It's God's Job!

I would like to announce that am taking God at His Word. Speaking of Jesus, Matthew tells us, "Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'" (Mt. 9:37-38, NIV)

Prior to the verses above, the Bible sets the stage for Jesus' words. It says, "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Mt. 9:35-36, NIV)

I to, have looked at the crowds. I have seen the hurting and the needy. Only a few days ago I held the hand and touched the shoulder of one so overwhelmed with grief words could not be spoken. Only flowing tears and a quivering lip expressed the pain and fear within. I thought, "Lord, help me help this person." Very recently I walked alone through the streets of a neighboring town, and again was overwhelmed at the need. My heart could hear the cries for help as I looked into the lonely faces of the people. I thought, "Lord, I need help! How can these needs be met?" Only a few months ago, I stood in a village on the Amazon River speaking with one who, seventeen months earlier had asked, "Will you come back to teach us the deeper things of the Bible?" I was there to keep my promise. I prayed, "Lord, I need help to reach more of these people." But there are thousands of little villages like that one who have never heard about Jesus. In every instance, it had to be the compassion of the Lord that I felt, for this cold human heart of mine does not have the ability to even care without the urging of His Spirit.

I've decided to take God at His Word. I will pray for workers... plenty of workers... workers who are more in love with the Lord than with their own lives... workers who have become "living sacrifices" to HIM and nothing else. I will pray for workers who have the compassion of Jesus, and not mere passion for their own comforts, ease and desires. I will pray for them... so that God will be glorified by answering my prayer. I will pray that they will be "prayers" who will approach the throne of God with the boldness, boldness that comes from their salvation in Jesus Christ, seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness. I will pray that they will fill my church, and other churches, in number and with prayers, putting the scoffers of the Spirit of God to shame. I will pray that they will assist my fellow pastors in their labors, so that those who are in need for Him and His Word will be satisfied. I will pray that they will spend more time proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ then they do talking about what is wrong. And I will pray that God will begin with me, that He will move His Spirit upon MY heart that I will never be critical of my fellow worker, but join them and lead them to the kingdom's work. After all, it's my job to pray. It's God's job to send.

"Lord, You said that I should pray for workers. I take You at your Word. Here is my prayer to You. Send the laborers for the harvest. Amen."

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Finding God in Life

One thing I think happens when we face life's tough times is that it makes us think... especially when the though times are long-lasting. It is easy to get into a rut in our thinking. If we are honest, we would have to wonder if it was real thinking at all. If thinking is defined as "a process of thoughts," or thinking something through to a conclusion or an end, mere thoughts passing through our minds do not necessarily qualify as true thinking.

We can easily get caught up in a "comfort zone of thinking, or become satisfied with our mind focusing on the "status quo." We can become content with the thoughts of the community; whether it is a family, church, town or any other type of community. The danger of becoming satisfied with our thoughts regarding the things of God is that we can miss God all together, sometimes by only thinking "about" God, or having false beliefs about Him.

Proverbs gives us a warning. It says, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Prov. 16:25, NIV) We must always be on guard, never becoming careless regarding our belief or opinion.

It was during an abrupt change in my daily schedule that caused me to pause and consider my "conversations" with God. I wondered if they were truly conversations with Him. Was I merely reciting religious phrases, followed by my list of desires? I also had to decide if I was following Him "faithfully" when things were going good, and becoming less "dedicated" if things were going against my expectations. A decision like that reveals if we are serving Him, or if we are expecting Him to serve us. True service means that I stay steady if things are going good or if they are going bad. To abandon Him, or feel I "need a change" because the "going gets rough," reveals my expectation of God, and my lack of dedication to Him. What a devastating mistake that could be.

My prayer-life has been changing. I believe I am far from what it will eventually become, but I have decided to never be satisfied with my prayer-life. God is "unfathomable." There is always more of Him to learn and experience. There is always room for growth in our prayer-life. James said, "Come near to God and He will come near to you." (James 4:8a, NIV) We can never come to the place where we can say, "Oh, I have already done that." It is an ongoing relationship. It is always possible to hear God call us to "come closer." I want to experience God like that.

That's just something to think about.

"Lord, thank you for the tough times that direct my attention to you. Amen."

