A Few Words on Intimacy

Saints,

Here are a few words from A Prayer Life written by Paul Miller--a NavPress book.

"Jesus' example teaches us that prayer is about relationship. When he prays, he is not performing a duty; he is getting close to his Father. 

Any relationship, if it is going to grow, needs private space, time together without an agenda, where you can get to know each other. This creates an environment where closeness can happen, where we can begin to understand each other's hearts.

You don't create intimacy; you make room for it. This is true whether you are talking about your spouse, your friend, or God. You need space to be together. Efficiency, multitasking, and busyness kill intimacy. In short, you can't get to know God on the fly.

If Jesus has to pull away from people and noise in order to pray, then it makes sense that we need to as well." p47

I hope these words encourage you!

Blessings,

Steve

What Does More Prayer Look Like?

Saints,

What does more prayer look like?

More prayer looks like each Christ-follower driven by God-given faith. That faith initiates, propels, sustains, and motivates Spirit-led, Bible-based, Kingdom-focused prayer in Jesus name.

More prayer looks like a young husband who can’t stop thinking about his new beautiful bride—just like we can’t stop thinking about Jesus and what is important to Jesus.

More prayer looks like praying alone, like Jesus praying all night on a mountain.

More prayer looks like praying with others, like Jesus praying with His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane.

More prayer looks like prayer driven by righteous anger like Jesus as He drove out the money-changers from the Temple.

More prayer looks like heart-ache as Jesus demonstrated “offering both requests and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to the one who was able to save him from death and he was heard because of his devotion.” Heb. 5:7

More prayer looks like “knowing that you know that you know” God is with you.

More prayer looks like truly standing on God’s promises—not letting go—knowing He will do it!

More prayer looks like we have been with Jesus.

More prayer looks like husbands fighting for their wives, fathers and mothers fighting for their children, and wives fighting for their husbands.

More prayer looks like every Christ-follower consumed with deeper satisfaction in Jesus.

More prayer looks like the church truly living and behaving like the Spirit-empowered world-changer she really is!

More prayer looks like “Paul-like” life change of people in our families, communities, city, region, and the world.

More prayer looks like “pursuing His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to us, as well.” Matt 6:33

More prayer looks like “the God of endurance and comfort giving us unity with one another in accordance with Christ Jesus, so that together we may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  Rom 15:5-6

More prayer looks like David asking the Father to, “Teach me your way O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name. I will give thanks to you, O my Lord, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forever.” Ps 86:11-12

Father, we ask for You to re-define our lives as lives of prayer, lives of whole-hearts after You, lives that reflect Your kingdom as our priority in Jesus name, Amen.

Blessings, Steve

Beautiful Jesus Imitators

Saints,

Recently, I was struck by the power and simplicity of what Jesus did for us in a fresh way. 

Ephesians tells us that we have been giving every spiritual blessing in high places in Christ Jesus. As we know, because of Jesus, we can approach the very presence of The Most High Creator, sustainer God with boldness. He welcomes us as His children with His arms open. In other words, we live in intimacy with God which is the foundation of every relationship we have. This is true reality. 

Truth: Each of us stands forgiven and fully pleasing before the Father in Christ—not because of anything in us or anything we have done. There is a level of intimacy with God through Jesus that defines our existence. We are what we were created to be most fully in Christ. We connect with God without pretense, superficiality, deceit, or reservation. We are truly transformed. Again, all of this is the most true reality, having nothing to do with our merit—all Jesus. 

So, out of this self-transforming work of God in our life, we fully commune with God and consequently, are enabled to fully commune with one another. You may say, “Obviously, Steve, what is your point.” As I read 1 Thessalonians chapter one today, one word stuck out to me—“imitators.” This word implies a lot. Paul said that he and his companions were so dramatically transformed, enabled, and empowered by God to live that their manner of living changed eternal living impact. Then, those of Thessalonica saw this God-infused life and were impacted by it—they imitated it. 

My point today is this. Let’s become more like Paul, an example of extreme intimacy with Jesus which in a sense compels others to the same thing. I am convinced that out of this intimacy with God, our connection with others will also become deeper. So, is our role merely to strive to be more like Paul? Not exactly, we see that we come to the Father in faith which He has given us and ask Him to accomplish what Paul said in Galatians 2:20 more fully in us. We die—Jesus lives. 

Blessings, Steve

Beautiful Jesus Reflectors

Saints.

As we start a new year, I would like to encourage you toward intimacy with Jesus through a couple of stories from the Bible about Zaccheus, Peter, and John.

Please read the story of Zaccheus in Luke 19:1-10 (NIV).

