Month: February 2014

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #26

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

As Todd walked out of the library on the University of Kentucky campus last evening, he was met by a man who greeted him and simply said, “Can I pray for you right now?”  This was the encouraging ministry of a few men standing on a secular college campus waiting for folks to pass by. All they wanted to do was to pray for them.  What boldness!  What compassion!  What zeal!

Where did Nehemiah pray?  He prayed at home (1:4-11), in the presence of the king (2:4), before his enemies (4:4) and with his people (4:9).  He prayed in private and in public.  He prayed in safety and in uncomfortable situations. He prayed with his friends and before his enemies. What boldness!  What compassion!  What zeal!

Something tells these men on the UK campus, along with Nehemiah, believe in the power of prayer through an awesome God Who answers the prayers of men who pray with boldness, compassion and zeal!  (Luke 18:1; John 15:7; James 5:16b)

Is that how you pray?  Are you that bold?  Do you have such compassion?  Are you zealous, fervent in prayer?  That answer will be seen in how you meet with the Lord this morning and how you respond to those the Lord sends your way today.  Suffice it to say, Jesus Christ made the way possible to be bold in prayer by His death before all men on the cross (Hebrews 4:14-16).  Therefore, I must be bold, compassionate and zealous in prayer for and with men today no matter where I am—home, work, church, school, golf course, gym floor, Bible study, grocery store, restaurant, family gatherings, hospital, coffee shop, etc.

“Can I pray for you right now?”

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #25

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Urgent Prayer!!

Yesterday, there were several urgent prayer requests posted on Facebook throughout the day.  How easy it is to just click “Like” and move on.  But these are urgent requests!  We are urged to pray because prayer is urgent—there are souls one breath away from hell; there are believer’s who are involved in great trials; we live in a sin-cursed world that needs to see grace abounding over sin; there’s the need to join with others at the Throne of Grace; there’s the need to obey and fulfill Scripture; and there’s the urgency that all we do glorifies our God!!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 

1.  What two words in verse one describe the priority of prayer?

2.  What kinds of prayer are described in verse one?  Define them.

3.  Who are we to pray for? (vv. 1-2a)

4.  Why are we to pray for these people? (v. 2b)

5.  What is greatest motivation to pray? (v. 3)

6.  Why should we pray for lost souls and for revival? (v. 4)

7.  If we are “urged” to pray, shouldn’t there be an urgency to pray? (v.1)

Application:

Compare your time in prayer at home with how you pray in a corporate setting at church.  Would this passage describe your prayer life?  Is there a true urgency to pray because it is made a top priority by God?  Are you motivated to get down to the serious business of prayer in both locations?  Which song would describe your prayer life at home and at church:  “Sound the Battle Cry” or “Silent Night”?  From the picture above, would you describe this prayer meeting as sleepy or urgent?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #24

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Revival Prayer

What has stood out to you about Nehemiah as you have read this book and studied his life?  Is it his leadership or his dependability as cupbearer to the king or his burden for his people and city or his courage to face the opposition or his devotion to God?  All of these are qualities of godliness, but I believe that none would be as they were without his personal prayer life (1:4-11; 2:4; 4:9; 5:10-11).  Time in the “prayer closet” with God births trust, power, conviction, security, wisdom, peace, direction, fellowship, relationship, joy, victory and an understanding of the mind/heart of God!  Time in the “prayer closet” will birth revival!

Yesterday, I heard an individual pray, “Thank You, Lord, for waking me up in the middle of the night to pray, to commune with you.”  Are you walking in such a prayer relationship with the Lord that He would wake you in the middle of the night to have fellowship with you?  (And if He does, He will take care of your needed rest.  He’s able.)

Over 150 years ago, C. H. Spurgeon became aware of revival in America and desired the same for his congregation. So, he challenged his people to invest in fervent, intense prayer:

To your knees, you believers, to your knees. Will you lose the opportunity, Christians? Will you let men be lost for want of effort? Let us spend this week in special prayer. Let us meet together as often as we can, and plead the throne; and each of you in private be mighty with your God, and in public be diligent in your efforts.

