Prayer Changes Me

I have been thinking more about the mystery of prayer. As I wrote last week, Jesus said, “Your Heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask,” and then directs us to pray. He knows, yet He tells me to pray. That is head scratching! One thing I’ve learned over the years of praying is that my perspective changes when I pray. The circumstances may not change, but my outlook and attitude experience a transformation. People often describe the change saying praying “lifted a weight from my shoulders,” or when I prayed, “my fear melted away.” King David wrote is Psalms “I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Psalms 34:4-8 (NLT) King David doesn’t describe changes in his circumstances or situation. He describes a change of heart. “He freed me from all my fears.” Those who pray “will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.” I’ve had instances and episodes where God answered very specific prayers. He has answered prayers for provision, direction, wisdom, comfort, deliverance from troubling circumstances, resolution to broken relationships, and more. I’ve also had times when I’ve “prayed without ceasing.” I’ve prayed while awake and in the middle of the night when I wish I was sleeping. I’ve prayed desperate, almost frantic prayers. I’ve prayed in the quiet of my heart and out loud, LOUDLY! God did not answer some of those prayers the way I had hoped. What will I do? I will pray and “keep on praying and not stop praying!” Prayer might not always change things, but prayer always changes ME!

Never Stop Praying

The longer I serve Jesus, the more I find myself intrigued by prayer. There is a mysterious aspect to prayer that time has not clarified for me. Jesus said the “Father knows what you need even before you ask Him! Pray like this.” Think about His statement. The Father knows what you need even before you ask, so pray! Over the 40 years in ministry, I’ve probably heard most of the “reasons” people have for praying. I could list many of them off the top of my head. They still don’t completely clarify the mystery. Through the rest of my life, I’ll probably have unanswered questions about unanswered prayers. You have them too, I know you do! Why does God come through on certain, seemingly unimportant prayers and yet seems silent on other, what seem to me desperate needs? I wish I knew. I’ve read the books on how to get your prayers answered. I’ve got a pile of books on prayer. I’ve learned from other people’s experiences, and I’ve learned from more than 40 years of praying. I have to admit, I might have more questions now than I did when I first prayed. Here’s what I do know about prayer, Jesus said: Ask and don’t stop asking, seek and don’t stop seeking, knock and don’t stop knocking,” Matthew 7:7 (NLT) and “Your heavenly Father will give good gifts to those who ask.” Matthew 7:8 (NLT) The great Apostle Paul said to “Never stop praying,” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NLT) and “Pray about everything.” Philippians 4:6 (NLT) I might have lots of questions about praying but I know for certain that I’m told to pray, so pray, pray, pray I will. Can I encourage you to press through the mysteries surrounding prayer and pray, pray, pray? Don’t forget when you are praying to quiet yourself and listen. God’s promptings and “God thoughts” are life changing.

Rest For My Soul

The Genesis account of creation details God creating a body out of dust of earth, and then breathing into the body the breath of life. When the breath of life flowed into Adam’s body, he became a “living soul.” The soul is the integration of the outer physical man and the inner man. When the outer person is hurting, the inner person hurts too. When the inner person is hurting, the outer person often experiences the effects of the inner turmoil. King David described the connection between the inner person and the body. “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.” Psalms 32:3-4 (NLT) David was experiencing physical effects because of unconfessed sin. The connection between the body and the inner person is undeniable and unbreakable. No one can escape the cause-and-effect connection. Undealt with anger produces stress. Stress produces physical consequences like hypertension, insomnia, and digestive issues. Hypertension, insomnia and digestive problems affect a persons’s emotions, ability to process information and make healthy decisions. Physical struggles impact a person psychologically, emotionally, and spiritually. David again described the soul, the connection of the body, and inner person. “Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, ‘I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.’ And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.” Psalms 32:5 (NLT) Jesus is an expert at restoring the soul. David declared in Psalm 23, “He restores my soul.” Jesus said, “Come to Him … he will give you ‘rest for your souls.’” Jesus cares about your soul. He wants you to have a healthy soul. Keep turning to Jesus.

