Saturday, March 13, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
The Time Stealers
Tanya James
I have a confession - several of them actually.
... I don't study my Word as much as I should
... I don't always pray without ceasing
... Sometimes I worry about things instead of walking in faith.
... Sometimes I get road rage and have to catch myself from dropping a 4 letter word.
... Sometimes I hold a grudge and allow anger and bitterness to build up inside.
... Sometimes I can be judgmental.
... Sometimes I don't take care of my temple (my body) the way I should by eating right and exercising.
... Sometimes I procrastinate, make excuses or I just allow the spirit of laziness to take over.
... Sometimes I try to ignore the nudging of the Holy Spirit and continue doing what I want to do.
I'm sure I could continue but I think you get the point. I'm not perfect - far from it. But what I've come to realize is the more time I spend with God, quality time with God, the more I desire to be more like Him. And when that desire is strong, I'm less likely to do and say things that contradict His likeness.
The more time I spend studying God's Word, the stronger I get to turn away from sinful ways (actions). The more time I spend in prayer, the more my faith increases.
And like many, I have been quick to say there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. And that excuse has caused me to often neglect my quality time with God.
Yet, I can always find time to watch my favorite television show. I can always find time to flip through my favorite magazine. I can always find time to check my face book and twitter accounts. I can always find time to carry on text message conversations.
Guess what that says to me? "You make time for what's important to you"
So if I review my day, what seems to be most important? Is it finding out what my friend's latest status update is? Or is finding out what instructions God has for me?
I know what should be my priority and I also know what I have to do about it.
... I may have to get up earlier in the morning.
... I may have to take that twitter and facebook app off my cell phone and replace it with a Bible app.
... I may have to turn the computer and the television off.
... I may even have to turn the ringer off my blackberry sometimes.
Whatever it takes, I will make God my priority. I will spend quality alone time with Him daily.
Prayer, studying the Word and spending time with God must be a part of our lifestyle or else we will continue to try to "re-introduce" ourselves to God every time a crisis arises.
I encourage you to look at your daily schedule and figure out what is keeping you from interacting with God each day. What sacrifices must you make to assure you keep a healthy relationship with God? Whatever it is, I guarantee it won't take long to realize it's worth giving up. Try it! You will be amazed at how much more you get done when your priorities are in order!
Matthew 6:33 - "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
Founder and president of The Master Plan, Tanya James is the author of From Promiscuity to Proverbs 31: Getting Off the Fence of Sexual Immorality. For more information about Tanya, log onto www.armedanddangerous.biz.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Eliminate The Noise
Friday, March 12, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
Eliminate the Noise
Milan Ford
Does anyone remember the days when T.V. just went off? Although I'm not exactly sure when, I believe it used to happen right after midnight. You begged your parents to let you stay up just five more minutes to watch the end of that late-night movie, but then all of a sudden, there it was:
The waving American flag.
The Star-Spangled Banner.
That annoying mono-tone sound.
And then yes of course, those infamous color bars.
Ah, those were the days. For those you (like me) who tried staying up a little longer than you were supposed to, you may have discovered that nothing else came on till the morning. Throughout the night, all you would see were those color bars, accompanied with a dead silence.
My how things have changed.
With the emergence of cable television, XM radio stations, iPods, social media networks, and cellular phones that are admired more for their video and music playing ability, than their ability to effectively make or receive a call, it is nearly impossible for you and I to even imagine a world that silence can be effectively pursued. If even slightly appreciated.
Whether we may believe it or not, noise is now very much a part of our daily lives. Whether we are entering our homes, our cars, or even our churches, it is often the first thing we seek: Noise.
What is it about silence that we no longer appreciate? Why has it become so difficult for us to take just a few minutes out of our day... and pursue silence?
In 1 Kings 19:11-12v., God provides us with a great reason why silence may be something you and I (as believers) may no longer want to overlook:
Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire...
... and after the fire a still small voice."
