Uninhibited

Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, "How glorious was the king of Israel today, uncovering himself today in the eyes of the maids of his servants, as one of the base fellows shamelessly uncovers himself!" So David said to Michal, "It was before the Lord, who chose me instead of your father and all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. Therefore I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight. But as for the maidservants of whom you have spoken, by them I will be held in honor." 2 Sam 6:20-22 (NKJV)

Are you inhibited by what other people might think? I am sad to admit that in my case it might be true... (Talk about finding it hard to be transparent) IT IS TRUE! Herein is the problem; it is difficult, if not impossible, to be an effective leader if you are always worried about what people might think. A spiritual leader is not called to be a politician, trying to make decisions based on how it effects one's popularity. A spiritual leader is called to be obedient and to lead as God instructs them.

When the Ark of the Covenant was being returned to King David's hometown, he, in a moment of great passion, threw his inhibitions aside and danced before the Ark. It was quite a spectacle as David cast off his clothes and danced with reckless abandon. As the parade came to an end, David was met by the disapproval of his wife, Michal. Her words dripped with sarcasm: "How glorious was the king of Israel today..." LESSON NUMBER ONE: If you step out in uninhibited faith--you will face criticism from some.

David responded to his wife's critique: "I will be even more undignified than this, and will be humble in my own sight." LESSON NUMBER TWO: When you step out and lead, realize that it may only be the first step of doing more of the same. You may be even more undignified--and mortify your critics. However, there are two benefits that overshadow all else: The fruit of humility is given a great opportunity to grow in our lives. Secondly, God is glorified through our acts of obedience and passion. We need to continually weigh the question: Are we trying to please man or God?

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, You know my heart and so You are already aware of my need to be liked and accepted by others. It seems to be a driving force in my life; and yet, I want to see Your Church experience revival. Please bring a new courage to my heart, so that I find the where-with-all to step out of my comfort zone and lead by example. May my passion for You break through the inhibitions that tie me down and hold me back. I want to be a useful vessel and walk in obedience. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"

Safe

He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust." Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. Psalms 91:1-6 (NKJV)

I was raised in Idaho Falls, Idaho--which was recently ranked as the 18th coldest city in the United States. Dad turned the thermostat down at night, which made scrunching down under the covers a glorious event. In the mornings, Dad would turn up the furnace and warm air would blast up through the vents. Behind the stereo system in the living room was such a vent on the floor. I would sneak up to that secret spot every morning and cover the vent with a blanket and bask in the ensuing heat wave. I would have liked to have stayed there forever. Safe...warm...satisfied...peaceful...happy...

Then real life occurred. I found out that the world is not safe, warm, satisfied, peaceful or happy! I don't think that it takes a genius I.Q. to look at the happenings of our little planet and to accurately conclude that something went wrong. Too much violence--too much conflict--too much greed--too much laziness--too much exploitation--too much foolishness--too much self-destructive behavior--too much abuse--too much tragedy. It's OK...it really is, because, as a Believer, this world is not our home. So, what do I do in the meantime?

I need to go and dwell in the "secret place" where God is. I need to abide under His shadow surrounded by the warmth of His presence. Please understand, I'm not dwelling in this secret place to "run away" from my responsibilities or to deny the reality of the world's true nature. "No," I go to this place of refuge to be strengthened and to be filled with courage, so that when I do out into the darkness I will be absolutely unafraid. That in the midst of all that is crazy and wrong in our world--inside of me--in a secret place--God and I continue to have fellowship; and I face the world...safe...warm...satisfied...peaceful, and happy!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, it is good to know You--it is good to be one of Your children--it is good to hear Your voice and feel Your touch. No wonder Your Word declares: 'Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world.' You are the difference between victory and defeat. The difference between being lost and belonging. The difference between joy and sorrow. The difference between purpose and confusion. Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"    

Secret Place

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:5-8 (NKJV)

In the movie, "The Hollow Man," (A movie that I would highly NOT recommend) Kevin Bacon makes a blood chilling statement as a man who happens to be invisible: "It's amazing what you can do... when you don't have to look at yourself in the mirror any more." No doubt, it is difficult, perhaps impossible, to fully understand ourselves. We seem to have a fuzzy notion of who we are and are sometimes compelled by internal forces that we do not comprehend.

Not only do we have secrets, in many respects we are a mystery to most of the people who know us. That brings us to God--who is in middle of our secret places. He understands us--fully comprehends what makes us tick--knows what we have need of before we ask or possibly know to ask... He is the mirror that reveals the real essence of who we are. How can we become self-actualized and begin to understand the complexity that is us? Well, you have to meet in the secret place with God.

Jesus suggests that we find a place where we can be sequestered alone with God. A place where we can shut the door, turn off the cell phone and spend some uninterrupted time alone with our Creator. What happens in that quiet time alone with God is between you and God; however, you will find that God is indeed a transforming power that is unmatched by any other in the known universe. Indeed, the time spent alone with God is time well spent!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I need you to continue to remind me of my great need to meet You in the secret place. The place of communion, where I am grafted into a place of Your provision and forever changed by Your mighty provision. Lord, come into my heart--unlock all the hidden places and bring the cleansing of Your blood to bear. Thank you for being there for me and for caring even in those times when I seem a hopeless case. Your love makes the difference! Amen"

All In

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." Matt 16:24-27 (NKJV)

I have a friend who did not grow up attending a church, but had a measure of faith in his heart that caused him to believe in God. He did not have a relationship with God, but he believed that God existed. He started attending meetings at a church and became a Believer. He recently told me the following: "When I started attending church I was clueless--I didn't realize that this was an all or nothing proposition--I didn't realize the magnitude of the changes that God would make in my life. I'm all in!"

Can I even say that, "I'm all in?" Or do I have closets in my heart that I've locked away from God. O--I already know that God can see inside those closets--He knows exactly what is going on in my life. Is it possible that I am still grasping to maintain control of some areas in my life where I do not want to change--places in my heart where God has not been given permission to clean me up? How long will I hold out against the Holy Spirit and not realize the full measure of His blessing?

