The Greatest Power

The date was May 18, 1980. At 8:32 AM in the Cascade Mountain range in Washington Mount St. Helens erupted. The explosion ripped 1,300 feet, a 1/4 of a mile off the mountain.  It was equal to 10 million tons of TNT exploding. To give you an idea of what that means, it was equal to 500 bombs like the one dropped on Hiroshima during W.W. II. That is a whole lot of power but that is pale when comparing it to the power of God.

Wouldn’t it be great considering all that is happening in our world _ whether it is our personal world or planet earth _ for God’s power to be displayed? Well guess what… It can be. I love the promise of Ephesians 3:20-21. “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work with us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! (Ephesians 3:20-21)Wow! Does it really say “more than we ask or imagine”? Yep, that’s what it says, and it means exactly what it says.

So how can we tap into that power source? The Apostle John gives us the answer: “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

So, there you have it church _ the solution to all our problems. So don’t just sit there _ quit the whining _ quit the worrying and pray then watch God’s awesome display of power at work.

Praying for Yourself

Prayers of Petition

The first area of prayer most of us develop is praying for ourselves—or prayers of petition. Even there we can learn to pray God’s will for our lives. Here is a simple list developed by Alvin VanderGriend that presents 26 scriptural items on which to focus our prayers for ourselves.

You can petition God for any or all of the following spiritual blessings for yourself with the confidence that you will be given what you ask because they are in line with God’s will (1 John 5:14-15). This assumes that you ask in faith and have a pure heart.

A— abiding in Christ (John 15:4-5)

B— blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ (Eph. 1:3)

C— conformed to the likeness of Christ (Rom. 8:29)

D— delivered from the evil one (Matt. 6:13)

E— equipped for works of service (Eph. 4:11-13)

F— forgiven of my sins (Matt. 6:12)

G— grace upon grace from his fullness (John 1:16)

H—holiness in all I do (1 Pet. 1:16)

I— integrity and uprightness (Ps. 25:21)

J— joy of the Lord, complete in me (John 15:11)

K— knowledge and depth of insight (Phil. 1:9)

L— love for God and neighbor (Matt. 22:37-39)

M—meditating on the Word of God (Ps. 1:2)

N— new mind, new self (Eph. 4:23-24)

O— obedience to all that Christ commands (Matt. 28:20)

P— prayer in the Holy Spirit (Eph. 6:18)

Q— quietness and trust as your strength (Isa. 30:15)

R— righteousness, peace, and joy in the Spirit (Rom. 14:17)

S— strong in the Lord and his mighty power (Eph. 6:10)

T— thinking God-honoring thoughts (Phil. 4:8)

U— useful to the master (2 Tim. 2:21; 1 Pet. 4:10)

V— virtues covered with love (Col. 3:14)

W—worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24)

X— X-rayed by the Spirit (Ps. 139:23-24)

Y— yearning for God (Ps. 84:2; Isa. 26:9)

Z— zeal in the service of the Lord (Rom. 12:11)

–Alvin VanderGriend. Taken from Love to Pray. Used by permission of PrayerShop Publishing.

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Some Questions for Leaders

Asking the right questions and asking them over and over will ensure that the vision of your church (what the church is focused on) remains paramount while the programming remains submissive. Here are seven questions that may provoke you _ that may irritate you but will force you to address things that may be easy to just ignore but in the end will make things better. (Adapted from Deep & Wide by Andy Stanley)

1.Do you have a transferrable mission or an immovable vision statement?

a. Do your members and attendees know why you exist?

b. By what standard do you measure your success as a church … really?

c. Which of these drive the majority of your decisions: reaching people, keeping people, or paying the bills?

2.What have you fallen in love with that’s not as effective as it used to be?

a. What do you love doing that’s not really working?

b. What’s off limits for discussions?

c. Do you have any “old couches” that need to be thrown out?

3.Where are you manufacturing energy?

a. What are you promoting that you secretly wish you didn’t have to attend?

b. What would you love to quit doing but continue to do because you fear the consequences of change?

c. What are you doing programmatically that you would never dream of inviting a friend to attend?

