Jim Cymbala states in Break Through Prayer

Transcription

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
Jim Cymbala states in Break Through Prayer, “One of the most important questions we face
as Christians in the 21st century is the question of whether or not we are really living under the full
blessings of God” (15-16).
It is an appropriate question to ask about Central and the ORPac District.
Therefore, this
letter is to call us to 40 Days of Prayer pleading with God to pour out His full blessings on us. The call
is to unite for 40 Days persistently asking in Christ’s name for God to give Central His fullness of
blessing. The hymn Showers of Blessing chorus says it well: “mercy drops ‘round us are falling, but for
the showers we plead.” Let’s not settle for less than God’s abundance. Let’s claim Psalm 65:2 and 1
John 5:14-15.
How do we ascertain if we are living under God’s full blessings? How would God’s full
blessings manifest themselves? In this booklet are some ideas but I would really like to hear your
thoughts about how we can measure God’s blessings upon us.
Thanks for participating in the breaking through praying to the fullness of blessings.
In Christ,
Pastor Jerry
I.
The Purpose of Our Forty Days of Prayer
To have God give Central the fullness of His blessings. John Maxwell writes, “Every time I had
a breakthrough in the growth and life of my church, it had been because of intentional prayer.”
Let’s become intentional about securing God’s blessings. Remember Barak was promised a great
victory but still had to fight to see it. We can have a great blessing but we will have to pray.
Obviously, not all Christian Churches are in a healthy spiritual condition. Some are:
1.
mere infants in Christ, not ready for solid food: 1 Corinthians 3:1-2
2.
susceptible to a false gospel: Galatians 1:6-7
3.
placed in hostile enemy territory and remain true to Christ: Rev. 2:13
4.
have lost their first love and need to repent: Rev. 2:4-5
5.
are lukewarm: Rev. 3:16-17
6.
strong in faith: 1 Thessalonians 1:7-8
We, who consider ourselves serious believers in Christ, have to face this obvious question: Will we
settle for the status quo in our own church situations, or will we reach out for what God can
supernaturally do? The Lord is eager to make spiritual changes among us and shower us with His
blessings. He wants us – His people – to experience the greatness of His power and the depth of His
love in a new way. All He needs from us is a listening ear and a heart that believes that with God all
things are possible. (12, The Church)
II.
PRAYER LIST
A.
For Central to see tangible, visible proof of having God’s full blessing.
B.
Prayer Requests for Central
1. 220
2. to
converts by March 31, 2012
share in compassionate ministry with poor families and poor churches
3. weekly list of converts and
prospects
4. workers for the harvest
C.
God’s blessing on ORPac District
III.
GUIDELINES FOR OUR APPROACHING GOAL
(JIM CYMBALA, BT PRAYER, 83-86)
A.
Approach God in and through Jesus’ name:
B.
The person who prays must believe, James 1:6-8
C.
A clear conscience and a pure heart (1 John 3:221-22; Psalm 66:18)
D.
Approach God with assurance (1 John 5:14-15). (Confidence = all outspokenness,
frankness, boldness.)
E.
To pray in the Spirit and by the Spirit’s help (Romans 8:26-27)
IV.
A.
SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR “ONE ACCORD”
Special Days
1. August 21
– Feast, fellowship, and prayer
2. August 28
– Prayer and Fasting
3. September 18
– Prayer and Fasting
4. September 25
– Celebration Sunday
5. September 28
B.
– Outpouring of Gratitude and Praise
Schedule for Fast Days:
1. Begins with dinner the night before
2. 8:30
– 9:15 am – Praying through our building
3. 9:15
am – 12:30 pm – Regular Services (Prayer in Pastor’s office if anyone
wishes)
4. 12:30
C.
– 5:00 pm – Fasting and Prayer
a.
12:30 – 2:00 pm – One Accord Praying
b.
2:00 – 4:00 pm – Alone with God
c.
4:00 – 5:00 pm – Sharing and Praise
Home Prayer Cells
1. Welcome each person
2. Bible Reading:
a.
Aug 21 – Aug 27
Jeremiah 29:10-14; Luke 11:1-13
b.
Aug 28 – Sept. 3
John 14 - 16
c.
Sept. 4 – Sept. 10
Psalm 1
d.
Genesis 32:24-26; Luke 18:1-8
e.
Ephesians 1:15-22
f.
Psalm 103
3. All prayer cells together for September 28
gratitude and praise time.
(Wednesday) for a grand collective
4. Pray for requests of those present
5. Pray for fullness of God’s blessing to
6. Pray for list of converts and
be upon Central
prospects
7. Pray for Year’s Goals
V.
a.
220 converts
b.
$600,000
c.
unity
Quotes From Jim Cymbala to Challenge and Encourage Us
Jim Cymbala, Break Through Prayer. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2003.
But what exactly was this blessing we sought? As the young pastor of that inner-city church, I
was beginning to realize that the blessing of God is something very real and tangible. It can change a
man’s life, transform a neighborhood, invigorate a church, and even alter the course of history. (9-10)
In the Bible we see, first of all, that God’s blessing is a reflection of his incredible love for his creation.
While it is invisible in its essence, his blessing is invincible, overcoming everything that earth or hell can
throw against it. (12)
God doesn’t just want us to merely enjoy a moderate amount of blessings. He wants to bless us
abundantly. (15)
The Secrets of Unblocking the Blessing (16-30)
1. The first obvious instruction from the Lord is that we are to ask in prayer. (20-21)
2. Reading the Bible (24)
3. Obedience through faith –Perhaps the most critical key in opening a channel for the blessing of
God is the one we often find most difficult Obedience through faith (25)
4. Deuteronomy 14:28-29 – compassionate giving.
While God often does work in this manner, he also responds in more complex ways. That’s what
happened with the Israelites in this case. [Judges 4:6-7] God’s answer came in the form of a call to
courageous action on the part of God’s people. (43)
This breakthrough praying that brings new blessing from heaven involves humility of heart, fervency of
spirit, and a 180-degree turn away from sin. If we secretly plan to continue in our disobedience, the
heavens will be like brass above us because God is not only love, but also holy. (53)
As my friend Warren Wiersbe says, “God supplies your needs, not your greeds.” (92)
This is the test for anyone who clings to “thus says the Lord.” After we pray or step out in obedience,
things may get worse before they get better! We anticipate a quick resolution of the problem. Instead,
the problem becomes magnified. Like Moses, we are tempted to doubt the word God gave us. (133)
Jim Cymbala. The Church God Blesses. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002.
7
Every advancement in the way people live has come about because someone saw what could
be, and was no longer willing to accept what is.
8
In fact, every time people really pray, they are believing that God by his divine power can
change what is into something better.
11
If God is given the opportunity, his blessings can bring about dramatic change no matter what
our circumstances are.
12
We who consider ourselves serious believers in Christ have to face the obvious question: Will
we settle for the status quo in our own church situations, or will we reach out for what God can
supernaturally do? The Lord is eager to make spiritual changes among us and shower us with
his blessings. He wants us – his people – to experience the greatness of his power and the
depth of his love in a new way. All he needs from us is a listening ear and a heart that believes
that with God all things are possible.
31
This is a very important truth for every ministry and church that serves the Lord Jesus Christ.
Whenever people stir themselves to seek the Lord, whenever someone steps out in faith upon
God’s promises, whenever a fresh consecration is made to yield oneself completely to him –
that is the very time Satan’s most cunning attacks will occur. We must never be surprised or
alarmed when the baby comes under attack and Satan tries to snuff out the fresh, new thing
God is preparing to do.
Think of the many times Satan has used this strategy against God’s servants and his church. In
the very act of stepping out in faith to obey the clear calling of God, turmoil, opposition, and
seeming chaos are the visible results. All of hell works in concert to keep us from pursuing what
God has shown us. Every obstacle imaginable is put in our way in order to cause fear,
discouragement, and then finally to make us give up.
But the people blessed by God must persevere no matter what. They must understand
that Satan fights the hardest when the greatest spiritual breakthroughs and blessings
are just around the corner.
VI.
CENTRAL’S FOUR FOUNDATION PRINCIPLES OF PRAYER
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
The goal is to establish scripturally based prayer ministries as led and empowered by the Holy Spirit in
order to give glory to our God and Christ and further the expansion of His Kingdom in the Greater
Portland Area. (Matt 21:13; Lk 11:5-13; 1 Tim 2:1; Lk 22:32)
SCRIPTURAL BASIS
The scriptural basis of our proposed prayer ministries is founded upon four passages: Matthew
21:13; Luke 11:5-13; 1 Timothy 2:1; and Luke 22:32. These passages provide us with four foundation
stones for our Prayer Ministries: 1) being a house of prayer, 2) persistence and intensity in prayer, 3)
everyone being prayed for daily, and 4) praying pro-actively.
A.
WE ARE TO BE A PEOPLE OF PRAYER:
The concept of our becoming a people of prayer includes corporate and individual prayer.
1.
Individually:
As believers, we are individually the Temple of the Holy Spirit and as such, we are to be involved in
praying.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is
in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? For you have been bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
1 Corinthains 3:16-17 Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and that the Spirit of God
dwells in you? If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, or the temple of
God is holy, and that is what you are.
Two other verses that teach us to be devoted to prayer are Colossians 4:2 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17.
2.
Corporately as a people:
Scripture also teaches that believers as a group are the temple of God. The early church model
was to meet together for prayer that increased their effectiveness (Acts 1:14; 2:42; 4:31; 12:5; 12:12;
16:25; 21:5; Matthew 18:19-20).
1 Peter 2:4-5 And coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected by men, but choice and precious
in the sight of God, you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy
priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 12:27 Now you are Christ's body, and individually members of it.
3. Physical Building:
Our physical building is to be used full time as a place of prayer.
Matthew 21:13 And He said to them, "It is written, `My house shall be called a house of prayer';
but you are making it a robbers' den."
Isaiah 56:7 Even those I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of
prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be acceptable on My altar; for My house
will be called a house of prayer for all the peoples. "
B. PERSISTENCE IN PRAYER
Scripture teaches we are to be persistent in prayer. Persistence in prayer may take one through
different levels of intensity. Luke 11:5-13; 18:1-8; Ephesians 6:18-19
1.
Ask:
Asking is simply making a request to God. Many passages invite us to ask of God (Philippians 4:6;
John 15:7,16; 16:23-26; Matthew 21:22; Jeremiah 33:3).
2.
Seek:
Seeking is to become more intense in presenting a request to God. This means to strive after, to
endeavor, to earnestly desire (Luke 15:8; Colossians 2:1; 3:1; 4:12; Hebrews 11:6).
3.
Knock:
Knocking is to increase our boldness and tenacity in presenting a request to God (Genesis 32:24-28;
Luke 18:1-5; Colossians 4:12).
C. PRAYING FOR EVERYONE
This goal is to have each person in our church prayed for daily by name.
1 Tim 2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be
made on behalf of all men.
Other scriptures teaching this are: Ephesians 6:18 and 1Thessalonians 1:2.
D. PRO-ACTIVE PRAYING
We believe Christ is calling us to be pro-active in our praying, i.e., that we are to pray for each other