In Our Stormy World - Stay Anchored To The Rock

Recently, I’ve been reading the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy. The 32nd chapter includes a song God spoke to Moses. Moses was told to write the song down and teach it to the people of God. The song is about God’s power, unchanging nature, and teachings. He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is! Deuteronomy 32:4 (NLT) He is the Rock that is unmovable and unchanging. He is the Rock that does all things right. In a world and time when everything seems to be moving and changing, God is reliable because HE is a faithful God. Circumstances may change, the people surrounding you may change, the reliability of those in authority may change, but not our ROCK! The New Testament writer of the letter of Hebrews also described God as being unchangeable and reliable. “Those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. … God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us. This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” Hebrews 6:17-19 (NLT) Notice the truths, “He would never change His mind” and “it is impossible for God to lie.” Hope in God “is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls.” All of us need a “trustworthy anchor for our souls.” The stormier the weather the more trustworthy the anchor needs to be. The world is a stormy place right now and there doesn’t seem to be fair weather on the horizon. Anchor yourself to the hope of God’s character and reliability. He is a solid Rock who is perfect, just, fair and faithful.

The Storms Of Life

Regularly over the years, the weather experts have predicted high winds and stormy weather. It is not unusual, when the prediction is for high winds, that the local gas station will have cars lined up filling their tanks and others waiting in a queue to fill five gallon jugs for their generators. More often than not, the forecast misses the mark, and the storm doesn’t materialize or focus its fury somewhere else. There has been plenty of time when the wind whips up unexpectedly. The next thing you know, trees are down, roads blocked, and the power is out. Intersections with a traffic light become four-way stops and in every neighborhood, the drone of generators is heard. Anticipated storms don’t materialize, and unexpected storms blindside out of nowhere. Does that sound like life? We’ve all worried about a certain storm we think is coming our way, only to not have it materialize. Then out of nowhere a relationship turns sour, an unexpected house expense pops up to scare us, or what seemed like a minor annoyance turns out to be something serious. Storms are part of life. God never promises to calm every storm. He promises to shelter us in the storm. “Those who go to God Most High for safety will be protected by the Almighty. I will say to the LORD, ‘You are my place of safety and protection. You are my God and I trust you.’ He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you can hide. His truth will be your shield and protection. You will not fear any danger by night or an arrow during the day. You will not be afraid of diseases that come in the dark or sickness that strikes at noon.” Psalms 91:1-6 (NCV) “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. When you cross rivers, you will not drown. When you walk through fire, you will not be burned, nor will the flames hurt you.” Isaiah 43:2 (NCV) God goes into the water and the fire with us. He has not abandoned you because you are in the midst of a storm. He is there with you. Chuck Swindoll offers encouraging words when he writes “Nothing touches us that hasn’t first passed through the fingers of God. Nothing.” I read a great quote by Emma Hayward, an oncologist said about death. “Death is not the end. Or even the beginning of the end. It is just the the end of the beginning.” For those who trust Jesus with their past, present and future, death is not the end but the end of the beginning. Life here is the beginning of what is in store for us. “No one has ever seen this, and no one has ever heard about it. No one has ever imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9 (NCV)

