Too Busy to Pray?

Mark 1:21-45

You think you're busy? Overcommitted? Read through these verses in Mark and take a look at a day in the life of Jesus:

• He is teaching in the Synagogue (he must have had to prepare before he taught - vs. 21)
• He heals a man with an evil spirit. (vs. 23-25)
• When he left the temple, he went to the home of Simon and Andrew, two of his disciples (and remember, he walked or rode a donkey everywhere). (v. 29)
• He healed Simon's mother in law. (v. 30-31)
• The whole town gathered at the door where he was staying and he healed many, many people (v. 32-34)

Next day:

• Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed (v. 35).  So he starts his day Very Early.  
• His disciples found him, and told him that people needed him - everyone was looking for him. (v. 36-37)
• He continued to travel throughout the region, preaching and healing (v. 39)

And on it goes. I have to admit, I would be looking for some down time in the midst of a schedule like this. I would need some 'me' time. But what does Jesus do? He finds a solitary place to pray. He recharges by spending time with the Father.

I get up early each day, eager to pray. Often I do get time with the Father. But all too often, life gets in the way. I decide to read the paper. Or look at Instagram. Or take a longer walk or run. I crowd out time with Jesus. He longs to spend time with me, and he always welcomes me. He doesn't scold me when I fail to show up. He loves me far more than I love him.

No, I am not worthy. But thanks be to God that he offers grace and forgiveness. So if you skipped time with Jesus yesterday, don't beat yourself up. Get on your knees, ask forgiveness, and receive his grace. What a God we serve!

Find Joy, Talk to God, Give Thanks

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

• Rejoice always - The Christian who remains in sadness and depression really breaks a commandment: in some direction or other he mistrusts God--His power, providence, forgiveness. That is not to say there isn't a time for sadness and or grief. But it does mean that a Christian understands joy, knows that it isn't a feeling because of a current situation, but a state of being because we are children of God. We rejoice always because Jesus is with us and forgives us unconditionally. 

• Pray continually - We are not expected to spend 24/7 assuming a prayer posture, but to experience prayer as a state of mind, a constant consideration as we go through our day. Prayer is a path to a relationship with Jesus that grows and is nurtured each day. When I dedicate my day to God and what He wants for me and from me each day - it is as if I am praying continually.

• Give thanks in all circumstances - Now this is a tall order. How do we give thanks in all circumstances? How do we praise and offer thanksgiving when all around us is in shambles? I know that God grows me and my faith when I face challenges and even catastrophes. I also know that when I am feeling low and am in the midst of a pity party, I only need to acknowledge my many blessings and my eyes and heart are open to new possibilities.

I would love to hear how you practice/apply these verses in your life. How do you rejoice always; Pray continually; Give thanks in all circumstances? Feel free to comment below, and for those of you who are not inclined to do this, please send me an email and I can read your thoughts and communicate further if you like.

Powerful Prayer

James 5:16

Therefore confess your sins to each other… that’s a tough thing to do.  It means being honest and vulnerable.  In today’s media-driven society, we like to show the best of the best, not the worst.  Life is messy, but no one wants to admit it.  It takes courage to own up to the bad choices we’ve made, and it takes being in a trusted relationship to feel comfortable enough to share our faults and weaknesses.  Confession doesn’t just happen, it requires faith.

And pray for each other so that you may be healed… and by healed James wasn’t referring to just repairing a bodily injury, but rather, being forgiven of sins.  Forgiveness heals us inside and out and allows us to live in communion with others in the way God intended.  Acknowledging sin's existence and praying for God’s healing power brings us back into relationship with Him.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective… some people are really good at praying, which is a testimony to the relationship they have with God.  People with an obvious connection to Christ are the ones I seek out when I’m in need, because as Luke 6:45 states, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”

Lord, fill my heart with good, so that my mouth speaks a testimony to you.  Make me an effective steward of your great love. Amen

A Prayer Warrior's Pose

11 Another time Jesus was praying, and when He finished, one of His disciples approached Him. (Luke 11:1)

It was not unusual for Jesus' friends to see and to hear him praying. This section of Luke would indicate they were impressed by this practice. I can't even imagine what Jesus' prayers, His conversations with His Father in heaven sounded like but I am sure the words touched these followers.

