Intense Prayer

How often do you pray? What do you pray about? Are your prayers casual or intense? Are you praying for what you want or for what God wants? Are you praying in generalities or being specific? Are you trusting God will answer your prayers? Will you accept his answer?

As we pray, we can go in a hundred different directions and be very general in our prayers. If someone were to listen to them, they may think we are being scatter brained. Our prayers can also be selfish in nature, praying for things we want or outcomes we desire.

Praying specifically is much more effective. Rather than praying for the leadership of our country, pray specifically for your congressman, senator, and president by name. Rather than pray that a surgery goes well, pray for God to guide the hands of the surgeon and grant the surgeon and nurses wisdom and discernment as they perform the surgery.

Not only should we pray specifically, but we should also pray with intensity. We should put our whole heart into our prayer. We may have tears stream down our face, and that is okay. It is when we put our whole being into our prayer that we are most like Jesus. He prayed that way when He was in the Garden of Gethsemane.

This is not to dismiss the short prayer asking God for his guidance as we walk into a job interview or meeting. Those prayers are heard and answered as well. But spending dedicated time to pray specifically for what is going on in our lives, in our community, and in our country with focus and intensity imitates Jesus and brings us closer to God.

I pray we all choose to pray with specifics. I pray we pray with focus and intensity. I pray each one of us will make a list to pray over and spend dedicated time in prayer each day. Pray specific prayers. Pray with focus. Pray with intensity. Make a list. Dedicate time for prayer.

Hebrews 5:7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.

Put in Charge

What does it mean to be put in charge? Do you believe it means the person in charge can boss everyone around? Can they set their own rules? Are they allowed to rule with an iron fist? Do you know some who act in this way? What does it mean for the people of God?

Many of us have experienced working for a boss who rules with an iron fist. They make the rules and enforce them without mercy. They believe they have the power, and they are to execute it without regard for others. When we work for someone like this, we do not like it.

As the people of God, we are not to take charge in such a way. We are to govern with a humble heart. A pastor, preacher, or priest is to understand they are put in charge of God’s belongings. They are to act one God’s behalf. That means to act as God would, in a loving way. As part of their service, they are to offer gifts and sacrifices.

What gifts and sacrifices? They are to offer the gifts God has blessed them with back to God. They are to offer their gifts to serve God’s people with what God has blessed them with. Their sacrifices are their time, energy, sleepless nights, a heart that breaks for the people, and through that they ask God to forgive their sins and the sins of the people.

Though this is put on the shoulders of the pastor, preacher, or priest, every member of the body of Christ is considered a priest (1 Peter 2:9). Each member should offer their gifts and sacrifices for themselves and others. If each person is doing so, each member is being prayed for multiple times. Each of us could benefit from the prayer of others.

I pray we all give our gifts to God. I pray we offer him the sacrifice of our time and energy. I pray each one of us will experience broken hearts for those who are hurting and pray over them. Give gifts to God. Sacrifice your time to God. Sacrifice your energy to God. Be brokenhearted for others. Pray over others.

Hebrews 5:1 Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.

Blessings

Who do you bless? How do you bless them? Who do you honor? How do you honor them? Do you bless them with words? Do you bless them with your presence? Do you honor them with words? Do you honor them with respect? Do you see them in a different light?

We don’t often think about blessing others, even if we respect them. We may wish them well. We may pray they are successful or are healed. One of the few times we may say “bless you” is when someone sneezes. It simply isn’t something we think to do in our culture.

Giving someone your blessing is powerful. When we give our blessing with our whole heart, much like praying with our whole heart, we offer the power God has given us to them. Our blessing can make a big difference in someone’s life. It can give them the approval they need to be successful in their endeavors.

The Psalmist blesses God. Have you ever thought to do that? The blessing is given with respect and awe. It acknowledges the greatness and majesty of God. When we bless God, we are both honoring him and thanking him. Blessing God is returning to him a portion of the blessing he has granted us.

Whether blessing God or blessing someone else, we are sharing our blessings from God, which what God desires us to do. We are not given blessings to selfishly hold them for ourselves. So, restart the tradition of blessing others. Give your blessing to them verbally. Give your blessing to them with respect. Honor God and honor others with blessings.

I pray we all choose to bless God. I pray we bless others. I pray each one of us share the blessings of God with others, just as God intended us to do. Bless God. Bless others. Bless them verbally. Bless them with respect. Honor them with blessings. Bless with your whole heart.

Psalm 104:1-2a

Bless the Lord, O my soul. 

O Lord my God, you are very great. 

You are clothed with honor and majesty, 

wrapped in light as with a garment.

Humbly Question

Have you ever asked you children who they think they are to question you? Have you thought they had a lot of guts to question you? Did you feel as though your authority as a parent was being questioned? Have you done the same thing to God?

Having our children question our authority or our ability to provide for them can be offensive. We may feel indignant or threatened. Our confidence may be shaken. We may even begin to question ourselves. Perhaps our child has hit a nerve, touched on something we were already pondering.

