Prayer is not primarily about making God do something. Prayer is about you and I aligning our wills with God's and trusting Him enough to say, "Your will be done." It's not bad to ask Him to fix something, but we should always end it with a faithful submission to His will.
This is where we ended yesterday. To add on, prayer is about developing a relationship. When you meet someone, you don't ask them to do a bunch of things for you. When you meet someone, you don't speak to them in King James ("I beseech thou to..."). When you are developing a relationship, you are interested in talking and listening. This is what God wants.
God speaks to us primarily through His Word. We speak to Him primarily through prayer.
Communication is a foundational element in relationships. WHEN YOU COMMUNICATE, YOU ILLUMINATE. By speaking with God, you are lit up with passion. This does not always mean that you will experience "prayer feelings" (what does that even mean??). Honestly, sometimes you might not feel like praying. I would do it anyway.
Life is hard with and without God, but there is much more joy in the midst of life with God. Obviously, your decision during life affects your position after death. God doesn't just want to scare you into a relationship with Him though. He wants to love you. He wants to show you His power. God is not weak. Who do you think created a lion? Bear? Thunderstorm? God is powerful and also gentle. A combination that is difficult to even comprehend. Though He is outrageously powerful, He chooses to give you a choice to accept or reject Him. He knows that if He does not provide that choice then He won't experience genuine love. Instead, we would be like robots and He (or us) would truly not experience love. I like the way He made it. It is the best relationship I've found. Lately, I've been trying to refer to God in my prayers as "Dad." He is our heavenly Father. Treat Him like it.
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jesus. Show all posts
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
iPray - Pray Like Jesus
Churches, books, and leaders continually preach that prayer is to get from God rather than to get God. This is paganism.
Many Christians have bad theology that does not work in times when they need it the most.
Here are some common WRONG messages:
1) If you have more faith in prayer, you will be healed.
2) If you become a Christian, everything is going to get better.
3) If you find a community of "real" believers, no one will let you down, forget to pray for you, and betray you.
4) If you trust God, you'll be rich.
5) If you follow Jesus, you will be a winner and not a loser.
6) If you pursue God, you'll be healthy.
7) I can claim promises.
In other words, if you have enough faith in Jesus you don't have to be like Him. Jesus suffered, hurt, was betrayed, not a winner (according to the world...since the world doesn't usually kill "winners") and was poor.
Jesus ended His prayers "not as I will, but as You will." This is the difference between pagan prayer and Christian prayer. The majority of popular Christian teaching is paganism. Paganism says, "God, heal me, fix me, change him/her, do this, or do that." Or, in other words, "I'm god, and God needs to obey me. So, do this God." God encourages honesty and asks us to make requests to Him, but if you don't add "not as I will, but Your will be done" then you are telling God what to do. Does prayer change things? Sometimes God does change things through prayer. But, the majority of time, prayer changes us.
Many Christians have bad theology that does not work in times when they need it the most.
Here are some common WRONG messages:
1) If you have more faith in prayer, you will be healed.
2) If you become a Christian, everything is going to get better.
3) If you find a community of "real" believers, no one will let you down, forget to pray for you, and betray you.
4) If you trust God, you'll be rich.
5) If you follow Jesus, you will be a winner and not a loser.
6) If you pursue God, you'll be healthy.
7) I can claim promises.
In other words, if you have enough faith in Jesus you don't have to be like Him. Jesus suffered, hurt, was betrayed, not a winner (according to the world...since the world doesn't usually kill "winners") and was poor.
Jesus ended His prayers "not as I will, but as You will." This is the difference between pagan prayer and Christian prayer. The majority of popular Christian teaching is paganism. Paganism says, "God, heal me, fix me, change him/her, do this, or do that." Or, in other words, "I'm god, and God needs to obey me. So, do this God." God encourages honesty and asks us to make requests to Him, but if you don't add "not as I will, but Your will be done" then you are telling God what to do. Does prayer change things? Sometimes God does change things through prayer. But, the majority of time, prayer changes us.
Friday, March 20, 2009
iPray - Request
Sometimes we have what we need, and pray out of greed (intense and selfish desire for something). Sometimes we fear the thoughts in our head, and pray out of dread (great fear or apprehension). Whatever the case may be, our heart is the issue.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Our hearts can be deceiving. The word used in this verse for heart means "mind, will, and emotions." So, in other words, we should watch, monitor, and guard our thoughts, emotions, and actions. If there is an issue in your life, then it probably is "springing" out of your heart (thoughts, emotions, and actions). By guarding your thoughts, you guard your emotions, and, as a result, you guard your life.
