This most generous God... gives you something you can then give away.
2 Corinthians 9:11
The thing you want to reap must be the thing that you sow. Why?
Because the seeds you plant will reproduce after their own kind, whether for good or for bad.
"Whatever a man sows, that he will also reap" (Galatians 6:7).
Notice, you don't necessarily reap when you sow or where you sow, but you always reap what you sow.
Some of us want to plant weeds and get roses.
We're quick to judge others, yet we ourselves are the first to plead for mercy and understanding when we mess up.
A farmer doesn't sow corn and expect to reap potatoes.
Sometimes we shake our heads and wonder why God isn't blessing us with a harvest, forgetting that we haven't sown the right seed in the first place.
And there's one more principle of sowing and reaping we need to understand. We not only reap what we sow, we always reap more.
"For God, who gives seed to the farmer to plant, and later on, good crops to harvest and eat, will give you more and more seed to plant [not to hoard] and will make it grow so that you can give away more and more fruit from your harvest. Yes, God will give you much so that you can give away much" (2 Corinthians 9:10-11 ).
Some people live by the philosophy "get all you can, can all you get, then sit on it."
But why would you want to do that when God has offered you something much better, backed up by the warranty of His Word?
Wednesday, December 27, 2006
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Think Like A Farmer (1)
He who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.
2 Corinthians 9:6
You'll never see a farmer who refuses to plant seeds sitting around expecting a harvest. He may go to church regularly, be a good family man, have his devotions every day and share his faith with others, but he's not going to get a harvest without first planting. That's because the law of sowing and reaping is built into creation. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest… will never cease" (Genesis 8:22 ).
And there's something else a farmer won't do; he won't eat the seed he should be planting. He knows he must start with his seed, not his need, if he's to reap a harvest.
Some of us approach God from a need standpoint,
"I can't give to the Lord because I have to pay these bills."
That's like a farmer saying,
"I can't plant this seed even though it'll yield a good crop, because I'm hungry right now."
This is where your faith must kick in. When a farmer plants his seed instead of eating it, it's an act of faith that his seed will turn into a harvest.
Now, he won't get his harvest right away. He must wait for the right season. But he's putting his faith in an unfailing law that God's placed in the universe, the law of sowing and reaping.
Are you getting the idea?
When you give, you're demonstrating faith in God's Word. When He tells you to sow generously so that you can reap generously, your willingness or reluctance to do what He says tells you whether or not you hold God and His promises in high esteem
2 Corinthians 9:6
You'll never see a farmer who refuses to plant seeds sitting around expecting a harvest. He may go to church regularly, be a good family man, have his devotions every day and share his faith with others, but he's not going to get a harvest without first planting. That's because the law of sowing and reaping is built into creation. "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest… will never cease" (Genesis 8:22 ).
And there's something else a farmer won't do; he won't eat the seed he should be planting. He knows he must start with his seed, not his need, if he's to reap a harvest.
Some of us approach God from a need standpoint,
"I can't give to the Lord because I have to pay these bills."
That's like a farmer saying,
"I can't plant this seed even though it'll yield a good crop, because I'm hungry right now."
This is where your faith must kick in. When a farmer plants his seed instead of eating it, it's an act of faith that his seed will turn into a harvest.
Now, he won't get his harvest right away. He must wait for the right season. But he's putting his faith in an unfailing law that God's placed in the universe, the law of sowing and reaping.
Are you getting the idea?
When you give, you're demonstrating faith in God's Word. When He tells you to sow generously so that you can reap generously, your willingness or reluctance to do what He says tells you whether or not you hold God and His promises in high esteem
A Lifetime Guarantee
Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.
Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy. Not just goodness alone, for we all are flawed and in need of mercy. Not just mercy alone, for we all are fragile and inadequate, in need of God's goodness. So He guarantees both. And if that doesn't impress you, try this phrase: "all the days of my life." Think of the days that lie ahead of you: tough days raising children, days in a dead-end job, underpaid and financially strapped, days of loneliness, days of ill health, days of care giving.
Listen: "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." All of them!
And what will the Shepherd do during those days?
He will follow you.
What a surprising way to describe God. We're accustomed to a God who remains in one place; who sits enthroned in the Heavens and rules.
But no, like a Shepherd who comes behind, gently coaxing His sheep forward, our Lord follows us.
Pursues us.
Tracks us down and wins us over.
Have you sensed Him pursuing you?
So often we miss Him; we don't know our Helper when He's near.
Yet He's always there;
through the kindness of a stranger;
through the question of a child or the commitment of a loved one;
through a word of encouragement spoken or a touch well timed we sense His presence.
