Ephesians 6:18 “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”
Romans 12:12 “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer”
Colossians 4:2 “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
The consequences for the lack of being faithful in prayer are missed opportunities. A quick look through the New Testament on the subject of prayer shows constant requests for God’s people to pray. Either we dismiss these requests for prayer as irrelevant or we conclude that lack of prayer means missed opportunities for the advancement of the Kingdom. About two months ago the Lord impressed me to put a single word in a frame on my office wall. Opportunity. Since then I have been hearing the same word used in conjunction with this coming year. What kind of opportunity is the Lord referring to? I believe it is an opportunity for the Kingdom, but that opportunity may not look like what we may expect. Many times opportunities are packaged in seeming failures. The cross is perhaps the best example of this. Paul’s arrest in Jerusalem is another which at first seemed like a tragedy but ended up being God’s strategy to share the gospel in Rome.
The Lord is the one who is bringing the opportunities; our job is to watch for the opportunities and be faithful to pray. We need to pray with the eyes of the Spirit so that we can see these opportunities as they unfold and pray along with what God is doing instead of praying against His plan. Let us take advantage of the opportunities God is bringing our way in 2010.
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
Faithfulness in Prayer
Psalm 89:8 "O LORD God Almighty, who is like you? You are mighty, O LORD, and your faithfulness surrounds you."
Psalm 25:10 "All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant."
Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"
Because God is faithful those who follow Him will also grow to be faithful as well. As we follow the Lord we cannot help but to become more and more like Him. The Spirit of God creates and grows faithfulness in us. This process is not so much like a gift that you receive but rather like a plant that you cultivate. Although the Spirit of God lives inside believers in Christ, there must be an agreement with the purposes and the Spirit of God in order for this characteristic to have the right conditions to grow. Here is the process. As we recognize the faithfulness of the Lord and our eyes are opened to see how consistent He is in keeping His word, we begin to yearn inside for this same kind of faithfulness. Our born-again spirit resonates with the Holy Spirit and we crave the reality of being faithful in our lives. We read about someone like Anna in the New Testament who was faithful in prayer and in her commitment to praying for the messiah to come, and we respond with a longing to be faithful in our prayer life. It is at this point that we are confronted with making tough choices on whether or not we will be faithless or prove ourselves to be faithful. Truthfully, most of the time we fail. Failure is the thing that we all have in common. What we don't all have in common is the spirit of not giving up. Faithfulness in prayer is grown by continuing to pick ourselves up after our failure to pray and determining to return to the Lord and be more faithful. This 'spirit' is not based in human ability or desire. Instead it is based on the response to the Holy Spirit who continues to call us to remain faithful in prayer.
Psalm 25:10 "All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of his covenant."
Galatians 5:22 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness"
Because God is faithful those who follow Him will also grow to be faithful as well. As we follow the Lord we cannot help but to become more and more like Him. The Spirit of God creates and grows faithfulness in us. This process is not so much like a gift that you receive but rather like a plant that you cultivate. Although the Spirit of God lives inside believers in Christ, there must be an agreement with the purposes and the Spirit of God in order for this characteristic to have the right conditions to grow. Here is the process. As we recognize the faithfulness of the Lord and our eyes are opened to see how consistent He is in keeping His word, we begin to yearn inside for this same kind of faithfulness. Our born-again spirit resonates with the Holy Spirit and we crave the reality of being faithful in our lives. We read about someone like Anna in the New Testament who was faithful in prayer and in her commitment to praying for the messiah to come, and we respond with a longing to be faithful in our prayer life. It is at this point that we are confronted with making tough choices on whether or not we will be faithless or prove ourselves to be faithful. Truthfully, most of the time we fail. Failure is the thing that we all have in common. What we don't all have in common is the spirit of not giving up. Faithfulness in prayer is grown by continuing to pick ourselves up after our failure to pray and determining to return to the Lord and be more faithful. This 'spirit' is not based in human ability or desire. Instead it is based on the response to the Holy Spirit who continues to call us to remain faithful in prayer.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Purity of Heart
Matthew 5:8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.”
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 24:3-5 “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.”
