God continues to bring me back to 2 Corinthians again and again to pray for my neighbors and for my believing friends who are in relationship with them. I was just reminded by a friend that we read different genres in different ways. 2 Corinthians is a letter. So I started at the greeting this morning.
"Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come." 2 Cor 1:21-22
Take a few minutes to see what God has and is doing for you, if you belong to Him. Be encouraged!
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label prayer. Show all posts
Monday, November 9, 2009
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Holy?
I think it's safe to say that people in the culture I live in would equate keeping the Ten Commandments (the essence of them if not the actual Ten Commandments themselves) with holiness. Okay, maybe just with being a good person. They would recognize that they don't keep them all but that they keep most of them and that is what makes them a good person. If they think there is some sort of life after death they will think that being a good person is what earns them a better life after death.
For Christians we certainly, like the Galatians, fall into this same trap. Paul calls them foolish and says to them in Galatians 3:1-3, "who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
But typically, we Christians think we don't even break any of the Ten Commandments. Okay, we remember that we used to lie but we are too old for that now, right? Or sometimes I forget to rest during the week but that project for work really needed to be done.
So wherever you find yourself, here's some expansion of (not "addition to", mind you) the Ten Commandments.
(This is from our www.SummitWestClub.com campus blog, posted by our Campus Pastor, Brad O'Brien.)
This past Sunday, Pastor J.D. continued his current series ‘Presence‘. In his sermon, he challenged us to be honest with ourselves in regards to how well we measure up to the 10 Commandments. Here is the list of commandments and how he adapted them to our everyday life. He has adapted this list from Will Metzger, Tell the Truth, Appendix A.IV.
For Christians we certainly, like the Galatians, fall into this same trap. Paul calls them foolish and says to them in Galatians 3:1-3, "who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. I would like to learn one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by observing the law, or by believing what heard? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?"
But typically, we Christians think we don't even break any of the Ten Commandments. Okay, we remember that we used to lie but we are too old for that now, right? Or sometimes I forget to rest during the week but that project for work really needed to be done.
So wherever you find yourself, here's some expansion of (not "addition to", mind you) the Ten Commandments.
(This is from our www.SummitWestClub.com campus blog, posted by our Campus Pastor, Brad O'Brien.)
This past Sunday, Pastor J.D. continued his current series ‘Presence‘. In his sermon, he challenged us to be honest with ourselves in regards to how well we measure up to the 10 Commandments. Here is the list of commandments and how he adapted them to our everyday life. He has adapted this list from Will Metzger, Tell the Truth, Appendix A.IV.
DO YOU KEEP THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
1. You shall have no other Gods before Me: I have never put anything before God in my life. I have never loved or trusted or obeyed anything more than God. God and God alone has always been pre-eminent in my thoughts, affections, and actions.
2. You shall make no graven images of Me: I have never had any wrong conceptions about God nor worshipped Him in a way not directly proscribed by Him. I have always rejected wrong images of God and refused to redefine Him according to my liking.
3. You shall not take My name in vain: I have always held the name of God, which signifies His character, in highest respect, invoking it only with thoughtfulness and reverence. I have never used His name as a swear word. I have never been lethargic or apathetic during worship. I have never desecrated God’s name by calling myself His follower but not representing Him well. The way I talk, act, spend money, and drive give honor to the God whose name I attach to my life and whose bumper sticker I display on my car.
4. 6 days you shall do all your work… and remember the Sabbath, to keep it holy: I have always worked diligently and willingly at whatever task is set before me, seeing it as my God-given service each day, and making the most out of the time God has given me. In the 6 days of the workweek, I work hard, am not lazy, and don’t procrastinate. And I consistently remember to set apart one day weekly to worship God with others.
5. Honor your parents: I have never disobeyed nor dishonored my parents or any others in authority over me. I have always respected the authorities in my life, and given them honor and willing obedience, whether they were watching or not. This includes my parents, my teachers, traffic cops, the IRS, and my president.
6. You shall not kill: I have never murdered anyone… nor had hateful thoughts nor have taken the slightest pleasure in seeing harm done to another human being. I have never fantasized about the premature death of my spouse nor wished harm on my boss. I have always held the highest regard for any human life, and cared as much about the pain of others as I have my own.
7. You shall not commit adultery: I have never practiced sexual impurity, neither physically having sex with someone outside the bonds of marriage nor having impure thoughts about someone I’m not married to. If married, I have never flirted with or fantasized about someone who is not my spouse.