Even when we choose our hovel over His house and our efforts over His grace, still He follows. Never forcing us. Never leaving us. Using all His power to convince us that He is who He is, and that He can be trusted to lead us home. What more could we ask for?
Psalm 23:6
Goodness and mercy. Not just goodness alone, for we all are flawed and in need of mercy. Not just mercy alone, for we all are fragile and inadequate, in need of God's goodness. So He guarantees both. And if that doesn't impress you, try this phrase: "all the days of my life." Think of the days that lie ahead of you: tough days raising children, days in a dead-end job, underpaid and financially strapped, days of loneliness, days of ill health, days of care giving.
Listen: "Goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life." All of them!
And what will the Shepherd do during those days?
He will follow you.
What a surprising way to describe God. We're accustomed to a God who remains in one place; who sits enthroned in the Heavens and rules.
But no, like a Shepherd who comes behind, gently coaxing His sheep forward, our Lord follows us.
Pursues us.
Tracks us down and wins us over.
Have you sensed Him pursuing you?
So often we miss Him; we don't know our Helper when He's near.
Yet He's always there;
through the kindness of a stranger;
through the question of a child or the commitment of a loved one;
through a word of encouragement spoken or a touch well timed we sense His presence.
Even when we choose our hovel over His house and our efforts over His grace, still He follows. Never forcing us. Never leaving us. Using all His power to convince us that He is who He is, and that He can be trusted to lead us home. What more could we ask for?
Twelve Days Of Christmas
There is one Christmas Carol that has always baffled me.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do withChristmas? .
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious realitywhich the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke&John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
What in the world do leaping lords, French hens, swimming swans, and
especially the partridge who won't come out of the pear tree have to do withChristmas? .
From 1558 until 1829, Roman Catholics in England were not permitted to practice their faith openly.
Someone during that era wrote this carol asa catechism song for young Catholics.
It has two levels of meaning: the surface meaning plus a hidden meaning known only to members of their church.
Each element in the carol has a code word for a religious realitywhich the children could remember.
The partridge in a pear tree was Jesus Christ.
Two turtle doves were the Old and New Testaments.
Three French hens stood for faith, hope and love.
The four calling birds were the four gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke&John.
The five golden rings recalled the Torah or Law, the first five books of the Old Testament.
The six geese a-laying stood for the six days of creation.
Seven swans a-swimming represented the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit: Prophesy, Serving, Teaching, Exhortation, Contribution, Leadership, and Mercy.
The eight maids a-milking were the eight beatitudes.
Nine ladies dancing were the nine fruits of the Holy Spirit:
Love, Joy, Peace,
Patience, Kindness, Goodness,
Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self Control.
The ten lords a-leaping were the ten commandments.
The eleven pipers piping stood for the eleven faithful disciples.
The twelve drummers drumming symbolized the twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed.
If You Plan To Do It - Do It Now!
For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
James 4:14
Redwood trees last for 1,000 years. Most other things go relatively fast. A face lift lasts 6-10 years, a five dollar note one year, a painted white line on the road only four months.
"What about me?"
The average life span is between 75-80 years of age. That sounds pretty good if you're young, but tends to be sobering when you pass 50. The Bible says your life is like a vapour, and vapours aren't known for longevity; just a puff of smoke and they're gone!
So why are you still waiting?
You don't have forever, get at it!
You say you've always wanted to play the piano. Stop talking about it and start taking lessons!
Or that you've always dreamed of a trip to the Holy Land; call a travel agent. You say you hate your bathroom wallpaper; quit complaining - scrape it off and paint it the colour you like!
You say you feel better when you exercise; start jogging!
Or that you love the taste of home-grown tomatoes - grow some!
You say you're angry about the pot holes in your street; go to your town meeting!
You say you want to make a mark for God; talk to your pastor. And remember, you start at the bottom, not the top!
Think you're too old? Not a chance!
The older people in God's Word often made the biggest impact. So get out of neutral and get going. Put your life into God's hands and let Him show you what He can do with it!
James 4:14
Redwood trees last for 1,000 years. Most other things go relatively fast. A face lift lasts 6-10 years, a five dollar note one year, a painted white line on the road only four months.
"What about me?"
The average life span is between 75-80 years of age. That sounds pretty good if you're young, but tends to be sobering when you pass 50. The Bible says your life is like a vapour, and vapours aren't known for longevity; just a puff of smoke and they're gone!
So why are you still waiting?
You don't have forever, get at it!