What does a surrendered life look like? You surrender to God--deny yourself, pick up your cross and walk in complete obedience. What are the possibilities? Ask yourself this question: "Do I have a better plan for my life than the plan that God has for me?" That has got to be a rhetorical question, because the answer is obvious. My plans cannot measure up to the destiny that God has in mind for me. Time to surrender--time to go "all in."

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I have too much in common with the prodigal son. I want to have my cake and eat it too. The areas in my life where I fight for control are the exact areas where I need to surrender to Your love--Your wisdom--and Your plans for my life. I want to be an ardent follower holding nothing in reserve. I want to serve Your purposes and build Your Kingdom. Lord, help me...help me to surrender...help me to transform into a son who finds his meaning in Your purposes. Amen"

Treasure

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matt 6:19-21 (NKJV)

The "No Fear" clothing line used to have a T-Shirt that read: "He who dies with the most toys is still dead." There it is--the truth--all unpackaged and laid bare. Solomon took a hard look at this truth--weighed in the sum total of the way he spent his time on earth and concluded that everything in life was "vanity." Once again--Solomon was wrong. If there is no life beyond the grave--if our lives have no impact on the people around us--if there is no Kingdom to build--and if our real treasure is left behind when we die...then Solomon would have been right in his assessment of life.

However, there is life beyond the grave. The witness and example of our lives can have a great positive and lasting effect on the lives that surround us. The life of a Believer is filled with purpose as we build His Kingdom. The treasure that we have found in our relationship with God is only enhanced as we leave this world behind. The Christian life is not vanity, it is a life full potential, promise and eternal value!

It all boils down to this--how are you spending your life? Are you pursuing an eternal treasure or are you living for the sensual purpose of satisfying the cravings of the flesh. What are the sensual purposes of the flesh? To be seen and known--like a celebrity. To obtain material wealth for the sake of having it. To have the power to be in control of my life and the lives of others. To get whatever I want--when I want it--regardless of the consequences. O--trust me, life can be Solomon's nightmare of vanity; but, it can be so much more. We can pursue God, just as He has pursed us. We can lay up treasures in heaven. And ultimately, we can give ourselves to a cause that is worth dying for--and better yet--worth living for!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your is the Kingdom, the power and the glory! My treasure is found in the realm of Your heavenly Kingdom and not in the things that shout out to my flesh. May I concern myself with business of Your cause and not get sidetracked by the foolish cravings of my flesh. I pray that You would crucify those desires and that I would indeed lay up treasures in heaven. May my heart be secured by the treasure that I have found in my first love. Amen"

Confusion

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. James 3:13-18 (NKJV)

In his book entitled, "People of the Lie," author, M. Scott Peck talked about the difficulties that are caused by an individual who is playing by a different set of ethical rules.. This person seems to thrive on controversy, loves a good fight, and is continually sowing seeds of trouble through gossip and slander. The reaction of a normal person is confusion. "What is going on? What did I do wrong? How did I get in this situation? I just don't understand?"

We have probably all been there. The object of an unwanted adversarial relationship. On the receiving end of an unwarranted rejection. In a situation that causes amazing emotional pain. All of it unexpected--landing where we are vulnerable--creating another opportunity to grow in humility, patience and forgiveness. How can we guard ourselves from these "people of the lie?"

Start with this understanding: You will not be able to avoid these situations as long as you are living on planet earth. Jesus suffered as the object of Satan's wrath. He was accused of sin that He never committed. He was betrayed by a close friend and deserted by the rest in His hour of need. The lesson to be learned? LIFE IS NOT FAIR! So, where does that leave us? At times, confused--but, all the more dependent upon the Lord. It also gives us an opportunity to be "people of peace." We do not fight fire with fire. We do not fight against flesh and blood, and our weapons are not carnal. We meet the challenge of confusion with all that is Godly and good.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, cause me to be Your instrument and a warrior of Your peace. May I not give in to the urge to fight back in the midst of hurt or confusion. Instead, keeping my eyes on You--may I express Your good character and the fruit of Your Spirit. Remind me of the real enemy when I start to struggle with flesh and blood. May I be as harmless as a dove and in Your wisdom--smarter than the enemy. Amen"

Longing

Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! For He satisfies the longing soul, And fills the hungry soul with goodness. Psalms 107:8-9 (NKJV)

Years ago I was working on a musical track for an album. It was late at night--everyone else in the house was asleep--and I was putting on the finishing touches. It was a song called, "There's a Longing in My Soul." The lyrics to the chorus go like this:

There's a longing, in my soul--there's a longing, in my soul,
And there's nothing in this world that can touch my soul,
Like the Spirit of the Lord.

There's a hunger, in my soul--there's a hunger, in my soul,
And there's nothing in this world that can fill my soul,
Like the Spirit of the Lord.

The song ends with a repetitious vamp that states over and over, "The Spirit of the Lord is touching me, the Spirit of the Lord is touching me..." The track was finally completed and I sang with it. When I came to the vamp, the Spirit of the Lord literally descended on me and the personal prayer and worship service was on! If any of the family members had stumbled upon my "studio time" in the prayer closet--they would have known that God was at work in my soul.

