“To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.” 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
“To this end we pray for you always…” Paul’s ceaseless praying was not pointless. He had an end in mind. He prayed not only for people to be converts, but to be worthy, living lives
“…that God will count you worthy of your calling…” For believers to be counted worthy of their “calling” they must be counted among those who glorify The Father now, not later.
“…and fulfill ever desire for goodness and the work of faith with power.” Transformed conduct is produced by Christ-like character. Christ’s character can be traced to His handprints all over the heart of a true believer. True beliefs influence genuine behavior. Don’t let your talking about God, outdistanced your walking with God.
“You do what you believe. The rest is religious talk.” Peter Lord
Paul prayed for believers to reveal the evidence of Christ in them with a “…desire for goodness and work of faith in power.” The fruit of goodness is rooted in the Spirit of God. The work of faith is an expression of God’s power. You need both or you will be good for nothing.
Paul prayed for believers, “So that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ will be glorified in you, and you in Him…” Never pray for any other reason. Ceaseless praying is pointless praying if it does not desire the glorifying of the name of Jesus.
The call of God has two dimensions. He calls you out of an old way of life and towards a new life in Christ. Both take place in the present tense, not a future tense. Children of God express His call on their lives best when they listen to His Son. When they pray, they hear His voice, and follow His lead, and they glorify their Father right now.
Legitimate children of God don’t delay their obedience until the return of Jesus. When they pray in His name, the respond to God’s call on their lives. They hear His invitation to join Him, and they obey Him. Prayer provides access to His amazing grace, and brings glory to their Father now. Jesus said, “My sheep hear My voice.” His sheep never wander very far away from prayer.
First Century Christians held no vast political influence and wielded little financial clout in their day. For the most part conventional Roman wisdom disenfranchised and discounted them as deluded members of a new cult. It was assumed they would not pass the test of time. In the eyes of the world they had little political or financial power, but in God’s Kingdom, spiritual dynamite comes in small packages.
Their power was a result of the favor of God. His grace was their source of goodness and their works of faith. His grace provided His power, precisely because they did not seek the approval of men, but the approval of God. Their desire for the goodness of God set them apart for favor from God. Their works of faith made a difference.
Powerful prayer always makes a difference in any heart in any generation, humble enough to yield to God’s direction, protection and correction.
“I don’t pray because I am holy. I pray because I am not.” Doug Small
First Century believers appeared in a global garbage can, as the gardenias of God’s grace They were persecuted, not because they didn’t count to God, but because their fragrance could not be discounted by their enemies. They were worthy to be counted by God, because they were willing to suffer, at the hands of unreasonable men. They were worthy, indeed.
The appeal of the culture lost its grip on the early believers. Sickened by the bankrupt spiritual climate of the prevailing world religions, they were attracted to Jesus by the fresh breath of The Spirit of God. Paul prayed for them so they would not blend in or fit in where they once felt at home.
The early believes were counted worthy because they turned their backs on an old way of life. They breathed in the new life in Christ like a drowning man bursting out of deep water, gasping for air. Paul prayed they would not dive back into a culture that had tried to drown the life out of them. He prayed they would be determined to breathe deep, daily and often the fresh air of God’s grace.
NOTE TO SELF: Transformed behavior must mark your life as a rescued, grace driven believer. Prayer causes you to stick out like a sore thumb. Expect the contemporary culture, and church to hammer your thumb for it again and again. Don’t take it personally. The First Century believers experienced the same thing, Their “desire for goodness and the work of faith in power” changed their lives and transformed the culture. Pray for The Father to do no less in you, and to count you worthy of His grace to desire His goodness, and perform works of faith with His power. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Climate
“We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love…” I Thessalonians 1:1-3
While watching a recent winter weather report on TV, I was struck by the weather map’s graphic depiction of the size and scope of the latest arctic blast. While the rest of the states were held tightly in the grip of frigid temperatures, the peninsula of Florida stood out like a green thumb. To warm Floridians it must have looked like a huge “Thumb’s Up.” To me, it looked like Florida was thumbing its nose at those of us who didn’t have the good sense to move to a warmer climate.
“God works in the climate of prayer. Prayer is behind closed doors, and God opens closed doors as a result of prayer.“ Dr. Michael Catt, Senior Pastor – Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, GA
As Thanksgiving Day approaches, I am reminded of the attitude of gratitude. It is the heartbeat and birthmark of a child of God. Prayer is God’s way of breaking the icy grip of selfishness, and changing the climate of my cold heart when I give thanks to God. It is one thing to talk about the weather, but prayer brings about a real climate change in my heart, when I move towards the Son.
“Constantly bearing in mind” means remembering without ceasing. It carries a similar sentiment of a great old love song made famous by Glen Campbell, “You are always on my mind.”