But what happens when we question God? First, his confidence is never shaken. Second, he does not feel threatened. Third, God will not allow anyone to challenge his authority. He certainly did not allow Job to challenge his authority. No, he called Job out. He let Job know in no uncertain terms that he had no idea all about the plans he was fulfilling.

When we question God with no real understanding, he may remind us just how much we don’t know, as well. Yet, when we question God with a yearning for understanding, God is compassionate in his answers. It is not as much about questioning God but about the state of our hearts. A heart that wants to understand approaches God humbly. A proud heart causes us to shake our fists and demand what we think is right. God quickly sees the difference and reacts appropriately.

I pray we all question God with a humble heart. I pray we yearn to understand God’s plan for us. I pray each one of us exchange our proud hearts for humble hearts as we come before God. Ask your questions of God. Approach God with a humble heart. Seek to understand. Trust God to answer.

Job 38:1-2

Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind: 

“Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”

Abundance or Scarcity

How often do you think about how much God has blessed you? Do you think about it every day or every week? Do you take God’s blessings for granted? Have you thought about why God has blessed you? How does he want you to pass on his blessings?

To be honest with you, I often take God’s blessings for granted. Perhaps you do as well. I don’t take them for granted as much as I once did, but I still do not think about every little blessing and give God thanks for them as often as I should. Maybe you do the same.

Living in America, we do not realize how blessed we are. Sure, there are hardships, but they are first world hardships, not third world hardships. Our hardships are often having to squeeze in getting a vehicle repaired, not wondering where our next meal is coming from.

We may think about our finances and state we don’t have enough money. Yet, the question is not really about whether we have enough for our needs but if we have enough for our wants. God has blessed us with more than enough to satisfy our basic needs of food, drink, clothing, and shelter. He may not provide for our additional wants of purchasing our toys or going on international vacations.

The difference between living in abundance and living in scarcity is all about attitude and trust. If we truly trust that God has provided for all our needs, our attitude of gratitude toward God will be abundant. This is the attitude God desires from each one of us.

I pray we all realize God has provided for us. I pray we open our eyes and see God’s many blessings. I pray each one of us will have an attitude of gratitude and thank God for every little blessing he has bestowed on us. God has provided. God will continue to provide. Be thankful. Have an attitude of gratitude.

Luke 12:48b “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from the one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”

The Last Will Be First

What are you willing to give up to acquire the most prized reward? Are you willing to leave everything behind? Are you willing to stop running the rat race our culture tells us to run? Will you stop allowing the things of this world control you? Will you allow yourself to be set free?

The rat race far too many of us run is exhausting. We grow weary of the continual struggle to achieve something more. Yet, we continue to work harder, run faster, and be imprisoned by the trappings of this world. Our hearts desire is put on hold for the things our eyes can see.

Let’s not misunderstand. There is nothing wrong with working hard. In fact, we are told to work as though everything we do is being done for God. But we also must remember that Jesus took time to seek out the Father in quiet seclusion. Jesus did not run the rat race of the world. He sought to fulfill the mission the Father had given Him.

Jesus tells His disciples that no one who leaves their house, family, or possessions for His sake will lose their reward. In fact, He says they will receive a hundredfold in return. Again, let’s not misunderstand. Jesus is not saying that we must physically leave everything to receive the reward, though that may be the right decision for some. He is saying we must stop allowing those things control our lives. We must make Him number one in our life—every moment of every day of every year of our lives.

Jesus also does not say those who do not stop allowing the world to control their behavior will be left out. What He does say is they will not receive as grand a reward. This is meaning behind the first will be last and the last will be first. Those who appear to be last because they have stopped allowing the world to control their priorities, but instead make Jesus their number one priority, will be first in the kingdom. Perhaps we should rethink how we prioritize things in our lives today to receive the best reward in the future.

I pray we all strive to let go of our worldly desires. I pray we seek to be set free. I pray each one of us will make Jesus our number one priority and receive the best reward for doing so. Don’t allow the world to control you. Be set free by Jesus. Make Jesus your number one priority.

Mark 10:31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”

Impossibilities

Do you run across impossibilities often? Are you facing impossibilities? Have you tried to overcome them on your own? Have you run out of options and ready to give up? Have you decided to simply live with the reality that you cannot overcome it? Are willing to trust God?

We all face situations that we believe are impossible. If we haven’t, we will. In some cases, we are not meant to overcome them. In other cases, it is a matter of whether we will turn to God for help or not. If we don’t, we will not overcome the impossibility. If we do, we will.

It is a simple statement to say that God can do anything. It is also true. There is nothing God cannot do. But it is not about God overcoming the impossibility. It is about our faith and trust in him, believing he will overcome it, and knowing it is within his will to do so. How do we know all things are possible for God?

Jesus tells us all things are possible for God. He gives the example of a camel passing through the eye of a needle. The apostles were astounded, shocked, and confused that Jesus would say such a thing. Then Jesus told them it was impossible for us, but not for God. Jesus used an example of something outlandish to drive home the point that nothing is impossible for God.

