prayer that guides us in all the twists and turns of our journey through life. Thank you for answering our prayers in ways you know are best for us, and not always as we think they should be. Thank you for shaping us according to your awesome plans for us and for the wonderful results they bring. Amen.
Dr. Andy Stephenson, Leader of Youth and Family Ministries, Church of God Ministries
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. —James 5:16 NLT
We believe prayer unleashes God's power. Over the years, I have seen amazing things happen when people pray. I could tell you stories from my own life and family of answered prayers—incredible works of God's power in physical healings, physical protection, God's provision in incredible ways that show how big God really is.
Recently, my brother and sister-in-law were praying for a little girl who was dead for a few minutes and who came back to life. God is incredible. I could tell you of times when I have seen God do incredible things in ministry settings, of life changes that only God could do. Something happens when we pray. E. M Bounds said it best: "All I know is when I pray coincidences happen and when I don't pray coincidences don't happen".
On the other hand, if we are honest, sometimes we pray and nothing happens. We pray for God to heal or to help in a particular situation, and it seems like God is so far away. A few years back, I prayed and prayed for a godly young mother with young kids to be healed from cancer, yet she died.
This really shook me, and honestly, I still have trouble understanding. Some people who don't experience a miracle from God stop praying, feeling that God doesn't listen. It is a great deception of the enemy to have us believe that if God is sovereign, then whatever is going to happen is going to happen, so don't bother praying. That reasoning is usually the result of frustration. I have been there. But prayer often times is more about what God does to our hearts when we pray than about God's answering our requests the way we think they ought to be answered. It is about God shaping us, not us shaping God.
A while back, I really wanted to dive down deep into what God said about prayer. I spent some time in the library trying to find all the scriptures that mention prayer. What does the Bible really say? I found numerous scriptures on prayer and found that prayer is a major part of our
relationship with God. It is more about our dependence, listening, investment, yieldedness, and openness to God than about what God can give us.
God often protects us from our own prayers. Had God answered some prayers according to my plans, I would have settled for less than God's best for me. Remember that prayer is a journey with God that often has twists and turns that we don't understand, but God sees the whole journey. Often, we can see only a few feet in front of us. Be encouraged on your journey, God sees the whole picture.
Lord, thank you for the power of prayer that guides us in all the twists and turns of our journey through life. Thank you for answering our prayers in ways you know are best for us, and not always as we think they should be. Thank you for shaping us according to your awesome plans for us and for the wonderful results they bring. Amen.
Dr. Andy Stephenson, Leader of Youth and Family Ministries, Church of God Ministries
Friday, April 22, 2011
DAY 38
Praying with My Head Up
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV (2010)
I was reading through this passage the other day when it struck me how drastically Paul's prayers differ from mine. I tend to have my head down when I pray, while Paul prayed with his head up. I don't mean in the physical sense—you know, head bowed and eyes closed—I mean in the life- perspective sense.
I keep my eyes and head down and pray for the mundane, everyday things of life. I pray for things like finances and health and problems with bosses and co-workers and the like. Those things are important at one level, but they are head-down-plodding-through-life kinds of things. They are the kinds of things you focus on when you get wrapped up in your own existence and your horizon is defined by your own resources and reach. In the grand scope of life, they are the little things.
When I read what Paul prayed for the Ephesians—And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God—I realize that Paul prayed for the big things. He prayed with his head raised and
his eyes looking up. He did not pray according to his limitations; he prayed according to God's vastness.
I pray, "Lord, help me pay this bill." Paul prayed, "Lord, let them catch a glimpse of you." I have my head down, looking for a check in the mailbox. Paul had his eyes raised, looking for God to show up.
Lord, help me learn how to pray with my head up, to pray for presence rather than presents.
Pastor Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. —Ephesians 3:17-19 NIV (2010)
I was reading through this passage the other day when it struck me how drastically Paul's prayers differ from mine. I tend to have my head down when I pray, while Paul prayed with his head up. I don't mean in the physical sense—you know, head bowed and eyes closed—I mean in the life- perspective sense.
