1 Thessalonians 5:12-23 (NASB)
But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit; do not despise prophetic utterances. But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

If we as Christians are sanctified by the Holy Spirit, why wouldn’t the church, who is the body of Christ, also become visibly sanctified? Shouldn’t a church look and act differently today than it did last year, or the years before? When Jesus exposes our sin to us and as we repent and turn away from that sin, we are sanctified, becoming more like Jesus. The body of believers as a whole, it seems, might look more like Jesus over time too.

Certainly there are things about the church that shouldn’t change. The church must be true to scripture and the doctrines taught in scripture. The church should only be interested in bringing glory to God in whatever it does.

Jesus criticized those in Jewish religious power because they had made the business of church more important than God. The New Testament says very little about church organization, except for some specific roles that God intends, like pastor, elder, and deacon. But the Bible is largely silent about the organization of the Christian church. The focus is on Jesus, the worship of our Lord and Savior, and sharing the Gospel.

That leads me to think that the church should reflect the sanctification of its body of believers. Regrettably, some churches today reflect the business world, with goals and objectives and specific organizational structures. Titles and job descriptions determine how ministries are led, rather than being led by the Spirit. Goals and objectives become centered around numbers; growth, budget, and ministries. Leadership falls back on organizing as a business and the Holy Spirit becomes silent.

How refreshing it is to see churches that follow that leading and change as the Spirit directs; who don’t resist change because it goes against an organizational structure developed by man. How refreshing it is when church leadership is only interested in following the Spirit where it leads.

Heavenly Father, I pray for Your church. I pray that as we are sanctified by Your Holy Spirit, we would be brought together with other believers to reflect that in Your church. I pray that the outside world would marvel, not because of anything we do, but because of what You are doing to bring the Gospel to the world. I pray that the visible church would become an ever increasing sweet aroma to the world. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Affliction may be lasting, but it is not everlasting.
Thomas J. Watson

Romans 4:19-24 (NASB)
Without becoming weak in faith he contemplated his own body, now as good as dead since he was about a hundred years old, and the deadness of Sarah’s womb; yet, with respect to the promise of God, he did not waver in unbelief but grew strong in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what God had promised, He was able also to perform. Therefore it was also credited to him as righteousness. Now not for his sake only was it written that it was credited to him, but for our sake also, to whom it will be credited, as those who believe in Him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead,

Some never taste the bitterness of affliction, but most do. It can be devastating depending on the circumstances. For those that are in Christ, we have the promise of glory. What a comfort, knowing that only for a short time do we need to endure that affliction, for glory awaits us. Glory that is so wonderful, we can’t even imagine the depth, the breadth, nor the full beauty of it. We have the promise and that is more than enough.

The Puritans understood that there is a huge difference between this world and eternity; it can’t be compared. Paul used the life of Abraham to show how our faith can carry us through. He also pointed out that it wasn’t just the credit of righteousness that was given to Abraham, but it has also been done for our sake as well.

Heavenly Father, when I am weak, I know You are strong. I pray that You would increase my faith each day. I know it is only possible through the sacrifice of Jesus. It was the affliction that He endured and defeated that promises the glory that awaits each of us that are in Him. Amen.

Praying for Frankie.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 (NASB)
That which has been is that which will be,
And that which has been done is that which will be done.
So there is nothing new under the sun.
Is there anything of which one might say,
“See this, it is new”?
Already it has existed for ages
Which were before us.
There is no remembrance of earlier things;
And also of the later things which will occur,
There will be for them no remembrance
Among those who will come later still.

Proverbs 10:14
Wise men store up knowledge,
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

Proverbs 12:15
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

Recent events have emphasized the importance of the counsel of God. As Solomon notes, there really isn’t anything new under the sun. Yet we forget the lessons learned by others and especially the lessons that are provided in scripture. I marvel at the disinterest in applying the word of God to situations that we face. Many don’t look at the wise counsel and instead attempt to make decisions based upon what seems right from their perspective.