Be honest:

1.  What do your actions say about your attitude toward prayer?

2.  Do you long to commune with your Heavenly Father?

3.  Are you casual or fervent in prayer?

4.  Are you really satisfied with your prayer life?  Is God?

5.  Do you need to repent and confess of prayerlessness?

Scripture:  Read Isaiah 63:15 – 64:12 and use it as a guide to pray for revival.

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #23

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

Idols & Revival

As you watch this video, I want you make connections between what these coaches are saying and your life.  You may not like sports or understand it, but you can still make the necessary application.   In answering these questions, you will see why we need revival; why we need to pray; why we need to remove the distractions in our life.

Coach Alan Baker

1.  What “stuff” has gotten in your way that you have made an idol?

2.  What idols are hindering you from faithfully serving the Lord?

3.  How did Coach Baker discipline himself in regards to idols?

4.  Since he dedicated his life to prayer and the removal of idols in his life, what is he able to do with his ball players even though he is coaching in a public school?  Do you suppose this would happen to you if you followed Coach Baker’s example?

Coach Kevin Eagan

1.  At the end of the day, what will be the final score for you? Which one matters; the scores here or at the Bema?  Which one are you really practicing and playing for?

2.  What are your children learning from you about how to “play the game of life” and to be prepared for the Judgment Seat/Bema?

Coach Devin Robinson

1.  How are you known among your peers?

2.  What drives you to win?

3.  At the end of the day, what do you want to see developed in you and in your children?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

Scripture Passage for Today: Read Nehemiah 5 in preparation for Sunday’s lesson.  Write in your journal one truth that has impacted you.  Do you see any correlation between what these coaches are talking about and Nehemiah 5?

Quote: “When God enters our lives by His grace, He isn’t working to make our kingdom work so much as He is calling us to an excitement with, and dedication to, a much greater kingdom.”  (Paul David Tripp)

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #22

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Why Do We Need Revival?

Please take six minutes and watch this video from David Platt, author of Radical.  There is so much in this video that explains why we need revival.  Think about how you worshipped yesterday.  Think about your preparation to attend Sunday School and church.  Think about your heart attitude.    Think about what your children learn from you as to your top priorities in life. After watching the video, I beg you to read 2 Timothy 3:1-17.  (By the way, I love sports, too, but I should never give more effort and allegiance to it or anything else than I do for my Lord!—Matthew 22:37-39.)

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #21

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Do This In Remembrance of Me

One of the means that God has given us as believers to stay fresh in our relationship with Him and to keep our hearts right and true is The Lord’s Supper.  Today, we will gather as a church family in the morning service to partake in communion.  As we have set out to pray and fast that God would revive and change us for His glory, will you prepare your heart this morning before coming to church?

Here are some helps to guide you in your preparation to meet with the Lord today:

1.  Read 1 Corinthians 11:23-34 and let the Holy Spirit truly examine you.

2.  Sing through the songs in worship in your quiet place that we will be singing later on today:

  • Jesus, What a Friend (Our Great Savior)
  • All I Have Is Christ
  • When I Survey the Wondrous Cross
  • In Christ Alone

3.  Sit still and meditate on Christ, His work on the cross, and His resurrection from the tomb by reading Romans 5:1-11 that we will read as a congregation.

Having used the prompts from last weekend’s blogs to help you prepare for Sunday, I trust that you will come to church today to worship from the overflow!  Will you be able to say when you enter the doors because you have genuinely met with the Lord this morning, “I’ve just seen Jesus!”

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #20

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Prayer Advance!

Recently, I read of an evangelist’s account of ministry that took place in northwestern Romania in 1980 in spite of intense government persecution.  Revival was breaking out in churches of that area and the government couldn’t stop it.  As I read, my heart was deeply challenged by the following:

1.  The believers became burdened for other Romanians who had not heard the Gospel.  They travelled over the mountains to remote areas to reach people for Christ.  When they arrived at these remote churches, they did not preach evangelistic sermons; they simply taught the believers how to pray for their unsaved families, friends, neighbors and co-workers.  Can you imagine coming to church for one solid year to hear preaching about prayer and then you really prayed?  Can you imagine not just praying for 10 minutes with weak, silent, going-through-the-motions prayer, but heart-rending prayer for hours?   Makes me think of some pertinent passages of Scripture:

  • Matthew 21:12-13 –   And Jesus entered the templeand drove out all who sold and bought in the temple, and he overturned the tables of the money-changers and the seats of those who sold pigeons.He said to them, “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer,’ but you make it a den of robbers.”
  • Acts 12:5 –  Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.
  • 1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
  • 1 Timothy 2:8 – I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling.

