A Few Post Worth Reading

Here are few things I found interesting this last month...

• Aaron Chambers reminded me the kingdom of God is always advancing.
• Mike with People of the Second Chance asked if you are trapped in a cage?
• Perry Noble reminded us all leaders must make tough decisions.
• I really would like to meet pastor Steve, he gave me some great advice on perspective.
• Tony pointed out how music impacts our life and he has a few links where you can stream some new music for free.
• Barry Cameron asked a disturbing question we should all consider.
• Dallas Willard continues to sound the call for biblical discipleship.

I hope you find these posts insightful.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Another person joined the PBCC family today - Good Stuff.
• Today's attendance was better than I expected for a holiday weekend.
• Wrapped up the worship series, A Glimpse of the Holy" today - new series begins next week; "Lost & Found"
• I hope we never forget the priority in worship.
• When will we realize the church cannot worship our play and play at our worship?
• The problem with being a living sacrifice is we always want to crawl off the altar.
• VBS is 1 week away - It is going to be great.
• We passed out the CIY prayer partner guides today - I am thrilled I am part of a church that values prayer.
• I am amazed at the amount of money our teens have raised this year for their CIY trip.
• I am wondering; what would it take to change the culture?
• Ed G. nailed the communion meditation today - loved the "spiritual eclipse" illustration.
• When I reflect on the good things the PBCC family is involved in, I thank God for bringing this church into my life; I am extremely blessed.
• How can the month of May be over?
• I am really looking forward to enjoying an extra day off tomorrow.

Prayer Partners

One of the most overlooked items in our prayer life is having a prayer partner to share concerns and to pray with on a regular basis. Over the years I have had several people pray with me before I preach on Sunday morning. My current prayer partner meets with me on Sundays at 9:45 in my Study. He lifts me up through prayer and encouragement. However, he does more than just pray with me on Sundays; I receive text messages from him on a regular basis, just to check in. I am very thankful for my prayer partner, I sense I am a better preacher because of his partnership.

There are a few benefits that come from having a prayer partner...

1. He keeps me accountable. Sundays can be very hectic for a minister and it is very easy to get caught up in the stuff of the day and never take time to pray for the day. My prayer partner has a standing appointment at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in my Study. If I am not there, he comes looking for me. His accountability reminds me what is really important on Sunday.
2. He gives me clarity. My prayer partner knows what I am preaching on each Sunday and his prayer for me is to communicate clearly the word of God. As we pray for clarity, it reminds me how precious my study time is each week and to make sure I am preparing a message that will not simply be full of information or clever, but will present the gospel clearly.
3. He is an encourager. He lifts me up and keeps me moving forward. Currently my prayer partner is not a "leader" in the congregation, however he is a leader via his influence and encouraging spirit!

I am grateful for my prayer partner, I hope all leaders have someone to lift them up each week. If you are looking at how to have a prayer partner ministry in your church I would recommend John Maxwell's "Partners in Prayer" this is an excellent resource for prayer partners.

Random Quotes Regarding Prayer

What other people are saying about prayer...

• "Don’t pray when you feel like it. Have an appointment with the Lord and keep it. A man is powerful on his knees." ~ Corrie ten Boom
• "Prayer will make a man cease from sin, or sin will entice a man to cease from prayer." ~ John Bunyon
• "God does nothing except in response to believing prayer." ~ John Wesley, noted evangelist who spent 2 hours daily in prayer.
• "If I fail to spend two hours in prayer each morning, the devil gets the victory through the day. I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer. ~ Martin Luther
• "Prayer does not change the purpose of God. But prayer does change the action of God." ~ Chuck Smith
• “Time spent alone with God is not wasted. It changes us; it changes our surroundings; and every Christian who would live the life that counts, and who would have power for service must take time to pray.” ~ M.E. Andross
• "Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work." ~ Oswald Chambers.
• "A man who is intimate with God will never be intimidated by men." ~ Leonard Ravenhill
• "There has never been a spiritual awakening in any country or locality that did not begin in united prayer." ~ A.T. Pierson
• "Prayer is not monologue, but dialogue. God’s voice in response to mine is its most essential part." ~ Andrew Murray