Why Should I Feel Discouraged?

God makes it very clear. His Word says, "For no matter how many promises God has made, they are 'Yes' in Christ. And so through Him the 'Amen' is spoken by us to the glory of God. (2 Cor. 1:20, NIV) What more could we ask? Every promise God has made to us has a "pre-stamped" answer: "Yes! In Jesus' name." God has ordained it. Why should I feel discouraged when He has already promised His promises?

Now, we have a decision to make:

1) Do you accept this "promise of promises" unconditionally, and will you let God prove Himself? If you do, it will require that you do a "faithfulness check" of our own life. Are you living as if you believe as you say you do? Where you stand now, believer, is in the midst of opportunities that may not be comfortable, preferable, or desirable. Do you think God has not placed you here for a purpose. He has put you there to see if you will be faithful to your opportunity of service. Do not run from it. He has already answered His promises with a "Yes" to assure success and victory "right where you are." Don't think it will be any different for you somewhere else. Victory is not a matter of our circumstances, it is a matter of our hearts. His promises are for you, where you are now.

2) Do you accept this promise, but with certain conditions and limitations you have placed on God? He will not accept your conditions. You must measure up to His. Our failures in our service for Him are due to our failing to discover, accept and follow through with His promises. James said, essentially, "Sure you pray, and you do not receive what you pray for. Why is that? It is because you pray with your heart set on the wrong thing. You have wrong motives. You are looking for your own desires to be met instead of God's will to be done." (Personal paraphrase. See James 4:3) His promises are not for our selfish pleasure, but for His kingdom work.

If you choose this way, what difference is there, when it comes to accomplishing God's will, in your life and the person who simply does not believe? When it comes to effectiveness for the kingdom of God, there is no difference. Neither is productive. But God's Word points out a great difference in character. It calls such people "lukewarm." (see Revelation 3:15 ff) And He treats the "lukewarm" differently than He does the "cold." The "cold" have hope. The vast difference can help them hear God. The "lukewarm," however, have chosen to dwell in deeper blindness; and in that valley of shadows, there is less hope. The "appearance" of good tends to blinds them to the truth of God.

3) Do you just refuse His activity in your life, accepting none of His promises? If so, you are to be pitied, for His promises are the only way to life for eternity. They bring the purpose to your life that you have longed for. The reality of God, and the abundance of life that He brings are in His promises... and the answer to each one has already been given. It is "YES!" Don't let the work of the "lukewarm" Christian lead you down their paths. Don't listen to a voice that will lead you away from God. Trust God. Focus on Him.

Look back at your life. Does failure and disappointment seem to follow you wherever you go? It will continue to do so until you accept His offer. If you haven't trusted Him for salvation, today you can. If you have, trust the rest of His promises. There is where you will find your victory. Now is your best time. Search out His promises and trust Him. Christian, He puts you in the midst of difficulty desiring that you find victory where you are. Wonder no further. Answer your discouragement with His promises.

Prayers Not Working? Try This.

I'm not an advocate of quick-fix, magic formula approaches to prayer. There is not a "secret word" that makes lifeless prayer suddenly become powerful prayers. But there is guidance in God's Word that leads us to the God who hears, and answers those who come to Him as He instructs. (Jer. 33:3) But to often, we carelessly, blindly and sometimes "lazily" approach prayer with the same "self-centeredness" that makes us pray with the wrong motive. (James 4:1-3) That attitude also keeps us from doing the "prayer-work" needed to experience the results God desires for us.

For me, prayer-life is a journey. It includes facing the challenge of selfishness, that seeks to invade my prayers, that need to be replaced with a Spirit-given desire to glorify God. For any of us, that takes constant care. I am learning that when we are consistent in seeking God's guidance, He is consistent in guiding us through the steps we need to follow.

I recently came across an article, by Armin R. Gesswein,* that presents a simple but great challenge. The author spoke of his encounter with an old saint who had a history of a powerful prayer-life. He prayed with him, and witnessing his wonderful connection with God, he asked, "Uncle Am, what is it? ...You have some kind of secret in praying... Would you share that with me?"

The author said, "I was 24, he was 73 (he lived to be 93) and, with an eagle-look in his eyes he said: 'Young man, learn to plead the promises of God!'"

