Praying Alone

PRAYING ALONE

“And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him.” - Luke 9:18

Over the past few weeks, I've written how Jesus often had times of private prayer. He had those special moments when He would pray alone. As we learn to pray like Jesus, this is a fundamental truth that we need to apply to our lives.

It is great when you can pray with your spouse. It is sweet to have family devotions and pray with the whole family. It is wonderful to pray with other believers in a small group or at church. Yet there is no substitute for praying alone. In fact, most of our praying should be done isolated from others.

I think that most prayer warriors would testify that living a life of prayer can be a lonely experience. Many want to celebrate victories with us, but few want to join us in the trenches as we pray. Most want to enjoy the product of prayer, but few wish to join us in the process of prayer.

Look at our text again: “And it came to pass, as he was alone praying, his disciples were with him.” The Bible says that Jesus was praying alone … but His disciples were with Him. How could He be praying alone if His disciples were with Him? Let me give you a few things to consider as you ponder that question.

First of all, the text seems to indicate that He was the only One praying. Although His disciples were with Him, Jesus prayed alone. Several years ago, a co-worker and I stopped in a fast-food restaurant for lunch. He was not a believer. Yet I told him I was going to pray over my food. I bowed my head and verbally gave thanks for my food. It turned out that my co-worker never bowed his head, but simply just kept on eating as I prayed. We were together, but I prayed alone. Yet how many of us have done the same thing? Someone has led prayer at a meeting, but our minds were elsewhere. Sad, isn't it?

Next, the disciples did not share in His burden to pray. If you have a great burden, it is good to ask others to pray along with you, but if they don't have the same burden, they may promise to pray but never join you at the throne room.

Also, it is possible to feel alone even though others are with you. There have been times I have felt alone even though I was in a crowd. Jesus was focused on the Father. Apparently, the disciples were not.

Jesus prayed alone. If asked, most pastors would admit that the ministry can be lonely at times. Some only call the pastor when they have a problem or complaint. In spite of the crowds that constantly followed Jesus, He knew that many only sought a free meal or hoped to see a miracle. The things that were on His heart were not on theirs. Yet at times He sought to get away from the crowds for solitude and prayer. He often prayed alone.

It seems as though the critical days of our Lord's ministry were preceded by these private sessions of prayer. Personally speaking, my greatest mistakes could have been avoided if I had prayed beforehand. Private prayers often precede public triumphs.

Perhaps no one knows about the long hours you spend in prayer. Alone on your knees, you talk with the Father. Yet there is One who knows. He's there with you. He hears your prayers. He is aware. You are never really alone when you pray.

Right now, Jesus is making intercession. He is praying for me. His presence is with me all the time. Yet I must sadly confess that there are times when my mind is elsewhere. Just like His experience with the disciples, Jesus prays and I don't. I know that Jesus is not lonely, but at times I give Him every reason to feel that way. I'm glad He doesn't neglect me like I sometimes neglect Him. I could talk with Him more often during my day, what about you?

It seems to me that if there's ever been a man who didn't need to pray, it would have been Jesus. Yet He felt the need to pray, and often prayed alone.

So should we.

Mountain-Top Praying

 MOUNTAIN-TOP PRAYING

“And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” - Luke 9:28-29

As you look back at your Christian life, can you pinpoint three or four events that you'd consider outstanding? Such moments were life-changing. They were breakthrough moments. More than likely, you consider these days as pinnacle events. They are the highlights of your Christian walk.

Often, we use the word, “mountain,” to metaphorically describe such days. We have those “mountain-top” experiences that are unforgettable. In contrast, the low points of life are often referred to as “valleys.” We've had many of them as well.

For the disciples, one of the “mountain-top” experiences came literally on a mountain. Yet only Peter, James and John were permitted to go there with Jesus. Sadly, many believers don't experience certain blessings in life. Only those closest to Jesus are allowed to enjoy some of these experiences.

Notice what our text states: “And it came to pass about an eight days after these sayings, he took Peter and John and James, and went up into a mountain to pray. And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” The Bible says that Jesus went up in the mountain to pray. Most of us would think we should go up in a mountain to sing or reflect. But Jesus went there to pray. Perhaps we'd have more “mountain-top” experiences if we would be determined to pray. Prayer was the reason for this journey, yet something else was going to occur.

The Bible says, “And as he prayed, the fashion of his countenance was altered, and his raiment was white and glistering.” Jesus was transfigured before them “as he prayed.” When Moses met with God, the Bible says that his countenance shined. It makes a difference when a person meets with the Father. Notice that the raiment of Jesus was “white and glistering.” His garment was shining. It was bright. The disciples caught a glimpse of the glory of God.

A time of prayer turned into a time of glory. A place of prayer became a sight of splendor. Moses and Elijah would join Jesus for this momentous occasion. There had never been event like this one. It all began as Jesus prayed.

Let me make a confession. My prayers have not produced the kind of results His prayer did that day. Yes, God has heard and answered my prayers in the past, but my place of prayer has never become a place where Deity would meet with Old Testament men of faith. Although I've felt my burdens get lighter in answer to prayer, I can't say that the place was illuminated with the glory of God.