I keep my eyes and head down and pray for the mundane, everyday things of life. I pray for things like finances and health and problems with bosses and co-workers and the like. Those things are important at one level, but they are head-down-plodding-through-life kinds of things. They are the kinds of things you focus on when you get wrapped up in your own existence and your horizon is defined by your own resources and reach. In the grand scope of life, they are the little things.
When I read what Paul prayed for the Ephesians—And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God—I realize that Paul prayed for the big things. He prayed with his head raised and
his eyes looking up. He did not pray according to his limitations; he prayed according to God's vastness.
I pray, "Lord, help me pay this bill." Paul prayed, "Lord, let them catch a glimpse of you." I have my head down, looking for a check in the mailbox. Paul had his eyes raised, looking for God to show up.
Lord, help me learn how to pray with my head up, to pray for presence rather than presents.
Pastor Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, April 21, 2011
DAY 37
Priority of Prayer in the Hectic
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." —Mark 1:35 NIV
This morning in the life of Jesus came after what must have been an extremely hectic day. He had been teaching in the synagogue with such authority that the people were "amazed" (see Mark 1:22, 27). When his teaching was interrupted by a man with an "evil spirit," Jesus again amazed the people by commanding the evil spirit to leave the man and restored him to wholeness.
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus visited the home of Simon and Andrew, where he cured Simon's mother-in-law of a high fever. After sunset, all the people in the surrounding area who were physically, emotionally and spiritually sick were brought to him, and with the whole town gathered at the door (v 33 NIV), he healed many and drove the demons out of many people.
How could Jesus keep up this rigorous schedule? The next morning, after that full, hectic, demanding, emotion-packed day, "very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35 NIV). It doesn't make sense. Jesus knows that this day will be at least as full and hectic as the day before. He knows many demands will be made upon him. He knows the crowds of people will be pressing in on him with such force that he will no longer be able to enter a town openly (v 45). He knows wherever he goes, people will be calling his name, reaching out to touch him, begging for his help. He knows the Scribes and Pharisees will be there criticizing, questioning his teaching, doubting his motives, stirring up trouble, trying to confuse and distract him, and attempting to humiliate him. He knows even his own disciples will often misunderstand him and attempt to get him to do things their way instead of his. (Do you ever have a day like this?)
Therefore, in the face of such a demanding schedule and so many clamoring people, how can Jesus eke out a time for solitude and prayer? Because he knew there was no way he could accomplish all of the things he had to get done unless he made time to pray!
It is true: most of us live with such hectic, demanding schedules that we feel we can never accomplish all we need to do. Learn a lesson from our Lord. Like him, we stand in need of prayer, moment by moment. Even if it means rising earlier, time spent in prayer will enable us to accomplish his plans throughout the day with surprising skill, energy, and efficiency.
In the midst of a heavy, hectic, hurried, demanding schedule, Jesus made time to pray. It was his source of power from God for men. If Jesus placed such a premium on the value and power of prayer—Jesus, who is God's only unique Son, who is God himself—how can I, a mere follower, do any less? What is my source of power for living victoriously by faith? My fabulous talents, amazing gifts, great abilities? No, my source of power for victorious living and for touching other persons is my relationship with my God through prayer.
Lord, please give me the intentionality and discipline to follow you in making prayer a consistent priority in my life and ministries. Like you, in the middle of the hectic, help me make time for solitude and prayer that will connect you and your unlimited resources with the hurting, broken people who need your unconditional love and amazing grace. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University, Member, Transformation Team Connect/Refresh
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed." —Mark 1:35 NIV
This morning in the life of Jesus came after what must have been an extremely hectic day. He had been teaching in the synagogue with such authority that the people were "amazed" (see Mark 1:22, 27). When his teaching was interrupted by a man with an "evil spirit," Jesus again amazed the people by commanding the evil spirit to leave the man and restored him to wholeness.
