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Searching for "prayer" in the Quiet Time Archive
Displaying results from "25" to "50". (199 found)

2008-09-01 - Teach Us To Pray - Hungry and Thirsty (part 2)
We must Desire God Alone
Many people fail to have satisfying prayer lives because they are double-minded when they pray
Must do our best to rid ourselves of distractions
Unless you passionately fight for time alone with God, it will not happen

God Blesses the Hungry Heart
When we pray righteously, it allows God to work powerfully in our lives
  • Blessed are those who hunger for they will be filled - Matthew 5:6
  • Everyone who asks, receives; he who seeks finds - Matthew 7:7-8
  • You have not because you ask not - James 4:2
  • Judah sought God, and he was found by them - 2 Chronicles 15:15
  • Sometimes we need to wrestle with God to show how much we want it - Genesis 32:26
Power of prayers are dependent on the hunger in your heart
No hungry heart will ever be turned away

2008-09-03 - Teach Us To Pray - Surrender
Not what I will, but what you will - Mark 14:35-36

Surrender means to put oneself and one's future totally into the hands of God
Surrender is unconditional and total - nothing is held back
Worst scenario possible and is still willing to pay that price

What can we learn from Jesus is this most difficult night of surrender?
  1. He included people in his prayer struggle
  2. He was totally honest with all of his feelings before God and other men - limiting Satan's power - John 3:19-21
  3. Jesus stated his preferences to God very clearly
  4. Prayed until his surrender was complete - surrender is not completed without this kind of prayer - Philippians 4:6-7


2008-09-05 - Teach Us To Pray - Eager to Act
Nehemiah 4:6-9 - Nehemiah prayed to for the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt

Nehemiah turned his theology into biography
He prayed to a powerful God, but it did not end there; he was ready and eager to act
Many times we pray (talk) and then sit back (no walk) waiting for a miracle to happend

Nehemiah prayed often and spontaneously - 1:4, 4:4, 5:19, 6:9, 13:14, 22, 29, 31
He is prayers were followed by:
  • Decisions - Nehemiah 2:5
  • Plans  -Nehemiah 4:9-16
  • Actions - Nehemiah 2:18
What closes God's ear to our prayers is not the depth of our sin bu the lack of our eagerness to act upon his Word

2008-09-07 - Teach Us To Pray - Honesty and Openness
Honest communication is crucial element to any great relationship: God, spouse, children.

Consider how ludicrous it is to not be real with God:
  • He knows what is in our hearts
  • He knows what we are really seeking
  • He knows what we need
Only honesty with God makes sense!

Moses:
  • He questioned the wisdom of God's choice
  • Argued his lack of eloquence
  • Says he does not want the responsibility
  • He is honest - he gives God something to work with - Exodus 4:13
David - example of his Psalms:
  • Why do you hide yourself in trouble? - Psalms 10:1-2 - logically does not make sense but this is where David was
  • Later, he works it out in prayer (v17) - LORD, you have heard the request of the oppressed; you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.

It is in our openness that we hear our faithlessness and can turn away from it.

God wants a relationship with you
He wants to know our longings, aspirations, problems, anxieties, doubts, and even our sin

2008-09-08 - Teach Us To Pray - Reasoning with God

Reasoning with God in prayer is an expression of great faith
The Canaanite woman was one of two times Jesus said someone had "great faith" - Matthew 15:21-28

Persistent widow reasoned with the unjust judge - Luke 18:1-8

We cannot change the eternal purposes of God but we can change his mind on how his purposes will be accomplished

Abraham was a man who reasoned with God - his Son being sacrificed - Genesis 18:23-33

Moses was too - God decided to destroy the disobedient Israelites and start a new nation
Moses gave specifc reasons for not destroying them and God heard him and changed his mind
He prayed with great humility - Numbers 12:3

True humility is the key to the prayer of reason - not telling God what to do
Expressing our outlook and giving reasons to back up our thinking



2008-09-10 - Teach Us To Pray - Alone and in Private

Mark 1:35, Matthew 14:13, and Luke 4:42 - shows us that Jesus often went to solitary places to pray

Solitude is essential in developing a deep relation ship with God
Be still and know I that I am from God - Psalms 46:10
Do you have a special place where you meet with God?