This passage of scripture is just amazing to me. Here we find God, who through an angel, provided a prophet by the name of Elijah, with some instructions as to where to meet Him. For those of you who may not be familiar with him, Elijah had had some pretty good on-the-job work experience on knowing how and where to find God in the past (see 1 Kings 17:2-4; 1 Kings 17:8-9; 1 Kings 18:36-38v).
Yet this time, God revealed himself to Elijah in a way he may have never expected. While standing on the mountain, God allowed a strong wind to pass by Elijah. But God, surprisingly, wasn't there.
Then God allowed Elijah to experience an earthquake. But God still wasn't there. God even allowed Elijah to witness a raging fire, and although God had used fire before with Elijah, God could not be found in the fire this time. And then it happened.
After the wind passed.
After the earthquake ceased.
And after the fire disappeared...there it was.
A still small voice.
It is amazing how many of us have difficulties spending time with God, yet fail to recognize one important element that remains absent throughout our pursuit of Him: Silence.
As believers, the noise we have surrounded our daily lives with is very much a distraction to achieving the type of intimacy and quality time with God that He so desires for us to have.
Time alone with God is imperative to our spiritual growth. And while I realize many of us already know this to be true, I wonder if you and I can consider something together on today:
Aside for the need of more silence and quality time with Him, are there any noises around you now that you simply can NO LONGER hear God speaking through?
Remember, fire was something Elijah had once found God in. But this time, He wasn't there.
Be sure to spend enough time alone with God to know when He has changed His methods of communication with you. This day, hunger after His voice.
Eliminate the noise.
Milan Ford has been a leader (and survivor) of ministry within the local church for most of his life. A lover of Red Vines Licorice and all things pointing North, Milan released his first book, 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing in December (2009). You can find Milan rambling and writing at ThePewView.com
Leave a Comment
Eliminate the Noise
Milan Ford
Does anyone remember the days when T.V. just went off? Although I'm not exactly sure when, I believe it used to happen right after midnight. You begged your parents to let you stay up just five more minutes to watch the end of that late-night movie, but then all of a sudden, there it was:
The waving American flag.
The Star-Spangled Banner.
That annoying mono-tone sound.
And then yes of course, those infamous color bars.
Ah, those were the days. For those you (like me) who tried staying up a little longer than you were supposed to, you may have discovered that nothing else came on till the morning. Throughout the night, all you would see were those color bars, accompanied with a dead silence.
My how things have changed.
With the emergence of cable television, XM radio stations, iPods, social media networks, and cellular phones that are admired more for their video and music playing ability, than their ability to effectively make or receive a call, it is nearly impossible for you and I to even imagine a world that silence can be effectively pursued. If even slightly appreciated.
Whether we may believe it or not, noise is now very much a part of our daily lives. Whether we are entering our homes, our cars, or even our churches, it is often the first thing we seek: Noise.
What is it about silence that we no longer appreciate? Why has it become so difficult for us to take just a few minutes out of our day... and pursue silence?
In 1 Kings 19:11-12v., God provides us with a great reason why silence may be something you and I (as believers) may no longer want to overlook:
Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord." And behold the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire...
... and after the fire a still small voice."
This passage of scripture is just amazing to me. Here we find God, who through an angel, provided a prophet by the name of Elijah, with some instructions as to where to meet Him. For those of you who may not be familiar with him, Elijah had had some pretty good on-the-job work experience on knowing how and where to find God in the past (see 1 Kings 17:2-4; 1 Kings 17:8-9; 1 Kings 18:36-38v).
Yet this time, God revealed himself to Elijah in a way he may have never expected. While standing on the mountain, God allowed a strong wind to pass by Elijah. But God, surprisingly, wasn't there.
Then God allowed Elijah to experience an earthquake. But God still wasn't there. God even allowed Elijah to witness a raging fire, and although God had used fire before with Elijah, God could not be found in the fire this time. And then it happened.
After the wind passed.
After the earthquake ceased.
And after the fire disappeared...there it was.
A still small voice.
It is amazing how many of us have difficulties spending time with God, yet fail to recognize one important element that remains absent throughout our pursuit of Him: Silence.
As believers, the noise we have surrounded our daily lives with is very much a distraction to achieving the type of intimacy and quality time with God that He so desires for us to have.
