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
Saturday, April 16, 2011
DAY 31
Hangin'-Out-around-the-Campfire Moments with God!
Come near to God and he will come near to you —James 4:8 NIV
What comes to your mind if I mention a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire moment? I remember fondly the evening my young grandson Allen and I were sitting on log stools by our wood pile splitting pine lighter kindling to start a fire. It was one of those tender, awesome times as we laughed together and talked about a lot of grandpa-grandson kind of stuff! Allen said, "Now Grandpa, this is what I like, just hangin' out with you, splitting firewood, or anything else we do together!" Later that
evening, as the coals were dying down, after his mother had read his devotional book and prayed with him, Allen asked me to come to his room, "Grandpa, let's read another devotional and pray." I thought, "It doesn't get any better than this!" That's a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire moment — with a grandkid, a daughter, my wife, friends, and especially with my Lord Jesus. It's a place where love and intimacy are kindled between us and those who are special to us—a place to come near to God and he will come near to you.
One of the most beautiful pictures of a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire-with-God moment is in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. King David and his bodyguard camped out in a cave, hiding from Philistine soldiers besieging Bethlehem. David lamented, "I wish I had a drink of water from the well at the
gate of Bethlehem!" Instantly, in a dramatic demonstration of loyalty to their king, three of David's finest soldiers headed for the well at Bethlehem. They fought their way through the Philistine garrison and brought a container of water to David. As they handed him the water—for which they had risked their lives—David was deeply moved by their loyalty, courage, commitment, and strength. He said, "I can't drink this water," and he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. A simple wish turned into an awesome time of worship.
David's words were not a command or a request, but a wish. Because of his men's devotion to him, his wish became their desire, and they fulfilled it, because they loved and respected him. Spending quality time together, they could regroup and prepare to defeat the enemy that threatened
to attack their city. That was a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire-with-God moment. We need to create more of those moments with our Lord, when we just hang out with him, listening to his heart's desires, sharing things that are important to him and us. The spiritual disciplines of studying
the Word, prayer, and fasting are wonderful opportunities for sharing hangin'-out-around-the- campfire-with-God moments—places to come near to God and he will come near to you.
Lord, this is what I desire, more of those Hangin' Out around the Campfire with You Moments - times of coming near to you, and you coming near to me -where love and intimacy are kindled between us. Empower me, Lord, by
your Son, to become all you created me to be, and energize me, Lord, to accomplish all you call me to do. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,
Mississippi
Come near to God and he will come near to you —James 4:8 NIV
What comes to your mind if I mention a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire moment? I remember fondly the evening my young grandson Allen and I were sitting on log stools by our wood pile splitting pine lighter kindling to start a fire. It was one of those tender, awesome times as we laughed together and talked about a lot of grandpa-grandson kind of stuff! Allen said, "Now Grandpa, this is what I like, just hangin' out with you, splitting firewood, or anything else we do together!" Later that
evening, as the coals were dying down, after his mother had read his devotional book and prayed with him, Allen asked me to come to his room, "Grandpa, let's read another devotional and pray." I thought, "It doesn't get any better than this!" That's a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire moment — with a grandkid, a daughter, my wife, friends, and especially with my Lord Jesus. It's a place where love and intimacy are kindled between us and those who are special to us—a place to come near to God and he will come near to you.
One of the most beautiful pictures of a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire-with-God moment is in 2 Samuel 23:13-17. King David and his bodyguard camped out in a cave, hiding from Philistine soldiers besieging Bethlehem. David lamented, "I wish I had a drink of water from the well at the
gate of Bethlehem!" Instantly, in a dramatic demonstration of loyalty to their king, three of David's finest soldiers headed for the well at Bethlehem. They fought their way through the Philistine garrison and brought a container of water to David. As they handed him the water—for which they had risked their lives—David was deeply moved by their loyalty, courage, commitment, and strength. He said, "I can't drink this water," and he poured it out as an offering to the Lord. A simple wish turned into an awesome time of worship.
David's words were not a command or a request, but a wish. Because of his men's devotion to him, his wish became their desire, and they fulfilled it, because they loved and respected him. Spending quality time together, they could regroup and prepare to defeat the enemy that threatened
to attack their city. That was a hangin'-out-around-the-campfire-with-God moment. We need to create more of those moments with our Lord, when we just hang out with him, listening to his heart's desires, sharing things that are important to him and us. The spiritual disciplines of studying
the Word, prayer, and fasting are wonderful opportunities for sharing hangin'-out-around-the- campfire-with-God moments—places to come near to God and he will come near to you.
Lord, this is what I desire, more of those Hangin' Out around the Campfire with You Moments - times of coming near to you, and you coming near to me -where love and intimacy are kindled between us. Empower me, Lord, by
your Son, to become all you created me to be, and energize me, Lord, to accomplish all you call me to do. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,
Mississippi
Friday, April 15, 2011
DAY 30
Not too Close
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." —Exodus 20:18-19 NIV
To be honest, I can't really criticize the Israelites too harshly here. Moses had just delivered the Ten Commandments to them—God had expressed his authority over them and their lives. The expression of his presence was too much for them; they wanted a filter. The prospect of being face to face with God was intimidating.
When I look at myself, I have to wonder if I am any different. Going to church is easy. Listening to a message that speaks generally to what God wants for me and from me is a fairly safe filter. Occasionally, a message will get dangerously close to where I live, but most of the time I can keep them at an arm's length. But talking directly to God is a much different prospect.
Having a direct conversation with God, allowing him close enough to peer into my life, to comment directly on my thoughts, priorities, prejudices, and choices, is a frightening prospect. So often I limit my God exposure to the filter of a Sunday morning sermon. I can justify it in my mind. After all, I am going to church and that is what Christians do, right? They go to church and live by the rules. That thinking makes me no different than the Israelites.
The identity as God's children was fine for the Israelites. They were even okay with the Ten Commandments, as long as God kept his distance. I can be that way too. It is one thing for God to say to everyone, "Thou shalt not covet." It is quite another for him to look directly into my own life and ask, "Why are you so jealous of your neighbor's new car?" or "Why do you resent your co-worker's promotion?" "Why do you try to imply to others that that great idea was yours?" That is when God gets too close and prayer gets too dangerous.
Is your prayer life really limited because you are too busy or too distracted? Or do you avoid prayer because you're afraid to let God too close?
Father, give us the courage to speak to you face to face, to let you examine the deepest part of us, and to challenge our most private thoughts.
Rev. Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
When the people saw the thunder and lightning and heard the trumpet and saw the mountain in smoke, they trembled with fear. They stayed at a distance and said to Moses, "Speak to us yourself and we will listen. But do not have God speak to us or we will die." —Exodus 20:18-19 NIV
To be honest, I can't really criticize the Israelites too harshly here. Moses had just delivered the Ten Commandments to them—God had expressed his authority over them and their lives. The expression of his presence was too much for them; they wanted a filter. The prospect of being face to face with God was intimidating.
When I look at myself, I have to wonder if I am any different. Going to church is easy. Listening to a message that speaks generally to what God wants for me and from me is a fairly safe filter. Occasionally, a message will get dangerously close to where I live, but most of the time I can keep them at an arm's length. But talking directly to God is a much different prospect.
Having a direct conversation with God, allowing him close enough to peer into my life, to comment directly on my thoughts, priorities, prejudices, and choices, is a frightening prospect. So often I limit my God exposure to the filter of a Sunday morning sermon. I can justify it in my mind. After all, I am going to church and that is what Christians do, right? They go to church and live by the rules. That thinking makes me no different than the Israelites.
The identity as God's children was fine for the Israelites. They were even okay with the Ten Commandments, as long as God kept his distance. I can be that way too. It is one thing for God to say to everyone, "Thou shalt not covet." It is quite another for him to look directly into my own life and ask, "Why are you so jealous of your neighbor's new car?" or "Why do you resent your co-worker's promotion?" "Why do you try to imply to others that that great idea was yours?" That is when God gets too close and prayer gets too dangerous.
Is your prayer life really limited because you are too busy or too distracted? Or do you avoid prayer because you're afraid to let God too close?
Father, give us the courage to speak to you face to face, to let you examine the deepest part of us, and to challenge our most private thoughts.
