One of my favorite statements is, "Pray like everything depends on God, Work like everything depends on you." I love this because it shows how God wants our partnership with Him. Well, if any of you are like me, I have been living an altered form of this statement lately...
Instead of Working like everything depends on me, I have been worrying like everything depends on me...
Instead of going to God in Prayer with Boldness, I have been "worrying" my Prayers...but allow me to say this...GOD SPEAKS!!! Look what He revealed to me in The Book of James last night, I Pray it speaks to you as well:
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves. Don't think you're going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open. ~ James 1.6-8 MSG ~
And here it is in the CEV version:
But when you ask for something, you must have faith and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like an ocean wave tossed around in a storm. If you are that kind of person, you can't make up your mind, and you surely can't be trusted. So don't expect the Lord to give you anything at all. ~ James 1.6-8 CEV ~
Pleasing God
Asking Bodly, In Faith, and without doubt is HUGE! Look at Hebrews 11.6:
But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (emphasis added).
Mark 11.24 goes on to say, Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith.
Now this "Everything" (aka "Anything") is "Everything/Anything" in The Name of Jesus...
Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it! ~ John 14.14 ~
This means, as The Message paraphrase puts it, Praying for anything along the lines of who Jesus is and what He is doing!
Prayers Answered
How is our Prayer life? Are we asking Boldly and In Faith, or are we doubting and filled with worry? Do we trust God...Is Prayer a relationship with God or a coping mechanism for worry? I want God to see me as a Rock, firm in my faith, not as an ocean wave tossed around in the storm.
Worry, Waiting, and Worship
One problem that may cause us to worry instead of worship is due to the fact that we are waiting. We say, "I'm just waiting on God."...Reality check: God does not need to catch up with us while we wait on Him....
I like how Perry Noble puts it, and I paraphrase: "God waits on us, we don't wait on Him...if we are waiting on God, then that must mean we are ahead of Him, and folks, we are not ahead of God!"
It's time I get back to Worshipping God instead of worrying about circumstances...
Lord, Forgive me for my lack of faith and trying to control through worry. I will focus on my boldness in Prayer because I Pray to you, The One and Only Bold God!
I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans. ~ Job 42.2 ~
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Foundation Of Prayer
"Prayer is always foundational to wisdom." ~ Eugene Peterson ~
Peterson goes on to say that According to church traditions, James (From The Book of James in The Bible) had the nickname of "Old Camel Knees" because of thick calluses built up on his knees from many years of determined prayer.
I love that. Can you imagine the cumulative effect of all those prayers! How would you like to have on your resume or in your portfolio that you wrote one of the books of The Bible! Prayer is definitely the foundation to wisdom...Prayer focuses our thoughts and guides our lives...Prayer puts us in the zone...
Mark Batterson talks about being in "Prayer Mode." When we constantly Pray, our thoughts and actions become shaped by those Prayers. The Holy Spirit speaks and we listen, giving us all the wisdom we need. Mark goes on to say how "Prayer Mode" is like our Reticular Activating System, the part of the brain that acts as our center for arousal and motivation. When we pray, we start seeing things or hearing things that otherwise we would have paid no attention to.
It's sort of like the phenomenon that occurs when we buy a certain shirt or hear a certain word. All of a sudden, we see that certain shirt everywhere or here that certain word over and over again. It's not that the shirt was non-existent before, it's just that we became more aware of it once we bought it...so it is with Prayer...Prayer focuses out thoughts and actions and we begin to see more clearly...we begin to gain wisdom on top of wisdom!
But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. ~ James 1.5 ~
Peterson goes on to say that According to church traditions, James (From The Book of James in The Bible) had the nickname of "Old Camel Knees" because of thick calluses built up on his knees from many years of determined prayer.
I love that. Can you imagine the cumulative effect of all those prayers! How would you like to have on your resume or in your portfolio that you wrote one of the books of The Bible! Prayer is definitely the foundation to wisdom...Prayer focuses our thoughts and guides our lives...Prayer puts us in the zone...
Mark Batterson talks about being in "Prayer Mode." When we constantly Pray, our thoughts and actions become shaped by those Prayers. The Holy Spirit speaks and we listen, giving us all the wisdom we need. Mark goes on to say how "Prayer Mode" is like our Reticular Activating System, the part of the brain that acts as our center for arousal and motivation. When we pray, we start seeing things or hearing things that otherwise we would have paid no attention to.
