Daily Prayer - Job Description

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

I think this message ties in nicely with the messages of the last few days:

 

Friday, June 27, 2014

Be Truly Human

 

Key Bible Verse: You are the ones chosen by God … to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted. (1 Peter 2:9, The Message)

 

Dig Deeper: 1 Peter 2:5-10

 

Our job description has nothing to do with starting or growing churches, converting friends, or changing the political landscape.  Jesus modelled a life he wants us to live, and his hope for humanity is that you and I will learn to be truly human: earthy saints who reveal God’s glory to anyone who happens to be watching or searching.

 

Consider this e-mail I was thankful to receive:

 

Hey brother … Lindsey [a Starbucks store manager] said she is going to start coming regularly to Adullam,  She said she really liked that you admitted you weren’t perfect, you shared that you’re a different guy today than you were 20 years ago, you said the resurrection story is hard to believe.

 

In short, it was your humanity that made all the difference for her.  Just wanted to give you some encouragement and positive feedback.  Proud of my pastor today. – Jake

 

We matter in God’s incarnational kingdom.  We enjoy him, we reflect him, we bring glory to him, and we become more like him all the time!  And in the end, it is Christ in us who is the hope of glory, the hope of the world!  So go and be human and let God be God.

 

     — Hugh Halter in Flesh

 

Our job is to live.  To live truly human lives under the power of the Holy Spirit.  God will do the rest.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

*Note – this will be my last regular Daily Prayer message until September.  Over the next few months I may occasionally send out a prayer if I feel so led by the Spirit.  I would also love to send out your prayers and messages, should you feel so inclined.  Just send them along to me.  Have a wonderful summer, my friends.

 

 

Father, You have called us out as ambassadors for Christ, and in so doing, we make the proclamation of the gospel known not only with our words, but also with our lives.

 

As we approach each new day we’re given a set of challenges.

 

Some that will last only a day but others that will require endurance for years, even a lifetime.

 

The way we deal with those “things” will bring You glory or may be a stumbling block to faith for those who observe.

 

Father, You make Your appeal through us so it is our heart’s desire to trust You in all things – knowing they work together for our good and for the good of the kingdom.

 

Remind us that You are working out Your purpose in our lives so that we will not be consumed with the smoothness of our plans, but rather the unfolding of Your Kingdom plans recognizing and acknowledging that You are good.

 

Through all circumstances God, You are good – period! 

 

It is in the name of Jesus that we give You thanks and praise. Amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2014/06/17/a-prayer-proclaiming-gods-goodness/) 

Daily Prayer - How far in are you?

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

My wonderful wife, Rosemary, sent this to me this morning.  It looks a little daunting, but trust me it is worth the read.  As you do, contemplate how far inside the door you are.

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

*NOTE: After this week I will be taking a break from sending out the "Daily Prayer", probably until September.  I may send out the occasional message if I come across something that strikes me deeply.  I would also love to have "guest bloggers" - you!  If you have a prayer, either from one of my messages or from elsewhere (perhaps one of your own authoring), please send it to me with a note that I can share with the group so that we can encourage each other.

 

 

I Stand By The Door

by Sam Shoemaker

 

I stand by the door. I neither go too far in, nor stay too far out. This door is the most important door in the world. It’s the door through which men walk when they find God. There’s no use my going way inside and staying there when so many are still outside. And they, just as I, crave to know where the door is. And all that so many ever find is only a wall where that door ought to be. They creep along the wall like blind men with outstretched groping hands feeling for a door, knowing that there must be a door, yet they never find it.

 

So I stand by the door.

 

The most tremendous thing in the world is for men to find that door, the door to God. The most important thing any man can do is to take hold of one of those hands, and put it on that latch, the latch that only clicks and opens to that man’s own touch. Many die outside that door as starving beggars die on cold nights in cruel cities in the dead of winter, die for want of what is within their grasp. They live on the other side of that door. They live because they have not found it. Nothing else matters compared to helping them find it, and open it, and walk in and find God.

 

So I stand by the door.

 

Go in great saints, go all the way in. Go way down into the cavernous cellars and way up into the spacious attics in its vast roomy house, this house where God is. Go into the deepest of hidden casements of withdrawals, silence and sainthood. Some must inhabit those inner rooms and know the depths and heights of God, and call outside to the rest of us how wonderful it is in there. Sometimes I take a deeper look in. Sometimes I venture in a little further. But my place seems to be closer to the opening.