Time alone with God is imperative to our spiritual growth. And while I realize many of us already know this to be true, I wonder if you and I can consider something together on today:
Aside for the need of more silence and quality time with Him, are there any noises around you now that you simply can NO LONGER hear God speaking through?
Remember, fire was something Elijah had once found God in. But this time, He wasn't there.
Be sure to spend enough time alone with God to know when He has changed His methods of communication with you. This day, hunger after His voice.
Eliminate the noise.
Milan Ford has been a leader (and survivor) of ministry within the local church for most of his life. A lover of Red Vines Licorice and all things pointing North, Milan released his first book, 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing in December (2009). You can find Milan rambling and writing at ThePewView.com
Thursday, March 11, 2010
In The Silence
In The Silence
John C. Richards Jr.
And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." - 1 Kings 19:10
Nothing.
Nada.
No answer.
Not even a hint.
What happens when God is silent? Many will not admit periods in their lives when it seems that God is not speaking. Often, this is driven by the fear that others will not see us as "spiritual" as they thought us to be. I'll be honest and tell you that there are times in my life when I feel that God is silent. Yes, even seminary-trained, Greek and Hebrew exegeting, theologically thinking men and women of faith have periods of silence in their lives.
Has there been a period of time in your life when it just felt like God wasn't speaking? You're in good company. The prophet Elijah went through a similar period. Like many Christians, he was very zealous for the Lord. He knew the word of God and had not abandoned his faith. But, he still had questions.
"God, others live their lives in ways that don't glorify you. Yet, they still prosper. Can you explain that to me? They have torn down the altars and refuse to worship you with all their heart, mind and soul. To make matters worse, they have killed your prophets with the sword."
The prophetic can symbolize dreams in our lives. Have you ever had your dreams slain by others? "You sure you want to do that?" "Did you pray about that?" Have you encountered any prophet killers (dream killers)?
Elijah was living in a cave.
He was isolated and alone.
And he sought God, fully expecting to hear an answer.
Silence...
How did God eventually respond? He told Elijah to "go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord" (1 Kings 19:11). I can imagine Elijah. "That's not what I asked you, Lord? Why do you have me doing this? I wanted an answer from you." What a wonderful revelation on how to operate in the silence. It's no surprise that Elijah was told to go stand on the mountain.
It reminds me of a tradition of early settlers in America. Many found that building their dwelling places on hills allowed them to avoid the dangers of poisonous snakes found in the valley. They called this, "living above the snake line". Their discovery? Once you go above that line certain animals,especially snakes, cannot comfortably live there. Do you live above the snake line? Does the enemy/devil still have access to you? If so, I encourage you to climb higher. Snakes (often symbolic of the devil) can't live up there. My greatest problem isn't with the enemy. Personally, I would say that I live above the snake line. My greatest enemy is found within. There are times when I feel like I have missed God. How do I overcome this in the silence?
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks into pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a small still voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12).
How does God operate in the silence? In a small still voice. I often make the mistake of looking for wind, earthquakes, and fires from God. I want something huge to happen. Especially when it comes to making big decisions in my life.
But this passage teaches us that God comforts us in a small still voice. No wonder we are exhorted to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10). If you are going through a period of silence I want to encourage you to celebrate your silence. Eliminate outside noise. Find a high place. Listen up!
For your answer is found in getting alone with God and listening for... His small still voice.
John C. Richards, Jr., Esq. is a husband, writer, attorney, and student. While an attorney by career choice, he is involved in local ministry in the urban Los Angeles area and remains passionate about juvenile justice. He is concluding his final year at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is currently on staff at Hope Community Church in Pasadena, California. For more information about John, log onto www.brotherpreacher.com
© John C. Richards Jr. all rights reserved.
John C. Richards Jr.
And he said, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God of hosts; because the children of Israel have forsaken your covenant, torn down your altars, and killed your prophets with the sword. I alone am left; and they seek to take my life." - 1 Kings 19:10
Nothing.
Nada.
No answer.
Not even a hint.