When we face situations that appear to be impossible, we must turn to God. First, we must seek God to reveal his will to us. Second, we must pray that God carry out his will to overcome the impossible situation. Third, we must trust that God will overcome it according to his will.

I pray we all know nothing is impossible for God. I pray we seek to know God’s will. I pray each one of us pray for God’s will to be done and trust he will accomplish his will. Nothing is impossible for God. Seek God’s will. Trust God. Pray for God’s will to be done.

Mark 10:25, 27 “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” … Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.”

Setting Priorities

Yesterday, we were asked what our most important possession is. Today, let’s discuss all our possessions. Are there any of our material possessions that we are unwilling to give up? Is there at least one prized possession we want to hold on to forever?

I remember being a child and hearing my Mom and Grandma talking about what to save if our house ever caught on fire. They agreed the most important possession, other than us kids, to get out of the house were pictures. Why? Pictures capture memories.

Setting priorities are important. As much as we may not like it, discussing what to do if a disaster occurs is important. We should be prepared. In the case of my Mom, all the pictures were in albums and were all located in one place. They could quickly be picked up and taken out of the house. Some of us may have a plan for a disaster. But many of us probably don’t.

A rich man approached Jesus to ask what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus listed off several of the ten commandments. The man stated he had done all those. Jesus then told him he lacked one thing; he must sell his possessions and give the money to the poor. The man was saddened because he had many possessions.

Jesus was not saying we must sell everything we own. He was looking into the heart of the rich man and saw that the man had made his possessions more important than obeying God. Though the man had done everything commanded from an outward perspective, his heart was not committed. Are we like the rich man? Do we do what makes us look good but fail to commit fully to God? We can learn the lesson from this encounter with Jesus. He desires our heart, not rote behavior that makes us look good to others.

I pray we all take time to set priorities. I pray we know that all our possessions will disappear. I pray each one of us will fully commit to Jesus rather than allowing our possessions to own us. Set priorities. Commit your heart to Jesus. Make Him your number one priority.

Mark 10:21-22 Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.

Hold Fast

What is your most important possession? What is your most important attribute? Are they one in the same? Do you think they should be one in the same? Are you willing to hold onto them with all you have? Is it so deeply ingrained in you that it could never be taken from you?

We have many important possessions. Our homes. Jewelry. Our jobs. Clothing. Tools. And our families. At different times, in different situations, any of them could be prioritized over the others. We may not want that, but it will happen, if it has not already.

Yet, there is one thing that is truly ours and it should be our most important possession. What is it? It is our confession that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. Our faith in Him should be not only our most important possession, but it should be our number one priority. We should hold onto it for dear life. It is because of our faith that we have hope in the promise of eternal life.

Why should it be so important? Jesus is our great high priest. He sits at the right hand of God the Father’s throne. He is our intercessor. He is the reason we are assured our sins are forgiven. He is God incarnate. He is our teacher. He is our perfect example. He is our counselor. He is the very reason we breathe.

As we hold onto our confession of faith in Him, our faith continues to grow. As our faith grows, we become more like Him. As we become more like Him, we show Him to the people we meet. As we show Him to others, we can bring them to Him, too. That is carrying out the mission He gave us.

I pray we all confess Jesus as our Savior. I pray we hold onto our confession of faith. I pray each one of us will make our faith in Jesus our number one priority and who Him to the people we meet. Confess Jesus. Hold onto your confession. Make your confession your number one priority.

Hebrews 4:14 Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession.

Speak Scripture

Is there someone in your life you wish would accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior? Is there another Christian who you wish would change their behavior? Are you trying to get them to make changes on your own? Have you considered simply quoting Scripture to them?

We all know someone we wish would come to Christ. There are family members, friends, and co-workers who need to come to Christ. We may know some who say they believe in God, but their actions don’t represent it. They may say one thing and do something different.

Many of us may find it difficult to quote Scripture. We tell ourselves we must memorize Scripture first, which could be challenging. We don’t want to sound like we think we are better than others. That is Satan telling us to forgo approaching people in this manner. He doesn’t want us to quote Scripture because he knows the power of it.

What is the power of Scripture? It has the power to convict us. It can dig into our hearts, minds, and souls. It has the power to cause us to judge our own thoughts and intentions. When used properly, the person hearing it knows it is the undisputable truth. The word of God provides us with principles by which to live our lives. It can provide those we care about with the same principles and convict them to make changes.

How can we learn to quote Scripture? The first step is to begin memorizing key verses. There are several trusted sources of Scripture verses we can memorize that will apply to various situations. Memorize one, then another, then another. We then should pray that God guides our thoughts so we recognize when to use them. As we trust him to do so, he will bring the appropriate Scripture to mind during our conversations.

I pray we all decide to memorize Scripture. I pray we ask God to guide us in using Scripture. I pray each one of us will us Scripture in our conversations to bring about change in people we love. Memorize Scripture. Ask God to guide you. Use Scripture appropriately. Use Scripture in your conversations.

Hebrews 4:12 Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.