It's sort of like the phenomenon that occurs when we buy a certain shirt or hear a certain word. All of a sudden, we see that certain shirt everywhere or here that certain word over and over again. It's not that the shirt was non-existent before, it's just that we became more aware of it once we bought it...so it is with Prayer...Prayer focuses out thoughts and actions and we begin to see more clearly...we begin to gain wisdom on top of wisdom!
But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. ~ James 1.5 ~
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Feel It!
With The New Year of 2009 around the corner, there is no doubt that resolutions will be made and goals set. But I want to change the mentality of setting goals and resolutions to defining a problem to solve.
Feel It
If you and I really want to create change, accomplish a goal, or live out a dream, we really need to become a problem solver. One great way to do this is by "Feeling It." We must become "uncomfortable" in order to do something GREAT.
I Don't Feel Like It
Now think to a time when you did not want to do something. My imagination tells me you may have said the following: "I don't feel like it." Many times we will use this excuse, and if we only went to work, or school, or excercised when we felt like it, then we would probably never do anything. So how do we "feel" like doing something? We must define a problem to solve and it must hit us deep in the gut until we do feel it...Spiritually, Physically, Mentally...it must hit us until we feel it....Ask yourself this question: "What's At Stake"...meaning, what will happen if you don't solve the problem?
Goal vs Problem
Now don't get me wrong, Goals are amazing...In fact, I am currenlty working on a list of around 200 goals that I want to accomplish...but as I am writing this post, I might actually change them to 200 problems to solve! Allow me to give some examples between goals and problems...
Example: A goal is to open a savings account. A problem is possible bankrupcy. Which do you think will allow you to "feel" like saving instead of spending?
Example: A goal is to lose 20 pounds. Problems if you don't exercise are possible clogged arteries and high cholesterol. Which do you think will make you "feel" like exercising at 5 a.m.?
Example: A goal is to read The Bible in a year. A problem is determing your God-Ordained purpose. Which do you think will make you "feel" like meditating on Scripture?
Ask For It
You may already know of a problem that needs solving. But if you don't, then You may need to ask for a problem to solve... Pray for a burden, a problem, something that will really motivate you to live a God-Anointed Life. Something that makes you happy, mad, scream, something that makes you bang your fist on the table or jump for joy in your room...go to God in Prayer and simply say, "Lord, what problem do you want to use me to solve?"
Keeping Promises: Responsibility vs Discipline
In order to solve problems through "feeling" the problem, we must be responsible in our problem solving. Responsibility is keeping a promise to someone else. Who do we need to be responsible to or for? Discipline is the promise that we keep to our selves. We need to develop a solution to our problem and promise our selves to solve it. What allows us to be responsible and disciplined? The Answer is Commitment...We must be committed to solving the problem.
God Felt It, Jesus Felt It
God saw a problem: The sin of the world. God felt it. His solution....Jesus...Jesus saved and redeemed the world because He felt it. Sweating drops of blood...flogging...spear at His side...hanging naked on The Cross...Jesus felt it on many levels...From Mark 14.34, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Jesus felt it so much that He even prayed not to have to go through with the excruciating death...but He always had the problem solving in mind, Praying the following from Mark 14.36:
Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
What problem is God calling you to solve? Lord, what problem do you want me to solve?
Feel It
If you and I really want to create change, accomplish a goal, or live out a dream, we really need to become a problem solver. One great way to do this is by "Feeling It." We must become "uncomfortable" in order to do something GREAT.
I Don't Feel Like It
Now think to a time when you did not want to do something. My imagination tells me you may have said the following: "I don't feel like it." Many times we will use this excuse, and if we only went to work, or school, or excercised when we felt like it, then we would probably never do anything. So how do we "feel" like doing something? We must define a problem to solve and it must hit us deep in the gut until we do feel it...Spiritually, Physically, Mentally...it must hit us until we feel it....Ask yourself this question: "What's At Stake"...meaning, what will happen if you don't solve the problem?
Goal vs Problem
Now don't get me wrong, Goals are amazing...In fact, I am currenlty working on a list of around 200 goals that I want to accomplish...but as I am writing this post, I might actually change them to 200 problems to solve! Allow me to give some examples between goals and problems...
Example: A goal is to open a savings account. A problem is possible bankrupcy. Which do you think will allow you to "feel" like saving instead of spending?
Example: A goal is to lose 20 pounds. Problems if you don't exercise are possible clogged arteries and high cholesterol. Which do you think will make you "feel" like exercising at 5 a.m.?