2.  The evangelist went on to say that a huge difference between preaching in Romania as opposed to America was when the Romanians were taught something from Scripture, they obeyed, and they did it.  In America, it’s just written in a notebook and never done!  I’m guilty.  Are you?  What has God convicted you about in recent days through the reading or preaching of His Word?  Have you just written it down in your notebook or are you doing it?

3.  When the evangelist went back after a year to those churches in Romania where prayer was made without ceasing (Acts 12:5),  they would hold evangelistic meetings and many people would come to Christ!  In one church in a small place called Gallots, the church was packed and people were standing outside in below zero temperatures. Revival had broken out!!

When I read about how these people prayed and shared the Gospel, I said to myself, “That’s advancement!”  Folks, we are twenty days into our 40 Days of Prayer and Fasting.  Let’s keep advancing!! What will be different about how you worship this Sunday?  What will be different about how you sing, pray, testify, observe communion, fellowship, listening, etc.  Will it be prayer advance, sing advance, testify advance, —advancing for Christ!!  As Romans 12:11 says, Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord!!

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #19

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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PRAYER ADVANCE!

What a name for a men’s gathering!!  One of the most exciting events of the year is the opportunity to attend the Men’s Prayer Advance in Goshen, VA.  As stated on the Christ Life Ministry website, “The Men’s Prayer Advance was started over 20 years ago by a burden to see God do a fresh work in hearts. The emphasis of the Prayer Advance is hot, revival preaching and heart-searching prayer times.”  The fulfillment of this goal is has left a real impact upon my life.  Every year we are reminded that this is an advance, not a retreat!

Just picture 600 or more men singing with all their hearts, hands raised in praise, shouts of joy ringing out as we sing, “In Christ Alone,” or “Come, Thou Fount,” or “And Can It Be,” or “It Is Well With My Soul,” or “Victory in Jesus”!!  Seriously, I believe it is a foretaste of Heaven.  Add in the Friday night men’s choir singing a song such as, “I’m Amazed that You Love Me” or one of the men singing “I Am So Blessed.”  That’s shoutin’ ground!!!  What preparation the music makes for the preaching of God’s Word that penetrates the heart and convicts us in such a way that we are moved to decisions for Christ!  The altar is full with men being transparent with the Lord and each other.

Another highlight of the Advance is the many, many opportunities to pray!  If the meetings are held in the large cafeteria, we are seated in folding chairs.  That’s important.  During the service after a time of singing, we may be asked to get into a circle and go to prayer.  The chairs are moved, men go their knees, and there is a unified chorus of intercession that takes place that I believe is an illustration of the praise around the Throne of God!  At any given time, we may have this opportunity as the leader of service calls us to prayer.  After the service, we are then able to go back to our bunkhouses, and there, we have another prayer meeting.  My, the honesty, the transparency, the crying out of broken hearts for lost souls and wayward children, the tears, the joy, the praise!  It is a bit of Heaven on earth!

The Advance begins Thursday afternoon and concludes Saturday at noon.  All we do during those days is sing, listen to Spirit-empowered preaching and enjoy excellent meals around a table of fellowship.  When we pack up to leave and head on down the highway, we can always say, “I have seen the Lord!”

I must admit, I long for this to be the norm at Boones Creek Bible Church.  Why are we so timid when it comes to praising our God?  Why are we so shy about One-to-One Bible reading with another individual in the congregation?  Why are we so slow to rise out of our seat when we are called to come to the front and pray for the salvation of lost souls?  And when we are gathered like that, why are we so quiet in prayer?  Why are we so timid about sharing a personal testimony of the goodness of God?  Why do we have to drive a distance to be in a prayer meeting, a singing gathering, a preaching service that you know God has touched down and is doing a mighty work in the hearts of His people?