8. You shall not steal: I have never taken anything that doesn’t belong to me. This includes taking credit that didn’t belong to me, downloading illegal music, or cheating in school or on my taxes. I have never taken extra Chic-Fil-A sauce to stock my shelves at home. I do not waste my company’s time internet surfing, twittering or facebooking. I have always respected the belongings, rights and creations of others and been completely truthful and fair. I have always been willing to take only what I’ve earned.
9. You shall not lie: I have never lied nor slandered another person. I have always told the truth in every situation regarding every person I have ever known. I have never exaggerated the truth and I have kept all my covenants and agreements, whether verbal and written.
10. You shall not covet: I have never been greedy for something that wasn’t mine, nor jealous of the abilities, looks, position or possessions of others. I have rejoiced with others in what they have, glad that they have it even when I don’t. I have never complained about what God has provided for me (your car; you job; your pay), always been thankful and fully content with what I have and where I am in life, willing to share what I have with others who have less than me.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Neighbors
Do you pray for your neighbors? Regularly? Do you see your neighborhood as one of your primary places of influence and mission? If so, do you love your neighbors or just view them as a project?
These are all questions that have been on my heart for several months. Some that have been posed to me by others, some that the Holy Spirit has brought to my mind. There is a passage in Acts 17 that has been a comfort and a catalyst for me as I think about these questions.
Acts 17:22-28
22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
There are so many things about this passage that stand out to me but the part I want to hit on here is verse 26, "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." I am made in the image of God who has placed me in this home at this time. Amazing!
That is a comfort to me when I think that I will never be around my neighbors because our work schedules are so different, or that the barriers are too high to really be able to build relationships with them, or that my words have fallen on deaf ears. God has put me here, now... and I am His.
It is a catalyst for me because I know that God put me here, now. I want to take full advantage of the many opportunities He gives me with my neighbors. God knows how long I will be here, but I don't. So why should I tarry?
Pray for your neighbors. Know them by name. Get to know them personally. Live life with them. Be friends with them. And share the gospel with them in words as well as action.
These are all questions that have been on my heart for several months. Some that have been posed to me by others, some that the Holy Spirit has brought to my mind. There is a passage in Acts 17 that has been a comfort and a catalyst for me as I think about these questions.
Acts 17:22-28
22Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said: "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. 23For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. 24"The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands. 25And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else. 26From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. 27God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. 28'For in him we live and move and have our being.' As some of your own poets have said, 'We are his offspring.'
There are so many things about this passage that stand out to me but the part I want to hit on here is verse 26, "From one man he made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live." I am made in the image of God who has placed me in this home at this time. Amazing!
That is a comfort to me when I think that I will never be around my neighbors because our work schedules are so different, or that the barriers are too high to really be able to build relationships with them, or that my words have fallen on deaf ears. God has put me here, now... and I am His.
It is a catalyst for me because I know that God put me here, now. I want to take full advantage of the many opportunities He gives me with my neighbors. God knows how long I will be here, but I don't. So why should I tarry?
Pray for your neighbors. Know them by name. Get to know them personally. Live life with them. Be friends with them. And share the gospel with them in words as well as action.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Mini Silent-Prayer Retreat
Mini Silent-Prayer Retreat
Meditate on God's Presence - 30 minutes
walk, sit, swing, rock
(Mt 1:23; Jn 1:14; Ps 16:11; Ps 139:7-10; Lk 10:28-42; 2 Cor 4:13-14)
Adore God - 60 minutes
create* (alpha-pages)
(Ps 29:1-2)
Confess sin to God - 30 minutes
write out specific sins
(Ex 20; 2 Tim 3:2-5; Ps 51; Ps 19:12-14; Rom 7:24-8:4)
Thank God - 60 minutes
create*, walk
(Ps 107)
Pray for Self - 30 minutes
find 2 scripture to memorize and pray for specific situations
(Ps 77:1; Jas 4:2)
Pray for Others - 45 minutes
write 2 notes to people letting them know how you've prayed for them
(Rom 8:26; Col 1:3; Lk 6:27)
Pray aloud with others at the retreat - unlimited
*Create: paint, draw, color, cut/paste, write (list, journal, poetry).
This is only a suggested guide. You can do anything during this time. The only "rule" is no talking... and try not to nap on purpose.
If you have more time, I would suggest providing more scripture, and some challenging reading on each topic as well. While I wouldn't recommend this as the best way to do a silent retreat or a prayer retreat, it was a good introduction for someone new to either concept.