Do you desire God enough to do the work... the work of seeking out His promises to us regarding the needs of your burden? If your prayers are not working, try this... find and learn the promises of God. Learn to plead the promises of God. Pray them to Him. After all, "Faith comes from hearing the message... the word of Christ." (Romans 10:17) This has a more literal to us than we have imagined. The Psalmist said, "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:105) The literal Word makes the difference.

For example, you can pray to God for revival like this: "Lord, you have promised that if I call to you, you will hear and answer me. You said, 'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.' (Jer. 33:3) I trust your promises and accept that you will. You said, 'You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.' (John 14:14) Father, in Jesus' name means according to His will. Lord, that is what I am seeking to do now. I seek His will through your Word. I know it is your will that your people be revived in your Spirit. Habakkuk prayed, 'O Lord, revive Your work in the midst of the years!' (Hab. 3:2, NKJV) Lord, that is my prayer to you." You can pray any need in this way.

Do your prayers work? Do you really want them to? If you truly do, you will be willing to search the scripture for faith and guidance. It is full of God's promises, and God's answers. We must learn to make the Bible our prayer book. Find the promise that fits your need. Prayer for God's glory. Learn to plead the promises of God.

* www.leaderu.com/orgs/bpf/pathways/plead.html

"You go... I'll show you"

Abram heard from God. God said, "Go to a land that I will show you." (Genesis 12:1) Test one. Abram was tested with the command to "just start going." There was no place yet revealed. No plan provided. No time table... just a command to go. As he went he heard the Lord speaking to him telling him of his plans. He built an altar to remind himself, and his descendants that God had spoken there. Then he continued the journey. As he went, listening and expecting God to speak, God guided Him to the land where He sent him.

Prayer is like that journey. We begin with a call, an inner awareness of the need, maybe a feeling of emergency to come to God and find deeper things. As we continue that journey, we will find times that deserve a spiritual "altar" to be erected to remind us of something God said. We don't want to forget that moment. That is a good thing for us to do.

Are you willing to go where He will show you? When you follow God in prayer, you will suddenly find yourself where you didn't realize you were going. The growth that led to that place was gradual, but the realization comes suddenly. A thought, a word, a prayer is suddenly more God-like, more spiritually mature. You hear something in your thought or word that is different than what you would have expressed months ago. That is evidence of God's direction in your journey. You are at a place where He has led you. But the journey is intended to continue. It will be filled with questions and doubt, with trials and struggles. It will sometimes be a lonely journey. But that is part of it. It is those things that will grow us and shape us until we reach His throne. There we are to make our home.

God is calling for His pray-ers to surface and travel with Him to new places. It is needed for His plan to come together. Our future will have a need for the mighty work of God to flow into this world through the prayers of His children. The "host of the faithful" are falling in line. "Call to Him..."

God Will Answer

Elijah prayed to die. After seeing a great demonstration of the awesome power of God, clothed in His faithfulness to His servant's prayer, Elijah was swayed by the threats of a godless voice promising to take his life within twenty-four hours. He ran for his life. This demonstrated the vulnerability and the fragile nature of the human spirit. But God didn't answer as Elijah had requested. He had bigger plans for him, and protected him from himself. In the process God was glorified.

Nehemiah was burdened by the bad news from his homeland. He grieved and prayed to God and made the unusual request that he might find favor in the presence of the king. What could have resulted in the loss of his life turned out to be a great blessing to the people of Israel. The prayer was granted just as Nehemiah requested. According to God's plan, the walls of Jerusalem rose to stand as a witness to a faithful God. And, He was glorified.

Habakuk accused God of being indifferent to his prayers, of being deaf to the words he lifted up to Him again and again. He hated the injustice he witnessed. He said, "Why do you tolerate wrong? Destruction and violence are before me; there is strife, and conflict abounds." (Habakuk 1:3, NIV) His prayer was met by God as He instructed Habakuk, "Just wait. You'll see." God was glorified.

Is there a great burden YOU have been lifting to God day after day? Could it be that God is saying, "Just wait. You'll see," even as you pray? Perhaps you have presented a need to God that He is willing to answer, "just as you ask." Are you willing to pray until that answer comes? Or, maybe you have prayed while in the grips of negative emotional influence, clouding your mind to reality. Will you trust God to protect and care for you? If you will, God will be glorified.