“What thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before God on your account, as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face and complete what is lacking in your faith? “ 1 Thess. 3:10
“Night and day” includes praying for others even when it is inconvenient. It appears a bit extreme and even fanatical to the uninformed and disinterested, but earnest, passionate prayer is the only kind of prayer that touches the heart of God.
Praying earnestly is costly. It comes with a price. It is an investment in the benefit of someone else, not yourself. It doesn’t take into account how long it takes. It doesn’t calculate how much it costs. Praying earnestly gives true meaning to the contemporary concept of “All in.”
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit.” I Thessalonians 5: 16-19
“The original words for ‘without ceasing’ mean ‘stretched outedly.’ “ Dr. Herbert Lockyer, “All The Prayers of The Bible”
“Pray without ceasing” describes a habit of prayer that is carried out earnestly. It perseveres. It stretches out, in time and scope. It is not selfish, but selfless praying. It does not look at the clock on the wall, but the needs of others. It intercedes for the longest period of time, and reaches out to the largest number of people.
“Pray without ceasing” wherever the crises of life hit you. Pray on the water, in the water, or under the water. Prayer provides the scuba tanks to survive in a hostile climate.
Pray without ceasing” when you find yourself in the dark. Prayer will lead you back into the light. Prayer provides the night vision goggles to see what God is up to, even in the dark.
“Pray without ceasing” in the morning, through the day, and through the night. If you are sleepless, don’t remain prayerless. God may have awakened you to intercede for someone. Turn off the TV. Open your Bible. If you fall asleep praying it may be because the enemy sought to rob you of sleep by firing his darts of worry and fear into your heart. When you pray, you shoot the enemy’s arrows back at him. He always runs when you pray. Draw near to The Champion.
“Pray without ceasing” when you are reading, hearing, or watching the news. It turns your “Whine” List into a prayer list.
“Pray without ceasing” when you are driving. Praying for other drivers will keep you from cursing at them. Hearing the sound of an ambulance is a call to prayer. Observing a wreck on the side of the road is not a point of interest, but a divine appointment to pray for the victims. Pray with your eyes open.
“Pray without ceasing” when you are in a conversation. It will improve your listening skills, and keep a conversation from becoming two people conducting independent lecture series.
“Pray without ceasing” calls for the breath of The Spirit to blow upon God’s Holy fire in your heart to keep it from being extinguished, by the suffocating schemes and relentless intimidation of a ruthless enemy.
“Pray without ceasing” like breathing, is a vital sign of a healthy body. It sustains a life-giving climate change in the hearts of believers, and strengthens the health of the Body of Christ.
Pray without ceasing” has no time limit or expiration date. More than my daily bread, it is my next breath, and my constant source of life-sustaining grace. Prayer protects my faith from being extinguished, and The Body of Christ from experiencing extinction.
Note to Self: You may be able to stop talking, but the moment you stop breathing, you invite death not life. Your sweat equity may make your faith appear death defying, but prayer will make it life giving. Refraining from talking is not enough to sustain your life. You must breathe. “Pray without ceasing” and you sustain and strengthen your faith with the breath of Heaven. “Pray without ceasing” is more like breathing than talking. It is possible for you to live without talking, but you will have no life without breathing. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Desire
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers and petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” I Timothy 2:1-4
I tend to lose my grip on this verse of Scripture when reading Facebook posts of my Christian friends, and listening to the talking heads on TV. While they attempt to boost ratings to keep their jobs, they raise my blood pressure, and make me want to drive my car into a tree.
Apparently, some things never change. The following words are a blast from the past, but they are as accurate as the latest Tweet.
“National leaders, particularly in these critical days, need to be upheld by our prayers. Paul never forgot that he was a citizen of the world, and that citizenship, like every other privilege, imposed responsibilities. The scope of intercession is universal. References like Ezra 6:10 and Jeremiah 29:7 are associated with prayers for heathen rulers. How much more should we pray for nominal or actual Christian rulers.” Dr. Herbert Lockyer, 1886-1984, English preacher, and author who pastored in England, Scotland and the United States
My wife, Dana, and I selected the passage listed above as our Verse for The Year in 2011. I should have held onto it a lot longer. Every year, I seem to need it more than ever before. Can I get a witness?
This nation’s never-ending political trauma and drama, and the international persecution of Christians have brought me back to it. I admit and repent of the sin of prayerlessness on behalf of my national leaders and my fellow international believers. I may not be alone, but I only speak for myself. I have wronged them, and sinned against God. I am forgiven and driven to intercede for them.
Prayer, as Jesus expressed it, was a yielding of His will to The Father’s will. He prayed honestly enough to express His desire, but long enough for His desire to become aligned with The Desire of His Father. I can pray no better, and I should pray no less.
“Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me, yet not My will, but yours be done.” Jesus – Luke 22:42
Recently, I heard a friend of mine describe a powerful moment he experienced while sharing a meal in the home of Romanian Christians. They offered him an opportunity to drink from “The Martyr’s Cup.” It was a teacup once held in the hands of a fellow believer shortly before he was martyred for his faith, at the hands of the Communist government. They had given the cup a place of honor in their home. They only took it down to use it on special occasions. My friend described a sacred and symbolic moment when he was honored and humbled to be invited to touch the cup, and to drink from it.
Removal of corrupt leaders from office is not always the remedy The Father has in mind when He hears the prayers of His children. The early church survived the Roman emperors not by voting them out of office, but by dying in front of them in the coliseums. God’s remedy was not a relief from persecution, but a platform for their witness of Christ’ love.
Eventually the word for witness became synonymous with the word for martyr. Scripture says, “God desires for all men to be saved.” The Father’s strategy for world evangelization includes a martyr’s cup and is often hard to swallow. Don’t drink the Kool-Aid of easy believe-ism and cheap grace.
Buying into The Desire for people to be saved comes with a price. God’s value system is not the same as mine. Some things are worse than death. Dying with a living faith is worthy of His honor. Living with a dead faith, is worthy of His judgment. God places a high value on praying for leaders to have a change of heart. Don’t change the price tags. Start praying for change.
Some Christians speak of their leaders, both pastoral and political as if they think the Bible says, “God desires for all men to be scathed, not saved.” But I digress.
The Desire of God is for people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. His plan for seeing this accomplished involves calling His people to pray for their leaders. People who refuse to pray for their leaders are not likely to lead a peaceful and tranquil life.
Note to Self: Dismissing The Desire of God doesn’t lead you anywhere you want to go. There is a difference between praying for your leaders and scathing them. When you don’t pray for them, you betray God, not them. God has placed them in your path, and in authority. You don’t have to vote for them. You just have to pray for them. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Quotes
Scripture encourages me to pray. Though there are many more, I have selected my “Top Ten” Bible verses on prayer. I often rely on them to inspire me and to embolden me to pray, believing.
Believing prayer is not merely a devotional exercise expressing genuine humility and personal intimacy towards The Father. Prayer is not about generating a warm fuzzy feeling. It is about standing in the battle line in the face of enemy fire, and alongside The Champion at the hottest point of the battle.
Prayer is my personal war against the schemes of the enemy who seeks to intimidate me with hopeless odds. The enemy is a ruthless, and a relentless adversary. Though I sometimes feel that I am helpless against him on my own. I am not hopeless, when I stand next to The Champion in prayer. I recall the words of my father, “
“The true prayer warrior spends more time with his Commander and less time in the battle.” Don Miller
Prayer is not only the life breath of every believer, it is the climate in which God works through His church. His prayerless children often become breathless with panic. If they become breathless with prayer, they will never lose their child-like wonder over the grace of God, in the face of the enemy.
The prayerful learn they are not hopeless, just helpless. The prideful will remain prayerless. The humble will pray and discover that The Father inclines His ear to hear the prayers of His children.
“Father…not My will, but Yours be done.” Jesus – Luke 22:42
“Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” Jesus – Luke 23:34
“Christ Jesus…also intercedes for us.” Romans 8:34
“He (Jesus) always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
“We do not know how to pray as we should, but The Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” Romans 8:26
“Lord, teach us to pray.” Luke 11:1
“Whatever you ask of The Father in my name, He may give to you.” John 15: 16
“You have not because you ask not.” James 4:2
“First of all, I urge that entreaties and prayers… be made on behalf of all men.” I Timothy 2:1
“Pray in the Spirit.” Ephesians 6:18
Quotes of seasoned prayer warriors, though not equal with Scripture, are powerful reminders to me. I draw strength from those who discovered how to turn their battleground into holy ground. Those who have stood their ground and the test of time are the most reliable. Only those who have finished strong give me the greatest encouragement. Other voices may be eloquent, but in prayer, it is not the voice of eloquence, but the life of experience that counts. They change from time to time, but here are my “Top Ten Prayer Quotes.”