I was moved to tears--my hands were lifted towards heaven--and only the angels were witnesses to the personal touch of God on my soul. I found out that night--and well as many other times in my life--that God is able to satisfy the longing of my soul like nothing else found on this plane of existence. I have also found that James was right. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. James 4:8

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, thank you for not hiding away from me. Even in my times of failure, I feel You nearby. Even as Adam and Eve hid away, because of their shame, You called out to them. You are gracious, kind, merciful and continually demonstrate amazing patience with Your sons and daughters. I love You Lord--and there is nothing in this world that can touch my soul, like the Spirit of the Lord! Amen"

Sorry for my time away from writing... Most of you know that I am a pastor by vocation, which means that there are times when I get very busy. Over the last few months Believers Church, where I serve as the Lead Pastor, has required a lot of time and effort. We are entering into a city-wide spiritual campaign called, "Explore God," which is requiring my attention; we are making a number of renovations to our Church Campus, I am mentoring a pastoral intern, and putting the materials together to raise awareness of our Church in the community of Leander/Cedar Park. This is all in addition to and on top of the general duties of my job. I do plan to resume writing very soon--thank you for your patience, prayers and encouragement. RJ

Strength

For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height--to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Eph 3:14-21 (NKJV)

The chorus started with the following declaration, "My strength is in You Lord..." It is a good thing that my strength is in the Lord, because it certainly is not found in and of myself. I recently strained my back--and I continue to strain said back every-time I pick up my two year old grandson--who weighs in at just over 30 pounds. In other words--in spite of my work-out regiment--I'm just not that strong. I guess that the same measure could be applied to all areas of my life. (Self-Discipline--not strong. Emotional Stability--not that tested. Spiritual Tenacity--timidity. Intellectual Prowess--weak. General Health--compromised) "OK, I'll admit the truth...on my own merit, I'm not very strong!"

"But--wait a minute--my strength is in the Lord!" Humans are weak by nature. Almost every Bible hero was hampered by character flaws and personal failures, and yet, they are heroes by any definition. The difference maker was always God. Empowered by God, Moses stretched his rod over the Red Sea and the waters parted. Empowered by God, Joshua led the Children of Israel to shout and the wall of Jericho fell down. Empowered by God, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water. Empowered by God, David slew the giant Goliath.

This was the type of strength that Paul was referring to when he prayed that we would, "Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man!" God can and will bring His strength into you, if you let Him in. The cry of Jesus to the churches listed in the early chapters of John's Revelation was and is to open the door and let Him in. Jesus is knocking at the door of the heart--the inner man--waiting to come in. The very moment we let Him in, is the very same moment that our inner man is strengthened and our possibilities are exponentially greater.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, Your Word tells me,'That in my weakness, You are made strong.' I accept that premise. I used to foolishly believe that I could make great things happen in my own strength, but have found only the ability to make great messes. Lord, please hear me--I need You! I cannot make it without You...I cannot do anything of value without You...all my hopes and dreams are empty without You. You are my Rock, my Shield, my Fortress...my Strength. Amen"

A Starting Point

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV)

When it comes to our involvement in Evangelism, where do we begin? I believe that the Apostle Peter gives us some great insight and wisdom in answer to this question. In a compound sentence Peter gives us three important ideas that should be helpful. The first idea deals with the nature of our relationship with God. The second idea deals with our preparation in being able to articulate our faith. And lastly, the third idea speaks about the attitude we should have when engaging in evangelistic activities. Let's take a closer look at these ideas.

"Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts." What does this mean? It means that you are creating a sanctuary in your heart for God. This is a protected place where faith in God is unwavering--a place where your relationship with God is deep, ongoing and active--a place where God has the final say in your life--a place that is set aside for the purposes of God. Effective evangelism flows from a heart that is unshakable in its faith and where that faith is continually demonstrated in the actions of living.

"Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you." You do not need to attend a Seminary before you engage in evangelism, but let me be honest, the more Bible knowledge you have--the more time that you spend contemplating the answers to the kind of questions that non-believers are likely to ask--the more you understand "why you believe what you believe"--the more effort you make to understand your own faith; the more prepared you will be when it comes time to articulate your faith. Be encouraged with this thought: The Holy Spirit will be with you as you share your faith. He will guide your words and inspire you as you engage in evangelistic activity.

Talk about your faith with an attitude of "meekness and fear." A more contemporary way of expressing this idea would be: Engage in evangelism with a "humble attitude"--not as a prideful person with all the answers. Jesus, who was God in the flesh, engaged people with a humility that allowed Him to speak into their lives. We also need to engage in evangelism "carefully." Always remember that an eternal soul is in the balance and the words and attitudes that you express count! Are you ready? Get ready and see what God can do!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I pray that you would send people my direction who would ask me about my faith in You. I want to see lives changed and transformed by Your power and I know that there are thousands of people surrounding me that are ready to receive You into their lives. Lord, I will, with Your help, carefully tell them about You and about the difference You have made in my life. I look forward to the challenge of telling more people about my incredible Lord! Amen"

God in Us

"If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever--the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you." John 14:15-20 (NKJV)

The Gospel of Matthew, quoting the Prophet Isaiah, refers to Jesus as Immanuel. "Behold, the virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." Matt 1:23 (NKJV) As He walked with His disciples on this earth--taught with amazing authority from the Father--did miracles that no-one else dreamed of attempting, including raising people from the dead...Jesus was"God with us!" What a comfort it must have been to be walking down the dusty roads of Israel in the literal footsteps of the Creator.

As Jesus approached His own death, He made it clear to His disciples that they would not be orphans when He was gone. Jesus assured them that another Helper would be sent to them from the Father. That another, of the same essence as Jesus Himself, would be sent to abide with them forever. Jesus was referring to the Holy Spirit. Historically, this prophetic word from Jesus was fulfilled a short time after His death, when the followers of Christ were gathered in an Upper Room in Jerusalem, and on the Day of Pentecost, God, the Holy Spirit landed.