Leaving the synagogue, Jesus visited the home of Simon and Andrew, where he cured Simon's mother-in-law of a high fever. After sunset, all the people in the surrounding area who were physically, emotionally and spiritually sick were brought to him, and with the whole town gathered at the door (v 33 NIV), he healed many and drove the demons out of many people.
How could Jesus keep up this rigorous schedule? The next morning, after that full, hectic, demanding, emotion-packed day, "very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed" (Mark 1:35 NIV). It doesn't make sense. Jesus knows that this day will be at least as full and hectic as the day before. He knows many demands will be made upon him. He knows the crowds of people will be pressing in on him with such force that he will no longer be able to enter a town openly (v 45). He knows wherever he goes, people will be calling his name, reaching out to touch him, begging for his help. He knows the Scribes and Pharisees will be there criticizing, questioning his teaching, doubting his motives, stirring up trouble, trying to confuse and distract him, and attempting to humiliate him. He knows even his own disciples will often misunderstand him and attempt to get him to do things their way instead of his. (Do you ever have a day like this?)
Therefore, in the face of such a demanding schedule and so many clamoring people, how can Jesus eke out a time for solitude and prayer? Because he knew there was no way he could accomplish all of the things he had to get done unless he made time to pray!
It is true: most of us live with such hectic, demanding schedules that we feel we can never accomplish all we need to do. Learn a lesson from our Lord. Like him, we stand in need of prayer, moment by moment. Even if it means rising earlier, time spent in prayer will enable us to accomplish his plans throughout the day with surprising skill, energy, and efficiency.
In the midst of a heavy, hectic, hurried, demanding schedule, Jesus made time to pray. It was his source of power from God for men. If Jesus placed such a premium on the value and power of prayer—Jesus, who is God's only unique Son, who is God himself—how can I, a mere follower, do any less? What is my source of power for living victoriously by faith? My fabulous talents, amazing gifts, great abilities? No, my source of power for victorious living and for touching other persons is my relationship with my God through prayer.
Lord, please give me the intentionality and discipline to follow you in making prayer a consistent priority in my life and ministries. Like you, in the middle of the hectic, help me make time for solitude and prayer that will connect you and your unlimited resources with the hurting, broken people who need your unconditional love and amazing grace. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University, Member, Transformation Team Connect/Refresh
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
DAY 36
Get in the Game
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Losing your joy is not an acceptable position in which to live; however, years ago in my ministry journey, I found myself in such a place. I remember during a desperate moment saying to God: "If I cannot have the joy I had when I first entered ministry, I do not want to go any further."
It was during this unfavorable time in my life that I gave time for seeking spiritual renewal. I traveled to a conference on the other side of the globe. It was at this event I discovered how to once again drink from the fountain of joy.
One morning during the conference, our leader instructed us in the importance of prayer. It was during that teaching session that God revealed to me that he wanted me to get in the game. That was a familiar phase, which perked my interest. I was taken back in time to when I was an active teenager deeply involved in high school sports. I was a freshman and had been allowed to suit up with the varsity football team. I was standing on the sidelines rooting for my team mates when I heard the coach yell my last name followed by the phrase Get in the game. My heart raced with excitement as well as some fear as I entered my first high school varsity game.
We all want to be in the game when it comes to ministry. We who have been doing ministry for some time can fall into the trap of thinking that being in the game of ministry is about what we do. Yet as I sat in this conference many miles from my ministry assignment I was hearing God say, Get in the game. As I contemplated the instruction from God, the question in my mind was, You mean I'm not in the game? The immediate responding thought was, When it comes to prayer you are not in the game.
It was on that day that I committed to God to get into the game. The essence of ministry is prayer. It is where vision is birthed, direction understood, correction made, and empowerment given. As you review the saints of the New Testament church, notice that they were men and
women who were in the game. For them, prayer was not just another incident in life; it was the way of life. Therefore, Paul would say, Pray without ceasing. John the revelator used the phrase, I was in the spirit and I saw or heard or he showed me.
