Will you be a prayer warrior in 2018

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much James 5:16b NASB

Pam and I have just returned from a trip visiting family in Florida.  Her mother invited us to join a gathering of her High School class of 1952.  Pam and I realized that we were among a generation of people upon whose shoulders we are still standing.  They expressed their faith in God and were thankful for the health that He provides.   They were a generation in which the Bible and prayer were a part of the fabric of their schooling and upbringing.

I had a dream earlier that morning that God was punctuating the call to prayer for 2018.  I had been meditating and thinking about my own prayer life and how I could encourage others to prevail in prayer in our lives.  One of Betty’s (Pam’s mom) best friend and I engaged in a conversation.  She is a devout Christian who was wearing an Israeli – US flag on one lapel and a perfect attendance church award on the other.  Her beautiful smile became soberer as she related that her husband had not professed to be a follower of Jesus.  He had passed away recently.

Jackie – “Two days before he died, one of the ministers came to visit him at our home.  I could tell she was going to talk with him about Jesus.  I left the room and went straight into my prayer closet.  I stayed there pleading before the Lord.  The next day, I was getting him dressed to go to the doctor.  I was shaving him- I normally never do it quite the right way.  But today he kept complimenting me by telling me what a great job I was doing.  Then he hugged me and thanked me for all the years of loving him.  He passed away the next day.  Later as I shared at church about this experience.  The minister shared with me that my husband did not speak but made facial acknowledgement of receiving the Lord.  As I prayed later, the Lord reminded me of this interaction of tenderness and love as an expression of his heart change.  Now I spend much time in my prayer closet.  Greg, she said, I don’t think we realize how much our prayers can affect our lives!”

On a scale of 1-10 how would you rate your prayer life?  What could make it more impactful for you?  Is it just an issue of not enough time or are there other factors that complicate it for you?

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:16b

I know this verse is part “b” of confessing sins and prayer for healing.  But I believe God is calling people forth in 2018 who will be these kind of prayer warriors.  Some of you are going to grab hold of the horns of the altar of God and not let go until you see God’s provision come forth.  Some of you are hearing God’s Spirit calling you to come away with him into the secret place to pour forth your heart.  Maybe His voice is faint, but you know He is asking you to make the adjustments to move closer to his heart.  As you approach the throne of grace to present your request, you hear him say to you “stay for a while and let me share what is on my heart!”  When God wants to move in might and power on the earth he sets his people to “a-praying.”  Will you be in that remnant number of people who persevere in prayer?  When he returns will he say of you, “Well done, you used your time well in the prayer closet with me?”  Will you accept the challenge to be an “effective pray-er” in 2018?

Normally, I encourage everyone to assess their life and set goals for the new year at this point.  There is still an advantage to setting spiritual, personal, business, financial, and physical goals.  But I truly believe that if we get our prayer life fueled properly, every other sphere of our lives will be impacted in a positive way.  Faith will grow to address financial challenges, wisdom will be gained to navigate relationship issues at home or work, and freedom will be obtained to overcome hurtful patterns in health and thinking.  Our prayers will be aligned to fulfilling God’s purposes of salvation and freedom for those we know and love.

Over the next 21 days, I am going to be sending an email encouraging us to pray.  Many take the first 21 days of January as a point of prayer and fasting.  I want to specifically focus on prayer.  For those who are seasoned in prayer, this may seem elemental.  But hopefully, we can capture the wonder and excitement of that comes from the discipline of being a prayer warrior.

Let’s start today.

Father, I acknowledge that I have let the cares of the world crowd out time alone with you.  I ask that you teach me to pray.  I know in part and see in part, but your Holy Spirit can help me be effective in my prayer time.  My prayers for my family could be the key to unlock your purposes in their lives.  My prayers could help someone get saved.  My prayers are from me to you and therefor are a special way that we communicate.  Nobody else in the world can tell you better about the things that are important in my life –than me.  So I ask you to help me to engage with you in prayer every day for the rest of my life.  Help me move from just a desire to be a prayer warrior into the intimacy of the friend relationship we share.  May this year of 2018 be the year that prayer is in the proper priority that you would expect from one of your children.  Thank you Jesus helping me.

I would be interested to know if you sense God’s call to people into a more intentional, vibrant, sacrificial call to prayer.

Let the greeting be a prayer

¹³ Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest heaven,
    and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

Luke 2:13-14 NIV

Merry CHRISTmas!!!  This season greeting helps us focus on the central idea of this holiday season.  It is about the day Jesus birth.  God’s answer to the problem of man’s sinful dilemma has arrived.  He will bring peace between the chasm of broken relationship between God and mankind.  This truly was good news.  Even the angels get to participate in heralding the message that this was a special day.