Where did the Holy Spirit land? He landed in the midst of those gathered praying--He landed in their hearts--He landed "in them." Jesus was "God with us." The Holy Spirit is "God in us!" Wow!!! What are the possibilities for a person who has God literally living in them? The bigger question is this: "How do we access the power of the Holy Spirit that is living in us?" I think that there are three attitudes that need to exist in us that open the gates of God's power. We must "Believe." We must be "Humble." We must "Obey." God living in us is not a fictional idea--it is a fact and God's power is released through faith, not unbelief. We need to stop trying to boss God around--we must humble ourselves and acknowledge that He is in control. When God speaks to us--we need to listen to His voice and obey. Belief, humility and obedience allow "God in us" to use our lives and will lead us into the center of our God-designed destiny.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I know that You desire to use my life, and in fact, have already prepared work for me to accomplish. Too often, it is my human nature that seems to be getting in the way. I cry for Your will to be done, only to run the other direction. Forgive me for my pride--for my unbelief and for my disobedience. Thank you for Your love and patience with this, at times, wayward son--and help me to become all that You want me to be! Blessed be the name of the Lord! Amen"

Appearance of Evil

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thess 5:14-22 (NKJV)

Near the end of 1 Thessalonians, the Apostle Paul used a shot-gun approach by giving the Church several random short commandments. I want to focus on the last burst which states: "Abstain from every form of evil." This happens to be one of those verses that lost some of its spiritual impact, because of the translation. A more literal translation carries the following thought: "Avoid the very appearance of evil." What does this mean? That Believers should make an effort to refrain from any activity that would call into question their commitment to Christ.

Just this week Polish tennis star Agnieszka Radwanska was dropped as spokesperson by a Catholic group in her home country. Agnieszka is the fourth ranked women's tennis player in the world and had been appearing in a commercial for the Youth Crusade, which runs a campaign with the slogan “I’m not ashamed of Jesus.” Why was she dropped? She still claims to be a Believer, but she also appeared in ESPN's "Body Issue" sans clothing. While the nude picture is not explicit a spokesperson for the Catholic Youth Crusade explained their decision: "Personally I am very sorry that someone declaring herself to be on the side of Jesus has at the same time played up to the mentality of those who treat people as just a thing to be looked at."

Let me translate: While not evil--this has the appearance of evil. In a world fascinated by the the exploitation of women and the plague of internet pornography, Believers are not well-served by having a 24 year old tennis star posing naked while telling people, "I'm not ashamed of Jesus." I do not know if Agnieszka understands what is at stake, or if she regrets her decision to pose for ESPN--but, all around the world, young girls looked to her as a role model, at the very least, her testimony is now tarnished.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, firstly, I pray that Agnieszka would understand why she was dropped as a spokesperson and repent. Somehow, I pray that You would turn this situation around and work it for Your glory. Please keep the young girls that looked to her as a role model safe from the pull of this world that would tell them that appearance is everything. Continue to raise up a generation of people who are so focused on following You that avoiding the appearance of evil is simply a natural fruit of the way that they live. Amen"

Trust in the Lord

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Prov 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Do you trust God? (After-all, our greenbacks even declare, "In God We Trust") Before you answer this question, consider the definition of "trust." "Trust is an assured reliance on the character, ability, strength, or truth of someone or something." So, when it comes to God--how deep does your trust run? Can you with confidence declare the words of Job? "Though He slay me, yet will I serve Him!" 

I have a strong dose of self-reliance that was handed down to me by generations of ancestors who were determined people. When faced with life's challenges, I generally take it on--head on--foolishly fearless in the face of problems that I often have no power to solve. Let me suggest to those of you who are already wiser than myself. "Trust in the Lord and wait until God speaks before you act!"

Here is a true saying, "With God all things are possible. He can do what is impossible for you to do." What can we do in the face of the impossible? Isaiah gave us great advice when facing the happenings of life: "Those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint." Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) It is difficult to surrender your intellect and will to God in the best of times, but when situations demand action, it is very difficult to be still and wait. It all comes back to the question: "Do you trust God?" Never forget--"He shall direct your paths!"

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, trusting in You is something that is easy for me to acknowledge and see the wisdom in the concept--it is much harder for me to put into practice. I want to fix and control everything around me. You have proven to be trustworthy, so help me to once again surrender my will and submit to that which I may not understand. Lord, in my life, I pray that Your Kingdom would come, and that Your will would be done! Amen"

Favor and High Esteem

Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. Prov 3:3-4 (NKJV)

Do you get along with other people? Everyone has those few impossible people, but as a general rule, do you get along with the people around you? If trouble is always swirling around you--if controversy is typically trailing in your wake--if you can not "hear" certain names without flinching--if you involve yourself in gossip on a regular basis... Then you are without a doubt a part of the problem. Please hear me--you can begin to turn it all around by embracing and putting into practice some wisdom that comes from God.

Make a choice to live a life full of mercy and truth. Let mercy and truth be at the center of the relationships that you develop in life. This starts with your family and extends out to the very edges of people that you are barely acquainted with. Pour out mercy; meaning, YOU stop being judgmental. Too often, we judge others unfairly and then compound the problem with confrontation and/or gossip. We are so effective when it comes to picking the speck out of someone else's eye, but too easily forget about the great log that makes it impossible for us to see clearly. Was Jesus right by calling us "hypocrites" in this matter? "Yes," Jesus was always right!

How do we discard hypocrisy? It starts by accepting the truth about ourselves. When the Holy Spirit gives us His honest evaluation, the result will be a new baptism of humility. We will never fulfill the Apostle Paul's call to "Esteem others as better than ourselves," unless we have an honest, truthful view of ourselves. Humility allows us to extend mercy and grace when others fail to live up to our expectations. Humility allows us to speak the truth in love for the purpose of reconciliation. When we walk this way, the Word tells us that we will, "find favor and high esteem in the eyes of God and man." The result is worth the effort!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I have to be honest, I find it easy to evaluate and judge others, and no doubt, I am somewhat blind to my own failures, weaknesses and sin. I know that I need to walk with more humility--acknowledging Your wisdom and expressing mercy when it comes to the people around me. Am I that impossibly difficult person that makes life harder for the people that I love? May that not be the case...Lord, help me to be a person of mercy and truth who brings healing to difficult relationships. May I walk in a new dimension of Your humility. Amen"

Smarter than God?