Rev. Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
Thursday, April 14, 2011
DAY 29
A Prayer to Fulfill Every Good Purpose of Mine
We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
—2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV
One morning while walking on my wooded prayer trail, I was quoting 2 Thessalonians. As these verses captivated my attention, I asked, "Lord, where is the key to this treasure chest: that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith? That's what I've been longing for, you, fulfilling my dreams: every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith. How can I step into that level of life?"
And I heard, "Quote the next part again: We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him." I was startled, and said out loud, "Wait, Lord! I've always been taught that you receive all the glory, we don't receive any glory. But right there Paul prayed that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in me, and I would be glorified in him." I prayed, "Lord, how does that work?" I heard, "When you live in a way that the name of our Lord Jesus is glorified in you, he makes your life glorious to other people. That's what attracts people to Jesus—when they see him working in your life, they want to know him, too!" It was clear, When God's name is glorified in me, he makes my life glorious. His dreams become my dreams. That's how he can fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith. My next prayer became my song:
Lord, bring me closer; closer than I've ever come before to You.
Lord, plunge me deeper; deeper than I've ever been before in You.
Lord, take me higher; higher than I've ever soared before with You.
Lord, send me farther; farther than I've ever gone before for You.
Lord, glorify Your name in me; And my name in You.7
After praying through the words several times, they began to crystallize into a song, and I went to the piano and wrote the music.
My Creator God, I invite you to live in close, personal, intimate elationship with me. I pray that you would count me worthy of your calling, 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. Set me free to fulfill my God-given potential. Lord, please empower me in my spirit, mind, emotions, body, and all of my relationships. Lord, bring me closer than I've ever come before to you.
Plunge me deeper than I've ever been before in you. Take me higher than I've ever soared before with you. Send me farther than I've ever gone before for you. Lord, glorify your name in me, and my name in you. I commit my ways to you, and I trust you to give me hope and a glorious future as I walk with you. Thank you, Lord. I love you! Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce; President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, MS.
We constantly pray for you, that our God may count you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith. We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
—2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 NIV
One morning while walking on my wooded prayer trail, I was quoting 2 Thessalonians. As these verses captivated my attention, I asked, "Lord, where is the key to this treasure chest: that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith? That's what I've been longing for, you, fulfilling my dreams: every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith. How can I step into that level of life?"
And I heard, "Quote the next part again: We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him." I was startled, and said out loud, "Wait, Lord! I've always been taught that you receive all the glory, we don't receive any glory. But right there Paul prayed that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in me, and I would be glorified in him." I prayed, "Lord, how does that work?" I heard, "When you live in a way that the name of our Lord Jesus is glorified in you, he makes your life glorious to other people. That's what attracts people to Jesus—when they see him working in your life, they want to know him, too!" It was clear, When God's name is glorified in me, he makes my life glorious. His dreams become my dreams. That's how he can fulfill every good purpose of mine and every act prompted by my faith. My next prayer became my song:
Lord, bring me closer; closer than I've ever come before to You.
Lord, plunge me deeper; deeper than I've ever been before in You.
Lord, take me higher; higher than I've ever soared before with You.
Lord, send me farther; farther than I've ever gone before for You.
Lord, glorify Your name in me; And my name in You.7
After praying through the words several times, they began to crystallize into a song, and I went to the piano and wrote the music.
My Creator God, I invite you to live in close, personal, intimate elationship with me. I pray that you would count me worthy of your calling, 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. Set me free to fulfill my God-given potential. Lord, please empower me in my spirit, mind, emotions, body, and all of my relationships. Lord, bring me closer than I've ever come before to you.
Plunge me deeper than I've ever been before in you. Take me higher than I've ever soared before with you. Send me farther than I've ever gone before for you. Lord, glorify your name in me, and my name in you. I commit my ways to you, and I trust you to give me hope and a glorious future as I walk with you. Thank you, Lord. I love you! Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce; President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, MS.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
DAY 28
Fasting to Disappear
"'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." —Isaiah 58:3, 6-8 NIV
The people of Isaiah's time had a misconception about fasting. In fact, they had it backwards. They fasted to get answers from God. They fasted to implore God to meet their needs. They fasted to show God what was important to them. They fasted to get God's attention.
Oops, wait a minute. That's exactly why I fast. Uh, oh. Through Isaiah, God gives a very different perspective on fasting. According to God, fasting isn't about me getting answers to my questions; it's about earning what the important questions are. Fasting isn't about petitioning God to meet my needs; it's about me seeing the needs of others.
Fasting isn't about God understanding what is important to me; it's about me seeing what is important to God. Fasting isn't about God showing up—he is ever present. It's about me showing up. I wonder what would happen if I started fasting because it was good for the kingdom? What if I began fasting to make myself available to God? What if I began fasting so more of my time and resources were available for God's use—so that the money I saved by not eating for a day fed someone who was hungry or helped finance some missions project? What if I fasted as a gift to others instead of as a means to my own ends? What if I fasted so I disappeared and the hands and feet of Jesus rose to the surface?
According to Isaiah, I would begin to see and hear from God. But it wouldn't be because some cosmic equation balanced out—I did X for God, so he'll do X for me. I'll begin to see God because I'll begin to be a part of what he is doing and his handprints and footprints will be visible all around me. All I have to do is disappear. And according to Isaiah, fasting is a gift God's given me to help me disappear.
Lord, help us to learn to disappear so you can be seen more clearly.
Pastor Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
"'Why have we fasted,' they say, 'and you have not seen it? Why have we humbled ourselves, and you have not noticed?' Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I." —Isaiah 58:3, 6-8 NIV
The people of Isaiah's time had a misconception about fasting. In fact, they had it backwards. They fasted to get answers from God. They fasted to implore God to meet their needs. They fasted to show God what was important to them. They fasted to get God's attention.
Oops, wait a minute. That's exactly why I fast. Uh, oh. Through Isaiah, God gives a very different perspective on fasting. According to God, fasting isn't about me getting answers to my questions; it's about earning what the important questions are. Fasting isn't about petitioning God to meet my needs; it's about me seeing the needs of others.
Fasting isn't about God understanding what is important to me; it's about me seeing what is important to God. Fasting isn't about God showing up—he is ever present. It's about me showing up. I wonder what would happen if I started fasting because it was good for the kingdom? What if I began fasting to make myself available to God? What if I began fasting so more of my time and resources were available for God's use—so that the money I saved by not eating for a day fed someone who was hungry or helped finance some missions project? What if I fasted as a gift to others instead of as a means to my own ends? What if I fasted so I disappeared and the hands and feet of Jesus rose to the surface?
According to Isaiah, I would begin to see and hear from God. But it wouldn't be because some cosmic equation balanced out—I did X for God, so he'll do X for me. I'll begin to see God because I'll begin to be a part of what he is doing and his handprints and footprints will be visible all around me. All I have to do is disappear. And according to Isaiah, fasting is a gift God's given me to help me disappear.
Lord, help us to learn to disappear so you can be seen more clearly.
Pastor Bruce Steffensen, Interim Pastor, Holiday Park Church of God, Portland, Oregon
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Day 27
The Importance of the Time-Out
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. —Luke 5:16 NIV
Jesus knew the importance of the time-out, when we break away from the normal (or abnormal!) busyness of life to regroup, refresh, and refocus. I saw this illustrated in a football game. In the final seconds of the game, the Dallas Cowboys were behind by four points, several yards from the goal line, fourth down, and one timeout remaining. They needed a touchdown to win the game. Quarterback Roger Staubach called time-out and ran to the sideline to confer with Coach Tom Landry. After the time-out, Staubach gave the count, the offensive line pushed the defenders back, the receivers ran past the goal line, and Roger fired a pass to a receiver who caught it and won the game.
The victory isn't so important now, but the principle is: the time-out is vital in those tense moments toward the end and throughout the game. Whether you are ahead or behind, it is important periodically to take a time-out, stop the action, consult with the coach. Listen to his counsel; be refreshed with a drink of water or Gatorade; regroup your thoughts and energy; review the game plan. This is truer in life than in a ballgame. We need to take time out to be with God, listen to his Word, pray, and encourage one another.
Our busyness, desperately driven by responsibilities, worries, and demands, makes this time-out more important. Those moments with God, who is wiser than we are, give us needed guidance, delightful reassurance that he is with us. In that setting we are renewed with a refreshing drink from his powerful, life-transforming Word. Then it is time to get off the sidelines, back in circulation, and do the work God has calls us to do.