Some may ask why we focus on his birth when it was his sacrificial death that paid for the penalty of our sin.  His resurrection is the sign and promise that God will remove our sinful ways  and create a new person inside us.  As God brought forth Jesus from the dead, he will also resurrect those who place their hope and trust in him.

But the angels also made another declaration that morning.  Glory to God in the highest heaven.  As much as the focus is on the birth of Jesus, it is equally important to recognize God’s glory in the event.  The angels are helping us follow the action of the moment.  It starts with God’s glory.  If you just focus on the birth of the baby, you might miss the setting for the entire night.  God is at work.

The glory of God is the beauty of His presence as revealed in all his character attributes.  What God did on the day of Jesus birth was an extension of his glorious power.  God became man.  Jesus was fully God and fully man at the same time.

I know this sounds more like a sermon.  But I wanted us to take a moment to add some value to our season greeting.  To say “Merry Christmas” should also be a reminder of God’s glory getting involved in our world.  Here is the catch.  If God moved into our world through the birth of Jesus, then God can move into the darkest moments of our lives.  To say, “Merry Christmas” is also a declaration that God’s glory is being revealed among us.  The angels sang the song to the shepherds.  Focus first on God’s glory and then see how it is revealed among us.

May your season greeting become a prayer that you speak over people.  To you, “Merry Christmas” means “May you experience God’s glorious presence and the accompanied peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus.”  I know that is a longer prayer.  But let the greeting be a code for your prayer.  “Merry Christmas” to the cashier.  Our prayer- “May this cashier experience God’s glory and the peace that comes from a relationship with Jesus Christ.”

The Angels said it first.  A savior is born and this reflects God’s glory.

Have a very Merry Christmas with your family and friends.

Speaking with real authority

The people were amazed at his teaching- for he taught with real authority, quite unlike the religious teachers of the law.  Mark 1:22 NLT

If you spoke to an issue in your life with the same authority that Jesus has, what would it be?  We are not talking about asking God to remove all sickness in the entire world, nor for everyone to be saved, although both of those are wonderful prayers.  The question is which personal issue needs the infusion of the God of hope to alter your expected outcome?

For some it will be physical healing.  Perhaps it is your own persisting pain in your body, or a loved one who is struggling day to day with a disease or illness that you have brought your request to the Lord regularly.  Perhaps it is a financial miracle.  Poor decisions in your past have brought you to a place of monetary bondage that chokes the life of God.  No one has to tell you that the borrower becomes slave to lender…just look at the collection notices in the mail.  Perhaps you struggle with healthy relationships.  Unforgiveness, lies, mistrust, anger and hurt among friends and relatives leave you feeling alone.

In the NT, 1848/ EKSOUSIA (‘delegated power”) refers to the authority God gives to His saints-  authorizing them to act to the extent they are guided by faith (His revealed words) HELPS words studies.

As Christians we each have been given  a designated jurisdiction to advance God’s kingdom of love.  This authority is expressed with words joined with faith in the revelation of God’s word for the situation.  Let’s break that last sentence down so we can understand how God wants us to exercise the authority that He has given us.

First there is a designated jurisdiction appointed to each of us.  This will be your sphere of influence.  Your family, your work place, your school, the neighborhood in which you live, your church are all places that represent your area of influence.  God has placed you exactly where he wants you to see heaven come to earth.

This authority will be expressed in words.  This means that you speak out loud what you believe God wants to happen.  Many times this starts in your own prayer times in safety of solitude.  Jesus also spoke with authority in the hearing of others.  This will require boldness and faith.  Maybe there has been a lot of mistrust of people at work.  Let others hear you say, “May this day be a day when we begin to trust each other and help each other.  May each person feel valued and look to the interest of others.”  The point is that authority is spoken into the atmosphere of where we live our lives.

“joined with faith in what God is saying”.  This may be the most challenging part of the exercise of authority.  How do you know what God is saying?  Jesus said that he did nothing that he first did not see the Father doing.  Nor did he say anything that he did not hear the Father saying.  In this since, Jesus always operated under delegated authority.  He acted in concert with what the Holy Spirit revealed to him what should take place.

We also, act and speak in agreement with the revelation that God is giving us.  As we grow in our walk with the Lord, this part is easier to discern.  As a beginner you start with the revealed promises or expectations of God that you read in the Bible.  Isaiah 40:29 “He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.”  The verse could lead you to pray this way –“Lord, I’ve worked hard all week and don’t have the strength nor the desire to go to church to be with my friends, but your word says that you give strength to the weary.  Today that is me.  Will you give strength to my body and power to my mind to help me be on time to church today? Amen.”  This prayer reflects you taking a delegated authority over your body by speaking a promise of God that is for His children. 

