B2B Concert of Prayer – Trust is the Issue #905

Posted on June 23, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER Pray Week 905

sleeping“Trust is the Issue”

And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him. And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that the boat was being swamped by the waves; but he was asleep. And they went and woke him, saying, “Save us, Lord; we are perishing.” (Matthew 8:23-25)

Do you have trouble sleeping at night? Does your mind refuse to stop fretting and thinking about your problems denying you a restful night’s sleep? What was it about Jesus that allowed Him such peaceful sleep in the midst of a great storm?

The disciples had just witnessed Jesus heal the Centurion’s servant with a spoken word. They had seen Him heal Peter’s mother-in-law. They were with Him later in the evening when He healed many demon-possessed and sick people. Now in the midst of a stormy sea, they panic and feared for their lives.

Sometimes our life circumstances weigh heavy on us like a great storm and we become fearful and depressed as our problems loom large ahead of us. Surely, we can proclaim our belief in God, Creator of heaven and earth. We can also state our belief in Jesus Christ, as our Lord and Savior. We certainly believe that God is capable of performing miracles.

For us knowing that God is capable of working a miracle in our life is not the issue and belief in Him is not the issue. Trust is the issue. Trust is the catalyst that activates our stated beliefs. Our behavior is activated in accordance with our beliefs by trust.

Does it seem like Jesus is sleeping while the stormy seas of life are threatening to drown you? We believe He can – but will He? Why doesn’t God act now? Why doesn’t He intervene on my behalf now? Why must I continue to battle for control of my storm-tossed boat? I cannot sleep while the storm rages around me. Why is He asleep in the midst of my storm?

God has not abandoned you. The fullness of the power of God that allowed Jesus to sleep peacefully in the storm-tossed boat dwells within you. For in him the whole fullness of deity dwells bodily, and you have been filled in him, who is the head of all rule and authority. (Colossians 2:9-10)

He wants you to reach the full measure of trust in Him. This is where our actions must substantiate our stated belief in God. It is time to curl up in the storm-tossed boat next to Jesus and go to sleep saying ‘I trust you Lord. I trust your love for me. I trust in your power and strength and I receive your joy, your peace and your hope.’ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13) All joy and peace and hope come as we trust in Him. May you sleep peacefully in the Name of Jesus resting in His presence and power.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Father Power #904

Posted on June 15, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 904

fathers-day-dad-with-kids (Small)“Father Power”

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. (Colossians 3:21)

Never underestimate the power and influence a father has over his children. I clearly recall the times my Dad expressed his displeasure with my actions and how it made me feel. I also recall how it felt when he expressed his approval of what I had accomplished. Even though my Dad has passed away I continue to act in a manner worthy of his approval. That is the legacy a Dad leaves behind.

Virtually any male can father a child; however, it takes a manly man to be a Dad. Our nation is experiencing a fatherless generational crisis. Numerous statistical studies indicate the negative impact that fatherless homes are having on our children and our society.

Sixty three percent of youth suicides are from fatherless homes.
Ninety percent of homeless and runaway children are from fatherless homes.
Eighty five percent of children showing behavioral disorders are from fatherless homes.
Seventy one percent of high school dropouts are from fatherless homes.

Jesus taught a parable about a Master who entrusted his servants with money management (talents) while he was away. When he returned, those who did well were promoted and rewarded with those wonderful words of approval ‘Well done’. His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’(Matthew 25:21) Our Father God is quick to affirm us and He is also quick to correct and discipline us in love. He coaches us and guides us in the proper way.

There are principles we can take away from the parable of the talents. As a father, God has entrusted us with ‘talents’ in our children. Are we developing them for the Kingdom of God and nurturing them in the Word of God? How quick are we to affirm our children and to coach them in the proper way? Would our children categorize us as always critical? Would they say that they could never measure up – never do anything right in their father’s eyes? Is their view of God the Father reflected in their view of their earthly Dad?

These principles are transferable outside of your immediate family context also. As a manager or supervisor, do you always catch your employees doing something wrong as opposed to catching them doing something right? Do you coach them or criticize them? Do you empower them with trust and encouragement or do you foster fear to the point that their initiative and self-esteem is gone? Are you there for your grandchildren or fatherless neighborhood children?

