Posted by Charlie on Dec 15, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: James 1-5
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
James 5:16
Observation
James boldly declares the power of prayer, and uses the example of Elijah praying for drought and rain to illustrate his point.
Application
It is easy to forget that God, in his wisdom, has purposed to establish his kingdom rule in this realm in partnership with the prayers of his people. The heavens are not brass, and God is willing to move on my behalf if I will ask him to do so. Ask!
Prayer
Father, you know the requests and intercessions I have brought before you today. I thank you that you hear, and that you are pleased to work on my behalf today. Please be glorified in my life as you establish your kingdom in partnership with my prayers. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: faith, prayer
Posted by Charlie on Oct 5, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Esther 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; Luke 18
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”
Luke 18:1-8
Observation
Does prayer really accomplish anything? Does God hear when I call to him? According to Jesus the answer is, “Yes!”
There’s a good amount of mystery in exactly how my prayers affect the establishing of God’s purposes in the earth, but Jesus assures me that God does indeed heed the prayers of his people. The Scripture underscores this in James 5:16, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” According to God’s Word, my prayers actually have much effect on the course of life on this planet.
Application
This passage is an invitation to take God at his word and pray.
Prayer
Father, I want to be with you where you are at work in this world today. Please open my eyes to see your hand at work, and grant that my prayers might have a real and profound effect on the course of this day. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: prayer
Posted by Charlie on Jun 11, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Song 5, 6, 7, 8; Philippians 1
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.
Philippians 1:9–11
Observation
Paul describes four desired outcomes of walking with Jesus Christ in the opening verses of Philippians, and directs his prayers toward that end.
1. That your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment…
2. So that you may approve what is excellent…
3. And so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ…
4. Filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ…
The list begins with love, and Paul desires to see their love grow abundantly. That love needs to be directed three ways: Toward God, toward other believers, and toward the lost. Paul indicates that the growth of love is not just done blindly, but with knowledge (knowing God’s Word), and all discernment (growing in wisdom, maturity, and sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit).
When that piece is in place the natural outcome will be to approve what is excellent. The implied anthesis of this is to lay aside what is not excellent. This gives the believer a confident standing in the day of judgment—the assurance of salvation by grace, combined with the confidence of a pure and blameless life. And finally, the outcome of such a life is the fruit of righteousness. I have a Royal Anne cherry tree in my back yard, and the production of fruit is something that can’t be hidden. As those cherries ripen they invite the onlooker to partake of their fruit. The fruit of my life is evident to others as well, and, if it is good fruit, will nourish and benefit the lives of those around me.
Application
Not only must I be diligent to seek these outcomes in my own life, but this is a reminder that Paul was a tireless intercessor for the lives of the people he served. I need to be diligent to pray for my family, church, its leaders, my neighborhood, and others God lays on my heart. Paul reminds me today that God wants to partner with his people in the establishment of his purposes on the earth, and he does hear and respond when I pray.
Prayer
Father, please help me grow in upholding those around me in prayer. Please grant growth and maturity to my family and the people I serve in my church and chaplaincy. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: love, maturity, prayer
Posted by Charlie on Apr 22, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 25, 26; Psalm 63; Matthew 9
O God, You are my God; Early will I seek You; My soul thirsts for You; My flesh longs for You In a dry and thirsty land Where there is no water. So I have looked for You in the sanctuary, To see Your power and Your glory. Because Your lovingkindness is better than life, My lips shall praise You. Thus I will bless You while I live; I will lift up my hands in Your name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, And my mouth shall praise You with joyful lips.
Psalms 63:1-5
Observation
The most important thing to David was his relationship with God. He longed to know God, thirsted for him, made knowing him his highest aim. No wonder God called David a man after his own heart.
Application
I am beginning to explore the Daily Office, an ancient practice of stopping at set times during the day to spend undivided time seeking God. It involves prayers, scripture, and… silence, a rare commodity in our frenetic 21st century world. So far my experience with it has been rich. I feel like I’m finding a place in my relationship with God that I’ve never encountered. For an example of what a daily office looks like, click here. I’ll keep you posted as I move forward on my journey.
Prayer
Father God, thank you for a new day and the gift of life you have given me. Please be near me today. Please let my life be a reflection of yours as I walk with you today. In Jesus’ holy name, amen.
Tags: Daily Office, prayer, silence
Posted by Charlie on Apr 8, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: 1 Samuel 3, 4, 5; Psalm 77;, 2 Corinthians 8
…the LORD called Samuel. And he answered, “Here I am!”
1 Samuel 3:4
Observation
The book of 1 Samuel represents a turning point in the history of the world. After the Israelites settled in Canaan they lapsed into a chaotic period of a little over three hundred years where everyone did what what was right in his or her own eyes. According to 1 Samuel 3:1 the revelation of God was rare in those days. Then everything changed when one woman prayed. Hannah’s son, Samuel, who was the fruit of that prayer, was the beginning of a fresh work of God on earth. As God calls to Samuel and he responds by saying, “Here I am,” a new era dawns for Israel and for mankind.
Application
There can be stretches of time when it seems God is distant and the road ahead long and barren. During those times prayer may seem like a futile exercise, but Hannah and Samuel are a constant reminder that God does listen and respond to our cries. As I look at America today we largely have a nation that does what is right in its own eyes. It could be easy to give up hope on the possibility of revival and righteousness flowing through our land again, but God desires those things more than we do. Hannah and Samuel are both an inspiration to seek God and to set aside the distractions of life enough to have the capacity to hear his voice.
Prayer
God, if it pleases you, please renew your move in our generation. Our world so needs your life and redemption. Please use my life, my family, my church, to touch the community and world around us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: listen, prayer
Posted by Charlie on Mar 4, 2009 in
Devotions Scripture: Numbers 34, 35, 36; Mark 11
“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”
Mark 11:25–26
Observation
The story of the withered fig tree is fascinating because it is the only destructive miracle Jesus performs in the New Testament. Some day when I have more time I’ll have to unpack that idea in more detail.
Jesus links the lesson of the fig tree to faith (or faithfulness) and prayer, and then he tacks on this little addendum about forgiveness as a condition for answered prayer at the end.
Application
I’m always brought up short by the reminder that if I hold unforgiveness toward another, my own sins will not be forgiven and my prayers will go unanswered. This isn’t an isolated instance of this thought. Jesus makes a point of it in his model prayer and his parables as well.
I have a fig tree or two that could stand to wither, and perhaps even an occasional mountain I need removed. It’s a great reminder this morning that I need to take stock of my heart to ensure I have no bitterness or unforgiveness before I offer my prayers to God. I have been forgiven much. Dare I hold anything against my brother or sister?
Prayer
Father God, thank you for the forgiveness you have extended to me through the cross of Jesus Christ. If I am holding any bitterness or unforgiveness in my heart toward anyone today I ask you to reveal it to me so I can give it to you. And Lord, there’s a fig tree I need to wither at the moment and you are completely able to take care of that for me, so I’m asking you to deal with it on my behalf today, and I’ll give you the praise. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Tags: faith, Forgiveness, prayer