“The one concern of the devil is to keep Christians from praying. He fears nothing from prayerless studies, prayerless work, or prayerless religion. He laughs at our toil, mocks at our wisdom, but trembles when we pray.” Samuel Chadwick
“Discernment is God’s call to intercession, never fault-finding.” Oswald Chambers
“The Holy Spirit does not flow through methods but through men. He does not come on machinery but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men – men of prayer.” E.M. Bounds
“The man who mobilizes the church to pray will make the greatest contribution to world evangelism in history.” Andrew Murray
“If I could hear Christ praying for me, I would not fear a million enemies, but the distance makes no difference. HE is praying for me.” Robert Murray M’Cheyne
“I would rather teach one man to pray than ten men to preach.” Charles Haddon Spurgeon
“Your extremity is God’s opportunity.” George Whitefield
“It is God’s will through His wonderful grace, that the prayers of His saints should be one of the great principal means of carrying on the designs of Christ’s kingdom in the world. When God has something very great to accomplish for His church, it is His will that there should precede it the extraordinary prayers of His people;” Jonathan Edwards
“Men intimate with God are not intimidated by man.” A.W. Tozer
“Prayer is the intimate communication between The Heavenly Father and His child.” Don Miller
The Veteran
Squeezed in between Halloween Night and Thanksgiving Day, our nation officially honors The Veterans who have stood on the wall and protected a free people. Words cannot express the genuine appreciation most Americans feel for the families of those who have sacrificed sons and daughters to preserve the freedoms we too often take for granted. Today Americans say, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
God thought highly of the service and sacrifice of soldiers. His Spirit selected them as expressions in Scripture of the kind of people God enlists to serve in His army. When we honor our veterans, it would be wise to remember what God loved the most about soldiers.
Good soldiers were effective soldiers, because they were willing to suffer hardship, when others were seeking to be put at ease. They were willing to be inconvenienced, or pressed beyond their comfort zone.
When the night falls the enemy always seems larger in the dark. In the face of a relentless enemy, prayer has always been the soldier’s most fluent language. Prayer will turn any battle ground into holy ground. This only happens…EVERY TIME.
Good soldiers have always pressed on when other soldiers fell out of a forced march. They never dropped their guard or fell asleep on the wall. Good soldiers kept marching, standing and watching. The standards remain the same for soldiers in the Army of God.
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good solder of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:3
Good soldiers have always been focused on obeying the orders of their commander, not debating them. Their allegiance was expressed by their obedience to fight, not in the eloquence of their debate. It is one thing to say a Pledge of Allegiance. It is quite another thing to pay the price of obedience. Good soldiers learn to pray and obey, and stay in the fight.
Good soldiers do not obey because it is convenient. They obey because they live to protect the ones who need them the most, and to serve the one who called them first.
For good soldiers to obey their commander requires sacrifice. America's army is made up of volunteers. Veterans of this army over the years have had to make personal choices to pry themselves away from people, places and plans that were very dear to them. Untangling themselves may have cost them the loss of a career. At the very least their service cost them the loss of sleep. For some their sacrifice required their loss of blood and for others the loss of life. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, indeed.
"No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of every day life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4
Good soldiers know that no matter how low or how high their rank may be, their power comes from being under authority. It does not flow from being in authority. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Good soldiers serve effectively by honoring the one who commands them. They are never guilty of stealing glory, taking credit or usurping the authority of their commander.
Stolen valor may be one of the most despicable crimes committed by someone who wears the uniform of our nation. Those who claim to be soldiers of our Lord are not immune from this same temptation. When people wear fake medals or preach and teach beyond their genuine experience, they are worse than deserters. They are posers. To lack moral earnestness is to be an immoral fraud.
Jesus recognized faith when He saw it. He honored the Roman solider who could sense that Jesus had power to command because He was under the authority of God. The solider knew what it meant to follow orders, and He could see the marching orders of God written all over the life and ministry of Jesus. His words should leave an indelible mark on us all who serve.
"I too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me..." Luke 7:8
Good soldiers are equipped with the right weapons, and they are filled with the courage to use them against the right enemy. They don’t just fire when ready. They fire at the right target.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“When one brave man stands, the spines of others are strengthened.” Dr. Billy Graham
Note to Self. Taking friendly fire will be the saddest experience you will ever experience while serving in combat for your Lord. It is very painful and seems pointless. Taking fire from those you have sworn to serve, and who benefit from your sacrifice is hard soldiering. They can steal earthly benefit from what you suffer, but don’t return their fire. Let God do it. His aim is better than yours. Keep fighting the right enemy, by praying for your friends and enemies. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Revival
“You who seek God, let your heart revive, for the Lord hears the needy…” Psalms 69:32-33
I grew up in a Baptist church, and later served as pastor of Baptist churches for almost four decades. I recall a song we sang at least twice a year when we held our Fall and Spring Revivals. We called out to God for something only He could give. We seldom experienced it, but we sang about it anyway.
“Revive us again! Fill each heart with Thy love!
Let each soul be rekindled with fire from above.
Hallelujah, Thine the glory! Hallelujah, Amen!
Halleluhah, Thine the glory! REVIVE US AGAIN!”