Would you honestly consider the questions above in light of the following passages today:  Psalm 55:16-17; 95:1-3; 150:1-6; Acts 4:23-31; 12:5; Revelation 5:11-13.  If you are not a part of the Boones Creek Bible Church, reflect upon how you worship, pray, sing, testify, read, and listen in your local church, or for that matter, in the place you meet with the Lord in your home every day.  Are you advancing or retreating?

Believers, we need revival!  I will continue these thoughts tomorrow, but for now, will you join me in advancing and not retreating?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #18

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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Speak Up!

Evangelist Tom Farrell often says, “The Bible is not a book of suggestions, but a mandate from God.”  That same thought can be rendered “The Great Commission is not the Great Suggestion.”  You and I have been given a directive, a calling, a mission, a purpose, a plan and a life from the KING OF KINGS AND LORD AND LORDS, Go and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19).  What a blessed privilege to be a mouthpiece for Deity; to have clear direction for lives; to know what the Lord expects of us; to have a divine purpose; to have a reason to live!  The Gospel must be proclaimed by YOU.

Scripture Passage:  Acts 26:1-23

1.  Do you live your life obedient to the mission Christ has given you?

2.  In your life right now, is it the Great Commission or the Great Suggestion, something you can take or leave?

3.  Do you think often about the lost condition of people who have never heard of Christ?

4.  Are you intentional in your witness for Christ and for His glory?

5.  Are your conversations guided by pointing others to the Theme of themes?

6.  Who are you building a relationship with today?  Who will you talk to today?

Reminder:  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness!

40 Days of Prayer & Fasting: Day #17

by Dale, posted in 40 Days of Prayer & Fasting

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What’s Your Title?

Acts 22 gives us the account of Paul preaching to the Jewish mob that had just tried to kill him.  While reading this passage recently, a descriptive title caught my attention.  As Paul shares his personal testimony, he mentions the stoning of Stephen and says, And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him (22:20).  Did you note the descriptive term for Stephen?  He called him your witness; God’s witness.  What a title to be known by!  A witness or also translated, “martyr.”  Are you a witness for Christ?  Would you be known as a “martyr” who dies to self and proclaims the message of Christ at any cost, any time, to anybody?

The past days have been an emotional roller coaster ride for us.  God in His grace spared the lives of our daughter and her fiancé in an auto accident Sunday night at 8:55.  A drunk driver was going the wrong way on the interstate and hit them almost head-on at 65 mph.  Andrew’s quick reaction to swerve to the left saved their lives. We are most certainly rejoicing in God’s protection.  Both cars were totaled, destroyed. There are many things about this event that stand out to me, but one of them is Andrew’s genuine concern for the souls of all who were around him.  He asked the state trooper, firemen, witnesses, other authorities, ER doctor and nurses, and folks at the towing company if they were sure of a home in Heaven.  While lying on the bed in the ER, he shared the gospel with the doctor, and she patiently listened.  Andrew was not driven by some adrenaline rush, although he was still under the trauma of it all.  This is Andrew, a man with a passion for lost souls.  The thought that occurred to me, “What would come out of my mouth if I were in a traumatic circumstance such as Andrew?” Now, I’m not setting Andrew up on a pedestal or making him out to be hero because he is my future son-in-law, but the truth is, I watched and heard him compassionately care for lost people in a time of near disaster. So much so, he is already praying about an opportunity to meet the drunken man who almost killed them.  Hence, I find myself saying what Paul said of Stephen, “Andrew, Your witness.”

Why do we need revival?  Because my title and your title needs to be,”(Fill in your name), Your witness.”  Our goal for these 40 days of prayer and fasting is that God would so revive and change us that we would both pray and act as the people of God for the glory of God!   To act as the people of God is to be His witness (Matthew 28:18-20)!!

Scripture Passage:  Acts 22

  • Note the boldness of Paul.
  • How will you turn conversations today to the Theme of themes?
  • What are your main fears about witnessing?  Talk to the Lord about them and trust 2 Cor. 9:8.

Let’s be the people of God today for His glory!!