O, God, our minds are darkened, our wills are weak, our hearts are fickle, our steps are faltering. So this day we ask You to enlighten us, to strengthen us, to guide us, that we may know You, and love You, and follow You all the days of our lives.

                                                                                               —William Barclay

A simple prayer.

An honest prayer.

Everyone’s prayer. 

I am profoundly thankful that we can just be ourselves with God, aren’t you? Tracking the life of Moses as he led the people of Israel out of Egypt is a study in honest communication between God and a godly man trying to follow him in a very tough assignment. Moses never pretended it was easy. As you may recall, these masses were a grumbling and ungrateful group, to say the least. And they never stopped being that way. Never. And do you know what they never entered? The land flowing with milk and honey—The Promised Land. God proved himself over and over to them, but they simply never got it through their thick skulls that he was worthy of their trust and devotion.

But Moses was a different story. He was not perfect, but he visibly grew in his dependence on God. How? Through prayer. You will run out of fingers counting all the times in the book of Exodus where Moses stopped in his tracks and called out to the Lord. When he was uncertain he could do what God was asking of him—he prayed. When the Israelites screamed out for food—he prayed. When they wanted meat—he prayed. When they wanted to go back to Egypt—he prayed. Read the second book in the Bible and see for yourself. It’s really amazing. And by the end of the book, you’ll see a bolder man of faith that you did at the beginning. Why? Because Moses was a man of prayer.

Okay, so what’s the take-away for you and me? We must ask God, as the disciples did in Luke 11:1, “Lord, teach us to pray….” This is a request I pray all the time in my heart. Prayer keeps worry and anxiety at bay. Prayer deepens our relationship with Jesus because we are letting him into all aspects of our lives. Proverbs 15:8 gives us more insight: “…the prayer of the upright pleases him.” How amazing is that? We bring pleasure to God when we talk to him.

What is one way you could increase prayer in your life? Pray back to God a Psalm a day? Say the Lord’s Prayer once a day for a week? Pray the prayers of Paul in Ephesians 1 and 3? Be creative. And be ready to expand your relationship with God.

For those of us who feel the effect of their serious condition, who realize their humanly unable unalterable condition, the good news is that there’s One who appears on the scene and says this, “I’ve come. I’m leading the way. I am moving relentlessly to the place where I’ll be nailed to a cross and lifted up as the ultimate example of suffering, and there the concentrated fury of the Father’s wrath for your sins will be visited upon Me. And I will groan, for I am sinless and I’m unfamiliar with any sin, with even a single sin. Yet on that cross I will experience the sins of many visited upon My body. And I will die”…but joy will follow His sufferings: the certain joy of knowing His death has ransomed the many.                                                                

     -C. J. Mahaney

The Easter season is a spiritual wake-up call.

Without it we may forget the price paid for our salvation. We may begin to feel pretty good about our gifts, intelligence, successes, influence, and “sacrifices” we’ve made for the kingdom of God.  But when we deliberately take time to read the gospel accounts of the last week of Christ’s life we are stopped in our tracks.

Jesus, while on his way to his death for the sins of the world, needs to break up an argument among his men about who was the greatest and who most deserved the seats of honor. Leaving Jericho on the way to his death, his love and compassion was still so present that he stops to heal the blind man on the side of the road. During his last meal with his disciples, he had to face the heart breaking fact that one among them would take a bribe and hand him over to the ones who had been seeking to kill him from the beginning of his ministry. On his death march to Jerusalem, he must listen to the very people he created out of love call over and over again for his death in the cruelest, most painful way known to man.

But it is when we get close to the cross that we most see love displayed. No one took the life of our Lord. He gave it up on his own. Given so we may be forgiven. Given so we may be recreated from the inside out. Given that we may be with him for all eternity. Given that we, now changed by this love, would make it our lifetime pursuit to share it with others. It is one of many ways we can say a heartfelt, “Thank you, dearest friend.”

Easter is just around the corner, so it’s a good time to be reminded of the beauty and majesty of Jesus. Ask God to speak to you through his word. Ponder afresh Scriptures that tell us of his love, character, and sacrifice. What stands out to you? Where do you need to pause and express your thanksgiving? How do these verses spur you on to greater devotion?

Monday:  Isaiah 42:1-4; 61:1-7

Tuesday:  Isaiah 53

Wednesday:  Mark 15-16

Thursday:  John 21

Friday:  Philippians 2: 1-11

Saturday:  Hebrews 2:5-18; 4:14-16

Sunday:  Revelation 19:11-16; 21:1-7

We are not permitted to nurse a sense of guilt: we must fully and completely accept and embrace his forgiveness and love. Guilt feelings and inferiority feelings before God are expressions of selfishness, of self-centeredness: we give greater importance to our little sinful self than to his immense and never-ending love. We must surrender our guilt and our inferiority to him; his goodness is greater than our badness. We must accept his joy in loving and forgiving us. It is a healing grace to surrender our sinfulness to his mercy.                                                          

                                        —Thomas Merton

What?