and the Church of Christ in advance of and in preparation for the struggles and encounters with the evil
one.
Luke 22:31-32 "Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like
wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have
turned again, strengthen your brothers."
(Matt 6:13; 26:41; John 17:5).
40 DAYS OF PRAYER THEME
(Luke 3:21; 9:29; Acts 10:9-11)
VII.
“As we pray God will open heaven and bless us”.
DATE
August 21
August 22
August 23
August 24
August 25
August 26
August 27
WEEK ONE: AUGUST 21 – 27
WE MUST BELIEVE GOD DESIRES TO BLESS US
SCRIPTURE
IDEA
Jeremiah 29:10-14
My plans for you is to bless
Luke 11:1-13
How much more does the Father
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Choose
Psalm 65:1-4
O Thou who hears our prayers
Philippians 4:19
Our needs not our greeds
Luke 18:35-43
What is it you want?
2 Chronicles 7:14
If -- Then
DATE
August 28
August 29
August 30
August 31
September 1
September 2
September 3
WEEK TWO: AUGUST 28 – SEPTEMBER 3
GOD URGES US TO ASK
SCRIPTURE
Matthew 21:18-23
Mark 9:14-29
John 14-16
(14:13; 15:7,16; 16:24)
1 Kings 3:3-5
1 John 5:14-15
Matthew 6:9-15
Matthew 6:25-34
IDEA
Asking, believing, receiving
Help my unbelief
Ask in My name
Ask
How to be heard
The Lord’s Prayer
What to seek first
WEEK THREE: SEPTEMBER 4-10
THE BLESSING WE HAVE BEEN PROMPTED TO SEEK
DATE
SCRIPTURE
IDEA
September 4
Psalm 32
Forgiveness
September 5
Psalm 1
Like a tree by a river
September 6
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
Enlarge our borders
September 7
John 10:10
Abundant Life
September 8
John 15:11
Fullness of Joy
September 9
Psalm 92:12-15
A blessing in our old age
September 10
John 15:2-8, 16
Bearing lasting fruit
WEEK FOUR: SEPTEMBER 11-17
BREAK THROUGH PRAYING MEANS TO PERSIST
DATE
SCRIPTURE
IDEA
September 11
Genesis 32:24-26
I will not let go
September 12
Luke 18:1-8 (7-8)
Keep asking
September 13
Ephesians 6:10-20 (18)
Keep on praying
September 14
James 4:1-10 (2b-3)
Asking properly
September 15
September 16
September 17
Acts 1:12-14
Matthew 16:17-18
Mark 7:24-30
WEEK FIVE: SEPTEMBER 18-24
PRAYING SCRIPTURAL PRAYERS FOR CENTRAL
DATE
SCRIPTURE
September 18
Ephesians 1:15-22
September 19
Galatians 5:22-23
September 20
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
September 21
Acts 2:41-47
September 22
September 23
September 24
DATE
September 25
September 26
September 27
September 28
One accord praying
Undefeatable in Christ
Break through asking
IDEA
Colossians 1:9-12
Isaiah 40:1-17
Isaiah 40:18-31
WEEK SIX: SEPTEMBER 25-28
RESTING UPON GOD
SCRIPTURE
IDEA
Hebrews 11 (1, 6)
Resting by faith
Psalm 103
Resting and rejoicing in His benefits
Psalm 100
Resting in who is our shepherd
Psalm 46
Cease striving
DAILY DEVOTIONALS
In Luke 3:21 an amazing statement is made: “While He was praying, heaven was opened.”
What an awesome concept for us as we begin our 40 Days of Prayer — let’s believe as we pray the
heavens will be opened and the Holy Spirit will descend upon us. This biblical concept is our call to
engage with God for 40 days with a consuming desire to have the heavens open upon us. Come, be
part of our next 40 days of making contact with God and Christ. We need you to join in this effort with
breakthrough prayer until our Father blesses us.
WEEK ONE: August 21-27
We Must Believe God Desires to Bless Us
August 21 — My Plans Are to Bless You
Jeremiah 29:10-14
10 For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will
visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. 11 For I know
the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to
give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me,
and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me
with all your heart. 14 And I will be found by you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will restore
your fortunes and will gather you from all the nations and from all the places where I
have driven you,’ declares the Lord, ‘and I will bring you back to the place from where I
sent you into exile.’
False hope of a speedy deliverance was growing in the exiles in Babylon. But God sends
through Jeremiah a sour and sweet message:
a. The Sour: The exile will last 70 years, so settle in and seek blessings on Babylon
b. The Sweet: … but My plans are for your welfare in providing a hope and a future.
God’s plan for His people is always to bless them. I believe He desires to bless Central in ways
that far exceed anything we have ever had in our past. Read, hear, and heed the invitation: Call upon
Me, come and pray to Me, and seek Me. Read, hear, and heed the promise: “You will find Me, when
you search for Me with all your hearts,” I will restore your fortunes.
God desires to bless us. He will bless us when we join together in prayer and seek Him.
Believe in the promise of these verses. He intensely desires to bless a congregation.
August 22 — “How much more shall the Father …”
Luke 11:1-13
And it came about that while He was praying in a certain place, after He had finished,
one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his
disciples.” 2 And He said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed by Thy
name. Thy kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 And forgive us our
sins, For we ourselves also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into
temptation.’”
5 And He said to them, “Suppose one of you shall have a friend, and shall go to him at
midnight, and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves; 6 for a friend of mine has come
to me from a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; 7 and from inside he shall
answer and say, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been shut and my children and I
are in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, even though he will not
get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his persistence he
will get up and give him as much as he needs. 9 And I say to you, ask, and it shall be
given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. 10 For
everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be
opened. 11 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give
him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him
a scorpion, will he? 13 If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your
children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who
ask Him?”
Our heavenly Father has incredible plans for Central. Just as a loving earthly father takes joy in
giving beneficial gifts to his child, God longs to work His plans for our welfare.
Jeremiah 29:10-14 affirms God’s desire to bless us. Luke 11:13 confirms His intensity to give
us His best gift.
Remember when you purchased a special gift for a spouse, friend, parent, or child. Do you
remember the joy of finding that gift (even if he/she asked for it)? Recall the difficulty in controlling your
desire to give it to them early. Remember his/her excitement when the gift was given and the great joy
of making him/her happy.
How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. God is
eager to bless Central. In these 40 days let us practice breakthrough prayer until He does bless.
August 23 – Choose
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
15 “See, I have set before you today life and prosperity, and death and adversity; 16 in
that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways and to keep
His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, that you may live and multiply,
and that the Lord your God may bless you in the land where you are entering to possess
it. 17 But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and
worship other gods and serve them, 18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish.
You shall not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter
and possess it. 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set
before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may
live, you and your descendants, 20 by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice,
and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may
live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to
give them.”
Unlike Monte Hall on Let’s Make a Deal, God tells us what is behind the doors. Behind door
#1: life, blessings, good. Behind door #2: death, cursings, evil. Anyone with half a brain would
choose door #1. Yet most people choose door #2. Door #1 requires surrender to God and death to
self. Many people are unwilling to pay that price.
God sets before a local Church, such as Central, life, blessing, good. We simply have to
choose it and most likely fight to get those blessings. “Here are my blessings. Choose them. Here is
the price for you – love Me and only Me, no other spiritual power. Walk in My ways as revealed in the
Bible.”
Choosing, according to this passage, is more than saying or thinking, “I take that one.” It is
demonstrated by actions. I choose life and my life will be brought into harmony with what He expects.
CHOOSE the Door you want.
Be bold in making adjustments or changes to His will.
August 24 – O Thou Who Hears Our Prayers
Psalm 65:1-4
There will be silence before Thee, and praise in Zion, O God; And to Thee the vow will be
performed. 2 O Thou who dost hear prayer, To Thee all men come. 3 Iniquities prevail
against me; As for our transgressions, Thou dost forgive them. 4 How blessed is the one
whom Thou dost choose, and bring near to Thee, To dwell in Thy courts. We will be
satisfied with the goodness of Thy house, Thy holy temple.
The Holy Spirit takes our prayers to the Father. Christ has paved the way for our prayers to
come to Him. He hears our praying. Let’s boldly ask Him to give us special, unique blessings at
Central.
God desires to bless us. He prompts us to ask. He revealed to us that He hears us. John
writes that if He hears, He will give us our requests. In these 40 Days let’s ask every day for our Father
to pour upon Central amazing blessings. Let’s ask Him for victory over evil in Lentz, in our church, in
our lives. God is longing to forgive and restore. He is longing to empower for holy living and loving.
Let’s ask Him for these blessings.
Let’s ask God to give us a giant step by September 28:
● a giant step in our goal of 220 conversions
● $600,000
● unity
● establish the newly organized Latino Church
He is waiting to hear from you.
August 25 – Our Needs Not Our Greeds
Philippians 4:19
And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
We must believe God desires to bless us. Paul confidently states that HIS God shall supply all
their needs. He supplies not merely in a “skimping by--relief to have the need met”, but according to
God’s riches provided by Christ. The Philippians had been instrumental in sending help to provide
Paul’s needs at Thessalonica.
Out of a personal experience Paul speaks of God’s provision – “My God.” The Philippians’
joy in being spiritually born into Christ motivated them to share. Paul seems to state God has noticed
them helping others. Therefore, God through Christ will supply their needs.
One aspect of dedicating a specific time for intensified prayer is how during it we get our needs
clearly identified. God sifts our requests and empresses our spirits to align our asking to His answering.
In these 40 Days let’s identify what God desires to bless us with.
August 26 – What Is It You Want?
Luke 18:35-43 (41)
35 And it came about that as He was approaching Jericho, a certain blind man was
sitting by the road, begging. 36 Now hearing a multitude going by, he began to inquire
what this might be. 37 and they told him that Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. 38 And
he called out, saying, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” 39 And those who led
the way were sternly telling him to be quiet; but he kept crying out all the more, “Son of
David, have mercy on me!” 40 And Jesus stopped and commanded that he be brought to
Him; and when he had come near, He questioned him, 41 “What do you want Me to do
for you?” And he said, “Lord, I want to regain my sight!” 42 And Jesus said to him,
“Receive your sight, ; your faith has made you well.” 43 And immediately he regained
his sight and began following Him, glorifying God; and when all the people saw it, they
gave praise to God.