The Most Important Thing To Do Right Now

I woke up this morning thinking about the turmoil in the world. The thought crossed my mind, “The world has gone crazy.” Then my mind drifted to the various events of my lifetime and my time of pastoring. It seems the world has been crazy throughout my lifetime. From the beginning, the world has been crazy. The first murder was not a stranger jumping someone in darkness. It was a brother scheming to take the life of his sibling. Everything has been sliding downhill since then. The world situation deteriorated to when God said: “The LORD saw that the human beings on the earth were very wicked and that everything they thought about was evil. He was sorry he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was filled with pain.” Genesis 6:5-6 (NCV) Thousands of years later the Apostle Paul wrote: “Remember this! In the last days there will be many troubles because people will love themselves, love money, brag, and be proud. They will say evil things against others and will not obey their parents or be thankful or be the kind of people God wants. They will not love others, will refuse to forgive, will gossip, and will not control themselves. They will be cruel, will hate what is good, will turn against their friends, and will do foolish things without thinking. They will be conceited, will love pleasure instead of God, and will act as if they serve God but will not have his power.” 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NCV) Paul’s description sounds pretty crazy! The craziness of the world could generate and feed fear in a person’s life. What’s a person to do? Watch non-stop news? Wring hands ceaselessly? Worry, worry, worry? Nothing that has ever happened in the world and history has ever taken God by surprise. God was not surprised when Adam and Eve disobeyed and ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden. Nor was He surprised by the continual decline of the human race. No conflict, no war, no oppressive leader, or regime has ever taken God by surprise. God is never shocked into panic. God knows. He never sleeps, never nods off, is always on duty, doesn’t change and maybe most importantly, HE cares. What’s a person to do? Pray! “I tell you to pray for all people, asking God for what they need and being thankful to him. Pray for rulers and for all who have authority so that we can have quiet and peaceful lives full of worship and respect for God. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to know the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NCV) Notice Paul’s words – “This is good, and it pleases God our Savior.” Is anything more important at any time than to do “good and please God our Savior?” I think not! I encourage you to pray, pray, pray and then keep on praying!

The Power of Choice

Recently on a run, I heard someone quote Dr. Tony Evans, a pastor in Texas. Dr. Evans’ statement about freedom and choices resonated in my heart. “Freedom means you get to control the choice, but because God is the sovereign ruler over his creation, you don’t get to control the consequences.” Dr. Tony Evans People make a big deal about freedom. No one likes someone barging in on their freedom. I’m free, I’m free, I’m free! “Free” is the chant heard across humanity. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t do!” “You’re not my boss!” Free means you can control your choices. You can go where you want, eat what you want, drink what you want, smoke what you want, spend where you want, or say what you want. You are free! Dr. Evans correctly observed, “Freedom means you get to control the choice.” Because freedom is real, the scripture has a lot to say about choices. One of the key verses regarding choices and results is in Paul’s letter to the church in Galatia. “Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” Galatians 6:7-8 (NLT) Paul was saying, you can choose whatever you want, but you’ll get what your choices produce. Dr. Evans said it a little differently. You can choose what you want, but “you don’t get to control the consequences.” You can choose to do anything you want, but the results are out of your control. You don’t get to control the consequences! There are few things more true in life. I can say what I want or write what I want, but once the words are out of my mouth, I have lost complete control of them. The only control I have over my words is before I say them or type them. If you are like me, there have been plenty of times in life when I wished I could take back my words. I have wished I could unsay them or untype them. Once they are gone from the cage of my mind, heart, mouth or fingers, they are in the wild. Be careful what you choose. You can’t control the consequences.

The Name That Is Above All Names

Years ago, when I first started following Jesus, someone gave me a poster of Jesus’ names. I had it hanging on the wall of my first apartment in Renton. After working and usually playing some basketball, I would lie down on my bed and there was the list of Jesus’ names. I read them over and over. Soon they became part of my vocabulary in worship and prayer. Over time, I located each of the names in the various books and letters in the Scriptures. Jesus’ names have become part of the inner framework of my soul. Here are some of those names. I encourage you to read them slowly. Don’t skim over them. Jesus, Christ, Emmanuel, Son of God, Son of Man, Wonderful, Prince of Life, Counselor, Almighty God, Savior, Lord, Master, Friend, Prince of Peace, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Alpha and Omega, Beginning and End, Author and Finisher of our Faith, the Good Shepherd, Shepherd and Overseer of our Souls, the Gate, the Gatekeeper, the Vine, the True Vine, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, Bread of Life, the Way, the Truth, the Life, Lamb of God, AMEN, Beloved Son, Cornerstone, Creator, Deliverer, Everlasting Father, Holy One, I AM, King of the Jews, Light of the World, Man of Sorrows, Messiah, Morning Star, Passover Lamb, Living Stone, Prince of Life, Redeemer, Resurrection and Life, Offspring of David, Rock of Ages, Our Great God and Savior, Rose of Sharon, Root of David, Son of the Highest, Word, Nazarene, Word of God, Advocate, Lord of Heaven, the Physician, Bridegroom, Rabbi, Master, Living Water, High Priest, Teacher, Servant, Captain of our Salvation, Faithful and True Witness, Lily of the Valley, Fairest among 10,000, Living One, Ruler of God’s Creation, the Stone the Builders Rejected, Head of the Church, Mediator, Fountain of Living Water, the Bright and Morning Star, the Image of the Invisible God. Jesus has many other names and titles. I encourage you to take some time and meditate or think about the names and titles of Jesus. Looking up and reading each of the names and titles in their context in Scripture would encourage and feed you. Your thinking about Jesus’ names and titles will breathe life into you. There is no one like Jesus!

