Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. - James 5:13-18
Do you ever feel as though your prayers bounce off the ceiling – that God might listen to your pastor, or to someone really holy, but not to someone like you? I believe most of us feel that way. In today’s passage James encouraged the people in his church to pray – all of them. In the Old Testament, the Jews had their own version of a spiritual giant, a guy named Elijah. God answered his prayers (you can read about it in 1 Kings 17 & 18). Yet James wrote Elijah was just a man like you and me. God wants to answer your prayers in the same way. The question is do we want to be righteous like Elijah? If we do, then there’s no reason why we can’t see that kind of power in our prayer lives.
When was the last time you saw God answer a prayer in your life?
Pray in faith today about something that only God could accomplish.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Monday, September 28, 2009
Prayer – Day 1
I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone - for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - the testimony given in its proper time. And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle - I am telling the truth, I am not lying - and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing. - 1 Timothy 2:1-8
It seems everyone has a political opinion today, but politicians come and go. What doesn’t change is God’s plan for the world and your role in that plan. Believe it or not, you’re very important in bringing God’s plan to fruition. When you pray for government leaders, for the advancement of the gospel in other parts of the world, or for Satan’s plans to be defeated, you’re making a real impact. God could do this alone, but God isn’t going to. God wants to use you as well – that’s God’s plan. So your prayers are incredibly important – they can have worldwide impact! That means we need to be diligent in our prayers for what’s going on outside our small circle of friends.
What are some global concerns of the Church that you can pray about today?
Ask God to give you a bigger picture of how your prayers affect the world around you.
It seems everyone has a political opinion today, but politicians come and go. What doesn’t change is God’s plan for the world and your role in that plan. Believe it or not, you’re very important in bringing God’s plan to fruition. When you pray for government leaders, for the advancement of the gospel in other parts of the world, or for Satan’s plans to be defeated, you’re making a real impact. God could do this alone, but God isn’t going to. God wants to use you as well – that’s God’s plan. So your prayers are incredibly important – they can have worldwide impact! That means we need to be diligent in our prayers for what’s going on outside our small circle of friends.
What are some global concerns of the Church that you can pray about today?
Ask God to give you a bigger picture of how your prayers affect the world around you.
Week 24 – Prayer: First Letter to Timothy
Memory Verse
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2: 1-2
Have you ever read about elections that we decided by only a handful of votes? In happens all the time – even in elections for the President of the United States. And with such small margins for victory, few would deny that every vote is important. Therefore, no one can honestly say it doesn’t matter if he votes or not. Voting is a right and a privilege of American citizens. No matter who you are, once you turn 18, you get that right and the power that comes with it.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we have something even more powerful (and you don’t have to wait until you’re 18 to use it). God tells us that our prayers are incredibly powerful – a stronger force that you’ve ever dreamed of having. Combined with the prayers of other Christians, our prayers are an amazing force in the world.
Paul knew the importance of prayer. Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, anticipating the end of his life. Looking back on his ministry, Paul knew unmistakably that the prayers of the churches were the foundation of his spiritual successes. He wanted Timothy and all of his churches to never forget how tremendously powerful the prayers of the saints are.
This week we’re going to look at both the prayers of the Church and our personal prayer lives. Maybe you’ve never really thought about your prayer life; maybe it’s just something you do. But with a force this powerful, we should expect the supernatural.
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quite lives in all godliness and holiness.” – 1 Timothy 2: 1-2
Have you ever read about elections that we decided by only a handful of votes? In happens all the time – even in elections for the President of the United States. And with such small margins for victory, few would deny that every vote is important. Therefore, no one can honestly say it doesn’t matter if he votes or not. Voting is a right and a privilege of American citizens. No matter who you are, once you turn 18, you get that right and the power that comes with it.
As believers in Jesus Christ, we have something even more powerful (and you don’t have to wait until you’re 18 to use it). God tells us that our prayers are incredibly powerful – a stronger force that you’ve ever dreamed of having. Combined with the prayers of other Christians, our prayers are an amazing force in the world.
Paul knew the importance of prayer. Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy while Paul was imprisoned in Rome, anticipating the end of his life. Looking back on his ministry, Paul knew unmistakably that the prayers of the churches were the foundation of his spiritual successes. He wanted Timothy and all of his churches to never forget how tremendously powerful the prayers of the saints are.
This week we’re going to look at both the prayers of the Church and our personal prayer lives. Maybe you’ve never really thought about your prayer life; maybe it’s just something you do. But with a force this powerful, we should expect the supernatural.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Spiritual Parenthood – Day 5
We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. As a fair exchange--I speak as to my children--open wide your hearts also. - 2 Corinthians 6:3-13
Being a parent isn’t easy. (Go ask your mom or dad if you don’t believe me!). Sometimes even the people we try to help the most won’t appreciate what we’re doing for them. After all that Paul had done for them, the Corinthians still casually disregarded him. This hurt Paul just like it would hurt us. But Paul didn’t give up on them. (The letter of 2 Corinthians is proof enough of that.) When those you’re trying to train don’t respond as you’d like them to, remember that helping people grow is a long-term process. It’s not about a one-month or two-month commitment but a lifetime of sharing your life with them. Look past your own hurt and see the big picture. The people we’re trying to help will probably come around eventually, but we have to stay committed.