It was not unusual in the 1950’s for our churches to have two week long revivals twice a year. By the time the 1980’s rolled around, it was a chore to gather people for meetings from Sunday to Wednesday. Today the expectations have been lowered, and the meetings have been shortened or have completely disappeared in most churches.
Revival doesn’t hinge on moving back to extended meetings. It depends on an extended movement of The Presence of God. Planning for the former without praying for the latter will not bring revival, just battle fatigue.
God’s Word calls for His people to take heart and place their hope in Him for revival. God may lead you to restore a series of meetings, but He longs to revive dead hearts into beating hearts.
When praying for revival, it helps to know what you are seeking. If you can’t define revival, you risk missing it when God delivers it. The old-timers knew it was more than a meeting of the saints. Revival for them became a life-changing encounter with God. Don’t take my word for it.
· “Revival is a community saturated with God.” Duncan Campbell
· “Revival is falling in love with Jesus all over again.” Vance Havner
· “Revival is an invasion of Heaven.” Stephen Olford
· “Revival is war between Heaven and the Devil.” J. Edwin Orr
· “Revival is GOD.” Richard Owen Roberts
Recently, I heard Dr. Michael Catt, Senior Pastor of Sherwood Baptist Church, Albany, GA quote the words of Charles Haddon Spurgeon. The 19th Century Prince of Preachers walked towards his pulpit of the great Metropolitan Tabernacle in London, England with a great fear of God. Catt said, “Spurgeon would whisper under his breath, but those who were close could hear him say, over and over again,…
“I believe in the power of the Holy Spirit.” Charles H. Spurgeon
At the National Revival Symposium, Dr. Bob Bakke said, “Prophecy is as much forth-telling as foretelling.” I agree. Preacher speaks for God would be wise to have a great fear of God, before they open their mouths to preach the Word of God. Why?
The Person of The Holy Spirit takes revival seriously. Jesus promised His disciples, “I came that they might have life, and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10) His Spirit was His Promise Keeper and the living-giving proof of His Presence.
Revival is a Spirit-delivered miracle from a Sovereign God who has responded to the cries of His children. The Father hears and responds to their prayer of helplessness, and chooses to step in and take over the mess they have created out of His Son’s church.
“Prayer is our partnership with God. God has sovereignly decided not to work among men unless He is partnering with men.” Bob Bakke
NOTE TO SELF: Depending on the level of change that needs to take place in YOUR life, YOUR church, YOUR community or YOUR country, God will move in to bring about change, when you pray. REMEMBER, God chooses to move in different ways, at different times in history. The Spirit of God delivers revival. It comes from Him, and Him alone. Accept no substitutes. Take the description of revival from those who know about it from first hand experience. When the First Great Awakening surged through the little town of Northampton, Massachusetts Jonathan Edwards described it as, “A surprising work of God.” Keep singing “Revive us again” but start praying, “Surprise me today.” God loves to revive His children. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Symposium
Squeezed in between Halloween Night and Thanksgiving Day, our nation officially honors The Veterans who have stood on the wall and protected a free people. Words cannot express the genuine appreciation most Americans feel for the families of those who have sacrificed sons and daughters to preserve the freedoms we too often take for granted. Today Americans say, “Thank you for your service and sacrifice.”
God thought highly of the service and sacrifice of soldiers. His Spirit selected them as expressions in Scripture of the kind of people God enlists to serve in His army. When we honor our veterans, it would be wise to remember what God loved the most about soldiers.
Good soldiers were effective soldiers, because they were willing to suffer hardship, when others were seeking to be put at ease. They were willing to be inconvenienced, or pressed beyond their comfort zone.
When the night falls the enemy always seems larger in the dark. In the face of a relentless enemy, prayer has always been the soldier’s most fluent language. Prayer will turn any battle ground into holy ground. This only happens…EVERY TIME.
Good soldiers have always pressed on when other soldiers fell out of a forced march. They never dropped their guard or fell asleep on the wall. Good soldiers kept marching, standing and watching. The standards remain the same for soldiers in the Army of God.
"Suffer hardship with me, as a good solder of Christ Jesus." 2 Timothy 2:3
Good soldiers have always been focused on obeying the orders of their commander, not debating them. Their allegiance was expressed by their obedience to fight, not in the eloquence of their debate. It is one thing to say a Pledge of Allegiance. It is quite another thing to pay the price of obedience. Good soldiers learn to pray and obey, and stay in the fight.
Good soldiers do not obey because it is convenient. They obey because they live to protect the ones who need them the most, and to serve the one who called them first.