His goodness is greater than our badness?

We must accept his joy in loving and forgiving us?

This is almost too large for me to take in! I have all sorts of red flags going off in my spirit as I re-read these statements. Isn’t this a license to “eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow you may die”? A kind of carte blanche to go our own way, to forget about living a life of obedience, and dependence on God?

Actually, no. It is a bold invitation to embrace, in a fresh way, why Jesus came: to die to pay the penalty of our sin and to rise Easter Sunday to prove for all eternity that he succeeded. The Apostle Paul touched on this life-changing reality in Romans 6: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (vv. 1-4).

As we continue to grow in our understanding and application of grace, it pulls us toward a life of greater intimacy and devotion to our Lord, not away. Remembering all Jesus went through for me—the mocking, the beatings, the humiliation, and the separation from his Father, because of love—I’m undone. I bow down in adoration. No one else has ever loved me like that. No one else has ever wanted a relationship with me so much that they’d lay down their life for it. Recalling these facts demands I live a whole new life, empowered by the Holy Spirit. It means I am free to melt into his forgiveness and bottomless love.

Laying hold of his grace calls me to believe his word and not my feelings. It speaks boldly into sin cycles, exposing them for what they are: destructive bondages that actually prevent me from living in the blessed freedom secured on the cross by my dear Jesus. .

You may not know this, but Christianity isn’t meant to make you into an efficient, moral woman. Are we meant to change as Christ stuns us with His forgiveness? Absolutely. But the transformation that comes, impacting who we are as women, does so naturally, as an afterthought of God’s love for us, surprising us as it shows up.

                                                                                                        —Jan Meyers

Are you stunned by Christ’s forgiveness? Shocked by his unconditional love that flows no matter our behavior?

I hope so. We should never lose our wonder and sheer astonishment over the grace and kindness of God, demonstrated clearly by Christ’s death for us. One of our greatest deterrents against the onslaught of besetting sins is to plunge deeply into the life and ministry of Jesus. How long has it been since you slowly, prayerfully read one of the gospels?

I just finished Matthew’s account of the Lord’s short earthly ministry. I was moved by Jesus’ compassion as he graciously stopped to heal a blind beggar. I paused and put myself in the desperate man’s place. Physically I am able to see clearly, but I asked the Lord, “Where am I blind to your perpetual presence in my life?” And do you know what he showed me? I am blinded when the whirl of daily activities and demands causes me to worry instead of pray. I am blinded by my incessant selfishness from seeing and responding to the countless needs of others in my life. I quietly asked God to heal me of my blindness, too.

At the end of Matthew’s gospel, I stopped again at the empty tomb. Mary Magdalene was there at dawn, her love so great, she just had to be with Jesus. She fully expected to find him still dead. But what did she find? A glowing angel, frightened guards, and an empty tomb. The guards were not the only ones afraid; Mary was terrified, too. But the angel did not tell the soldiers to quit their shaking; only to Mary did he say, “Don’t be afraid.” Why? Jesus was no longer in the tomb,  but alive, a victor over death, sin, and fear. As I reread the account, I needed to hear those words myself. I struggle with fears—fear of what people will think of me and fear of failure in ministry activities, to name just a few. So I personally received the “Fear not!” for me, as well. I am now comforted and more aware of the surprising nature of God’s love.

Choose a gospel today and begin a thoughtful, application-rich read.

Spirit of the Living God 

Flow into your beloved child

Heal in me everything that harms you

Strengthen everything that is weak

And lift my heart to reflect your glory. Amen  

                                                                                                         —Celtic prayer

In quiet humility, pray the Celtic prayer again. Pause at the completion of each phrase. What does the Spirit of the Living God bring to mind as you recall how beloved you are, especially when you consider activities that harm God or places of personal weakness?

Flow into your beloved child. At first, I resist the notion of being beloved. My museum of memories kicks in and is flooded with all the reasons I should not be beloved: past failures and present self-centeredness; the countless times my sins have broken the heart of God; my overarching tendency to look to myself to accomplish what only God can do. But like the sun peeking through the dark clouds, the gentle reminder from the Spirit of the Living God comes: “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy” (Titus 3:4-5). I am comforted by mercy and lean again into being the beloved.

Heal in me everything that harms you. Ok, so what comes to mind when you ponder the ways you harm God. For me, getting busy with the daily stuff of life instead of spending time just to be with the one who loved me enough to hang for me. I harm him when I choose to live in unforgiveness, bitterness, and resentment when he has so lavishly forgiven me of things I dare not even speak about. King David captured the thought in Psalm 51:4: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.” He was grieved over his harm of God. I am, too.