We are a society of laws, but we also know that laws alone cannot save us. Only the Gospel of Jesus Christ has the ability to change us into a person that cares as much about the next person as we do ourselves.

As I listened to news reports today, those closest to the tragedy have said they are tired of hearing that they are being prayed for – they want action. If only everyone were on their knees in prayer. If only we were looking for guidance above. If only we were looking at scripture for the counsel of God. Then a solution honoring to God would present itself.

Heavenly Father, keep me on my knees in prayer for those impacted by recent events. I pray that Christians everywhere would be deep into the Word of God. I pray that we would only accept the counsel of God. Amen

Always praying for the glory of God,

Philippians 3:10 (NASB)
that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death;

Romans 8:16-18 (NASB)
The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

When we think of suffering, there is the type that is utterly cruel and without any meaning. But we also know that there is suffering that occurs in this world that is redemptive. Jesus died on the cross – to redeem the world. As Christians we are also called to suffer. But not for sufferings sake. Suffering that is cruel and meaningless needs to be avoided and fought against. However, we are brought into partnership with Jesus to suffer so that our example will draw others to Him.

I’m not sure I completely understand this concept. It’s probably because if I was given a choice, I would rather not suffer. However, the words of Paul say that I will and you will, if we are His children. Shouldn’t we be honored, if we are called to suffer and that God will be glorified in it? My initial reaction is fear; fear of what is right around the corner.

Prayer, it seems to me can prepare us properly for it. Prayer that asks the Holy Spirit to show us the joy that comes when we know that any present circumstances aren’t worthy to be compared to what is to come.

Heavenly Father, when I look at the cross I see suffering, but I also see love. Love of the Father and love of the Son for Your children. It is the ultimate suffering of Jesus that brings to us our salvation. As I live my life, no matter the circumstances, may You be glorified in all I do and say. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

“I am not in the business of promoting myself; I am in the business of surrendering to the Holy Spirit.” A. W. Tozer

Isaiah 66:2
“For My hand made all these things,
Thus all these things came into being,” declares the Lord.
“But to this one I will look,
To him who is humble and contrite of spirit, and who trembles at My word.”

Prayers of praise to the true and living God redirects my focus from me towards Him. It takes the pride that so easily surfaces to the top of my consciencesness and puts it in its proper place.

But I fail each day to surrender completely. And yet, in my weakness and self-righteous spirit, He comes to me and tells me that He loves me. How is that possible? It can only be expressed by one word – Jesus!

Heavenly Father, I surrender. I pray for a humble spirit. Thank You for the Holy Scriptures. Forgive my daily failures as I release myself to the Holy Spirit that sanctifies me. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

“Sin cannot be the little thing that my pride has helped me to imagine it to be. It must be an awful thing if but one sin could ruin my soul for ever.”
Charles Spurgeon

Romans 8:3-4 (NASB)
For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh, so that the requirement of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

The adjective we are tempted to use to describe our sin is often at the wrong end of the spectrum. We describe our sin as small, little, or insignificant; hoping that in comparison with other sins we think we haven’t committed, that God won’t notice. Unfortunately, as Spurgeon notes, any sin, no matter how we might chose to describe it, is enough to bring us down. In actual fact, there is no adjective that can accurately describe sin. It is simply sin.

When we humble ourselves before the one true God; when we recognize the pride that keeps us separated from Him; only then can we begin to understand the amazing grace that has been given to use through Jesus. It is at that point that confession becomes the only alternative. We can no longer dismiss the importance of our offenses. Our only option is to cling to Him for mercy.

Heavenly Father, have mercy on me. Strip from me the pride that reduces my sin to something insignificant. Bring it fully before me, that I can see it as it truly is. I pray that my confession is honest and heartfelt. Praises to You for Jesus, the only path to salvation. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Acts 3:19 (NASB)
Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;

Exodus 23:12 (NASB)
“Six days you are to do your work, but on the seventh day you shall cease from labor so that your ox and your donkey may rest, and the son of your female slave, as well as your stranger, may refresh themselves.