My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. Prov 3:1-2 (NKJV)

Wisdom starts with this understanding: "I am not smarter than God!" (And neither are you!) One would think that everyone would understand this truth, but we live in a world that is full of itself, and of intellectual pride that believes itself to be enlightened beyond the "primitive" thinking found in the Bible. Thus far, such intellectual audacity has only proved man's pride to be nothing more than folly.

One truth that was established at the dawn of man's creation is that man was created to be gender specific. What does that mean? That mankind is divided by gender to be either male or female. No sane person would dispute this truth and yet there are political and philosophical blocks within our culture that have been pushing for a gender-less society. Meaning that male and female should be viewed as virtually the same. If I was to suggest to these well-meaning folks that the genders are different, but equal--they would disagree with that assessment.

As our culture, in its great wisdom, (sarcasm) has embraced the idea of a gender-less society, what has been the result? Increased gender confusion--men fathering children without serving their children as fathers--more single parent homes--more women in the work force outside the home--increased divorce rates--lower marriage rates--more children born into poverty--and a general breakdown of the traditional family. It could be argued--with statistical support--that the wisdom of man has led us to the brink of disaster as our culture has embraced this enlightened thinking. It is just one of many examples of how thinking that we are smarter than God WILL lead to destruction.

Please hang on to this truth concerning God's wisdom and commandments: He wrote them for our good. You can kick against them--rebel against them--turn away from them; but in every case, society loses when left to its own devices, because God is smarter than man.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, just like the typical man--I often act in ways that indicate that pride is somehow trapped in my heart and in control of my decisions. I hope to humble myself before You are forced to step in and intervene. I acknowledge that You are superior in every conceivable way, starting with wisdom. May I obey You and walk according to Your Word. Lord, do not let me lean on my own understanding, but send Your Spirit to challenge the vanity of my thinking patterns and intellect. Amen!"

Happy is the Man

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. Prov 3:13-18 (NKJV)

"Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding." That is one powerful claim--is it true? Are the people who live according to God's wisdom appreciably happier than those who live life according to their own natural desires? Years ago the great Andraé Crouch wrote a song titled "If Heaven Never Was Promised to Me." (I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves)

       You may ask me why I serve the Lord. Is it just for heaven’s gain?
       Or to walk the mighty streets of gold, And to hear the angels sing?
       Is it just to drink from the fountain That never will run dry.
       Or just to live forever, ever and ever In the sweet ol’ by and by.

       If heaven never was promised to me, neither God's promise to live eternally.
       It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
       Living in a world of darkness, You came along and brought me the light.

       If there were never any streets of gold, neither a land where we'll never grow old,
       It's been worth just having the Lord in my life.
      You've been my closest friend down through the years,

       And every time I cry You dry my tears.

I remember well a conversation that I had with my mother years ago. She told me to live life in light of the legacy that I would be establishing. In other words--what will be the fruit of my life when I come to the end? Will my life have counted? Did I encourage and help others? Will my children and grandchildren want to follow in my footsteps? Did my life make a difference or did I just live for myself? I took my mother's advice--and some would say that I've missed out. But, what did I really miss? No one night stands--no DUI's--no hangovers--no messed up children--no divorces... I must stress that I have not lived a perfect life, but I have fully embraced the idea that living according to God's wisdom does indeed lead to a better life and an exponentially superior legacy. (It is not even close) To live a life that has very few regrets is the life of a happy man.

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, thank you for Your wisdom. Your ways are not the ways of man. Your wisdom makes the wisdom of man seem foolish by comparison. You see the whole picture of life's process while we are trapped in the moment. We want our pot of beans and You are promising a birth right beyond comprehension. May I follow and come to love Your dictates and not lean on my own limited understanding. May I walk in Your footsteps and enjoy the abundant life that You have planned for me. Amen"

A Vow to Emma

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Prov 22:6 (NKJV)

(Emma is already blessed, because she has been born into a family that loves God and loves her. Her parents want to dedicate Emma to the Lord--so, tomorrow at church, the family that is Believers Church will pray a prayer of blessing over Emma's life, while vowing to be a part of the extended family that trains her up to be a follower of Christ. This is a crucial part of our calling as the Body of Christ)

Dear Emma,

Your life is a precious gift to your parents and to the rest of your family--including all the brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, grandparents, great grandparents that make up Believers Church. The Bible tells us that "we" are a part of your family and we affirm that claim. We have great expectations of what you will become as you travel down life's road, but even now we see the great potential that God has already placed in you. You are a beautiful child--eyes that sparkle with life--a quick and easy smile--a pleasing personality--our hearts are smitten. To say that we "love you" cannot fully communicate the depth of our affliction--but never doubt this truth: You are loved and cherished.

To say such words without any action to back up our claim would be to fall short of what God has called us to be in your life. We, the family of God, are here to surround your life with friends and spiritual siblings, with people who believe in you and pray for you, with mentors who will teach you by example and with Bible-centered teaching, with a community of people committed to loving you and being there for you...ultimately, we are here to assist your parents in training you up in the ways of the Lord.

What does the future hold for you? We know from experience that life is not always easy, and that God uses life's challenges to strengthen and deepen our faith in Him. In spite of life's troubles, we firmly believe that God will work all things out for your good. We also believe that you will be able to do all things through Christ who is your strength. Make Christ your King and He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will be the Rock on which you will stand. Our dear Emma--we believe that God is going to use your life to do great things in His Kingdom. May the Lord bless you and keep you--may He keep you in good health and grant you a long life--may your life bring glory and honor to His name!

Believers Church July, 2013

Prayer Changes Things

"And when you pray, you shall not be like the hypocrites. For they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the corners of the streets, that they may be seen by men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him." Matt 6:5-8 (NKJV)

"Prayer Changes Things," declared the bumper sticker on an impossibly old VW Microbus. Although I ultimately agree that prayer can make a significant difference--prayer is neither a scientific formula nor a magical solution. (Please keep reading and hear me out) I have listened to a plethora of teaching on the subject of prayer and am surprised of how often it misses the mark. Prayer is not scientific in that we can not replicate a specific formula that always delivers the same result. Prayer is not magical in that we are not binding the power of God to do our bidding. We should also avoid deifying prayer--making prayer the object of our affection and worship. Still..."Prayer Changes Things!"