Prayer unleashes the power of the Word to transform our lives, regroup our thoughts, reveal God's game plan, replenish our energies, and move ahead in confidence and victory as we follow his guidance.
Lord, thank you for unifying my life around your Word and prayer, for the supreme privilege of living in intimate relationship with you. In the midst of busyness, cluttered schedules, hectic lifestyles, noise, clutter, and chaos, empower me to create the silent space to shape an intimate relationship with you through your Word and prayer. Enable me to take the appropriate time-outs, which are vital in my relationship with you. Remind me of the necessity of listening to your directions, being refreshed in your presence, and receiving a renewed vision of who you want me to be and what you want me to do. Then take me back into my world as a transformed person whom you can use to touch the lives of others with your love and transforming power. Through the Prince of Peace I pray. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,Mississippi
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. —Luke 5:16 NIV
Jesus knew the importance of the time-out, when we break away from the normal (or abnormal!) busyness of life to regroup, refresh, and refocus. I saw this illustrated in a football game. In the final seconds of the game, the Dallas Cowboys were behind by four points, several yards from the goal line, fourth down, and one timeout remaining. They needed a touchdown to win the game. Quarterback Roger Staubach called time-out and ran to the sideline to confer with Coach Tom Landry. After the time-out, Staubach gave the count, the offensive line pushed the defenders back, the receivers ran past the goal line, and Roger fired a pass to a receiver who caught it and won the game.
The victory isn't so important now, but the principle is: the time-out is vital in those tense moments toward the end and throughout the game. Whether you are ahead or behind, it is important periodically to take a time-out, stop the action, consult with the coach. Listen to his counsel; be refreshed with a drink of water or Gatorade; regroup your thoughts and energy; review the game plan. This is truer in life than in a ballgame. We need to take time out to be with God, listen to his Word, pray, and encourage one another.
Our busyness, desperately driven by responsibilities, worries, and demands, makes this time-out more important. Those moments with God, who is wiser than we are, give us needed guidance, delightful reassurance that he is with us. In that setting we are renewed with a refreshing drink from his powerful, life-transforming Word. Then it is time to get off the sidelines, back in circulation, and do the work God has calls us to do.
Prayer unleashes the power of the Word to transform our lives, regroup our thoughts, reveal God's game plan, replenish our energies, and move ahead in confidence and victory as we follow his guidance.
Lord, thank you for unifying my life around your Word and prayer, for the supreme privilege of living in intimate relationship with you. In the midst of busyness, cluttered schedules, hectic lifestyles, noise, clutter, and chaos, empower me to create the silent space to shape an intimate relationship with you through your Word and prayer. Enable me to take the appropriate time-outs, which are vital in my relationship with you. Remind me of the necessity of listening to your directions, being refreshed in your presence, and receiving a renewed vision of who you want me to be and what you want me to do. Then take me back into my world as a transformed person whom you can use to touch the lives of others with your love and transforming power. Through the Prince of Peace I pray. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl,Mississippi
Monday, April 11, 2011
Day 26
Fasting for Spiritual Health and Growth
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. —Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
About every six months or so, my doctor sends me for some blood tests as part of my regularly scheduled check-up. I have a family history of heart disease and diabetes, so it's important to keep a close watch on my test results over time in order to catch any potential problem early before it becomes a more serious issue. The special thing about these particular tests is that I have to skip breakfast because they require me to fast for at least twelve hours prior to the tests in order to get
accurate results. I can't even have my morning coffee, because if I have had anything to eat or drink, the levels will be determined by what I have just consumed. If a nonfasting level is high, that might not mean anything at all. But if a fasting level is abnormally high, that means something is almost definitely wrong.
More tests are ordered, my diet and exercise regimen may be altered, and perhaps medications are prescribed or adjusted to correct the problem. In his book A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer, John Piper says, "Fasting is a way of revealing to ourselves and confessing to our God what is in our hearts."5 Our physical appetites are much easier to understand and satisfy than our spiritual ones, and we have the potential to become less sensitive to our spiritual appetites when our every physical need is always met. Fasting is a means of finding out, as Piper says, whether "there are alive within us spiritual appetites that could satisfy us at a much deeper level than food, and are designed for the honor of God."6
When I first started trying fasting as an approach to God, I was convinced that my display of will-power would show him how sincere I was about what I wanted and he would then relent to my desires. Wow, did I misunderstand! As I walked by faith in the discipline of prayer and fasting—just like my doctor used fasting as a tool to determine a baseline of my physical health—God began to show me areas in my spiritual life where I was actually hindering his perfect will for me through unconfessed sin, selfish desires, and unforgiveness.
Through fasting, God showed me the many strongholds that I didn't even realize still existed in my heart, and he has systematically broken down those hard places. God has patiently worked his rescription in my life through prayer and fasting to bring me closer and closer into the center of his perfect will. By intentionally humbling my heart before the Lord through the experience of fasting, I have become a stronger and healthier Christian than I ever would have been if I had never fasted.
God, I submit to your loving examination of my heart. Forgive me for all of the areas in which I've fallen short, and help me to earnestly seek your will for me today.
Mary Nichols, Commissioned Minister, Teays Valley Church of God, Scott Depot, West Virginia
Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. —Psalm 139:23-24 NLT
About every six months or so, my doctor sends me for some blood tests as part of my regularly scheduled check-up. I have a family history of heart disease and diabetes, so it's important to keep a close watch on my test results over time in order to catch any potential problem early before it becomes a more serious issue. The special thing about these particular tests is that I have to skip breakfast because they require me to fast for at least twelve hours prior to the tests in order to get
accurate results. I can't even have my morning coffee, because if I have had anything to eat or drink, the levels will be determined by what I have just consumed. If a nonfasting level is high, that might not mean anything at all. But if a fasting level is abnormally high, that means something is almost definitely wrong.
More tests are ordered, my diet and exercise regimen may be altered, and perhaps medications are prescribed or adjusted to correct the problem. In his book A Hunger for God: Desiring God through Fasting and Prayer, John Piper says, "Fasting is a way of revealing to ourselves and confessing to our God what is in our hearts."5 Our physical appetites are much easier to understand and satisfy than our spiritual ones, and we have the potential to become less sensitive to our spiritual appetites when our every physical need is always met. Fasting is a means of finding out, as Piper says, whether "there are alive within us spiritual appetites that could satisfy us at a much deeper level than food, and are designed for the honor of God."6
When I first started trying fasting as an approach to God, I was convinced that my display of will-power would show him how sincere I was about what I wanted and he would then relent to my desires. Wow, did I misunderstand! As I walked by faith in the discipline of prayer and fasting—just like my doctor used fasting as a tool to determine a baseline of my physical health—God began to show me areas in my spiritual life where I was actually hindering his perfect will for me through unconfessed sin, selfish desires, and unforgiveness.
Through fasting, God showed me the many strongholds that I didn't even realize still existed in my heart, and he has systematically broken down those hard places. God has patiently worked his rescription in my life through prayer and fasting to bring me closer and closer into the center of his perfect will. By intentionally humbling my heart before the Lord through the experience of fasting, I have become a stronger and healthier Christian than I ever would have been if I had never fasted.
God, I submit to your loving examination of my heart. Forgive me for all of the areas in which I've fallen short, and help me to earnestly seek your will for me today.
Mary Nichols, Commissioned Minister, Teays Valley Church of God, Scott Depot, West Virginia
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Day 25
Lessons I've Learned through Prayer
The lifeline of the Christian life is prayer. Just as the Hebrews writer states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6 NIV), so it is with prayer. Without a prayer life, it is impossible to maintain a close relationship with God. Over the years, I have learned how prayer opens the door to clear visions and exceptional victory in our lives. Some of the most terrifying temptations and treacherous trouble I have faced as a Christian were conquered by the power of prayer. Here are some of the lessons I have learned about prayer in the nearly six decades I have placed my trust in God.
1. Prayer is an invitation to talk to God. It is the vehicle through which we communicate with the God of the universe. During my prayer time, I not only petition God to meet my needs, but I also call upon him to address the needs of untold others. Prayer is more than mere conversation; it is a time of revelation, a time when we discover a portion of the character of God and an exposure about the essence of who we are. The prophet Isaiah gives us a probing understanding of what happens when we are in communion with the Lord. Notice the revelations Isaiah describes in chapter 6 as he is in the presence of God.
Verse 1: He saw the Lord.