In each instance, God demonstrated His faithfulness. He still does. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)

How Do You Pray?

Have you ever paid attention to how you pray? It is important. And it will reveal a lot about you. The scripture gives us many examples of the importance of the way we should pray, not in length of time, or posture, but in heart and purpose.

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Teach us to pray...." (Luke 11:1, NIV) The disciples, raised in Jewish homes, familiar with prayer and its importance in their lives, witnessed the power, dedication and commitment of Jesus in prayer. They were moved to seek such a connection with God. They came to Him with the plea, Lord, teach us to pray. Do you desire such a prayer life?

After a long battle with his heart and attitude that surfaced during his trials in life, Job took a turn in his prayer life: he prayed for his friends. His focus changed from questions regarding his own predicament and focused on the "messed up thoughts" of his so-called friends. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10, NIV) No doubt, the purpose of praying for his friends was for their sake, not for "his" gain. God knows our heart, and motive. Do you pray for others solely for their sake and not for your gain?

James said that many of our prayers are given for selfish reasons. Do you pray with the right motive? Do you seek a "right heart" before God? When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with the wrong motive, that you might spend what you get on your own pleasures. (James 4:3, NIV) God will guide us to a right motive when we pray.

Jesus prayed for God to be glorified. ...Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify You.... (John 17:2, NIV) Are all of your prayers for this purpose? Do you pray that all answers would be for God's glory? Every thought, every word, and every deed of Jesus was for this purpose. It should be for ours as well.

There are many things to consider when we pray. But sometimes we need to ask a more basic question: "Do you pray?" James also said, You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2)

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A Prayer

"Lord, how do I cry out to you? Instead of what I read in your Word, how do I know that the things that fill me with pain and fear are not the truth? My desire is to know You, and to know Jesus, more and more each day. Yet my pain and struggles overwhelm me. They seem more than I can bear. How do I release this burden to you and receive the peace that is yours?

"Lord, I have learned that any 'peace' that is not of You is a lie that can never stand. If we could be truly happy and 'right' without You, then why did you come? The truth is, 'there is no way to peace and happiness without the living Word working within us.'

"I cry out to you, sometimes in frustration, sometimes in deep pain, sometimes in confusion. I seek to know all that I can and should do to find You. It is your Word that brings the guidance and assurance I need. It guides me like a light on a dark path. It speaks truths that will lead me to your life. It helps me help others, desiring that the Father be glorified. It tells me that 'all things... ALL things are possible through you.'

"How do I cry out to you? I will use only what I truly have. I will cry out to you with my words that, when given in truth, will reveal my heart. May it be a heart that is consistently changing into the likeness of your Son, speaking only the things that are true. May you grow me away from the world and toward your heart. May my desires be the desires of YOUR heart. Help me to seek your will in my life and in the lives of others. I cannot obtain your righteousness otherwise.

"Let me remember that if I 'call to You, You will answer me and show me great and mighty things.' May I desire them for Your glory and Your glory only. I will use what you have given me as I cry out to you... the words of my mouth that reveal the truth of my heart. Then I will seek your Words that reveal Your will to me. May you renew me with your will. Amen."

When We Need Help

We have all come to times of deep distress when there seems no way out. What do we do? Where do we turn? Who can help us when life and its circumstances seem so hopeless?

Our tendency is to cover up the pain. We have many "tricks up our sleeves" as we try to do so. They never do the job. They will only postpone and make worse the pain. They all lead us to denial of the problem.

Jeremiah delivers to us God's invitation: "'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (Jeremiah 33:3) The Psalmist said, "As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me." (Psalm 55:16) God has preserved His Word and provided for us the stories of His faithfulness in the midst of the life struggles of many in this world. His works among His people, even though we are separated by time, remain timely to our need today.

As for me, I will also call upon God, in the name of Jesus. I have set my mind and heart to do so. Why in His name? It is because He alone has made a way for us to God. No amount of effort on our part, through works, good intention, or anything else, can win the ear of God. We can come only in Jesus name. We are all in need of His grace in the midst of our struggles and need.