What happens when God is silent? Many will not admit periods in their lives when it seems that God is not speaking. Often, this is driven by the fear that others will not see us as "spiritual" as they thought us to be. I'll be honest and tell you that there are times in my life when I feel that God is silent. Yes, even seminary-trained, Greek and Hebrew exegeting, theologically thinking men and women of faith have periods of silence in their lives.
Has there been a period of time in your life when it just felt like God wasn't speaking? You're in good company. The prophet Elijah went through a similar period. Like many Christians, he was very zealous for the Lord. He knew the word of God and had not abandoned his faith. But, he still had questions.
"God, others live their lives in ways that don't glorify you. Yet, they still prosper. Can you explain that to me? They have torn down the altars and refuse to worship you with all their heart, mind and soul. To make matters worse, they have killed your prophets with the sword."
The prophetic can symbolize dreams in our lives. Have you ever had your dreams slain by others? "You sure you want to do that?" "Did you pray about that?" Have you encountered any prophet killers (dream killers)?
Elijah was living in a cave.
He was isolated and alone.
And he sought God, fully expecting to hear an answer.
Silence...
How did God eventually respond? He told Elijah to "go out and stand on the mountain before the Lord" (1 Kings 19:11). I can imagine Elijah. "That's not what I asked you, Lord? Why do you have me doing this? I wanted an answer from you." What a wonderful revelation on how to operate in the silence. It's no surprise that Elijah was told to go stand on the mountain.
It reminds me of a tradition of early settlers in America. Many found that building their dwelling places on hills allowed them to avoid the dangers of poisonous snakes found in the valley. They called this, "living above the snake line". Their discovery? Once you go above that line certain animals,especially snakes, cannot comfortably live there. Do you live above the snake line? Does the enemy/devil still have access to you? If so, I encourage you to climb higher. Snakes (often symbolic of the devil) can't live up there. My greatest problem isn't with the enemy. Personally, I would say that I live above the snake line. My greatest enemy is found within. There are times when I feel like I have missed God. How do I overcome this in the silence?
And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks into pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a small still voice. (1 Kings 19:11-12).
How does God operate in the silence? In a small still voice. I often make the mistake of looking for wind, earthquakes, and fires from God. I want something huge to happen. Especially when it comes to making big decisions in my life.
But this passage teaches us that God comforts us in a small still voice. No wonder we are exhorted to "be still and know that He is God" (Psalm 46:10). If you are going through a period of silence I want to encourage you to celebrate your silence. Eliminate outside noise. Find a high place. Listen up!
For your answer is found in getting alone with God and listening for... His small still voice.
John C. Richards, Jr., Esq. is a husband, writer, attorney, and student. While an attorney by career choice, he is involved in local ministry in the urban Los Angeles area and remains passionate about juvenile justice. He is concluding his final year at Fuller Theological Seminary, and is currently on staff at Hope Community Church in Pasadena, California. For more information about John, log onto www.brotherpreacher.com
© John C. Richards Jr. all rights reserved.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
My Part Is Prayer
Wednesday, March 10, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
My Part Is Prayer
Lisa Birch
I've heard it before, and I've even struggled with the thought myself.
"If God knows everything, then why should I pray?"
This reminds me of one part of my journey through Purpose Driven Life when Rick Warren wrote three simple words: Love spells T-I-M-E.
If I claim to love someone, I make it a priority to spend time with that person. Prayer is time with God. Asking, thanking, praising, listening, and just feeling his presence in prayer is all time well spent with him. But it doesn't stop there.
Whether I pray by myself, with one partner, or in a room full of people, there's no getting away from time alone with God because his spirit is always with me. His word says he'll never leave, you know. And his word is guaranteed.
In fact His love for us is the most powerful love to ever exist in all of time and eternity.
With a love of that magnitude pointed directly at me, how could I choose not to sow into the relationship? To sincerely engage? To give what I can to make it flourish and grow? That spiritual growth can't happen without the communication act of prayer.
Yes God knows everything, even before we think, speak or experience it. He's almighty and all-knowing.
But he's also very personal.
And he desires our time through prayer.
Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and several ministerial environments. For more information about Lisa, log onto www.verticalfix.com.