Verse 5: He saw himself (a sinful man; a man of unclean lips). Verse 5: He saw the people who also had unclean lips.
2. Prayer requires effort and energy. Prayer is not for the lazy and indifferent. Prayer is work, but it soon becomes a labor of love and devotion as one remains faithful to the task. E. M. Bounds makes a bold statement regarding the word of prayer, pointing out:
To no other energy is the promise of God committed as to that of prayer. Upon no other force are the purposes of God so dependent as this one of prayer. The Word of God dilates on the results and necessity of prayer. The work of God stays or advances as prayer puts forth its strength. Prophets and apostles have urged the utility, force and necessity of prayer. (The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds)
3. Prayer delivers power. The late Dr. Marcus H. Morgan, pastor of Emerald Church of God, would often recite the following lines: "Little prayer means little power; much prayer means much power; and no prayer means no power." I have discovered this quote to be true in own life when I have neglected my prayer life. Just as prayer equals power, the lack of a consistent prayer life equals
powerlessness.
One of the main lessons I have learned is to not pursue any matter of life without first taking time to saturate that matter in prayer. In Luke 11:9-10: Jesus instructs us to Ask, Seek and . . .Knock. These are all action verbs and they invite us to participate with God in prayer if we expect to open the door of power and faith.
Lord, lead me into the prayer that delivers power into my life, relationships, and ministries. Enable my prayers to be more than mere conversations, but rather times of revelation, times to discover who you are and how you want to shape me so you can use me effectively. Amen.
Dr. Alvin Lewis, Retired; Former Pastor, Central Community Church of God, Jackson, Mississippi
The lifeline of the Christian life is prayer. Just as the Hebrews writer states, "Without faith it is impossible to please God" (Heb 11:6 NIV), so it is with prayer. Without a prayer life, it is impossible to maintain a close relationship with God. Over the years, I have learned how prayer opens the door to clear visions and exceptional victory in our lives. Some of the most terrifying temptations and treacherous trouble I have faced as a Christian were conquered by the power of prayer. Here are some of the lessons I have learned about prayer in the nearly six decades I have placed my trust in God.
1. Prayer is an invitation to talk to God. It is the vehicle through which we communicate with the God of the universe. During my prayer time, I not only petition God to meet my needs, but I also call upon him to address the needs of untold others. Prayer is more than mere conversation; it is a time of revelation, a time when we discover a portion of the character of God and an exposure about the essence of who we are. The prophet Isaiah gives us a probing understanding of what happens when we are in communion with the Lord. Notice the revelations Isaiah describes in chapter 6 as he is in the presence of God.
Verse 1: He saw the Lord.
Verse 5: He saw himself (a sinful man; a man of unclean lips). Verse 5: He saw the people who also had unclean lips.
2. Prayer requires effort and energy. Prayer is not for the lazy and indifferent. Prayer is work, but it soon becomes a labor of love and devotion as one remains faithful to the task. E. M. Bounds makes a bold statement regarding the word of prayer, pointing out:
To no other energy is the promise of God committed as to that of prayer. Upon no other force are the purposes of God so dependent as this one of prayer. The Word of God dilates on the results and necessity of prayer. The work of God stays or advances as prayer puts forth its strength. Prophets and apostles have urged the utility, force and necessity of prayer. (The Complete Works of E. M. Bounds)
3. Prayer delivers power. The late Dr. Marcus H. Morgan, pastor of Emerald Church of God, would often recite the following lines: "Little prayer means little power; much prayer means much power; and no prayer means no power." I have discovered this quote to be true in own life when I have neglected my prayer life. Just as prayer equals power, the lack of a consistent prayer life equals
powerlessness.
One of the main lessons I have learned is to not pursue any matter of life without first taking time to saturate that matter in prayer. In Luke 11:9-10: Jesus instructs us to Ask, Seek and . . .Knock. These are all action verbs and they invite us to participate with God in prayer if we expect to open the door of power and faith.
Lord, lead me into the prayer that delivers power into my life, relationships, and ministries. Enable my prayers to be more than mere conversations, but rather times of revelation, times to discover who you are and how you want to shape me so you can use me effectively. Amen.
Dr. Alvin Lewis, Retired; Former Pastor, Central Community Church of God, Jackson, Mississippi
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Day 24
Fasting from TV
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruitso they will produce even more. — John 15:2 NLT
When God gave me the idea of planting a church in Olathe, Kansas, in 1985, it came with what I thought was a very unusual request. I believed God was asking me to fast from TV for a year. I was familiar with fasting from food, and I was not opposed to some form of that. I have participated in a variety of different kinds of food fasts, and the benefits were clear to me. I have to be honest; a fast from TV was not something I wanted. I love sports; I am zealous about keeping up with the news; I even enjoy watching the weather forecast! But at the same time I felt like I had a good handle on not being obsessed with TV. So the request didn't make a ton of sense to me. In my mind it wasn't a big time stealer, so why?
God doesn't have to answer to us. We have to answer to him and my answer was yes. The first few weeks, I went through withdrawal. It was hard to turn away from TV and hard not to turn it on in my home. I think there was more of an addiction than I had realized.
But as time moved forward, I came to understand that the purpose in my fasting was not so much what I was leaving behind as what I was moving toward. I think what God wanted for me was the ability to focus. You could call it pruning in a spiritual sense. I needed to hear clearly and often from him in planting a new church. I needed a new skill set, and I needed to use my time in a different way. I needed generous time to be alone with God. Time for prayer, time in his Word, time to journal, and time to pray were high priority. At the very same time, my family needed me. My wife needed alone time. I had three children under the age of five. They needed me. They could feel the strain of a new schedule, new city, new church, and new friends, only they didn't have words for it. Fasting from TV made room in my life that I didn't know I had.
As much as I may not have wanted to believe it was true, I needed less noise in my life, and God knew it. And wouldn't you know it, the only time the Kansas City Royals have ever gone to the World Series was during that time. We even had a watch party after church one Sunday that I couldn't watch! But to cut to the end of the story, God was so on target that when the end of the year came, I extended it by another six months voluntarily.
I look back on that time of fasting with a tender sense that God invited me into a uniquely intimate place with him and through it prepared me to bear kingdom fruit. If God calls you to fast, whatever it is, say yes.
Lord, I want to know you better and love you more. I know that you know best. I listen and follow when you speak. Give me your strength so my actions match what I say I believe.
Pastor Gary Kendall, Indian Creek Community Church, Olathe, Kansas
He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn't produce fruitso they will produce even more. — John 15:2 NLT
When God gave me the idea of planting a church in Olathe, Kansas, in 1985, it came with what I thought was a very unusual request. I believed God was asking me to fast from TV for a year. I was familiar with fasting from food, and I was not opposed to some form of that. I have participated in a variety of different kinds of food fasts, and the benefits were clear to me. I have to be honest; a fast from TV was not something I wanted. I love sports; I am zealous about keeping up with the news; I even enjoy watching the weather forecast! But at the same time I felt like I had a good handle on not being obsessed with TV. So the request didn't make a ton of sense to me. In my mind it wasn't a big time stealer, so why?
God doesn't have to answer to us. We have to answer to him and my answer was yes. The first few weeks, I went through withdrawal. It was hard to turn away from TV and hard not to turn it on in my home. I think there was more of an addiction than I had realized.
But as time moved forward, I came to understand that the purpose in my fasting was not so much what I was leaving behind as what I was moving toward. I think what God wanted for me was the ability to focus. You could call it pruning in a spiritual sense. I needed to hear clearly and often from him in planting a new church. I needed a new skill set, and I needed to use my time in a different way. I needed generous time to be alone with God. Time for prayer, time in his Word, time to journal, and time to pray were high priority. At the very same time, my family needed me. My wife needed alone time. I had three children under the age of five. They needed me. They could feel the strain of a new schedule, new city, new church, and new friends, only they didn't have words for it. Fasting from TV made room in my life that I didn't know I had.
As much as I may not have wanted to believe it was true, I needed less noise in my life, and God knew it. And wouldn't you know it, the only time the Kansas City Royals have ever gone to the World Series was during that time. We even had a watch party after church one Sunday that I couldn't watch! But to cut to the end of the story, God was so on target that when the end of the year came, I extended it by another six months voluntarily.
I look back on that time of fasting with a tender sense that God invited me into a uniquely intimate place with him and through it prepared me to bear kingdom fruit. If God calls you to fast, whatever it is, say yes.
