Matthew 6:9-13 demonstrates Jesus’ blueprint on prayer. If we study the Lord’s prayer we see that every aspect is covered in it. But God desires prayers from the heart not from repetition or ritual. Reciting a few lines to say we prayed isn’t what God is looking for. He desires that we communicate with Him in a very real way. He wants us to pray from our heart. Prayer is the lifeblood for our daily lives.

Don’t believe me….listen to some of these people:

“We have to pray with our eyes on God, not on the difficulties.” ~ Oswald Chambers

“Those persons who know the deep peace of God, the unfathomable peace that passeth all understanding, are always men and women of much prayer.”~ R. A. Torrey

“I pray because I can’t help myself. I pray because I’m helpless. I pray because the need flows out of me all the time- waking and sleeping. It doesn’t change God- it changes me.” ~ C. S. Lewis

“Where ever the church fails to pray, the enemy is happy to move in.” ~ Bill Johnson

“Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God.” ~ Billy Graham

“If we never pray audacious, courageous prayers, how can He answer them?” ~ Francis Chan

“Prayer is faith in action.” ~ Reinhard Bonnke

“We pray when there’s nothing else we can do, but God wants us to pray before we do anything at all.”~ Oswald Chambers

When Jesus prayed things happened. When we pray it can be the same response. This month we will dive into different aspects of prayer. I believe that a church and a people that pray will experience some amazing things.

MR

Last night I was a part of a landmark day in Spring Hill and the history of the local church here in this city. 10 churches got together to worship and pray TOGETHER at one location for an hour and 1/2. We even saw someone get saved! It was powerful.

I’m so blessed to live in this city. God is doing something amazing here. The relationships with local pastors has transformed my life. It’s a dream come true to see different churches come together to lift God high! As I put together the worship band for last night, we had 5 churches included just in the band alone. The anointing on the band was truly felt. From the first note played, I could tell this night was something special. To see people lifting up their hands and singing so loud, it blew me away. I loved hearing all the pastors, sitting to the left of me, singing so loud together. Man, if that didn’t shake up some religious junk in the city, I don’t know what will. That version of GOD OF THIS CITY almost knocked me off the piano. Man, I can still feel the anointing from that song.

In attendance, was the city judge (who is a spirit-filled, Christ loving woman of God) and a few head pastors from the surrounding cities (fathers of the faith). We had the head pastors of People’s Church, New Song and Thompsons Station Church praying together in a small group. These pastors are heads of some of the biggest churches in Williamson County. To see this happen was awe-inspiring. To walk with pastors that have years of experience, bigger churches, more education and more influence than me, is an honor. I feel blessed to be partnering with these godly men.

I’m still riding the high of last night’s service. To see nearly 200 people praying, hanging and spending time with each other to see Spring Hill blessed, was exactly what the “church” is called to do. That’s KINGDOM LIVING right there…building HIS Kingdom, not ours.

My prayer is that we set in motion something powerful in this city and region. I believe this will continue throughout Middle TN. Seeing huge churches partnering with smaller ones, different denominations locking hands together with each other, old with new, different races loving one another….this is my dream to see happen here. I know it will happen…I saw a glimpse of it last night.

MR

We reviewed the story of Gideon (Judges 6 & 7). Here are some thoughts from it:

-God calls in the middle of our present obedience. As we are faithful he give us more responsibility. God chose Gideon even though he felt that he wasn’t properly prepared. God used Gideon because he was faithful to act (even though it took a very “fleeces” to convince him)
-God uses us despite our limitations and failures. Gideon’s reply to being called by God was…

Judges 6:15

So he said to Him, “O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father’s house.”

God used Gideon him although the world choice of a leader would have been very different.

-When we focus on the NATURAL and our Primary goal is the PLEASE MAN we will end up failing. Living to please people NEVER ends up working. Please God is far more important.

-God doesn’t set up people to fail…

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
—FAILURE HAPPENS WHEN WE OPERATE OUTSIDE OF GOD’S WILL, PLAN OR PURPOSE FOR OUR LIFE—

Proverbs 22:4
Humility and the fear of the Lord bring wealth and honor and life.

Proverbs 16:3
I commit my work to the Lord. My plans will succeed.

We fear Failure because we don’t trust Him to complete what He promised.

FEAR breeds UNBELIEF – UNBELIEF breeds FAILURE (because we take our eyes off the author of eternal success.)

- Your View of GOD will affect your view of Success!!

Sometimes what we consider success isn’t what God considers success so we feel we failed (when we really haven’t)

WHO ARE YOU CONCERNED WITH PLEASING?
FEAR OF THE LORD vs the FEAR OF MAN

Matthew 6:33 (GW)
But first, be concerned about his kingdom and what has his approval. Then all these things will be provided for you.

MR

Jesus is a great deep sleeper…

Mark 4:35-41 (NKJV)

35 On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” 36 Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. 37 And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. 38 But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. 40 But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”41 And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!”