If we are to see God and what He is doing in our world, we must have pure hearts. A pure heart doesn’t start with thinking pure thoughts, rather it starts with turning away from impurity, confessing it before God, and allowing the Lord to create in us or to reveal in us HIS purity. We are pure because of the presence of Purity in us. We enter into this first of all through the blood of Jesus which purifies us from all sin. We shed the practice of impurity as we draw close to the Source of purity. Every believer in Jesus has a cry that comes from deep within, “Create in me a pure heart!” That is because the way to seeing God is through a pure heart. Once your eyes are opened to the beauty and magnificence of the Lord, you want to see more of Him. You want to know God in a more complete way. Don’t be fooled into “working hard” at being pure. The hard work of purity is to allowing the Lord to uncover every area of your life that is impure. When you ask the Lord to create a pure heart in you, you are asking for the truth to be applied to your life. If you want to see God and His work in the world, you must allow the Truth to penetrate your heart and replace the impure with the pure.
Psalm 51:10 “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
Psalm 24:3-5 “Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.”
If we are to see God and what He is doing in our world, we must have pure hearts. A pure heart doesn’t start with thinking pure thoughts, rather it starts with turning away from impurity, confessing it before God, and allowing the Lord to create in us or to reveal in us HIS purity. We are pure because of the presence of Purity in us. We enter into this first of all through the blood of Jesus which purifies us from all sin. We shed the practice of impurity as we draw close to the Source of purity. Every believer in Jesus has a cry that comes from deep within, “Create in me a pure heart!” That is because the way to seeing God is through a pure heart. Once your eyes are opened to the beauty and magnificence of the Lord, you want to see more of Him. You want to know God in a more complete way. Don’t be fooled into “working hard” at being pure. The hard work of purity is to allowing the Lord to uncover every area of your life that is impure. When you ask the Lord to create a pure heart in you, you are asking for the truth to be applied to your life. If you want to see God and His work in the world, you must allow the Truth to penetrate your heart and replace the impure with the pure.
Friday, December 11, 2009
Pray For Those Who Persecute You
Matthew 5:43-45a "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.”
Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Revenge is the currency of this world, but the children of the “Father in heaven” operate by a different set of standards. Love and sincere prayer is the response to persecution for those who are following their heavenly Father. There are a few reasons for this. One is that our heavenly Father loves even those who are willfully disobeying His commands. This kind of love is what Jesus communicated to his disciples both in word and deed, and this love is the commodity that the Holy Spirit continues to instill in believers today. A second reason is that we know that the whole world is under the influence of the evil one. We know that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph.6:12) Therefore, we realize that any persecution we face has its origin in the work of these spiritual forces of evil. Since the ultimate fight is not against people, we must take the fight to the heavenly realms where it is won. Our weapons of spiritual warfare are powerful. When we pray for those who persecute us, we are acting in line with the Spirit of God. Do not underestimate the power of God which is released when we pray for our persecutors.
Acts 7:59-60 “While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Revenge is the currency of this world, but the children of the “Father in heaven” operate by a different set of standards. Love and sincere prayer is the response to persecution for those who are following their heavenly Father. There are a few reasons for this. One is that our heavenly Father loves even those who are willfully disobeying His commands. This kind of love is what Jesus communicated to his disciples both in word and deed, and this love is the commodity that the Holy Spirit continues to instill in believers today. A second reason is that we know that the whole world is under the influence of the evil one. We know that “our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Eph.6:12) Therefore, we realize that any persecution we face has its origin in the work of these spiritual forces of evil. Since the ultimate fight is not against people, we must take the fight to the heavenly realms where it is won. Our weapons of spiritual warfare are powerful. When we pray for those who persecute us, we are acting in line with the Spirit of God. Do not underestimate the power of God which is released when we pray for our persecutors.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Prayer...Untapped
The untapped resource of prayer is nothing less than the unlimited power of God. This power is not for selfish use, however. Our human, earthly nature looks at prayer as a means to effect change according to our own agenda. Yet prayer, powerful and life changing prayer, is for the purpose of putting God's agenda into effect. How can we, mere mortals, move God's agenda forward? Simple. He told us to pray, "Your kingdom come; Your will be done." The power of God released through prayer is done in partnership. God is always working. Our role is to draw close to Him, see what He is doing and agree with His work in prayer.