You say you've always wanted to play the piano. Stop talking about it and start taking lessons!
Or that you've always dreamed of a trip to the Holy Land; call a travel agent. You say you hate your bathroom wallpaper; quit complaining - scrape it off and paint it the colour you like!
You say you feel better when you exercise; start jogging!
Or that you love the taste of home-grown tomatoes - grow some!
You say you're angry about the pot holes in your street; go to your town meeting!
You say you want to make a mark for God; talk to your pastor. And remember, you start at the bottom, not the top!
Think you're too old? Not a chance!
The older people in God's Word often made the biggest impact. So get out of neutral and get going. Put your life into God's hands and let Him show you what He can do with it!
Sunday, December 17, 2006
We Are Managers, Not Owners
The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it.
Psalm 24:1
It seems like the last part of us to surrender to God is our cheque book. The extent to which this is true explains why more of us are not growing into maturity faster than we are. Your attitude towards giving is like the lights on your car's dashboard. When one of those lights comes on, something under the bonnet needs attention before there's a break down. When God turns on the indicator light of money and giving in your life, it's not because He's hurting for cash. No, He's looking at something in your heart that you can't afford to ignore. And He wants to deal with it.
Many Christians suffer from a disease Dr. Tony Evans calls "cirrhosis of the giver." It's been around since the earliest days of the church, first diagnosed around 34 A.D. in a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who became greedy with God's gifts and suffered some really bad consequences (Acts 5:1-11). It's an acute condition. Those who have it show symptoms that include sudden paralysis and inability to reach for their purse or wallet at offering time. This strange symptom often disappears in stores, on golf courses, or when dining in fine restaurants. Some have attempted to treat this condition by offering tax deductions for charitable giving. But judging from the prevalence of the problem this incentive has not had great effect.
What's the answer? Realising that you are a manager - not an owner. You're simply overseeing what belongs to God. So when He asks you to give, regardless of how much, remember, He's just asking for what He already owns.
Psalm 24:1
It seems like the last part of us to surrender to God is our cheque book. The extent to which this is true explains why more of us are not growing into maturity faster than we are. Your attitude towards giving is like the lights on your car's dashboard. When one of those lights comes on, something under the bonnet needs attention before there's a break down. When God turns on the indicator light of money and giving in your life, it's not because He's hurting for cash. No, He's looking at something in your heart that you can't afford to ignore. And He wants to deal with it.
Many Christians suffer from a disease Dr. Tony Evans calls "cirrhosis of the giver." It's been around since the earliest days of the church, first diagnosed around 34 A.D. in a couple named Ananias and Sapphira who became greedy with God's gifts and suffered some really bad consequences (Acts 5:1-11). It's an acute condition. Those who have it show symptoms that include sudden paralysis and inability to reach for their purse or wallet at offering time. This strange symptom often disappears in stores, on golf courses, or when dining in fine restaurants. Some have attempted to treat this condition by offering tax deductions for charitable giving. But judging from the prevalence of the problem this incentive has not had great effect.
What's the answer? Realising that you are a manager - not an owner. You're simply overseeing what belongs to God. So when He asks you to give, regardless of how much, remember, He's just asking for what He already owns.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Seed-Form Blessings
That which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:20
You must learn to recognise seed-form blessings.
Why?
Because for a period of time it may not be clear to others (or even you) that the Lord is with you.
Look at Mary: "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth… to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…
The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel… said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'…
'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you… So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said'" (Luke 1:26-38 ).
Notice the following things about Mary:
(a) She was capable of conceiving what God wanted.
(b) She could carry it full-term.
(c) She could deliver it in health.
(d) She could trust God with her unanswered questions.
(e) When the time came she could release it to fulfil God's plan, even though it meant the breaking of her heart.
The seed that went into the ground on Good Friday sprang to life on Easter Sunday and produced a harvest that changed the world.
So, learn to recognise your seed-form blessings.
Matthew 1:20
You must learn to recognise seed-form blessings.
Why?
Because for a period of time it may not be clear to others (or even you) that the Lord is with you.
Look at Mary: "In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth… to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph…
The virgin's name was Mary.
The angel… said, 'Greetings, you who are highly favoured! The Lord is with you.' Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be.
But the angel said to her, 'Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favour with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Jesus.'…
'How will this be,' Mary asked the angel, 'since I am a virgin?'
The angel answered, 'The Holy Spirit will come upon you… So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God… For nothing is impossible with God.'
'I am the Lord's servant,' Mary answered. 'May it be to me as you have said'" (Luke 1:26-38 ).