Can you imagine how crazy the disciples were acting. Probably screaming and crying and acting like they had no hope. Meanwhile the “hope” they needed was sleeping on a pillow on the stern of the ship. No stress, no worry, just got up and told the storm to calm down. That’s what I’m calling POWER. Speaking to nature and telling it to listen.

So why do we stress?

I believe it’s because we truly aren’t surrendered over to Him. We are still trying to navigate the storm ourselves. We look at the surrounding “storms of life” and concern ourselves more with them than what God has called us to do.

Even in the midst of “STORMS” we still have a purpose to do that overrides the issues around us. In most life circumstances (family, job, relationships) we battle through issues, neglect pending punishment, ignore risks….when we truly want something. If you want something bad enough, you will FIGHT DESPERATELY for it! Are we doing that even in the ministry of life?

How about this great CHRIS TOMLIN song – “I WILL FOLLOW”

“Where you go, I’ll go, Where you stay, I’ll stay
When you move, I’ll move, I will follow you
Who you love, I’ll love, How you serve I’ll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you, I will follow you”

In Luke 9 – Jesus is saying that if you truly want to FOLLOW ME you will have to risk something. If you truly want to walk in POWER and in LOVE you will have to battle through STORMS….but you can navigate through them and literally tell them to BE STILL as you discover who you are in CHRIST.

Matthew 16:24-27 (NKJV)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.

Most of us think first of only ourselves when we go through STORMS….self preservation. Jesus looked right at the STORM and told it to CHILL OUT because He knew His plan and purpose was much more important than worrying about what was going on around Him (that’s TRUE freedom).

An interesting fact is what was waiting for Jesus on the other side of the Sea of Galilee. On the “other side” of this boat ride was the Man filled with a LEGION of devils – (which ultimately got cast into pigs). The “storm” came to distract and sidetrack Him from the plan and purpose at hand. Most of us get “sidetracked” from walking in power and love because we focus on the circumstances instead of focusing on the ONE that controls the circumstances.

We can do the very same things that Jesus did when he walked this earth. We can speak to the storms and they will obey.

Are we walking in His power or trying to do it on our own?

Are we more worried about the circumstances around us than the purpose and plan God has destined us to complete?

Walking in obedience doesn’t mean we won’t encounter storms. It does mean that we will have the power to get through them.

Maybe that will help you to be a deeper sleeper as well?

MR

Whenever I read this:

Mark 16:17 (NKJV)
17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues;

I think about how “off” most of us Christians are. Most churches haven’t done it let alone the people in it. I think we fear how uncomfortable it makes people watching it. Imagine this happening at your church or in your home (fast forward to 1:32)…

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Maybe the reason why today’s Christianity doesn’t feel effective is because we aren’t walking in this power. I believe that many “Christians” today have made pacts with the devil or decided it’s okay to allow the enemy to work in their everyday lives. They walk in the deception like Judas…..they HEAR the truth…SEE the truth….EXPERIENCE the truth but continue to walk in darkness.

Take into account what Jesus said to his disciples after he casted out the demon in the boy…

Matt 17:20 (nkjv) –  20 So Jesus said to them, “Because of your unbelief; for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you.

Mark 9:29 (nkjv)
29 So He said to them, “This kind (demon) can come out by nothing but prayer…”

See Jesus’ disciples saw Him do miracles and even BEFORE this, THEY casted out demons themselves. But in their process they started to rely on THEMSELVES. Jesus is saying here that it’s FAITH THROUGH PRAYER that will cause the demons to flee. FAITH requires disregarding the circumstances. We can’t allow the demonic to rob us of our Power. Prayer can INCREASE our FAITH

YOUR AUTHORITY IS POWERED BY YOUR FAITH!!

We must BELIEVE what God SAID or else we may not EXPERIENCE what God PROMISED!

So this leads me to believe that we should be seeing demons casted out more often. We must look past those people that are “evil” and see the force BEHIND them. Knowing how to walk in Christ, will lead us to better understand our enemy and how to deal with him. It’s time that the church arises from it’s slumber and starts to make a difference. When we choose to ignore the supernatural, it’s like entering into war with a weapon without bullets.

We MUST increase our level of EXPECTATION in believing that we can “DO ALL THINGS THROUGH CHRIST THAT STRENGTHENS US.” (Philippians 4:13)

Check out the full message here.

MR

Yesterday’s message had the ABC and D’s in it. (I’m so witty!) We opened the new series “Natural Encounters with a SuperNatural God” with the story of Lazarus. Looking over how Jesus’ navigated that situation led me to understand His power and love a little bit more.

A – Walk in His AUTHORITY!

Jesus commanded Death to release its hold. We don’t need to sit back and kindly ask darkness to flee, we command it through His power. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58)

B – Be BALANCED in your reactions!

Jesus didn’t let circumstances rule Him. He balanced His emotions and reactions with His purpose. Are you allowing your circumstances to get the best of you? Jesus allowed bad situations to show His glory. (2 Timothy 1:7 / Romans 8:28)

C – Be driven by COMPASSION!

People seem to believe that God is emotionless when it comes to us. The scripture John 11:35 tells us different. His compassion for us is great. (Hebrews 4:15)

D – Operate from His DEFEAT over sin!

