Refining

In the refiner's fire I'm beginning to melt,
Greater pain have I seldom ever felt,
As the heat increased in the melting pot,
And the pain intensified I cried out, "Stop!"
The pain is too great I can't take much more,
I can't understand what you're refining for,
While I seek relief you're turning up the heat,
I wonder if I will falter and crater in defeat,
This pain is certainly not what I had planned,
The shaping- molding - sculpting of your hand,
Your ways are mysterious but right I have to trust,
Keep on bringing on the refining fire if You must.

Peace Be Still

On planet earth chaos like a tempest sea abounds,
And the lack of faith of many believers abounds,
The clouds darken - the torrential rains descend,
While impotent prayers offered faithlessly ascend,
In the chaos Jesus stands knowing how we feel,
He authoritatively stands and speaks, "Peace be still!"

Persevering Through Seasons of Imprisonment

Sometimes we find ourselves in the dungeon of circumstances beyond our control much like Joseph in Genesis 39. We are trapped and there is no way out. We may feel we unjustly deserve those circumstances but could it be God has a purpose in the pain? [Ps 105:17-19] refers to Joseph in prison but with an interesting twist. Those verses refer to Joseph being sent to prison meaning he was appointed. Appointed by whom? God sent Joseph to prison. Joseph was afflicted and hurt and tested there. God had a purpose.

When we are in our own dungeons all we can think about is relief, how to escape, or how we should not be there. I love the truth that God was with Joseph even in prison. God was with Paul and Silas in prison too. Paul and Silas responded to being beaten and imprisoned by singing. [Acts 16:25]

Joseph saw evidence that God was with him for he found favor with the chief jailer and was put in charge of the other prisoners. This speaks two things to me when dealing with dungeon like seasons in life. First, he kept his focus on God. Second he focused on others.

One of the greatest things we can do when feeling imprisoned by our trials is to spend time praying for others. I spent time this morning praying for farmer friends facing drought conditions in west Texas. I prayed for a friend with cancer and for other heavy laden people.

When in a dungeon keep looking to God and keep looking around at others who are suffering too. Be God's means of love and help to them. One day the season of adversity will end. God will be there with you every moment of the season of adversity as well as the seasons when you are in the place of abundance.

Failure

Have you ever failed at something? Painfully I watched one of our boys fail last night. He tried his absolute best but in the end he just did not perform. When he walked up to me afterwards I told him he did his best. I sought to build him up and let him know that I love him when he succeeds as well as when he fails. More importantly I wanted him to know that even though he failed that does not mean he is a failure.

We all fail. I feel that I have spent most of my life failing. I failed as an athlete. I have also failed as a youth pastor, evangelist, pastor, and an author. At least failure according to the world's standards. I did not get a division one football scholarship. I was not an All State or All American athlete. I have never served in a church with more than 300 in attendance. I have never written a best selling book. I cannot even say I have written a book that sold 10,000 copies much less 1 million.

Who determines failure. In an athletic competition winners and losers can be determined by the score at the end of the game or match or who finishes first at the end of the race. If a person does not come out on top does that mean they are a failure? If the businessman does not lead a Fortune 500 company but operates a modest business that provides for his family does that mean he is a failure?

If a man cannot provide a 3,000 square foot brand new home for his wife along with with a brand new luxury car does that make him a failure? If the father and mother cannot give their kids everything they want does that make them a failure? If the pastor prays his heart out, preaches with all his might trusting God for results, but never sees the church grow into a mega church did he fail? What about the young man or woman in high school who labor just to make the grades to pass. They never get any awards and they will not go to college. They work hard and will never have a job where they make lots of money. They will always work hard with their hands but does that mean they failed? What about the young man or young woman who stay late after practices to put in extra work, they run hard, lift hard, play hard but they will never be a state champion and they will not be a division one athlete. Did they fail?

Reason with me. We would all agree that certain people have been blessed with exceptional intellectual powers. These people excel in academic realms. We do not think of a person with average intellectual ability compared to a genius as a failure. We know there are certain individuals who have been blessed with rare athletic ability. We do not think of the local high school athlete running at a track meet as a failure compared to an olympic runner who breaks the world record.