Notice the following things about Mary:
(a) She was capable of conceiving what God wanted.
(b) She could carry it full-term.
(c) She could deliver it in health.
(d) She could trust God with her unanswered questions.
(e) When the time came she could release it to fulfil God's plan, even though it meant the breaking of her heart.
The seed that went into the ground on Good Friday sprang to life on Easter Sunday and produced a harvest that changed the world.
So, learn to recognise your seed-form blessings.
Surrender It!
Trust in the Lord.
Proverbs 3:5
Ever notice how much energy it takes to keep a tight grip on something? Come on, you know what you're holding on to, don't you? You're in turmoil because you can't control the people or circumstances in your life. Hey, release your grip. Go ahead: surrender it to God. You'll be amazed at how much more energy you'll have, and how much easier life will be. Once you make the choice to surrender it to God, your hardest days become your easiest.
A.W. Tozer wrote: "Father, my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You my terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that You may enter and dwell there without a rival."
You say, "Surrender what?"
(1) Your position! Place it all before your God. Find your security, your identity and your contentment in Him.
(2) Your plans! Plan wisely, but be ready for God to rearrange things and take you along paths that may be uncomfortable for you. Nothing this side of Heaven is permanent, including relationships. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones, but avoid the temptation to cling.
(3) Your anxiety! If your emotions are wrapped around some issue involving a possession, a job, a particular expectation or a relationship, you aren't fully relying on God.
No, you're still clinging to lesser things.
Stop. Let it go!
You're delaying the surprise God has waiting for you.
Proverbs 3:5
Ever notice how much energy it takes to keep a tight grip on something? Come on, you know what you're holding on to, don't you? You're in turmoil because you can't control the people or circumstances in your life. Hey, release your grip. Go ahead: surrender it to God. You'll be amazed at how much more energy you'll have, and how much easier life will be. Once you make the choice to surrender it to God, your hardest days become your easiest.
A.W. Tozer wrote: "Father, my cowardly heart fears to give up its toys. I cannot part with them without inward bleeding, and I do not try to hide from You my terror of the parting. I come trembling, but I do come. Please root from my heart those things which I have cherished so long and which have become a very part of my living self, so that You may enter and dwell there without a rival."
You say, "Surrender what?"
(1) Your position! Place it all before your God. Find your security, your identity and your contentment in Him.
(2) Your plans! Plan wisely, but be ready for God to rearrange things and take you along paths that may be uncomfortable for you. Nothing this side of Heaven is permanent, including relationships. Enjoy the time you have with your loved ones, but avoid the temptation to cling.
(3) Your anxiety! If your emotions are wrapped around some issue involving a possession, a job, a particular expectation or a relationship, you aren't fully relying on God.
No, you're still clinging to lesser things.
Stop. Let it go!
You're delaying the surprise God has waiting for you.
Monday, December 11, 2006
Discover What's Inside You
Let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be.
Romans 12:6
Fifty years ago The Golden Buddha was discovered in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. For years a huge, ugly, plaster Buddha sat in the middle of town. Visitors put empty soft drink cans and other rubbish on it. Then one day a priest decided to take the old statue to his temple. In the moving process it cracked. As the pieces crumbled the priest noticed something underneath the plaster shell. He gathered some helpers. They pulled the shell away and inside they found the world's largest chunk of sculptured gold, standing three metres high. For years it had been there - but no one knew it.
And you are a lot like that statue.
Your real value is inside, if you'd only stop and take inventory of it.
You cannot consistently perform in a manner that's inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
You'll perform at a level that reflects your perspective of yourself.
If you think you're average, you'll perform in an average way.
Once in a while you may have a really great day and perform higher.
You might even think, "That was awesome, I really out did myself!"
However, unless you discover your God-given gifts, value and potential, you'll retreat to your old level of living because you think: "That's not the real me." What a loss.
Paul writes, "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't" (Romans 12:6 ).
Romans 12:6
Fifty years ago The Golden Buddha was discovered in the city of Bangkok, Thailand. For years a huge, ugly, plaster Buddha sat in the middle of town. Visitors put empty soft drink cans and other rubbish on it. Then one day a priest decided to take the old statue to his temple. In the moving process it cracked. As the pieces crumbled the priest noticed something underneath the plaster shell. He gathered some helpers. They pulled the shell away and inside they found the world's largest chunk of sculptured gold, standing three metres high. For years it had been there - but no one knew it.
And you are a lot like that statue.
Your real value is inside, if you'd only stop and take inventory of it.