Christ desires to bless us in ways that we ask. What a special offer He gives this blind man!
Let’s not assume Christ knows our wants (although He does) and will grant them without our asking.
We are to consider what we want to ask for and then ask for it. It is really a clarifying and purifying
question. Be sure of what you ask Christ to give you. You could actually get it.
How do we want Christ to bless us? Let’s seek spiritually tangible requests. Requests that we
can say Christ gave us this. Let’s ask for things that, when answered, will cause people to glorify God
and praise Him. Think about what we need for Central to have.
● Powerful Praying
● Joyful Worship
● Love of Learning
● Generous Giving
● Sacrificial Serving
August 27 -- If … Then
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My
face and turn from their wicket ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin,
and will heal their land.
If only God’s promises did not have an “IF.” We could just read the last part of the verse: “I
will hear … forgive … heal.” Wonderful though for us but there sits the “IF.” To enjoy God’s great
blessings we must meet His requirements:
1. “My people who are called by My name…” – We believers take the name Christ-ian.
We claim to be His people. Obviously there are different ways to think about what
being Christ’s means. The Bible really narrows it down to one meaning. That is: to be
a follower of Christ’s means I am living for Him and adjusting my life to His commands
and teachings. Then we are His people.
2. “…humble themselves…” -- to subdue one’s self and to submit before Christ.
3. “…and pray, and seek my face…” – to pursue Christ with one’s mind, spirit, soul, and
body.
4. “… turn from their wicked ways…” -- To repent and come to Christ means to turn
around spiritually, to start looking at Him face to face, and to stop sinning. It is spiritual
foolishness to believe one can continue in sinning and still be acceptable to Christ.
5. “Stop your wicked ways. Start righteous living.”
That is quite an “IF.” Is Christ talking with you about some behavior of body, mind, or spirit
from which you need to turn away? Do it in these 40 Days. Is there a corporate sin Central needs to
confess and abandon? Let’s do it in these 40 Days.
THEN …
“I will hear …” – your prayers will be listened to and I will act.
“… I will forgive their sin…” -- forgiveness, cleansing, restoring, newness of life, blessings.
“… and heal their land.” – give abundance, give fullness, overwhelming provision.
O Father, heal the churches in Portland that humble themselves before you; who pray
seeking You, and turn from our wicked ways! Amen
WEEK TWO: August 28 – SEPTEMBER 3
God Urges Us To Ask
August 28 – Asking, Believing, Receiving
Matthew 21:18-23
18 Now in the morning, when He returned to the city, He became hungry. 19 And seeing
a lone fig tree by the road, He came to it, and found nothing on it except leaves only; and
He said to it, “No longer shall there ever be any fruit from you.” And at once the fig tree
withered. 20 And seeing this, the disciples marveled, saying, “How did the fig tree wither
at once?” 21 And Jesus answered and said to them, “Truly I say to you, if you have
faith, and do not doubt you shall not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even If
you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ it shall happen. 22 And all
things you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.
23 And when He had come into the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people
came to Him as He was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these
things, and who gave you this authority?”
The lesson Christ is giving the disciples is about how believing enables praying to get answers.
The example is the fig tree. Why did Jesus curse it and make it die? It was not producing figs, which
was its main function in life. It was not fulfilling the purpose for which it was created. Jesus pronounced
a curse upon it and the tree died. The next day the disciples were amazed (Mark 11:13, 20).
“How did this happen?” Their question shows they did not expect anything to come of Jesus’
curse upon it. Their amazement is that somehow Jesus’ request was done. Many times we do not
expect our prayers to be answered, but they are merely wishful thinking. We ask but don’t expect
results. We ask hoping not believing.
This passage is about the necessity of faith (belief, trust, expectancy) and motivating prayers so
as to receive answers.
God urges us to ask, but to ask with belief in His desire to bless, in His ability to give tangible
answers. So what do we ask from God for Central to transform us into a glorious church?
God Urges Us To Ask
August 29 – Help My Unbelief
Mark 9:14-29
14 And when they came back to the disciples, they saw a large crowd around them, and
some scribes arguing with them. 15 And immediately, when the entire crowd saw Him,
they were amazed, and began running up to greet Him. 16 And He asked them, “What
are you discussing with them?” 17 And one of the crowd answered Him, “Teacher, I
brought You my son possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; 18 and whenever it
seizes him, it dashes him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth,
and stiffens out. And I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it. 19 And
He answered them and said, “O unbelieving generation, how long shall I be with you?
Bring him to Me!” 20 And they brought the boy to Him. And when he saw Him,
immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began
rolling about and foaming at the mouth. 21 And He asked his father, “How long has this
been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often thrown him
both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity
on us and help us!” 23 And Jesus said to him, “’If You can!’ All things are possible to
him who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and began saying, “I do
believe; help my unbelief.” 25 And when Jesus saw that a crowd was rapidly gathering,
He rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, “You deaf and dumb spirit, I command you,
come out of him and do not enter him again.” 26 And after crying out and throwing him
into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that
most of them said, “He is dead!” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and
he got up. 28 And when He had come into the house, His discip0les began questioning
Him privately, “Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And He said to them, “This kind
cannot come out by anything but prayer.”
Imagine the swing in events in this chapter. Jesus has been transfigured, been talking with
Moses and Elijah, been reaffirmed that He is God’s Son. Now as He leaves the mountain top and
comes down to the low lands He encounters squabbling (V. 14); a frustrated father and disciples
(17-18); and a demon possessed boy. We see a very vulnerable moment in Jesus (19). Jesus asserts
the power of faith (23), “all things are possible to him who believes.”
The desperate father displays hope and fear. “I believe what You say is true, but I’m weak in
appropriating that truth.”
Now my personal moment with you: I believe God desires to bless us. But at times I must fight
off doubts. I believe Christ wishes to open the heavens and pour marvelous spiritual blessings on us.
Yet I need to have my faith strengthened regularly.
One strong positive note – The son was delivered even though the father’s faith was not quite
what it should have been.
God Urges Us To Ask
August 30 -- Ask
1 Kings 3:3-5
3 Now Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David, except he
sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. 4 And the king went to Gibeon to
sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt
offerings on that altar. 5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream at night;
and God said, “Ask what you wish me to give you.”
“Ask what you wish me to give you.” God’s love for Solomon was made real by such a
statement. To ask for something from another has some underlying ideas:
1. I ask because I believe the person will hear my request and is inclined to answer.
2. I ask because I believe the person has the ability to give what I ask.
3. To be asked is to be honored. The person asking is honoring the one being asked.
Our great God invites us to honor Him by asking of Him. As we ask specifically He can receive
praise and honor from others who are watching. Ask of Me – I will give you – others will see my
generous love and be drawn to Me.
ASK
God Urges Us To Ask
August 31 – Ask in My Name
John 14-16 (14:13; 15:7, 16; 16:24)
14:13 And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified
in the Son.
15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it shall
be done for you. 16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you
should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain , that whatever you ask of the
Father in My name, He may give to you.
16:24 Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask, and you will receive, that
your joy may be made full.
We are invited to ask by God the Father. The Son invites us to ask in His name. Jesus gives an
awesome discourse when He only has hours to live. This talk is called the Upper Room discourse. It is
filled to overflowing with wonderful truths. He promises to us to ask God in His name for great things
for His kingdom.
What we ask for should bring honor and praise to Him. Our requests should agree with His
character, values, and love. Asking in His name is to pray asking as He would: holy requests, boldly,
for the Kingdom’s sake, with faith. Pray the prayers Jesus would pray.
This is not a magical word like hoccus poccus but a spiritually powerful practice. We are to
ask as Jesus would ask.
God Urges Us to Ask
September 1 – How to Be Heard
1 John 5:14-15
14 And this is the confidence which we have before Him, that, if we ask anything,
according to His will, He hears us. 15 And if we know that He hears us in whatever we
ask, we know that we have the requests which we have asked from Him.
Confidence (Webster’s 7th New collegiate Dictionary, p. 174):
3: The quality or state of being certain; assurance.
4a: A relation of trust or intimacy
Our confidence is neither in our faith nor in ourselves. Our confidence is in Him who desires to
bless us, and who urges us to ask. Our confidence in receiving answers to prayer comes from praying
His will. Not only do we ask in Christ’s name but we ask for those things our Father wants to give us.
God desires to open the window of heaven and pour overflowing blessings upon us. What
comes to your mind from your experience that illustrates the window of heaven being opened? Some
biblical examples are: manna 6 days a week for 40 years enough to feed 3 million people each day; and
Pentecost – 120 people filled with the Spirit and 3,000 souls converted.
What could we cooperatively ask for that is according to His will?
● Cleansing from the barnacles gathered on our souls and minds, which hinder unhindered
fellowship with Jesus.
● Empowering to minutely and tangibly do His teachings, laws, statutes.
● A release from spiritual short-sightedness to spiritual vision focused by the Spirit.
Confidence: asking according to His will ensures being heard. If He hears we know He gives
us our request.
Confidence: in what person do you have confidence? Why? Would you exercise that same
confidence in God?
God Urges Us to Ask
September 2, The Lord’s Prayer
Matthew 6:9-15
9 Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed by Thy name. 10 Thy
kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily
bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And do not
lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the
power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 14 For if you forgive men for their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive men, then your
Father will not forgive your transgressions.
Jesus gives us a prayer that without a doubt is according to the Father’s will. It will be
answered.
Our Father –an intimate title
Who art in heaven – His role as Father far exceeds in its blessedness any type of earthly father.
Thy Kingdom come – He has a people that He governs and provides for in love and holiness.