Prayer Before the Big Things

I have been thinking more and more about the idea of prayer as it relates to the work of God in the local church. I probably have over 100 books on church growth; everything from building a church through small groups to leading a church through breakthroughs. However the more I think about prayer, the more I have to admit the true breakthrough for church growth has to come through prayer. Consider these scriptural passages regarding the importance of prayer in the preparation of God doing some "Big Things"

Luke 4:42, At daybreak Jesus went out to a solitary place.

This is the end of chapter 4 in Luke's gospel, In Chapter 5 Jesus calls his disciples to his ministry. Jesus understood prayer was vital to calling people to ministry. I find it interesting he spent a night in prayer before calling the 12.

Acts 1:12-14, ¹²Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. ¹³When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. ¹⁴They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

The background of this text is Jesus has ascended to heaven and the disciples have returned to Jerusalem. Following 10 days of prayer the God reveals his power at the day of Pentecost whereby 3,000 people accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. I heard it said people prayer for 10 days, Peter preached for 10 minutes and 3,000 people were saved, we on the other hand pray for 10 minutes, preach for 30 and never see the results of the day of Pentecost - makes you think doesn't it?

Acts 13:1-3, ¹In the church at Antioch there were prophets and teachers: Barnabas, Simeon called Niger, Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen (who had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch) and Saul. ²While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, "Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them." ³So after they had fasted and prayed, they placed their hands on them and sent them off.

God is unleashing the church into Europe through the ministry of Paul and Barnabas, But before sending these men out the leaders prayed over their ministry. While it is true Paul and Barnabas faced some obstacles, they were also very successful in getting the gospel to Rome

In each of the above incidents prayer played a vital part in moving the church forward. While it is good to read books about church growth which reveals the variety of methods to grow a church, let us not forget to read "THE BOOK"; for there we find the original blueprint for growing the church - Prayer!

Prayer Unleashed

My friend Aaron Chambers posted what happened at his church recently. The church had 52 baptisms in one Sunday. Aaron gave a few details about how this was accomplished at Journey Christian Church. While there was a lot of details coming together for this event, I was struck by what he said about prayer. Prayer was pivotal in bringing about such an amazing event.

We seem to forget the power of prayer in the life of the believer or in the local church. Too often we reduce prayer to a sick list, we pray a lot for health issues; and we should pray for God to heal our family and friends. However God's ultimate goal is not to make us healthy, He wants to make us complete in Christ. Colossians 2:2-3, reminds us

My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

One of the ways we come to know the mysteries of Christ is through prayer. Through prayer we learn God's ways, we gain wisdom, we are strengthened and we become focused on god's will for our life.

Over the next few days I will share some more thoughts about unleashing prayer in your life and in the church.

Sunday Night Reflections

A few thoughts from an amazing day...

• Amena Brown Videos always makes me think.
• I hope we never define our worship as contemporary or traditional - the terms are simply too narrow!
• The goal of worship is to offer a gift that God speaks well of - Hebrews 11:4
• MJ leaves this week for her internship with CIY I am really pumped for what God is going to do through her this summer.
• Michele really explained communion in a fresh way this morning.
• I really appreciate our tech team; even when there is a glitch - they show no panic, just a servant's spirit.
• After this morning, I wonder what is your worship style?
• Saying good-bye to two of my favorite TV shows this week - Lost and 24
• The Orlando Magic have proved to all of us how important it is to finish the task - not just show up.
• VBS is going to be great - I hope you are helping, attending or praying for this outreach event.
• Next week I close out the 3 part series "A Glimpse of the Holy" with the message; The Priority of Worship
• Walt was not using a cane today - God is good!