Jesus always operated from a state of victory not as a victim. Too many Christians walk around defeated already. Where is your trust? Whom are you believing in? Jesus defeated it all. (John 10:10)

MR

Matthew 25:29-30 “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Whoa…are we really being good stewards of our blessings? Are we really bearing fruit that people desire to want in their own life? As Christians I believe most of us suck at making fruit. Most of our fruit is rotten and unappealing to others. God desires for our lives to be so filled with His blessings that people want to be part of it. Check out what the Word says about “fruit”.

John 7:16-20 “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”

So what is “fruit”? I believe from the standpoint of God’s Word that “fruit” is the evidence of Blessing, Growth and Abundance in our life. Just as natural growth should be part of getting older, we need to continue to grow in our spiritual life as well. Unfortunately many of us are like the 3rd servant. We hide our talent (blessings) in the ground and figure this is the safest and best way to live life. How can we get hurt or burned out if we just play it safe? I believe we should live a life of adventure. The blessings that we all possess (and yes we are all VERY blessed) should be on display in our everyday lives. Here’s some ways people will know us by our “fruit”:

You will know them by…
-how they act when they have money and when they don’t.
-how they act when the pressure of life gets turned up or when things are going great.
-how they respond when the Holy Spirit shows up.
-what they value and devalue.
-their Facebook status. (oops….check your status right now)
-their spouse/girlfriend/boyfriend.
-where their money goes to.
-their reputation at work/school.

What kind of fruit are you bearing? Will people desire to know more of God after knowing you? Do you shine forth His goodness, grace, mercy and love? Do people radiate with His glory after spending time communicating with you?

We’ve each been given the gift of the Holy Spirit to allow us to be more blessed than we could ever be alone. It’s not you that does these great things, but it’s Him, THROUGH YOU, that gives you the power to do great things (John 15:4). Let’s bear the fruit that shines His glory and illuminates His majesty. Come on Church….BE the Church. The beautiful bride that God has called us to be.

We are a Blessed people and through our blessings we can help usher in the Kingdom of God!

MR

Chuck Swindoll

National Religious Broadcasters 2011

1. Tell people how you feel about them now, not later.  Before it is too late.

2. Things I’m not even aware of are being noticed and remembered by others.  Little things mean so much to people.

3. Being real is a lot better than trying to look pious.  Authenticity.  Pursuing holiness is good, but acting like you think you are holy stinks!

4. When things fit, they flow.  When they don’t fit, they have to be forced.  Forcing things is usually a mistake.  Wait for God to make it fit.  When God is in it there is a flow to it.

5. It doesn’t pay to talk anybody into or out of a big decision.  A good book is “Leading Without Power” by Max De Pree

6. Days of maintenance are a lot more in number than days of magnificence.

7. Some people aren’t going to change no matter what.  It’s our job to love them.  It’s God’s job to change them.

8. I seldom feel sorry for things I did not say.  When thinking about saying something on the ‘edge’ to someone, ask self:  is it kind?  Is it confidential?  Is it necessary?  Is it true?  Am I the one who should say it?

9. Perception overshadows reality.

10. Time spent with my family is always worth it.

11. Grace is worth the risk.  Extend grace to those who need it. Grace relieves guilt.  It releases shame.

12. I’ve taken the words ‘never’ and ‘always’ out of my vocabulary.

13. Thinking theologically pays off big time.  Dwelling on God’s sovereignty will save you much worry.

14. Some things are worth the sweat.  Like admitting you are wrong.  Always telling the truth.  Admitting my own inability.  Expressing gratitude.    Being generous.  Showing kindness.

15. You can’t beat having fun.  Look for ways to help people life their spirits.

Good points – enough said

M

M

Here is a link to view and download more info about this event.

CRY OUT AMERICA in SPRING HILL, TN

-Honor is a lost art. We will protect ourselves and our reputation before we honor someone else and serve them.

-Religion has taught us to honor those that we respect and that are like-minded.
The Word tells us to honor everyone including those that persecute us and are in low positions (the unlovely).

-People get nervous about honoring people with issues. Don’t we need to punish them? Jesus still was who He was no matter who He was with.

-Honor is cultivated and not automatic. In most cases it’s not natural….especially in this day and age. We are taught it’s okay to disrespect people that are wrong, not our same political party, age, race, denomination, etc. God’s Word tells us otherwise.

-Honor is mandated not an option. (Galations 5:26 / Romans 13:7)

-I see so many people complain about not getting respect when they do not live a life of respecting others.

-We Honor God as we Honor others.

-We need to celebrate Honor and continue to encourage an environment that fosters it.

-We need to start celebrating WINS not defeats.

-We need to start honoring peoples’ callings and destinies rather than keep looking back at their past.

-We need to celebrate people trying rather than demanding success every time.

-We need honor people before us, rather than trying to exalt passing fads.

-We need to get excited for salvations and deliverances instead of celebrating death.

-We need to honor people’s decisions with faith and love rather than gloating in “I told you so”.

MR