According to Scripture, Jesus conversed with His Father daily and in many circumstances. He prayed alone, in the early morning hours. He prayed in the evening when He was seeking direction and comfort. He prayed as he blessed a meal and shared with His followers. 

Jesus prayed before performing miracles. John 11:41, "Jesus looks up and said, 'Father, I thank you that you have heard me." This was prayed before He raised Lazarus from the grave. He prayed with faith that His Father would hear Him and respond.

Jesus offered prayers of thanks before the miracle happened. Oh, if only I had such faith, I too could pray, knowing God hears. Imagine praying at the start of every day, maybe before even throwing the cover off. To pray a prayer thanking God for all His going to do with, for, and through us this day.

What an idea! We know He is always working, and probably always waiting for us to get ready; get ourselves open and in place to be used in a great big way...by Him...for His glory. That's how I want to pray.

Voice of the Martyrs

http://www.icommittopray.com/

Hebrews 10:32-35

Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you endured in a great conflict full of suffering. 33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. 34 You suffered along with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 

Have you ever had to suffer because of your faith? Have you ever been publicly exposed to insult and persecution? Our scripture passage today from Hebrews 10 is one that I admit, I can't relate to. 

I have never lived in a place where being Christian was cause for such conflict. Sure there are tensions today toward the church, but we still live in a free country where being a Christian is accepted. Others though, are not as lucky. I thought it would be good to share a story from, Voice of the Martyrs website, The following true story was posted on September 14th.

"Police in India arrested nine adults traveling with a group of 60 children to a Vacation Bible School (VBS) program this summer. The children and their chaperones sang Christian songs and read the Bible as they traveled by train, attracting the attention of a group of Hindu extremists. As soon as the train reached its destination, the militants called the police. When the police arrived, they arrested the adults and called the children’s parents to come pick them up. The adults were charged with kidnapping and converting people to another religion by force. After more than 40 days in jail, three of the adults were released on bail. The other six, however, are still being held. Pray that the jailed Christians will be released and that this experience will strengthen the faith of the children involved."

Here is another posted on September 14th.

“Vu” placed her faith in Christ earlier this year while working in the Laotian capital of Vientiane. Several months later, she shared her faith with her parents and brother in hope that they, too, would become Christians. Instead, they cursed her. They insisted that she abandon her Christian faith immediately or they would disown her as their daughter. Vu told them that she respected them but would not leave Jesus. Her parents later sent her brother and sister to persuade her to leave Christianity, but instead her sister became a Christian. “The younger sister is a new person now,” a VOM contact said. Please pray for these two young women as they minister to their family and encounter further hardships because of their faith.

If you, like me, have never had to endure such persecution we have much to be thankful for.  Let's take some time and pray for those who do struggle daily to stand firm in Christ.  Click here to read more stories and pray for those who are being persecuted.

Read today's entire passage here. HEBREWS 10:32-29

Trust Me...

Where do trust issues come from? This is a question I asked for a long time. I have struggled for most of my life with trust. Our scripture passage today is Psalm 62: 5-12 and it talks about trusting God “at all times.” That is hard.

Verses 7 and 8 say,

“7 My salvation and my honor depend on God;
he is my mighty rock, my refuge.
8 Trust in him at all times, you people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.”

While trusting others is tough, I find that trusting God to be a challenge as well. Why? If God is good and God is love, shouldn’t we trust him “at all times” like the Psalmist says? I think our struggle with trust comes when,

Our expectations ≠ Our reality

We have expectations for how we believe we should be treated. Our passage today uses the word “honor”. If we receive less than we expect our trust is shaken. This can even happen with our relationship with God. If we think we deserve different treatment from him, our trust in him falters. It’s hard to say and mean, “Thy will be done.”

How do we remedy our trust issues with God? I believe the only way is to get to know him. Please don’t think this a cliché “church” answer. God is very real and if we spend time talking to him, he will help our heart see and believe that he is both love and good.

If we spend time in the word, we will learn who he is and how he works, allowing us to not have misplaced expectations. God won’t fail us, but his provision is not always what we desire.