James 1:5 says that He will give us wisdom when we ask in faith.  So, a prayer of authority may sound like this.  “Jesus, you know that I have studied all of my options that I see before me, but I still do not know which way to go.  I now trust that you will give me wisdom and understanding to make the right decision.  I trust you to help me, because you love me and want the best for me.  If I need counsel from anyone else, show me who that should be.  I trust that you have given me wisdom. Amen.”  Both of these prayers start with a promise from God that you bring into your life through speaking these promises into your sphere of need.

Speak God’s blessings and desire over your home.  “May your house be filled with love and laughter.  May all who enter your doors feel warmth and acceptance.  May anger and unforgiveness never find a place to remain within your walls.  May God speak to each of your family members in tangible ways.  May your children have a relationship with God at an early age and follow His path all the days of their lives.”  If you are not taking the authority to speak these desires over your home, who is?

Speak God’s blessings over your work, school, and city.  “Father, may your name be glorified and honored in this place.  May your followers live in peace with one another instead of competing and fighting with who is more right.  May those who are broken from life’s experiences find the help they need.  Lord, we ask that murder would decrease, help those who see no other options.  Bless our leaders to govern with wisdom to address the needs of our city.  May they live their lives and govern their activities that bring honor to our city.  So, Lord we pray for the peace of our city, school and workplace.”  When others hear you speak like this…they will hear the delegated authority that God has given.  You are in agreement with asking that God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Listen to your words.  Listen to other’s words.  You will hear a lot more cursing over our lives than you can imagine.  “that’s a bad part of town.  He is so stupid, he will never learn.  Those people are always making trouble.  You can never believe a politician, they only try to help themselves. On and on it goes.”  This is why speaking life with God’s authority is so needed.   AND YOU ARE THAT PERSON.  Jesus said all authority has been given to him and now he sends us as his representatives.

Begin responding in faith today and let yourself hear God’s promises come forth from your own mouth.  Silver and gold you may not have, but speak what you know that you have in Jesus name (his authority).  Speak blessing and life over your home, family, finances.  Make the corrections necessary to walk in blessing (that is called repentance)  Trust that God wants to use you to share with others the good news.  You are blessed to be a blessing.

The people were amazed at what they heard

¹⁸ All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished,  Luke 2:18 NLT

 The first song at church was nearly complete when I noticed my international friend next to me.  He was emotionally engaged and had tears coming down his face.  The song was upbeat and celebratory, not necessarily one that would grab your heart strings.  Then, I remembered that he would be returning to his home country at the end of the week.  This was his last worship service before returning home to his country.  Possibly he may never have an experience of worship like this again….this side of heaven.  He had made a commitment to be a follower of Jesus.  The Bible had become alive and a source of encouragement.  The Holy Spirit was speaking to him and giving direction for his life.  Now, however, this season of observing and participating with other believers was coming to an end.

 As I stood next to him that morning, I reflected on participating in worship.  Every song had words that directed my attention to the sacrifice and love of Jesus.  I was thankful for the song selection.  I was thankful for the praise team and their dedication to lead us into God’s presence.  I was thankful to the media team that served to make sure that all the words were displayed properly and on time.  This was someone’s last experience in this worship setting so all attempts toward excellence were appreciated.

 I also checked my own heart.  What did I bring to this worship experience?  Was I just a spectator watching a worship team perform?  Was I going to engage like my international friend?  Was I allowing my thoughts to move away from myself and be directed toward the God who allows us into his throne of grace?  Was I singing to him like He was physically watching me in the room?  Was I allowing my love for other things to fall to the wayside as I appreciated the author and the finisher of who I am?  Would I participate differently if I knew this was my last time with this group of friends?

 Today many of you will go to a church worship experience.  The choir will sing and ask you to join in for some familiar Christmas songs.  Someone may be hearing this message for the first time…just like the shepherds.  Someone may connect with God’s message for the first time and the transformation process will begin.  Someone will be reminded of a story of God’s faithfulness in their life.  Someone may be experiencing this service for the last time.

 Our privilege and responsibility are to share with others what we have learned and experienced.  The Shepherds message is still true today.  God is no longer hidden in heaven, but he has revealed himself to us in his son, Jesus.  He is available for us to “know” him.  We get to share with others how he is changing and working in our lives.  Somebody needs to hear the message that you carry…share it today and watch how the people will be amazed.

Merry Christmas

-- 

Whisper from your Father, God - White as Snow

 “Come now, let’s settle this,”

    says the Lord.
“Though your sins are like scarlet,
    I will make them as white as snow.  Isaiah 1:18 NLT

My invitation still waits for you to respond.  Come.  Now is the exact right time for you to hear my thoughts concerning you. This will require a turning from your present direction.  Aren’t you weary from running away from me?  You and I both know what has caused a separation in the closeness of our relationship.  Yet, you have still refused to come to Me.  Why? 