Of course, this was probably the only time in history such an event took place on earth. Before it was over, Peter, James & John were on their faces before the Lord. They were overwhelmed at the things they had witnessed.

Moses and Elijah, representing the law and the prophets, made a return visit to earth for just a few moments and communed with the Lord. They discussed our Lord's suffering, which would occur soon at another hill, called Calvary. The Old Testament saints were saved by faith. They believed in the Lord. They personally trusted the Lord. As one preacher once said, “They went to heaven on a promissory note.” The blood of Christ was required for the Old Testament believers. The blood that Jesus shed on the cross was sufficient for the Old Testament saints. It was sufficient for those living in the New Testament. It is sufficient for us today. By the way, if the Old Testament saints only went to heaven through the blood, what makes men think today they can go to heaven another way?

I am thankful for the times of prayer that have turned into mountain-top experiences for myself. I am glad that I can come into the throne room when I pray. There I talk with the One who sits on the throne. It is a sacred event.

No, I've never had the kind of experience Jesus had there on the mountain. Yet one day I will. One day, I will see the glorified Son of God. Moses and Elijah will be there. It was a glorious day, made possible through the blood Jesus shed for Moses, Elijah, the Old Testament saints … and me.

Like Peter, James and John, I will fall on my face before the One who sits on the throne and give Him praise.

Until then, I will go to a place of prayer and commune with Him by faith. Sometimes these meetings turn into a little bit of heaven here on earth. They are just a foretaste of what's to come.

Heaven will be a spiritual Mount Zion. When I get there, it will be the greatest mountain-top experience of all!

Giving Thanks

 GIVING THANKS

“And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” - John 6:11

When I was growing up, my father always gave thanks before each meal. It was more than a tradition. It was an expression of faith and gratitude. My father worked hard for a living. He worked long hours at a low-paying job. In spite of his meager pay, God blessed our little family. There was not a day in which we went without food. God was good to us.

As an adult, I still give thanks before each meal. I strongly believe it is important to show appreciation for the meal placed before me. Although I have a job and work to provide a meal, I know that God is the One who provided me the job, the ability to do the job and  the food that is purchased for each meal. God is good. He deserves to be bragged on at each meal.

Even when I eat at a restaurant, I still give thanks. I don't pray over my food to get the attention of others. Instead, this brief time of prayer is a moment of thanks rendered to the Lord for the meal I will soon eat. Location doesn't matter. I believe in giving thanks before a meal.

Our Lord was the same way. Before feeding a large crowd, our text says, “And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down; and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.” Jesus gave thanks over the food before it was served. Keep in mind, the food He was praying over seemed inadequate for the situation. There didn't seem to be enough food to feed the huge crowd. Yet a meager serving can become an over-abundance of food --- especially in the hands of the Master.

In front of the massive crowd, Jesus still gave thanks. He gave verbal thanks for the food set before them. Before it was over, the “meager” amount of food fed everyone … and there was food left over.

Whether we have a meager meal or an abundance of food available, we should follow our Lord's example and give thanks prior to every meal.

As we look closer at our text, we find that Jesus took the loaves and then gave thanks. He took the loaves in His hands. Loaves in my hands will only feed me. Loaves in the hands of Jesus will feed thousands. Things turn out so much better when we place our needs, and leave them, in the hands of Jesus.

With the loaves in His hands, Jesus gave thanks. Here are some reasons we should give thanks for our food.

First of all, we should give thanks because the food we enjoy is a gift from God. Yes, you may have worked hard to earn the money that purchased the food, but consider the fact that your job is a gift from God. The good health that permitted you to work is a gift from Him. Others worked hard to provide groceries that you purchased at the store. If someone else prepared the meal, that is another reason to give thanks.

Jesus taught us to pray, “... give us this day our daily bread.” Our meals are gifts from the Lord. Let us recognize His provision and give Him thanks.

Secondly, we should give thanks as we remember that many do not have food to eat. A sever famine would drastically change our attitude about our daily meals. A hungry man is very grateful when he gets a good, warm meal. Many people will go to bed hungry tonight. You are not one of them. Give thanks for the food you receive.

Next, we should give thanks because our food is enjoyable to us. For some of us, food is more than a necessity. We thoroughly enjoy the taste of food. Personally, I enjoy homemade biscuits and gravy (AMEN?!). Admittedly, it may not be the most healthy meal, but it tastes great. Every year, my family prepares me homemade lasagna for my birthday. Wow! I enjoy food like this!

Also, it is good to give thanks for the blessing of eating with others. Yes, we should give thanks when we're eating alone, but there is an added blessing when we eat with family or enjoy a potluck meal at church. Good conversation makes a meal more enjoyable.

Let me give you a final thought. Matthew 8:11 says, “I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven.” Notice that there will be a feast in heaven! Can you imagine how tasty the food will be? Also, we won't have to worry calories or cholesterol. We will feast with the giants of the faith. Most of all, the Lord will be there.

I have no doubt that I will thank Him for that meal!