Some people who have to win at all costs and achieve a measure of success in their professional lives are utter failures in their personal lives. They are immoral, alcoholics, drug addicts, and adulterers. Are these people really the true measure of success or do they fail?

It seems to me we need to reevaluate how we measure success. There are good people, no great people, hard working salt of the earth kind of people, who may be a great success in God's eyes but look like an utter failure to the world. There are women who do not look life fashion models to the world but are the apple of their husband's eyes and the pride and joy of their children. They live in relative obscurity but does that mean they are a failure? Their are children who never get recognized at an award ceremony but they are kind to other children and seek to be obedient to God, their parents, and others in authority over them. Aren't they a success in God's eyes and in their parent's eyes?

According to the world Jesus and Paul were failures. I think history has told a different story. Their lives are still impacting millions of people. Today I salute all the people who make society work but that have bought into the lie that they are a failure. I salute school teachers who come in early to tutor because they care about students. I salute the coaches who go the extra mile to guide and support those athletes who are in danger of falling through the cracks both on and off the field. I salute the small town ministers who love, give, and serve in small congregations most people have never heard of and live on a shoe string budget.

I salute the hard working house wives who labor endlessly to make a good home for their families. They cook and clean and serve. I also salute those working wives who put in a full day worth of work and still come home to cook and clean and serve. I salute single mothers who work hard to provide for her children and give them the best life possible even though exhausted and in constant stress.

I salute hard working husbands who come home dirty and tired after doing an honest day worth of work exhausted but still make time for the kids. I salute the owners of the small town cafes who cook more than just a recipe but cook with their hearts because they love their customers. I salute farmers that plow the fields and pray their hearts out for rain year after year. They work in the dirt and know more about faith and perseverance than many preachers. I salute ranchers who raise the beef we enjoy at dinner battling drought, disease, as well as oppressive heat and the bitter cold.

To all of these people and more you are successes. You add value to other people's lives. You are not a failure. Faithfulness is not failure. Finishing your course in life is not failure. Working with excellence at your craft is not failure. Be encouraged O faithful ones. God is glorified by your faithful labor and service.

God Has A Will

Few things are more confusing for Christians than discovering and obeying God's will. In many ways we make it much more complicated than God ever intended. We read, pray, search for signs, have quiet times, meditate, and have endless conversations all in an effort to search for God's will.

Here is a truth we all need to latch on to. God wants us to know His will. In the Bible, when God wanted someone to believe Him for something or to do something, God took the initiative to reveal that will. He did so for Noah, Abram, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David, and Elijah. He will do the same for us.

We can drive ourselves insane searching and searching when God is not ready to reveal His will. Over the years I have learned that if I really want to know God's will it will most likely be revealed in the context of reading and studying His word. If you want to know His will stay in His word.

I have noticed over the years each time God began getting my attention concerning His will certain scriptures would begin to surface over and over again. During a time He was getting ready to move me to a new church to serve as pastor Genesis 12:1-2 and Hebrews 11:8 surfaced repeatedly. I knew God was calling me to a new field of service. Another time God used Luke 9:23, Matthew 9:36, and Isaiah 6:8 over and over again. One time I heard one of these scriptures in a sermon by another preacher. One day one of those came up in a small group class and another time I read Isaiah 6:8 in a devotion book. They came up so many times I knew the Lord was getting my attention. They surfaced enough that God's message penetrated my heart and mind. It meant another change in ministry venues.

I have been meditating on Romans 12:2 in recent days. "And do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable, and perfect." The best way we renew our minds and have it transformed is by staying in God's word. When we do this day in and day out for the long term God will reveal His will.

There are two things we know for sure about God's will. In the Bible when God revealed His will people knew it was God speaking and they knew what God was saying. Noah knew God told him to build an ark. Moses knew he was supposed to deliver the children of Israel. Elijah knew he was supposed to have a show down on Mount Carmel. The same will be true for you. When God reveals His will in your situation you will know it is Him doing the communicating and you will also know exactly what God is calling you to do.

