Prayer That Changes People

Prayer changes things, but most of all, it changes people. As Paul is writing his letter to Timothy, he urges him to lead the people in prayer. Paul knows this is where the church’s power is and that if they want to see the Spirit do a work in their community, they need to be interceding for its leaders and people in power. Prayer changes people. It can even move those opposed to the Gospel’s work through the church.

1 Timothy 2:1-4

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Prayer should Include Four Things

Prayer should include four things; requests, praise, intercession, and thanksgiving. Supplications, or requests, are the needs we bring to God. Praise is the adoration and worship we give to God. Intercession means to stand in the gap for someone else. When you lift up the needs of others, you are interceding. Finally, every prayer time should include a time of thanking God for who He is.

Power Through Our Weakness

“Don’t let anybody see you sweat.” That was a famous line from a marketing campaign for anti-persperant. What they were really saying is don’t let anyone see your weakness. Society says you have to be strong even though you don’t have the strength to show it. It is said if you show weakness, people will…

Jesus’ Victory Parade

One of the highlights of being a world champion in any sport is the victory parade. In the United States, the most prominent parades always happen for the Super Bowl Champion. Whole cities shut down to come out and cheer for their champion. Palm Sunday is Jesus’ victory parade. All of Jerusalem came out to shout “Hosanna” as he traveled into the city.

Mark 11:7-10

And they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it, and he sat on it. And many spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut from the fields. And those who went before and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the coming kingdom of our father David! Hosanna in the highest!”

Victory Parade

When Roman generals returned from a battle, they always led a procession of their army into town. He would enter on a white horse followed by his troops, the spoils of victory, and the slaves he had captured. It was quite an event as the whole town would come out and cheer the parade. Jesus had his victory parade as well. It happened during the Passover feast. Thousands and thousands came out and shouted and waved palm branches.

Get Alone With God

If you listen to surveys, one of the things people desire the most is a little quiet time by themselves. There is so much competition for your time and distractions that steal your focus. Carving out time to get alone with God and pray is a challenge, but it is one of the most important activities you can do. 

Matthew 14:23

“And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.” 

Getting Alone with God

Jesus often stole away to pray. During the day, people pressed in all around Him to meet their needs. He walked with His disciples, who never looked like they would get it. Jesus had to get away at night just to be alone with His Father. When everyone else was asleep, he would go and spend the night in prayer to recharge for what awaited him the next day. 

Different but Still the Same

Have you ever watched sailboat racing? Seeing the crew jumping all over the boat as the wind changes is a sight to see. Each person has a specific responsibility that works in unison with the rest of the team. They all have different roles but the same goal, to win the race. The church is set up the same way. The Holy Spirit gives each person unique gifts to be used in conjunction with other believers to accomplish the same purpose, proclaim the Gospel. We are different but still the same team.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

Different but Still the Same

Everyone is equipped with a variety of gifts when they choose to follow Jesus. What you have been given will be different from others in the church. What doesn’t differ is the Holy Spirit who gives you the gifts. We have all been filled with the Holy Spirit upon salvation. This gives us unity in the church. God can take a diverse group of people and unify them as one church through His Holy Spirit.

When You’ve Been Wronged

Everyone one of us has been wronged by another person. What do you do when you’ve been wronged? Do you seek revenge? Do you file a lawsuit and take them to court, or do you isolate yourself and sulk? How you process your hurt will dictate your future. The Apostle Paul suggests an alternative to when you’ve been wronged.

1 Corinthians 6:1-2

When one of you has a grievance against another, does he dare go to law before the unrighteous instead of the saints? Or do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases?

Stop the Scandals

So many people who are easily offended these days. The Greek word for offense is scandalon, from which we get our word scandal. Originally the word was used to refer to the bait used to snare a wild animal. Paul uses it to refer to anything that hinders our walk with God. Paul puts his foot down and tells the Corinthians that it is not the way it is supposed to be in the church. This had become a problem in the Corinthian church, and Paul wanted the leadership to handle things differently. When we go to court, it is already a defeat for the church and us because it destroys our witness.

Selfless Giving

The grand gesture is very popular right now. Students are going to great lengths to ask their dates to the homecoming dance. Fiances climb mountains to propose at the perfect spot. We like to make a big deal out of the simplest acts. Jesus commands us to do the opposite. He calls us to selfless giving. Our motivation should be to bless others, not draw attention to ourselves. Break the mold and become a selfless giver.

Matthew 6:1,3

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret.

A Clanging Noise

Giving at the annual feasts in Jerusalem was a big show. People would go to the treasury to watch the wealthy drop coins into large brass receptacles. The more coins they put in, the louder the sound, making everyone turn and watch. The wealthy did it for recognition. The disciple of Jesus needs to give where no one notices except Jesus.

Good News For You

Jesus has good news for you. This news will change your life. Like the dawn of a new day, Jesus brings good news that brings new beginnings. The Bible has a term for this good news, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Forgiveness and eternal life can be your if you choose to follow Jesus. That’s good news for you.
1 Corinthians 15:3-4
For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures

1 Corinthians 15:1-11 is one of the clearest presentations of the Gospel in all of Scripture. Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised on the third day. He died to become the perfect sacrifice to appease God’s wrath, and our sins could be forgiven. He was buried, but death couldn’t keep him down. On the third day, He was resurrected from the grave. This was witnessed by the disciples and more than five hundred people before he ascended to heaven.

Are Your Prayers Being Heard?

Did you know that most people don’t listen to what you say? It’s true! Studies show that people only listen enough to respond with what they want to talk about. This is why they either talk about themselves or steer the conversation in another direction. Are your prayers being heard by God? He’s paying attention, but something else may be blocking the answer. 

1 Peter 3:12

“because the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are open to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do what is evil.”

Are Your Prayers Being Heard

Are your prayers being heard? Do you see evidence of God working through the prayer you have brought before him? Maybe those prayers aren’t being heard because there is unforgiven sin in your heart. There is nothing more that God wants to do than to hear our prayers and answer them the way he thinks best. If your prayers aren’t being answered, spend some time seeking his forgiveness.

God Makes Himself Known

Some people who enter the room need to make their presence known. They think everyone should know they have arrived. It often overshadows what is going on why people are there. God works in the opposite way. He can be so subtle that people won’t believe He exists because they can’t see any evidence. That is a dangerous mistake. Neglected too long, and God makes Himself known.

Ezekiel‬ ‭39:7‬

‘I will make known my holy name among my people Israel. I will no longer let my holy name be profaned, and the nations will know that I the Lord am the Holy One in Israel.

God Makes Himself Known

God makes himself known. We often think if we can’t see something at work, it isn’t there. That is often the case with God in our lives. It is easy to forget he is there because we can’t see him. We go on with our everyday life without a thought of how God is working in our life. Then, all of a sudden, God lets us know he has always been there. God makes himself known to us, and eventually the nations will know.