Psalms 5, 38, and 42 are examples of how open and expressive David was with God
He shared everything from joy and delight to anguish and dispair
How open are you with God?
God wants our hearts
As a result, we are much more open and real with others

We get fired up by sermons, fellowship, and music - Jesus went to be alone
There is nothing in your life that God cannot change

Prayer times make special memories
Israelites setup stones to remind them of what God had done - Joshua 4:7

Ideas for times with God:

  • Write a love letter
  • Sing a song you composed
  • Write on a ballon, let it go
  • Hang a poster and write the things God has done

 



2008-09-11 - Teach Us To Pray - Unity with Others

Questions to ask meself:

  1. How often this week have I prayed with someone?
  2. Do I pray with others about critical decisions?
  3. Praying together with others my custom?

If no, denying one of the most powerful aspects of pray

After Judas' sucide - two eminently qualified individuals were proposed - Acts 1:15-26
Disciples sought guidance (v24)

Peter and John were on their way to pray - Acts 3:1
They grouped together for prayer often - Acts 16:13-16
They raised their voices together in prayer - Acts 4:24
Church earnestly prayed for Peter; eventually released after angelic intervention - Acts 12:5

 



2008-09-12 - Teach Us To Pray - In Marriage and Family

Unless the Lord builds, its builder labor in vain - Psalms 127:1-2
Solomon probably knew the truth of this passage as much as anyone
He saw incrediable tragedy in his own family from the result of his father's unspiritual leadership
His family stands as a warning to all married disciples of how Satan can destroy the most precious of all human relationships

Powerful benefits of daily prayer with one another:

  1. Prayer keeps your relationship spiritual focused
  2. Prayer keeps us going to bed united - Ephesians 4:26-27
  3. Prayer makes us more grateful
  4. Prayer gives us focus and direction

Prayer in family life:

  1. Nightly prayer with children from infancy
  2. Daily devotionals with younger school children - 15min in the morning
  3. Taking pray walks with teenage children
  4. Quiet Times with one another
  5. Praying as a family about major decisions and challenges
  6. Praying with children after they are disciplined adds powerfullly to the impact of such training


2008-09-18 - Teach Us To Pray - Courage and Boldness
Prayer reminds us God is in control
It is his battle, I belong to God, and God will make me successful
God will not let me be tempted beyond what I can bear - 1 Corinthians 10:13

To pray for boldness and courage:
  1. Trust - We are exactly the way God wants us to be; he will make up what we are not - 2 Timothy 1:7
  2. Righteousness - Righteous are as bold as a lion; god can not hear us if we cherish sin - Psalms 66:18
  3. Action - do what the word says; Keep praying until you act
Does our faith come from our results or our results come from our faith

God's work cannot be done in this world without courage

2008-09-19 - Teach Us To Pray - Direction for Decisions
Most difficult decision are not so much a question of right and wrong but rather what is good, better, and best
When ask according to God's will, he hears us - 1 John 5:14-15

God give wisdom in prayer (James 1:5) and through his Word (Hebrews 5:14)
He will give us wisdom to discern what is best

God also gives wisdom to men and women in his kingdom
It is would be foolish and arrogant to not actively seek out wisdom God has made available
Should imitate leaders faith - Hebrews 13:7


2008-09-20 - Teach Us To Pray - Power for our weakness
Weakness include:
  • Physical sickness - Philippians 2:26
  • Weak faith - Romans 14:1-2
  • Weak conscience - 1 Corinthians 8:11-12
If you are not aware of your weaknesses, then God can not make you strong

Prayer is simply the key that unlocks the door to God's free reign in our lives
He reigns whether we like it or not, but he will not take away our free will - we have to surrender it
Getting rid of weakness is not the point - it to humbly submit yourself to God, depend on his power, and to rely on his strength

2008-09-21 - Teach Us To Pray - Friends and Loved Ones
To intercede or pray on someone else's behalf is a privilege
Our prayers are sacrifices which are pleasing to him - Hebrews 13:15

Paul: I want you to know how much I am struggling for you - Colossians 2:1
Who do you struggle for? How about people you have never meet?