What does prayer change? Let us start with you. If you are entering into a deepening conversation with God--where you are engaged in listening to His voice--prayer will change you. Prayer is simply the conduit by which we communicate back and forth with God. When you grasp the beauty and the intimacy that can and should define our relationship with God you will find that your prayer life will lose all semblance of superstition. Jesus instructed us, "When you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words."  (Just ask the 400 prophets of Baal how that worked out for them)

Here is my point: Prayer is about relationship--it is about talking to God--it is about hearing His heart and acting in obedience--it is about expressing our love, and lavishing our praise, gratitude and heartfelt affection on our "First Love!" When prayer cracks open the possibilities of what it means to be joined to the power and purposes of God; it is in that place of spiritual unity with our Father that impossibilities become possibilities and the prayer of the "righteous man" changes things. It is in that intimate place with God where we discover that our Father who is in heaven will give good things to those who ask Him!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, blessed be Your name! In all of time, space and creation, there is none like You. You hold an unfathomable creation together by Your will, and yet, You make the time to talk to me. Who am I that You would consider? I am of little value and yet You value me and sent Your Son to rescue me. You have paid and redeemed me by the power of Christ's blood. I shall be forever grateful! Amen"

Ruth's Oath

"Entreat me not to leave you, Or to turn back from following after you; For wherever you go, I will go; And wherever you lodge, I will lodge; Your people shall be my people, And your God, my God. Where you die, I will die, And there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more also, If anything but death parts you and me." Ruth 1:16-17 (NKJV)

I am of the opinion that it might be easier to die for someone rather than to live for them. Let me explain what I mean. It is a part of human nature to be in control of one's destiny and life. To give up our freedom and to fully commit your life to another is neither easy or natural. Essentially, it is the vow we make when we enter into the covenant of marriage, but too often the vows that we speak so freely are much more challenging to live out.

Ruth made such a covenant with her mother-in-law. Ruth's husband had passed away and her mother-in-law, Naomi, decided to journey back to her own land and people. Naomi strongly urged Ruth to go home to her own people--to get remarried and to get a fresh start in life; but, Ruth was committed to her mother-in-law--and so, she made a solemn vow: "Wherever you go, I will go; wherever you stay, I will stay; Your people will be my people; and your God will be my God; where you die, I will die; and where you are buried, I will be buried." Talk about an awesome oath!

Ruth made good on her promise... She followed through with the oath she made to Naomi. In doing so Ruth demonstrated a rare humility, putting the need of another person before her own. To consider another person's life so important, that you give up your own destiny in order to support them is very Christlike. I admire Ruth--she is the kind of person I aspire to be. A real friend to my friends--a selfless husband for my wife--a father who goes the second mile for his children--a pastor who empathizes with the needs of the flock--a Believer who denies himself, picks up his cross and follows Jesus. Time to narrow the gap of who I am and who God wants me to be!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I know that I am not that awesome of a person. I am often humiliated by my own behavior and the great measure by which I fall short of Your glory. But, I aspire to be a better person--knowing that You are the answer. Lord, fill me up with more of You and squeeze out the selfish attitudes that need to leave. Lord, make me more like You! Amen"

RJ's Apostles' Creed

This is not a standard devotional, but it is something that I wanted to share. Making a "paraphrased" version of the Apostles' Creed--is probably like listening to finger nails scratching across the surface of a chalk board; however, since we readily accept paraphrased versions of the Bible, this should not really stir too much controversy. Anyway, this is the official "RJ Paraphrased Version of the Apostles' Creed."

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, the Creator of all that is; I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, the author and the finisher of our faith; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He lived a Holy and sinless life, only to be unjustly punished when Pilate had already declared Him to be an innocent man. He was crucified, died, was buried and descended into hell. But, on the third day he rose victorious over death, hell and the grave. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father, and even now He is making intercession for His people.

I believe in the Holy Spirit and fullness of His power and ministry on this earth, I believe that Christ is preparing a bride that is without spot or wrinkle, I believe in a Church that will continue to stand in the face of darkness until Christ returns, I believe that the Gospel Message is destined to reach every tribe, every tongue and every nation, I believe that all the saints of God, both living and dead will hear the trumpet sound, and their temporal bodies will be gloriously changed into bodies that shall live forevermore, without pain, suffering, weariness or the tentacles of sin. And so, we shall evermore live in the Kingdom of our God and King. Amen.

If My People...

If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 2 Chron 7:14 (NKJV)

Years ago I received a phone call from Bob Biddle, who was the Music Minister at Bethany Assembly in Everett, Washington. He asked me to sing in a musical that Bethany was getting ready to perform. It was a very fine musical called, "If My People," written by Jimmy and Carol Owens. In the musical, the timeless message of Solomon's entreaty to the nation of Israel was given new life as its truth was applied to the contemporary times in which we live. In a nutshell, "If my people," is a call for God's people to act as agents of God's reconciliation.

Abraham entered into a negotiation with two agents from God. The messengers from God told Abraham of the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abraham, concerned for his relatives that lived in the cities asked if Sodom and Gomorrah could be sparred for the sake of the righteous people that lived there. He negotiated the number down to 10 righteous people. The judgment of God would be turned away for the sake of 10 righteous people. Only one fly in the ointment--there were not that many righteous people to be found in Sodom and Gomorrah. Instead of reconciliation and healing, the cities in question were destroyed.

How many righteous people would it take to spare the United States from the judgment of God? How many Believers are being salt and light? How many Believers are standing true and not bowing before the increasing pressure to conform? Will we remain standing in the face of political correctness as the Hebrew children boldly stood before Nebuchadnezzar's golden statue, or will we capitulate and become a part of the problem rather than the solution? Serious questions for serious times! What is God's answer to the gathering darkness? You...God's people are the answer. We are ministers of God's reconciliation. We stand in the gap. "If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land."