All Night In Prayer

 ALL NIGHT IN PRAYER

“And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.” - Luke 6:12

What has happened to prayer meetings? It used to be that churches would dedicate Wednesday nights for such an event. For some churches, the prayer meeting evolved in a Bible study class with a little bit of prayer sprinkled in the service.

At the turn of the twentieth century, R. A. Torrey led his church in a special prayer meeting on Saturday nights. These prayer meetings were developed so that God's people would seek the Lord for revival. The service typically lasted for hours and would go deep into the night. All-night prayer meetings were not uncommon.

We don't hear much about all-night prayer meetings today. In fact, most church members avoid a short prayer meeting. You can't count on many people to pray all night.

Yet our Lord prayed all night. In our text, the Lord went up into a mountain to pray. The Bible says that he, “continued all night in prayer to God.” From this text, I want us to consider certain things about this all-night prayer meeting.

First of all, the Lord chose a place to pray. In this instance, it was a mountain. Mountains (and hills) were significant in our Lord's ministry. He was tempted in the mountain by the devil. He was transfigured on a mountain. Ultimately, He would die on mount Calvary. In this case, a mountain was chosen as a place for an all-time prayer meeting.

Secondly, our Lord went there alone. The Bible indicates that Jesus did not take anyone with Him. While it is good to pray with others, there needs to be a time when we get alone with the Father ourselves and pray.

Also, we don't know what He prayed about. The Bible does not inform us about the content of His prayer. Some things are private and should remain that way. When we pray alone to God, much of our words are reserved for an audience of One.

Next, we don't find that He did this all the time. While He did get away for an all-night prayer session with the Father, we don't find that He did this very often. Perhaps there was something special that led Him to have this intimate time of prayer. There may come a time when we are called to extended periods of prayer.

Finally, I've learned that His private prayers were often long and His public prayers were normally short. Today, we tend to reverse this. Our prayers at church tend to be long while our private prayers are short. Our Lord models this the best. While there is nothing wrong with public prayers, most of our prayers in private should be detailed and personal.

Some speculate that Jesus prayed all night because He was about to choose His disciples. To be honest, we don't why Jesus felt the need to pray all night. Yet if Jesus felt the need for long, extended times of prayer, shouldn't we? We are utterly dependent upon God for the next breath, yet alone all the challenges of the day. I am not suggesting that we schedule all-night prayer meetings just for the sake of having them. However, I am stating that there are times we need to have protracted times of prayer.

Have you ever awakened during the night and felt the need to pray? Those special moments can be very rewarding. In the still of the night, we may meet with the Lord for a special time of fellowship and intercession.

Most nights, I try to get as much sleep as I can. Yet I am thankful that the Father never slumbers nor sleeps. Whether I pray all night long, or I wake up with a need to pray, He is there to hear me when I call on His Name.

Most of all, I am thankful that Jesus intercedes for me right now. Day or night, He is on the throne and speaks to the Father on my account. Intercession was not just a ministry of Jesus during his life, it is an ongoing ministry today. Whether anyone else prays for me or not, I am assured that His intercession is getting through to the Father and makes a difference.

Our sleepless nights should be powerful times of prayer.

The Best Way To Start The Day

THE BEST WAY TO START THE DAY

“And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” - Mark 1:35

Many years ago, a major coffee brand advertised their product with the little musical jingle, “The best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup.” Many can identify with the lyrics to that jingle. Drinking coffee first thing in the morning is a ritual that many practice. I must confess that I am not a coffee drinker. I sipped some coffee when I was younger and decided it wasn't for me.

Although I don't drink coffee, I do have a morning routine. I'm not saying that my daily ritual is any better than any other, it just works for me. You probably have a morning routine. For some, the morning routine is just a frantic effort to get out the door on time.

I believe that the best way to start your day is to begin with the Lord. Every morning, take a few minutes to read from your Bible and pray. You may not be able to spend an hour or two doing this, but you can creatively work this into your schedule.

In our text, Jesus started His day in prayer. He did so very early in the morning … long before daylight. His example has inspired many to get up just a little earlier each morning just for a time in prayer & the Word.

Let's learn about morning prayer from our Lord.

First of all, there was a specific time for prayer. The Bible says, “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day.” Although we don't know that this was a daily ritual for Jesus, on this occasion, He did get up before daylight.

I have to confess that I am not a morning person. Getting up in the morning is a challenge for me. Yet I have to admit that the morning hours are the best time for me to read, pray & meditate. I think Jesus got up early so He could have a private word with the Father before others got up. His days were often hectic. People were often coming to Him, seeking His help. If He intended to have a quiet time of prayer, He had to get alone before the crowd came. We need to do the same.

Once the hustle and bustle of daily takes shape, it is difficult to get away and have a private time of prayer. If you're like me, even the lunch break at work can easily be interrupted by others who need you to do something. A designated time before daylight is a great time to set aside to meet with the Lord.

Consider your morning time with the Lord to be an appointment that can't be broken. We tend to prioritize medical appointments, job interviews and social events. Yet our meeting with God is an appointment we need to prioritize above all others.