Far be it that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray to you - Samuel to King Saul - 1 Samuel 12:23

Jesus intercedes for us - Romans 8:34
Like a good friend, he adds or subtracts from what you are missing or need
Jesus makes us complete in God's sight

2008-09-24 - Teach Us To Pray - Plans to Prosper Us

God has plans to prosper you - Jeremiah 29:10-13

Quiet time about things that happened in Flavio and Renee Uribe's life as they trusted in God. The found out that their plans and prayers didn't come about on their timing.



2008-09-25 - Teach Us To Pray - Warriors Who Change the World

The basic difference between an ordinary man and a warrior is that a warrior takes everything as a challenge and and ordinary man takes everything either as a blessing or a curse!

Prayer is the difference between being spiritually dynamic and spiritually dead; between being victorious over Satan and being victimized by him

Three wasy to pray that makes a powerful difference:

Pray according to God's purpose
God wants us to pray about things that mean the most to him

Pray in Praise of God
Our God stands in greatness before us and how we pray is as important as what we pray
When we pray in praise to God, he always makes a difference in our lives

Pray for the Passion to Produce
He is Lord of the Harvest and it is also God's will that there be a harvest - Matthew 9:38

We must understand how important prayer is in the eyes of God



2008-09-26 - Teach Us To Pray - Our Eyes Are on You
2 Chronicles 20:5-7

When all goes wrong, it is time to pray
Not just prayer, but a Jehoshaphat prayer (a prayer of desperation) - a deep-felt need for God

He who fails on this stone will be broken to pieces, but he on whom it falls will be crushed - Matthew 21:42, 44
Get Broken or get crushed - this difference is a matter of prayer

2008-09-27 - Man of Prayer - Introduction
10% of those who don't believe in God still pray - just in case
55% of those who do pray, pray less than 5 minutes

That is not much time for fellowship and communion

We end up doing the thing that we are highly motivated to do
Quality of prayer is low when the only motivation is obedience

Matthew 26:36-46 - Jesus asked them to keep watch while he prayed
Could we keep for even one hour?

How is your prayer life
Is it satisfying, effective, fulfilling, productive?

2008-09-28 - Man of Prayer - Strategy
In context, the disciples probably spent quite of bit of time and energy in prayer
After spending time with Jesus,  they felt challenged by Jesus' prayers

Jesus was always praying:
  • Before dawn - Mark 1:35
  • Sometimes all night - Luke 6:12
  • He remained to pray - Matthew 14:23

One day, the disciples had enough: Teach Us to Prayer - Luke 11:1


2008-09-29 - Man of Prayer - Pattern

Lord's prayer in Matthew 6 and Luke 11

  1. Our Father in heaven (Matthew 6:9) - Getting Started
  2. Hallowed be your name (Matthew 6:9) - Getting Focused
  3. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10) - Experiencing Divine Intervention
  4. Give us today our daily bread (Matthew 6:11) - Praying for Provisions
  5. Forgive our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us (Matthew 6:13) - Experiencing Forgiveness
  6. And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one (Matthew 6:13) - Developing Spiritual Protection
  7. For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glry forever. Amen.  (later manuscripts of Matthew) - Final Issues

Each will be addressed in detail in later chapters

 



2008-10-01 - Man of Prayer - Father (part 2)

Addressing God as the Father seems pretty normal - not the case in Jesus' day

Sometimes David prayed:

  • O God
  • O Lord
  • O my God
  • O my Lord

...but nowhere will you find David addressing the living god as "Father"
Gabriel was sent to respond personally to Daniel's great prayer in Daniel 9 - yet he did not address God as Father

Patriarchs, the prophets, and the priests of Israel were all men of prayer - never addressed their prayers to God as "Father"
Jesus gave believers the right to become children of God

We begin our time in prayer with a father-child relationship



2008-10-02 - Man of Prayer - Empowerment

Paul tells us that we don't know how to pray like we should - Romans 8
Part of the ministry of the Holy Spirit is to help us in this area - Romans 8:26-27

God will answer this prayer
We have a tendency to become distracted - help me to be focused

Do not have because we have not asked - James 4:2
Don't forget to pray about praying



2008-10-03 - Man of Prayer - Relationship

After asking for help from the Holy Spirit, then focus on the relationship with
Prayer is primarily a vehicle of relationship

