The word audacious can be defined as the willingness to take surprisingly bold risks. Now what if you apply that to prayer. Praying shockingly bold prayers.
D.L. Moody once said, "If God is your partner make your plans large." I heard Louie Giglio once say, "If you make a mistake let it be that you asked God for too much." Both audacious statements.
I prayed an audacious prayer this morning. The contents of that prayer are not important. Suffice it to say if you had heard that prayer your eye brows might have been raised. I did not pray that for show. I also prayed absolutely convinced God not only could but also convinced He will do it. Bold audacious praying is largely becoming a habit.
I sure cannot tout that all those audacious prayers have been answered the way I prayed them. I can show you multitudes of answers to some audacious praying. I want to err on the side of asking God for too much. I will continue to pray and make my plans large because God is my partner and I seek to dream His dreams and work out the plans He reveals.
Even if those plans are audacious. Dangerous. Risky. Impossible. Daunting. None of that matters. The only thing that matters is does Jesus want it done. If He wills it to happen we can pray audaciously and believe God to intervene. His power is not limited by our challenges. His wisdom is not limited by our confusing paths.
I think we often don't pray audaciously because we don't have audacious faith. If we are going to pray effectively we must learn to trust Him. Prayer without faith is just wishful thinking. I am not interested in wishful thinking like wishing on a shooting star or blowing out candles on a birthday cake.
God is all powerful, all knowing, and ever present. I want to tap into His resources daily. If I need wisdom about decisions I ask Him and expect Him to respond. If I need strength to make it through a grueling ministry schedule I lean on Him and ask Him to give me strength, energy, and power. If I have a need I ask Him to supply that need out of his abundant resources.
What would happen in our lives if we truly tapped into God and His resources? What would happen if we prayed audaciously with audacious faith. I can tell you what would happen. Miracles would happen. God would get more glory. Isn't that the point. God getting more glory as people see Him at work. How will that happen if we pray wimpy prayers our whole life with minimal faith. Lord Jesus, please increase our faith, help our unbelief, and give us boldness to pray audaciously. In Jesus' name, amen.
Monday, November 27, 2017
Friday, November 24, 2017
Standing On The Edge
Behind me is everything comfortable, familiar and known. Before me is the uncomfortable, the unfamiliar, and the unknown. I stand high on the edge of this lofty cliff. Faith tells me to step out and to trust. Logic tells me to step back into security. Faith says step out. Fear says step back.
This is not the first time I have stood on the edge of a similar cliff faced with a decision to make. These are moments I both live for and dread all at the same time. These are the moments when everything I have preached and written is put on the line. These are the moments I have to determine will I give lip service to faith or will I actually shrink back in safety like a security blanket.
God leads people to edges all the time. Choices have to be made. Sadly many choose safety and security to steps of faith. Living by faith is not for the faint of heart. It requires some courage and conviction. Conviction that God is faithful and can be trusted.
The truth is the decision has already been made for me. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
This is not the first time I have stood on the edge of a similar cliff faced with a decision to make. These are moments I both live for and dread all at the same time. These are the moments when everything I have preached and written is put on the line. These are the moments I have to determine will I give lip service to faith or will I actually shrink back in safety like a security blanket.
God leads people to edges all the time. Choices have to be made. Sadly many choose safety and security to steps of faith. Living by faith is not for the faint of heart. It requires some courage and conviction. Conviction that God is faithful and can be trusted.
The truth is the decision has already been made for me. 2 Corinthians 5:7 (ESV)
7 for we walk by faith, not by sight. Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Hebrews 11:6 (ESV)
6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
I am called to a life of faith walking. No matter how high the cliff or obscure the view below the decision is made. I must step out. I WILL STEP OUT. Time and time again. I don't ever really expect to enjoy a comfortable secure life. I expect to my dying breath God will keep calling me to step off cliffs in faith.
Do I ever get scared after taking faith steps for several decades? Yes. Before making those decisions my pulse quickens. My mind floods with thoughts of taking the easier path. Doubts begin to surface. I question whether I am hearing God clearly. I recall numerous times when I stepped out and things did not turn out like I had hoped. Like trying to plant two different churches. Like the Kermit revival.
If I am convinced I have heard from God clearly and He is leading me to take the step of faith I will step. I wait for His peace to calm all my fears and doubts to give me the conviction needed to trust and to step. What happens next is all up to God. My part is to hear Him clearly, to trust Him completely, and to step out obediently. His part is work the the wonders in response. It is not the path I would have chosen for myself but it is the path I am determined to keep walking.
I figure I will live most of my life on the edge. I might as well get comfortable here. This is the path God ordained for me. This is the race He has called me to run. This is the destiny for my life. Standing on the edge is where I have learned to love.