When I am in consistent communion in the spirit with God, I find there is joy in the Lord. It is a daily time of refreshment and renewal. It is an exciting place to be, in the game. Prayer is where the game of life and ministry are won or lost. Therefore, I urge you to get in the game!
Lord, I do not want to sit on the side lines. I want to be a contributor to the work of the Kingdom. Lord, as I spend time in your presence, help me to see clearly your game plan and my part in helping to fulfill the plan. Amen
Pastor Claude Robold, Pastor, New Covenant Church, Middletown, Ohio
"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" —1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV
Losing your joy is not an acceptable position in which to live; however, years ago in my ministry journey, I found myself in such a place. I remember during a desperate moment saying to God: "If I cannot have the joy I had when I first entered ministry, I do not want to go any further."
It was during this unfavorable time in my life that I gave time for seeking spiritual renewal. I traveled to a conference on the other side of the globe. It was at this event I discovered how to once again drink from the fountain of joy.
One morning during the conference, our leader instructed us in the importance of prayer. It was during that teaching session that God revealed to me that he wanted me to get in the game. That was a familiar phase, which perked my interest. I was taken back in time to when I was an active teenager deeply involved in high school sports. I was a freshman and had been allowed to suit up with the varsity football team. I was standing on the sidelines rooting for my team mates when I heard the coach yell my last name followed by the phrase Get in the game. My heart raced with excitement as well as some fear as I entered my first high school varsity game.
We all want to be in the game when it comes to ministry. We who have been doing ministry for some time can fall into the trap of thinking that being in the game of ministry is about what we do. Yet as I sat in this conference many miles from my ministry assignment I was hearing God say, Get in the game. As I contemplated the instruction from God, the question in my mind was, You mean I'm not in the game? The immediate responding thought was, When it comes to prayer you are not in the game.
It was on that day that I committed to God to get into the game. The essence of ministry is prayer. It is where vision is birthed, direction understood, correction made, and empowerment given. As you review the saints of the New Testament church, notice that they were men and
women who were in the game. For them, prayer was not just another incident in life; it was the way of life. Therefore, Paul would say, Pray without ceasing. John the revelator used the phrase, I was in the spirit and I saw or heard or he showed me.
When I am in consistent communion in the spirit with God, I find there is joy in the Lord. It is a daily time of refreshment and renewal. It is an exciting place to be, in the game. Prayer is where the game of life and ministry are won or lost. Therefore, I urge you to get in the game!
Lord, I do not want to sit on the side lines. I want to be a contributor to the work of the Kingdom. Lord, as I spend time in your presence, help me to see clearly your game plan and my part in helping to fulfill the plan. Amen
Pastor Claude Robold, Pastor, New Covenant Church, Middletown, Ohio
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Day 35
Living Freely and Lightly
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." —Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
As wife, mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher, and attorney, I often find myself pulled in many directions of service. Sometimes, I become weary, worn out and burned out. Jesus certainly knew all about being tired, burdened, sad, and overwhelmed with the needs of his family, his close friends, and the multitudes of sick and hurting people who clamored for his attention. However, Jesus knew when it was time to withdraw, to go away to be alone with his Father, God. The disciples watched Jesus do this "withdrawing to pray" many times, but they did not understand why or the benefit of doing this for themselves. Later, the disciples would simply ask Jesus to "teach them to pray" not "teach them how to pray or the words to say".
So, prayer is the door to a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. Most of the time we wait until we are tired, worn out, or burned out before we withdraw to pray. Jesus knew that tired, worn out, or burned out Kingdom workers are not effective workers, and more often than not, they do more harm than good. In Matthew 11:17, Jesus gave the answer to how we can remain effective in our relationships, in our service and in our worship.