For good soldiers to obey their commander requires sacrifice. America's army is made up of volunteers. Veterans of this army over the years have had to make personal choices to pry themselves away from people, places and plans that were very dear to them. Untangling themselves may have cost them the loss of a career. At the very least their service cost them the loss of sleep. For some their sacrifice required their loss of blood and for others the loss of life. Thank you for your service and sacrifice, indeed.
"No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of every day life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” 2 Timothy 2:4
Good soldiers know that no matter how low or how high their rank may be, their power comes from being under authority. It does not flow from being in authority. BIG DIFFERENCE.
Good soldiers serve effectively by honoring the one who commands them. They are never guilty of stealing glory, taking credit or usurping the authority of their commander.
Stolen valor may be one of the most despicable crimes committed by someone who wears the uniform of our nation. Those who claim to be soldiers of our Lord are not immune from this same temptation. When people wear fake medals or preach and teach beyond their genuine experience, they are worse than deserters. They are posers. To lack moral earnestness is to be an immoral fraud.
Jesus recognized faith when He saw it. He honored the Roman solider who could sense that Jesus had power to command because He was under the authority of God. The solider knew what it meant to follow orders, and He could see the marching orders of God written all over the life and ministry of Jesus. His words should leave an indelible mark on us all who serve.
"I too, am a man under authority, with soldiers under me..." Luke 7:8
Good soldiers are equipped with the right weapons, and they are filled with the courage to use them against the right enemy. They don’t just fire when ready. They fire at the right target.
“Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood.” Ephesians 6:10-12
“When one brave man stands, the spines of others are strengthened.” Dr. Billy Graham
Note to Self. Taking friendly fire will be the saddest experience you will ever experience while serving in combat for your Lord. It is very painful and seems pointless. Taking fire from those you have sworn to serve, and who benefit from your sacrifice is hard soldiering. They can steal earthly benefit from what you suffer, but don’t return their fire. Let God do it. His aim is better than yours. Keep fighting the right enemy, by praying for your friends and enemies. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The P.A.I.N.
“O foolish men and slow of heart to believe, was it not necessary for Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory…He explained to them the things concerning Himself in the Scriptures.” Luke 18: 25-27
One of the first learning curves children must experience is the pain associated with foolish behavior. Foolish choices bring painful consequences. The earlier children learn this truth, the wiser they will be, and the sooner the better.
Pain is not always terminal. It can be remedial. Falling down and bumping a chin, skinning a knee or losing one’s breath is painful, but not a death sentence.
My wife, Dana taught me the wisdom of picking up our little girls when they fell, and cheering. She made a painful experience a Great Adventure. She would quickly dust our girls off, and set them on their way to play without turning every tiny trauma into a huge drama. This resulted in A LOT of cheering and two strong and confident daughters who know how to bounce back up when knocked down by adversity. Thank you, Dana.
The older I get the more likely I am to cry out in pain, but the reasons for it are quite different than when I was a child. Watching the contemporary church willingly give up the moral high ground without a fight brings excruciating pain to my heart. Observing the citizens of my nation substituting the promises of politicians for the promises of God, pains me in the depths of my soul. I hurt in places I didn’t know I had when I was a child. Pain reminds me the consequences of disobedience still matter to God, and the cry of my prayers are still heard by The Father.
“Pain is God’s megaphone to a deaf world.” C.S. Lewis
When Jesus died on the cross, and was buried in the tomb, His death appeared terminal, not remedial. Those who loved Him the most wondered with good reason, “What possible good could come out of His horrible execution?” When The Risen Christ shared with two disheartened disciples on the road to Emmaus, He gave them a new perspective on pain. The pain He had endured, and they had witnessed took on a new meaning when Jesus placed His pain under the shining light of God’s Word. The wise will always seek God’s Word for His perspective on pain.
“Pain is necessary to make an adjustment.” Bill Elliff
P.A.I.N. can be remedial if I Perceive Affliction Is Necessary. There is always a cost to obeying God’s Word. Praying through a crisis doesn’t exempt you from going through pain. Prayer becomes a regular, and necessary pit stop, on any painful journey.
“When you find yourself going through hell. Keep moving.” Winston Churchill
It is not enough to know that Jesus experienced pain and suffering. The Son learned obedience from it. He went through pain and suffering, by praying in it.
There is great joy in the journey, for you who travel down a long road of obedience with Jesus, but mark this down. Along with His Presence, you will share His suffering and His pain.
“In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.” Hebrews 5:7-8
Experiencing pain does not always lead to wisdom. People, churches, and nations who refuse to learn from self-inflicted pain or Divine Judgment, will experience a great deal more of both. Obedience, not lenience is God’s remedy for foolishness. Apply it liberally to your pain.
