"Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees."
Psalm 119:33a
During the 2010-2011 GEMS season girls and counselors are feeding the fire by making these PASSION disciplines part of their day-to-day lives:
Pray constantly (1 Thessalonians 5:17)
And
Study God’s Word (Psalm 119:105)
Serve others (Ephesians 6:7-8a)
Interact with God’s people (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Open up and talk about God (Matthew 28:19)
Notice God in the Ordinary (Jeremiah 29:13)
Although Pray constantly And Study God’s Word fit neatly within the acronym, the conjunction that joins those two disciplines runs deeper than mere convenience. They’re dependent on one another! Prayer is talking and listening to God and one of the primary ways that God speaks to His people is through His Word. And to rightly hear and understand God’s Word, we need prayer. We should always ask the Author of the book and of our lives to teach us to understand His Word. Your hands made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands (Psalm 119:73).
Each time you open your Bible, pray that God will meet you and that you will experience Him in His Word. Be expectant that He will surprise you with a new insight. Anticipate that He will give you new discoveries even within your favorite and most familiar passages!
Within his book When I Don’t Desire God, John Piper introduces the acronym I.O.U.S. to guide our prayers before reading God’s Word.
Incline my heart to You, not to prideful gain or false motive. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain (Psalm 119:36).
Open my eyes to behold wonderful things in Your Word. Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Unite my heart to fear Your name. Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name (Psalm 86:11).
Satisfy me with Your steadfast love. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days (Psalm 90:14).
PASSION Step: Each time you open God’s Word stop and pray before you read. Expect God to speak to you.
Triumphant prayer is almost impossible where there is neglect of the study of the Word of God. If we then let the words of Christ abide in us, they will stir us up in prayer.
Reuben Archer Torrey
Grace and peace,
Lenae
A connecting place for British Columbia GEMS counselors and club coordinators. . .
Monday, October 25, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
TEACH US TO PRAY
"One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”
Luke 11:1
Scripture never records that the disciples asked Jesus how to preach, but it does say that they asked Him how to pray. From their request we receive Jesus’ teaching on prayer known best as the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Christ alone is our prefect prayer teacher.
Other prayer teachers in Scripture include Hannah who teaches us to pour out our soul to the LORD when we are deeply troubled (1 Samuel 1:15), Jonah who teaches that prayer can indeed take place anywhere, including the inside of a fish (Jonah 2:1), Daniel teaches us to be faithful and courageous in prayer even when it may result in our being lunch to lions (Daniel 6), Nehemiah teaches that the first step into any undertaking is prayer and that every step that follows demands persistence in prayer (Nehemiah 1), and Epaphras teaches us to wrestle in prayer for the body of Christ (Colossians 4:12).
Prayer teachers are not limited to God’s Word. It is also right and good to be encouraged and challenged by one another. I have the privilege of participating in a monthly Bible study with the GEMS leaders from my local club. We’re joining many other clubs across the continent in studying the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. During one of our studies, a dear sister in Jesus admitted that she has attention deficit when it comes to prayer – it’s just so hard for her to stay focused. Heads nodded, we identified, and began to learn from each other.
One lady said she taught herself to pray before her third child was born. She sat at a table with her pen and notebook and by writing down her prayers, she learned to pray. She now has a sizable stack of journals that will be a treasured heirloom to future generations. Another lady said she’s started to practice what Francis talks about in his video by stopping for 30 seconds before she prays, picturing God, and then speaking to Him. It’s changed everything for her.
As meaningful as it is to think of all the people, places, and books, we can go to learn to pray, it’s important to remember the wise words of another prayer teacher, E.M. Bounds, who said, “Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet.”
PASSION Step: Think of someone whose prayer life you really admire? Go to her. Ask her questions. Don’t be afraid to say, “Will you spend some time with me? I want to learn from you about prayer.”
The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important. Very important, and pressing, but still less important and pressing than prayer.
S.D. Gordon
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Luke 11:1
Scripture never records that the disciples asked Jesus how to preach, but it does say that they asked Him how to pray. From their request we receive Jesus’ teaching on prayer known best as the Lord’s Prayer (Luke 11:1-4). Christ alone is our prefect prayer teacher.