Thy will be done – He has plans, desires, directions, or intended outcomes for His Kingdom and His
people.
On earth as it is in heaven – As His will is totally carried out in heaven, so it should be done on earth.
Give us our daily bread – physical needs, emotional needs, mental needs, spiritual needs be met by
His provision.
Forgive us our debts – These debts are our spiritual debts to God, to others, to ourselves. He alone
has the power to forgive the rebels within His kingdom.
As we forgive those in debt to us – This phrase is the only qualifying phrase to a request in this
prayer. Father forgive me just as I forgive others.
Lead us not into temptation – Help us avoid spiritual traps, schemes, attempts to make us sin.
Deliver us from evil – Our spiritual adversary is too much for us to defeat. We need Him to redeem
us.
God Urges Us to Ask
September 3 – What to Seek First?
Matthew 6:25-34
25 For this reason I say to you, do not be anxious for your life, as to what you shall eat,
or what you shall drink; nor for your body, as to what you shall put on. Is not life more
than food, and the body than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, that they do not
sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds
them. Are you not worth much more than they? 27 And which of you by being anxious
can add a single cubit to his life’s span? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing?
Observe how the lilies of the field grow; they do not toil nor do they spin, 29 yet I say to
you that even Solomon in all his glory did not clothe himself like one of these. 30 But if
God so arrays the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the
furnace, will He not much more do so for you, O men of little faith? 31 Do not be
anxious then, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘With what shall
we clothe ourselves?’ 32 For all these things the Gentiles eagerly seek; for your heavenly
Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His
righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious
for tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Verse 33 urges us to begin and to keep seeking His Kingdom and His righteousness first. We
humans tend to have many kingdoms we deal with regularly. Some are:
● my own kingdom in which I am king
● my home
● my work
● my recreation
● my money
● my faith
Then we encounter these other kingdoms:
● my spouse’s
my children
● the city’s
● the county
● the state
● the nation
● the church
But all of these are to be placed in surrender and submission to God’s Kingdom. Romans
14:17 states, “the Kingdom of God is …
… righteousness: whatever conforms to the will of God; and whatever has been appointed by
God to be acknowledged and obeyed by God. No more seeking how one personally defines
spirituality. No more being lord of my relationship with Christ, but seeking Him and His ways first.
… peace: harmonized relationship with God based on repentance and then continued
obedience and submission. God’s peace within us first.
… joy: deep within our inner person a settled attitude of well being, contentment, confidence,
happiness.
So then, His kingdom and His righteousness are very closely tied. To give myself to one is to
give myself to the other.
We must stop playing Christianity and truly begin to follow our Lord and Savior. This is to be
our first motive, desire, or willing. Seek Him first by allowing His Spirit to transform our philosophy of
life, our thinking, our behavior (spiritual and actions), our motivation, etc.
●
WEEK THREE: SEPTEMBER 4 -- 10
The Blessing We Have Been Prompted to Seek
September 4 – Forgiveness
Psalm 32:1-7
1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed
is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no
deceit! 3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all
day long. 4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained
away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah. 5 I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my
iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and Thou
didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah. 6 Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to
Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall
not reach him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; Thou dost preserve me from trouble; Thou
dost surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
Notice it says for emphasis, “How blessed” instead of merely saying “Blessed is he whose …”
It implies something beyond the normal blessing. It implies overflowing blessings. The person who has
received forgiveness understands this from experience.
Forgiveness brings to our inner person a sense of relief, acceptance, and a sense of a new start
or new life. Forgiveness from God through Christ is the result of accepting Christ’s redemptive work.
The means is acknowledging our sinnings. But confession is needed also. To experience forgiveness
requires more than just acknowledging we have sinned. It also involves confessing, that is, repenting
and becoming a follower of Jesus. Some results of being forgiven:
1. Instead of shame – peace
2. Instead of guilt – a sense of deliverance
3. Instead of fear – love and assurance
4. Instead of inner anguish – peace.
I challenge you to make your own list. Then set it before Christ and praise and give thanks.
“Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb! Redeemed through His
infinite mercy, His child, and forever, I am.”
How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven!
September 5 – Like a tree by a river
Psalm 1:1-3
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, nor stand in
the path of sinners. nor sit in the seat of scoffers! 2 But his delight is in the law of the
Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. 3 And he will be like a tree firmly
planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not
wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.
This “how blessed” has what is termed a negative side and a positive side. That is, something
not to do and something to do. As listed in the Psalm the person who is blessed shuns evil by avoiding
evil counsel, avoiding walking in the way of sinners, and avoiding the attitudes of the scoffers! Then
comes the positive actions and attitudes to replace the destructive actions and attitudes of wickedness.
We are to shun evil by seeking God. Seeking to be beneficial means to delight in God’s law. Delight in
learning our Lord’s laws, precepts, principles, and commands. To be so blessed we must meditate
(ruminate) on the Word. The quick readings must be followed by musing, pondering on His revealed
word – the Bible.
This shunning and this seeking produces “blessednesses.” The Hebrew word is plural. One of
those blessednesses is inner resources that are consistently and constantly renewing our minds, our
emotions, our attitudes, and our spirits. The leaf of life does not wither but thrives. Ask for rivers of
living water to flow in your innermost being (John 7:38). Ask for the Holy Spirit.
September 6 – Enlarge Our Borders
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
9 And Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother named him Jabez
saying, “Because I bore him with pain.” 10 Now Jabez called on the God of Israel,
saying “Oh that Thou wouldst bless me indeed, and enlarge my border, and that Thy
hand might be with me, and that Thou wouldst keep me from harm, that it may not pain
me! And God granted him what he requested.
What a truly great prayer! It asks:
1. To be blessed (as we have seen this week this means forgiven and to have inner rivers
of life)
2. To have his borders enlarged – expand my influence, my area of work, etc.
3. For God to be with him and protect him
4. Keep me from harm
And God granted him his request.
Slowly review these four requests making them personal for you, for your family, for Central.
Then review each thought to ascertain if it is in God’s will and according to the character and holiness of
Jesus. Then review to ascertain which of these requests you really believe God will give. Then pray, “I
believe, help my unbelief.”
September 7 – Abundant Life
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life,
and might have it abundantly.
In our devotion for today I wish to give you some Bible study for you to use when you pray.
Life – zoe not bios, not psyche. Zoe is used 35 times in John. Vine defines it as the principle of
life as God has it. Strong gives it 2 specific meanings:
1. The absolute fullness of life, essential and ethical which belongs to God.
2. Life real and genuine; active and vigorous; devoted to God; blessed;
Bios is physical life. Psyche is breath of life, the animation of the physical; the vital force that
animates the body. Zoe is God- life.
ASK FOR ZOE!
Abundance – here is perissos meaning super-abundance, exceedingly abundant. Nine different
words are employed in John’s gospel for fullness, filled, abundance.
They literally mean:
● crammed to the full
● having full measure
● to fill entirely, fill full
● fullness
● full
● superabundant, exceedingly abundant
● to gorge, to feed in abundance
● to fill, to satisfy
Other words teaching this are: overflowing; gives Spirit without measure; abundant joy; much fruit; etc.
ASK FOR ABUNDANCE – for you; for Central
God invites you to ask.
September 8 – Fullness of Joy
John 15:11
11 These things I have spoken to you that My joy may be in you, and that your joy may
be made full.
This verse is really a continuation of yesterday’s thought. God wants our spirits to experience
abundant joy. This joy is not to be just any joy, but Christ’s own joy – John 17:13, “But now I come
to Thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy full in themselves.”
Joy is “an emotion evoked by well-being, success, or good fortune” (Webster’s 7th). Joy flows from
inner harmony. Inner harmony flows naturally from being at one or in harmony with God. It is a
condition of the spirit and not of the mind. Inner joy is a great stabilizing power to us. Nehemiah 8:10
reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.
ASK FOR HIS JOY.
September 9 – A Blessing in Old Age
Psalm 92:12-15
12 The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, he will grow like a cedar in
Lebanon. 13 Planted in the house of the Lord they will flourish in the courts of our God.
14 They will still yield fruit in old age; they shall be full of sap and very green,
The psalmist refreshes the imagery of a tree that is flourishing. It has green leaves, and is
bearing fruit. Those planted in Christ are such trees. God’s grace makes the impossible and even the
improbable possible. Sarah became pregnant at age 90. Elizabeth, who was barren, becomes pregnant
with the Baptist. Old fruit trees are not as productive as young, vigorous trees. Yet in God’s provision
they can produce fruit.
According to church growth principles, Central is not a young church. She was founded in
1928. We are 83 years old. Supposedly we are beyond producing lots of fruit. But God -- these two
words change normal cycles and expectations. George Barna wrote Turn Around Churches. It is
about how God turns churches into vibrant producing churches, that is, churches that bear fruit in their
old age.
Don’t jump to conclusions about my feelings about Central. I believe God wants her to thrive
and be a blessing to Lentz and to the greater Portland area. I think God can help us bear fruit at our
present age. We need to hear Him and follow.
ASK for Central to begin to bear fruit in abundance.
September 10 – Bearing Lasting Fruit
John 15:2-8, 16
2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that
bears fruit, He prunes it, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of
the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot
bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me, and I in him, he bears much
fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing, 6 if anyone does not abide in Me, he is
thrown away as a branch, and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the
fire, and they are burned. 7 If you aide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever
you wish, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this is My Father glorified, that you bear
much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.