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through.  A man was there by the name of Zaccheus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy.  He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd.  So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

 When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zaccheus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.”  So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
 All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”

 But Zaccheus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

 Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham.  For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

I want to point out that Jesus noticed Zaccheus—he directed Zaccheus to spend time with Him. Let’s remember that during Jesus’ time on earth, not unlike today, tax collectors like Zaccheus were despicable. Even so, Jesus valued this man--He engaged him.

Secondly, let’s notice how Zaccheus changes to beautifully reflect God after he encounters Jesus. Robert S. McGee in his book, The Search for Significance describes it this way.

“During dinner, Zaccheus experienced the unconditional love and acceptance of Christ. As a result, he became a different person. His self-concept was radically changed from a swindling, loathsome, tax collector to a person who knew he was loved by God. His actions reflect this dramatic change. He pledged to repent of his sins and repay fourfold those he had swindled. He also promised to give half of his possessions to the poor. Through Christ, Zaccheus developed a new self-concept, new values, new goals, and new behavior.” p106

Let me remind you of another scene in the book of Acts 4, where Peter and John are seen by the Temple Guards and Sadducees as “having been with Jesus.”

Acts 4:13,
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (NIV)

The religious leaders saw a supernatural confidence that radiated from Peter and John—they saw the confidence of the Most-high creator God in them because Peter and John had been with Jesus. Zaccheus reflected God through his repentance and humility. Peter and John reflected God through their unexplained confidence. In the same way, we each reflect the grace and power of God uniquely. Again McGee summarizes,

“We are marvelously unique, created to reflect the character of Christ through our individual personalities and behavior. In a different and special way, each believer has the capability to shine forth the light of God. No two will reflect light in exactly the same way.”  p108

I pray that as a prayer community which is part of the family of Christ-followers, that each of us will beautifully and uniquely radiate the presence of the Father because we have been with Jesus.

Blessings, Steve

Are You Too Busy to Pray?

Saints,

I know who you are. You are Christ-followers who have been drawn by the Spirit to cry out to the Father. You have a history with God--He has used you as His vessel of blessing, healing, and encouragement. You deeply desire more...more zeal, more fire, more stirring, more surrender, more unity, more salvation, more healing.

In short, you are not content with the status quo, church-as-normal. You yearn. You ache. You have a “holy-discontent.” The truth of the matter is you have responded to the call of the Spirit to engage in warfare--to impact his kingdom.

Let’s get to our point for today. Are you too busy to pray? No, you can’t give the church-culture answer like, “Well, I pray on my way to work” or, “I pray while I brush my teeth.” In case your wondering, I have every right to ask this question, because I know about what I’m talking about. For I have been “too busy to pray.” I know when the Father draws me toward prayer. It is an invitation to join Him in kingdom work. It is an honor, a privilege. Yet, I have become less than wholehearted toward intimacy with God that results in His name glorified--His kingdom impacted. How about you?

May I offer some practical advice? If we “feel” like we are too busy to pray, our feelings are lying to us. Our perspective is off. I submit to you that the real truth is that intimate connection with the Father is actually a top priority (John 17:21-23).  You know our Savior’s example. His ministry began with prayer, it ended with prayer. He prayed alone, He prayed all night, He prayed with others. He prayed out loud. Jesus knew the war we are in. He knew the way to engage in this war is through prayer.

I ask you to pray that every moment of our lives which the Father gives, to be engaged--engaged in Christ, in the eternal.

Saints, we have been given every spiritual gift in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This includes the gift of right perspective to understand that deep connection with Jesus is true life.

“May the Father take us all deeper in relationship with Him. May He use us in each others’ lives to grow deeper in prayer. May we actively come to Him with surrender--absolute surrender to invite the Spirit to lead our prayer.”

Praying for the Father to deeply unify and stir, even infuse His church with His zeal!

Feel free to respond to this posting. 

Steve

Praise God! He is Always at Work

Saints,

Praise God! He is always at work. 

Our church family recently hosted a play presentation from Times Square Church, It was a modern day setting of The Cross and the Switchblade. God transferred Nicky Cruz, a gang warlord on the streets of New York, and consequently, thousands of others from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. God compelled a simple country preacher to reach New York gangs. Even more amazing—God still uses this story to rebuke, convict, encourage, inspire Christ-followers as well as draw new believers to Jesus. 

After the presentation a dear older sister in Christ asked me what I thought about David Wilkerson. “Was it that David was some kind of a “special” Christian or is it possible that all Christ-followers can be used by God to produce fruit like that?” I have not been able to get this question out of my mind—it has caused me to wrestle in the spirit. I thought, “God must have somehow anointed David in a special way. I don’t seem to have that.” Have you ever compared yourself to someone else like this? If so, it may have left you feeling inadequate or somehow incapable. It seems our beliefs are truly connected to our feelings and actions. So, what do we believe about this question? 