Leave a Comment
My Part Is Prayer
Lisa Birch
I've heard it before, and I've even struggled with the thought myself.
"If God knows everything, then why should I pray?"
This reminds me of one part of my journey through Purpose Driven Life when Rick Warren wrote three simple words: Love spells T-I-M-E.
If I claim to love someone, I make it a priority to spend time with that person. Prayer is time with God. Asking, thanking, praising, listening, and just feeling his presence in prayer is all time well spent with him. But it doesn't stop there.
Whether I pray by myself, with one partner, or in a room full of people, there's no getting away from time alone with God because his spirit is always with me. His word says he'll never leave, you know. And his word is guaranteed.
In fact His love for us is the most powerful love to ever exist in all of time and eternity.
With a love of that magnitude pointed directly at me, how could I choose not to sow into the relationship? To sincerely engage? To give what I can to make it flourish and grow? That spiritual growth can't happen without the communication act of prayer.
Yes God knows everything, even before we think, speak or experience it. He's almighty and all-knowing.
But he's also very personal.
And he desires our time through prayer.
Publisher of Vertical Fix online magazine, Lisa Birch has a passion for music with integrity. Along with her husband Chris, Lisa is the co-founder of Vertical Fix internet radio. A 15-year writer and editor, Lisa has contributed writings for corporate, creative, editorial and several ministerial environments. For more information about Lisa, log onto www.verticalfix.com.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Is Alone Time With God Realistic?
Tuesday, March 09, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
Is Alone Time With God Realistic?
Christopher J Harris
If you're like me, you have a busy schedule, which includes family time, meetings, calls, reading, errands, traveling, shopping, and an ongoing To-Do List. Sometimes it's simply frustrating. And this is just Monday! It is common for frustration to set in for many of us when we start thinking about the reality of having regular prayer time. Many believers struggle with having a consistent, fulfilling prayer life. I've been there before.
What's more frustrating for believers is when preachers start talking about how Jesus got up early in the morning to seek out a relationship with the Father. My response sometimes has been, "I'm not Jesus!" , and I'm a preacher too!
So all of these realities push me to wonder, with our hectic schedules, does God really expect us to seek Him out in prayer on a regular basis? The answer is - Yes AND No.
Let me deal with the 'No' first. Many times, unfortunately, we've been taught incorrectly about our prayer life. Many have been taught to approach prayer as an activity versus an experience. There were times that I'd take my wife to the movies to 'keep her off my back'. With this approach, we both were guaranteed not to enjoy the evening.
When I changed my approach and engaged in the evening as a fresh encounter to build relationship, personally relax, and more importantly, simply connect, the experience turned out much more positive for the both of us. This should be your approach to prayer. If prayer is just something to do, it will never be exciting. When prayer is an experience, you will always look forward to a fresh encounter.
In our highly competitive environment, we have often compared ourselves to others and what we've assumed their prayer life is like. This mindset can only lead to aggravation. We really aren't fully aware of what kind of prayer life others have from a distance. Unless, we have engaged in a personal dialogue about other's private prayer life, everything is conjecture. We must always be realistic about our prayer life based on what season of life we are in.
A retiree without a rigid schedule may be able to incorporate more free time in prayer than a single parent with kids. Although both may need prayer just as much, each individual will have to approach this very differently. The single parent may be too exhausted to rise at 5:00am or remain awake at midnight to engage in time with the Father. On the other hand, that single parent may be able to do devotionals for 15 minutes in the car prior to starting their day and then spend some lunch time in prayer and journaling as God speaks to their heart.
The retiree may have the flexibility in their schedule to go for multiple hours to the church and pray. This realistic approach is much more freeing than a rigid, traditional thought process about prayer. More importantly, it places a premium on relationship versus religious behavior. God desires relationship.
Finally, many of us have approached prayer without any sort of strategic plan at all. Simply put, if we are to bombard heaven with prayers that avail much (James 5: 16), we must be strategic. We should take time and develop a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prayer agenda. This agenda must be personal, and most importantly, relevant. If you don't have a heart for the homeless, it won't make sense for you to attempt to spend an hour praying for this group. Develop a strategic plan to pray for what you have a heart for. You're not less spiritual because of this.