Spurgeon said, "Yes, I must and will pray. What else can I do! What better can I do? Betrayed, forsaken, grieved, baffled, O my Lord, I will call upon Thee." (From Faith's Checkbook, by C. H. Spurgeon, Friday, August 28) Even the churches "giants" struggled and knew the value of the help of God.

Jesus said, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:13-14, NIV) But our hearts must be right, and they can be... right now, through the grace of God. Then what we ask will be to "bring glory to the Father." Our rightness with God is not based on our personal goodness, but our pursuit of God through Jesus Christ, even in the midst of our stumbling. Paul speaks of the war that goes on in his mind. He says, "What a wretched man I am. Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God--through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25, NIV) When we need help, only Jesus Christ our Lord can meet the challenge.

If prayer doesn't work, we must look for the reason. There must be a right motive. James said, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." (James 4:3) There is often our problem. A right motive is when our intent is for the glory of God. When it is for His glory, it is always for our good. Then we will experience the joys of heaven. And that is the life we truly desire.

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God's Enthusiasm About You

God has some very good news for you. He says, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer." (Matthew 21:22) If we will accept that truth, and work on our belief system, nothing will be impossible. The key is to learn more about Jesus, seek Him, and "remain in Him and He in us."

Jesus says to "abide" in Him. "He that abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, NKJV) "Abide" means to dwell or to live. We are to live in Jesus, day in and day out. When our lives are given to Him in such a way, HE will do the work to become one with us. It is then that God will do amazing things in your life.

With this relationship, we can see God's enthusiasm about you and me in Christ. He says, "You may come up to my throne and make your request with boldness and great expectation." (see Hebrews 10:19) God's plan is that His children deliver His blessings to this world by being connecting with Him... and that relationship will flow over into the new heaven and new earth. But it is to begin with our lives in Christ today.

God's enthusiasm should be ours. Jesus has opened the door. And He has offered the relationship to anyone who will accept it.

When We Are Overwhelmed, Then What?

I woke up in the early hours feeling overwhelmed spiritually. I know I have responsibilities and expectations God Himself has given me. And those spiritual responsibilities have naturally overflowed into the my physical life. Family, friends and acquaintances with their fears, hurts and needs are involved. Then, on top of that, the world in which we live seems to be out of control. What do we do? How do we pray?

Have you ever felt overwhelmed in life? Do any of my struggles sound familiar? It happens to me often. And when it happens, sometimes waking me from sleep, I must be honest with God, and seek Him. I pray and turn to His Word.

I sought Him in the early morning hours. As I prayed I needed to know that what I heard was from God Himself. I asked for His help, and I waited for Him to defeat the enemies of my battle--the fear and doubt that had awakened me. He spoke to me through His Word and said, "Don't be afraid.... Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." (2 Kings 6:16) I wanted to be closer to Him so I could hear more.

The king of Aram, Israels enemy, had sent a large company of his army to Dothan to capture Elisha, God's prophet. With these words, Elisha was assuring his young servant that he had nothing to fear. He then prayed that the servant could see the spiritual forces God had provided for the battle. God answered and the servant saw chariots and horses of fire all around Elisha.

Are you a servant of God? Do you have spiritual enemies that seek to defeat you? God is the same today as He was in Elisha's day. He will do battle for you. Just trust Him and obey Him.

"Lord, give your servants of this day spiritual eyes that we may see the great forces or our Lord doing battle in this day of doubt. Send a revival to your people. Provide these things that we might glorify you in our lives. Amen."

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Who Will Pray For Us? (Part 2)

In the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), Jesus speaks of the kingdom of God. He tells us that there is a great struggle taking place, a battlefield for allegiance. Satan loses the souls of those who choose God through Jesus Christ. After that happens he seeks to destroy the joy of the Christian and the effectiveness of his Christian life on earth. Jesus gives us guidance that will help us to avoid the pitfalls of Satan in this battle. How are you doing? If you feel you are losing the battle, there is hope. It is found in the guidance of Jesus. Part of the guidance Jesus gives us has to do with our prayer life. Jesus starts with the words, "When you pray...."