16 You did not choose Me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and
bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My
name, He may give to you.
How does a local congregation glorify its Father? Verse 8, “By this is My Father glorified,
that you bear much fruit and so prove to be My disciples.” Notice the mention of fruit in these
verses:
2 – He prunes it, that it bear more fruit
4 – cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine
5 – he who abides in me … bears much fruit
16 – go and bear fruit, fruit which remains.
We are in our second year of asking God for fruit. In 2009-2010 we asked for 180 converts
we reported 189. But we must ask, where are they? In 2010-11 we are asking for 220 converts
or infillings. Since April 24 (Easter) we have had 13 converts. Two were baptized on July 31. One is
attending the prayer retreat.
Let’s ask for fruit but fruit which remains -- fruit that will remain in Christ forever.
Lord, make Central flourish. Let her be full of sap (Psalm 92) and life. Let her bear fruit, more
fruit, and much fruit. Let her bear fruit that remains in You.
WEEK FOUR: SEPTEMBER 11-17
Break Through Praying Means to Persist
September 11 – I will Not Let You Go
Genesis 32:24-26
24 Then Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him until day break. 25 And
when he saw that he had not prevailed against him, he touched the socket of his thigh; so
the socket of Jacob’s thigh was dislocated while he wrestled with him. 26 Then he said,
“Let me go, for the dawn is breaking.” But he said, “I will not let you go unless you
bless me.”
World Federation Wrestling in the Bible? NO! Galactical Federation Wrestling in the Bible?
Perhaps. Jacob wrestles with a special messenger from God. Jacob wants the blessing of God so
much he wrestles all night with this messenger. “I will not let you go until you bless me.”
The answer is a name/character change. Jacob (supplanter) becomes Israel (he who strives
with God). In this experience, at least, Jacob persistently hangs on to God’s messenger until the
blessing is made.
In these 40 Days of Prayer we have been persistently asking God to bless Central. We are in
day 22. Let’s persist until God blesses. In this all night wrestling match, how often did Jacob have
thoughts of quitting? Tired, exhausted, spent, he would not quit. The blessings were worth it.
God’s blessings awaiting us are worth our persisting in prayer until we break through to see
tangible results:
●
unbelievable numbers saved and/or filled
●
new spiritual dynamic in our serving, praying, worshipping
●
giving that enables us to be the funnel of God’s blessing to others
Renewal. Revival. Rejoicing
Jacob never could forget this blessing since, according to verse 25, his thigh socket was
dislocated. Perhaps he had a limp for the rest of his life. Every other step would remind him of his
being blessed. When God blesses Central we will be changed.
Don’t quit praying.
Wrestle on until victory occurs.
September 12 – Keep Asking
Luke 18:1-8 (especially 7-8)
1 Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not
to lose heart, 2 saying, “There was in a certain city a judge who did not fear God, and
did not respect man. 3 And there was a widow in that city, and she kept coming to him,
saying, ‘Give me legal protection from my opponent.’ 4 And for a while he was
unwilling; but afterward he said to himself, ‘Even though I do not fear God nor respect
man, 5 yet, because this widow bothers me, I will give her legal protection, lest by
continually coming she wear me out.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous
judge said; 7 now shall not God bring about justice for His elect, who cry to Him day
and night, and will He delay long over them? 8 I tell you that He will bring about justice
for them speedily. However, when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the
earth?”
We “ought to pray and not lose heart.” Prolonged praying is tiring work. The intense
temptation is to use some very spiritual sounding reason why one should not continue: “God has surely
heard and I will move on”; “Perhaps I’m not praying according to His will for surely He would have
answered by now”; “Everyone else has stopped so I can also.”
“Don’t lose heart,” says Jesus. Keep on praying. Keep seeking. Keep asking. Persist. Keep
coming back with the requests. Put off doubts and discouragement. Like this widow keep coming at
Me from all angles. Like this widow kept confronting Me. If silence occurs, get more forceful. Be
constant. Be vigilant. Pray so long and so often you will think you are a nuisance.
We are seeking a revival from God in our area. Remind God and Christ about the marvelous
revival in Africa and Bangladesh. Remind Him of those marvelous miracles in the physical world that
occurred in Senegal. Ask Him to drop crumbs our way. Pray until He brings revival to us. This is
Break Through Prayer. It breaks through.
September 13 – Keep on Praying
Ephesians 6:10-20 (18)
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might. 11 Put on the full
armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. 12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers,
against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the
heavenly places. 13 Therefore, take up the full armor of God, that you may be able to
resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. 14 Stand firm,
therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of
righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
16 in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish
all the flaming missiles of the evil one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the
sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 With all prayer and petition pray at all
times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and
petition for all the saints,
Break through prayer is truly intense spiritual warfare against Satan. It is not against flesh and
blood but spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenlies. Take up the armor He provides –
--truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, word of God
and pray. This word says “keep praying.” Pray at all times. Pray for the Saints, i.e., the church.
One of the common misconceptions at the beginning of a war is that of believing they will win
the war quickly and easily. Human warfare is very seldom fought easily or quickly. It usually becomes
a tragic struggle of breaking an opponent’s will and desire.
Ours is a spiritual warfare against an enemy who is diabolical, shrewd, evil, determined, and
resourceful. We must assume he will not be beaten quickly or easily. He will not yield ground willingly.
Our great Captain must lead and empower us to persist in praying.
To break through in prayer will require a team effort. One soldier may have to be relieved by
another to fill the gap. Old weapons will need to be called forth – prayer meetings, prayer cells, fasting,
etc. Old veterans will have to train newly enlisted pray-ers.
Keep praying with all prayer and petitions at all times.
September 14 –Asking Properly
James 4:1-10 (2b-3)
What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures
that wage war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have; so you commit murder. You
are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do
not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you
may spend it on your pleasures. 4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with
the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world
makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no
purpose: " He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"? 6 But He
gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, "GOD IS OPPOSED TO THE PROUD, BUT
GIVES GRACE TO THE HUMBLE." 7 Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he
will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your
hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Be miserable and mourn
and weep; let your laughter be turned into mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble
yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you.
In this passage we find at least one reason prayers are not answered – selfishness. Today’s
passage prompts us to examine our motives. Why do we ask for what we are asking? What keeps us
from receiving blessings promised by God? The Bible gives some reasons for unanswered prayer.
1. An unforgiving spirit – Matthew 6; Hebrews 12
2. Unconfessed sins – Psalm 66:18
3. Disobedience – Deuteronomy 1:45
4. Indifference – Proverbs 1:28
5. Neglect of mercy – Proverbs 21:13
6. Despising the law – Proverbs 28:9
Blood guiltiness – Isaiah 1:15
8. Iniquity – Isaiah 59:2
9. Stubbornness – Zechariah 7:13
10. Instability – James 1:6-7
11. Selfishness – James 4:3
12. Not according to God’s will – Exodus 33:20
13. Lack of respect for one’s spouse – 1 Peter 3:7
14. Lack of unity – Matthew 12:25
This is a good day for asking: “Am I blocking the answer by an attitude or an action?”
● Is there something or some way I am disobeying God?
● Has God’s Spirit been impressing upon me a need for repentance and/or confession?
This searching is one way of submitting to God (James 4:7) and resisting the devil. Let’s draw
near to God together as a unified, humble church.
7.
September 15 – One Accord Praying
Acts (especially 1:12-14)
“One accord praying” was our theme for last year’s 40 Days of Prayer. It is still a great
principle. One accord praying means to be of one mind, one goal, one purpose. It involves continually
devoting ourselves to prayer – collectively meeting for prayer and when praying alone – we are asking
for, seeking God’s Holy Spirit to be poured out upon us.
To achieve one accord praying involves each of us agreeing with our purpose or goal. It
involves giving up my own desires for Central and blending them with the others. It means abandoning
my little group’s agenda and uniting with the other groups who have abandoned their agendas in order
to become one people in Christ.
Unity is stressed throughout the New Testament -- a unity based on love which expresses itself
by liking and enjoying each other. No one person or group dominating, but the Spirit leading and
empowering. One accord praying opens the heavens until God pours out unbelievable abundance and
blessings.
September 16 – Undefeatable in Christ
Matthew 16:17-18
And Jesus said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not
reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 "I also say to you that you are
Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not
overpower it.
One of my hopes is for Central to become a dynamic church where salvation is occurring
weekly; giving is abundantly, overflowingly generous; and worship is enthusiastically joyful. I want to
stir you to desire for Central:
● to be the Church Christ can make her
● be like a congregation in the book of Acts
to be such a church that the gates of hell give way before His Spirit
● that we would see thousands of conversions (hundreds during my time with you) but thousands
upon thousands in the future.
I hope to stir your spiritual eyes so as to desire God’s fullest blessing upon a church. Praying
will help to receive from Christ. But He will demand obedience in all of our lives to make Central a
conquering church.
O Father, take my puny concept of what a congregation is to be and replace it with a vision
from You. Take my limiting thinking and replace it with a biblical vision of the spiritual church You
desire. Transform me. Transform us. Wash us. Cleanse us. Fill us for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
●
September 17 – Break Through Asking
Mark 7:24-30
Jesus got up and went away from there to the region of Tyre. And when He had entered a
house, He wanted no one to know of it; yet He could not escape notice. 25 But after
hearing of Him, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately came
and fell at His feet. 26 Now the woman was a Gentile, of the Syrophoenician race. And
she kept asking Him to cast the demon out of her daughter. 27 And He was saying to her,
"Let the children be satisfied first, for it is not good to take the children's bread and
throw it to the dogs." 28 But she answered and said to Him, "Yes, Lord, but even the