Don’t let fear be the controlling emotion that divides us.  Don’t be afraid of my response…for I am already willing to forgive and restore.  Don’t let your shame keep you hiding in the shadows of your misconduct…my light brings freedom to unlock those chains.

Purity is not beyond your grasp for I hold it in the palms of forgiveness.  Snow is the visible reminder of my invisible power of grace to cover and forgive.  I, alone, can remove the stains of your sin as if they never existed.  When you come into my presence, you experience the power of the sacrifice of my Son.  He became your sin and received its full punishment in your place so that you could know personally that I have forgiven you.

So, Come.  Let us talk briefly of your cleansing so that we may speak intimately of our love for one another.  Waiting for your response.

Whispers from your Father, God.

Hows that for encouragement?

¹³ I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:113 NLT

Pam and I recently visited Jessica and Jon (our daughter and son-in love) over the Thanksgiving holidays.  Somehow this also meant that I got to experience shopping on Black Friday.  Pam had diligently made her list from the specials in the store sales papers.  She was kind enough to make it an all-day experience, but NOT one that started early.  However, it did include the mall (parking lot traffic, yuck) and several anchor stores until she finally let me go home and she went back out to finish her list.  She felt very accomplished, which also made me happy.

We visited Lifeway Christian Bookstore for some of our purchases.  And then IT happened.  That ole sly devil found a way into our happy moments.  I was perusing the classics with Spurgeon and C.S Lewis, then looking over the abundance of Bible study material from people like Beth Moore and Henry Blackerby.  Then the Liar spoke, “And you think you want to be an author?  Look at how many people are already successful!  They have already written great material.  Do you really think that you can write something that will impact people for a long time?”  The damage had been done.  I could feel the discouragement begin to envelope my hope and dreams.

Our dreams are so subjective.  We are not sure where the ideas come from that push us forward into making decisions every day that affect our future.  Some dreams are specific to our jobs and vocations, some dreams involve creating something or making a new project, some dreams include participating in a new experience and some dreams involve interaction with people.  Ultimately the dream and the fulfillment of the dream are not what define us, at least as far as eternity goes.  Jesus very clearly says that our significance is the fact that we are in a relationship with him and that He knows us.

If you have experienced discouragement to quit on your dreams, I want to hopefully share some encouragement to keep pressing forward. First, transform your dream into a goal.  This means that you will take out a pen and paper and write out the dream or in my case…type it up on a computer.  The difference between a dream and a goal is “time specific”.  Write down a time table when you expect to see the dream accomplished.  Without a time, specific expected end…your dream most of the time remains a dream.  For me, I want to have a book published (not self-published) in 2018.  I have several book ideas started, but I want to see that dream realized, so I have put some time tables in place.

Let others know about your dream by sharing your ideas with them.  But don’t expect that they will be your voice of encouragement.  Most will add their own thoughts into reshaping your dream.  The reason you tell others is to keep yourself focused about your priorities regarding your dream.  Your life follows your words.  So, if I tell people that I am trying to finish a rough draft of a book by the end of February, then I also need I need to make time to work on the book so that it will be completed by then.  Telling others helps me stay focused on my goal and encourages me to stay at the task.  Seriously, listen to yourself speak about your dream.  Do you hear yourself saying, “I won’t ever finish the project?  This was probably not a good idea for me any way.  Or, I guess I over estimated my skills, I am just not good enough.” Speaking positively about our dream to another, can bring encouragement to ourselves.  Even Jesus told his disciples before hand that he was going to Jerusalem and the people would kill him and he would be raised in three days.  He spoke of what was to come.  Maybe, to keep himself focused…just a thought.

Although some people may discourage you about your dream, you will absolutely need people to fulfill your dream.  Learn how to draw together the best of everyone and you will produce a far better product.  Every church service is made up of a myriad of people accomplishing what they do best.  Parking attendants, greeters, handshakers, bulletin hander outers, ushers, choir members, musicians, those who clean up afterwards, and also the speakers, are all needed to accomplish the goal of a wonderful church experience.  The pastor may have his name on the church sign—but the body working together makes the church great.  The fulfillment of your dream must include others.  So, remember to thank each one during your trip to success.

Finally, address the discouragement head on.  Tell the devil.  “If my idea doesn’t matter, why are you taking the time do try to dissuade me?  Why would you not want to see me succeed?  You have never had my best interest at heart.  Only God, my father, loves me. He knows and cares all about me.  He knows the very number of hairs on my head – which seems to be changing daily.” Let your dialoge move from the disappointment to worship.  Discouragement from the devil never, I repeat, never hangs around long in the throne room of worship.  The things of this world grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace.   So, turn your eyes, once again upon Jesus.  He is your source of love and encouragement in the darkest of moments.  For he has promised to never leave us nor forsake us.  How’s that for some encouragement?