Until then keep seeking, be patient, and stay in His word. God has a will He wants to reveal it to you in His time.

Times of Testing

Every child of God goes through times of testing,
When sorrows mount like ocean waves cresting,
Times when the long sought answer is delayed,
When the burdens don't lift leaving us dismayed,
These times linger longer than we often expect,
Leaving us to doubt God and hold Him suspect,
There is a purpose in the testing and all the pain,
Just wait on God - watch - He will prove faithful again,
Tough seasons of testing hurt but they do not last,
One day you'll awake and the testing will be past,
Trust His heart even when you do not understand,
Even times of testing come from His gentle hand,
Do not give up but press on in faith that endures,
The testing will not last God's promise ensures,
God is working in you for His own good pleasure,
One day times of testing will be highly treasured,
Trust He is working an eternal weight of glory,
Writing the next chapters of your testimony story.

Running

Kids love to run for fun. They run inside the house. If they could they would also run up and down the hall ways at school. They run at recess. They run just for the fun of it after school. Athletes run for conditioning. They run to train for their sport. They run to get faster. They run for competition. Some run recreationally to stay in shape. They run to relieve stress, to clear their mind, and to compete in 5-K's and marathons.

None of those things are the point of this blog. I am more interested in a different kind of running. Call it emotional and spiritual running. Many people are running from something. Kids are running from a dysfunctional home. They are running from words that define them as worthless, stupid, and unwanted. Some spouses are running from a loveless marriage. Battered wives are running from another backhand across the cheeks or a punch to the stomach. There are children running from physical and sexual abuse. Employees are running from a dead end job. Others are running from reality trying to find some kind of escape in destructive behavior. Such behaviors only bring more sorrow and trouble.

There are people who live their whole lives running from their past. They can't outrun sinful choices. They cannot outrun the pain they have caused in others. They get up everyday and keep running from past mistakes, from past emotional wounds that continue to scar their psyche, and from past painful experiences. No matter how hard they run all their lives they never outrun their past.

Are you running from something? Jesus alone can set people free from their past. He forgives past sin. [Ps 103:12] He heals wounded broken hearts. [Ps 34:18] Forget what lies behind and run toward what lies ahead.

Now contrast those people running FROM something to those who are running TOWARD something. In the King James Version of [Ps 63:8] translates that verse as "My soul follows hard after God." Those who spend their days running toward God and running toward the call He puts on their lives are more well adjusted, more at peace, and able to live life with purpose.

As  you awake today are you expending your energy trying to run from something? If you have been redeemed in Jesus Christ you don't have to run from your past. You don't have to run from your present. Put your eyes on Jesus and just run toward Him. Are you waking up today and choosing to run hard toward God? How you choose to run can make a huge difference. Where you run is important too. Choosing to run from something or toward something is important. Run toward God. Run toward Jesus all your life.

Run to Him when you are weary and heavy laden and He will you rest. Run toward Him in repentance when you sin and feel condemned. Run toward Him when you lose hope. Run toward Him when you have been wounded. Run to Him when the storms brew and rage and you need refuge.

No Words and No Tears

There are times when we have no words or tears,
When life's been hard battle scarred over the years,
There are times when we don't know how to pray,
When words won't come we know not what to say,
There are times when our prayers become groans,
The Holy Spirit is able to interpret all those moans,
There are seasons when we have no words or tears,
Even then Jesus gives courage over all of our fears,
So hang on believer - even with no words left to pray,
Your God is a present help every moment of the day.

Come on Men - Step Up to the Plate

It is Valentine's Day.  A day when many men are scrambling to do something obligatory for their sweethearts. Men scrambling to find some flowers, candy, and a card with little forethought or feeling behind the gesture. Hurried plans to throw together a date night at the last second including dinner and a movie. I applaud you men who do better. I cheer for you men who go the extra mile to make your sweetheart feel special.

Valentine's Day is commercialized. It is a money making proposition for flower shops, greeting card companies, jewelry stores, and candy makers. I get that. Most of the men who need to read this will never read this. Our ladies deserve to be romanced all the years of their marriage.