dogs under the table feed on the children's crumbs." 29 And He said to her, "Because of
this answer go; the demon has gone out of your daughter." 30 And going back to her
home, she found the child lying on the bed, the demon having left.
Bold audacity from a Gentile. Brashness bordering on rudeness. But the love for her daughter
drove her to it. She saw a chance for her daughter to be made whole. She would not be denied.
Rebuked, she did not give up. Repulsed, she answered from a loving heart, “Lord, give me some
crumbs.” Because of this answer, she received.
Showers of revival are falling around the world. Hundreds of thousands are turning in
repentance to Christ in the Horn of Africa (Muslim country). Thousands are repenting and turning to
Christ in Bangladesh. Some churches in Latin and South America are experiencing converts by the
thousands. Perhaps, Father, You could give us some crumbs here.
Let’s be bold in our Break Through Praying. Let’s be pushy and pester. Let’s love so much
that we will not accept the rejecting answer but will impose upon His gracious compassion and love to
share victories with and in us.
Pray Until Something Happens!
PUSH
WEEK FIVE: SEPTEMBER 18-24
Praying Scriptural Prayers for Central
September 17 -- Scriptural Prayer
Ephesians 1:15-22
15 For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among
you and your love for all the saints, 16 do not cease giving thanks for you, while making
mention of you in my prayers; 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of
glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him. 18 I
pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope
of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what
is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance
with the working of the strength of His might 20 which He brought about in Christ, when
He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21
far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named,
not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And He put all things in subjection
under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church,
A conversation I had with a friend over coffee went something like this.
“Have you ever spoken the words of the Bible as a prayer?”
“Wait…what? I thought prayer was something that I made up new every time I wanted to speak
to the Lord.”
“I think most people feel like that, but throughout most of the Church’s history written prayers
have been the norm.”
“That doesn’t seem very personal. How do I make it feel like it is my prayer and not just reading
out loud.”
I think a lot of people feel this way. How can it by my personal prayer if I didn’t come up with the
words? Our focus these days is on our own individual, personal relationship with Jesus Christ and our
prayers reflect this. Not just in what we pray about: personal needs, our salvation and history with the
Lord, etc…, but also how we go about praying: making up our own words in the moment. I am not
suggesting that this type of praying is wrong, just that it is limited.
I have also been in worship services where the pastor went to the pulpit and read a scripted prayer
that was as heart felt as a paperweight sitting on my desk. This is not what I am suggesting. Our prayers
need to be just that—ours. We need to mean the words we say and feel the connection to those words as
they transform our faith.
Here are a few suggestions to help aid us as we pray these Bible passages for our church this week.
First, read through the passage several times before you commit it to the Lord in prayer. Second, don’t be
afraid to change the passage to make it more personal—this is your prayer. For example from vs. 15-16:
“Lord, today I pray for my church, Central, and thank you for the faith that we have in Jesus Christ and
the fellowship with each other.” Finally—especially in long passages like this one above—look for the
point of what is being said. List out the themes of the passage or any recurring ideas. Use those to guide
your prayer. From the passage above I see: initial faith, growing in our understanding, the hope we have in
Christ, God’s power that he will use on our behalf—demonstrated in Christ’s death and resurrection, and
our risen and reigning Savior. This type of prayer can be meaningful and it will also enrich our personal
times of prayer.
September 18 -- Meditative Prayer
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Some passages of scripture are easier to pray than others. The scripture from yesterday was Paul’s
prayer for the church in Corinth. It is pretty easy to pray those words because they were a prayer in the
first place. But how do we pray a scripture like today’s that is an explanation or definition? Here are two
possibilities.
A short passage like this can be utilized in a meditative prayer. I first came across this type of prayer
in seminary. It is typically a short prayer that is repeated placing emphasis on each word of the prayer. For
example, the Jesus prayer: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” As you repeat
the prayer, place an emphasis on the next word, thinking about each word as you emphasize it. “May the
fruit of the Spirit be evident in my life through love, joy, peace… May the fruit of the Spirit be evident in
my life through love, joy, peace… May the fruit of the spirit be evident in my life through love, joy,
peace…” As you emphasize a word, think about what it means.
Another possibility for today’s scripture is to pray these attributes of the Spirit for our Church: “Lord,
may the fruit of your Spirit be evident in Central as we love you and each other…experience the joy of
knowing you…practice an attitude of peace in difficult circumstances…etc…” Take time to think about
what it means for us as a body to experience these attributes as a corporate body of believers.
Can you imagine how our church would be transformed if an attitude of joy became the norm? We
would be demonstrating our faith in God. We would recognize how He has taken care of us in the past
and trust that He would take care of us in the future. What joy we could experience if we learned to trust
in God. As a body of believers our worship would be transformed from just something we do on Sundays
to an expression of our overcoming God actions on our behalf.
September 19 -- Generous Prayer
2 Corinthians 9:6-12
6 Now this I say, he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows
bountifully will also reap bountifully. 7 Each one must do just as he has purposed in his
heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 8 And God is
able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything,
you may have an abundance for every good deed; 9 as it is written,
“HE SCATTERED ABROAD, HE GAVE TO THE POOR,
HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS ENDURES FOREVER.” *cited Psalm 112:9
10 Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply
your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; 11 you will be
enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to
God. 12 For the ministry of this service is not only fully supplying the needs of the saints,
but is also overflowing through many thanksgivings to God.
This is my favorite passage of scripture on giving. Paul cuts to the heart of the matter and after all,
isn’t the heart really what needs to be changed? Obedience is necessary, but it is not until our heart is
transformed that we begin to see the blessing of God in our life.
This goes for every area where God wants to work on us. God wants us to bridle our tongue (James
1:6), but more than that he wants our speech to be encouraging to one another (Eph. 4:26). In order for
this to happen our heart has to be changed. It is more than adjusting our patterns of speech—it is a change
of heart about how we speak to each other. This reminds me of a song we sing,
“My heart and my soul, I give You control;
Consume me from the inside out Lord.
Let justice and praise, become my embrace;
To love You from the inside out.” From the Inside Out by Joel Houston
As the actor says, “What is my motivation?” What is our motivation for giving at Central? Can we
pray that we become a Church of cheerful givers? Can we give not just because we feel like we “have
to?” Can we give and not feel anxious or upset? This is a matter of faith and God promises to provide for
us.
Certainly Paul is talking about money here—a collection for the saints. But doesn’t this also talk about
how we give of our time? Being stingy with our finances is also reflected in being stingy in giving of our
time. As God transforms our hearts, we experience the freedom to give of all of our resources: money,
time and talents. This freedom is God’s blessing for us. It spills out within the church, as we become a
blessing to others. We also experience the blessing within our family and community as we are
transformed into Christ’s likeness.
One final note: As the Worship Leader here at Central I must point out that the Greek word for
service used in vs. 12 is the word used of the Priest—their functions in the temple. This type of service is
an act of worship. Although it is directed toward individuals, God receives the glory through our service.
When we are free to be generous with our time, talent and finances, people around us are blessed and
God is glorified. Pray that we become a generous people!
September 20 -- Basic Prayer
Acts 2:41-47
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added
about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’
teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place
through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in
common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them
with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple,
and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with
gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And
the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Thus the First Community Church of Jerusalem was born. They focused on the basics: the Bible,
fellowship, eating, prayer, giving and worship. And God blessed them; prayers were answered, needs
were met, there was unity among them, and people were being saved and baptized. There were no official
ministries or programs…those would quickly follow. This was the simplest, most basic form of
Church—and God blessed it.
The modern day Church would probably be unrecognizable to those early believers. There are many
reasons for this and most of them are good. The one reason that stands out most to me is that the basics
mentioned above have become overshadowed. If you look at how often they were together, you will
notice, vs. 46, the church gathered to do these basic things daily. Also, they pursued these things diligently,
vs. 42.
I realize that this was a different time and culture. I am not suggesting that we gather at Central daily.
What I do want to recognize is that they deeply desired to incorporate these basics as part of their daily
life. Many things stand in our way of pursuing these basics, both as a corporate body of believers and as
individuals. Many of these distractions are good and worthwhile endeavors. But what a difference it would
make if we prioritized these basics.
So as you pray this scripture today, let’s join together in praying that these basics would become a
priority for us as individuals and as a church. Pray that the Bible would hold a special place in our homes
and in our services. Pray that we would take full advantage of our times of fellowship. Our conversations
can be filled with encouragement and grace. Pray that we could engage with each other over a meal by
inviting people to dinner or into our homes. Pray that we would become a church where prayer is
abundant, both in our gatherings and in our homes. Pray that we would be generous in our giving and not
tempted with the trappings of this world. Pray that we would become a church where worship becomes
the overflow of our hearts. Pray that we as a church prioritize and pursue these basics and that we see
the blessings of God as we are faithful to Him.
September 21 -- Maturing Prayer
Colossians 1:3-12
3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints;
5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the word