So yes, prayer with God is expected and necessary. It is expected if you :
A) desire to really connect with God as your Father
B) maintain your spiritual growth and mental stability
and C) desire to continue to serve as an intercessor for others.
It is not a thing to do, but an on-going journey to stay on. You never arrive at a destination of prayer. You only engage in an on-going experience of conversations with God, our provider. How we do it...well, that's up to you and God. Enjoy the Encounter!
Overseer Christopher J. Harris, a native of Palatka, Florida, currently serves as the Youth & College Pastor at Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise in North Carolina. He also serves as the International General Overseer of the Children & Youth Division for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He and his wife, Carmen, are the parents of three children. For more information about Overseer Christopher Harris, log onto www.ChristopherJHarris.com or you can follow him at twitter.com/cjharrisone.
Leave a Comment
Is Alone Time With God Realistic?
Christopher J Harris
If you're like me, you have a busy schedule, which includes family time, meetings, calls, reading, errands, traveling, shopping, and an ongoing To-Do List. Sometimes it's simply frustrating. And this is just Monday! It is common for frustration to set in for many of us when we start thinking about the reality of having regular prayer time. Many believers struggle with having a consistent, fulfilling prayer life. I've been there before.
What's more frustrating for believers is when preachers start talking about how Jesus got up early in the morning to seek out a relationship with the Father. My response sometimes has been, "I'm not Jesus!" , and I'm a preacher too!
So all of these realities push me to wonder, with our hectic schedules, does God really expect us to seek Him out in prayer on a regular basis? The answer is - Yes AND No.
Let me deal with the 'No' first. Many times, unfortunately, we've been taught incorrectly about our prayer life. Many have been taught to approach prayer as an activity versus an experience. There were times that I'd take my wife to the movies to 'keep her off my back'. With this approach, we both were guaranteed not to enjoy the evening.
When I changed my approach and engaged in the evening as a fresh encounter to build relationship, personally relax, and more importantly, simply connect, the experience turned out much more positive for the both of us. This should be your approach to prayer. If prayer is just something to do, it will never be exciting. When prayer is an experience, you will always look forward to a fresh encounter.
In our highly competitive environment, we have often compared ourselves to others and what we've assumed their prayer life is like. This mindset can only lead to aggravation. We really aren't fully aware of what kind of prayer life others have from a distance. Unless, we have engaged in a personal dialogue about other's private prayer life, everything is conjecture. We must always be realistic about our prayer life based on what season of life we are in.
A retiree without a rigid schedule may be able to incorporate more free time in prayer than a single parent with kids. Although both may need prayer just as much, each individual will have to approach this very differently. The single parent may be too exhausted to rise at 5:00am or remain awake at midnight to engage in time with the Father. On the other hand, that single parent may be able to do devotionals for 15 minutes in the car prior to starting their day and then spend some lunch time in prayer and journaling as God speaks to their heart.
The retiree may have the flexibility in their schedule to go for multiple hours to the church and pray. This realistic approach is much more freeing than a rigid, traditional thought process about prayer. More importantly, it places a premium on relationship versus religious behavior. God desires relationship.
Finally, many of us have approached prayer without any sort of strategic plan at all. Simply put, if we are to bombard heaven with prayers that avail much (James 5: 16), we must be strategic. We should take time and develop a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prayer agenda. This agenda must be personal, and most importantly, relevant. If you don't have a heart for the homeless, it won't make sense for you to attempt to spend an hour praying for this group. Develop a strategic plan to pray for what you have a heart for. You're not less spiritual because of this.
So yes, prayer with God is expected and necessary. It is expected if you :
A) desire to really connect with God as your Father
B) maintain your spiritual growth and mental stability
and C) desire to continue to serve as an intercessor for others.
It is not a thing to do, but an on-going journey to stay on. You never arrive at a destination of prayer. You only engage in an on-going experience of conversations with God, our provider. How we do it...well, that's up to you and God. Enjoy the Encounter!