Secondly, there was a set place. Our text states, “... he went out, and departed into a solitary place.” He chose an isolated location for His place of prayer. For you it may be in the laundry room, bathroom or guest room. Maybe you even have a dedicated prayer closet. The key is to have a solitary place for prayer, free from distractions.

Finally, there was a set purpose. He didn't get away from the crowds so He could play video games or watch a movie. He got to a private place “...and there prayed.” It is easy to get distracted, but we can't afford to allow this to occur. We come to an isolated place in order to meet with the Lord. Anything less robs us of a precious blessing.

The best way to start your day is to meet with the Lord. There is simply no substitute for the sweet communion that comes when we begin the day with the Lord.

Each day is a blessing that I don't deserve. It is a gift from my loving Lord. Each morning, I need to thank Him for this gift and consecrate it for His service.

If you're like me, you have a busy schedule every day. As time passes, more and more demands are placed on our schedule. We can't try to squeeze the Lord into our schedule. He is not to be marginalized like that. He deserves the best of our day, every day. Furthermore, we need Him every day. We need His guidance, wisdom and mercy. We need His grace for the day ahead.

Start your day right by starting with the Lord. Spend time in prayer and reading your Bible.

That's the best way to start the day.

Down To The River To Pray

DOWN TO THE RIVER TO PRAY

“Now when all the people were baptized, it came to pass, that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened, And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.” - Luke 3:21-22

Allison Krauss is credited for the popularity of the song, “Down To The River To Pray.” The song is believed to have been originally published in 1867. The Allison Krauss rendition of this song was used in the film, “O Brother, Where Art Thou?” The tune is used during a river baptism scene in the movie. To be honest, I've never seen this movie, just bits and pieces of it. What I've seen keeps me from recommending it to anyone.

When we think of the song, “Down To The River To Pray,” we typically visualize a river baptism, don't we? Yet the song doesn't specifically mention baptism. But prayer and baptism should go together. The Gospel of Luke records, “... that Jesus also being baptized, and praying, the heaven was opened.” Jesus prayed at His baptism. It would be a memorable day for a number of reasons.

First all, it was a memorable day because the Son of God was baptized by John. What a tremendous honor! One of the highlights of my Christian life was the day I was baptized by my father. I was baptized in a creek on a Mother's Day. It was hot that day. In fact, I was nearly dried off by the heat before I got back in the car. It was a special day I won't forget. As a pastor, I've had the pleasure of baptizing converts. A few pastors can testify of celebrities that they have baptized, but I can't say that I've baptized any celebrities. To me, every person is special, whether they are well-known or not. Yet John had the distinct honor of baptizing the Savior of the world! Wow!

Secondly, it was a memorable day because the Holy Trinity made their presence known to the observers. The Son was baptized in Jordan, the Spirit came down like a dove and the Father spoke from heaven, affirming His Son. That was a special day!

Third, it was a great event because Jesus received verbal appreciation from His Father. It meant a lot to me when I received praise from my father. The Father was pleased with Jesus and let Him know it!

Fourth, it was a glorious day because John would give verbal testimony that Jesus is the Messiah. John had been sent as a forerunner for Jesus, preparing the way for the Lord. When Jesus came to the baptismal waters, it was John that proclaimed, “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sins of the world.” John had promised that the Messiah was coming. Now He was blessed to recognize and testify of the Lord's arrival. John's ministry had led to this pinnacle event of identifying the Son of God.

Next, it was memorable because Jesus was identifying with John's message. John had preached a strong message about sin. He had been proclaiming that the Messiah was coming. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. Obviously, Jesus did not need to repent, but He was aligning Himself with the core message of John.

Also, Jesus was bold enough to pray in front of others. Yes, others were watching. In fact, two of the men who witnessed His baptism would become His disciples.

Finally, it was a special event because Jesus' ministry seemed to kick into high gear after His baptism. The baptism of Jesus seemed to be the launching point of His preaching ministry. Soon thereafter, the ministry of Jesus seemed to explode with growth, while John's ministry diminished.

Yet at this special event, Jesus prayed. Again, we have no record about the content of His prayer. We suspect that it was a brief prayer, but there is little said about its duration. We just know that Jesus spoke to His Father and His Father responded.

Sometimes we have special moments in our lives that seem so glorious to us. It would be easy to be caught up in the moment and forget to pray. Jesus gives us an example that we need to apply personally. When the mountain peak events occur, never forget to thank God for them. Be engaged in prayer even when things are going great.

Have you ever noticed that a momentous occasion is typically followed by great adversity? That would be the case for Jesus, too. Right after His baptism, He faced the tempter in the mountain. We should remain in prayer during the peak moments of life, knowing that the enemy is ready to attack at any moment.

Every event in life should be bathed in prayer. Every location can be a special place of prayer. There is not a bad place or time to pray.

In fact, it's a good time to pray right now.