of truth, the gospel 6 which has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly
bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard
of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our
beloved fellow bond-servant, who is a faithful servant of Christ on our behalf, 8 and he
also informed us of your love in the Spirit.
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and
to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and
understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in
all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11
strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all
steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us
to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
When Elizabeth and I moved into our home last year, Charlie Songer told us that he wanted to give us
a rose bush as a house warming gift. But July is not the right time to plant roses, so Charlie said that he
would wait until it was the right season and give them to us. True to his word, one Sunday this winter
Charlie brought us two rose bushes. I love roses and was very appreciative for the gift. When I got home
I put the roses in the garage to be planted at a later date. Later that spring, Elizabeth reminded me that the
rose bushes were still in the garage and that they were looking rather sad. The roses had begun to sprout,
but without any sunlight the new shoots were very pale. Hoping to save them, I planted them immediately.
They began to grow, changing color and even began to push up buds. That was about the time the
three deer were spotted in the neighborhood and decided that my rose buds looked a delicious dinner. My
hopes for roses in my front yard were dashed and as time went by I stopped looking at them to see how
they were doing. Then, the weekend I got back from kids camp I noticed there were beautiful, fragrant,
red and pink roses in my front yard. With enough sun and water—and without anyone munching
them—they were able to mature and produce beautiful blossoms.
In our scripture to pray today, Paul praises God for the Colossians’ initial faith in Christ. He also tells
them that he is praying that they would grow from their initial faith into a mature follower of Christ. That
they would grow in their understanding, become obedient to His call, see the results of serving Him, and
increase in faithfulness. A believer who doesn’t put their faith into action will never grow into maturity.
They will be much like my albino rose bushes, never able to meet their full potential—under nourished.
The maturing follower of Christ will, however, exhibit certain characteristics and behaviors. They will
grow because they learn. And as they learn, they will put into practice the things they are learning. And as
they encounter the things they are putting into practice, they will be driven back into the Word to learn
more.
So let’s join together and pray that we will become a maturing church. Not a “mature” church that
thinks that we’ve got it all figured out. This is a self-deception. But pray that we will grow and challenge
each other. Pray that our learning will prove itself in our walk and actions. And as we encounter the world
and its questions, we will find ourselves diving back into God’s Word, searching diligently for His answers.
Pray that we would be thankful for the faith of everyone in the congregation and that we would have the
desire to see each other grow.
September 22
Colossians 1:9-12
9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you
and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom
and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please
Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of
God; 11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining
of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has
qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.
Have you ever admired the prayers of a certain person? Did you say, “I wish I could pray like
that?” Paul was a tremendous prayer-er. His prayers are right on target spiritually. The foundational
principle of his prayers seems to be – if a congregation gets spiritually connected to God and is up close
to Him, all other problems are solved. Let’s look at his petition for the Colossians (Central):
1. Filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. He is
praying that they will know God’s will not from human reasoning, interpretation, or
human ability. He is praying that they will know God’s will from a proper spiritual
perspective. These are two different approaches to living. One produces meager
results and the other, great spiritual blessings.
2. Walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
a. Our religious practices need to become spiritual following of Jesus.
b. To please Him in all aspects – our living is to bring joy to our Lord not
frustration. If He teaches we should attend church, we don’t skip for weak
reasons (Hebrews 10:25). We don’t nullify His teachings by our humanistic,
selfish justifications.
c. Bearing fruit in every good work – Yes, works are a part of a disciple’s life.
They don’t save us, but they do show who’s living within us.
d. Increasing in the knowledge of God. These two ways to increase knowledge
spring to my mind:
i. Bible reading, hearing, study, meditation
ii. Hearing other Christians share their journey
e. Strengthened with all power, according to God’s glorious might – God’s power
(Acts 1:8), the Holy Spirit, empowering holy living and loving. So that:
i. We be steadfast, immovable, steady, sure, solid, in imitating Christ.
ii. Patience – ability to turn adversity into blessing
iii.So we would joyfully give thanks. Come to each service with a thanks
to give and give it joyfully.
We should do this because He is the one who has qualified us for eternal life with Him.
Let’s pray this prayer for Central.
September 23 – You can’t get to C without first going through A and B
Isaiah 40:1-17
1” Comfort, O comfort My people,” says your God. 2 “Speak kindly to Jerusalem; and
call out to her, that her warfare has ended, that her iniquity has been removed, that she
has received of the Lord’s hand double for all her sins.” 3 A voice is calling, “Clear the
way for the Lord in the wilderness; make smooth in the desert a highway for our God. 4
Let every valley be lifted up, and every mountain and hill be made low; and let the rough
ground become plain, and the rugged terrain a broad valley; 5 then the glory of the Lord
will be revealed, and all flesh will see it together; for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
6 A voice says, “Call out.” Then he answered, “What shall I call out?” All flesh is grass,
and all its loveliness is like the flower of the field. 7 The grass withers, the flower fades,
when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely the people are grass. 8 The grass
withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever. 9 Get yourself up on a
high mountain, O Zion, bearer of good news, lift up your voice mightily O Jerusalem,
bearer of good news; lift it up, do not fear. Say to the cities of Judah, “Here is your
God!” 10 Behold, the Lord God will come with might, with His arm ruling for Him.
Behold, His reward is with Him, and His recompense before Him. 11 Like a shepherd He
will tend His flock, in His arm He will gather the lambs, and carry them in His bosom; he
will gently lead the nursing ewes. 12 Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His
hand, and marked off the heavens by the span, and calculated the dust of the earth by the
measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance, and the hills in a pair of scales? 13
Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or as His counselor has informed Him? 14 With
whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding? And who taught Him in the
path of justice and taught Him knowledge, and informed Him of the way of
understanding? 15 Behold, the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are regarded
as a speck of dust on the scales; behold, He lifts up the islands like fine dust. 16 Even
Lebanon is not enough to burn, nor its beasts enough for a burnt offering. 17 All the
nations are as nothing before Him, they are regarded by Him as less than nothing and
meaningless.
Reflection: How often have you asked God for a revival with seemingly no result? How many
“unanswered” prayers do you have in regards to asking God for a mighty outpouring of His Spirit to
take place here at Central? Though if our pleas for revival seem to go unnoticed by God, I suspect
there is another reason. It’s called the A, B, C principle. You don’t receive C unless you first go
through A and B.
Reread verses 3 & 4. Exchange words like wilderness with city and desert with Portland. It
becomes clear that we have a part to play in revival. If verse 3 is A, and verse 4 is B, then verse 5 is
C. In other words, when God’s people (e.g. Central) make way for the Lord and prepare our hearts
and the community for the arrival of Jesus, “Then the glory of Yahweh will be revealed.”
In Luke 3:1-22, John the Baptist “prepared” the way for Jesus. Do you think Jesus needed
John’s assistance? Do you think Jesus couldn’t do this on his own? Of course not! God never needs
our help – but it is how He works. God works through a partnership with His people to prepare hearts
and minds for the Gospel.
It’s no different today. We will not get to C (revival) unless we first go through A and B. God
will not do for us what we are supposed to do ourselves (i.e. prepare the way). God expects His
people to stand on the mountains, to lift our voices and say to the people of Portland, “Here is your
God!” Then His glory will come.
How can you help prepare the way?
September 24
Isaiah 40:18-31
18 To whom then will you liken God? Or what likeness will you compare with Him? 19
As for the idol, a craftsman casts it, a goldsmith plates it with gold, and a silversmith
fashions chains of silver. 20 He who is too impoverished for such an offering selects a
tree that does not rot; he seeks out for himself a skillful craftsman to prepare an idol that
will not totter. 21 Do you not know? Have you not heard? Has it not been declared to
you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is He who sits above the vault of the earth, and its inhabitants are like
grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain and spreads them out like a
tent to dwell in. 23 He it is who reduces rulers to nothing, who makes the judges of the
earth meaningless. 24 Scarcely have they been planted, scarcely have they been sown,
scarcely has their stock taken root in the earth, but He merely blows on them, and they
wither, and the storm carries them away like stubble. 25 “To whom then will you liken
Me that I should be his equal?” says the Holy One. 26 Lift up your eyes on high and see
who has created these stars, the One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them
all by name; because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power not one
of them is missing. 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden
from the Lord, and the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? 28 Do you not
know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of
the earth does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives
strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though
youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 yet those who
wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they
will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.
Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.
Helen Keller
Changing sheets on the bed can be a chore and even a little tricky, but the reward is worth it!
There is something pleasurable about crawling into bed after the linens have been changed. Clean, fresh
sheets are hard to beat. New sheets just feel good. They’re cozy, enjoyable and relaxing. It’s one of
the odd little pleasures of life.
To be honest, old sheets don’t smell so wonderful. They become old, worn out and musty.
They simply don’t feel as nice as new ones. And such is the person who chases after anything other
than God.
In verses 18-20, we see a person who chases after worthless idols – a person chasing after
some thing or things that will satisfy. Interestingly, nothing other than God will fully satisfy the human