Pater (greek) = father
Abba (aramaic) = intimacy and endearment = daddy

Holy Spirit in our lives is a spirit of adoption by which God give us our spiritual birthright (Romans 8:16; Galatians 4:6)

He delights when we come to Him as our Father, Abaa, Daddy:

  • Mr. Bentson - wrong
  • Mr. Benson - contact
  • Benson - co-worker
  • Chad - friend
  • Dad - daughter
  • Honey - wife

The closer you are, the better responce you will get
He delights in your desire to spend time with Him

This relationship is critical to a healthy and vitaul prayer life
His fatherhood becomes real in my life
Bridge the gap between what I know in my head and what I experience in my life



2008-10-04 - Man of Prayer - Authentic Encounter
Must be an authentic encounter, not just a religious experience
Imagine a small Aramaic child calling for his daddy
Imagine Jesus holding you

We live in a noisy culture
Noise becomes background noise and without it, we can feel lost or anxious
No wonder we do not allow God to speak to us

When the disciples prayed, Hallowed be your name, it was to focus on God above all else

Second section of prayer taught by Jesus in Luke 11, starts tomorrow

2008-10-14 - Man of Prayer - Into His Court

Focusing on God - source of incredible joy in our lives
This is worship - fundational to the prayer experience

Psalms 100:4 - his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise
Presence is fullness of joy - Psalms 16:11

Focus is a vital part of an effective prayer life
Having moved into His presence - sharpens your spiritual focus - His Kingdom

 



2008-10-17 - Man of Prayer - Kingdom and Prayer
Thy kingdom come and your will be done - their is a nowness (call of God to intervene in our lives)

Our intercessions remain focused on His kingdom and his will - His kingdom first

God influences situation - we should expect that will happen:

Act 12
  • Peter was arrested and thrown into jail
  • Church's response was to pray for divine intervention
    • Not comfort
    • Not for Peter to accept his circumstances
  • The church prayed earnestly
  • God answered - a direct response to their prayers
  • They did not believe Peter was at the door - we are like this
Peter get jailed, they prayed, God brings him back to life

2008-10-18 - Man of Prayer - Praying for our personal lives
Jesus has given us permissions to seek divine intervention
He delights in our desire to experience His intervention

Part our our prayer time should be devoted to our needs:
What do you want?
Sometimes we do not have because we do not ask - James 4:2
OR because our motivation is not proper

Asking for God's favor can not be self-centered because God is infinite:
David asked to be the apple of God's eye - Psalms 17:8
He was a man after his own heart - Acts 13:22

Spiritual needs may include:
  • To submit to the will of God
  • To please the Father
  • To affirm my powerlessness
  • To experience His presence
  • To know his will
  • To be transform (character)
  • To become spiritually mature
  • To be humble
  • To be fruitful
  • To walk in the Spirit
  • To obey willingly and joyfully
  • To receive blessing
  • To be protected
  • To be useful


2008-10-19 - Man of Prayer - Praying for our family

There is no greater privilege and responsibility than to pray for our spouse and children
It boggles the imagination to see how the quality of our family life can be affected by exercise this privilege

Powerful spiritual forces of evil try to undermine God's foundational institutions like the family

Bible clearly teaches that our struggle come from the spiritual forces outside conscious perception - Ephesians 6:12
Praying sometimes make things worst (at the beginning) because Satan is on the attack

Each of us need to realize that how we pray for our spouse is limited only by our creativity
If you want the kind of relationship that God intended you to have with your wife, prayer will be a major factor in seeing that desire realized

When we have been faithful in praying for my children, we have a great sense of peace about their lives
Christian dads have a tremendous privilege and a straggering responsibilty to pray their children



2008-10-24 - Man of Prayer - Praying for Provision (part 1)

By nature, fathers are designed to be providers

Jesus instructed the disciples to pray "Give us this day our daily bread"

Father knows our needs already - Matthew 6:32
Preoccupation with our needs reveas a lack of trust in God as provider - Matthew 6:25-32
Our priority is God's kingdom - Matthew 6:33

First phrases of the prayer all point to God:

  • Hallowed be your name
  • Your kingdom come
  • Your will be done

Then topics having to do with us:

  • Give us this day
  • Forgive us
  • Lead us

 



2008-10-27 - Man of Prayer - Daily Bread
Praying for our needs:

1. Needs of our life

2. Desires of our life

3. Area of anxieties - we should not worry about our lives - Matthew 6:25-34
The Biblical antidote for anxiety is prayer

Make a list of all the sources of desire and anxiety in our life
If I wanted it or worried about it - decide to pray about it

Also keep in mind to ask God to not give me anything that would not be a blessing
Israel asked for meat and received it from God while in the dessert - but also sent leanness into their souls - Psalms 106:15


2008-10-29 - Man of Prayer - The Reality of Sin
Differences in speaking of sin in prayer

"forgive us our trespasses"

Sermon of the Mount - Matthew 6:12
Jesus speaking to a rather large crowd
Trespasses meaning a violation without willful understanding our sinning

"forgive us our sins"

Lord's Prayer - Luke 11:4
Jesus praying with the twelve disciples
Sin = hamartia - meaning missing the mark

Either way is sin and forces us to get honest with God and ourselves

2008-11-02 - Man of Prayer - Sinning against each other
Part of prayer needs to be focused  on remembering who has offended us and then making a conscious decision to forgive them

When our sin has caused emotional, spiritual, or physical damage to another - we need restitution - asking forgiveness

Forgiveness:
  • Brings into our experience not only love and grace of God but transforming power
  • Provides us with the guidance, motivation, enabling power to reconcile our relationships with God and others
  • Enables us to live with the experience of inner cleaning and the peace of God


2008-11-03 - Man of Prayer - Developing Spiritual Protection
World is filled with unknown and dangerous supernatural enemies - the battlefield is out there

Not against flesh and blood - but the spiritual forces of evil - Ephesians 6:12
We are part of a war of epic and eternal proportions that effect every area of our lives

Many men are casualties of a war they don't know is being waged
We are to prepared and equipped  to wage this spiritual war

One of the seven major components of prayer is developing spiritual protection
Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from the evil one - Matthew 6:13



2008-11-06 - Man of Prayer - The Flesh (part 3)

Three other ways to fight the battle aginst our flesh (nature)

Resist temptation - 1 Peter 5:9
Turn and flee from temptation - 2 Timothy 2:22

Most effective - avoidance - Lead us not into temptation
He guides me in paths of righteousness for hos name's sake - Psalms 23:3

Prayer becomes our spiritual "dressing room" for the battle of the day - Ephesians 6:13-17

 



2008-11-07 - Man of Prayer - Deliverance from evil

Literally - Deliverance from the evil or the evil one - Matthew 6:13

First law of spiritual warfare - Satan hates you and has a diabolical plan for your life

Jesus has given us the authority in prayer for overcoming the schemes and attacks

One of the greatest privileges and responcablities we have



2008-11-10 - Man of Prayer - Final Issues
If there was a medicine that could:
  • change your life for the better
  • put you in a state of relaxed serenity
  • help you overcome the nagging undercurrent of guilt
  • give you new insight
  • let you meet life's challenges with confidence and courage
Of course our answer would be yes - that is prayer
It still takes work and self-discipline - Pain = Gain

We must translate our desire into action

Exercise 3 days a week = too easy to make excuses
Exercise 5 days a week = develop a habit
5 days can then become 7 days more easily because it is so ingrained

Prayer needs to be everyday

2008-11-11 - Man of Prayer - Perfect Pattern (part 1)

People don't get into shape because they don't know what to do or how to get going

Learning how to start slow and build gradully plays a critical role in getting into shape

The practice if prayer has the same dynamics
Many men respond to emotional appeals to pray more but do not know how to start

1. Am I properly positioned to pray?

  • Ask the Holy Spirit to help us to pray (true intimacy)
  • Thank God for what he has given us
2. Where is my focus? - Focus on Him and his names

2008-11-13 - Man of Prayer - Beyond the Basics

Nothing we experience in the physical world will ever give us the the joy of our experience in the presence if God

David - "In your presence is the fulness of joy" - Psalms 16:11

Fullness of joy is what all men long for
There is one preeminent way to be with God - prayer