Learning From An Expert

LEARNING FROM AN EXPERT

“And it came to pass, that, as he was praying in a certain place, when he ceased, one of his disciples said unto him, Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” - Luke 11:1

I am not an expert on any subject. I am more of a dabbler. I dabble in this and I dabble in that. I know a little about several things, but I'm an expert at none of them. There is not a long line of people waiting at my door, asking for my advice. I will never be an old sage that grows a beard and sits on a hilltop as pilgrims come to learn from my vast knowledge and worldly wisdom.

There are experts in our world. These are individuals who've taken a subject and have become so proficient that millions admire them and seek to learn from them. John Maxwell, for instance, heard that if you studied a subject one hour a day for five consecutive years, you'd become an expert in that field. He applied himself to learn about leadership for five years. Today, he is considered a leadership guru. His books on the subject have sold millions.

Many athletes, actors and musicians fall into the category of experts. Yet it is important to learn the right subject from these experts. For instance, it wouldn't be wise to learn about basketball from Warren Buffet or finances from Michael Jordan. If you reversed the roles, you'd find them to be very proficient in their field of expertise.

When it comes to the subject of prayer, I find that a lot of Christians are dabblers, but few are experts. In fact, the best prayer warrior would probably admit that prayer continues to be a work in progress. We are all still learning about this subject. I heard of a preacher who was approached by someone wishing to conduct a seminar about prayer. The preacher was asked if he knew an expert on the subject who'd be willing to talk about it. The old preacher rubbed his chin and responded, “Well, there are people who pray and don't talk about it and those who talk about it but don't pray, so no, I can't recommend anyone.”

There's some truth in that, isn't there? The best prayer warriors would rather keep certain aspects of their prayer-life private. There are some things that are too personal and holy to talk about. On the other hand, there are many who are anxious to be interviewed about the subject. Yet if the details of their daily quiet time were exposed, we'd learn that their prayer-life is rather deficient.

Perhaps you know someone that seems to be a mighty prayer warrior. When you hear them pray, you feel like you are transported to the throne room of heaven. When I was growing up, we had a dear man in our community that seemed rather shy. His name was Virgil Lambert. He rarely spoke. God radically changed his life and he eventually became a deacon at our church. Even though he remained rather quiet and shy, he had great wisdom and was a bold witness for Christ. Often, he would be called upon to lead the congregation in prayer. That old man would weep and pray with great sincerity. Many times the peak moment of a church service was his prayer. He has since gone to glory. I still miss him. We need more men like him.

Yet when it comes to the subject of prayer, there is an expert we can learn from today. His Name is Jesus. His prayers inspired His disciples so much that they asked Him to teach them how to pray.

The disciples never asked Jesus to teach them to heal. They didn't request a seminar on how to cast out demons. Neither did they request a teaching session on preaching. Instead, they asked Him to teach about prayer.

Why did they request Jesus to teach them about prayer? First, they were a little jealous that John the Baptist taught his disciples and Jesus hadn't taught them yet. Secondly, Jesus had modeled prayer to them. They knew He spent time talking with His Father. The best teacher is the one who first of all models the subject to his students. That was certainly the case for our Lord.

Fortunately, we are blessed with a copy of the Scriptures. In the pages of the four Gospels, we learn about Jesus and prayer. We are taught about His example. He modeled prayer in a very practical way. Also, we learn from the lessons He taught. He taught His followers to pray.

Lord willing, in the coming weeks, I hope to write about the prayer-life of Jesus. Additionally, I hope we'll learn some things from the lessons He taught.

Most of all, I hope all of us will learn to pray like Jesus did.

Motives Matter

MOTIVES MATTER

“Doth Job fear God for nought?” - Job 1:9

The text for this message is a question posed by the devil. Our enemy is a liar. He is the accuser of the brethren. Job was the most righteous man of his time, yet the devil accused him of having flawed motives.

Here's the full accusation of the devil: “Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.” Basically, the devil was saying that the reason Job was serving God was to continue receiving the Lord's blessings. In other words, Job was using God to get what he wanted. According to the devil, Job's worship and service were not provided out of love or sincerity, but with an ulterior motive.

Of course, God knew Job's motives. Ultimately Job's motives were tested through great adversity and suffering.

What about us? Are we guilty of serving God for the wrong reason? Do we serve God simply to get a good medical report, a promotion at work or a financial windfall?

Also, do we use this line of thinking when we share the Gospel with others? While giving a Gospel invitation, it would be easy to stress only the positive aspects of Christianity. When we preach that salvation is a gift of God (and it is!), do we avoid mentioning the fact that Jesus expects us to carry a cross? Do we neglect talking about potential persecution or trials? While seeking to win souls, we can be like a salesman who wants to make a sale by only pointing out the positive qualities of his product, but refusing to tell about anything negative.

It is true that Christianity has many positive aspects. But do we really wish to portray Christianity as a get-out-of-hell-free card? Do we want to preach that salvation is solely a fire insurance policy that keeps people from hell?

When you ask a person if he wants to go to heaven, he'll probably say, "yes."  Yet our evangelism needs to go deeper than that. In fact, our own faith needs to be stronger than that. Most people want to go to heaven only because it is better than the alternative. If the truth is known, they want a heaven without God there.