Finally, if you really struggle with trust maybe get a good book on the topic. I have read, Transforming Grace, by Jerry Bridges and it opened my eyes to my misplaced expectations.

The neat thing about mending our trust issues with God… it will also mend any problems we have trusting others because we will only go to God for our honor.

Read the entire passage here Psalms 62:5-12

Nothing Can Separate Us...

Life is overwhelming somedays. We feel such pain for the things that take place in our homes and in the lives of those we love, that we wonder how we will ever survive. During those moments, we are at a loss for words, for tears, and for hope. What does a person do, where do they turn?

I imagine everyone reading today has felt this despair at one time or another. Perhaps you are in the midst of it right now. Where do you turn? Who comforts you during your lowest and most helpless season?

Romans 8:26 (MSG)
Meanwhile, the moment we get tired in the waiting, God's Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don't know how or what to pray, it doesn't matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. 

When brokenness enters our life and when death or illness causes unbearable pain and heartache, we can know that God does care. The care goes deep and spreads over our entire lifetime.  Remember that crush of first love which went unrequited? Remember the pain which accompanied the breaking heart? Sure, looking back we acknowledge how young we were and how unrealistic our feelings of our life being over were. But the pain was real.

In fact, that pain prepared us for the 'grown-up' pain we experienced years later. And with that comes another realization; God was there early on and God is here now. During those seasons we don't know how to even ask God for what we need, we don't have to. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. 

Romans 8:26-39

The Believer’s Pray-Be Bold

 Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could?

Perhaps this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to as speaking the word of God boldly.

Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were sharing about Jesus.  They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission.

They prayed; “Now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your Holy Servant Jesus.”

Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us.

Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but you will be amazed at what can come forth from within even the small and meek when the Spirit is near and we are open to it. Be bold for the Lord! He has certainly been bold for us!

Read/Listen to Acts 4:23-31

Are we inviting the Locusts?

Joel 1:13-14 (MSG)And also you priests, put on your robes and join the outcry.
You who lead people in worship, lead them in lament.
Spend the night dressed in gunnysacks, you servants of my God.
Nothing’s going on in the place of worship, no offerings, no prayers—nothing.
Declare a holy fast, call a special meeting, get the leaders together,
Round up everyone in the country.Get them into God’s Sanctuary for serious prayer to God.

Joel was a prophet in the Southern Kingdom of Judah during the period of the Divided Kingdom (930-722 BC). Verses 13 and 14 are a call to repentance during a time in the Nation of Judah when the country was being ravaged by locusts.

What the chewing locust left, the gobbling locust ate;
What the gobbling locust left, the munching locust ate;
What the munching locust left, the chomping locust ate. (Joel 1:7 MSG)

Joel was warning the people that God was not happy with their sinful ways, but said there was hope for them if they would turn from their ways and repent and change. We have seen this over and over again. Read the stories from the other Minor Prophets like Jonah or Hosea. Each of these stories tells of a time when the people did their own thing; worshipped false gods and lived sinful lives.

We see much the same thing now. We are living for ourselves. We treasure our hi-tech items. We change the definitions of things we don't agree with, we go with the flow and allow our values to drown in a sea of tolerance.

God is willing to forgive, but He is waiting for us to repent; He needs us to change and set aside our false gods. Joel is calling the people to fast and to pray and to beg forgiveness. Were Joel with us today, he would likely be saying the same thing.

Joel 1:-7, 13-14

Life on Mission

Today we begin a new journey together. For the next six weeks each of your Blog writers will follow the book and study called “Life on Mission” (God’s people finding God’s heart for the world) by Tim Harlow.

Tim is the Senior Pastor at Parkview Christian Church in the southwest suburbs of Chicago.

As Christ followers, we certainly recognize the tragic state of affairs of this country and the rest of the world. We cannot stand still. Tim offers us real, biblically based insight and direction regarding God’s heart and His intended purpose for us. Each week will focus on one of the following;

Witness          Connect           Serve          Share          Grow          Pray

This day I offer you an overview of Pastor Tim’s passionate and sincere message. In Matthew 9:36 Jesus is described as having compassion on the crowds because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Our challenge is not only to personally live the life of a Christ follower, but to look at others through the eyes of the Lord. Each of us was created in the Image of God, and there is no denying that Satan is intensely interfering with our peace, love and happiness. This world is filled with lost sheep. 