Some men have been created with personalities that are very logical and others are oriented to feeling and intuition
These inherent distinctions will shape our relationship with God

As our prayer lives develop, we each need to discover what dimensions of prayer are most effective for us
Lord's prayer provides a framework



2008-11-14 - Man of Prayer - Meditation

One may ask, where is the quiet listening part of prayer in this book

God encourages us to be still and know that he is God - Psalms 46:10

Mature prayer is not intended to be a monologue, but a dialogue

Christian meditation and Eastern meditation has to do with is in our minds as meditate
Eastern = empty our minds - dangerous activity
New Age = visualization of pleasant and peaceful landscapes as spiritual guides - opens a door to tremendous spiritual deception

Biblically based contemplation and meditation seeks not to empty the mind but fill it
God will speak through impression and intuition - should always be checked against the Bible and mature Christians



2008-12-26 - Raising Awesome Kids - Specifics

Character

  • Start early to build on good points and strengthen any areas of weakness
  • Even a child is know by his actions

Beliefs and faith in God - Trust God in prayer / stand for the truth

Attitudes

  • Teach them to love life
  • Expect them to do their best
  • Teach them to expect God to move powerfully

Values - good morals - honesty and purity - if learned young - they will not abanon them

Personality, demeanor, and manners

Train them to have a pleasant personality traits
  • Some need to realize that our kids are not likable
  • Don't let your kids be social outcasts, weird, or rude
  • Some kids think they are hilarious when they are not
  • Other act strangle to get a attention
  • Some are are bland wall flowers


2009-01-03 - Raising Awesome Kids - Foundations of a Spiritual Family
Spiritual = to be on the inside what we trying to do one the outside: to be genuine, not to live a pretense of religious performance but to function out of a sincere relationship with God

A spiritual family is where:
  • God is honored
  • God's presence is sought and experienced in daily life
  • Prayer is an ongoing reality
  • The Bible faithfully read and obeyed
  • There is love for God's church and is fully involved in its fellowship and ministry
  • There is times of worship, praise, and study
  • The children have their own times of personal Bible study
  • The parents spend regular times with each child to disciple them to Christ
  • A group that is dedicated to helping other become disciples of Jesus
Much more than being good, nice, or church-going family - be those things and not be spiritual

We can not take our families where we have not gone
Children can spot a fake

We must be:
  • Genuine in our love for God
  • Consistent in our walk with him
  • Wholehearted in our dedication
Six areas to be discussed:
  1. Prayer
  2. Discipling times
  3. Family devotionals
  4. Devotion to Church
  5. Evangelistic lifestyle
  6. Children's Quiet Times


2009-01-04 - Raising Awesome Kids - Prayer
We should pray for our children continually
To protect them, guide them, save them, and one day take them to heaven

Paul - Prayed day and night to Timothy - 2 Timothy 1:3
Most powerful weapon available in their spiritual defense and offense

We must pray with our children as well
Regular times such as bedtime and mealtime to start
Praying while going to place like church are also helpful
In times of difficulty and great challenge - we can do nothing without his blessing

What if they do not want to pray?
Talk about how God wants to be close to them
Do not do other activities are bedtime either, too tired for prayer than to tired for _______





2009-01-06 - Raising Awesome Kids - Family Devotionals

Family worship is an abolute must if we are to build a spiritual household
It is a time for the entire family gathers to sing, pray, study the Bible, draw near to one another and worship God

Two or three come together in my name, there am I with them - Matthew 18:19-20

Shouldn't be anything but a boring or irrelevant hour
Should be dynamic, fun, down-to-earth, and creative

Plan devotionals with your spouse - select relevant to the current needs
Time to confront sometimes but mainly to teach, train, and inspire

Last about 45 mins
10-20 of singing - various selections
The lesson with plenty of discussion
Acting out the Bible and role-playing
Close out with prayer



2009-01-09 - Raising Awesome Kids - Childrens Quiet Times
Having their own quiet times is the best way for them to know God and enjoy him personally - develops their own faith

Younger years (preschool and early elementary) - sit down with them a couple of mornings a week

Later elementary - they can begin to have them on their own - 10 minutes a session
Create a structure for them
Write down what they learn
ACTS like prayers
 