If the devil accused us of having bad motives, would he be accurate? Do we use prayer just to get our own desires? Are we trying to use God to get what we want?

If we are brutally honest, we'd have to confess that, even at our best, a small degree of selfishness taints our motives. For some, selfishness is an egregious sin that strongly permeates all their attitudes and actions.

So why should we fear God? Why should should we love Him? Why should we serve the Lord?

First of all, we should fear God because He is God. I know that doesn't sound very profound … but it really is. We should fear and worship God because of who He is.

Secondly, we should love the Lord because we are commanded to. Jesus said that the greatest commandment of all is to love the Lord your God. The Bible says that we love Him because He first loved us.

Third, we should serve God because that is why were created. Our true purpose in life is to know and serve God. Revelation 4:11 teaches us that all things (including us) were created for His pleasure. We were created to serve the Lord.

Finally, we should get serious about the Lord because judgment is ahead for each of us. Our path will ultimately lead to the judgment seat. I get nervous when I receive medical test results. I tend to be anxious anytime I take a test. If I am ever questioned by someone of authority, I'm sure I will be rather apprehensive --- simply because of their authority. What about standing before God? We'll face our words, deeds and even our thoughts on that day. That's serious, isn't it?

Yes, God has blessed us. He continues to bless us. We should give continual thanks for each and every blessing. The blessings we've received give us extra reasons to love and serve Him, but we should never get distracted by them. God is not a means to an end. We don't serve Him only to be blessed or get something we want. We serve Him because of who He is and we thank Him for all He's done.

Satan's accusation against Job turned out to be false. If the devil made the same accusation against you, would he be telling the truth or uttering a lie?

Ice Fishing

 ICE FISHING

“I will make you fishers of men.” - Matthew 4:19

I don't like the winter weather. I'm not a fan of the cold days and frigid nights. I'd prefer to avoid the icy, snowy roads. I don't enjoy cleaning snow from the porch and cars. I don't get excited to hear of a massive snow storm coming my way. I yearn for spring time. I long for warmer days. I want to see the sunshine dominate the day.

In Genesis 8:22, the Bible says, “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Yes, winter is part of God's plan for us. While we may enjoy the warm weather, we are expected to live and thrive … even in the winter months.

At church, we are tempted to think that we are in survival mode during the winter months. We don't expect God to do great things when snow is falling. We don't think revival is possible when the temperature falls below 32-degrees. We schedule revivals for the other seasons, not winter. We plan special church events during the warmer months, not during these cold months.

For a serious fisherman, the weather is not a deterrent. In fact, in some of the northern states, fishermen will go fishing out on a frozen pond. They will put up down a chair or perhaps a tent, cut through the solid ice and put a fishing line into the water. It is called ice fishing. Yes, fish are caught in this environment.

Spiritually, we need to be ice fishing. Yes, these are cold months, but spiritually, we are living in a cold world. Most people are cold and indifferent to the Gospel. Some are even hostile to Christianity. We tend to get an icy reception from people with cold hearts. Yet we are still called to fish for men. We are called to do some ice fishing.

Personally, I'd rather wait till spring weather to fish, but there are many reasons to fish, even in these icy times.

First of all, we need to go ice fishing because the Lord has called us to fish. We are not told to only fish in the good times. We are to fish all the times. We should obey God regardless of the circumstances. Good weather or bad weather. During snow or sunshine. Yes, fish on the warm days. But also go ice fishing during the cold days. Regardless of the cold nature of our society, keep fishing. The Gospel is unpopular, but it is needed now more than ever.

Secondly, we need to go ice fishing because of the plight of the unsaved. Death does not wait for good weather. Many will perish during these cold months. I head the true story of a preacher who tried to win his father to Jesus. His father finally promised that he'd get saved and baptized when spring would come. Unfortunately, he died that winter. We can't wait for good weather. Souls need Jesus today. Don't wait for the Gospel to become popular or trendy, be faithful and fish the icy pond that God has placed you near.

Also, we need to go ice fishing because of the power of the Gospel. The Gospel is just as powerful in February as it is in July. The Gospel is just as powerful on a cold day as a warm day. Charles Spurgeon was converted on a cold, snowy day. The weather was so bad that the pastor did not come. A deacon stood and brought a message & Spurgeon was converted. Spurgeon would go on to become a great pastor in London. Perhaps someone reading this message can testify that you were converted in the middle of winter. God's grace is just as available in the winter as it is in the spring. God still saves souls. He is not a fair-weather Savior. Spiritually, we are living in a frigid winter. The world hates the Lord and us. Yet this is the exact situation that requires ice fishing.

Next, our passion to see souls saved should not diminish simply because the winter weather is here. Do you seriously long to see people saved … only in the warm weather? I am thrilled to hear of a conversion at any time. Our passion should be just as real in these winter months as other months. Who knows, you may be one conversation away from leading someone to Jesus … right now!

Finally, God has provided all we need to fish for men. Ice fishing may not be popular, but it still can be effective. We have the Holy Spirit, the Bible, and the local church. These provisions are available right now, not just in the popular warm seasons. He has provided us open doors. Sometimes they will come during a phone conversation. At other times, they will come in person, perhaps at work, the store or the gas pump.