Strengthen everything that is weak. Acknowledging weakness attracts the presence of God, fine-tunes our dependency, and advances our prayer life like nothing else. Isaiah 40:29 says, “He gives strength to the weary and increases power to the weak.” In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul quotes the Lord’s promise, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,” and Paul goes on to conclude, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

And lift my heart to reflect your glory. Can you believe we’d have such an honor? Paul puts it this way in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” May his glory be replicated in us.

Praying together for the National Leadership Conference

February 22-26, 2010

“Seek the Lord, all you humble in the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility…” 

                                                            -Zephaniah 2:3

The National Leadership Conference is just around the corner. We are again calling for 3 weeks of steadfast prayer prior to the event in Orlando. We think it is thrilling to imagine all of us crying out for mercy, standing together against a very real enemy, and praying in faith so we can see God’s kingdom advanced. We will all begin on Monday February 1^st. Print out this page and use it daily.  We look forward to being with you.   -The National Team

Week 1 (February 1-7): Crying Out for Mercy 

Monday: Does Psalm 130:1-2 express the desires of your heart?

Tuesday: Luke 18:9-14 records beautifully a cry for mercy. Make personal applications.

Wednesday: Read Luke 15:11-32. Consider if there are ways you have wandered from the Lord.

Thursday: Jesus extended mercy to the widow at Nain in Luke 7:11-17. Read the passage and consider where you need his merciful touch today.

Friday: Paul tells a bit of his testimony in I Timothy 1:12-14. Can you relate to his words?

Saturday: The desperate cry for mercy. Read Matthew 20:29-34.

Sunday: Pray Psalm 31:1-3. Ask God to guide our time together.

Week 2: (February 8-14) Standing Firm for Victory 

Monday: Read Exodus 15:1-18. Tell the Lord where you need fresh victory in your life.

Tuesday: Psalm 60:11-12 promises victory. Pray this out loud for our time in Orlando.

Wednesday: What does I Corinthians 15:57-58 promise? Claim this for your life.

Thursday: I John 3:8 gives us great hope as we stand firm for victory. Why? Thank him.

Friday: Read 2 Thessalonians 3:3. Where do you need strengthening and protection?

Saturday: Claim Psalm 18:30-40 for our gathering at the end of the month.

Sunday: Pray 1 Peter 5:6-11 for your team mates.

Week 3: (Feb. 15-21) Launching Forward for Expansion

Monday: Read Isaiah 43:15-19 and ask God to do this in your ministry.

Tuesday: Consider the familiar Matthew 28:18-20 passage. Pray that the gospel goes to every campus, community, faculty, and culture.

Wednesday: Acts 8:4 tells us that the scattered church “preached the gospel wherever they went.” Pray that our evangelistic edge would be sharp.

Thursday: The last words in Acts 28:31 need to be our marching orders. Pray them boldly for each one coming.

Friday: Pray Romans 1:14-17 would be true of our lives and ministries as we expand.

Saturday: Praise God for what heaven will look like according to Revelation 5:11-14.

Sunday: Oh, how we need unity as we believe God to

launch movements everywhere. Pray Ephesians 4:1-6.

Lord God, hear us as we pray. Meet us as we cry for mercy, grace, and faith. We humble ourselves under your mighty hand. Our lives are yours, our future, our friends, and family. We acknowledge that apart from you we can do nothing. We exalt, honor, and love you. Amen.

Every one of us is, even from his mother’s womb, a master craftsman of idols.

                                                                                                 —John Calvin

When we seek satisfaction, significance, or security in anything other than Jesus Christ, we are crafting idols in our hearts.

Idol worship is as old as mankind. One does not need to study culture for very long to see how people have dethroned the one true God and placed all manner of “things” to rule as lord of their lives. The prophet Ezekiel nails it in the Old Testament book that bears his name: “…this message came to me from the Lord: ‘Son of man, these leaders have set up idols in their hearts. They have embraced things that lead them into sin’” (Ezekiel 14:3 NLV).

Ok, that gets my attention as I head into a new decade! Where have I set up idols in my heart that lead me into sin? My idols, like yours, I’d guess, are not ones constructed of wood or stone. No, for me the idols are my performance, my looks, my success, or my reputation in the eyes of others. I have sincerely taken a long look into my heart and have not been altogether excited about what I see there. I’ve been praying about this, and God has highlighted the main idol he wants to tear down now: the idol of approval.

This is what I wrote in my journal just days ago: “I come confessing the idol—and it’s a deep one in my life—approval. I have an inordinate need to be liked and approved of by others. I see myself through their eyes and allow them too much power to define me. God, rout out this vile idol that sets itself up against you and your holy word. You have given me a new, godly identity. Help me to see myself through your eyes. I choose to meditate all year on my new identity in Christ. Help me, Holy Spirit, when I get off-track. Amen.”