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I pray that You would raise up a standard against the spiritual wickedness that is sweeping our nation. Like the builders of Babel's Tower our culture has decided that they are smarter than the Creator. Casting aside morality in the name of equality they plant the seeds of their own destruction. Lord, raise up a remnant of people to redeem our nation, a people who seek You--who love You--who serve You--who remain true to Your Word. Lord, forgive us, your people, for losing our spiritual saltiness and becoming a part of the problem. Forgive us Lord...forgive me Lord. Amen"

My Trust

We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners! May the Lord fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the Lord our God. Psalms 20:5-7 (NKJV)

I believe horses to be magnificent animals. They are powerful, and from personal experience let me tell you, they can hurt you. (Nothing quite like having a horse step on your foot to wake you up in the morning) Can you say "broken?" Needless to say, "I don't trust horses, or trust in horses!" Just so I'm not accused of giving horses a bad rap, let me be clear: "My hope (and my trust) is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name!"

There it is--out in the open... I don't trust in man-made institutions. (I have a lot of respect for many of our institutions, but I am not putting my trust in them to do the right thing) I don't trust in the "less than" almighty dollar. (Even before it inflates--it's only paper) I don't trust in elected officials. (I pray for the leadership of our country, but that does not mean that I have any confidence in their decision-making process) I don't trust in new cars. (My car was less than a month old when it broke down and had to be towed in for a repair) Life experience has taught me that security is only found in the hands of God.

Let me express why I have put my trust in God: He hears my prayers. He cares about me. He has saved me. He is preparing a place for me. He encourages me and guides my steps. He fills me with courage. He sends my heart a peace that passes understanding. He is always with me... I could go on and on... Frankly, I look at our broken, dangerous, messed up world, and I do not see another alternative for my trust. It is either trust in God or search in vain. Please know that I will not be searching for another alternative, because, like the Apostle Paul, "I know who I believe in and I am persuaded that He is able to keep me and the things I care about safe until that day when I am with Him!"

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, a grew up hearing a song that said, 'Where could I go, but to the Lord.' That is exactly how I feel. You are my anchor, my strong tower, my shield, my rock, my shelter, and my only hope. Thank you for living in me and for giving me the strength and the fortitude to face the daily challenges of life. Blessed be Your name! Amen"

Duplicity

Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. Psalms 24:3-4 (NKJV)

du·plic·i·ty : contradictory doubleness of thought, speech, or action; especially : the belying of one's true intentions by deceptive words or action. "Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord?" Based on personal merit, I guess that the answer would be a resounding "NO-ONE!" To ascend the hill of the Lord requires: 1) Clean Hands. 2) A Pure Heart. 3) Loyalty to God, and 4) No Duplicity, as in "sworn deceitfully." (Sworn Deceitfully simply means there exists a qualitative difference between what a person claims to be and who they really are)

This is what we know to be true concerning the human condition from the Bible. According to Jeremiah, the human heart is "deceitful" and "desperately wicked." According to the Apostle Paul, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." According to the Apostle John, "If we say that we are without sin, we are liars." None of this information is helpful if you plan to ascend the hill of the Lord. It all points to one ultimate truth: "We are all in desperate need of God's supernatural intervention!"

What can God do for the problem of the duplicitous heart? We will not fully "see" ourselves as we really are until we are with the Lord. As long as we are alive we will continue to hear the murmurs of the duplicitous heart as we rationalize away our guilt and justify our actions; however, if you listen, our teacher--the Holy Spirit will tell you the truth concerning YOU. His voice needs to become the "loudest" voice among the voices that speak to us. As we listen, submit and obey what the Holy Spirit is telling us, we have the opportunity to eliminate much of the duplicity that has caused so much confusion. It also allows us to ascend to new heights and a higher destiny in Him. He is our righteousness--He is our hope--He is our salvation!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I am a hypocrite. I know that comes as no surprise to You, but it came as an unwanted revelation to me. It is hard to imagine that such an imperfect, somewhat warped vessel, such as myself, could be used for Your purposes. I know that I am covered by the blood of Jesus and therefore, I wear His righteousness. But, I still pray the prayer of David: 'Create in me a clean heart O God, and renew a right spirit within me.' Amen"

Fishing

Simon Peter said to them, "I am going fishing." They said to him, "We are going with you also." They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. Then Jesus said to them, "Children, have you any food?" They answered Him, "No." And He said to them, "Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some." So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish. John 21:3-6 (NKJV)

Growing up in the Upper Snake River Valley of Idaho, I had many fishing excursions. There were varying degrees of success; from the occasions of "I hit my limit in under an hour" to fishing all day without a single fish realizing that they needed to be hungry and take the bait. I can relate to the seven fisherman disciples (if I counted correctly) who fished all night and caught nothing.

Then Jesus shows up...and as usual, when Jesus shows up, the status quo is about to be challenged. "Cast the net on the right side of the boat and you will find some," Jesus cried out across the water. The disciples, being used to Jesus doing extraordinary things, humored Him and "BOOM" a fishing story was birthed. I think that the Apostle John, who experienced this event first hand, must have included this story to make a point. The point, you ask? That Jesus is the "difference making" factor.