 

So I stand by the door.

 

There’s another reason why I stand there. Some people get part way in and become afraid lest God and the zeal of His house devour them. For God is so very great and asks all of us. And these people feel a cosmic claustrophobia, and they want to get out. “Let me out!” they cry. And the people way inside only terrify them even more. Somebody must be by the door to tell them that they’re spoiled. For the old life they have seen too much. Once you taste God, nothing but God will do ever again. Somebody must be watching for the frightened who seek to sneak out just where they came in, and tell them how much better it is inside.

 

The people too far in don’t see how near these people are to leaving, preoccupied with the wonder of it all. Somebody must watch for those who have entered the door but would like to run away.

 

So, for them too, I stand by the door.

 

I admire the people who go way in, but I wish they wouldn’t forget how it was, before they got in. Then they would be able to help the people who have not yet even found that door, or the people who want to run away again from God. You can go in too deeply, you can stay in too long, and forget the people outside the door. As for me, I’ll take my old accustomed place, near enough to God to hear Him, and know that He is there, but not so far from men as not to hear them and remember they are there too. Where? Outside the door .. Thousands of them. Millions of them. But more important for me, one of them, two of them, ten of them, whose hands I am intended to put on the latch. So I stand by the door and wait for those who seek it. I’d rather be a doorkeeper.

 

So I stand by the door. 

Daily Prayer - Missing the point

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

I received this thought provoking devotional today:

 

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Missing the Point

 

Key Bible Verse: “These people say they are mine. They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” (Isaiah 29:13)

 

Dig Deeper: Mark 7:1-23

 

When we deny our humanity and try to become more clean, or more pure, or more sanctified, we end up on the wrong end of that work.  The work instead becomes sanctimonious, and it means we hide our true human struggle and become self-righteous, smug, holier-than-thou, pious, pompous, and a few other lovely terms that describe humans trying to appear more godly than people around them.

Many Christians base their personal sanctification on whether they had a devotional time that day, avoided swearing, and went to church.  But while they may feel great about their “walk with God,” they have not loved their neighbours as much as they love themselves, they haven’t cared for or [even considered caring for] the needs of the sick or the poor, and there’s been no focus toward unbelievers in their lives.

On the other hand, there are many other people who swear and sometimes don’t get their devotional time in but who wake up and spend their entire day doing the very works of God in the world.  They throw parties for their friends, they take a few hours and help with practical needs, or they spend time with people whom most of the world would never touch.  Which do you think Jesus prefers?

 

     — Hugh Halter in Flesh

 

My Response: How do I measure my personal sanctification?

 

 

Thought to Apply: Hypocrisy can plunge the mind of a man into a dark abyss, when he believes his own self-flattery instead of God’s verdict. – John Calvin (French theologian, pastor)

 

 

I know I can be quick to judge those in the Church who "break the rules" - swearing, partying, whatever - oblivious of their witness in the community.  Meanwhile my own personal prayer, devotional and Bible reading time may be doing little to further the Kingdom.  Tough to swallow.  But a good lesson.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

*NOTE: After this week I will be taking a break from sending out the "Daily Prayer", probably until September.  I may send out the occasional message if I come across something that strikes me deeply.  I would also love to have "guest bloggers" - you!  If you have a prayer, either from one of my messages or from elsewhere (perhaps one of your own authoring), please send it to me with a note that I can share with the group so that we can encourage each other.

 

 

Father, we’re grateful for those throughout history who chose to be men and women of faith,

whose hearts were fashioned in Your image,

for those who served Your purpose in their generation.

 

We also want to serve Your purpose in our generation. 

 

Help us to stay steadfast and strong as we run this race set before us. 

 

Thankfully, in this race, we’re not in competition to be the only prizewinner.

 

Instead we take hold of the hands of those who run with us and invite those on the sidelines to join us. 

 

We want to cross the finish line together so that we will all receive the grand prize of life eternal with You. 

 

May we never give up! Amen.

 

(http://adailyprayer.wordpress.com/2014/06/20/a-prayer-for-serving-god-in-our-generation/) 

Daily Prayer - Summertime

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

It's summertime.  So many things to distract us.  Good things and not so good things.  Let us pray to be distracted by what matters.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

*NOTE: After this week I will be taking a break from sending out the "Daily Prayer", probably until September.  I may send out the occasional message if I come across something that strikes me deeply.  I would also love to have "guest bloggers" - you!  If you have a prayer, either from one of my messages or from elsewhere (perhaps one of your own authoring), please send it to me with a note that I can share with the group so that we can encourage each other.