Yes, our society is cold about spiritual matters. Many will give an icy response to our message. The first century was a spiritually cold time, too, yet the early church passionately spread the Gospel. They were successful at ice fishing!

Life does not stop when winter weather arrives. Evangelism should not stop because the spiritual thermostat of this world is near a record low temperature.

Grab your fishing pole and let's go ice fishing!

Generous To A Fault

GENEROUS TO A FAULT

“God loveth a cheerful giver.” - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Stinginess and selfishness are part of our fallen nature. We are born stingy. As little children, we wanted our own toys and we didn't want to share them with others. As adults, we've learned to share somewhat, but selfishness still has a strong grip that only the Lord can break.

When the subject of generosity is brought up, many think of the money-hungry televangelists who try to manipulate viewers into giving sacrificially to their ministry, while the televangelist wears expensive clothes and lives in a mansion. Certainly, the subject of giving has been abused severely but such men. They misrepresent God and His message. Sadly, these people are the only Christian influence that many unbelievers know.

Although such men abuse the generosity of well-meaning people, it does not change the fact that God expects His children to be generous. Obviously, we need to exercise a degree of discernment as we give. Not every “minister” on the internet is really deserving of our money.

Yet there is a world of tremendous need all around us. Many hurting people are yearning for someone to help them. As we go about the hustle and bustle of daily life, we need to vigilant about such needs.

The Bible says that the Lord loves a cheerful giver. Does that describe us? Do we give lovingly or grudgingly? Are we faithful to give to our local church? Are we compassionate by helping others who are in need?

For the Christian, the issue of giving is rooted in a fundamental truth: Jesus is Lord. Jesus is more than just Lord of my salvation. He is Lord of all. This includes my finances. In reality, everything really belongs to Him. He freely gave us the riches and resources we enjoy. He gave us a job. He provided us with provisions every day. He is the source of all our blessings. We owe Him everything.

As believers, we claim to be changed by the grace of God. Yet this grace should transform us into being agents of grace ourselves. Because of God's grace, we should act with grace when it comes to people around us. That includes forgiving those who've hurt or offended us. We give to others out of gratitude for the fact that God has given to us.

Generosity is a holy habit that Christians need to embrace. In a world of stinginess and selfishness, we are called to be different. We are called to be givers. Shouldn't Christians lead the way when it comes to giving? Shouldn't the most generous people in your community be those who know the Lord?

Generosity is not an issue of the wallet, but of the heart. You don't need money to be generous. You just need a generous heart.

Generosity goes further than than financial giving. Certainly, we should give of our treasures, but we should also give of our time and talents. Visiting the sick in the hospital and the elderly in a nursing home can be act of generosity. Serving in a soup kitchen or helping a widow with home repairs can be a means of giving. There's no shortage of need, but there is a shortage of those willing to help.

Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Do we really believe this truth? If so, does our actions back up this belief?

Let me be very clear. I do not believe in the “prosperity gospel,” that many TV preachers falsely proclaim. However, I believe there are special blessings that generous people enjoy that others don't. The type of blessings may vary from person to person. God is ultimately in control of this and chooses to bless people according to His will. It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The holy habit of generosity is one that we should cultivate. First of all, we should plan, in advance, to give to our local church. That is a priority for believers. Secondly, we should be watchful about needs around us. 1 John 3:17 says: “But whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?” Finally, we can give to ministries and charities that we love and trust. There are no shortages of good causes to give to.

We have just a short time to live here on earth. God has invested heavily in my life. Others have, too. When it comes time for me to die, I can't take any money or possessions with me. In the time I have left, I want to be faithful to the Lord. With the resources God has given me, I want to invest in the things that matter most. I want to be generous to a fault.

What about you?

Storing Treasures

STORING TREASURES

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” - Psalm 119:11

When a person accumulates worldly treasures, he tends to hide them away. For security reasons, he will hide his precious gems, stocks and valuable documents in a safe, lock-box or a bank's safety deposit box. Our money is hidden in checking and savings accounts rather than under a bed.

Jesus instructed believers to store treasures in heaven. Our treasures are eternally secure there. Thieves, robbers and the government can't touch our treasures in heaven. God is keeping them safe. As believers, we should be living to store as many treasures as possible in heaven. There is no tax on this investment. Be wise and invest in eternal treasures.

Yet there is an unexpected treasure we can enjoy here on earth. God's Word is a wealth of information that has intrinsic value. The value of God's Word can't be estimated. It is one thing to own this treasure, it is another thing to be enriched daily by it.

I believe that when we memorize Scripture, we are storing a treasure in our memory bank. When I was young, I filled my memory with useless information, such as ball scores and meaningless data. Now that I am older (and hopefully, wiser), I want to store something better and more valuable in my memory. Far too many are storing wrong things in their mind. They'll remember a wrong done to them and meditate on this offense for decades. Others will concentrate on anxious thoughts that drains their energy. There are some who fill their minds with ungodly images, leading them into a deep pit of iniquity.