Examine your ‘fatherhood’ style in light of God’s example. It is an awesome responsibility to be a father. Although imperfect, you set the example of Father God for your children. Will you raise them up to know, love and respect their Father in Heaven? Material gifts will not heal wounds or be a substitute for proper, present and accounted for parenting. The greatest gift you can give to your children is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and soul and to sacrificially love their mother as Christ loves the church. May you ‘man up’ and leave the legacy of a Godly man for your children and all those that the Lord will entrust to your influence and care.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Nothing is Hidden #903

Posted on June 8, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 903

god sees all“Nothing is Hidden”

Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:13; NIV)

Good actors and actresses are able to ‘get in character’ to the extent that the audience believes that they have become the person they are portraying. It has been said the test of a person’s true character is how they act and behave when ‘no one is looking’. How many of us deliver academy award performances when we are at church vs. our true character displayed elsewhere? How would our behavior measure up when we are traveling on business away from home?

Many of us would be ashamed if our spouse, friends, or Pastor saw us ‘out of character’ in those settings where we think no one is watching. The truth of the matter is that what others think does not matter one bit. What truly matters is what God knows about our true character.

Then he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the dark, each in his room of pictures? For they say, ‘The LORD does not see us, the LORD has forsaken the land.’ ” (Ezekiel 8:12) How foolish the elders of Israel were to think that they could live a life of sin behind closed doors.

How foolish are we today to ignore the fact that our lives are laid open before Almighty God, to whom we will, inevitably, one day have to give an account. But thanks be to God, that through Jesus Christ we can be clothed in His righteousness on that day for He bore the punishment for our sins through His death on the cross.

Is your character consistent regardless of the context you are in? Are you the same person at home as you are in church, at work, or on an extended business trip? Do you harbor any secret areas that you believe are well-hidden? They may be hidden from the people around you, but they are not hidden from God.

Are you plagued by the temptation to ‘get out of character’ when you find yourself alone or in certain contexts? Do you desire to have the depth and constancy of a Christ-like character regardless of your situation or circumstances? You can by abiding in Jesus, the Living Word of God. …“If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” (John 8:31)

May you read, study, meditate, reflect and pray the Word of God every day. May you be equipped with the full armor of God to fend off the attacks of the enemy of your soul. May the two-edged sword of the Word of God cut, whittle, and shape, your character to be more and more Christ-like. For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12).

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Moral Decay #902

Posted on June 1, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 902

statue-of-liberty-crying1-291x300“Moral Decay”

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth. (Romans 1:18)

Note in our reference Scripture that ‘ungodliness’ precedes ‘unrighteousness’. Note also that unrighteousness suppresses truth. Just as flesh decays when gangrene sets in due to the loss of a life-giving blood supply, so too our society is in moral decay due to the loss of its spiritual life supply.

Our nation has been steadily and methodically distancing itself from the one, true God. We are legislating out references to God in public places and censoring the mention of God when it is deemed offensive by the minority who choose not to believe in Him.

True to the Scriptural order, once distanced from God our nation has experienced a rise in unrighteousness. To compensate, our leaders created and continue to amend a system of laws in a futile attempt to legislate acceptable moral behaviors. No longer founded on the solid moral Truth of the Word of God we have a compromised system of contradictory laws that allow babies to be killed through ‘legal’ abortions and at the same time convict people of murder for taking the life of an unborn baby under other circumstances. How can we adequately define the standard of measure for right and wrong apart from first having a solid relationship with God?

In our nation’s attempt to value diversity and embrace all religious views, the narrow exclusivity of Judeo-Christian Truth is deemed intolerant and is therefore being persecuted as ‘hate speech’. Prayer to God is banned and the Name of Jesus cannot be mentioned nor displayed on clothing in public schools. Displays of the Ten Commandments are being removed from public view on government as well as private business property. The words ‘Under God’ and ‘In God We Trust’ are being challenged and are in danger of being removed from our pledge of allegiance and currency. The Truth of God has been suppressed and the lies of evolution, safe sex, alternate lifestyles and the pillars and tenants of false religious systems are being legally taught.

When we moved away from God we allowed satan to have his way and he moved in. One need only look at the immorality and evil that exists in our public school systems and government entities to attest to that fact.