You cannot consistently perform in a manner that's inconsistent with the way you see yourself.
You'll perform at a level that reflects your perspective of yourself.
If you think you're average, you'll perform in an average way.
Once in a while you may have a really great day and perform higher.
You might even think, "That was awesome, I really out did myself!"
However, unless you discover your God-given gifts, value and potential, you'll retreat to your old level of living because you think: "That's not the real me." What a loss.
Paul writes, "Since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvellously functioning parts in Christ's body, let's just go ahead and be what we were made to be, without enviously or pridefully comparing ourselves with each other, or trying to be something we aren't" (Romans 12:6 ).
A Bright Answer
God... separated the light from the darkness.
Genesis 1:3
There is a story that goes… A university professor challenged his class:
"Did God create everything?"
A student replied,
"Yes."
The professor continued:
"If God created everything, then He created evil too. And since our works define who we are, then God is evil."
The class became silent. Suddenly another student raised his hand and asked, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Yes."
The student replied,
"No, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is just the absence of light. Light, we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break the white light into many colours and study the various wavelengths of each colour. But you cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Then the young man asked, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,
"Of course."
To this the student replied, "No, evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. It is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness, a word that man has created to describe the absence of light.
God did not create evil.
It is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart.
Evil is like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
Genesis 1:3
There is a story that goes… A university professor challenged his class:
"Did God create everything?"
A student replied,
"Yes."
The professor continued:
"If God created everything, then He created evil too. And since our works define who we are, then God is evil."
The class became silent. Suddenly another student raised his hand and asked, "Professor, does darkness exist?"
The professor responded, "Yes."
The student replied,
"No, sir, darkness does not exist. Darkness is just the absence of light. Light, we can study, but not darkness. In fact we can use Newton's prism to break the white light into many colours and study the various wavelengths of each colour. But you cannot measure darkness. A simple ray of light can break into a world of darkness and illuminate it. How can you know how dark a certain space is? You measure the amount of light present. Darkness is a term used by man to describe what happens when there is no light present."
Then the young man asked, "Sir, does evil exist?"
Now uncertain, the professor responded,
"Of course."
To this the student replied, "No, evil does not exist, sir, or at least it does not exist unto itself. It is simply the absence of God.
It is just like darkness, a word that man has created to describe the absence of light.
God did not create evil.
It is the result of what happens when man does not have God's love present in his heart.
Evil is like the cold that comes when there is no heat, or the darkness that comes when there is no light."
The professor sat down.
When We Pray - God Works!
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Two things about prayer are truly amazing:
(1) God listens when we pray. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Mark 11:24). You may not have much clout anywhere else, but when you pray God listens.
(2) We seldom pray. We've the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the control centre of the Universe - yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God. Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I sought for a man among them who would… stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one" (Ezekiel 22:30 ).
Upon learning that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he chose to "[remain] standing before the Lord" (Genesis 18:22 ).
When God said the golden calf warranted a nationwide death penalty for Israel, Moses interceded and saved them. One translation of Exodus 32:11 says, "Moses soothed the face of his God." An obscure priest by the name of Phinehas begged God not to send the plague, and it was checked. (Psalm 106:30 ).
You say "Why place such a premium on prayer?"
Simple.
Because when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer.
"When two of you get together on anything… and make a prayer of it, My Father in Heaven goes into action" (Matthew 18:19 ).
Does any other activity promise such results?
Did God call us to preach without ceasing?
Or have committee meetings without ceasing?
No, but He did call us to
"pray without ceasing."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Two things about prayer are truly amazing:
(1) God listens when we pray. "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." (Mark 11:24). You may not have much clout anywhere else, but when you pray God listens.
(2) We seldom pray. We've the greatest privilege imaginable - access to the control centre of the Universe - yet we rarely use it. And our lack of prayer surprises God. Through the prophet Ezekiel He lamented: "I sought for a man among them who would… stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one" (Ezekiel 22:30 ).
Upon learning that Sodom and Gomorrah were going to be destroyed, Abraham didn't rush to warn the cities. No, he chose to "[remain] standing before the Lord" (Genesis 18:22 ).
When God said the golden calf warranted a nationwide death penalty for Israel, Moses interceded and saved them. One translation of Exodus 32:11 says, "Moses soothed the face of his God." An obscure priest by the name of Phinehas begged God not to send the plague, and it was checked. (Psalm 106:30 ).
You say "Why place such a premium on prayer?"
Simple.
Because when we work, we work. But when we pray, God works!
Scripture attaches breathtaking power to prayer.