Meditate on God's Presence - 30 minutes
walk, sit, swing, rock
(Mt 1:23; Jn 1:14; Ps 16:11; Ps 139:7-10; Lk 10:28-42; 2 Cor 4:13-14)
Adore God - 60 minutes
create* (alpha-pages)
(Ps 29:1-2)
Confess sin to God - 30 minutes
write out specific sins
(Ex 20; 2 Tim 3:2-5; Ps 51; Ps 19:12-14; Rom 7:24-8:4)
Thank God - 60 minutes
create*, walk
(Ps 107)
Pray for Self - 30 minutes
find 2 scripture to memorize and pray for specific situations
(Ps 77:1; Jas 4:2)
Pray for Others - 45 minutes
write 2 notes to people letting them know how you've prayed for them
(Rom 8:26; Col 1:3; Lk 6:27)
Pray aloud with others at the retreat - unlimited
*Create: paint, draw, color, cut/paste, write (list, journal, poetry).
This is only a suggested guide. You can do anything during this time. The only "rule" is no talking... and try not to nap on purpose.
If you have more time, I would suggest providing more scripture, and some challenging reading on each topic as well. While I wouldn't recommend this as the best way to do a silent retreat or a prayer retreat, it was a good introduction for someone new to either concept.
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Ten - Day 25
How are you doing with your ten minutes of prayer? What? Or challenge is over? Well, I had another tip for you.
One way you can spend your time praying is by praying for the things you will be doing on that day... before the day begins. You certainly come in contact with people (either in person, on the phone, or via internet) that you can be praying for.
Here's an example from my life*:
Staff meeting - pray for the staff, families, and ministries they oversee
Lunch with student/leader - pray for that student/leader (may lead me to pray for other students/ leaders as it did this morning)
Planning meeting - pray for event logistics, attitudes, people coming, GOSPEL to be clear and responded to
Walk with roommate - pray for roommates, people living in the neighborhood we're walking in, for us to find a house in that neighborhood, for the church (it's in that neighborhood)
Coffee with a potential leader - pray for her, pray for others to come along side studentLIFE in leadership roles, for others in our body of believers to serve the church, for direction and discernment
Errands - pray for the other customers, for a chance to encourage someone, for the employees at the store (I try to go to the same person at each store so that I can build a relationship with them - Ana is at South Square Target. I'd love it if you would pray for her), for your attitude and motive behind your buying (yikes!)
So those are just some example of how you can be praying.
*I realize that some of you are moms that have the honor of staying home with your little one(s) and may feel like you don't have anything going on during the day outside of your little one(s). I could write a whole different post on that. But, I want to encourage you to be purposeful in two ways.
First, be purposeful in praying for others WITH your little one(s) - even if they aren't "old enough to understand." It will help you to be in the practice of praying in front of and with your children so that when they are "old enough" they will be learning how to pray. Oh, what an honor you have!
The second is this, be purposeful to reach out to your neighbors. I have seen that staying home all day can be draining. I recognize that raising children isn't simply a walk in the park. Bake some cookies with your little one(s), let them "write" a note, and walk next door. Yes, you will have to plan it... be purposeful. Again, whether they are "old enough" or not get in the practice of reaching out. Then (for those of you who think you may not have anyone to pray for) you will have at least one person to be praying for outside of your family and close friends.
One way you can spend your time praying is by praying for the things you will be doing on that day... before the day begins. You certainly come in contact with people (either in person, on the phone, or via internet) that you can be praying for.
Here's an example from my life*:
Staff meeting - pray for the staff, families, and ministries they oversee
Lunch with student/leader - pray for that student/leader (may lead me to pray for other students/ leaders as it did this morning)
Planning meeting - pray for event logistics, attitudes, people coming, GOSPEL to be clear and responded to
Walk with roommate - pray for roommates, people living in the neighborhood we're walking in, for us to find a house in that neighborhood, for the church (it's in that neighborhood)
Coffee with a potential leader - pray for her, pray for others to come along side studentLIFE in leadership roles, for others in our body of believers to serve the church, for direction and discernment
Errands - pray for the other customers, for a chance to encourage someone, for the employees at the store (I try to go to the same person at each store so that I can build a relationship with them - Ana is at South Square Target. I'd love it if you would pray for her), for your attitude and motive behind your buying (yikes!)
So those are just some example of how you can be praying.
*I realize that some of you are moms that have the honor of staying home with your little one(s) and may feel like you don't have anything going on during the day outside of your little one(s). I could write a whole different post on that. But, I want to encourage you to be purposeful in two ways.