Other prayer teachers in Scripture include Hannah who teaches us to pour out our soul to the LORD when we are deeply troubled (1 Samuel 1:15), Jonah who teaches that prayer can indeed take place anywhere, including the inside of a fish (Jonah 2:1), Daniel teaches us to be faithful and courageous in prayer even when it may result in our being lunch to lions (Daniel 6), Nehemiah teaches that the first step into any undertaking is prayer and that every step that follows demands persistence in prayer (Nehemiah 1), and Epaphras teaches us to wrestle in prayer for the body of Christ (Colossians 4:12).
Prayer teachers are not limited to God’s Word. It is also right and good to be encouraged and challenged by one another. I have the privilege of participating in a monthly Bible study with the GEMS leaders from my local club. We’re joining many other clubs across the continent in studying the book, Crazy Love, by Francis Chan. During one of our studies, a dear sister in Jesus admitted that she has attention deficit when it comes to prayer – it’s just so hard for her to stay focused. Heads nodded, we identified, and began to learn from each other.
One lady said she taught herself to pray before her third child was born. She sat at a table with her pen and notebook and by writing down her prayers, she learned to pray. She now has a sizable stack of journals that will be a treasured heirloom to future generations. Another lady said she’s started to practice what Francis talks about in his video by stopping for 30 seconds before she prays, picturing God, and then speaking to Him. It’s changed everything for her.
As meaningful as it is to think of all the people, places, and books, we can go to learn to pray, it’s important to remember the wise words of another prayer teacher, E.M. Bounds, who said, “Prayer is not learned in a classroom but in the closet.”
PASSION Step: Think of someone whose prayer life you really admire? Go to her. Ask her questions. Don’t be afraid to say, “Will you spend some time with me? I want to learn from you about prayer.”
The great people of the earth today are the people who pray. I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor yet those who can explain about prayer; but I mean those people who take time and pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. This something else is important. Very important, and pressing, but still less important and pressing than prayer.
S.D. Gordon
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
BELIEVING PRAYER
"Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him (her) from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand."
Psalm 20:6
In his book, The Christian Atheist – Believing in God but living as if He doesn’t exist, Craig Groeschel writes about a pastor who asked his church to pray that God would shut down a local bar. The church held a special prayer meeting, and a few weeks later, lightening struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The bar owner heard about the prayer meeting and sued the church. In court, the owner of the bar pleaded his case – God struck his bar with lightening because of the prayers of this church. Then the pastor stood before the judge and admitted they prayed, but they really didn’t expect anything to happen.
Groeschel writes, when the judge finally spoke he said, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Right in front of me is a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and a pastor who doesn’t.”
That scenario is as old as the early church. When Peter was arrested and in prison, the church was earnestly praying to God for him (Acts 12:5). Yet, when an angel of the Lord miraculously helped Peter escape and he was standing at the front door of the house where the prayer meeting was taking place, Rhoda was initially too surprised to open the door, and the rest of the group was astonished (Acts 12:12-16). Did they not believe in the power of prayer? Do we?
What best describes our prayers – babbling or belief? Don’t babble! “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, believe! But when he (she), asks he (she) must believe and not doubt, because he (she) who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man (woman) should not think he (she) will receive anything from the Lord; he (she) is a double-minded man (woman), unstable in all he (she) does (James 1:6-8).
In light of that truth, however great our faith, if we pray something that is contrary to God’s will, He mercifully won’t give it to us. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).
Maybe your prayer life is marked by rote or routine, instead of passion and power. Most of us don’t need another devotional about prayer. What’s needed most is the passion to do it – moving from a lukewarm prayer life to a passionate one, and belief in its power ¬– the prayer of the righteous man (woman) is powerful and effective (James 5:16b).
PASSION Step: Pray with passion and belief that the LORD of heaven hears and answers your prayers (Psalm 20:6).
Effective prayer is prayer that attains what it seeks. It is prayer that moves God, affecting its end.