When entertaining the idea of witnessing to others many of us become insecure in our ability to accurately and confidently share the Word. In Acts 1:8 Jesus explained to the apostles; “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witness in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Relax, and be at peace for the Holy Spirit is with us as well. You CAN do this! Pastor Harlow simply summarizes witnessing this way;

First: Connect Just hanging out and building relationships: 

Next: Serve Giving of your gifts or resources without complaint or judgment.

Later: Share the story of how God has affected your life in order to help those without God understand why you are so alive and content in Him.

Later still: Grow them in their faith walk and show them how to continue to grow on their own.

Finally: Pray! Be strong in the Lord.

This study also includes a DVD, which strengthens the message and offers pastor Harlow’s personal touch. Please join us for “Life on Mission.” Together we can make a difference!

Also, if you have not yet seen the movie War Room by the Kendrick Brothers, we highly recommend it.

Click here to view the trailer:
WAR ROOM 

Here is a journal to record your journey this week. Page down to Life on Mission. Each week a new journal will be posted.

1 Timothy 2:1-8

Pray

Do you want the dash on your tombstone to represent something significant? Pray, and pray like you mean it! Join the symphony!

1 Timothy 2: 1-2 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

We often criticize those in positions of authority as they act and react in ways that contradict our belief system. Perhaps they know things we do not. Just maybe they see the big picture we are not privileged to view.

We justify our disappointments by saying it is part of God’s plan that we do not understand because we are not entitled to knowing all the details. We settle into our circumstances because we know we are not in control. God is.

Paul urges us to do the same in regards to those in authority because God has placed them there for our good. He tells us not to criticize, but to pray for them, for more people in authority knowing Jesus means more Godly decisions will be made, leading to quiet and peaceful lives.

It is difficult to believe my little prayer will make a difference, but think about the power in numbers. Every quiet little prayer adds to the volume and effectiveness. Envision a musical performance as you sit back in your seat in a crowded theater.  The performance begins with a single, slow, sincere, a Capella voice. Then a duet ensues. Soon, the chorus fades in with gentle harmony, followed by glimpses of instrumental interludes. As the tempo gradually increases, the voices and instruments merge. The auditorium is saturated with a beautiful melody.  Together the individual tones, pitches and intervals create an intense symphony like crescendo that fills the music hall with spirit and power!

Prayer is like that. If we pray as God and Paul have instructed, we can be part of a breath taking symphony that creates passion and brings about love.  

Read/Listen to 1 Timothy 2:1-8 

Love One Another

John 13: 1-3, 12-17, 34-35 

What does it REALLY mean to Love one Another?

Before Jesus was betrayed and taken away he confided in is disciples; "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." I believe this means if we are true Christ followers, we must look and act differently , so that all men will know........

Is it possible to REALLY love everyone?

Jesus did, and his new command was just that. We may think, but He is God, and I am a mere human, weak and dependent on the Lord. I cannot possibly love as He loves. We may have to dig REALLY deep, but "With God, all things are possible." This message to us can be found in the books of both Luke and Matthew. 

Must I REALLY love those who make my life miserable?

There is no one who makes your life miserable but you.  Holding tightly to His word and offering your heart to Christ each and every day will offer you his peace despite worldly challenges. Each life on this earth was created by God. Loving others does not mean agreeing with their ways. It is a different kind of love. It takes an open heart and a willingness to empathize, which has nothing to do with justifying or agreeing with the actions of others.

Empathy: the ability to identify with and understand somebody else's feelings or difficulties

We cannot possibly know what makes each individual behave as he does unless we are inside of their heads and hearts and have experienced the life they have lived. We can however, trust God when he tells us to have faith and to love. This command contains no qualifiers. It simply says "To Love."

John 13;“As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know 

that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

John 13:34b-35

Pray and Party

Nehemiah 12:43 (NIV)
And on that day they offered great sacrifices, rejoicing because God had given them great joy. The women and children also rejoiced. The sound of rejoicing in Jerusalem could be heard far away.