 

 

Good morning, good God...

 

It's summertime, Lord,

but life and work go on and, as always,

I need your help...

 

The week ahead promises to be a busy one

with its own difficulties

and, I'm sure, some challenges...

 

As I walk through this week, Lord,

stay by my side,

keep me on the right path

and lead me where you'd have me go...

 

As we walk together, you and I,

help me see through your eyes

the people I meet and work with

and the circumstances I encounter;

help me see what on my own I'd surely miss

and keep me from distraction

over what's a waste of time and unimportant...

 

With you as my companion, Lord,

help me speak as you would speak:

help me say what others truly need to hear;

give me your word with its comfort and compassion;

and keep watch over the words of my lips

lest my speech mislead or hurt...

 

Lord, be my colleague and companion,

my patron and my partner,

my guardian and my guide...

 

Be with me, Lord,

and keep me by your side this Monday morning

and through the week ahead...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/monday-morning-offering-june-23.html) 

Daily Prayer - Simple

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

Sometimes the simplest prayers are the ones that most connect us with God.  Take your time with these two word prayers and allow His power and presence to fill you.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

Calm me, quiet me, settle me...

Steady me, balance me, ground me...

Plant me, root me, embed me...

Support me, sustain me, protect me...

Forgive me, pardon me, free me...

Refresh me, restore me, heal me...

Enfold me, embrace me, hold me...

Lord, hear my prayer today!

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/)

Daily Prayer - May I be there for them...

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

What opportunities will God give you, and me, to server others today?  Are we willing to accept these?

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

Folks will cross my path today and

    ask for my time,

    seek my company,

    lean on my shoulder,

    beg me to listen,

    share their story,

    reach for my help,

    pour out their grief,

    request my prayer,

    look for a smile,

    shed a tear,

    need a friend,

    and lift my heart...

 

May I be there for them, Lord,

    as you are always there for me...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/pause-for-prayer-friday-613.html)

Daily Prayer - Today

Good Thursday morning, my friends.

 

Is your day all planned out?  Got your calendar all set? 

 

We get so easily distracted by the "tyranny of the urgent" that we often forget what is important.  Or rather, Who is important.

 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

I have a fairly good idea

of how I'm going to spend my day:

   where I'll be going

   and who I'll see and talk to

   and what I'm going to do...

 

But I'm gonna stop for a few minutes

- right now, Lord -

and ponder how you'd like me to spend my day:

   where you want me to go

   and who you want me to see and talk to

   and what you want me to do...

 

Gonna stop - right now - to pray

and think that through...

 

   Lord, where's the one place you want me to go today?

   Who's the one person you want me to reach out to this day?

   What's the one thing you'd have me do today?

 

And if my plans for today aren't yours, Lord,

help me trust that your plans

are better than mine...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/pause-for-prayer-tuesday-610.html)

Daily Prayer - Take the dimness of my soul away

Good Monday morning, my friends.

 

Please don't rush through this prayer - if you do you may miss much.  Determine to set aside a few minutes.  Pray it thoughtfully, slowly.  Then do it again.

 

Amazing Grace and Eternal Peace be yours,

Bruce

 

 

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart;

Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move;

Stoop to my weakness, mighty as Thou art,

And make me love Thee as I ought to love.

 

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies,

No sudden rending of the veil of clay,

No angel visitant, no opening skies;

But take the dimness of my soul away.

 

Teach me to feel that Thou art always nigh;

Teach me the struggles of the soul to bear.

To check the rising doubt, the rebel sigh,

Teach me the patience of unanswered prayer.

 

Hast Thou not bid me love Thee, God and King?

All, all Thine own, soul, heart and strength and mind.

I see Thy cross; there teach my heart to cling:

O let me seek Thee, and O let me find!

 

Teach me to love Thee as Thine angels love,

One holy passion filling all my frame;

The kindling of the heaven descended Dove,

My heart an altar, and Thy love the flame.

 

(a hymn by George Croly by way of http://bobhostetler.blogspot.ca/2014/06/a-pentecost-sunday-prayer.html)

Daily Prayer - The plans of mice and men ... and God!

Good Friday morning, my friends.