"When two of you get together on anything… and make a prayer of it, My Father in Heaven goes into action" (Matthew 18:19 ).
Does any other activity promise such results?
Did God call us to preach without ceasing?
Or have committee meetings without ceasing?
No, but He did call us to
"pray without ceasing."
A Word To Teachers (3)
I press on toward the goal.
Philippians 3:14
If you want to become a change agent, you yourself must change!
And you're never too old to do that.
Change has nothing to do with your age and everything to do with your attitude.
"Well, I'm just getting too old," you say. How old is too old? Have you died? "No," you say, "I'm still alive." Good! Then learn - or you'll die mentally.
Older people can be excellent learners. Somewhere along the line we've taken in the mistaken idea that you can't teach an old dog new tricks - which is true if you're teaching dogs and if you're teaching tricks. But you are not in the business of either one, are you?
Some folks in their 20's are dead in the head, while others in their 80's are plugged in and going places.
The apostle Paul was.
Near the end of his life, when most people are looking for rocking chairs, he wrote: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" (Philippians 3:13-14 ).
Paul was neither impressed by his successes nor intimidated by his failures. He learned from his past, but he refused to live in it. His goal was always before him. And he was just as properly related to the present.
He said, "I press on."
Every day when Paul's eyes opened he thought, "It's a new day full of possibilities; Lord help me to max every moment!"
As they say, "The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune" - but only if you keep practicing and stay in shape!
Philippians 3:14
If you want to become a change agent, you yourself must change!
And you're never too old to do that.
Change has nothing to do with your age and everything to do with your attitude.
"Well, I'm just getting too old," you say. How old is too old? Have you died? "No," you say, "I'm still alive." Good! Then learn - or you'll die mentally.
Older people can be excellent learners. Somewhere along the line we've taken in the mistaken idea that you can't teach an old dog new tricks - which is true if you're teaching dogs and if you're teaching tricks. But you are not in the business of either one, are you?
Some folks in their 20's are dead in the head, while others in their 80's are plugged in and going places.
The apostle Paul was.
Near the end of his life, when most people are looking for rocking chairs, he wrote: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me" (Philippians 3:13-14 ).
Paul was neither impressed by his successes nor intimidated by his failures. He learned from his past, but he refused to live in it. His goal was always before him. And he was just as properly related to the present.
He said, "I press on."
Every day when Paul's eyes opened he thought, "It's a new day full of possibilities; Lord help me to max every moment!"
As they say, "The older the fiddle the sweeter the tune" - but only if you keep practicing and stay in shape!
A Word To Teachers (2)
Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.
Luke 6:40
Stop growing and you stop teaching! The truth doesn't change, but your understanding of it should.
Peter writes: "Grow in … grace and knowledge" (2 Peter 3:18 ). This requires the attitude that you haven't yet "arrived." Those who apply this principle are always asking, "How can I improve?"
Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: "When I was a college student… I worked in the dining hall. On my way to work at 5:30 each morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see a light on at his desk. He was poring over his books. One day he invited me home for lunch and I said: 'Would you mind if I asked you a question? What keeps you studying? You never seem to stop.' He answered 'Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.' He was one of the best professors I ever had - a man who marked me permanently." Do you teach others? From what are you drinking?
Jesus said, "Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."
Those words should either excite you - or drive you to your knees! If you want to touch others you must first ask God to touch you. He desires to work through you, but He can't until He works in you. He'll use you as His instrument, but first He wants to sharpen and cleanse that instrument so it becomes a more effective tool in His hands.
So, if you want to strengthen your teaching, do everything in your power to strengthen the teacher - yourself!
Luke 6:40
Stop growing and you stop teaching! The truth doesn't change, but your understanding of it should.
Peter writes: "Grow in … grace and knowledge" (2 Peter 3:18 ). This requires the attitude that you haven't yet "arrived." Those who apply this principle are always asking, "How can I improve?"
Dr. Howard Hendricks writes: "When I was a college student… I worked in the dining hall. On my way to work at 5:30 each morning I walked past the home of one of my professors. Through a window I could see a light on at his desk. He was poring over his books. One day he invited me home for lunch and I said: 'Would you mind if I asked you a question? What keeps you studying? You never seem to stop.' He answered 'Son, I would rather have my students drink from a running stream than a stagnant pool.' He was one of the best professors I ever had - a man who marked me permanently." Do you teach others? From what are you drinking?
Jesus said, "Everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher."
Those words should either excite you - or drive you to your knees! If you want to touch others you must first ask God to touch you. He desires to work through you, but He can't until He works in you. He'll use you as His instrument, but first He wants to sharpen and cleanse that instrument so it becomes a more effective tool in His hands.