Psalm 86:1
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
Our hearts affect our prayers. Your Dad in heaven wants you to be real and honest. An attitude of humility and reverence for God can help you connect with God.
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Lay your request before God with humility, patience, and expectation. If you are like me, being patient is the hard part. God is your Father and He cares about you more than you can imagine. His strength can sustain you. To maintain humility, remember none of us really deserve anything. We have all made at least one bad decision (more like one billion). By keeping expectation, you have a deep sense of security. This security is basically saying, "God, I have no idea what is going to happen. I trust you completely and fully as my Father who sooner or later will make everything right." If you have been waiting a while for an answer, trust me - I understand. The worst possible case scenario is that it isn't made right until heaven. Scripture says that heaven is paradise. So, don't worry. Does that feel like I'm saying, "It's okay, don't breathe?" I understand how hard it is too. Whatever you do, just don't forget that there is hope. Go to your Father with all of your requests.
Proverbs 4:23
Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.
Our hearts can be deceiving. The word used in this verse for heart means "mind, will, and emotions." So, in other words, we should watch, monitor, and guard our thoughts, emotions, and actions. If there is an issue in your life, then it probably is "springing" out of your heart (thoughts, emotions, and actions). By guarding your thoughts, you guard your emotions, and, as a result, you guard your life.
Psalm 86:1
Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy.
Our hearts affect our prayers. Your Dad in heaven wants you to be real and honest. An attitude of humility and reverence for God can help you connect with God.
Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
Lay your request before God with humility, patience, and expectation. If you are like me, being patient is the hard part. God is your Father and He cares about you more than you can imagine. His strength can sustain you. To maintain humility, remember none of us really deserve anything. We have all made at least one bad decision (more like one billion). By keeping expectation, you have a deep sense of security. This security is basically saying, "God, I have no idea what is going to happen. I trust you completely and fully as my Father who sooner or later will make everything right." If you have been waiting a while for an answer, trust me - I understand. The worst possible case scenario is that it isn't made right until heaven. Scripture says that heaven is paradise. So, don't worry. Does that feel like I'm saying, "It's okay, don't breathe?" I understand how hard it is too. Whatever you do, just don't forget that there is hope. Go to your Father with all of your requests.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
Love it and Covet
A couple had been married for 40 years and also celebrated their 60th birthdays.
During the celebration, a fairy appeared and said that because they had been such a loving couple all these years, she would give them one wish each.
Being the faithful, loving spouse for all these years, naturally the wife wanted for herself and her husband to have a romantic vacation together, so she wished for them to travel around the world.
The fairy waved her wand and boom! The wife had the tickets in her hand.
Next, it was the husband's turn and the fairy assured him he could have any wish he wanted, all he needed to do was ask for his heart`s desire.
He paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, honestly, I`d like to have a woman 30 years younger than me."
The fairy picked up her wand and kazoom"
The husband turned 90.
{ This funny story illustrates what many of us do. We covet people, places, things, occupations, talents, abilities, and characteristics.
Exodus 20:17
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Be careful what you covet,
Before you start to love it.
You could start to fumble,
With envy and then you'd stumble.
You'd place nothing above it,
A yearning to take and hug it.
Attached to things that crumble,
Prevent it and stay humble. }
During the celebration, a fairy appeared and said that because they had been such a loving couple all these years, she would give them one wish each.
Being the faithful, loving spouse for all these years, naturally the wife wanted for herself and her husband to have a romantic vacation together, so she wished for them to travel around the world.
The fairy waved her wand and boom! The wife had the tickets in her hand.
Next, it was the husband's turn and the fairy assured him he could have any wish he wanted, all he needed to do was ask for his heart`s desire.
He paused for a moment, and then said, "Well, honestly, I`d like to have a woman 30 years younger than me."
The fairy picked up her wand and kazoom"
The husband turned 90.
{ This funny story illustrates what many of us do. We covet people, places, things, occupations, talents, abilities, and characteristics.
Exodus 20:17
"You shall not covet your neighbor's house. You shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his manservant or maidservant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbor."
Be careful what you covet,
Before you start to love it.
You could start to fumble,
With envy and then you'd stumble.
You'd place nothing above it,
A yearning to take and hug it.