Lord, I want to know you better and love you more. I know that you know best. I listen and follow when you speak. Give me your strength so my actions match what I say I believe.
Pastor Gary Kendall, Indian Creek Community Church, Olathe, Kansas
Friday, April 8, 2011
Day 23
My Covenant Responsibility for You
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" — 1 Samuel 12:23-24 NIV
In these verses, I see four responsibilities that we have to one another regarding intercessory prayer, and our ministry to one another which grows out of such prayer.
Pray for You
Samuel said, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23a). It is a privilege for me to go the throne of God in intercessory prayer on your behalf. I want God's best for you. Therefore, I must ask, in faith, believing that God wants to give you his best. God never fails; every time I go to him on your behalf, he always sends me away with some blessing for myself while meeting your needs as well.
Teach You
Samuel said, "And I will teach you the way that is good and right" (1 Samuel 12:23b). The Word is my source for teaching you God's truths. God has given us everything we need for living life the way he wants us to live, the way that is good and right. More than teaching you abstract ideas and vague concepts, the best way I can teach you is by the example of my life of faith and dependence on God. As I let him lead me, I become equipped to lead you.
Admonish You
As one who loves you, and who is interested in your growth and maturity in the Lord, I am called by God to challenge you to live a life of reverence and respect, an attitude of worship, glorifying God in all you do. Samuel said, "Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully" (1 Samuel 12:24a). I should encourage you to be faithful to him, for in your faithfulness lies God's opportunity to give you his greatest blessings. His promises to his chosen, faithful ones are unending.
Remind You
During those times when you feel discouraged or inadequate, I am called to remind you of how God has blessed you in the past. Samuel said, "Consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24b). Such reminders will enable you to realize that, just as he has blessed you in the past, he has all the resources needed to bless you in the present and future.
These words of instruction and encouragement show how we can minister to one another through intercessory prayer. When you are in extended difficulties, I may need to fast and pray on your behalf.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of bringing other persons before your throne. Enable me to be an effective intercessory prayer warrior, placing before your throne of mercy the people you want to touch through me. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" — 1 Samuel 12:23-24 NIV
In these verses, I see four responsibilities that we have to one another regarding intercessory prayer, and our ministry to one another which grows out of such prayer.
Pray for You
Samuel said, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23a). It is a privilege for me to go the throne of God in intercessory prayer on your behalf. I want God's best for you. Therefore, I must ask, in faith, believing that God wants to give you his best. God never fails; every time I go to him on your behalf, he always sends me away with some blessing for myself while meeting your needs as well.
Teach You
Samuel said, "And I will teach you the way that is good and right" (1 Samuel 12:23b). The Word is my source for teaching you God's truths. God has given us everything we need for living life the way he wants us to live, the way that is good and right. More than teaching you abstract ideas and vague concepts, the best way I can teach you is by the example of my life of faith and dependence on God. As I let him lead me, I become equipped to lead you.
Admonish You
As one who loves you, and who is interested in your growth and maturity in the Lord, I am called by God to challenge you to live a life of reverence and respect, an attitude of worship, glorifying God in all you do. Samuel said, "Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully" (1 Samuel 12:24a). I should encourage you to be faithful to him, for in your faithfulness lies God's opportunity to give you his greatest blessings. His promises to his chosen, faithful ones are unending.
Remind You
During those times when you feel discouraged or inadequate, I am called to remind you of how God has blessed you in the past. Samuel said, "Consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24b). Such reminders will enable you to realize that, just as he has blessed you in the past, he has all the resources needed to bless you in the present and future.
These words of instruction and encouragement show how we can minister to one another through intercessory prayer. When you are in extended difficulties, I may need to fast and pray on your behalf.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of bringing other persons before your throne. Enable me to be an effective intercessory prayer warrior, placing before your throne of mercy the people you want to touch through me. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Day 23
My Covenant Responsibility for You
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" —1 Samuel 12:23-24 NIV
In these verses, I see four responsibilities that we have to one another regarding intercessory prayer, and our ministry to one another which grows out of such prayer.
Pray for You
Samuel said, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23a). It is a privilege for me to go the throne of God in intercessory prayer on your
behalf. I want God's best for you. Therefore, I must ask, in faith, believing that God wants to give you his best. God never fails; every time I go to him on your behalf, he always sends me away with some blessing for myself while meeting your needs as well.
Teach You
Samuel said, "And I will teach you the way that is good and right" (1 Samuel 12:23b). The Word is my
source for teaching you God's truths. God has given us everything we need for living life the way he
wants us to live, the way that is good and right. More than teaching you abstract ideas and vague
concepts, the best way I can teach you is by the example of my life of faith and dependence on God. As I let him lead me, I become equipped to lead you.
Admonish You
As one who loves you, and who is interested in your growth and maturity in the Lord, I am called by God to challenge you to live a life of reverence and respect, an attitude of worship, glorifying God in
all you do. Samuel said, "Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully" (1 Samuel 12:24a). I should
encourage you to be faithful to him, for in your faithfulness lies God's opportunity to give you his greatest blessings. His promises to his chosen, faithful ones are unending.
Remind You
During those times when you feel discouraged or inadequate, I am called to remind you of how God has blessed you in the past. Samuel said, "Consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24b). Such reminders will enable you to realize that, just as he has blessed you in the past, he has all the resources needed to bless you in the present and future.
These words of instruction and encouragement show how we can minister to one another through intercessory prayer. When you are in extended difficulties, I may need to fast and pray on your behalf.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of bringing other persons before your throne. Enable me to be an effective intercessory prayer warrior, placing before your throne of mercy the people you want to touch through me. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
"As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the LORD by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you" —1 Samuel 12:23-24 NIV
In these verses, I see four responsibilities that we have to one another regarding intercessory prayer, and our ministry to one another which grows out of such prayer.
Pray for You
Samuel said, "As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you" (1 Samuel 12:23a). It is a privilege for me to go the throne of God in intercessory prayer on your
behalf. I want God's best for you. Therefore, I must ask, in faith, believing that God wants to give you his best. God never fails; every time I go to him on your behalf, he always sends me away with some blessing for myself while meeting your needs as well.
Teach You
Samuel said, "And I will teach you the way that is good and right" (1 Samuel 12:23b). The Word is my
source for teaching you God's truths. God has given us everything we need for living life the way he
wants us to live, the way that is good and right. More than teaching you abstract ideas and vague
concepts, the best way I can teach you is by the example of my life of faith and dependence on God. As I let him lead me, I become equipped to lead you.
Admonish You
As one who loves you, and who is interested in your growth and maturity in the Lord, I am called by God to challenge you to live a life of reverence and respect, an attitude of worship, glorifying God in
all you do. Samuel said, "Be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully" (1 Samuel 12:24a). I should
encourage you to be faithful to him, for in your faithfulness lies God's opportunity to give you his greatest blessings. His promises to his chosen, faithful ones are unending.
Remind You
During those times when you feel discouraged or inadequate, I am called to remind you of how God has blessed you in the past. Samuel said, "Consider what great things he has done for you" (1 Samuel 12:24b). Such reminders will enable you to realize that, just as he has blessed you in the past, he has all the resources needed to bless you in the present and future.
These words of instruction and encouragement show how we can minister to one another through intercessory prayer. When you are in extended difficulties, I may need to fast and pray on your behalf.
Lord, thank you for the privilege of bringing other persons before your throne. Enable me to be an effective intercessory prayer warrior, placing before your throne of mercy the people you want to touch through me. Amen.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Day 22
Should I Fast?
"When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." — Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
Several years ago my youngest son was serving on staff at a church. Each January the lead pastor of this church had his staff do a twenty-one-day fast. Brent shared some of his experiences and I decided to give it a try the next year. I must confess I think my motivation was more competition than spiritual hunger. Our motivation for fasting is critical. If we only want to shed a few pounds, the fast is a diet, not a spiritual renewal. If it is not important to you, it will not impact the heart of God. I am not sure that first fast meant much to me or to God.
The next year I was in a very troubling time in my ministry and I needed to hear from God. My decision to fast was out of a hunger to know God and his direction for my life. Normally when I am hungry, I think of food: 5 Guys, Olive Garden, and Chili's come to mind. This time I chose to focus on my desire for God when the hunger came. It was a totally different experience. Did I get physically hungry? I felt a lot of hunger the first three days, but the intensity of that sensation waned after the initial shock to my body. The toughest part of fasting to me was the fact that most of our social activities revolve around food. I am a people person, yet I found myself avoiding some of those situations with people saying, "You have to taste this pie!" The time apart from the crowd helped me focus on God and his will for my life.