Men are great at romancing during the courtship years. There are special dates. Slow strolls talking. Picnics. Letters. Special tokens of love. All this done voluntarily to win the woman of their dreams. The  girl falls in love and does not realize she is being set up. She thinks she will always be treated this way.

Imagine her surprise when one day she wakes up to a life of working full time, laundry, cooking, doing dishes, running errands, and obligatory sex with a man who does not make her feel appreciated or lend her a helping hand.

There is no more flirting. He spends all his time at the lake, in the woods, on the golf course, or always working. Conversations with him are usually one sided. He never talks anymore but during the dating years there were endless phone conversations.

Many women wake up today to the sad reality that the man of their dreams has turned into the man of her nightmares. How many women are not living the fulfilled marriages they were promised. How many wish their husbands would romance them, make them feel special. Women want to know that as the years go by and her hair changes color and old age takes it toll that her husband will still choose her and not want to trade her in for the newer model.

Many women survive loveless marriages. They feel used. A day like Valentine's Day only serves to remind them that they are not treasured, they are not appreciated, and the marriage of their childhood dreams most likely will never come true.

Men, it is time to step up to the plate. I am thankful that most days I still get to eat lunch with Brenda. I treasure those lunches with just the two of us. We laugh. We talk. We share our hearts. We talk about the kids. We coordinate schedules. Most of all we just enjoy being together. We still have date nights. We still laugh together. Sometimes we sit on the back porch and watch the deer run by. I love when we get in our golf cart (our house included a golf cart) and drive around the community. It really doesn't matter. We just enjoy being together.

Recently she sent me an email devotional she found. It was about an elderly man caring for his aging wife who suffered from Alzheimer Disease. One day the wife became coherent for a brief moment as he cared for her and asked her husband, "Do you still want me?" Brenda asked me that same question at the end of that email. That spoke volumes to me. My wife wanted to know, come sickness and old age will I still want her. Will I still choose her.

Many men stand at the altar on their wedding day and mouth the words, "In sickness and in health, in poverty or in wealth, to death do us part." Divorce courts are filled with men who did not keep their end of this promise. Their are plenty of women who do the same.

Men, can we not get focused long enough to make our wives feel special, not just for one day, but for a lifetime. Can we learn to get the focus off of ourselves and make them feel more special. Can we not take the time to date and romance our wives to the end. That is what they long for. I bet they would take that over a new house or a new car. They just want to feel special. We have room for improvement men in this area.

I am thinking of two or three men right now who excel at this. I will not call them by name but I can tell you they are truly romantics. They get razzed by their friends for it but their wives certainly appreciate it. They buy bottles of perfume during normal days when it is not expected. They give their wives flowers during regular days. They leave love notes around the house. They send flirting texts. They help with cooking and the laundry. They plan special get aways. It takes time. It takes effort. It takes a little imagination but it is worth it.

Women, today I salute you. You serve and serve and then serve some more. You are worth being treated as special. You are worth being told over and over again all your days that you are wanted. Men it is time to step up to the plate. We can do better. Our wives deserve better.

What Is Your Agenda

What is your agenda? People run for office or seek to get elected to some governing board because they have an agenda. A football player tells the world he is gay because he has an agenda. The media jumps on this story because they have an agenda as well. Network television programming promotes an agenda too. Values of a society can be shaped and remade using media. 

So what is your agenda? What philosophies, political views, and world views are you pushing? Frankly I am tired of the views that are constantly shoved in my face from those who are in the minority. 

I am not going to jump on the bandwagon of an openly gay football player calling him courageous. God calls homosexuality sin. I am not a hate monger but I will not be a coward either. Phil Robertson called out homosexuality and the media bashed him for it. It is the politically correct thing to do. People think they can intimidate and bully the rest of society into submission, silence, and acceptance of their agenda. I do not accept it. Homosexuality is sin. Can homosexuals be saved, forgiven, and delivered? Absolutely. Jesus died on the cross for homosexuals just like He did for heterosexuals. 