Attached to things that crumble,
Prevent it and stay humble. }
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Why are you so down?
Psalm 42:5
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
The ancient king David was feeling less than good one day. "Why do I feel so down? Why the turmoil inside me? Don't allow yourself to be overly critical.
HOPE IN GOD. Put your hope in God instead of yourself. You can trust Him. Change your heart and mind by praising Him.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
The ancient king David was feeling less than good one day. "Why do I feel so down? Why the turmoil inside me? Don't allow yourself to be overly critical.
HOPE IN GOD. Put your hope in God instead of yourself. You can trust Him. Change your heart and mind by praising Him.
Monday, March 16, 2009
On Guard
If you have an empty building, you need a watchman. If you have a jewelry store, you need an alarm system. If you have a home, you need a club, dog, and a really big bicep (or an alarm system - the choice is yours). Whatever the case might be, it is important to protect what is inside.
------------------------23 Keep your heart with all diligence,
For out of it spring the issues of life.
Proverbs 4:23 (New King James Version)
------------------------If we are "keeping" our heart, we are guarding it. In essence, we are the "watchman" for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. Out of these three things "spring" the issues in your life. Think about the placement of your heart. It is in the middle of many arteries which all "spring" out from the heart. If your heart suddenly starts pumping poison, then the whole body will receive poisonous blood. The metaphor is a truism (not a promise). In other words, it may not be the case every single time, but, nevertheless, is true most of the time. If you think "poisonous" thoughts, you will feel "poisonous" feelings, and, as a result, you will act with "poisonous" actions. Be on guard.
Saturday, March 14, 2009
Why? It's Simple.
"...charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm." -Paul (1 Timothy 1:3-7)
By the reading above, you can see that the purpose of the message of Jesus is love. It also gives details, "Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith." Sometimes we lose track of this and become focused on how much we know. Other times it is all about who we know. Still, other times we are more concerned about our image. If you keep reading it continues to discuss that some have turned aside from the main purpose of the message (love), and have become more focused on teaching the law even though they don't understand what they are saying.
Why can we so easily forget why we do what we do?
Many of us are more focused on making ourselves look good, than we are accomplishing a task for God. I can remember watching certain pastors, and other leaders, and becoming impressed by their teaching, clothes, style, and jokes. I would try to incorporate some of the things that I saw into my life. It's great to learn from others, but it's not great to try to be them. At times, I became more focused on them than I was on God. I admit, I was wrong. If you try to be someone else, you subtract who God made you to be off of this earth. Surely all of us get sucked in to this method of thinking at one time or another, but that doesn't mean it is acceptable.
So, to answer the real question, "Why do we spread this message?" Love. Pure, sincere, and genuine love. It's simple.
By the reading above, you can see that the purpose of the message of Jesus is love. It also gives details, "Love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith." Sometimes we lose track of this and become focused on how much we know. Other times it is all about who we know. Still, other times we are more concerned about our image. If you keep reading it continues to discuss that some have turned aside from the main purpose of the message (love), and have become more focused on teaching the law even though they don't understand what they are saying.
Why can we so easily forget why we do what we do?
Many of us are more focused on making ourselves look good, than we are accomplishing a task for God. I can remember watching certain pastors, and other leaders, and becoming impressed by their teaching, clothes, style, and jokes. I would try to incorporate some of the things that I saw into my life. It's great to learn from others, but it's not great to try to be them. At times, I became more focused on them than I was on God. I admit, I was wrong. If you try to be someone else, you subtract who God made you to be off of this earth. Surely all of us get sucked in to this method of thinking at one time or another, but that doesn't mean it is acceptable.
So, to answer the real question, "Why do we spread this message?" Love. Pure, sincere, and genuine love. It's simple.
Friday, March 13, 2009
Peace Daily
Romans 5:1
...since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...
...since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ...
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 09, 2009
Confess Daily
1 John 1:9 (New International Version)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Time is Precious
Time. It travels extremely fast. The more distractions that we have available the quicker it seems to go and the harder it gets to leverage it. Time is precious.
I heard about a product for busy people. For people with a lot on their agenda, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company creates 25-inch-by-30-inch Post-It Easel Pads.