I found the greatest blessing from fasting to be the quieting of my soul. I watched less television, since every ten minutes they advertised pizza. I read more, prayed more, and gained some clarity and perspective. That is not a bad trade for a few meals. Throughout the Bible we find examples of people fasting. Jesus said that when he left this earth, his disciples would fast. Should you fast? That depends on your motivation. If you desire more of God, a deeper walk, a clearer path, then I believe God will honor your efforts with his amazing presence.
Father, I am fasting because I want more of you. I know there is nothing I can do to impress you, but I want this fasting time to be a time of coming to quiet my soul and listening to your voice. Help me to come to clarity concerning your purpose and desire for my life. I am available and I am listening.
Rev. Steve Birch, Pastor, White Chapel Church of God, South Daytona, Florida
"When you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." — Matthew 6:17-18 NIV
Several years ago my youngest son was serving on staff at a church. Each January the lead pastor of this church had his staff do a twenty-one-day fast. Brent shared some of his experiences and I decided to give it a try the next year. I must confess I think my motivation was more competition than spiritual hunger. Our motivation for fasting is critical. If we only want to shed a few pounds, the fast is a diet, not a spiritual renewal. If it is not important to you, it will not impact the heart of God. I am not sure that first fast meant much to me or to God.
The next year I was in a very troubling time in my ministry and I needed to hear from God. My decision to fast was out of a hunger to know God and his direction for my life. Normally when I am hungry, I think of food: 5 Guys, Olive Garden, and Chili's come to mind. This time I chose to focus on my desire for God when the hunger came. It was a totally different experience. Did I get physically hungry? I felt a lot of hunger the first three days, but the intensity of that sensation waned after the initial shock to my body. The toughest part of fasting to me was the fact that most of our social activities revolve around food. I am a people person, yet I found myself avoiding some of those situations with people saying, "You have to taste this pie!" The time apart from the crowd helped me focus on God and his will for my life.
I found the greatest blessing from fasting to be the quieting of my soul. I watched less television, since every ten minutes they advertised pizza. I read more, prayed more, and gained some clarity and perspective. That is not a bad trade for a few meals. Throughout the Bible we find examples of people fasting. Jesus said that when he left this earth, his disciples would fast. Should you fast? That depends on your motivation. If you desire more of God, a deeper walk, a clearer path, then I believe God will honor your efforts with his amazing presence.
Father, I am fasting because I want more of you. I know there is nothing I can do to impress you, but I want this fasting time to be a time of coming to quiet my soul and listening to your voice. Help me to come to clarity concerning your purpose and desire for my life. I am available and I am listening.
Rev. Steve Birch, Pastor, White Chapel Church of God, South Daytona, Florida
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Day 21
Effective Praying
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. —Romans 8:26 NIV
Have you ever wondered whether your prayers ascended higher than the ceiling? Have you ever wondered, if God knows all, why do I need to pray about things he already knows? Have you ever wondered whether your prayers for those you love make any difference? Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to have a consistent and biblical prayer life? Have you ever wondered why in the world you should pray at all?
These questions, and similar ones, have been asked by humanity since time began. Each one of us goes through seasons in our spiritual journey that seem to raise the questions afresh with each change in our life experience. The desire, I believe, of all disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ is to have an effective prayer life. If an effective prayer life is a goal, what does it look like? What are the components?
How do I know if I have it?
Prayer reveals my relationship with my Lord and Savior. We all know persons on different levels — some are mere acquaintances, some are community neighbors, some are colleagues at work, some are family, and some are close personal friends. I see praying to and with Jesus in somewhat the same light. In Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer to God the Father. In order to intercede, a fairly close relationship would seem to be required.
Each one of us will determine what level of relationship we desire to have with God, which will in turn, I believe, determine our prayer life. Martha and I have been married for forty-four years. We have had thousands of conversations. Yet in order to deepen the relationship, there is a desire and need to continue to have effective and beneficial conversations. Within a marriage, conversations deepen the level of intimacy so the mates understand each other's thoughts and feelings.
Prayer to and with the Trinity is part of the ongoing work of building a relationship. The image we carry in our hearts and minds of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit will determine, to a great degree, the quality of the relationship. Our image needs to be based in Scripture so that our relationship can fulfill the design given by our creator.
Effective praying, then, is measured not so much by results as by relationship. As I commune with my Lord and Savior, sharing my deepest thoughts, hurts, and aspirations, the results of life will take care of themselves. Jesus walked the earth building relationships with those he touched. Those relationships produced results of one type or another. Effective praying is building a strong and biblical relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Lord, as I share my deepest thoughts, hurts, and aspirations with you in prayer, will you take care of the results, helping me in my weakness? As I build a strong, intimate, biblical relationship with you, make me effective in touching others with your healing grace and peace. Amen.
Dr. Ronald V. Duncan, General Director, Church of God Ministries
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. —Romans 8:26 NIV
Have you ever wondered whether your prayers ascended higher than the ceiling? Have you ever wondered, if God knows all, why do I need to pray about things he already knows? Have you ever wondered whether your prayers for those you love make any difference? Have you ever wondered why it is so difficult to have a consistent and biblical prayer life? Have you ever wondered why in the world you should pray at all?
These questions, and similar ones, have been asked by humanity since time began. Each one of us goes through seasons in our spiritual journey that seem to raise the questions afresh with each change in our life experience. The desire, I believe, of all disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ is to have an effective prayer life. If an effective prayer life is a goal, what does it look like? What are the components?
How do I know if I have it?
Prayer reveals my relationship with my Lord and Savior. We all know persons on different levels — some are mere acquaintances, some are community neighbors, some are colleagues at work, some are family, and some are close personal friends. I see praying to and with Jesus in somewhat the same light. In Romans 8:26, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in prayer to God the Father. In order to intercede, a fairly close relationship would seem to be required.
Each one of us will determine what level of relationship we desire to have with God, which will in turn, I believe, determine our prayer life. Martha and I have been married for forty-four years. We have had thousands of conversations. Yet in order to deepen the relationship, there is a desire and need to continue to have effective and beneficial conversations. Within a marriage, conversations deepen the level of intimacy so the mates understand each other's thoughts and feelings.
Prayer to and with the Trinity is part of the ongoing work of building a relationship. The image we carry in our hearts and minds of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit will determine, to a great degree, the quality of the relationship. Our image needs to be based in Scripture so that our relationship can fulfill the design given by our creator.
Effective praying, then, is measured not so much by results as by relationship. As I commune with my Lord and Savior, sharing my deepest thoughts, hurts, and aspirations, the results of life will take care of themselves. Jesus walked the earth building relationships with those he touched. Those relationships produced results of one type or another. Effective praying is building a strong and biblical relationship with God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
Lord, as I share my deepest thoughts, hurts, and aspirations with you in prayer, will you take care of the results, helping me in my weakness? As I build a strong, intimate, biblical relationship with you, make me effective in touching others with your healing grace and peace. Amen.
Dr. Ronald V. Duncan, General Director, Church of God Ministries
Monday, April 4, 2011
Day 20
Is Prayer and Fasting Relevant Today?
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. —Acts 14:23 NLT
Paul and Barnabas handpicked leaders in each church. After praying—their prayers intensified by fasting—they presented these new leaders to the Master, to whom they had entrusted their lives. For Paul, prayer and fasting was a joint venture of faith. Prayer and fasting were critical to the development of the early church and its effective mission.
What about today? Are prayer and fasting still relevant? I came across a statement not long ago concerning prayer and fasting that really challenged my life. Let me share it with you. "You will be the poorer spiritually and your prayer life will never be what God wants it to be until you practice the privilege of fasting." This is a strong statement; is there truth in it?
One of my favorite writers concerning the many facets of prayer is Wesley L. Duewel. In his book Touch the World through Prayer, he scans history and shares an assortment of statements by a few noted thinkers and scholars. Fourth century Bishop of Salamis, Epiphanius wrote: "Who does not know that the fast of the fourth and sixth days of the week are observed by the Christians throughout the world?" Francis
of Assisi danced, preached, sang, testified, and fasted through the streets of Italy until thousands of the youth were saved. Martin Luther was criticized for too much fasting. John Calvin fasted until Geneva was converted and there was not a house without at least one praying person.