I am a sinful man just like everyone else needing the grace of Jesus for forgiveness and salvation. [Eph 2:8-9] That does not mean that I cannot stand for my agenda of Biblical truth regardless of whether it is politically correct or not. 

Homosexuals represent the overwhelming minority of people in the United States but they make a lot of noise pushing their agenda. Most sitcoms push homosexuality making us think it is the norm. It is not the norm in mainstream society but how few ever stand up to say this. It is easier to remain silent and not have to deal with the backlash. Can NFL players really say what they truly think? Can NFL analyst really say what they think personally about homosexuality? Or do they have to hold to the company line so they can keep selling the brand? 

Can people truly stand up for what they believe? You can if it is politically correct. So people say all the right things, make the sound bites for the media, and jump on the bandwagon to go along and get along. The majority sit in silence. They have seen what happens to those who defy the masses and stand for truth. In a nation of tolerance it is amazing how intolerant people are if you say abortion is sin when they say it is a woman's right to choose. When you choose to stand for biblical marriage between a man and woman you get tarred and feathered for resisting homosexuality as an alternative lifestyle. 

I don't care what ABC, NBC, CBS, or ESPN say. Homosexuality is sin. If people insist on an agenda of promoting homosexuality as normal or acceptable then I will push the agenda to teach, preach, and stand for truth. Not just truth according to me. Truth from the scripture that has stood the test of time and weathered many storms. Homosexuality is not an unforgivable sin but it is sin.

Jesus forgave the woman caught in adultery but he also told her to go and sin no more. [John 8:1-11] He does not turn a blind eye or a deaf ear to sin. His grace is sufficient to remove the guilt of any sin. He does change His standards to accommodate the modern family or modern values. Jesus is truth and He does hold up His finger to the prevailing political winds to see what plays to the crowd. On more than one occasion He was more than willing to let the crowds walk away because His views were not popular with them. [John 6:59-66]

So a football player goes to the national media and says I am a college graduate, white or black, and a heterosexual what happens? A guy comes out and says I am not ashamed to say I am a devoted follower of Jesus Christ and His teachings what happens? Tim Tebow stood for Jesus and people hated him for it. They mocked him. Hey America, you cannot have it both ways. Freedom of speech cuts both ways. If you push your agenda, even if I do not like it or accept it, then know I am compelled to push the agenda of Jesus even if you do not accept Him or believe in Him.

Broken

I heard my brother's sorrow and see my sister's pain,
Where sunny skies have turned ominous with rain,
I see them broken, confused, their spirit is crushed,
Their faith now tried when the shove turned to push,
I heard their weeping in my spirit long into the night,
When dreams turned into a horrid nightmarish fight,
Though their footing has slipped and now seems unsure,
For the brokenhearted and wounded You are the cure,
You see their tears, you hear their sobbing broken cries,
You are now near them granting peace from Satan's lies,
You are a present help and a strong refuge from the storm,
Though they are deeply wounded, bleeding, and well worn,
You are their for the broken - those troubled deep in their soul,
I ask you to mend my brother and sister to make them whole.

The Rest of the Story

Persevere though the questions linger in your mind,
Press on though the answers you still cannot find,
Get back up when life hits hard and knocks you out,
Keep on believing when it would be easier to doubt,
God is not done - the end of the story still not told,
Of how He works in you like he's done to ages of old.

Overcoming Setbacks and Attention to Detail

I love to write. I cannot remember a time back to my childhood that I did not love to write. When teachers gave out creative writing assignments and other students groaned I rejoiced. My imagination would run wild paragraph after paragraph.

Now in my adult years I no longer write creative short stories. I write books. I write blogs and articles. Writing sounds glamorous. When people learn I write books they make a big deal about it. They want to know how I do it. Honestly I do not know. Writing is second nature to me. It is as natural as breathing. It is a God given gift.

I love when I get a book idea. I am unlike most authors. Typically I get the title first. After I get a title I sit down and plan out the chapters. Then the writing begins. This is my favorite part. I can get lost for hours in writing losing track of my surroundings. I get so captured in the story I am writing I feel it. I can feel the impact of the words on those who will read it. Often I picture different people I think the chapter or the book will benefit.