Will post-it's keep getting bigger and bigger? Possibly. We keep adding more and more to our already busy life. What's incredible is thinking that God has given you all of the time that you need to accomplish His plan for you. When you are planning or doing an activity, begin asking, "What would happen if I stopped doing this?" If the answer is nothing, you might want to cut that out of the agenda. Don't take this to the extreme. You need to sleep, eat, learn, worship, work, and relax. These, along with others, are all important areas of life. I'm just saying, don't run yourself into the ground doing activities that won't matter if you eliminate them. Instead, redeem the time.
"redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:16
Father, teach us to have an eternal perspective on time.
I heard about a product for busy people. For people with a lot on their agenda, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company creates 25-inch-by-30-inch Post-It Easel Pads.
Will post-it's keep getting bigger and bigger? Possibly. We keep adding more and more to our already busy life. What's incredible is thinking that God has given you all of the time that you need to accomplish His plan for you. When you are planning or doing an activity, begin asking, "What would happen if I stopped doing this?" If the answer is nothing, you might want to cut that out of the agenda. Don't take this to the extreme. You need to sleep, eat, learn, worship, work, and relax. These, along with others, are all important areas of life. I'm just saying, don't run yourself into the ground doing activities that won't matter if you eliminate them. Instead, redeem the time.
"redeeming the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:16
Father, teach us to have an eternal perspective on time.
Saturday, March 07, 2009
Get Going!
Game time. We've been called by Jesus into a relationship with Him, and He doesn't want us sitting around reading our Bible all the time. Sure, reading your Bible is great, but don't forget why you read it. Not for information, but for transformation. Then, after we are transformed, we are called to get moving. Influence others and as the Holy Spirit works in their hearts, lead them to Jesus.
Easier said than done? Not really. It's easy to make this complicated, but refuse to do so. Simply love people. What do you do for a living? Are you a business person? Then work hard and master your craft while loving and influencing the people you come in contact with. Are you a teacher? Then teach with all of your heart as if you are teaching for the Lord (here's a secret: you are!) while influencing kids and their families. Are you a sports fanatic? Then keep improving your game and rubbing elbows with people who need the hope that you have. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. Start by preparing your mind for action.
"prepare your minds for action" - 1 Peter 1:13a
Emotions come and emotions go. That is why we should prepare our minds for action. Get up!! Get moving!! Each day that goes by you are one day closer to death. That shouldn't scare you if you are in a relationship with Jesus (believe in Him with everything you've got and ask Him to forgive you and change you). Time is running out. Get going!
Easier said than done? Not really. It's easy to make this complicated, but refuse to do so. Simply love people. What do you do for a living? Are you a business person? Then work hard and master your craft while loving and influencing the people you come in contact with. Are you a teacher? Then teach with all of your heart as if you are teaching for the Lord (here's a secret: you are!) while influencing kids and their families. Are you a sports fanatic? Then keep improving your game and rubbing elbows with people who need the hope that you have. Whatever you do, do it for the Lord. Start by preparing your mind for action.
"prepare your minds for action" - 1 Peter 1:13a
Emotions come and emotions go. That is why we should prepare our minds for action. Get up!! Get moving!! Each day that goes by you are one day closer to death. That shouldn't scare you if you are in a relationship with Jesus (believe in Him with everything you've got and ask Him to forgive you and change you). Time is running out. Get going!
Friday, March 06, 2009
Eternalize That
"This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever." 1 John 2:17
Forever is a long time. We were made for eternity. It is written on our hearts. We are made to last forever. There is more to life than just here and now.
Take the iceberg for example. You may see an iceberg and say, "That thing is huge." I would agree, until the part under the water is revealed. Then, the part above water just seems to be small.
This life seems huge. When we think about eternity, life seems so small. It passes in the blink of an eye. It is definitely an important blink though. Even though time moves quickly, we still forget how important it is at times. When you think about it, our life on earth is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, it is way less than that. This life is simply preparation for what is to come.
"Set your mind on things above, not earthly things." Colossians 3:2
It goes quickly. Don't forget that. The only way to prevent forgetting this is to eternalize your mind. Keep situations that you go through in an eternal perspective. In other words, remember to "eternalize that!"
Forever is a long time. We were made for eternity. It is written on our hearts. We are made to last forever. There is more to life than just here and now.
Take the iceberg for example. You may see an iceberg and say, "That thing is huge." I would agree, until the part under the water is revealed. Then, the part above water just seems to be small.