The All-Sufficient One

The Hebrew names of God reveal significant character attributes of God and how God works. The insights learned from considering the names of God feed and strengthen the soul. God revealed himself to Abraham when he was 99 years old, saying, “I am El Shaddai – ‘God Almighty.’” (Genesis 17:1 NLT) When God revealed himself as “El Shaddai” he promised Abraham he would be the father of nations. Abraham would be extremely fruitful. God changed Abram’s name to Abraham. The Old Testament writers used the name El-Shaddai 48 times. El-Shaddai reveals God as “the All-Sufficient One.” God is sufficient to meet any need a person experiences. God provides, protects, guides, disciplines, heals, stabilizes, and anchors. Jesus’ brother James wrote, “God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens, … never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” James 1:17 (NLT) God never changes AND HE is bigger than any problem, challenge, or need. The great Jewish prophet Jeremiah prayed, “O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you!” Jeremiah 32:17 (NLT) Nothing is beyond God’s ability. Nothing is beyond God’s care. God is more! Psalm 91 records Moses’ words about El-Shaddai: “Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalms 91:1 (NLT) Moses declared, “He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I trust him.” Psalms 91:2 (NLT) Living in the shelter of the Most High brings peace! Even amid stress, strain, and struggles, God can breathe peace upon you. El-Shaddai actually uses stress, strain and struggles to strengthen those who are resting “in the shadow of the Almighty.” My PRAYER for you. “El-Shaddai, God-Almighty. Reveal your power, your love, and your care to every person who reads these words. Heal, set-free, strengthen, encourage, lead, provide, guide, discipline, and give peace. El-Shaddai, nothing is too difficult for you. Help us and teach us to surrender to you, El-Shaddai. AMEN.”

The Lord Is Peace

I have been writing about the Hebrew names of God. The various names of God reveal God’s character and His behavior. People don’t address God by chance, they address God in line with his character and actions. Gideon, and the people of God, were under the constant stress and fear of the Midianite army. The Midianites were terrorizing the Jews with violence and plundering. Many of the Jews were hiding in seclusion in the mountains and caves around their villages. Fearful of terrorist attack, Gideon was threshing grain in a winepress, hidden from the Midianites. The angel of the Lord visited Gideon with instructions to lead the Jewish people in battle against the Midianites. The angel reminded Gideon that the Lord had been with them and delivered them throughout their history. The angel also assured him that the Lord was with him, and He would deliver His people. Gideon was beside himself with awe because of the angel and his instructions. He worshipped God and named the place “Jehovah-Shalom” – “The Lord is Peace.” This is the first time that the name Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace appeared in writing. The truth that God is Jehovah-Shalom became a constant source of strength and stability to God’s people. God is not just Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace. He is and does more than that. The Messiah, Jesus, was to be called “Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NLT) God promises “perfect peace” to those who trust Him and focus on Him. “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!” Isaiah 26:3 (NLT) David declared: “Those who love your instructions have great peace and do not stumble.” Psalms 119:165 (NLT) The Apostle Paul gave these instructions to the believers in Philippi: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Life is full of turmoil, uncertainty, instability that all create stress. Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace, is the solution for the stress. The Lord is Peace – is the Prince of Peace who promises perfect peace, great peace, and peace to guard your hearts and minds. Jehovah-Shalom’s peace “exceeds anything we can understand!” So, turn your gaze towards the Prince of Peace. Focus in on Jehovah-Shalom – The Lord is Peace.