The reason Queen Mary feared the prayers of John Knox "more than all the armies of Scotland" was because of his constant prayer and fasting. John Wesley fasted twice weekly. He said he would as soon curse and swear as not fast, for "the man that never fasts is no more in the way to heaven than the man who never prays." Jonathan Edwards fasted so much he was often weak in the pulpit, but he was instrumental in moving New England for God. Charles G. Finney, the revivalist of the 1800s, fasted each week. In fact, whenever he felt the power of the Spirit fading from his meetings, he would fast and pray for three days and nights. He reported that after such times, the Spirit's power invariably returned.
These movers and shakers of the world for God were convinced that fasting is God's chosen way to deepen and strengthen prayer. Are prayer and fasting relevant today? To answer this question, one need only to survey the landscape of the church and look for kingdom results: lost people coming to Christ, communities experiencing radical transformation, churches coming alive and thriving, people experiencing deliverance and restoration.
I urge you to set aside some time to pray—one to three days. And incorporate fasting into your prayer plan. I would also encourage pastors and other church leaders to consider calling a fast for a specific time and for a specific purpose.
Lord, empower us to accept your challenge to prayer and fasting and show us what you want to do in response to your passionate praying people. Amen.
Pastor Mitch Burch, Towne Boulevard Church of God; Middletown, Ohio
Paul and Barnabas also appointed elders in every church. With prayer and fasting, they turned the elders over to the care of the Lord, in whom they had put their trust. —Acts 14:23 NLT
Paul and Barnabas handpicked leaders in each church. After praying—their prayers intensified by fasting—they presented these new leaders to the Master, to whom they had entrusted their lives. For Paul, prayer and fasting was a joint venture of faith. Prayer and fasting were critical to the development of the early church and its effective mission.
What about today? Are prayer and fasting still relevant? I came across a statement not long ago concerning prayer and fasting that really challenged my life. Let me share it with you. "You will be the poorer spiritually and your prayer life will never be what God wants it to be until you practice the privilege of fasting." This is a strong statement; is there truth in it?
One of my favorite writers concerning the many facets of prayer is Wesley L. Duewel. In his book Touch the World through Prayer, he scans history and shares an assortment of statements by a few noted thinkers and scholars. Fourth century Bishop of Salamis, Epiphanius wrote: "Who does not know that the fast of the fourth and sixth days of the week are observed by the Christians throughout the world?" Francis
of Assisi danced, preached, sang, testified, and fasted through the streets of Italy until thousands of the youth were saved. Martin Luther was criticized for too much fasting. John Calvin fasted until Geneva was converted and there was not a house without at least one praying person.
The reason Queen Mary feared the prayers of John Knox "more than all the armies of Scotland" was because of his constant prayer and fasting. John Wesley fasted twice weekly. He said he would as soon curse and swear as not fast, for "the man that never fasts is no more in the way to heaven than the man who never prays." Jonathan Edwards fasted so much he was often weak in the pulpit, but he was instrumental in moving New England for God. Charles G. Finney, the revivalist of the 1800s, fasted each week. In fact, whenever he felt the power of the Spirit fading from his meetings, he would fast and pray for three days and nights. He reported that after such times, the Spirit's power invariably returned.
These movers and shakers of the world for God were convinced that fasting is God's chosen way to deepen and strengthen prayer. Are prayer and fasting relevant today? To answer this question, one need only to survey the landscape of the church and look for kingdom results: lost people coming to Christ, communities experiencing radical transformation, churches coming alive and thriving, people experiencing deliverance and restoration.
I urge you to set aside some time to pray—one to three days. And incorporate fasting into your prayer plan. I would also encourage pastors and other church leaders to consider calling a fast for a specific time and for a specific purpose.
Lord, empower us to accept your challenge to prayer and fasting and show us what you want to do in response to your passionate praying people. Amen.
Pastor Mitch Burch, Towne Boulevard Church of God; Middletown, Ohio
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Day 19
Delight Yourself in the Lord: Prayer for Success!
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4 NIV
When I first read this passage, my eyes immediately jumped to the part about he will give you the desires of your heart. Isn't that what we all want, the desires of our hearts? So I said, "OK, Lord, where's the key to that treasure chest, the key to success? Let's get it open!" Then I read again the first half of that verse, Delight yourself in the Lord, followed by the little connecting words and he will. That's one of those 'If - then' statements: If you do this then I'll do that. God's fulfillment of the second part is dependent on our fulfilling the first part: If you delight yourself in the Lord, then he will give you the desires of your heart.
"So, Lord," I said, "how do I do that, delight myself in you so you can give me the desires of my heart? He said, "Read the rest of the instructions!" Here they are: Trust in the Lord and do good. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in himBe still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:4-7) Then it connected! I began to understand: the Creator God wants to live in a close, personal, intimate relationship with me. That's delighting myself in him: committing my way to the
Lord, saying, "Lord, your will be done in my life, your plans be fulfilled in my life."
Delight means to be pliable, as gold in the hands of the Refiner, who purifies and shapes it into a vessel he can trust to fill with the desires of his heart. When we commit our way to him, we allow the desires of his heart to become the desires of our hearts. Then he can trust us to give us the desires of our hearts. We can always trust the desires of his heart to be what is best and fulfilling for us, because he wants us to succeed. He expresses this clearly in Jeremiah 29:11, I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV).
Lord, empower me to delight myself in you, to be pliable and pure in your hands. Shape me into the vessel you can trust to fill with the desires of your heart. Help me make them the desires of my heart. Then give me the desires of my heart because I am in line with your purpose and plan for me. And grant me success and fulfillment in every part my life. Use me, Lord, as you wish, to empower others to delight themselves in you.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. —Psalm 37:4 NIV
When I first read this passage, my eyes immediately jumped to the part about he will give you the desires of your heart. Isn't that what we all want, the desires of our hearts? So I said, "OK, Lord, where's the key to that treasure chest, the key to success? Let's get it open!" Then I read again the first half of that verse, Delight yourself in the Lord, followed by the little connecting words and he will. That's one of those 'If - then' statements: If you do this then I'll do that. God's fulfillment of the second part is dependent on our fulfilling the first part: If you delight yourself in the Lord, then he will give you the desires of your heart.
"So, Lord," I said, "how do I do that, delight myself in you so you can give me the desires of my heart? He said, "Read the rest of the instructions!" Here they are: Trust in the Lord and do good. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in himBe still before the Lord and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:4-7) Then it connected! I began to understand: the Creator God wants to live in a close, personal, intimate relationship with me. That's delighting myself in him: committing my way to the
Lord, saying, "Lord, your will be done in my life, your plans be fulfilled in my life."
Delight means to be pliable, as gold in the hands of the Refiner, who purifies and shapes it into a vessel he can trust to fill with the desires of his heart. When we commit our way to him, we allow the desires of his heart to become the desires of our hearts. Then he can trust us to give us the desires of our hearts. We can always trust the desires of his heart to be what is best and fulfilling for us, because he wants us to succeed. He expresses this clearly in Jeremiah 29:11, I know the plans I have for you plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future (NIV).
Lord, empower me to delight myself in you, to be pliable and pure in your hands. Shape me into the vessel you can trust to fill with the desires of your heart. Help me make them the desires of my heart. Then give me the desires of my heart because I am in line with your purpose and plan for me. And grant me success and fulfillment in every part my life. Use me, Lord, as you wish, to empower others to delight themselves in you.
Dr. Sam Bruce, President, Sam & Sandie Bruce Ministries; Pastor, Hope Point Church, Pearl, Mississippi
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Day 18
Longing for God
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." — Psalm 42:1 NLT
When I was converted to Christ, I was a real wino, dino, and dingbat. In other words, I was heavily influenced by the world and was very much a part of it. Through a dramatic conversion, I learned the necessity of a daily relationship with Christ. I needed him at every turn. I would turn to him for every little thing. I remember how I couldn't wait for my visit with the Lord. I would talk to him early in the morning before I even got out of bed and wouldn't stop talking to him until my head once again hit the pillow that night. We talked about everything: what I should do that day, what I should say, and how I should invest my time. I included him in everything.