Have you ever been ignored after you invested a lot into someone?
How did you handle it?
Ask God to help you persevere in helping others – even when they don’t give much back in return.
Being a parent isn’t easy. (Go ask your mom or dad if you don’t believe me!). Sometimes even the people we try to help the most won’t appreciate what we’re doing for them. After all that Paul had done for them, the Corinthians still casually disregarded him. This hurt Paul just like it would hurt us. But Paul didn’t give up on them. (The letter of 2 Corinthians is proof enough of that.) When those you’re trying to train don’t respond as you’d like them to, remember that helping people grow is a long-term process. It’s not about a one-month or two-month commitment but a lifetime of sharing your life with them. Look past your own hurt and see the big picture. The people we’re trying to help will probably come around eventually, but we have to stay committed.
Have you ever been ignored after you invested a lot into someone?
How did you handle it?
Ask God to help you persevere in helping others – even when they don’t give much back in return.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Spiritual Parenthood – Day 4
I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. It is right for me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and confirming the gospel, all of you share in God's grace with me. God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--to the glory and praise of God. - Philippians 1:3-11
Paul was no fly-by-night con artist. When he’d plant a church, he’d often spend months or even years helping the people get the church on its feet before he moved on. Because of his personal investment, those churches were very dear to Paul’s heart. Their members were like sons and daughters to him. Many of the letters we read in the New Testament are letters Paul wrote to the churches he’d started. Even though he couldn’t be with them physically, he wanted them to know he loved them, prayed for them, and was thinking about them. Your encouragement can go a long way in the lives of those you love.
Who do you encourage on a regular basis?
Ask God to remind you of some people you could encourage today with a word, a phone call, or an e-mail. Then do it!
Paul was no fly-by-night con artist. When he’d plant a church, he’d often spend months or even years helping the people get the church on its feet before he moved on. Because of his personal investment, those churches were very dear to Paul’s heart. Their members were like sons and daughters to him. Many of the letters we read in the New Testament are letters Paul wrote to the churches he’d started. Even though he couldn’t be with them physically, he wanted them to know he loved them, prayed for them, and was thinking about them. Your encouragement can go a long way in the lives of those you love.
Who do you encourage on a regular basis?
Ask God to remind you of some people you could encourage today with a word, a phone call, or an e-mail. Then do it!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Spiritual Parenthood – Day 3
Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. - Titus 2:3-5
Whose job is it to be a spiritual parent? It’s easy to believe that teaching others how to be godly is a pastor’s job – or at least someone with more experience. Almost everyone thinks that way. But if you wait until you believe you’re ready to teach others, then you’ll never actually teach anyone. Paul exhorts Titus to encourage the women in church to train the younger women. It’s not just a job for a few, but it’s a job for every person in the church. The same could be said for the men of the church. Mentoring younger believers is everyone’s job, including yours. Don’t worry; Jesus isn’t asking you to be a spiritual parent to everyone, but keep your eyes open for the few people you could impact in a special way.
How can you begin mentoring younger believers in your church?
Is there anything in your life that would hinder you from taking on such a role? What is it?
Ask God to help you deal with it immediately.
Whose job is it to be a spiritual parent? It’s easy to believe that teaching others how to be godly is a pastor’s job – or at least someone with more experience. Almost everyone thinks that way. But if you wait until you believe you’re ready to teach others, then you’ll never actually teach anyone. Paul exhorts Titus to encourage the women in church to train the younger women. It’s not just a job for a few, but it’s a job for every person in the church. The same could be said for the men of the church. Mentoring younger believers is everyone’s job, including yours. Don’t worry; Jesus isn’t asking you to be a spiritual parent to everyone, but keep your eyes open for the few people you could impact in a special way.
How can you begin mentoring younger believers in your church?
Is there anything in your life that would hinder you from taking on such a role? What is it?
Ask God to help you deal with it immediately.
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Spiritual Parenthood – Day 2
He did not let anyone follow him except Peter, James and John the brother of James. – Mark 5:37
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." - Mark 14:33-34
While Jesus spent his years of ministry preaching and teaching all over Israel, he also poured a lot of time into his 12 disciples. And from among those 12, there were three with whom he spent extra time. Jesus knew it would take more that mass preaching to bring about the kingdom of God. It would require lifelong relationships. Ultimately, Jesus’ grand plan for discipleship was not telling the entire world about his Father, but investing his life in a few souls who’d turn around and invest their lives in others who’d do likewise until the task was accomplished.
Is someone pouring their life into you – like Jesus did with the disciples?
If not, then pray that God would send such a person into your life.
Ask God to show you someone into whom you can begin pouring your life as well.
He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." - Mark 14:33-34
While Jesus spent his years of ministry preaching and teaching all over Israel, he also poured a lot of time into his 12 disciples. And from among those 12, there were three with whom he spent extra time. Jesus knew it would take more that mass preaching to bring about the kingdom of God. It would require lifelong relationships. Ultimately, Jesus’ grand plan for discipleship was not telling the entire world about his Father, but investing his life in a few souls who’d turn around and invest their lives in others who’d do likewise until the task was accomplished.
Is someone pouring their life into you – like Jesus did with the disciples?
If not, then pray that God would send such a person into your life.
Ask God to show you someone into whom you can begin pouring your life as well.
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