Overseer Christopher J. Harris, a native of Palatka, Florida, currently serves as the Youth & College Pastor at Cedar Grove Tabernacle of Praise in North Carolina. He also serves as the International General Overseer of the Children & Youth Division for Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship International. He and his wife, Carmen, are the parents of three children. For more information about Overseer Christopher Harris, log onto www.ChristopherJHarris.com or you can follow him at twitter.com/cjharrisone.
Monday, March 8, 2010
What Is Quiet Time
Monday, March 08, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
What Is Quiet Time?
Ron Luce
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. - John 10:14
A quiet time is an intimate, face-to-face, heart-to-heart connection with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's the time when you actually build your relationship with Jesus. Specifically, it is a time for you to get up every day and read the Bible and pray and get closer to Him.
A lot of people say to think to themselves: "I prayed a prayer, but I don't feel closer to God; or I felt really close to God when I was at that retreat or camp, but now I don't feel very close to Him."
You're not going to feel close to anybody if you're not spending time with them.
If you were married and didn't spend time with your spouse, the two of you would not grow any closer. Actually, you would move farther and farther apart.
A quiet time is an expression of your commitment to be a true follower of Christ. It's as if you're saying, "Lord, I'm going to make sure that I don't accidentally get farther and farther away from You. In fact, I'm going to use this time to get closer and closer to You.
I'm going to use it as a time to get fed by You and to get filled up with You and to understand more of You." Before you do anything else, start your day with God. Talk to Him, seek Him in His Word and pray through your day. Make it your top priority.
Maybe you've never had a quiet time with God before. Start thinking about what kind of quiet time you want to have and where you want to have it. Think about what time you need to get up in order to have enough time to read your Bible and pray before you start your day with the world.
Your personal relationship with God is the dynamite that it will take to effect this generation. You will begin to spread the gospel as your character becomes like Christ. This transformation process can only happen in direct relationship with Christ.
The more we know Jesus, and look like Him, the easier it will be to lead people to him.
President and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, a Christian organization reaching millions of young people worldwide, Ron Luce passionately declares the Gospel through Acquire the Fire TV broadcasts, youth events, camps and media resources, challenging teens to take a stand for Christ. For more information about Ron, log onto www.teenmania.org
Leave a Comment
What Is Quiet Time?
Ron Luce
I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own. - John 10:14
A quiet time is an intimate, face-to-face, heart-to-heart connection with God through His Son, Jesus Christ. It's the time when you actually build your relationship with Jesus. Specifically, it is a time for you to get up every day and read the Bible and pray and get closer to Him.
A lot of people say to think to themselves: "I prayed a prayer, but I don't feel closer to God; or I felt really close to God when I was at that retreat or camp, but now I don't feel very close to Him."
You're not going to feel close to anybody if you're not spending time with them.
If you were married and didn't spend time with your spouse, the two of you would not grow any closer. Actually, you would move farther and farther apart.
A quiet time is an expression of your commitment to be a true follower of Christ. It's as if you're saying, "Lord, I'm going to make sure that I don't accidentally get farther and farther away from You. In fact, I'm going to use this time to get closer and closer to You.
I'm going to use it as a time to get fed by You and to get filled up with You and to understand more of You." Before you do anything else, start your day with God. Talk to Him, seek Him in His Word and pray through your day. Make it your top priority.
Maybe you've never had a quiet time with God before. Start thinking about what kind of quiet time you want to have and where you want to have it. Think about what time you need to get up in order to have enough time to read your Bible and pray before you start your day with the world.
Your personal relationship with God is the dynamite that it will take to effect this generation. You will begin to spread the gospel as your character becomes like Christ. This transformation process can only happen in direct relationship with Christ.
The more we know Jesus, and look like Him, the easier it will be to lead people to him.
President and founder of Teen Mania Ministries, a Christian organization reaching millions of young people worldwide, Ron Luce passionately declares the Gospel through Acquire the Fire TV broadcasts, youth events, camps and media resources, challenging teens to take a stand for Christ. For more information about Ron, log onto www.teenmania.org
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Time Alone With God
Sunday, March 07, 2010 Print Article
Leave a Comment
Time Alone With God
Latrice Pace
Have you ever seen a couple and thought, "Wow, they look like siblings?" If given the opportunity to spend a little time with them, you may find that not only do they look alike, they think and act alike.