One, get away from the crowds, alone with Jesus, and your life will be recovered through rest. Two, walk and work with Jesus, not for Jesus, watching how he works. Three, learn to move, to flow, with the unforced rhythms of grace. When we recognize we are pushing too hard to make
something happen, talking too much to convince people of our plans, and running ahead instead of waiting on the Lord, we are trying to force grace. That never works. God's grace is unforced. There is a rhythm and a reason for the pauses as much as for the advances. Four, spending time in prayer, depending totally upon God for all our needs, equals living freely and lightly, without a lot of baggage weighing us down. Five, pray for joy, both in yourself and others—especially servants of the Lord.
"If you lose your joy in your religion, you will be a poor worker: you cannot bear strong testimony, you cannot bear stern trial, you cannot lead a powerful life. In proportion as you maintain your joy, you will be strong in the Lord, and for the Lord."9
Jesus, I long to be still, to feel your presence, to live within the unforced rhythms of grace. I am tired of being tired, frustrated with being worn out because I have taken on too much, sick of religion that has become a production. I long for time to sit and talk and listen at your feet. Help me free myself from obligations or participation in events which I do not even enjoy. Teach me to live freely, without worrying. Enable me to lay aside any emotional baggage that wears me out so I can focus on you and be what you want me to be.
Mary Bruce Fuller, Attorney, Florence, Mississippi
"Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you'll recover your life. I'll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn to live freely and lightly." —Matthew 11:28-30 MSG
As wife, mother, grandmother, Sunday school teacher, and attorney, I often find myself pulled in many directions of service. Sometimes, I become weary, worn out and burned out. Jesus certainly knew all about being tired, burdened, sad, and overwhelmed with the needs of his family, his close friends, and the multitudes of sick and hurting people who clamored for his attention. However, Jesus knew when it was time to withdraw, to go away to be alone with his Father, God. The disciples watched Jesus do this "withdrawing to pray" many times, but they did not understand why or the benefit of doing this for themselves. Later, the disciples would simply ask Jesus to "teach them to pray" not "teach them how to pray or the words to say".
So, prayer is the door to a relationship with Jesus Christ and the Father. Most of the time we wait until we are tired, worn out, or burned out before we withdraw to pray. Jesus knew that tired, worn out, or burned out Kingdom workers are not effective workers, and more often than not, they do more harm than good. In Matthew 11:17, Jesus gave the answer to how we can remain effective in our relationships, in our service and in our worship.
One, get away from the crowds, alone with Jesus, and your life will be recovered through rest. Two, walk and work with Jesus, not for Jesus, watching how he works. Three, learn to move, to flow, with the unforced rhythms of grace. When we recognize we are pushing too hard to make
something happen, talking too much to convince people of our plans, and running ahead instead of waiting on the Lord, we are trying to force grace. That never works. God's grace is unforced. There is a rhythm and a reason for the pauses as much as for the advances. Four, spending time in prayer, depending totally upon God for all our needs, equals living freely and lightly, without a lot of baggage weighing us down. Five, pray for joy, both in yourself and others—especially servants of the Lord.
"If you lose your joy in your religion, you will be a poor worker: you cannot bear strong testimony, you cannot bear stern trial, you cannot lead a powerful life. In proportion as you maintain your joy, you will be strong in the Lord, and for the Lord."9
Jesus, I long to be still, to feel your presence, to live within the unforced rhythms of grace. I am tired of being tired, frustrated with being worn out because I have taken on too much, sick of religion that has become a production. I long for time to sit and talk and listen at your feet. Help me free myself from obligations or participation in events which I do not even enjoy. Teach me to live freely, without worrying. Enable me to lay aside any emotional baggage that wears me out so I can focus on you and be what you want me to be.
Mary Bruce Fuller, Attorney, Florence, Mississippi
Monday, April 18, 2011
DAY 34
Prayer for Freedom: Who Sets Your Boundaries? Day 34
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." —Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I walked into a funeral home office, where I saw a large salt water aquarium with colorful exotic fish. My eyes landed on what looked like a six-inch shark. It was. The funeral director explained that it was a white shark. He said sharks adapt to their environment. This one would grow no longer than six inches in the aquarium. In the ocean, it could grow up to twenty-five feet long.