The spiritual disciplines of silence and solitude are often neglected in today’s world. I wonder if most Christians think “busyness is next to godliness”. God does want our attention on working for the kingdom, but He created us to need times of refreshing. The Sabbath, the seventh day of the week was set aside as a day of worship and rest, “in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord”.

This day of reflection gives us the opportunity to rest in Him. It prepares us for the battle ahead. Without it, we are not prepared for His work.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the day of rest, a day of worship and reflection focused only on You. I pray that I would use that day wisely. I pray that your Holy Spirit would calm my heart, bring me to a point of silence and solitude that allows me to be refreshed by Your presence. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Psalm 123 (NASB)
To You I lift up my eyes,
O You who are enthroned in the heavens!
Behold, as the eyes of servants look to the hand of their master,
As the eyes of a maid to the hand of her mistress,
So our eyes look to the Lord our God,
Until He is gracious to us.
Be gracious to us, O Lord, be gracious to us,
For we are greatly filled with contempt.
Our soul is greatly filled
With the scoffing of those who are at ease,
And with the contempt of the proud.

We pray for God’s grace. It is abundant; it flows freely to us because of His love for us. But do we pay it forward?

I know it is so easy for me to forget that I should give grace for the grace that has been given to me. The grace that has been showered on me should generate grace for others, but sometimes it doesn’t. And it’s not just the people that I really know, but those that I see in the media. People that I only know by their public persona. God’s common grace falls on all creation. And His special grace flows without end on His kingdom. How can I not give grace to all too?

Heavenly Father, Your grace astounds me. But I forget. My pride, my contempt gets in my way. I pray for a grace from you that would overflow to others in a way that would be a living example of Your Gospel. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

1 Peter 1:3-5 (NASB)
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Romans 8:24-25 (NASB)
For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, with perseverance we wait eagerly for it.

Gospel hope is an amazing gift from God. It is the assurance of something that we have not yet seen, but know it to be true. Gospel hope transforms us from a person without anything to one that knows with certainty that we have been given everything from the Living God. Gospel hope springs from our faith in Jesus; faith that is itself a gift from God. This faith gift is a reflection of the great love that God has for us.

That is why Paul said in 1Corinthians 13:13 (NASB)
“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”

Father, praises to You for Your inexpressible Love. I pray that You would increase my faith each day. I thank You for the gift of Gospel hope. May You be glorified by the hope I have in Jesus. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,

Matthew 18:20 (NASB)
For where two or three have gathered together in My name, I am there in their midst.”

“Everybody knows that really intimate conversation is only possible between two or three. As soon as there are six or seven, collective language begins to dominate. That is why it is a complete misinterpretation to apply to the Church the words “of Matthew 18:20”. Christ did not say two hundred, or fifty, or ten. He said two or three.”
Simone Weil, “Waiting for God”

As I read the words of Simone Weil this morning, she brought forth the importance of intimate worship in His name. Matthew 18:20 are the words of Jesus, who understood that before we can gather in larger groups, such as Bible studies, or even together with many others in church, we should begin with intimate conversations with Him.

Do we often get the “cart before the horse”, as my mother used to say? Many people think of the larger gathering of the church as the foundation of worship. But Jesus said we need to gather in His name with one or two others and He will be there with us. Only then can we be prepared to gather with many others to worship on Sunday. Otherwise, we will be tempted to be lost in the larger group, just daydreaming, or even worse expecting to be entertained, and not fully engaged in worship.

There are many types of prayer that God gave to us, but I suspect that this type is probably the most neglected.

Heavenly Father, help me to engage in the worship that Jesus described in Matthew 18:20. I pray that it would be the foundation of my worship on Sunday. Amen.

Always praying for the glory of God,