The trumpet, which once called the people to action, to be alert and on guard against attack, was now used as an instrument to celebrate. It was used to praise God as they rejoiced in the fact their job was finished. Although Nebuchadnezzar had destroyed the temple, he couldn't destroy worship or the music.

Music is part of the sound of rejoicing. When life is tough and things around us begin to disintegrate turn on the music and sing. The sounds and the words will lift the gloom and brighten the spirit. How often has belting out a favorite song turned our sadness joy? 

The Israelites were ready to party, to celebrate all that God had done for them once more. We can do the same when a particularly difficult season has passed, when we have become obedient once again and accomplished a challenging task God set before us.  If it is rebuilding the walls to fortify our city or if it is rebuilding a broken relationship, praise God for bring you to this point.

Dear Lord,
Your faithfulness to us is an amazing thing to experience.  Your forgiveness and mercy are indeed undeserved yet so welcome.  We lift up our hearts to you this day and praise you for your unending love.  We pray for our brothers and sisters in Israel this day.  Protect them, guard the children, and destroy the enemy as you did in days of old. Remind us today to remember to pray for your people. Amen.

Nehemiah 12:27-43

Pray, GIVE, Go

Why is giving such a touchy topic? I know folks who won't go to church because every time they do they think preacher is asking for money? Is this by chance one area we aren't ready to surrender to God? Do we cling tight to our money because we don't believe God will truly take care of us?

I walked a path of financial insecurity, for three years now, and God has been refining my heart. He is addressing the trust issues with which I struggle. I say I have faith, but do I really? When the going gets real tough, do I believe God is in control; or do I only give lip service to this idea?

2 Corinthians 9:6-8

Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

I am beginning to understand and believe God will take care of me and my needs. That doesn't mean He will provide for my every whim or desire. It means He will provide for my daily bread. During this season of refining, God reveal is showing me just how much my 'wants' determine my comfort and I hate to admit, but maybe even my faith.

Faith is an area of weakness for me. Oh, to embrace the faith of Abraham or Moses, or Ruth or Mary. The next time I prepare my offering envelope I will look at the experience as an exercise in Faith and Love. I practice tithing but the area I need more practice is doing it with a full and open heart. For me that means not holding back my heart when I give, but praising God for all He has done and will do for me just because He loves.

2 Corinthians 9

Sometimes You Have to Let Things Happen

Have you ever had a feeling that things were not going to turn out properly or that disaster was looming? Maybe you had these feelings the first time your child got behind the steering wheel of a car. Or, worse yet, you bit your lip when a friend was about to get married to a person of questionable character.  Sometimes you have to let things happen.

Greek Merchant Vessel

Today’s reading (Acts 21:1-6) tells us that the disciples at Tyre had that feeling about a trip Paul was taking to Jerusalem. Paul was delivering a donation to the poor Christians in Jerusalem from the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:1-4).

 

“Through the Spirit, they (disciples at Tyre) urged Paul not to go” (verse 4). The disciples knew Paul would suffer hardships in Jerusalem, and they selfishly advised him not to go.

 

Yet Paul went. He was “compelled by the Spirit” (Acts 20:22). In spite of the fact that everyone knew that Paul would have a difficult time in Jerusalem, Paul understood that this was God’s plan. Paul was on a mission and he had to let things happen so that God’s plan would be accomplished.

 

Before he left Tyre, Paul and the disciples prayed.

Believe it or not, these mere six verses of scripture contain elements of a good model for mission work.

1.       Pray: The disciples and Paul prayed.

2.       Give: The disciples in Corinth gave and Paul was delivering the gift.

3.       Go:  After prayerful preparations, Paul continued to Jerusalem.

The disciples may have been wrong in urging Paul to stay with them. Bear in mind that their love for Paul was strong and his well being was their motivation. Nonetheless Paul was compelled to go, and we know he was persecuted. Yet God accomplished great things through Paul because he went.