So, if you want to strengthen your teaching, do everything in your power to strengthen the teacher - yourself!
A Word To Teachers (1)
You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life.
2 Timothy 3:10
If you want your teaching to have impact, you must do these three things:
(1) Know your students.
And that takes commitment and time. This is where we lose a lot of teachers. There's no magic formula. Good teaching has a price tag: you've got to be willing to pour out your life for others. If your students have to trip you up on your way out of class in order to have a moment with you, you're not going to reach them. People don't care how much you know, until they first know how much you care.
(2) Earn the right to be heard.
Walk out on the street and tell the first guy you meet that you know what his problem is - and he'll probably give you a piece of his mind. Even if you know what his problem is, you won't get through to him. Credibility must precede communication. And our celebrity society has never figured that out. You must earn a hearing!
(3) Be willing to become vulnerable.
It's the broken who become masters at mending. Don't be afraid to let people know what you're struggling with, and what you've struggled with through the years. People tend to see us in terms of where we are now, rather than in light of where we've come from and what we've been through. They didn't see the process. So tell them about the God you know personally, and what He's brought you through. That'll impact them every time!
Want to be a teacher who "gets through?" Practice these principles.
2 Timothy 3:10
If you want your teaching to have impact, you must do these three things:
(1) Know your students.
And that takes commitment and time. This is where we lose a lot of teachers. There's no magic formula. Good teaching has a price tag: you've got to be willing to pour out your life for others. If your students have to trip you up on your way out of class in order to have a moment with you, you're not going to reach them. People don't care how much you know, until they first know how much you care.
(2) Earn the right to be heard.
Walk out on the street and tell the first guy you meet that you know what his problem is - and he'll probably give you a piece of his mind. Even if you know what his problem is, you won't get through to him. Credibility must precede communication. And our celebrity society has never figured that out. You must earn a hearing!
(3) Be willing to become vulnerable.
It's the broken who become masters at mending. Don't be afraid to let people know what you're struggling with, and what you've struggled with through the years. People tend to see us in terms of where we are now, rather than in light of where we've come from and what we've been through. They didn't see the process. So tell them about the God you know personally, and what He's brought you through. That'll impact them every time!
Want to be a teacher who "gets through?" Practice these principles.
Stay Sharp!
If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength. Wisdom has th
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Did you hear about the two lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day?
At daybreak the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweat and by noon he had cut down 16 trees. Meanwhile the other lumberjack was way behind because he took the first two hours to sharpen his axe. As he sharpened it his challenger laughed at him thinking he was doomed to lose the race because of all that wasted time. That's when things got interesting. By early afternoon the first lumberjack was slowing down. It took him almost an hour to cut down one tree, while his friend was catching up fast. How could this be? Certainly he was as strong as his friend. Unfortunately, strength had little to do with it. It was all about whose axe was sharper. The sharper the axe - the quicker the trees came down. By late afternoon the second lumberjack who'd sharpened his axe had passed his friend by several trees and won easily.
There's an important lesson there for you. Your ceaseless activity may feed your ego and satisfy your need to be needed, but eventually:
(a) it will leave you dull Spiritually, emotionally and mentally;
(b) the people who need and applaud you now will discover it and go looking for someone sharper, leaving you feeling "used" and unappreciated;
(c) because you've lost your edge you'll be unprepared for what God has for you next!
So, stay sharp!
Ecclesiastes 10:10
Did you hear about the two lumberjacks who challenged each other to see which one could cut down more trees in a day?
At daybreak the first one began furiously chopping down trees. He worked up a sweat and by noon he had cut down 16 trees. Meanwhile the other lumberjack was way behind because he took the first two hours to sharpen his axe. As he sharpened it his challenger laughed at him thinking he was doomed to lose the race because of all that wasted time. That's when things got interesting. By early afternoon the first lumberjack was slowing down. It took him almost an hour to cut down one tree, while his friend was catching up fast. How could this be? Certainly he was as strong as his friend. Unfortunately, strength had little to do with it. It was all about whose axe was sharper. The sharper the axe - the quicker the trees came down. By late afternoon the second lumberjack who'd sharpened his axe had passed his friend by several trees and won easily.
There's an important lesson there for you. Your ceaseless activity may feed your ego and satisfy your need to be needed, but eventually:
(a) it will leave you dull Spiritually, emotionally and mentally;
(b) the people who need and applaud you now will discover it and go looking for someone sharper, leaving you feeling "used" and unappreciated;
(c) because you've lost your edge you'll be unprepared for what God has for you next!