It reminded me a lot of when I was young and spent a great deal of time on the phone with my girlfriend. We would spend hours on the phone. Sometimes we would call just to hear each other say hello. Nothing really had to be said, but just knowing that she was at the other end of the phone seemed to make the day fulfilled and better. There were times that we talked on the phone way into the night until we fell
asleep. As silly as those times sound, they were quite meaningful times in my life. Unfortunately, as we get older and wiser in the Lord—or at least we think we are—we feel that we can rely more and more on our own understanding. I would hope that we would, once again, humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways so that he could hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal out land.
As we look to our daily prayer life, I want to challenge each one of us to get to that point where we long to be with the Lord, where we can't wait to call upon him and to spend as much time as possible with him in conversation sharing every detail of our lives—from the least important to the most difficult areas of our lives.
We need to have an attitude through which prayer becomes a priority for our family, our life, and ourselves. We need to make it a priority, not an option. We need to choose to pray.
If we truly believe that spending time with God in prayer is actually carrying on a conversation with the Creator of the universe, then why would we overlook, avoid, forget, or even fall asleep in the middle of our prayers? We need to realize that this is an incredible privilege that God has given each believer to call on him and have him answer. Neglecting prayer is a personal loss and one that I now refuse to ever lose out on again. You see, once we realize that prayer is the source of power for our life, just as electricity is to an appliance, we will never want to be disconnected again, because we have come to realize that God increases our usefulness as we stay plugged into him through prayer.
Father, help me to long to spend time in conversation for you. Rekindle my desire to spend time with you as my first priority.
Richard Mansfield, Evanglist; Senior Pastor, New Beginnings Church of God, Albuquerque, New Mexico
"As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for you, O God." — Psalm 42:1 NLT
When I was converted to Christ, I was a real wino, dino, and dingbat. In other words, I was heavily influenced by the world and was very much a part of it. Through a dramatic conversion, I learned the necessity of a daily relationship with Christ. I needed him at every turn. I would turn to him for every little thing. I remember how I couldn't wait for my visit with the Lord. I would talk to him early in the morning before I even got out of bed and wouldn't stop talking to him until my head once again hit the pillow that night. We talked about everything: what I should do that day, what I should say, and how I should invest my time. I included him in everything.
It reminded me a lot of when I was young and spent a great deal of time on the phone with my girlfriend. We would spend hours on the phone. Sometimes we would call just to hear each other say hello. Nothing really had to be said, but just knowing that she was at the other end of the phone seemed to make the day fulfilled and better. There were times that we talked on the phone way into the night until we fell
asleep. As silly as those times sound, they were quite meaningful times in my life. Unfortunately, as we get older and wiser in the Lord—or at least we think we are—we feel that we can rely more and more on our own understanding. I would hope that we would, once again, humble ourselves and pray and seek his face and turn from our wicked ways so that he could hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal out land.
As we look to our daily prayer life, I want to challenge each one of us to get to that point where we long to be with the Lord, where we can't wait to call upon him and to spend as much time as possible with him in conversation sharing every detail of our lives—from the least important to the most difficult areas of our lives.
We need to have an attitude through which prayer becomes a priority for our family, our life, and ourselves. We need to make it a priority, not an option. We need to choose to pray.
If we truly believe that spending time with God in prayer is actually carrying on a conversation with the Creator of the universe, then why would we overlook, avoid, forget, or even fall asleep in the middle of our prayers? We need to realize that this is an incredible privilege that God has given each believer to call on him and have him answer. Neglecting prayer is a personal loss and one that I now refuse to ever lose out on again. You see, once we realize that prayer is the source of power for our life, just as electricity is to an appliance, we will never want to be disconnected again, because we have come to realize that God increases our usefulness as we stay plugged into him through prayer.
Father, help me to long to spend time in conversation for you. Rekindle my desire to spend time with you as my first priority.
Richard Mansfield, Evanglist; Senior Pastor, New Beginnings Church of God, Albuquerque, New Mexico
Friday, April 1, 2011
Day 17
O God, Come to My Aid
"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." — Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
Life is a spiritual journey, and prayer seems to be a part of it, even before we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I still remember when the tragedy of 9/11 happened; the whole world was drawn to pray, even those who previously would have nothing to do with God were openly praying. It was written about in newspapers, talked about on TV. Everyone was very openly holding public prayer vigils and prayer meetings without any criticism. I was sure that this was going to be the beginning of a God awakening for our country.
But for many it was short-lived and forgotten. As God draws people to prayer, his Word tells us that he wants to give us a heart to understand who he really is and that he is our God and we are his people. This kind of prayer is the light of God that shines upon us, telling us which way to go in order to obtain peace, solidity, and freedom. It is the way of the cross. Jesus died so that we could have this peace and freedom in our lives. It is a free gift from God to us.
As we continue to pray, we will begin to see some of the wholesome seeds that lie within our consciousness, and God will water them. These are the seeds of compassion, love, understanding, forgiveness, and joy. If while praying we can recognize these seeds within us, he will draw us to himself and we will be changed forever by his saving grace. The greatest relief we can obtain is available when our heart touches his in total, unconditional surrender.
The moment we surrender our entire being to God, all of our fears vanish. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts and then we feel truly alive, capable of understanding the suffering of others, and motivated by the desire to help. When you touch deep understanding and love, you are healed. Prayer transforms our vision of the world, and makes us see it, all men, and all the history of mankind in the light of God. Truly it is a prayer of the heart.
My question then is this: Is it necessary to use many words in order to experience this kind of prayer? It is not. The Desert Father St. Macarius said, "Only stretch out your arms and say, 'Lord, have pity on me as you desire and as you well know how.' And if the enemy presses you hard, say, 'Lord, come to my aid.'" Early Christian monks urge us to use short, simple prayer drawn from the Psalms. The most frequently used one is "O God, come to my aid."
Do you need God to come to your aid today? Then just reach out to him with all your heart and say, "O God, come to my aid." He will answer you and fill you with his Holy Spirit. In the words of St. Macarius, "There is no other perfect meditation than the saving and blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ dwelling without interruption in you." Thank him today for his amazing power in your life through prayer.
Pastor Barb Ferraro, New Beginnings Church of God, Meadville, Pennsylvania
"I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart." — Jeremiah 24:7 NIV
Life is a spiritual journey, and prayer seems to be a part of it, even before we come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. I still remember when the tragedy of 9/11 happened; the whole world was drawn to pray, even those who previously would have nothing to do with God were openly praying. It was written about in newspapers, talked about on TV. Everyone was very openly holding public prayer vigils and prayer meetings without any criticism. I was sure that this was going to be the beginning of a God awakening for our country.
But for many it was short-lived and forgotten. As God draws people to prayer, his Word tells us that he wants to give us a heart to understand who he really is and that he is our God and we are his people. This kind of prayer is the light of God that shines upon us, telling us which way to go in order to obtain peace, solidity, and freedom. It is the way of the cross. Jesus died so that we could have this peace and freedom in our lives. It is a free gift from God to us.
As we continue to pray, we will begin to see some of the wholesome seeds that lie within our consciousness, and God will water them. These are the seeds of compassion, love, understanding, forgiveness, and joy. If while praying we can recognize these seeds within us, he will draw us to himself and we will be changed forever by his saving grace. The greatest relief we can obtain is available when our heart touches his in total, unconditional surrender.
The moment we surrender our entire being to God, all of our fears vanish. The Holy Spirit takes up residence in our hearts and then we feel truly alive, capable of understanding the suffering of others, and motivated by the desire to help. When you touch deep understanding and love, you are healed. Prayer transforms our vision of the world, and makes us see it, all men, and all the history of mankind in the light of God. Truly it is a prayer of the heart.
My question then is this: Is it necessary to use many words in order to experience this kind of prayer? It is not. The Desert Father St. Macarius said, "Only stretch out your arms and say, 'Lord, have pity on me as you desire and as you well know how.' And if the enemy presses you hard, say, 'Lord, come to my aid.'" Early Christian monks urge us to use short, simple prayer drawn from the Psalms. The most frequently used one is "O God, come to my aid."
Do you need God to come to your aid today? Then just reach out to him with all your heart and say, "O God, come to my aid." He will answer you and fill you with his Holy Spirit. In the words of St. Macarius, "There is no other perfect meditation than the saving and blessed name of our Lord Jesus Christ dwelling without interruption in you." Thank him today for his amazing power in your life through prayer.
Pastor Barb Ferraro, New Beginnings Church of God, Meadville, Pennsylvania
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