First, be purposeful in praying for others WITH your little one(s) - even if they aren't "old enough to understand." It will help you to be in the practice of praying in front of and with your children so that when they are "old enough" they will be learning how to pray. Oh, what an honor you have!
The second is this, be purposeful to reach out to your neighbors. I have seen that staying home all day can be draining. I recognize that raising children isn't simply a walk in the park. Bake some cookies with your little one(s), let them "write" a note, and walk next door. Yes, you will have to plan it... be purposeful. Again, whether they are "old enough" or not get in the practice of reaching out. Then (for those of you who think you may not have anyone to pray for) you will have at least one person to be praying for outside of your family and close friends.
Monday, May 18, 2009
5:18 on 5/18 update
How did your Ten go at 5:18 tonight?
I was in my car without my prayer list but I was able to get Ten in in remembering how I usually pray for the church and in remembering some of the prayers on the list.
I'd love to hear how you prayed and how you've been praying.
I'm going to pray for each of you after I hit "publish post."
I was in my car without my prayer list but I was able to get Ten in in remembering how I usually pray for the church and in remembering some of the prayers on the list.
I'd love to hear how you prayed and how you've been praying.
I'm going to pray for each of you after I hit "publish post."
5:18 on 5/18
Today the members of The Summit Church have been asked to join in prayer for 10 minutes at 5:18 pm (on 5/18... easy to remember, right?).
Click here for the things to pray for.
Don't go to The Summit? Pray for your church. You can use the same requests as a guide for you church.
I'm looking forward to praying with you at 5:18!
Click here for the things to pray for.
Don't go to The Summit? Pray for your church. You can use the same requests as a guide for you church.
I'm looking forward to praying with you at 5:18!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Ten - Day 3
So, how's it going? Praying ten minutes a day?
It may help to brainstorm for a few minutes about who you want to pray for and how you want to pray for them. You can't go wrong praying scripture (Hebrews 4:11-16).
Here's a start for you:
Who-
Family
Close friends
Co-workers
Neighbors
People you frequently see/interact with
How*-
That they would be reading their Bible (Psalm 1)
That they would have good relationships with their friends (John 13:34-35)
That they would be getting along with their families (1 Peter 3:8-13)
That they would do well as they finish school (Colossians 3:23-24)
That they would honor God (Psalm 19... esp. 12-14)
Who are you praying for? How are you praying for them?
*this list came from my 2.42 girls last week when we were praying for the girls that weren't able to make it that night
It may help to brainstorm for a few minutes about who you want to pray for and how you want to pray for them. You can't go wrong praying scripture (Hebrews 4:11-16).
Here's a start for you:
Who-
Family
Close friends
Co-workers
Neighbors
People you frequently see/interact with
How*-
That they would be reading their Bible (Psalm 1)
That they would have good relationships with their friends (John 13:34-35)
That they would be getting along with their families (1 Peter 3:8-13)
That they would do well as they finish school (Colossians 3:23-24)
That they would honor God (Psalm 19... esp. 12-14)
Who are you praying for? How are you praying for them?
*this list came from my 2.42 girls last week when we were praying for the girls that weren't able to make it that night
Monday, May 4, 2009
Ten
We just started a new sermon series this week about prayer. Our pastor challenged us to pray for 10 minutes every day for the remainder of the series... 21 days.
I want to extend that challenge to you as well. For some of you, 10 minutes will not be enough. For some of you it may seem to drag on for eternity - probably though at the end of 21 days 10 minutes won't be enough time for you either.
Can we pray for one another? I would love to be praying for you! You can leave a comment (I preview all comments and will not post if you ask me not to) so that other readers can pray for you as well.
Among other things, I will be praying:
* for salvation for my friends' sister
* for godly men and women to be raised up for serving the body of believers locally and internationally
* for 3 bedroom, 2 bath home to rent in the W-H neighborhood
I am excited to see how God answers, according to His will, the requests His children bring to Him.
Psalm 115:1
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness."
I want to extend that challenge to you as well. For some of you, 10 minutes will not be enough. For some of you it may seem to drag on for eternity - probably though at the end of 21 days 10 minutes won't be enough time for you either.
Can we pray for one another? I would love to be praying for you! You can leave a comment (I preview all comments and will not post if you ask me not to) so that other readers can pray for you as well.
Among other things, I will be praying:
* for salvation for my friends' sister
* for godly men and women to be raised up for serving the body of believers locally and internationally
* for 3 bedroom, 2 bath home to rent in the W-H neighborhood
I am excited to see how God answers, according to His will, the requests His children bring to Him.
Psalm 115:1
"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory because of your love and faithfulness."
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