Charles Finney
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Psalm 20:6
In his book, The Christian Atheist – Believing in God but living as if He doesn’t exist, Craig Groeschel writes about a pastor who asked his church to pray that God would shut down a local bar. The church held a special prayer meeting, and a few weeks later, lightening struck the bar and it burned to the ground.
The bar owner heard about the prayer meeting and sued the church. In court, the owner of the bar pleaded his case – God struck his bar with lightening because of the prayers of this church. Then the pastor stood before the judge and admitted they prayed, but they really didn’t expect anything to happen.
Groeschel writes, when the judge finally spoke he said, “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. Right in front of me is a bar owner who believes in the power of prayer and a pastor who doesn’t.”
That scenario is as old as the early church. When Peter was arrested and in prison, the church was earnestly praying to God for him (Acts 12:5). Yet, when an angel of the Lord miraculously helped Peter escape and he was standing at the front door of the house where the prayer meeting was taking place, Rhoda was initially too surprised to open the door, and the rest of the group was astonished (Acts 12:12-16). Did they not believe in the power of prayer? Do we?
What best describes our prayers – babbling or belief? Don’t babble! “When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words” (Matthew 6:7). Instead, believe! But when he (she), asks he (she) must believe and not doubt, because he (she) who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man (woman) should not think he (she) will receive anything from the Lord; he (she) is a double-minded man (woman), unstable in all he (she) does (James 1:6-8).
In light of that truth, however great our faith, if we pray something that is contrary to God’s will, He mercifully won’t give it to us. This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us – whatever we ask – we know that we have what we asked of him (1 John 5:14-15).
Maybe your prayer life is marked by rote or routine, instead of passion and power. Most of us don’t need another devotional about prayer. What’s needed most is the passion to do it – moving from a lukewarm prayer life to a passionate one, and belief in its power ¬– the prayer of the righteous man (woman) is powerful and effective (James 5:16b).
PASSION Step: Pray with passion and belief that the LORD of heaven hears and answers your prayers (Psalm 20:6).
Effective prayer is prayer that attains what it seeks. It is prayer that moves God, affecting its end.
Charles Finney
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
PRAY CONSTANTLY
Dear Sisters,
Happy October, dear sisters! His world is in glorious color and the transition into another season is all around us. Maybe there are transitions taking place in your life, too. There certainly was for the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan and prepared to cross into the Promised Land. May all our transitions be done in humble, prayerful dependence on God, being reminded of the amazing promise that the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
Have a prayer-filled, beautiful week!
"Pray continually."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Fall is filled with GEMS firsts – the first club meeting, the first ACTS Workshop, for some, the first year as Club Coordinator, counselor, or CIT, for others the first year in existence as a club. And in all that newness is a keen awareness that we can’t do it alone. We must humbly and prayerfully depend on God.
Joshua knew all about firsts. God commissioned him to be the first successor to Moses (Number 27:12-23). After 40 years of wandering in the desert, a new generation of Israelites would follow their new leader into a new land – the Promised Land. And Joshua did so in humble, prayerful dependence on God.
Camped along the east bank of the Jordan River on the edge of Canaan, God assured Joshua of His promises and reminded him that he wouldn’t go alone. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
Before they stepped into the new land they consecrated themselves, the ark of the covenant of the Lord went ahead of them, and the Jordan waters that were at flood stage stopped flowing upstream when the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge (Joshua 3). The Israelites humbly walked on dry ground.
The first place of battle in the Promised Land was the city of Jericho. As Joshua stood before the city, his next big first, the commander of the army of the LORD met him. Joshua fell facedown in reverence, for the place where he was standing was holy. The Israelites humbly and repeatedly walked around the walls of Jericho and the Lord gave them the city (Joshua 6).
The second place of battle was in Ai. It looked like an easy win, but Ai’s few foot soldiers chased Israel’s 3,000 men out of the city and down the slopes, killing thirty-six of them. Why? Israel’s walk had become complacent. Achan stole some of the devoted things and lied to God. The Israelites humbled themselves once more (Joshua 7) and then God gave victory over Ai (Joshua 8).