My job as a writer does not stop there. Once the rough draft is finished I have to go back and proof the text. Decisions have to be made about the book cover design, the type set, lay out of the pages and chapter headings, the back cover material, and then attention has to be given to promoting the book.

My editor just sent me back my edited manuscript. My assignment now is to go over every page and see if there are any mistakes. This is not fun for me. It is slow meticulous work. Looking for misspelled words. Identifying when words were left out of a sentence. Tightening the manuscript.

I have two weeks to get this done for my newest book. I set my mind to the task yesterday. All day long I worked on page after page and chapter after chapter. I kept my nose to the grindstone except for time at lunch, a work out, and watching Tucker play basketball. Even while Turner had his practice I sat in the stands with my computer going over every sentence, every paragraph, on every page. Some things were deleted. Other thoughts were added. Through out the whole process I kept saving the changes.

At 9:00 p.m. I finished. It was a long day but I felt relieved. This morning I wanted to go over the manuscript one last time. I wanted to scream when I opened the document and not one change I made was saved. I have to start all over. For a second the wind went out of my sails. It took a few minutes to get my mind wrapped around the task before me for a second time. I keep thinking about the end project. Once I hold the finished book in my hand and sit at my first book signing all the work will be worth it.

All of this reminds me of two things in life. In life there are setbacks. Numerous set backs. There are seasons when you get over one hurdle only to look up to see a track full of hurdles still in front of you. It takes stout hearted people to persevere through life and overcome setbacks.

A second reminder is that in life we have to pay attention to details. A couple of years ago I published a devotion book to be used in preparation for revival. When I sent it to the publisher I trusted they would edit the manuscript. When I got the published book I assumed the publisher edited the book. They did not. I was embarrassed by the sloppy work in that book. I believed in the content but because no attention was given to detail the book is filled with mistakes. I hope to correct the mistakes one day and release a second edition.

We have to pay attention to details. Bills have to be paid by a certain date. There are deadlines for work and school assignments. Life is filled with details. Just yesterday Brenda I ate lunch and were served by a waitress who had no desire to pay attention to the details. Our lunch was not nearly as enjoyable as today when we ate at the same place and I had the same meal but we were served by a great waitress who paid attention to the details.

I've started work again on proofing the book a second time. I am several chapters into it. With God's help, I will overcome the setbacks and pay attention to the details.

God Is With Us

Just like most people can look back with fondness to the greatest days of their lives so can people look back with sorrow on the worst days of their lives. In Genesis 37 we learn about the worst day of Joseph's life. His brothers sold him into slavery.

In Genesis 39 we learn that Joseph is sold to Potiphar to be his slave. Just like that Joseph went from being the most favored son of his father to becoming a slave with no rights, no freedom, and no one to console him. Well that is no one but God. We learn three times in Genesis 39 that God was with Joseph. This is significant.

God was with Joseph as he began his life as a slave. We do no read about Joseph sulking or pouting. We do not read one single word that tells us he even grew depressed. What we read is that Joseph began to excel in his duties as a common slave so much that Potiphar promoted Joseph to become is own personal servant. God continued to bless Joseph and Potiphar put him in charge of all his household affairs. Potiphar promoted Joseph to second in command in Potiphar's house.

Temptation came Joseph's way in the form of Potiphar's wife who was all too willing to throw her wedding vows out the window for a lustful moment of passion with Joseph. He utterly refused her. What is more impressive is that he refused her over and over again day after day. She kept coming after him and he kept remembering that to give into her sinful wishes would be an offense against God. Again God was with Joseph. God gave him the strength and resolve to resist her over and over again.

One day she grabbed him, made another advance and Joseph turned to flee leaving is coat in her hands. She concocted a lie to make it look like Joseph had made a sexual advance on her. Potiphar believed his wife and Joseph was thrown into prison unjustly.