This life seems huge. When we think about eternity, life seems so small. It passes in the blink of an eye. It is definitely an important blink though. Even though time moves quickly, we still forget how important it is at times. When you think about it, our life on earth is just the tip of the iceberg. In fact, it is way less than that. This life is simply preparation for what is to come.
"Set your mind on things above, not earthly things." Colossians 3:2
It goes quickly. Don't forget that. The only way to prevent forgetting this is to eternalize your mind. Keep situations that you go through in an eternal perspective. In other words, remember to "eternalize that!"
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Heartless
Have you heard this song by Kanye West? He sings about a woman that is heartless. Sometimes I feel like I'm heartless in my relationship with God. He knows that I love Him more than anything else, but I still sin. I can read the Bible as much as I want, but I still sin. I can read Christian books and listen to Christian music as much as I want, but I still sin.
What a frustrating experience. Everything inside of me wants to be the real deal. Authentic. Sometimes, I confuse this with being perfect though. This can be dangerous.
What a frustrating experience. Everything inside of me wants to be the real deal. Authentic. Sometimes, I confuse this with being perfect though. This can be dangerous.
Romans 3:22-24 (New International Version)
22This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
All have sinned. We all do it. You might say, "What a hypocrite!" but I don't preach myself or claim to be perfect. Instead, I preach that Jesus was perfect, He died for us, and arose. It's Jesus. God is still in the process of transforming me to become more like Him.
1 John 1:9 (New International Version)
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
So what do I do when I sin and miss the mark? Do you see the words above in blue? "We confess - He will forgive and purify."
Are you and I heartless? We were all given a heart and a conscience. I would call us normal and in need of a Savior. Jesus.
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
Imperfections
If you could change anything about your body, personality, gifts, abilities, etc, what would you change? For me, I would change my height. I'm 5' 9", not really short and not really tall. I'm average. It is nice when buying clothes, but, still, I wouldn't mind growing taller.
Is there anything you would change? I've never met a person who didn't want to change at least one thing.
In the Bible, God says, "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born" (Isaiah 44:2a). We are His - both before and after we were born. Our tastes for looks, fashion, food, language, attitudes, behaviors, and sports often spring from the culture that we are (or were) a part of. Have you ever wondered if God looks at what we call an imperfection and disagrees? He might say, "I like that about you." God prescribed every single detail of your body. He chose your race, hair, and every other feature. That's definitely a paradigm shift. It means that you are special and unique just the way that you are right now.
Is there anything you would change? I've never met a person who didn't want to change at least one thing.
In the Bible, God says, "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born" (Isaiah 44:2a). We are His - both before and after we were born. Our tastes for looks, fashion, food, language, attitudes, behaviors, and sports often spring from the culture that we are (or were) a part of. Have you ever wondered if God looks at what we call an imperfection and disagrees? He might say, "I like that about you." God prescribed every single detail of your body. He chose your race, hair, and every other feature. That's definitely a paradigm shift. It means that you are special and unique just the way that you are right now.
Tuesday, March 03, 2009
It All Starts With God
"Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him." Colossians 1:16b
It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about Him. Life makes no sense without God.
It's not about me. It's not about you. It's about Him. Life makes no sense without God.
Monday, March 02, 2009
Beautiful Feet: Salvation
Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “ Your God reigns!”
Salvation is not something that God is afraid to talk about. This verse mentions that the feet that bring good, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, proclaim salvation and say "Your God reigns," are beautiful.
From what do we need to be saved? God. Think about it. In essence, we need to be saved from God's wrath. Each time someone dies, as a culture we often assume that person is in a "better place." We assume that everyone is saved.
1 Peter 1:8-10
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things,Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion, “ Your God reigns!”
Salvation is not something that God is afraid to talk about. This verse mentions that the feet that bring good, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, proclaim salvation and say "Your God reigns," are beautiful.
From what do we need to be saved? God. Think about it. In essence, we need to be saved from God's wrath. Each time someone dies, as a culture we often assume that person is in a "better place." We assume that everyone is saved.
1 Peter 1:8-10
8Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE | God |
| God |
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has NOTHING I DESIRE BESIDES YOU. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 (My emphasis added)
Earth has nothing I desire apart from God. Nothing. Without God everything else becomes meaningless.
| God |
Simply irresistible...
“Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has NOTHING I DESIRE BESIDES YOU. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.” Psalm 73:25-26 (My emphasis added)
Earth has nothing I desire apart from God. Nothing. Without God everything else becomes meaningless.
| God |
Simply irresistible...
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