Where are your idols that are leading you into sin? Ask God to highlight where you’re seeking meaning apart from Christ. Mostly, these are good things: family, money, health, love, or a good reputation. But we are idol-builders in our hearts, and the enemy of our souls would want us to dethrone our great God and put a fake—any fake, even a basicly good one—in the center of our lives. Take a moment and pray or journal around this question. Let’s begin this new decade with a cleansed spirit before our loving Father. Let’s commit to loving him and him alone so that all our meaning and purpose may be derived from who he is and all he has done for us.

A Morning with Our Lord

O Lord, I have heard a good word inviting me to look away to Thee and be satisfied. My heart longs to respond, but sin has clouded my vision till I see Thee but dimly. Be pleased to cleanse me in Thine own precious blood, and make me inwardly pure, so that I may with unveiled eyes gaze upon Thee all the days of my earthy pilgrimage—A.W. Tozer

Such is the cry of our hearts to know God intimately through prayer. We long for satisfaction found only in him. We seek a clarified focus to behold him in all his glory. Enjoy a morning doing just that, my friend.

Psalm 9 (NLV)

Early Morning Renewal

Scripture:  ¹ I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart;
      I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.
 ² I will be filled with joy because of you.
      I will sing praises to your name, O Most High.

Ponder:  Ask yourself:  Have I thanked the Father for his abundant goodness to me? What steals joy from my life? Is praise a part of my response when things go badly?

Prayer:  “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act” (Psalm 37:7). Tell the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit how much you love them. Reflect where you’d be had they not rescued you? Is there any sin that is clogging your ability to really enter into worship this morning? Confess. Let praise flow freely to the Lord.

Mid Morning Refreshment

Scripture:  ³ My enemies retreated;
      they staggered and died when you appeared.
 ⁴ For you have judged in my favor;
      from your throne you have judged with fairness.
 ⁵ You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked;
      you have erased their names forever.
 ⁶ The enemy is finished, in endless ruins;
      the cities you uprooted are now forgotten.

Ponder:  Offer praise for the power and justice of God. Have you recently meditated on the cross and the grand victory Jesus’ death and resurrection attained for you? Are you putting on the full armor of God to make a stand against the wiles of the devil?

Prayer:  With great joy, affirm the fact that “the enemy is finished.” Consider any lies you may believe, and confess them. Praise him:  “But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the one who lifts my head” (Psalm 3:3).

Late Morning Replenishment

Scripture:  ⁷ But the Lord reigns forever,
      executing judgment from his throne.
 ⁸ He will judge the world with justice
      and rule the nations with fairness.
 ⁹ The Lord is a shelter for the oppressed,
      a refuge in times of trouble.
 ¹⁰ Those who know your name trust in you,
      for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.

 ¹¹ Sing praises to the Lord who reigns in Jerusalem.
      Tell the world about his unforgettable deeds.
 ¹² For he who avenges murder cares for the helpless.
      He does not ignore the cries of those who suffer.

 ¹³ Lord, have mercy on me.
      See how my enemies torment me.
      Snatch me back from the jaws of death.
 ¹⁴ Save me so I can praise you publicly at Jerusalem’s gates,
      so I can rejoice that you have rescued me.

Ponder:  Are you in trouble today? Picture God as your refuge, and run to him. Write down all the names of God you can think of.

Prayer:  Sing a song of praise to God. Affirm your need for God’s mercy. Tell him where you need it administered right now. Thank him for the unforgettable ways he’s lavished love and grace on you. Be silent before him. He is holy, holy, holy. “Worship the Lord in all his holy splendor” (Psalm 96:9).

A Final Response

Scripture:  ¹⁵ The nations have fallen into the pit they dug for others.
      Their own feet have been caught in the trap they set.
 ¹⁶ The Lord is known for his justice.
      The wicked are trapped by their own deeds.
                         Quiet Interlude

 ¹⁷ The wicked will go down to the grave.
      This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.
 ¹⁸ But the needy will not be ignored forever;
      the hopes of the poor will not always be crushed.

 ¹⁹ Arise, O Lord!
      Do not let mere mortals defy you!
      Judge the nations!
 ²⁰ Make them tremble in fear, O Lord.
      Let the nations know they are merely human.
                         Interlude

Ponder:  Ask yourself:  Am I aware that a final judgment will really happen? Am I praying earnestly and consistently for friends, family members, and even strangers I pass on the street for their salvation?

Prayer:  Pray for the poor. Pray for Haiti. So much of our world lives in poverty. Pray sweeping prayers for the nations. Pray for the place in the world that God has put on your heart:  India? Yemen? Ghana? Slip to your knees or fall prostrate before your King. Thank him for the privilege of actually speaking to him about everything. Thank him that your prayers reach his ears—that he is a God who bends to hear our faintest cry.