The warning Jesus gives us has to do with HOW we do good things. He doesn't tell us not to do righteous things "before men," but we are warned not to do them "to be seen by men," if it be giving to the needy, fasting or, as we see here, prayer. He says, "Do not pray like the hypocrites," (Mt. 6:5), and "do not keep on babbling like the pagans." The hypocrites prayed to be seen. We should not have such a selfish motive. The "pagans" prayed thinking their repetition of words would get the attention of the gods. We should not be so ignorant.

Our prayer life is not rightly influenced by how it "appears" to others, or how it "sounds" to God. It is influenced only by our right relationship with the Heavenly Father. Even Christians
can appear like hypocrites and speak like pagans. God raises up people to pray for the great things of the kingdom as well as kingdom people. They are those who have spent time seeking and finding God in a right relationship. God is not flattered by our eloquence nor our wordiness. But He is moved by our communion with Him.

As we see the "evil day approaching," where the ministry and even the faithfulness, and sometimes the survival of God's people is truly dependent on our prayers, who will pray for us? Who will be prepared? Who will have spent the time in the "school of prayer" to be able to come before God with such familiarity and experienced expectation to pray for God's people? Powerful prayer is "time tested." It is based on faith that must grow. Have you noticed, rising up from deep inside you, an occasional longing for a real person of prayer to come into your life? Maybe He is calling you.

And He will say... "This, then, is how you should pray: 'Our Father in heaven....'" (Mt. 6:9) Start a newer relationship with the Father today.

Who Will Pray For Us? (Part 1)

Christian have you noticed, rising up from deep inside you, an occasional longing for a real person of prayer to come into your life? Perhaps that longing comes as an intense interest in true prayer grows inside you. Or maybe you have appreciated the stories of great pray-ers like George Mueller, or "Praying" John Hyde, or E. M. Bounds. Maybe you have longed to relate with God in such a powerful way. Such desires come from the Holy Spirit. If you have had such longings, He has been talking to you.

God's great pray-ers are a unique group from todays average believer. These followers have learned the "work of waiting." They have learned to patiently seek the Father in heaven. They have learned to seek diligently through the scripture, waiting for it to release its truths that point the way. They have learned the discipline of carefully considering the presence of the Holy Spirit as they speak to the God of the throne.

Considering the number of professed believers today, very few have learned to pray in this "school of prayer." It isn't an easy school. It may be the most difficult endeavor you have ever undertaken. But a life without prayer is far more difficult.

Jesus promised, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it." (John 14:13-14, NIV)

Jesus invites you to know Him in such a way. It is here that life finds it's true purpose. In a day when true pray-ers seem so few and far between, and our own prayers seem to never leave the room, where is our hope? Who will pray for us? Jesus invites you to take the journey. He says, "When you pray, pray like this..." (Matthew 6:9ff).

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Why We Fail to Experience God

I paused today, and thought about something. I thought about the tragedy of going through life and walking past the ultimate experience God wants to have with me while I'm on this earth. Then I thought about all those I come into contact with in life. I thought how each of us could affect the other for the glory of God, if we experienced God as He offers Himself to us. Think of how your family, especially your children or closest loved-ones, would be affected. Think of the many lost friends and relatives who may see God as they, otherwise, never would, simply because you and I took the time to experience what God is already offering.

Jesus has opened the door for us. We may "boldly" approach God because of what Jesus has done for us. Every believer has received the Spirit of God. But to experience God in His fullness, we must walk in His Spirit. Much of the opportunity to know and understand God is lost because we do not take the time seek and accept the change needed for that experience. Here are some things to consider.

Our Mind: We need a new mind. We go through many unnecessary struggles because we are functioning with a mind that has not been changed by God. He will not force the change, but He will respond to our willingness to let Him change us. Romans 12:2b tells us we must initiate the process. " (through God) be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Becoming a Christian does not mean we suddenly have a renewed mind. It is a process and it is God who does the renewing.

Our Heart: A renewed mind is revealed in a new heart. That new heart becomes evident in the way we interact with God and with those around us... in the things we say and do. We begin to experience God in greater ways and in more areas of our lives. He begins to change everything, and we begin to experience a whole new life. The new heart becomes evident.