They speak the same language, have the same purpose, visions and goals. They are simply in sync. They have found their "rhythm" if you will. I witnessed 36 of the 52 year my parents were married (until death he did part) and they made it a priority to serve, learn, get to know and spend time with one another.
It may have even taken them a few years of many trials and errors, but the result was incredible harmony.
Ephesians 5:25 admonishes husbands to go all out in their love for their wives, exactly as Christ has done for us. A love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love for us makes us whole and so should a husband's love toward his wife. His words should evoke her beauty.
Everything He does and says is designed to bring out the best in her which is to his advantage since they are one, striving for that harmony. Our fellowship with God is parallel to the marital relationship. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become the mirror image of Him. We will begin to think, act and speak like Him.
Spending time with God should never a task or chore. It's not the next bullet on your to do list or a quick consult when you're either in distress or looking for answers. Our time with Him is our existence. It's where we receive instruction, get clarity and direction.
It gives us the opportunity to know Him and become of like mind. We become aligned with His will, His purpose and His plan for our lives. Our time with him teaches us to love unreservedly. It heals the wounds of our past and makes us whole.
His words spoken during our time alone affirms and builds confidence while at the same time demolishing fear and inferiority. It establishes trust so we can undoubtedly know His character and rest boldly in His abilities. It disconnects us from confusion, frustration and our daily emotional roller coasters. It gives us access to His peace and puts us in the calm of it all.
Our time with God exposes our hidden motives, impure hearts, and personal agendas, which help keep us in a place of humility, thereby bringing us all to repentance that we may experience 'the refreshing from His presence' (Acts 3:19).
Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry's What's Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today's most popular gospel artists.
Leave a Comment
Time Alone With God
Latrice Pace
Have you ever seen a couple and thought, "Wow, they look like siblings?" If given the opportunity to spend a little time with them, you may find that not only do they look alike, they think and act alike.
They speak the same language, have the same purpose, visions and goals. They are simply in sync. They have found their "rhythm" if you will. I witnessed 36 of the 52 year my parents were married (until death he did part) and they made it a priority to serve, learn, get to know and spend time with one another.
It may have even taken them a few years of many trials and errors, but the result was incredible harmony.
Ephesians 5:25 admonishes husbands to go all out in their love for their wives, exactly as Christ has done for us. A love marked by giving, not getting. Christ's love for us makes us whole and so should a husband's love toward his wife. His words should evoke her beauty.
Everything He does and says is designed to bring out the best in her which is to his advantage since they are one, striving for that harmony. Our fellowship with God is parallel to the marital relationship. The more time we spend with Him, the more we become the mirror image of Him. We will begin to think, act and speak like Him.
Spending time with God should never a task or chore. It's not the next bullet on your to do list or a quick consult when you're either in distress or looking for answers. Our time with Him is our existence. It's where we receive instruction, get clarity and direction.
It gives us the opportunity to know Him and become of like mind. We become aligned with His will, His purpose and His plan for our lives. Our time with him teaches us to love unreservedly. It heals the wounds of our past and makes us whole.
His words spoken during our time alone affirms and builds confidence while at the same time demolishing fear and inferiority. It establishes trust so we can undoubtedly know His character and rest boldly in His abilities. It disconnects us from confusion, frustration and our daily emotional roller coasters. It gives us access to His peace and puts us in the calm of it all.
Our time with God exposes our hidden motives, impure hearts, and personal agendas, which help keep us in a place of humility, thereby bringing us all to repentance that we may experience 'the refreshing from His presence' (Acts 3:19).
Latrice A. Pace, longtime member of Gospel group, The Pace Sisters. Latrice was recently featured in Tyler Perry's What's Done In The Dark, as well as the stage musical play, Jesus Christ Superstar Gospel. She has performed with and contributed background vocals for many of today's most popular gospel artists.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