Paul witnessed to Jews in Jerusalem. He witnessed to two Roman governors in Judea.  He witnessed to King Herod Agrippa II. Ultimately, Paul was sent to Rome, where he witnessed to many Roman soldiers and citizens, and most likely the emperor himself.

Sometimes you have to let things happen!

Acts 14: 18-28

Witness, Persecution, and Encouragement

In this passage Paul and Barnabas were together. Paul cured a cripple man, and the crowd that witnessed this miracle began to worship Paul and Barnabas. Knowing that not they, but God was responsible for the healing, they rejected the praise and redirected it to the Lord. Paul also advised them to turn from their worthless things to the living God who created all things. Paul and Barnabas attempted to minister to them, and appeal to their sinful nature, however were persecuted in return. The crowd stoned Paul, dragged him outside of the town, and left him for dead. 

“We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of heaven,” was Paul’s message to the disciples. He picked himself up, and returned to the city! This was not about to stop Paul from preaching the good news. There are people in this world today who risk physical mistreatment similar to Paul’s, and possibly death for the sake of Christianity. Please pray for them.

Though stoning is not the type of treatment we endure, at times we may feel pretty beat up. Christ followers in this country are ignored, ridiculed, put town, verbally assaulted, and at times physically attacked for their beliefs. Many struggle within their own families to hold tightly to the word, when in the midst of relatives resistant to a lifestyle we are called to through the bible. Please pray for them.

Heavenly Father, we praise you and lift our hands and hearts to you for all the goodness you provide. Your loving ways are beyond our comprehension, yet we attempt to understand and minister to others your message of forgiveness, grace, and hope. Please remain with us as we carry on through this journey, and bring us strength to persist as Paul did, to bring your message to those who so desperately need it. Amen.

Listen to/Read Acts 14:8-28

Acts: 4: 23-31

                                                           Praying Bold

Have you ever been so passionate about something that you spoke with the intensity of a great warrior or scholar and had no idea where the words came from? Was there a time when you stood strong for a cause in a way that you would have never believed you could? Did you ever impulsively grab a child just before he ran into the street or jump between two people when one was about to attack the other in some way? In these types of situations, it doesn't take a great deal of forethought, it happens because it is supposed to. The courage jumps into us swiftly and takes control.

I remember the last day of  my sophomore year in high school. I was very quiet and rather insecure. All of the students had to turn in their books, locks, etc., so it was an unstructured situation with many students hanging around, talking, and waiting for their friends. I was walking down a long corridor alone, when up ahead I watched as a group of “tough” girls grabbed hold of a student and were attempting to drag her outside. I recognized the girl as Ginger. She was somewhat heavy set, and was seldom seen in the school hallways because she had a cognitive disability. Ginger was obviously scared to death, as this gang of rough teens had hold of her on all sides. Without even thinking, I ran ahead and yelled at the top of my lungs, “Let her go!” I stepped into their arena as Ginger was attempting to grab on to the door frame. The girls let go of Ginger and she hurried off in a panic. They then grabbed hold of me and suddenly I became their target. I survived the ordeal, but have often thought about where that courage came from. There were about seven or eight of them and one of me. I knew Ginger would be of no help, and I had no intention of getting into a street fight, but when I saw her being brutalized by her peers I didn't think for a second about walking by. It was something that simply had to be done.

I believe this is the type of inner passion today’s scripture refers to: Being Bold!

Peter and John were seized and taken to jail because of what they were speaking about Jesus.  They were questioned and warned multiple times not to speak of or teach at all in the name of Jesus. Upon their release, Peter and John were even more intent on their mission. They prayed; “……now Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

Verse 31 goes on to say; After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.

We can be bold and assertive without being aggressive or pushy. Being bold for the Lord is a great honor. Meeting people where they are with the confidence of the Holy Spirit within us will draw others to us. Perhaps you are not a bold person by nature, but it is amazing what can come forth from within even the small and meek,  when the Spirit is near and we are open to it. In 2 Corinthians the Lord states, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Be bold for God.

Listen to/Read Acts 4: 23-31

Psalm 126

Prayer is Laughing

Have you ever had dreams you wish would never end? Have you woken up and become extremely disappointed because the dream you were absorbed in was far beyond the pleasures of your reality? Perhaps those are glimpses of what is to come. Joy beyond words, happiness and laughter that compares to nothing else you have experienced before.