Example: A goal is to read The Bible in a year. A problem is determing your God-Ordained purpose. Which do you think will make you "feel" like meditating on Scripture?
Ask For It
You may already know of a problem that needs solving. But if you don't, then You may need to ask for a problem to solve... Pray for a burden, a problem, something that will really motivate you to live a God-Anointed Life. Something that makes you happy, mad, scream, something that makes you bang your fist on the table or jump for joy in your room...go to God in Prayer and simply say, "Lord, what problem do you want to use me to solve?"
Keeping Promises: Responsibility vs Discipline
In order to solve problems through "feeling" the problem, we must be responsible in our problem solving. Responsibility is keeping a promise to someone else. Who do we need to be responsible to or for? Discipline is the promise that we keep to our selves. We need to develop a solution to our problem and promise our selves to solve it. What allows us to be responsible and disciplined? The Answer is Commitment...We must be committed to solving the problem.
God Felt It, Jesus Felt It
God saw a problem: The sin of the world. God felt it. His solution....Jesus...Jesus saved and redeemed the world because He felt it. Sweating drops of blood...flogging...spear at His side...hanging naked on The Cross...Jesus felt it on many levels...From Mark 14.34, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death." Jesus felt it so much that He even prayed not to have to go through with the excruciating death...but He always had the problem solving in mind, Praying the following from Mark 14.36:
Abba,[a] Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."
What problem is God calling you to solve? Lord, what problem do you want me to solve?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Set Free From People Pleasing!
For my part, I am going to boast about nothing but the Cross of our Master, Jesus Christ. Because of that Cross, I have been crucified in relation to the world, set free from the stifling atmosphere of pleasing others and fitting into the little patterns that they dictate. Can't you see the central issue in all this? It is not what you and I do—submit to circumcision, reject circumcision. It is what God is doing, and he is creating something totally new, a free life! All who walk by this standard are the true Israel of God—his chosen people. Peace and mercy on them! ~ Galatians 6:14 ~
Are We Pleasing God or people? Do we care more about what God thinks and less about what people think? Who or What is our standard?
Are We Pleasing God or people? Do we care more about what God thinks and less about what people think? Who or What is our standard?
Super+Natural
Perry Noble was talking about "The Supernatural" in one of his Sermons...I like how he dissected this word: "God does The Super, We need to do the Natural..."
God desires our partnership and we have a responsibility to create with what He empowers us with....
Galatians 6.4
God desires our partnership and we have a responsibility to create with what He empowers us with....
Galatians 6.4
Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others.
Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
The Shema
Here's a fun prayer to do. Work on memorizing the first part of Hebrew shown here in what is known as the "Shema". The "Shema" is probably the most important prayer for those of Jewish Faith. Read more about it at hebrew4Christians.com here:
Deuteronomy 6:4
Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
*Source for this Scripture: http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/shema.htm
Deuteronomy 6:4
Sh'ma Yis'ra'eil Adonai Eloheinu Adonai echad.
Hear, Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One.
*Source for this Scripture: http://www.jewfaq.org/prayer/shema.htm
Anima Christi
I am an active follower of Jesus Christ, a United Methodist. However, I enjoy studying prayers of the Jewish faith as well as the Catholic Tradition to simply understand prayer "language" (this is not to say that people of the Catholic tradition are not Christians; only that Protestant and Catholics have some different beliefs).
I have recently come across "The Anima Christi," a 14th Century Catholic Prayer said after Communion. This is a beautiful prayer to our Lord Jesus for our souls. "Anima Christ" means, "The Soul of Christ". (Idea...you could put "us" in place of "me" in order to escape our "individualistic" culture)...
"I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally....My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath." - Saint John Vianney.
(source:http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/anima2.htm)
*emphasis mine
I have recently come across "The Anima Christi," a 14th Century Catholic Prayer said after Communion. This is a beautiful prayer to our Lord Jesus for our souls. "Anima Christ" means, "The Soul of Christ". (Idea...you could put "us" in place of "me" in order to escape our "individualistic" culture)...
"I love You, O my God, and my only desire is to love You until the last breath of my life. I love You, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving You, than live without loving You. I love You, Lord and the only grace I ask is to love You eternally....My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love You, I want my heart to repeat it to You as often as I draw breath." - Saint John Vianney.
(source:http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/prayers/anima2.htm)
*emphasis mine
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