Older - direct them toward Proverbs, Psalms, and the Gospels - always keep up with how it is going

Pushing them too quickly = overwhelmed kids
Not challenging them enough = leave a vacuum for them to be filled by the world

Pray for wisdom, get wise counsel, and trust God will guide you

2009-03-06 - Promises of God - You Call, He Answers

Call me and I'll answer - Psalms 91:14-16

I can help others when I am confident that God is listening to and responding to my prayers

When we lose faith that our prayers will be answered, we lose heart and our relationship with God withers

We may not always give us the answer we want; he always responds for our good

We must see the answers he gives and never doubt that he loves us



2009-03-16 - Promises of God - Strength From Prayer

Jesus had to overcome unfathomable temptation - Matthew 26:36-36

If he chose to follow through with his Father's will: humiliting insults, excruciating beatings, and agoninzing crucifixion would follow

Jesus: If it's possible, may this cup be taken from me
He knew what we needed to do
He struggled to get his heart where it needed to be
He prayed until he found strength he needed to overcome

We should ask ourselves: How many hours have I wrestled with it in prayer?
We cannot expect to withstand tempation if we are not ready to wrestle in prayer until God gives us the strength

We must turn to God at the moment we are tempted - it may take hours but we will have great power to resist sin



2009-03-17 - Promises of God - Encouragement From Disciples

Jesus overcame temptation by using scripture, prayer, and he called others for encouragement from others

He deliberately sought out support and encouragement from his 3 closest friends
He also expressed his disappointment at their failure to help

We desperately need relationships for encouragement EVERY day - Hebrews 3:12-13
Tempatation comes every day

There is no excuse in an age of modern technology for getting in touch



2009-04-03 - Promises of God - Prayers Real Purpose (part 1)
We must understand our God if we are going to truly understand the promise offered to us in prayer

His thoughts are not small nor his purposes shallow
He is in the control of all things and these is nothing he can't do

He is the God who take out a heart of stone and put in a heart of flesh - Ezekiel 36:26

He can forgive our sins and forget them - Hebrews 8:12

2009-04-04 - Promises of God - Prayers Real Purpose (part 2)
Continued, a reminder of who God is:

He can:
  • Strengthen the weak
  • Take the strong higher
  • Humble the proud
  • Exalt the humble
  • Take a manger scene and make it the gateway of eternal salvation
  • Take a gruesome cross and make it a beacon pointing to heaven
  • Make the first last and last first
  • Make the rich poor
  • Make the intelligent frustrated
Our lack of full comprehension of God is at the root of our shallow use of prayer

2009-05-05 - No one like him - Dependence In Prayer
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed (Luke 5:15-16)

Gave up a night - All night praying (Luke 6:12-13)

Lord teach us to pray (Luke 11) – some disciples were taught to pray from infancy

Prayer was more important than eating or sleeping – Jesus could no go without it

Jesus called God, Father, what perceptions of a father-son relationship are correct and incorrect?

We have a perception that Jesus had a great advantage over of us but Jesus needed the Father like we do.

2009-07-01 - A Life of Impact - Power

Power

Mark 5:1-17

  • What expectations do you have of your prayer life
  • Do we believe the power that can be unleashed through your prayer life?
  • We need to pray for God’s power to be clearly demonstrated – we desperately need the fear of the Lord.

Fearlessness

  • Making the decision not give into fear is essential ingredient for the man or woman impact
  • Two fears: fear of public speaking and the fear of failure

Spectacular Deeds

  • Made front-page news.
  • Jesus responded by valuing freeing a man over another property
  • Jesus was willing to do something outrageous and controversial for the sake of a needy person


2009-07-21 - A Life of Impact - Magnetism

Magnetism

Mark 9:14-29

  • Why? Magnetism came from only prayer.
  • Magnetism: an attracting force on the level of the soul, which produces deep bonding and enduring loyalty.

Frustration

  • Jesus expressed frustration regarding the continuing unbelief of the people.
  • Closest disciples even needed him the bolster their faith.
  • He was frustrated because their unbelief blocked the power of God.
  • Jesus did not lock his frustration up inside.
  • Dealing with frustration – stuffer = out of mind; slammers = fly off the handle – neither are good


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