When pain is a result of my foolishness, God has a remedy. His remedial judgment can change my behavior. When it is a result of someone else’s action, I can learn from it. If I can’t stop them, I can at least stiff-arm them. Keeping trouble at arms length is better than having no boundaries at all.
“There is no education in the second kick of a mule.” David Lane
Continuing to make the same foolish choices only to be kicked in the face by the inevitable consequences for my disobedience to God does not produce wisdom. It is a form of insanity to try and walk in one direction when God is calling me to walk in another. When it comes to unnecessary pain, the first step towards God’s remedy is to stop the madness, turn around and obey God.
“Remedial judgment seeks a remedy.” Richard Owen Roberts
NOTE TO SELF: Jesus suffered painful affliction, and learned from it without resenting it. Two things come to mind. (1) Don’t be surprised by pain. (2) Learn the right lesson from it. Jesus was a man of piety, and prayerfulness, but it did not make Him immune from painful affliction. It would be foolish to think that you can be pious enough to hide from pain for the rest of your life. There are times God allows pain to bring about an adjustment in your behavior. Obedience is still the best remedy and it turns your P.A.I.N. into gain. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The Concert
“Again, I say to you if two or more of you agree on earth about anything that they may ask, it shall be done for them by My Father who is in Heaven.” Matthew 18:19
Some people have an ear for music. Some people think they can sing. Uniting the two may make a joyful noise without producing the sound of music. Let me explain.
During my first pastorate, I observed our new worship leader moving people around in the choir. By the pained expressions on their faces, they were not happy. They were living proof of, “We Shall Not Be Moved.” It was an awkward moment, as he positioned them next to people they had never met, and perhaps didn’t even like. After all, this was a Baptist church.
The worship leader had an unusual ability to hear individual voices even when they were embedded in a larger group. He was concerned with the sound the choir would make, not the feelings of those in the choir. To improve their sound, he was placing people next to someone with a stronger voice, or who possessed the ability to sing on key. He sought to bring the best out of each individual, while improving the corporate sound. The results were amazing.
As the choir kept singing, I could see on their faces a growing confidence, and I could hear a different sound. It was not unison, but it was united. They were not all singing the same note, but they were making harmony. It was no longer a group of soloists. It was a concert of many voices singing together under the leader of one person. Their voices were blending together as they yielded to one another. Trust me, this was a modern miracle and a vast improvement over the sound of fifty cats fighting their way out of a big burlap bag.
At the National Revival Symposium, hosted by Byron Paulus and Life Action Ministries, I was challenged by the words of Bob Bakke regarding the power of united prayer. He referenced Matthew 18:19 and said,
“United prayer is important to God. There is an authority and a power of God that is not given to an individual.” Bob Bakke
Spiritual Awakenings have always been marked by concerts of prayer. Prayer may begin in the heart of one man, one woman, or one young person. Before long, God begins to maneuver praying people into positions or relationships and call them to pray together for Spiritual Awakening with greater power than they could ever generate by themselves. Together they encourage one another to believe God for what often seems unbelievable, and to settle for nothing less than revival.
“Nothing less than a culturally transforming revival – a great awakening – is an acceptable goal. It resets the moral virtue of a nation from the inside out, not the top down.” Doug Small
Believing prayer asks God for Spiritual Awakening. God begins an Awakening by saturating your heart with His Presence. As you linger in His Presence, He resets the climate of moral virtue in your house, the church house, the schoolhouse, the state house, and the White House. The Bible is clear. God hears His children when they pray, and He answers when they ask.
“Ask, and it will be given to you, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.” Matthew 7: 7
The Father does not require a greater sound of prayer to generate a deeper concern for His children’s requests. His desire for a concert of prayer is meant to encourage His children to remain obedient, and to keep asking, seeking and knocking, even when they feel like they might be the only person praying. The Father is not holding out on His children. He is calling them to come together before Him in prayer. He desires for them to experience Spiritual Awakening together.
“How much more, will your Father who is in Heaven give what is good to those who ask Him.” Matthew 7:11
In July of 1995, I ventured into months of preparation for my first marathon. Many mornings I rose before dawn to log the 500 miles I needed to be ready for race day. Dodging skunks, enduring the extreme Texas temperatures, and generally plodding through the dark, I often thought, “I must be the only idiot doing this.” How wrong I was.
When I showed up on race day in Dallas, on a beautiful, sunny morning in December, I was met by thousands of idiots who were determined to run over 26 miles in 19 degree weather.
I sometimes joke and say, “I ran two marathons that day. My first and my last.” But I digress.