God is our Father! Like all (most) fathers, He wants us to be filled with joy and happiness. Laughter is an honest and sincere display of pleasure. Our Lord is pleased when we have feelings of joy and contentment.  

Psalm 126: 1-3

“When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter; our tongues were filled with joy. Then it was said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them. The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.”

According to GotQuestions.org

“Zion meant Jerusalem and later, Israel as the people of God."

We often read of the daughter of Zion. 

“Daughter” infers that God is a loving father. He cherishes and loves His people, even while they reject Him. By using the metaphor “daughter of Zion,” God showed how He felt for the rebellious Israelites: frustrated, angry, but always with an eye to the future when the relationship would be restored, and He could once again return to them and welcome them into His arms (Zechariah 2:10)”

This week as we pray, let’s incorporate joy, celebration, worship, gratitude, and hope. Let’s also be keenly alert to the multitude of pleasures God has placed in our lives, and use joy and fun as triggers to remember to thank God for His gifts.

Read/Listen to Psalm 126

Prayer is Shouting-Confident He hears

 Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV) Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.
 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
 In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.    

David, the Psalmist, is talking to God. He is telling Him how much he values the time spent with him in the morning.  David knows, as do we, our problems don't vanish while we are sleeping.  David also knows the best way to begin the new day, to get started right, is with time in prayer. 

His enemies are still chasing him, they still want to harm.  His situation hasn't changed overnight. But he knows it can. He knows that he serves a God who can do anything.  Do we know that, do we believe that?  Do we believe in prayer?

Prayer is much more than my laying my wants before God.  It is more than a shopping list of the needs I have, that I expect God to fulfill.  While He might do that, He might give us everything we ask Him for just because He can, that is not all that prayer is meant to be. 

I am hurting LORD - heal my heart
I am suffering GOD - remove the pain
I am afraid dear JESUS -give me courage
I am hungry FATHER - provide for grain

How many times have we gone to sleep at night with our hearts and our minds filled with worry? How to do we wake up in the morning -- with our hearts and minds filled with worry. I find when I lay my head down at bedtime and pray, talk it over with God, shout even in my heart, I drift off to sleep with thoughts of Jesus.  I wake up the same way, not filled with worry but with my first thoughts of Jesus.

It is as if I didn't finish my prayer the night before and am just now saying the final words.  My heart is lighter even though the problems still exist.  This gives a fresh start to the day and a sense that God was with me through the night and He will be there throughout the day.

Psalm 5:11 (NIV) But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

Read and listen to Psalm 4, 5, 6

The Story – Chapter 26 – The Hour of Darkness

Luke 22: 39-53

Matthew, Mark and John wrote of the same exact experience as this passage in Luke. Their words may vary, but the stories corroborate each other. Today’s reading in Luke revisits the time when Jesus and his disciples were at the Mount of Olives and Jesus instructed them to “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He then went a short distance away, fell to his knees, and prayed like no one else can. He was in agony, knowing  the night of his crucifixion was very near. He prayed fervently, dreading the cross but submitting himself to his heavenly Father’s higher purpose.

The Journey (Bible For Seeking God and Understanding Life) says something I must share regarding the heart of Jesus, and how we can take example from Him in one of His darkest moments. “We will face deep anguish in our life-everyone does. When that happens you can do what Jesus did; PRAY. Pray hard, pray deep, pray honestly, pray out all your feelings-not a formula. Pray until you sweat and cry and fall down in exhaustion. Pray with others. Pray alone. Pray as long as it takes, and then pray longer. Pray because nothing else works, and keep praying when it doesn’t seem to work. Pray because Jesus prayed, pray because you want to pray, pray because you don’t want to pray. Pray out loud, pray quietly. Pray whenever you think about it, pray instead of just thinking about it. Pray when you walk and when you drive and when you wake up and when you go to sleep. Pray before you forget. Pray right now.”

This 3 minute video is worth watching:

John Piper - Prayer Causes Things to Happen

 Read/Listen to Luke 22: 39-53