prayer Posts

TOP TEN in 2010- my New Year’s resolutions

30 Dec , 2009 2 Comments

TOP 10 for 2010

1. I will wake up every day and pursue Christ.

2. I will bring my best energy to the people I love the most (remembering that nothing makes up for failure in the home).

3. I will let grace rule in all of my relationships.

4. I will keep “prayer and ministry of the Word” (Acts 6:4) my first ministry priority.

5. I will graciously and patiently lead us forward, recognizing the fact that there will always be naysayers (some people’s default mode is “no”) and that God often calls us to move ahead with those who will come.

6. I will constantly lead our church to rethink how we engage an ever-changing culture with the Gospel (so that we will not drift into irrelevance).

7. I will not let the regrets of the past or worries of the future impact my decisions in the present.

8. I will delve deeper and deeper into the mind of Christ to discover more clearly what He envisions His Church to be.

9. I will do what I do best and encourage and empower others to do what they do best.

10. I will daily live an authentic and contagious Christian life (and have lots of fun doing it).

… all by the grace of God.

Tiger Woods: More will never be enough.

18 Dec , 2009 No Comments

We’ve proven again that in this age of technology, in which everyone has opinion (and the ability to express it), we have created our own Tower of Babel.  Much being said, but very little is intelligible, thoughtful, or helpful.  Out of the noise comes this editorial (link below) from the Dallas Morning News.  This is probably the best perspective I’ve seen on the news of Tiger Woods.

It reminded me of the parable of Jesus in Luke 12 of the man who wanted bigger and bigger barns.  He had all he needed but he wanted more.  Jesus is reminding us that apart from a life with God, more will never be enough.  We will never be satisfied until we are completely satisfied in Him.  Of all this lessons learned from Tiger’s situation, this is the most powerful.  According to our world’s standards, here’s a man who had everything one would ever need in a hundred lifetimes (including a beautiful wife who seemed to love him very much). But it wasn’t enough.  What should this tell us about the human condition?

I’ve prayed for Tiger.  Perhaps he’s realizing he’s not more influential than Jesus Christ (as his dad prophesied) but in fact, needs to be influenced by Jesus Christ.  I pray this will lead him to see that he’s not the Savior and is, in fact, in desperate need for a Savior.  How else will he find forgiveness?   And before we throw anymore rocks at Tiger, let’s stop and look at our own lives.  Am I longing for more when I’ve been given more than enough?   Have I come to a point in my life where I am fully satisfied in God alone?

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/opinion/editorials/stories/DN-tiger_1215edi.State.Edition1.2f6533a.html

Video from Matt Chandler

07 Dec , 2009 No Comments

Some of you have asked about my friend Matt.  He is awaiting a biopsy report on a tumor found on his frontal lobe.  He offered these words prior to surgery on Friday.  I share this because I thought you would be challenged and encouraged by his words and perspective.

via Video from Matt.

Jeremiah- The Unwavering Prophet

16 Nov , 2009 2 Comments

Jeremiah in the cisternIf you’re life looks like this today, don’t give up!

Consider this: what if God called you to a ministry that would require you to present a very difficult message to people who did not want to hear what you had to say?  What if, in fact, some would want you dead as a result of hearing what you had to say?  What if you were to do this for forty years- and without a single convert?!  And perhaps worst of all, you were to do it all alone.  This was the life and ministry of Jeremiah.

No wonder he wrestled with discouragement, depression, and even despair.  I look at his life and think, “I have nothing to complain about.”  I’m inspired by his courage, his honesty, and his persistence.  I’m also reminded that one’s legacy is not determined by worldly “success”, but is only measured by obedience to God.

Jeremiah’s legacy was simple: mission accomplished.  He was faithful and unwavering to God’s call that came upon him in chapter one, all the way to the end.  He did not seek the approval of others, he didn’t pretend to be someone he was not. He preached God’s Word, regardless of what the people said or how they responded.

What will be your legacy?

Legacy is not something you finally think about when you’re near the end of your life.  It’s not something you hope will fall into place.  Your legacy is something that takes place today and you must be intentional about it.  Let me encourage you today to remain faithful, remain moldable, remain true to your calling and pray.  Many start out strong, but very few finish strong.  Will you?  Don’t give up today!

Listen to the word that came to Jeremiah (while he and the people were in exile):

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.  Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.  I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.  I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.” Jeremiah 29:11-14

“What Religion are you of?”

14 Oct , 2009 1 Comment

John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist movement, preached a whole sermon in 1744 on Acts 4:31- (“And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly”) to an audience at his alma mater, Oxford University, no less.  Here’s what he said:

“How few of you spend, from one week to another, a single hour in private prayer?  How few have any thought of God in the general tenor of your conversation!  Who of you is, in any degree, acquainted with the work of His Spirit, His supernatural work in the souls of men?  Can you bear, unless now and then, in a church, any talk of the Holy Ghost?  Would you not take it for granted, if one began such a conversation, that it was either hypocrisy or enthusiasm?  In  the name of the Lord Almighty, I ask, What Religion are you of?”

So, are you a hypocrite or an enthusiast?  (Or do you not speak of the Spirit and His work in your life at all?)  Let your words prove that you are a follower of Jesus Christ today.  Leave no room for questions regarding the “religion” you choose.  If you’ve chosen Jesus, let others know it.

Make sure HIS name comes up in your conversations today.  Let’s talk about Jesus.
Jeff