We have only begun to see the power of God released through prayer. As God's people move toward Him, we will see His mighty power tapped for the ultimate purpose of the life of Jesus overcoming death.
We have only begun to see the power of God released through prayer. As God's people move toward Him, we will see His mighty power tapped for the ultimate purpose of the life of Jesus overcoming death.
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Fill This House with Glory
Haggai 2:6-9 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."
Exodus 33:18 “Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory.”
When we pray and ask the Lord to show us His glory we do so based on the prophetic fulfillment of His word. The Lord is in the process of revealing His glory in, to and through His people. The end point of this prophecy is that all nations will see His glory. The present point of this prophecy is the opportunity for God’s people to be drawn into an ever increasing knowledge of God’s glory. Like a moth to a flame, as we get ever increasing glimpses of God we will be seeking to know and experience His glory in ever increasing intensity. First, let us invite God to show us His glory. This prayer is an invitation for the Lord to clean house. He is holy, and the greater revelation of His glory belongs to those who seek Him and allow Him to cleanse themselves from all unrighteousness. Lord, show us Your glory. We want to see Your face.
Exodus 33:18 “Then Moses said, "Now show me your glory.”
When we pray and ask the Lord to show us His glory we do so based on the prophetic fulfillment of His word. The Lord is in the process of revealing His glory in, to and through His people. The end point of this prophecy is that all nations will see His glory. The present point of this prophecy is the opportunity for God’s people to be drawn into an ever increasing knowledge of God’s glory. Like a moth to a flame, as we get ever increasing glimpses of God we will be seeking to know and experience His glory in ever increasing intensity. First, let us invite God to show us His glory. This prayer is an invitation for the Lord to clean house. He is holy, and the greater revelation of His glory belongs to those who seek Him and allow Him to cleanse themselves from all unrighteousness. Lord, show us Your glory. We want to see Your face.
Not my will, but Yours be done
Matthew 6:10 “Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Hebrews 10:7 “Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.'”
We talk about becoming like Jesus in Christian circles. WWJD – we want to do what Jesus would do. We sing songs about becoming more like Jesus. We understand that spiritual maturity means that we become more like Jesus. What does it mean to be like Jesus? It means that we lay down our will and do God’s will. It begins as we say just like Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” It grows as we conform less and less to the world around us and more and more to the will of God as revealed in the Bible. It won’t be complete until the character and nature of Jesus lives inside us, and we actually do God’s will instead of our own. When we pray for God’s will to be done on earth do we mean in our own life as well? To what extent are we willing to do God’s will over our own? How inconvenienced are we willing to become in order to do God’s will? Let us hold on to the vision of our lives being committed to God’s will like Jesus’ was. He went to the cross. We must also go to the cross. Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord.
Luke 22:42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Hebrews 10:7 “Then I said, 'Here I am—it is written about me in the scroll— I have come to do your will, O God.'”
We talk about becoming like Jesus in Christian circles. WWJD – we want to do what Jesus would do. We sing songs about becoming more like Jesus. We understand that spiritual maturity means that we become more like Jesus. What does it mean to be like Jesus? It means that we lay down our will and do God’s will. It begins as we say just like Jesus said, “Not my will, but yours be done.” It grows as we conform less and less to the world around us and more and more to the will of God as revealed in the Bible. It won’t be complete until the character and nature of Jesus lives inside us, and we actually do God’s will instead of our own. When we pray for God’s will to be done on earth do we mean in our own life as well? To what extent are we willing to do God’s will over our own? How inconvenienced are we willing to become in order to do God’s will? Let us hold on to the vision of our lives being committed to God’s will like Jesus’ was. He went to the cross. We must also go to the cross. Not my will, but Yours be done, Lord.
Prayer Point
To be able to come before the Creator of all and communicate in prayer is one of the greatest privileges given to human beings. It is in prayer where we can get aligned to His thoughts and ways and leave behind deceptive ways of thinking and acting. The opportunity before us, to know God and to be a part of His work in the world, has no limit. This focus is what we will be aiming for as we take steps to explore the depths of God's mind and heart in relation to the earth. I invite you to seek God and to apply your heart to learn from Jesus, the master, on how to pray.
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