appetite. Underneath the glamour and shine, an idol is still a fabricated object covered by a thin layer of
gold or silver. A person can search in vain for wood that does not rot, something that will satisfy
forever, but we all know that there is no such thing. A person can seek for something that will never
weaken, that will stand through the toughest of storms. Again, no such thing exists.
The person who searches for satisfaction in this world fails to understand that God is the One
who looks down from on high (21-22). He is the One who sees all, knows and is ultimately in charge
of all. God sees your whole life – idols do not. Inanimate objects such as money and possessions
cannot see what you need nor can they save you. Gold, silver, money, princes (government) and so on
will eventually fall to the side. Chasing such things will only tire you, weaken you and leave you empty
and depleted.
God, however, is everlasting, tireless and inexhaustible. He is the one who watches over you
day and night. He is the one who holds the universe in the palm of His hand, which means your life is in
His hands as well. He is the one who invigorates and renews your strength. The Hebrew word for
renew means to change clothing. The promise from God is that one day He will remove our old
worn-out, musty clothing and gives us new garments – garments of strength, garments to run and not be
weary. Wait patiently upon Him, for your salvation draws nigh. One day you will shed your old
garments and soar in the sky with eagles.
WEEK SIX: SEPTEMBER 25-28
Resting Upon God
September 25 – Resting in Faith
“Faith sees the invisible, believes the unbelievable, and receives the impossible.”
Corrie Ten Boom
Hebrews 11:1-6
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. 2 For
by it the men of old gained approval. 3 By faith we understand that the worlds were
prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are
visible. 4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he
obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through
faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. 5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he should
not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the
witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. 6 And without faith it
impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is
a rewarder of those who seek Him.
Reflection: To really understand this passage, let’s first break it down into bite size segments.
Faith is – The writer of Hebrews says it plainly. He leaves out the guesswork. He leaves out
speculation. He makes no room for doubt. He gives his readers the absolute definition of what faith is
and is not. Assurance or substance (hupostasis) - This is a scientific term, which rests upon facts. In
other words, you can rest assured that the Judeo-Christian faith is founded upon fact, not myth or man’s
ideology. Hoped for (expected) - We can expect that what God’s Word says about the past, present
and future are indeed true. They have happened, they are happening and they will happen.
Conviction, proof or evidence (elegchos) - This is a legal term meaning evidence for conviction.
Using the above definitions, write a paraphrase of verse 1. For example, you might write,
“Faith in God and His Word was not founded on fabrications, myths, or delusion, but rather upon fact
and reality. Even though I can’t see God, I can confidently believe in ALL He has promised and
revealed.”
J.V. McGee wrote, “Faith is not a leap in the dark. Faith is not a hope-so. Faith is substance
and evidence.” It is fact and proof. From the beginning of God’s Holy Word to the end, it is the solid
rock upon which we stand. Our faith is not in some unknown substance or mysterious cosmic entity or
some fairytale. No. Our faith is firmly rooted in God the Creator and Sustainer of all things.
It’s our faith that helps us stand strong (2 Cor. 1:14). Therefore, stand firm then in the faith and
be strong (1 Cor. 16:13). Stand firm and hold tight to the Word of God (2 Thess. 2:15). Be unmoving,
clothed with the belt of truth (Eph. 6:14). Stand firm and let nothing move you (1 Cor. 15:58).
Faith enables us to believe and trust; doubt causes us to be cynical and to mistrust. Faith
produces courage; doubt creates fear. Faith enables us to live the abundant life; doubt stifles life. Faith
enables us to rest; doubt breeds unrest.
And why should we not trust Him? Is He not the Almighty, all-powerful omnipotent God who
says all things are possible; who calls us more than conquerors through Christ; who says that we can do
all things through Him. Yes. Yes He is. Let us then remember the words of our Lord, “Don’t be afraid;
just believe” (Mark 5:36).
Resting Upon God
September 26 – Resting and Rejoicing in His Benefits
Psalm 103
1Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name. 2 Bless the
Lord, O my soul, and forget none of His benefits; 3 who pardons all your iniquities; who
heals all your diseases; 4 who redeems your life from the pit; who crowns you with
lovingkindness and compassion; 5 who satisfies your years with good things, so that your
youth is renewed like the eagle. 6 The Lord performs righteous deeds, and judgments for
all who are oppressed. 7 He made known His ways to Moses, His acts to the sons of
Israel. 8 The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in
lovingkindness. 9 He will not always strive with us; nor will He keep His anger forever.
10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our
iniquities. 11 For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His
lovingkindness toward those who fear Him. 12 As far as the east is from the west, so far
has He removed our transgressions from us. 13 Just as a father has compassion on his
children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him. 14 For He Himself knows
our frame; he is mindful that we are but dust. 15 As for man, his days are like grass; as a
flower of the field, so he flourishes. 16 When the wind has passed over it, it is no more;
and its place acknowledges it no longer. 17 But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him. And His righteousness to children’s
children. 18 To those who keep His covenant, and who remember His precepts to do
them. 19 The Lord has established His throne in the heavens; and His sovereignty rules
over all. 20 Bless the Lord, you His angels, mighty in strength, who perform His word,
obeying the voice of His word! 21 Bless the Lord, all you His hosts, you who serve Him,
doing His will. 22 Bless the Lord, all you works of His, in all places of His dominion;
bless the Lord, O my soul!
Reflection: “What’s in it for me?” How often have you thought that or something similar as
you looked for employment, thought about business transactions or other obligations? We probably
ask this question, knowingly or unknowingly nearly every day. We live in a very “What’s in it for me”
society. Personal benefits are very important in our world. As a matter of fact, health benefits are
currently one of the major factors a person looks for in a future spouse.
But what about spiritual benefits – what exactly is in it for us. In this Psalm David tells us not to
forget the benefits of God (vs. 2), so let’s find out what they are.
Slowly read this hymn. As you do, finish this sentence and record your discoveries: “God is a
God who ____________.” For example, in verse 3, “God is a God who pardons or forgives.” Or, in
verse 14, “God is a God who understands people’s weaknesses.”
The word benefit means treatment or an act of goodwill. In other words, let us never forget or
take for granted the good things God has done for us. With this in mind, go through Psalm 103 again
and make it more personal. Fill in this sentence as you read: “God is the God who _______ me.” For
example, verse 3 could be “God is the God who forgives me.”
This is a hymn of praise. It begins and closes with praise to Yahweh. After you reflect upon all
that God has done for you, is there anything left to do but praise Him? Take some time to do that right
now.
With God, we don’t have to worry about what’s in it for us – we already know. So live each
day exemplifying God’s benefits. Live as you should – forgiven, redeemed and crowned with love.
Resting Upon God
September 27 – Resting in Who is Our Shepherd
“If you hope for happiness in the world, hope for it from God, and not from the world.”
Brainerd
David
Psalm 100
1 Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. 2 Serve the Lord with gladness; come before
Him with joyful singing. 3 Know that the Lord Himself is God; it is He who has made us
and not we ourselves; we are His people and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates
with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him; bless His name. 5
For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting, and His faithfulness to all
generations.
Do you remember playing “opposite day” when you were a child. For instance, the brat sitting
next to you in class looked at you and whispered, “You’re ugly.” You looked back at him and retorted,
“Ha! Today is opposite day – so there!” Most of us played that as a child. Many of us get annoyed
when children play it today. However, as adults, it is easy to live our lives stuck in a perpetual spiritual
opposite day.
Read Psalm 100 again and play that silly little opposite game. What do you find?
This Psalm might read:
Grumble loudly to the Lord
Serve the Lord begrudgingly with a sour attitude
Come before Him with complaints and annoyance
Be acquainted with the Lord; only know about Him
Enter His gates with entitlement and a list of what you don’t have
Enter His courts with an “it’s all about me” attitude
Does your life resemble Psalm 100 as it was written? Or does it resemble the opposite? What
do others see? What do your coworkers, neighbors and family see? What about our congregation?
What do first time visitors see and experience? How do they perceive our collective faith? Do they see
joyful people who have been transformed by the love of God? How do you play a part in the overall
atmosphere of joy?
Psalm 100 is the reflection of a changed heart and a transformed soul - a soul touched by the
very hand of God. It is the reflection of a person who has entered His courts and lives in the very
presence of the Lord. It is a reflection of mutual intimacy and communion. It is the reflection of one
who is devoted to the Savior and not preoccupied with self.
The cure for a perpetual “opposite day” is thankfulness and joy. God has blessed us with every
spiritual blessing and given us everything we need for life and godliness. We are blessed beyond
measure.
As Christians, we are to shout, serve, enter His courts and give thanks. We are to do these
joyfully and gladly. Why you may ask. Because the Lord is good, He is everlasting, He is loving, kind
and faithful…and we are His people.
Resting Upon God
September 28 – Cease Striving
Psalm 46
Our 40 Days of Break Through Praying ends today. I want to thank all of you that have
faithfully participated. I am writing this on August 16. I want to praise our Lord Jesus Christ for the
marvelous victories we have experienced. Our praying has battered heaven’s door seeking to be heard
and to be granted God’s visitation. Now we are instructed in Psalm 46:10 to rest and enjoy the wonder
and awe of God’s answers. In Hebrews 3 and 4 it speaks of a rest for the seeking heart. The person
must rest on the reality of that happening within themselves. After 40 Days of seeking God to open the
heavens let’s gather at our sanctuary to praise our Father and to thank Him publically. Let’s rest from
pushing. Let’s rest upon His love, grace, and compassion. Marvelous Christ will love you and thank
you for meeting with us.
See you all tonight in our Sanctuary at 7 pm for the Holy Spirit led praise service.

Jim Cymbala states in Break Through Prayer

Transcription

Similar documents

to view/download

mar bul 13 - theantiochchurch.org

View or - Ambassador Baptist Church

weekly bulletin - ChristWay Church

1. Lead them to a time of renewal

Save Bulletin - Tsawwassen United Church

PLEASE PRAY WITH ME AND STAY WITH ME

The Daniel Update

knox presbyterian church crieff

here - Ambassador Baptist Church Singapore