Israel forfeited the next battle. The deceptive Gibeonites greeted the Israelites in worn and patched sandals, with a dry and moldy food supply, and said they were from a distant country and wanted to make a treaty. The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord (Joshua 9:14). Israel became complacent in prayer. They failed to pray and made a treaty with one of Canaan’s inhabitants – people God had forbid them to make peace with!
It’s October already and maybe some of the humble prayerful dependence you had on God during your first club meeting is being replaced with complacency. Be women of prayer. Talk to God frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Begin and end your club nights in prayer. Seek His leading and guidance when the walls look impossible to crumble (Jericho) and when it looks like an easy club night (Ai). Young hearts are at stake! Don’t make peace treaties with the enemy (Gibeon), but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).
PASSION Step: During October girls will focus on the PASSION discipline “Pray constantly.” Intercede for girls and clubs. Pray that we never become complacent in prayer.
May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelming satisfied with us as intercessors.
Oswald Chambers
Grace and peace,
Lenae
Happy October, dear sisters! His world is in glorious color and the transition into another season is all around us. Maybe there are transitions taking place in your life, too. There certainly was for the Israelites as they stood on the banks of the Jordan and prepared to cross into the Promised Land. May all our transitions be done in humble, prayerful dependence on God, being reminded of the amazing promise that the Lord our God will be with us wherever we go (Joshua 1:9).
Have a prayer-filled, beautiful week!
"Pray continually."
1 Thessalonians 5:17
Fall is filled with GEMS firsts – the first club meeting, the first ACTS Workshop, for some, the first year as Club Coordinator, counselor, or CIT, for others the first year in existence as a club. And in all that newness is a keen awareness that we can’t do it alone. We must humbly and prayerfully depend on God.
Joshua knew all about firsts. God commissioned him to be the first successor to Moses (Number 27:12-23). After 40 years of wandering in the desert, a new generation of Israelites would follow their new leader into a new land – the Promised Land. And Joshua did so in humble, prayerful dependence on God.
Camped along the east bank of the Jordan River on the edge of Canaan, God assured Joshua of His promises and reminded him that he wouldn’t go alone. Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go (Joshua 1:9).
Before they stepped into the new land they consecrated themselves, the ark of the covenant of the Lord went ahead of them, and the Jordan waters that were at flood stage stopped flowing upstream when the priests’ feet touched the water’s edge (Joshua 3). The Israelites humbly walked on dry ground.
The first place of battle in the Promised Land was the city of Jericho. As Joshua stood before the city, his next big first, the commander of the army of the LORD met him. Joshua fell facedown in reverence, for the place where he was standing was holy. The Israelites humbly and repeatedly walked around the walls of Jericho and the Lord gave them the city (Joshua 6).
The second place of battle was in Ai. It looked like an easy win, but Ai’s few foot soldiers chased Israel’s 3,000 men out of the city and down the slopes, killing thirty-six of them. Why? Israel’s walk had become complacent. Achan stole some of the devoted things and lied to God. The Israelites humbled themselves once more (Joshua 7) and then God gave victory over Ai (Joshua 8).
Israel forfeited the next battle. The deceptive Gibeonites greeted the Israelites in worn and patched sandals, with a dry and moldy food supply, and said they were from a distant country and wanted to make a treaty. The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord (Joshua 9:14). Israel became complacent in prayer. They failed to pray and made a treaty with one of Canaan’s inhabitants – people God had forbid them to make peace with!
It’s October already and maybe some of the humble prayerful dependence you had on God during your first club meeting is being replaced with complacency. Be women of prayer. Talk to God frequently (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Begin and end your club nights in prayer. Seek His leading and guidance when the walls look impossible to crumble (Jericho) and when it looks like an easy club night (Ai). Young hearts are at stake! Don’t make peace treaties with the enemy (Gibeon), but keep your spiritual fervor serving the Lord (Romans 12:11).
PASSION Step: During October girls will focus on the PASSION discipline “Pray constantly.” Intercede for girls and clubs. Pray that we never become complacent in prayer.
May we learn to intercede so wholeheartedly that Jesus Christ will be completely and overwhelming satisfied with us as intercessors.
Oswald Chambers
Grace and peace,
Lenae
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