I realize that when I mention Scripture memorization, many will raise an objection about having a faulty memory. Welcome to the club. All of us struggle in this area. As we get older, it is more difficult to memorize Scripture than it was when we were younger.

Yet this venture is worth the work. Scripture memorization is a holy habit we need to invest in. It is an investment. Monetarily, we know that an investment is the act of putting money into an account that is designed to pay a profitable dividend over a long period of time. The same is true of Scripture memorization. We invest our time and effort into the hard work of memorizing Scripture, so that in the long run, we will have a database of God's Word locked into our memory, ready to be retrieved at any time.

How can we make the daily investment of storing this treasure in our hearts?

First of all, select the Scripture you wish to memorize. Start with something small, like a verse or two. Ultimately, you will want to expand your list to included passages and even chapters.

Secondly, set a time each day just for this project. It may be five minutes, ten minutes or more. Be sure to set a time and keep it.

Next, get a plan to memorize and review. Over the years, I've gleaned several ideas from others. The Navigators, for instance, have a Scripture Memorization package that can be purchased. Here are a few books that I recommend: “A Call To Scripture Memory,” by Susan Heck, “His Word in My Heart,” by Janet Pope, “How to Memorize Scripture For Life,” by Andrew Davis, and “Memorize What Matters,” by Josh Summers. You can find these selections on Amazon.com.

Also, share your goals with a partner and review what you've memorized. Speaking the Word aloud is a powerful experience. As you share your progress and struggles with a Christian friend, you get the support you need for long-term success.

Finally, Scripture memorization is a long-term project. Don't expect overnight success. When you invest money in a 401k or a mutual fund, you expect positive results over a long period of time. There will be bumps in the road. This is to be expect with financial investments, but it should also be expected when we store God's Word in our hearts.

Storing Scripture in your memory bank is a great investment that pays great dividends. It is a treasure beyond value.

Store this treasure in your heart beginning today. 

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

 BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” - Matthew 18:20

I must confess that winter is my least favorite season of the year. It is cold, snowy and dreary much of the time. Even though the days are shorter in duration, they seem much longer to me. Personally, I love spring weather. I love to see the trees budding, the flowers coming to life and birds returning.

One of the things I love about country life is hearing the birds sing. In particular, I enjoy hearing a whippoorwill at night. Typically, they are more common in the summer than any other time. These night birds have a distinctive sound and can be very loud.

I confess that I am not a bird watcher, but I do know that birds tend to flock together. The title of this blog message comes from an old English proverb. The proverb, “Birds of a feather flock together,” is used to express the fact that beings of a similar type tend to associate with each other.

This proverb should really describe Christians. Christians should have an internal desire to associate with other believers. God has designed the local church for such a gathering. As members of the same spiritual family, we should enjoy spending time with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

In years gone by, the devil has tried to destroy the church. Since that didn't work, he has sought to weaken the church by pulling believers apart. You see, birds are more vulnerable when they get away from the flock. These days, the devil has been clever. He has drawn people away from church, using worldly pleasures to lure them away from the place they should be. Suddenly, lesser important items like shopping, hobbies and the internet have replaced public worship. Instead of flocking together, the saints have become scattered and weakened by these outside interests.

Yet God has called believers to assemble regularly and worship publicly. Despite the many voices that condone church absence, genuine revival cannot occur apart from believers returning to the local church.

Public worship is a holy habit that we need to restore in America. Yes, it is easy to sit at home and watch a TV or internet preacher, but that is not a substitute for public worship.

Since the end of the Covid-19 year, most businesses have been stressing the need for workers to return to the office. While working at home was necessary during the early days of the pandemic, those days are over. Sadly, many employers are having to take drastic steps to get employees back to the office. The same is true at church. Online church services served a purpose, but they were never intended to replace in-person worship.

Believers need to beware of the enemy's strategy. The devil wants people to stay away from church. He loves to see churches struggle. He wants to see churches close their doors. He is eager to destroy every church he can.

Yet many believers are unknowingly being used of the enemy for destructive purposes. While they excuse their absence from church, they don't realize that the devil is smiling when they do. It is tragic that church members are pawns in the devil's hand, used to destroy local churches.

Furthermore, this hits at the very heart of God. Our Lord loves the church and died for the church. Shouldn't we love what He loves? If so, our actions should reflect this.

I am old enough to remember 8-track tapes. When I was very young, my family often traveled from church to church as my father ministered. While traveling, we would often listen to 8-track tapes of southern Gospel music. Back then, one of my favorite songs was by the Swanee River Boys and was entitled, “Don't Wait For the Hearse To Take You To Church.” The title still rings true today. The only time some church members ever attend is for a wedding or a funeral. For some, the only thing that will get them to church is their own funeral.

If you lack a desire to go to church, it is time to examine your heart. God designed the church for His people to assemble together. The local church is a place for encouragement, ministry, hearing the Word preached, participation in the ordinances and much more. There is no substitute for the local church. There is no substitute for obedience, either.

Quit making excuses. Make it a point to go to church this Sunday.

Birds of a feather flock together.