4.If you all got kicked off the staff or the board and an outside group (a group of leaders who were fearlessly committed to the mission of your church) took your place, what changes would they introduce?

a. What’s the first thing they would do?

b. Who would they replace?

c. What would they refuse to fund?

5.What do you measure?

a. Is there a natural relationship between what you measure and your mission?

b. Are there things you should be measuring that would give you a more accurate read of how well you are accomplishing your mission?

c. What are you afraid to measure?

6.What do you celebrate?

a. Is there a natural relationship between what you celebrate and your mission?

b. Are there things you should be celebrating that would help reinforce your mission?

c. Do you celebrate anything that reinforces a behavior that shouldn’t be reinforced?

7.If your church suddenly ceased to exist, would your community miss you?

a. If so, why?

b. What value do you bring to your community?

c. How do people outside your church view your church?

What Is Christmas Really All About?

I should keep a list of the things I hear people say Christmas is “all about”. It’s not that all those things are bad, but they are interesting to say the least. I hear things like, “Giving _ that’s what Christmas is all about.” Or “Helping the unfortunate _ that’s what Christmas is all about.” Or “Being with family _ that’s what Christmas is all about.” One of the most interesting I found was in an advertisement placed by the Center for Dental Implants, “The Gift of Chewing, that’s what Christmas is all about.”

That solves the mystery, doesn’t it? If you ever wondered why we send cards, put up trees, decorate our houses, buy, and wrap presents, close our businesses, and travel great distances to see friends and relatives _ it’s so we can chew.

Well, it might come as a surprise to some, but the Bible has a different idea regarding the meaning of the Christmas season. Micah, the prophet refers to that night so very long ago by writing… But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel. (Micah 5:2-3) Then he goes on to say what it means for that ruler to have come and of course we know that the ruler has a name _ Jesus. He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be their peace. (Micah 5:4-5)

Those few verses teach us what Christmas is all about. It is not about a season _ it is about our LORD and Savior Jesus. Those verses tell us why Jesus came… to be a shepherd _ to meet people’s deepest needs. Jesus came to lead us, to protect us, and especially to save us.

So, during this season remember that Jesus is the ultimate reason for the season. Jesus came to earth to give what Paul called an indescribable gift. It’s the gift of forgiveness _ the gift of peace on earth and good will toward men _ the gift of a renewed relationship with God _ the gift of eternal life.

You see, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son…” (John 3:16) and my prayer is that you will accept that indescribable gift. And that, my friends, that is what Christmas is “all about”.

Intimacy with God Is a Process

Several years ago, I had a hip replacement. I discovered that recovery is not an event rather it is a process. In the same way growing closer to God is more than an event _ it is an ongoing process. We must constantly become more intimate with God. A verse that tells us what that means for us is Romans 8:15: “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.”

The book of Genesis teaches us that in the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Thus, in my opinion, we should pray to the one who created all things, who knows all things, who sees all things, who can be in Africa and Indiana at the same time. We should pray to God the Father who has the power of life and death in His hands. We should pray to the one who is gracious, kind, beautiful, merciful, and loving. We should pray to the one who knows what we need even before we ask Him.

When we pray, we acknowledge that we are dependent on the Lord. We say to God, and to those who may hear our prayer that God is the source of our supply. We humbly submit ourselves to the sovereignty, rule, and reign of the God who created us in His image and likeness. When we pray to God the Father, we might say, “Abba” or “Daddy.” We prostrate ourselves before the throne of grace as a child does when he sheepishly comes into the presence of his earthy father and sits at the feet of his easy chair making his requests known. When we pray to God the Father, we come into the presence of the one who loves us, knows us, and has our best interests at heart.

Are You Watching?

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night” (Isaiah 62:6a).

So, what do watchmen do?

• They watch and pray.

• They guard constantly to provide protection.

• They listen. Jeremiah 6:17 says, “I appointed watchmen over you and said, ‘Listen to the sound of the trumpet.’”

• They warn. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so, hear the word I speak and give them warning from me” (Ezekiel 3:17).

• They call on the Lord. “I have posted watchmen on your walls… You who call on the Lord, give yourselves no rest” (Isaiah 62:6).

God has called us to be watchmen. We are not to be passive observers or victims in the war against sin.