Our Lives: Our tendency, as immature believers, is that we want to hear God's instructions regarding our "job." Then we want to leave Him behind and go about doing the task He has given us, checking back with Him from time-to-time to see how we're doing. With a renewed mind, and the evidence of a new heart, we can find life as we have never imagined it. Regardless of our surrounding circumstances, we can find rest and peace in Him...day and night. We not only benefit from it, but others do as well. It is truly "supernatural" as God's presence is amazingly evident. "I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)." (John 10:10, Amplified Bible) If He came for this reason, why don't we accept it?

We need to be "totally committed." Total commitment does not mean we never sin. But it does mean that with deal with sin properly when it happens. Total commitment means we have a constant, ongoing walk with God. We need to hear His guidance moment by moment. He is waiting.

Faith In Our Faith

There have been times when I've prayed and the answers were so specific and detailed that it was beyond coincidence. God answered the prayer. God spoke to my heart and the communication was so strong and clear that I was as sure it was God. It was as if He was a person who stood before me and talked. Then at other times, it seemed that nothing happened. It felt like God didn't even exist. There have been times that I've said, "If I only had enough faith."

The Bible clearly teaches that faith is a "must" for answered prayer. “But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.” (James 1:6-7, NIV) Jesus often spoke of faith and even mentioned the lack of faith among His disciples. He spoke of great things being done with just a small amount of faith. He spoke of great faith in the most unsuspecting people. Faith is a "must" if we are to expect anything from God. But how do you get such faith?

The Bible teaches that faith comes from God’s Word. Often we “pray” for faith when God clearly says we are to find it in His Word. “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17, NIV) There are many times that I have asked God to give me more faith only to hear Him clearly say, “Read my Word.” It is there that we find faith for following Him.

A good example of this is when I became a Christian. I didn’t have the faith to be saved. But when my pastor showed me what the Bible said about becoming a Christian, I had faith to believe. That is the way God intends it throughout our Christian lives. We are to spend time with Jesus, the Word of God (John 1:14), and through that we have faith for life. There is no other way.

But there is a caution. If we are not careful, we can begin to trust in our faith more than we trust in God. That is “faith in our faith.” Or, we can trust in the amount, dedication to, or intensity of our prayer rather than trusting in God. That is “faith in our prayers.” Both look so “right” that they can lead us astray in our prayer life. We must be careful to have faith in God, as revealed to us in His Word. If we remember, instead of seeking the answer in God, to seek God in the answer, we are on the right path.

Jesus said, “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:13-14, NIV) We must pray “as Jesus would pray”… that is, in His name. He prayed only to glorify the Father. And we can do that as we know His will… and that is revealed in only His Word.

Guaranteed Answer To Prayer

Everything that has to do with our relationship with God has to do with prayer. Yet it is so foreign to most Christians. A strong prayer life isn't going to just happen. It will take work... the work of a disciple. But the results of the right kind of work is guaranteed. You can be a part of God's life and work in this world if you want it.

Recently I had our prayer group read 1 Timothy 2:4: "(God) wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth." I asked, "Is it God's will that everyone be saved?" Of course, based on God's Word we can know that it is.

Then I had them to read John 14:13: "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." (NIV) Then I asked, "What would keep our friends and loved ones from being saved? The answer came: "If we do not pray."

What would keep you from experiencing all of the blessings of the Father? The lack of proper prayer. But we must remember, our motive must be right. Our motive must be to glorify the Father, not to get something from God. James 4:3 says, "When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." Even the best sounding prayers can be disqualified by a motive other than God's glory.

To seek God in the answer rather than seeking the answer in God is a step toward proper prayer. God is longing for a proper prayer relationship with you.

"'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'" (Jeremiah 33:3, NIV)

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Connecting With God

Pain comes in many packages: physical, emotional, mental.... It is delivered through various means: circumstances in life, work, school, through the mail, through various people, even in the normal pace of things, and more.

Personally, as is the case with most of us, I've faced far more "dark" times then anyone can imagine. I've done well at keeping it to myself. Maybe that hasn't been the best thing to do. But you have faced them too. God knows, and He cares, and He will always work for us if we ask Him. No one can go so far that He cannot help.
Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) says, For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The path to connecting with God may surprise you. I am convinced that the way to having needs met is to think first of others. If we do so with the right heart, God will do the rest. What better example than Job: When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! (Job 42:10, NIV)