So, here I go. No turning back. No regrets. No turning back. I trust and I step.
Giving Birth To A Miracle
Brenda and I have an announcement to make. We are pregnant. Some may be surprised. Others who know us the best may not be so surprised. They celebrated other births we have been blessed to enjoy over the years. While we know the pregnancy period is a long process of waiting, we know in the end the anticipated miracle will come. We look forward to celebrating that birthday.
If you think I am talking about being pregnant with another child you would be incorrect. We are pregnant with some miracles God is forming in our souls. They have germinated. Now we pray and wait for those miracles to be born through travailing prayer. You might ask what they are? What are these miracles we are giving birth to? God knows. They are recorded in my prayer journals. Now we wait to give birth to the miracles.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
What things? What specific things? What do those things look like? What color? What shape? What specifics? What is it that God has impregnated in your prayer life? What miracle or miracles are you praying to give birth to eventually? I have my list.
I wish I could tell you beforehand. I am not a liberty to do so. All I can say is they are very tangible. They will be the evidence of our faith. You will not have to wonder what they are. We will testify. I already see those miracles in the making just as if they were already born. Such is the nature of praying. Soon Brenda and I will proudly display what God has done just like we did when each of our four boys were born. Miracles are now in the making. Soon God will bring them to birth. We wait and pray in faith until then.
If you think I am talking about being pregnant with another child you would be incorrect. We are pregnant with some miracles God is forming in our souls. They have germinated. Now we pray and wait for those miracles to be born through travailing prayer. You might ask what they are? What are these miracles we are giving birth to? God knows. They are recorded in my prayer journals. Now we wait to give birth to the miracles.
Hebrews 11:1 (ESV)
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
What things? What specific things? What do those things look like? What color? What shape? What specifics? What is it that God has impregnated in your prayer life? What miracle or miracles are you praying to give birth to eventually? I have my list.
I wish I could tell you beforehand. I am not a liberty to do so. All I can say is they are very tangible. They will be the evidence of our faith. You will not have to wonder what they are. We will testify. I already see those miracles in the making just as if they were already born. Such is the nature of praying. Soon Brenda and I will proudly display what God has done just like we did when each of our four boys were born. Miracles are now in the making. Soon God will bring them to birth. We wait and pray in faith until then.
A Perfect Thanksgiving
My Thanksgiving started early. My entire prayer time was giving thanks to God for people and blessings. I had no desire to ask for anything. I thanked Him for everything from my salvation to my family. I thanked Him for friends, the food we have in our pantry and the food we would eat for our Thanksgiving lunch. I thanked Him for His continued provision, my education and for the different flocks we have served over the decades.
Brenda and I got up early to finish lunch preparations and cooked a small breakfast. We have certainly enjoyed having all four boys around the table. We love six place settings better than four. Next fall we will be down to three. After observing a family Thanksgiving tradition we sat down to a late lunch.
Brenda did an amazing job on lunch. The boys all gave her their favorites. She cooked something for everyone. Everything tasted fantastic. I have never had a better Thanksgiving meal. We had a feast of turkey (of which I did not partake being opposed to the fowl family), dressing, squash casserole, homemade cream corn, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, plus deserts. A feast fit for a king. And we gave thanks to God around the table before we ever ate a bite.
We went around the table telling what we were thankful for. I spoke personally to each member of the family about how proud I am of them and how much I love them. Brenda followed in tears just glad to have everyone home together. Taylor followed her, then Tanner, Tucker, and lastly Turner. A definite Thanksgiving I will not forget.
A perfect Thanksgiving. Looking at the love of my life sitting to my left at the table as she has done for over two and a half decades moved me. Her brown hair and sparkling brown eyes still hold my gaze. Next to her the youngest Turner who has an infectious laugh. He is one the happiest people I know. I love his attitude and approach to life. At the other end of the table Tucker sits. He is very witty and he and Tanner can sure make us laugh. Taylor sits next to him to the right. He spoke very tenderly of family and close friends he has made at college. Tanner sits next to me to my right. He is always keeping us laughing. He is very witty and sharp on his feet. He can make us double over in laughter. He has shown us more affection. He has hugged Brenda and I multiple times followed by his repeated, "O love you." Typically Tanner and Tucker had some one liners that kept us in hysteria. Brenda even had a one liner that made all the guys belly laugh. She can be very funny.
After lunch we drifted into the living room where we all fell asleep. We treasure these family times together. Many texted me about having a happy Thanksgiving as the day began. We already had. Before we ever a bite of Thanksgiving lunch we had a perfect Thanksgiving just being together. Just having us all together meant more to me this year than it ever has before. We truly enjoyed a perfect Thanksgiving.