I thought, as I watched it swimming continuously from end to end with a restless passion, "How sad! That shark's environment determined its maximum size. Five pieces of glass glued together limited the fulfillment of the shark's potential! Born to be a magnificent creature fathoming
the depths of oceans, yet confined to a four-foot aquarium." I pictured people who allow their boundaries to be determined by environment, circumstances, negative-thinking, power-hungry people, controlling people, low self-image, memories of failure always playing on the screen of your mind, laziness, and a myriad of dream- destroying, potential-robbing attitudes.
That little shark doesn't have a choice. The only way he could fulfill his potential is if someone reaches in and takes him out of the aquarium and releases him in the ocean. God can reach into your imprisonment, lift you out, and place you in the ocean of his love, power, and resources. He promised: I know the plans I have for youplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer 29:11 NIV). Don't let circumstances, other people, fear of failure, poor self-esteem, the way you look, or anything else set the boundaries for your life and ministry. God says, Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by youand will bring you back from captivity (Jer 29:12-14). That prayer will release you to fulfill your God-given potential and set you free to be the winner he created you to become through his power and creativity!
Jesus says, "Get up, pick up your brokenness, failure, hopelessness and give them to me. Walk into my healing, wholeness, joy, and incredible love like you've never dreamed possible." Pick up every dream for your life, every heart's desire, every longing in your spirit, everything you want to
do, and place them in the Master's hands, and pray:
Lord, please set me free from the boundaries that people, circumstances, and I have placed on me. Show me the awesome plans you have for me. By your power, fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith.8Set me free to fulfill my God-given potential. Heal and restore me in my spirit, mind, emotions, body, and relationships. Thank you! Amen!
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,
Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University; Member, Transformation Team
Connect/Refresh
"I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." —Jeremiah 29:11 NIV
I walked into a funeral home office, where I saw a large salt water aquarium with colorful exotic fish. My eyes landed on what looked like a six-inch shark. It was. The funeral director explained that it was a white shark. He said sharks adapt to their environment. This one would grow no longer than six inches in the aquarium. In the ocean, it could grow up to twenty-five feet long.
I thought, as I watched it swimming continuously from end to end with a restless passion, "How sad! That shark's environment determined its maximum size. Five pieces of glass glued together limited the fulfillment of the shark's potential! Born to be a magnificent creature fathoming
the depths of oceans, yet confined to a four-foot aquarium." I pictured people who allow their boundaries to be determined by environment, circumstances, negative-thinking, power-hungry people, controlling people, low self-image, memories of failure always playing on the screen of your mind, laziness, and a myriad of dream- destroying, potential-robbing attitudes.
That little shark doesn't have a choice. The only way he could fulfill his potential is if someone reaches in and takes him out of the aquarium and releases him in the ocean. God can reach into your imprisonment, lift you out, and place you in the ocean of his love, power, and resources. He promised: I know the plans I have for youplans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (Jer 29:11 NIV). Don't let circumstances, other people, fear of failure, poor self-esteem, the way you look, or anything else set the boundaries for your life and ministry. God says, Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by youand will bring you back from captivity (Jer 29:12-14). That prayer will release you to fulfill your God-given potential and set you free to be the winner he created you to become through his power and creativity!
Jesus says, "Get up, pick up your brokenness, failure, hopelessness and give them to me. Walk into my healing, wholeness, joy, and incredible love like you've never dreamed possible." Pick up every dream for your life, every heart's desire, every longing in your spirit, everything you want to
do, and place them in the Master's hands, and pray:
Lord, please set me free from the boundaries that people, circumstances, and I have placed on me. Show me the awesome plans you have for me. By your power, fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith.8Set me free to fulfill my God-given potential. Heal and restore me in my spirit, mind, emotions, body, and relationships. Thank you! Amen!
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,
Mississippi; Online Instructor, Mid-America Christian University; Member, Transformation Team
Connect/Refresh
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