I know that this is true when it comes to "fishing for people." I have worked like crazy in the ministry and seen very little return for my effort. Then Jesus shows up..."BOOM!" Revival breaks out and people are getting saved in droves. This tells me that instructions from the Lord of the Harvest are essential to the relative effectiveness in the work of the Harvest. We may have been casting the net in the wrong place and we need to hear His voice giving us new directives. My advice for those who are engaged in the work of evangelism--let Jesus direct you to the best "fishing holes"--and then, do what He tells you to do!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I want to see Your Kingdom expanded. I want to see You adding to the Church daily, those that are being saved. I want to see our Evangelistic efforts being effective. Please show us what to do. Instruct us--go before us--equip us--prepare hearts to receive Your Word... I know that I often want to build the house, and in doing so, I labor in vain. Lord, help me to cast off all the futility of my own thinking and to walk in obedience to Your instruction. Amen"    

One

"I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me. " John 17:20-23 (NKJV)

Jesus' death was imminent. In light of the coming circumstances Jesus turned His attention to a subject that was near and dear to His heart and began to pray. Out of all the possibilities Jesus could have prayed for, He prayed for the unity of the Believers. Not just those who were following Jesus at the time, but the future generations of the Church that would be established by the Disciples' evangelistic efforts.

The following question needs to be carefully considered: "How unified is God the Father and God the Son?" If we consider God's "oneness" to be significant--we must also take that same standard and apply it to the Church. Jesus' prayer does not allow for a lot of wriggle room, He prayed specifically, "Father make them one as You and I are one...that the world may believe that You sent Me." Was Jesus serious? If unity was a goal of the Founder and Lord of the Church, is it a matter that should be important to us today?

I would argue that the unity of the Church should matter to Believers for two reasons: Firstly, it was of great importance to Jesus. Secondly, it is a significant sign to the "world" that Jesus is who He said He was! So...how do we get there? I have three very simple suggestions:

1. Join with Jesus and pray for unity. (God may be using the moral decline in our country to separate the sheep from the goats and to form us into the Church that is "Without Spot or Wrinkle")
2. Focus on that which unifies us, rather than some of the more minor doctrinal issues that seem to cause division. (The Apostle's Creed seems like a great starting point)
3. Cross denominational lines to build friendships with fellow Christians in other Church bodies. (I am not suggesting that we all live under the same roof--I am suggesting that we become neighbors who love and prefer one another) 

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I join my voice with that of Your Son, bring about a new unity in Your Church. Cause us to love one another and may we rally around issues such as a deep love and respect for Your Word--the desire to make Disciples of every tribe, tongue and nation--to stand united against evil and expose the darkness. Make us into the salt that changes the direction of our culture, and into the light that shatters the lies of the enemy. Amen"

The Benefit of Prayer

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints Eph 6:18 (NKJV)

"The Spiritual Disciplines," the title does not sound like a sermon series that most people are going to find compelling. But, perhaps it starts with our upside-down view of the word "discipline."  Often discipline is equated with punishment; however, a discipline (a productive activity that you fit into your daily routine) might be an activity that you thoroughly enjoy. Sometimes people engage in a discipline, because of the side benefits; but, at other times, people engage in a discipline and find that even if there were no side benefits, this activity would remain an indispensable part of their life.

When it comes to the prayer life of a Believer, I would hope that prayer would move into the category of being an indispensable part of one's life. Communion and communication with the Lord has many side benefits, but the greatest benefit is the joy and meaning that comes by being continually and meaningfully connected with the Lord. Let's consider some of the side benefits: Our prayers change us. Our prayers change situations. Our prayers help us hear God. Our prayers help us build the Kingdom of God. Our prayers fortify and build up the spiritual man. Our prayers touch the heart of our Father. Our prayers chase away the powers of darkness. Our prayers are incredible spiritual weapons... You get the picture!

Let me tell you why my prayer closet is so important to me, and such an indispensable part of my life: When I commune with God I am filled with a peace that passes understanding. I call it a deep-seeded sense of well-being--a belief that all things will work out for my good. This keeps me emotionally stable in the midst of a crazy world. When I commune with God I am filled with creativity. I am able to think deeper and more critically. I am also filled with "Spirit Inspired" ideas and dreams which serve as powerful motivating force. Lastly, prayer puts me on the same page where God dwells, allowing me to leave my preconceived plans and to follow where God is leading in the moment. It all adds up to this opinion: "The Spiritual Discipline of Prayer is Priceless!"

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, what a privilege I have in talking to You. The fact that I get to commune with the Creator of all that is--is mind boggling. You know that You are my Rock, my dearest friend, my endless source of encouragement and strength. I pray that spending time with You would be the highest priority of every day. Continue to speak to me--to guide me--to inspire me--and to use me to walk in the very best of what You have prepared for me. Amen"

The Witness

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Heb 12:1-2 (NKJV)

Who is watching you? In this day and age of drones, online surveillance, high definition satellite images... Let's just say that a lot of folks are probably watching you. It's enough to make you paranoid unless your life is an open book. It has been said, "You are who you really are, when you are all alone." Away from prying eyes we allow ourselves to be completely stripped of all inhibitions and we throw away the mask. Maybe the better question to ask would be this: "Who are you?"

God knows who you are... Which is a sobering thought! He knows the latest count of hair on your head--knows what you have need of before you ask--and sees past the exterior of our skin and zooms right in to the place that matters; He sees your heart and knows your thoughts. God knows who you are when you are all alone. It is true that our lives are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, consisting of friends, family members, fellow workers, neighbors, and even Big Brother; however, only one witness really knows you.

The ONE who knows you also stated: "Come let us reason together...though your sins be a scarlet they shall be made white as snow!" Why not enlist the help of the One who knows and loves you the most? Why not allow Him to be the strength that enables you to run faster, farther and with endurance? Why not allow Him to reveal the traps of the enemy, while further revealing and healing the things about you that may have remained hidden from your understanding. God helps us to understand who we really are...and in those various "spots" that need some work--let Him bring His power of transformation to bear. Embrace Jesus as the author and finisher of your faith!

Prayer: "Dear heavenly Father, I am embarrassed by many of my own actions, much less the thoughts that I have pondered and lingered on... Wow...I hope that who I really am remains our mutual secret. On the other hand, I would like my life to be a completely open book--that I might venture to say, 'follow me as I follow Christ.' That means my life needs work--the kind of work that only You can accomplish. Lord, transform me and remake me into a more pleasing vessel. Amen"