Again there is no record of Joseph sulking in the corner. There is no mention of him pouting or wasting his days in discouragement. Once again Joseph found favor, this time with the chief jailer. Joseph was given responsibility over the other prisoners. For the second time he lost his freedom but he did not lose God. Most importantly we once again learn that God was with Joseph.

O how we need to be reminded of this. Some of you reading this are living the worst days of your life. God is with you. How do I know? Read [Ps 23:4], [Is 41:10], [Matt 28:20], and [Heb 13:5] God is with you on your worst days, your best days, and every day in between.

Some of you reading this are facing great temptation especially sexually. Some of you are flirting with sinful behavior. God is with you to give you a way of escape. [I Cor 10:13] Some of you are getting emotionally attached to someone through social media even though you are married. You need to flee. There is no rational for sexual immorality. [I Thess 4:3-4] FLEE! God is with you to give strength to flee and to refuse to give into sin.

Some of you reading this have been unjustly condemned and mistreated. God is with you. He is accompanying you in the dark dungeon of your circumstances. He is not forsaking you. Though you may not be able to trace the movement of His hand trust His heart of love for you. He is with you. He will remain with you in the dark days as well as the days of triumph.

Those four little words do my heart a world of good today. GOD IS WITH US.

White As Snow

Though our sins be like scarlet You wash them white as snow,
You cleanse our guilty stains with Your crimson blood flow,
Though guilty, condemned, born and destined a child of wrath,
You adopted me, paid my ransom and my guilt is long past,
I praise You and lay my life on Your altar as a living sacrifice,
Because Your death on the cross God's wrath it did suffice,
Now I am made righteous, cleansed, now a brand new creation,
My life now hidden in You life is worship and joyous elation.

You Are Able

O God, You are more than able,
Your power more than capable,
To handle all that concerns me,
When I offer desperate pleas,
You can do much more than,
I can imagine, ask or plan,
Large praying brings glory,
Answers testimonial stories,
You can do so much more,
Miracles abounding galore,
So help me trust and believe,
You'e able more than I conceive.

God is Able To Do More

"Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that you ask or think according the power that works in you, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever, Amen." [Eph 3:20-21]

Does your prayer life reflect the truth in this verse? God is able. That means He is powerful enough, He has enough resources. He is mighty enough. He is capable. You might ask powerful enough to do what? He has enough resources for what? He is capable of what?

He is able to make us holy and blameless in Christ. [Eph 1:4] He is able adopt us in Christ Jesus through His grace. [Eph 1:5] He is able to redeem us and forgive us our sins. [Eph 1:7] He is able to seal with Holy Spirit. [Eph 1:13]

We do not often pray like He is able. Sarah did not believe she would have a child in our old age. God chastised her by asking if anything was too difficult for Him to do. [Gen 18:14]. When Moses and the nation of Israel had their backs against the wall God came through and rescued them. [Ex 14]

Our God is able to do what? To do more than you ask or think. What kind of big prayers are you praying these days? I have a sign in my office that reads, "Have Faith. Pray Big." Are you praying large prayers for your family, for your church, for your community, for your country? God is able to do much more than your largest prayers. He can even do much more than can think. Another way to put that is God is able to do more than you can imagine. Let that sink in. I have asked God for some big things and imagined some large moves of God. He is able to do more.

So what is the problem in the land of this miracle famine? I assure you it is not on God's part. The problem is with us. We are content for God not to be glorified. When we lose heart in praying we are in essence saying, "God you are not able to do this!"

God longs to glorify His name through praying disciples and praying churches. We are content for that not to be the case.

I love a quote from the famous evangelist D.L. Moody. He once said, "If God be your partner make your plans large." Louie Giglio, the leader and founder of the Passion movement, once preached, "If we make a mistake let it be that we ask God for too much." Why?

Two things. God is able. This brings God greater glory. God does not get much glory from weak, small, pathetic praying. He receives more glory when His disciples bear much fruit. [John 15:8]

What will you do with this truth today? Will you pray large prayers and believe God for greater things? Will you begin this day praying bold and confident prayers because your God is able? This brings Him more glory when He comes through.