Brenda and I got up early to finish lunch preparations and cooked a small breakfast. We have certainly enjoyed having all four boys around the table. We love six place settings better than four. Next fall we will be down to three. After observing a family Thanksgiving tradition we sat down to a late lunch.
Brenda did an amazing job on lunch. The boys all gave her their favorites. She cooked something for everyone. Everything tasted fantastic. I have never had a better Thanksgiving meal. We had a feast of turkey (of which I did not partake being opposed to the fowl family), dressing, squash casserole, homemade cream corn, deviled eggs, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, plus deserts. A feast fit for a king. And we gave thanks to God around the table before we ever ate a bite.
We went around the table telling what we were thankful for. I spoke personally to each member of the family about how proud I am of them and how much I love them. Brenda followed in tears just glad to have everyone home together. Taylor followed her, then Tanner, Tucker, and lastly Turner. A definite Thanksgiving I will not forget.
A perfect Thanksgiving. Looking at the love of my life sitting to my left at the table as she has done for over two and a half decades moved me. Her brown hair and sparkling brown eyes still hold my gaze. Next to her the youngest Turner who has an infectious laugh. He is one the happiest people I know. I love his attitude and approach to life. At the other end of the table Tucker sits. He is very witty and he and Tanner can sure make us laugh. Taylor sits next to him to the right. He spoke very tenderly of family and close friends he has made at college. Tanner sits next to me to my right. He is always keeping us laughing. He is very witty and sharp on his feet. He can make us double over in laughter. He has shown us more affection. He has hugged Brenda and I multiple times followed by his repeated, "O love you." Typically Tanner and Tucker had some one liners that kept us in hysteria. Brenda even had a one liner that made all the guys belly laugh. She can be very funny.
After lunch we drifted into the living room where we all fell asleep. We treasure these family times together. Many texted me about having a happy Thanksgiving as the day began. We already had. Before we ever a bite of Thanksgiving lunch we had a perfect Thanksgiving just being together. Just having us all together meant more to me this year than it ever has before. We truly enjoyed a perfect Thanksgiving.
Monday, November 20, 2017
Humility
You can define humility as a low view of one's own importance. Lately in the news I have not seen a great deal of humility. Not from President Trump. Not from Lamar Ball. Not from NFL athletes. Not from NBA athletes. Not from foreign dictators.
So much bragging. So much seeking attention. So many wanting pats on the back and recognition. So much boasting. Such quests for greatness.
Two sets of verses cross my mind. One dealing with the greatest of all. No, I am not thinking about Muhammad Ali. I am referring to Jesus. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The hero of Heaven. The very Son of God. And yet read this passage slowly. Ponder the number of ways Jesus intentionally chose humility when He rightly deserved all the attention and adoration.
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Next, who will be the man to ever boast in God's presence. Who will be the man or woman to show off a resume and list of accomplishments. We will boast about successes, families, job tiles, salaries, or status before a holy God. Great people in this life will be complete failures in the afterlife without Jesus.
He alone saves. Jesus saves with grace through faith. He gives us what we could never merit on our own. And still men brag and boast instead of displaying humility and following the example of Jesus. If people carry that attitude into eternity it will lead to their eternal destructions. Nobody will boast before God. Nobody. With humble hearts people must repent, acknowledge their sinfulness, need of a Savior, and believe Jesus for salvation. If proud people refuse to humble themselves before almighty Jehovah there will be a day of reckoning. There will be a day of vengeance an awesome and terrible day of fierce wrath.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
So much bragging. So much seeking attention. So many wanting pats on the back and recognition. So much boasting. Such quests for greatness.
Two sets of verses cross my mind. One dealing with the greatest of all. No, I am not thinking about Muhammad Ali. I am referring to Jesus. The King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The hero of Heaven. The very Son of God. And yet read this passage slowly. Ponder the number of ways Jesus intentionally chose humility when He rightly deserved all the attention and adoration.
Philippians 2:5-11 (ESV)
5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus,
6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped,
7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men.
8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name,
10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Next, who will be the man to ever boast in God's presence. Who will be the man or woman to show off a resume and list of accomplishments. We will boast about successes, families, job tiles, salaries, or status before a holy God. Great people in this life will be complete failures in the afterlife without Jesus.
He alone saves. Jesus saves with grace through faith. He gives us what we could never merit on our own. And still men brag and boast instead of displaying humility and following the example of Jesus. If people carry that attitude into eternity it will lead to their eternal destructions. Nobody will boast before God. Nobody. With humble hearts people must repent, acknowledge their sinfulness, need of a Savior, and believe Jesus for salvation. If proud people refuse to humble themselves before almighty Jehovah there will be a day of reckoning. There will be a day of vengeance an awesome and terrible day of fierce wrath.
Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Big Mountain Moving God
Are you staring at some mountains in your way?Do they hinder your path? Are they too tall to climb over, too wide to walk around, and too deep to tunnel underneath?
There is only one option left? Pray it to move. Brenda and I have seen God do this many times in the past. Big mountains He moved out of the way. He has solved financial problems, provided vehicles when we couldn't afford to buy them for ourselves, opened closed doors, provided places for us to live, and brought salvation and new life to many along the way.
This night as I type this I'm looking squarely at four big mountains. Four huge audacious mountains. Each one intimidating. Each one seemingly impossible from my point of view. Each one requiring the miraculous move of God to accomplish His purposes.
God specializes in moving big mountains. Mountains that look so impossible it is easier to doubt than to believe. He does not see mountains. He sees molehills. He sees ant mounds. Nothing for Him to move. So Brenda and I pray.
Now I could list each mountain right here. I could phrase the language so as to give hints what they are. If Brenda and I take our mountains to God alone then when He works to move them He alone will get the glory. Nobody will be able to say any man moved the mountains. God will get the glory and Brenda and I will have another testimony to share.
I am confident each of these four big mountains will move. I am confident on this very site I will testify about how God worked in each situation to give Him more glory. Other's faith will be encouraged and inspired.
It is part of the great adventure. Part of the ebb and flow of life of facing tests and trials but watching God do powerful work in overcoming the trials. When God chooses to step into our situations to flex His divine muscles to do the impossible tasks of moving our mountains we are humbled. We are awed. We are astonished. We are amazed.
When was the last time you were awed, astonished, and amazed at the power of God? I bet the last time you saw Him in action it moved you deeply. We may not enjoy facing mountains but we do enjoy watching His move mightily.
So on this night, as I have done for weeks now, I ask the great mountain moving God to move my four big mountains. I speak to them with faith and do not entertain doubt. I expect them to be moved anyday now. When they are you will hear all about it.
Mark 11:23-24 (ESV)
23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
There is only one option left? Pray it to move. Brenda and I have seen God do this many times in the past. Big mountains He moved out of the way. He has solved financial problems, provided vehicles when we couldn't afford to buy them for ourselves, opened closed doors, provided places for us to live, and brought salvation and new life to many along the way.
This night as I type this I'm looking squarely at four big mountains. Four huge audacious mountains. Each one intimidating. Each one seemingly impossible from my point of view. Each one requiring the miraculous move of God to accomplish His purposes.
God specializes in moving big mountains. Mountains that look so impossible it is easier to doubt than to believe. He does not see mountains. He sees molehills. He sees ant mounds. Nothing for Him to move. So Brenda and I pray.
Now I could list each mountain right here. I could phrase the language so as to give hints what they are. If Brenda and I take our mountains to God alone then when He works to move them He alone will get the glory. Nobody will be able to say any man moved the mountains. God will get the glory and Brenda and I will have another testimony to share.
I am confident each of these four big mountains will move. I am confident on this very site I will testify about how God worked in each situation to give Him more glory. Other's faith will be encouraged and inspired.
It is part of the great adventure. Part of the ebb and flow of life of facing tests and trials but watching God do powerful work in overcoming the trials. When God chooses to step into our situations to flex His divine muscles to do the impossible tasks of moving our mountains we are humbled. We are awed. We are astonished. We are amazed.
When was the last time you were awed, astonished, and amazed at the power of God? I bet the last time you saw Him in action it moved you deeply. We may not enjoy facing mountains but we do enjoy watching His move mightily.
So on this night, as I have done for weeks now, I ask the great mountain moving God to move my four big mountains. I speak to them with faith and do not entertain doubt. I expect them to be moved anyday now. When they are you will hear all about it.
Mark 11:23-24 (ESV)
23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him.
24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Saturday, November 18, 2017
Son Burn
I woke up early to go to my secret place,
Where I meet my Lord and seek His face,
We commune there two of us all alone,
He is my Lord and I am His very own,
The joy that passes as together we talk,
Strengthening me for my own faith walk,
I love the secret place behind closed doors,
Where time stands still - often face on floor,
That sacred place where my battles are won,
Where I get a burn from basking in the Son.
Where I meet my Lord and seek His face,
We commune there two of us all alone,
He is my Lord and I am His very own,
The joy that passes as together we talk,
Strengthening me for my own faith walk,
I love the secret place behind closed doors,
Where time stands still - often face on floor,
That sacred place where my battles are won,
Where I get a burn from basking in the Son.
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