I want to suggest two Bible passages as a possible answer to this question:

First in John 15:5, Jesus shared,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)

And, secondly, in John 15:16, Jesus declared,

“You did not choose me. But I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (ESV)

Obviously David Wilkerson was a special follower of Christ—one who God used in a mighty way. Even so, please let me encourage you. We have the same Holy Spirit that inspired, even “drove” David Wilkerson! Yes, the same Holy Spirit that compelled Peter and Paul. And so, it seems we arrive at the same question, “If this is true, what do we do?”

May I suggest an option? I believe that David Wilkerson’s actions flowed out of who he was in Christ. He was a man who loved Jesus. David lived a surrendered life. Jesus drove his life. How did this happen? Let me suggest that as David connected with the father more deeply, (remember, as an example, he stopped watching TV to spend a few hours in prayer and reading the Word.) two things happened. First, The Spirit convicted him of sin and error in his life. Then secondly, The Spirit began to reveal, even infuse God’s passions into David’s heart.  Please see pages 117-119 of The divine Intercessor, by Gary Wilkerson. 

As you can see, this older sister’s question got me wondering. We know that grace, faith, and surrender all play a role in abiding deeply with Jesus.

Father, thank you for men and women of Christ whom you use to inspire us. We ask for intimacy with you that transforms our thoughts, even our thoughts about who we are in you. Take our lives. Wash our pride and sin away. Radiate your “REAL” love to this world through us. No pretense, no institutionalized religion, no self-reputation, no resisting your grace in any way. We ask this in the name and through the character of Jesus, Amen.

Please feel free to comment on these devotionals. I hope that our community and team-spirit will grow as we discuss these thoughts together.

Desiring more of Him,

Steve

We Have the Same Holy Spirit

Saints,

Praise God! He is always at work. 

This past week our church hosted The Cross and the Switchblade play from Times Square Church. This is the story of how God transferred Nicky Cruz and consequently, thousands of others from the domain of darkness to the Kingdom of Light. Even more amazing—God still uses this story to rebuke, convict, encourage, inspire Christ-followers as well as draw new believers to Jesus. 

After the presentation on Saturday night a dear older sister in Christ asked me what I thought about David Wilkerson. “Was it that David was some kind of a “special” Christian or is it possible that all Christ-followers can be used by God to produce fruit like that?” I have not been able to get this question out of my mind—it has caused me to wrestle in the spirit. I thought, “God must have somehow anointed David in a special way. I don’t seem to have that.” Have you ever compared yourself to someone else like this? If so, it may have left you feeling inadequate or somehow incapable. It seems our beliefs are truly connected to our feelings and actions. So, what do we believe about this question? 

I want to suggest two Bible passages as a possible answer to this question:

First in John 15:5, Jesus shared,

“I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (ESV)

And, secondly, in John 15:16, Jesus declared,

“You did not choose me. But I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” (ESV)

Obviously David Wilkerson was a special follower of Christ—one who God used in a mighty way. Even so, please let me encourage you. We have the same Holy Spirit that inspired, even “drove” David Wilkerson! Yes, the same Holy Spirit that compelled Peter and Paul. And so, it seems we arrive at the same question, “If this is true, what do we do?”

May I suggest an option? I believe that David Wilkerson’s actions flowed out of who he was in Christ. He was a man who loved Jesus. David lived a surrendered life. Jesus drove his life. How did this happen? Let me suggest that as David connected with the father more deeply, (remember, as an example, he stopped watching TV to spend a few hours in prayer and reading the Word.) two things happened. First, The Spirit convicted him of sin and error in his life. Then secondly, The Spirit began to reveal, even infuse God’s passions into David’s heart.  Please see pages 117-119 of The divine Intercessor, by Gary Wilkerson. 

As you can see, this older sister’s question got me wondering. We know that grace, faith, and surrender all play a role in abiding deeply with Jesus.

Father, thank you for men and women of Christ whom you use to inspire us. We ask for intimacy with you that transforms our thoughts, even our thoughts about who we are in you. Take our lives. Wash our pride and sin away. Radiate your “REAL” love to this world through us. No pretense, no institutionalized religion, no self-reputation, no choking of your grace in any way. We ask this in the name and through the character of Jesus, Amen.

Please feel free to comment on these devotionals. I hope that our community and team-spirit will grow as we discuss these thoughts together.

Desiring more of Him,

Steve