Note to Self: It is hard to see in the dark. Remember, the thousands of runners preparing for race day couldn’t see each other in the dark. Apply what you learned from running to praying. The sounds of the enemy can be intimidating, when you try to fight as a single prayer warrior. Don’t give into the temptation to stop asking, seeking and knocking on behalf of the next Great Awakening. Concerts of prayer have a way of turning on the light and reminding you, that you are part of a huge army, and you never fight alone. Unite your voice with millions of other prayer warriors and raise your prayer to The Father. Run to the battle line, and stand next to The Champion. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Settle for nothing less than the next Great Awakening. TALK LESS! PRAY MORE!
The H.O.P.E.
Recently I was challenged by the words of Bob Bakke. He was one of the featured speakers at the National Revival Symposium, hosted by Life Action Ministries in Buchanan, Michigan. This summit on Spiritual Awakening was led, by Byron Paulus. The line up included Bill Elliff, Richard Owen Roberts, Michael Catt, Brent Brooks, Doug Small, and Dave Butts.
Distilling the messages of these men down to a few brief words does not do their presentations justice, but my primary take away from one of Bob Bakke’s challenges was this.
“Live in the hope that God can bring Spiritual Awakening.
If there is no hope you will not pray. Hope is such a powerful drive to our actions. Introduce the theology of hope to your church and to your community.” Bob Bakke
At t the request of my pastor, I am preparing to preach on prayer, as our congregation celebrates the fifth anniversary of our birth as a church. I have been driven to focus on “The Role of Prayer in Spiritual Awakening. As I reflect on the firm foundation of a healthy church, I have been reminded of the priorities in building a home. Many rooms are optional, but I agree with my friend.
“The foundation of the church is prayer.” Bill Elliff
Prayer begins with a need for corrected vision. Night Vision Goggles and corrective lenses of prayer allow you to see with fresh insight, what God has done in the past when His people have called on His name. The promises of His Presence are still true.
“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” James 4:8
“There have been cataclysmic occasions when God has stepped in to move a nation back from the brink of destruction. The movements last approximately 30 years, but have a shadow of influence over 50 years.” Bob Bakke
What is H.O.P.E.? It is Having Our Perspective Elevated.
Hope for the next Great Awakening begins with your first prayer for it. Prayer takes your helpless desperation for awakening and turns it into a hopeful expectation of awakening.
“When God intends great mercy for His people, the first thing He does is to set them a-praying.” Matthew Henry
What is H.O.P.E.? It is Having Our Prayers Expanded.
Know your Bible, and the evidence of past movements of God during the times of…
· The Bondage
· The Exodus
· The Judges
· The Nation
· The Captivity
· The Remnant
Know your nation’s history and church history.
· The First Great Awakening was described as a
“Surprising Work of God” by Jonathan Edwards. Pray for God to surprise you with another one.
· The 2nd Great Awakening took place in American during the late 18th & early 19th Century. It was influenced by a movement of God among the Ulster Scots in Europe, and swept the western frontier of the United States including Kentucky.
· The Fulton Street Prayer Revival of 1857 came on the heels of a national financial disaster, and out of population of 30 million, one million came to Christ.
· The Welsh Revival of the Early 20th Century led to a world wide movement of students who believed they would see the entire world turn to Christ in their life-time.
· The Jesus Revolution of the late 1960’s to early 1970’s was birthed in the midst of the chaos, confusion and corruption of a cultural revolution. No one saw it coming.
On the world scene, there are more Christians in China than Communists. Cambodia is experiencing a movement of God.
Christians in Muslim nations are facing a crisis of belief. Eleven Christians are martyred for their faith every hour of every day.
What is H.O.P.E.? It is Having Our Prayers Exceeded
· What are you praying for that is impossible?
· Are you praying for revival or survival?
· What are you praying for that without Awakening, it is not even possible to survive as a family, a church, a community or a country?
This question was one of the flashing warning lights on the dashboard of the church during the waning days of The Jesus Revolution. “If God took His Holy Spirit out of the contemporary church, would it make a difference, or would most of its work just continue uninterrupted?”
Note to Self: Answered prayer is the purpose of believing prayer. If you have no hope, you won’t pray for Spiritual Awakening. You are helpless, not hopeless. If you are hopeless, you may pray for The Rapture, but if you admit you are helpless, you will pray for Awakening. Your helplessness will birth an Awakening. Your hoplelessness will kill it. Have hope!
“The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” James 5: 16
“I don’t pray because I am holy. I pray because I am not.” Doug Small
In times long past, God has released sovereign, cataclysmic manifestations of His Presence. Why not now?
There have been great nations, mighty cities, small town and obscure communities where God has invaded. Why not here?
God hears and answers the cries of His children when they pray to Him. If you believe in God, you believe in revival. Revival in a word is, “God.” Revival is nothing less than the manifest Presence of God saturating a community. Why not pray, “Father, we are helpless without You. Please surprise us with Your Presence and stay with us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.”