 

It is so easy to fall into the trap of worrying about the future. The enemy throws so many "what ifs" at us that it is almost impossible to dodge them all.

 

The Lord says:

   I know well the plans I have in mind for you,

   plans for your welfare and not for woe,

   so as to give you a future of hope...  Jeremiah 29:11

 

My problem is that knowing that the Lord knows the plan is not good enough for me.  I need to know it as well! 

 

Grace and peace be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

I'm glad you know the plans, the path,

you have in mind for me

but I'd be grateful if you'd let me in

on what I don't yet know...

 

I'm glad to know your plans will lead

to welfare, not to woe, so help me

through my troubled days

and on towards my well-being...

 

And if it's not yet time for you

to share the plans you know so well,

then give me trust and hope in you

to lead me safely on my way...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/pause-for-prayer-friday-66.html)

Daily Prayer - What mode are you in?

Good Wednesday morning, my friends.

 

Do you not find it easy to slip into "religion" mode and forget all about the relational aspect of our faith?  We dutifully attend church, bible studies, etc.  We say all the right words, pray before meals, even read our Bibles regularly.  But how much time do we spend on our actual relationship, our bi-directional communication with the God of the universe?

 

I read this devotional this morning and it struck home:

 

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

The Rock-Steady Man

 

Key Bible Verse: You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!  Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock. (Isaiah 26:3-4)

 

Dig Deeper: Proverbs 3:1-6

 

 

A man once met Billy Graham at a dinner and asked him what was the most satisfying part of his life and ministry.  The man expected to hear stories about the big revivals, or about being a spiritual advisor to world leaders, or about writing best-selling books that affected lives the world over.  But Dr. Graham waved him off and said, "It's none of that.  By far the greatest joy of my life has been knowing Jesus – hearing him speak to me, having him guide me, sensing his presence.  He has been the greatest pleasure of my life."

Dr. Graham delighted himself in the Lord.  And the Lord gave him the desire of his heart.

Here's the application.  There's nothing wrong with achievement, but it's not going to satisfy the deepest longings of our hearts.  It works both ways.  If we achieve all we want, those things won't satisfy us.  And if we don't achieve what we want, we won't be satisfied either.  That's why a man needs to be rock-steady.  That's why we need to ingest and live out the truth of [today's Key Bible Verses].

Source of the Billy Graham story: Simply Jesus and You by Joseph Stowell (Multnomah, 2006).

 

     — Matt Carter in The Real Win

 

Today spend some time soaking in your relationship with God - allowing His love to overwhelm you. 

 

 

Grace and peace and the deep love of God be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

I understand that you love me, Lord,

    but it's harder to believe that you like me...

 

There are so many days

    when I don't like myself...

 

It's not easy to imagine

    that you seek me out

       and choose me as your friend,

    that you enjoy my company

       and want to spend time with me

    and that you like the sound of my voice...

 

But you do, Lord

    - and for all of this I'm grateful...

 

When you say you like the sound of my voice, Lord,

    I realize you don't hear it often enough.

 So, keep me faithful to telling you

    everything I have to say

and teach me to come to love

       the sound of your voice, too...

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/pause-for-prayer-wednesday-64.html)

Daily Prayer - Give me ...

Good Tuesday morning, my friends.

 

I love the way this prayer asks God to give us courage, words, patience, grace, heart, vision and peace to deal with others (and Him), but also wisdom to know and understand ourselves.

 

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5).

 

I think James is being a little sarcastic, or at least facetious, here.  If "any" of you lacks wisdom?  Who doesn't lack wisdom?

 

 

Grace and peace and wisdom be yours in abundance,

Bruce

 

 

 

Give me courage to do the right thing, Lord,

and wisdom to know when it's time to sit still...

 

Give me good and truthful words to speak

and wisdom to know when to keep my mouth shut...

 

Give me patience to bear all my neighbor's faults

and wisdom to see and admit my own...

 

Give me grace to forgive what others have done

and wisdom to seek the pardon I need...

 

Give me heart to respond to my neighbor's want

and wisdom to welcome help offered to me...

 

Give me vision to see you wherever I turn

and wisdom to reverence your presence, so near...

 

Give my soul the deep peace only you, Lord, can give

and wisdom to praise you for all your good gifts...

 

Amen.

 

(http://concordpastor.blogspot.ca/2014/06/pause-for-prayer-tuesday-63.html)