If you abide in Me and My words abide in you, ask what you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples. (15:7-8)

Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Here is a great prayer. O God, help me to watch and pray. Keep my eyes focused on You. Show me others I can pray with over the condition of the church and the world. Give me insight into spiritual battles that erupt and lead me into Spirit-led times of intercession that release Your power into these situations. For your glory and honor, amen.

An Epic Mission

As it is written: ‘No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him’…” (1 Corinthians 2:9)

I recently preached a sermon entitled An Epic Mission. I came across this article written by Dean Trune and thought it would be a fitting conclusion or should I say reminder…

Focusing on intimacy with God and seeking a passion for Him does not release us from loving people the way God loves people. But when we pursue God passionately, we will be empowered to love people in healthy, God-centered ways and we will make a great impact through our public lives. Without developing intimacy with God, we will impact our public environment in mediocre ways, depending upon our own strength, our own plans, our own love, and our own wisdom. We serve a powerful God who desires intimacy with us. Together we can “win” the world, but only through His plans, His strength, His love, and His wisdom. Passion is required. We have no other options if this world is to be reached for Jesus!

–Taken from The Path Toward Passion (Nine Disciplines that Connect Your Heart to God’s) by Dean Trune.

OK church let’s get on with our epic mission to exalt the great name of Jesus by passionately loving God and loving people!!!

Getting Watered

Spiritually dry times are usually the result of an inward focus. It’s true that we need to spend time letting God search our hearts for sin issues that may be the cause of the distance we feel from God. But we must not get caught up in the pit of “it’s all about me” _what am I doing wrong, how can I get out of this funk, etc. The psalmist wrote, “Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.” (Psalm 79:9) Did you catch it? We are to seek forgiveness for His names sake and not just so that we can feel better.

 The enemy will use anything he can to distract us _ to make it about us _ to redirect our time, energy and worship away from anything that supports the “supremacy of Christ”. So focus on Jesus _ praise Him in both word and deed _ tell Him how much you love Him and then prove it by living a God-pleasing life.

“For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the first born from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.” (Colossians 1:16-18)

What’s Your Choice?

This morning I heard that the Supreme Court of the United States may overturn Roe vs. Wade. That is exciting news. However, the news also reported that the battle will still rage on.

There is so much evil going on in our world. We seem to always find someone or something to blame. However, whether it is murdering an unborn child or killing someone with hateful words it is still sin. And sin starts with temptation. And temptation occurs at the speed of thought.

Temptation is an interesting thing. James 1 offers this as far as its source, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it is conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15)

I once read that Satan’s best disguise is the person that we looked at in the mirror this morning. However, temptation can be overcome. We have someone praying for and equipping us to overcome those evil desires. In Romans 8:26-28 we read this: “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

So, it comes down to choices. Do I choose my evil desires, or do I choose God’s desires? Do I choose what pleases me or do I choose God’s purpose? Well, as for me and my house, like Joshua of old, “We will serve the Lord.” Regardless of what the SCOTUS, or the POTUS, or Congress, or social media decide the way of the Lord God is where me and my house are headed. And when we fall we choose to repent and turn back to God and his good, pleasing, and perfect will.

Ready or Not _ He’s Coming

I remember playing hide and go seek as a child and then with the kids when they were growing up. Those dreaded words always seemed to come too quickly… “Ready or not _ here I come!” Well, those words are also prophetic when it comes to the day we breathe our last or the day of Jesus’ return. The question I have is simple _ when it happens, are you ready? I recently received these questions in an email and thought they were worth repeating…

Imagine knowing that Jesus was coming back in just one week or even today. Are there some things you would want to have done?

• Is there a bad habit or sin you need to address?
• Is there someone in your life with whom you need to make amends?
• Is there someone you need to speak to about the things of God?
• Is your spiritual life as vibrant as it should be when Christ returns?
• Would you want to be saved?
• Are you ready to see Jesus?

Brothers, we do not want you to be ignorant about those who fall asleep, or to grieve like the rest of men, who have no hope. We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s own word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left till the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage each other with these words. (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let him who hears say, “Come!” Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes, let him take the free gift of the water of life. (Revelation 22:12-17) He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come’ Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen. (Revelation 22:20-21)

Ready or Not _ The Day of the Lord is coming!