I'll Pray About It
If you have spent any time in church, you have heard someone say, "I'll pray about it." It is a response often given to a prayer request or an opportunity to serve. "Will you be willing to lead a small group?" or "Are you wanting to go on a mission trip next summer?" The response is, "I'll pray about it." I don't know about you, but how often do we truly pray? In today's culture there is a tendency to run from commitment. Maybe we are so "nice" that we are not willing to be honest and say no? We do not want to let other people down so our first response is to avoid conflict. So what does it really mean to pray about it?
Prayer is not a substitute for obedience to God's Word. Prayer it is to acknowledge God’s greatness and surrender our will to follow Him.
"Never stop praying." 1 Thessalonians 5:17
The ultimate purpose of prayer is to bring our hearts into line with God’s heart. Only then will be be able to see, feel, and experience His leading.
A few ways we use "I'll pray about it:"
- Prayer requests. People share a prayer request and we tell them we will pray but forget. Pray with them on the spot and write it down to remember (James 5:16). My father prays for me on the phone just about every time we talk. It means the world to me that he emphasizes praying without ceasing.
- Missions. We know that followers of Christ should be on mission. Locally and internationally. But, it will affect our plans and budget. So, we continue to pray about it, waiting for the perfect feeling, amount of money and friends who feel the same way. Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age" Matthew 28:19-20.
- Serving. We know we should serve. But, what if I commit to serving and I am not perfectly consistent and do a terrible job? So, you wait until all is right in life and your schedule is cleared. Service flows out of obedience. Obedience then results in joy and purpose!
- Sharing the gospel. We know we should share our story with others. But, what if I say the wrong thing and they do not understand me? So, you wait until the "perfect moment" (cue the invitation music) to tell your friend how you came to know Jesus.
God gives us opportunities each and every day. For me, I have missed many opportunities because I was too wrapped up with my own world. Too often we are waiting for the perfect feeling, emotion or circumstance to obey God's Word.
God's grace is sufficient for us. God doesn’t care to be amazed with brilliantly crafted theological words. He isn’t impressed with long prayers. It’s nice to know that he wants us to keep it simple. He desires a clean heart to say "yes." The reward of prayer is the relationship with God.
What are your thoughts? How can I pray for you?
Who Do Your Pour Your Life Into?
In today's fast-paced, Facebook/twitter saturated culture, who has time to invest in other people? Are we to busy with "our" life to pour the love of Jesus into other people? Pouring into others takes consistency, commitment and a love for people. It is looking at people through the eyes of Christ. It is hurting with people when they hurt. It is rejoicing with those who rejoice. It is dying to yourself so that the power of Christ can pour through you. For me, the times I am most irritable and critical is when I am only thinking of myself. The world tells us that if we look out for our own desires then we will be "happy." If this were true we would see a lot of happy people! Most of what I see are people who are hurting, lonely and looking for love.
Do you wait until others pour into you before you begin to pour into others? Do you sit on the sidelines with expectations of others to make you happy? You see, when we serve others by pouring into their life, we receive the joy of Christ. Jesus loved without expectation. He loved and poured into others all the way to the cross. Jesus' love is not meant to be sealed in containers. It is to be channeled with an intentional decision to love until it hurts. Is this difficult? Yes. Is it worth it? Yes!
My brother Justin (j-robproductions) finished a new short film called "The Cup." He did an awesome job!
"This simple short film leaves you with a question "Who do you pour your life into? Yourself or others? In our insane, busy schedules we've become so self-centered and we don't even know it. The backbone of this film is "Selfishness disguised as everyday life."
Who are you pouring your life into? Yourself or others?
Asking the Right Question
We all make choices. What will we eat for breakfast? What college will we attend? Who will we date and eventually marry? Will I serve at church or just attend? In student ministry I have the opportunity to lead and encourage students. My desire and goal is to lead them to be fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ. I am unashamed about leading students to love Jesus more than anything else. More than sports, friends and even their families. If they love Jesus it will result in healthy priorities.
I always encourage my leaders to not simply give advice, but to learn to ask the right question. The art of the question is crucial to dig out the priorities and beliefs of each person you talk too. Too many times in my past I would simply tell the person what to do. All that I am teaching them is to have the correct behavior. Correct behavior does not always reflect the heart.
Few questions I've been asked:
- "What is wrong with _____?" A great question to reply with is, "What is right with it?" Principle: Holiness is more important than happiness
- "I'm just going to church but it is not like I miss all the time." Great reply question is, "Whatever is most important to you, you will do. What is most important for eternity?" Principle: Leadership starts with sacrifice
- "My Dad/Mom are bad parents, I can't stand them!" A great response question is, "Are you honoring your parents based on their actions or upon God placing them in authority in your life?" Principle: Honor your father and mother.
- "I like the beat, what's the problem with bad language in the lyrics?" A great response question, "Does the music you listen to bring glory to God?" Principle: What you fill your mind with affects your beliefs.
- "What is wrong with dating a non-Christian, it is not like they are a "bad" person?" A great response question, "Does they love Jesus?" "If they love Jesus, don't you think they would follow and serve Him?" Principle: The person you marry is the second more important relationship, second to Christ.
- "I want to make my own mistakes, why do I have to listen, you don't understand?" A great response question is, "Why would you want to go through life making unwise choices on purpose that hurt yourself, God, your family, and future children?" Principle: Choices affect all relationships
- "I want to serve God, but what if I cannot commit 100% and make mistakes?" A great response question is, "Do you think God expects perfection?" "In the Bible, how many people made mistakes but God still used in a great way? Principle: God's grace is greater than our mistakes, He is never through with us.