So, stay sharp!
You Need The Church
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together.
Hebrews 10:25
The Church is God's life-support system for individual Christians. Nobody expects a baby to grow on its own, and God never meant for us to grow and develop Spiritually in isolation. Spiritual growth is a group project, which should be good news to you because that means you don't have to do it all by yourself. You need to be surrounded by Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who can help you. Adam's aloneness was the only part of creation that God said was "not good" (Genesis 2:18).
The universal church is made up of believers everywhere, the local church is made up of believers somewhere. The writer in Hebrews states, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do" (Hebrews 10:25 ).
You say, "But I don't need encouragement and I don't need help."
Perhaps not today, but what about next week or next month? And what about the people who need your help and encouragement?
There are two kinds of growth:
(1) Symbiotic growth, which occurs when two organisms both benefit by the relationship.
(2) Parasitic growth, which occurs when one organism feeds off another without giving anything back.
Paul describes the church as "God's household" (Ephesians 2:19 ) in which the members grow by being "fitted together" and by being "built together for a dwelling place of God" (Ephesians 2:21-22 ).
We are all to be part of something bigger than any one of us. There is no mention in Paul's words of individual growth apart from the church. We only grow as we connect, relate, contribute, and receive one from another.
Hebrews 10:25
The Church is God's life-support system for individual Christians. Nobody expects a baby to grow on its own, and God never meant for us to grow and develop Spiritually in isolation. Spiritual growth is a group project, which should be good news to you because that means you don't have to do it all by yourself. You need to be surrounded by Spiritual fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters who can help you. Adam's aloneness was the only part of creation that God said was "not good" (Genesis 2:18).
The universal church is made up of believers everywhere, the local church is made up of believers somewhere. The writer in Hebrews states, "Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do" (Hebrews 10:25 ).
You say, "But I don't need encouragement and I don't need help."
Perhaps not today, but what about next week or next month? And what about the people who need your help and encouragement?
There are two kinds of growth:
(1) Symbiotic growth, which occurs when two organisms both benefit by the relationship.
(2) Parasitic growth, which occurs when one organism feeds off another without giving anything back.
Paul describes the church as "God's household" (Ephesians 2:19 ) in which the members grow by being "fitted together" and by being "built together for a dwelling place of God" (Ephesians 2:21-22 ).
We are all to be part of something bigger than any one of us. There is no mention in Paul's words of individual growth apart from the church. We only grow as we connect, relate, contribute, and receive one from another.
How's Your Prayer Life?
Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is not a monologue where one person does all the talking, or a ritual where we must say things in the right order, or a chore to get out of the way like brushing our teeth before going to bed. Jesus rejects this performance-based understanding of prayer: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace" (Matthew 6:6 TM).
For many, prayer has little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like the National Anthem at a game: a nice opening, but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards.
Other people treat prayer like a rabbit's foot you pull out and rub when things are tough: "A prayer a day keeps the devil away."
Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing."
That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or a flare you shoot up during a crisis. Try substituting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound like a good idea to you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into oxygen today," and stop breathing. Or get frustrated and say, "This isn't getting me anywhere. I'm not going to do it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies like it's life.
So, just as breathing is an indispensable part of your natural life, prayer is an indispensable part of Spiritual life. Without it you die Spiritually.
So, how's your prayer life?
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Prayer is not a monologue where one person does all the talking, or a ritual where we must say things in the right order, or a chore to get out of the way like brushing our teeth before going to bed. Jesus rejects this performance-based understanding of prayer: "Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace" (Matthew 6:6 TM).
For many, prayer has little to do with the realities of life. They think of it like the National Anthem at a game: a nice opening, but nothing to do with what happens on the field afterwards.
Other people treat prayer like a rabbit's foot you pull out and rub when things are tough: "A prayer a day keeps the devil away."
Paul writes, "Pray without ceasing."
That doesn't sound like something you do once in a while, or a flare you shoot up during a crisis. Try substituting the word breathe for the word pray: "breathe without ceasing" - doesn't that sound like a good idea to you? We don't breathe only when we feel like it. Or decide, "I'm not into oxygen today," and stop breathing. Or get frustrated and say, "This isn't getting me anywhere. I'm not going to do it any more." No, we cling to the breath in our bodies like it's life.
So, just as breathing is an indispensable part of your natural life, prayer is an indispensable part of Spiritual life. Without it you die Spiritually.
So, how's your prayer life?
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