A large portion of the Christian church in our nation has accepted political correctness over the Truth of God’s Word and embraced much of the new morality. It has therefore lost its ability to be salt and light. These churches have lost their power. But they mixed with the nations and learned to do as they did. They served their idols…. (Psalm 106:35-39)

It is not too late for our nation. We need to apply generous portions of salt and shine the light of Christ brightly in all that we say and do. We are the church—the Body of Christ. As such we must rise up and be counted. Compromised church denominations will dry up and wither when we choose fellowships that adhere to the solid Word of God. The seeds of moral integrity will be planted in our government when we vote men and women into office that share our Judeo-Christian value systems.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Treasure in Heaven #901

Posted on May 26, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 901

gold-bricks“Treasure in Heaven”

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven… (Matthew 6:19 -21)

An allegorical story is told about a terminally ill wealthy man who wanted to take his wealth with him after he passed away and God allowed it. So the man had his vast wealth converted into gold bars and stored in cases under his death bed. After he passed away he was greeted by St. Peter at the pearly gates. Peter was eager to see what was so important in this man’s earthly life that he had to take it with him to heaven. Upon opening one of the cases Peter asked incredulously, ‘Pavement?! You brought pavement to heaven?!’… and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. (Revelation 21:21)

I watched a cable network program the other day that showcased extreme homes of all types. I was struck by the common themes expressed by the homeowners. They all described various features of their homes by how much money they spent and they almost all described their homes as ‘heaven on earth’. The truth of the matter is that it is all subject to decay, destruction, and theft. In the end it will all burn. Then what? In Matthew chapter 6 Jesus outlines three imperatives for our life on earth: Lay up treasure in heaven (v20), Do not worry or be anxious about the things of this world (v25), and seek first His kingdom and righteousness (v33).

The catalyst for these three imperatives is a heart for God. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (v21) It begins when we seek first His kingdom and righteousness. So how does this play out in practical daily living? It plays out when all that we say, do and decide is done with an eye toward eternity instead of the immediate gratification of our fleshly desires which are temporarily satisfied at best. Let’s look at a few major life events as examples of storing up treasure in heaven.

Marriage. Are you choosing a spouse that shares your faith and love for Christ or will you be unequally yoked? A proper Christ-centered foundation is critical in a marriage where both partners can build each other up in the Lord and train their children up in the faith.

Career. What is the underlying motivation in your choice of career? Is it the attainment of wealth and power? Ask yourself where the ministry is in the career. Ask yourself how you can serve Christ and further His kingdom through this secular career. Ask if this career choice will be detrimental to your life balance and life relationships, especially your relationship with God. Will this career demand that you compromise on Biblical Christian values?

Home purchase. How much house is needed? How much debt? Will you have to ‘eat house’ and neglect faithful stewardship in tithes and offerings because you bought too much house? Will you and your spouse have to work extra to maintain this ‘lifestyle’ causing your children to be neglected and devoid of proper Christian parental influence?

May you seek first His kingdom and His righteousness in each and every aspect of your life decisions. May all that you say, do and decide in this life be such that you are storing up imperishable treasure in heaven for eternity.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Impacting Tomorrow #900

Posted on May 18, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 900

trees“Impacting Tomorrow”

Tell your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children to another generation. (Joel 1:3)

A modern day parable is told about a forestry business that has been family owned for generations. Given the length of time it takes for trees to grow to a size suitable for harvesting, at any point in time the workers are harvesting trees planted by ancestors they may have never met and they are planting seedlings that will be harvested by future generations that they may never meet.

Each generation of workers are part of a lengthy chain that is only as strong as its weakest link. For the family business to remain viable, each generation of workers must act with an understanding that there are generations in the future that depend upon them. Their actions today will impact tomorrow.

In the family forestry business example, if one particular generation gave into the temptation of greed and over harvested the forests, they would leave future generations with insufficient harvest and perhaps cause the business to fail. If any generation were lazy and did not plant enough trees, their sin could also have disastrous effects on future generations.

Our actions today, both good and bad, will impact tomorrow. Sometimes the impact is immediate and within our lifetime. Other times the impact is felt long after we have passed away.

Never underestimate the impact and influence you have on others every day whether it be co-workers, church members, or family members. Especially impressionable are our children. Watch a future generation at play in elementary school and observe some of their learned behaviors. Racism and bigotry can be found. Vulgar hand gestures and words are heard that might even make a sailor blush. Cursing and using the Lord’s Name in vain is common. These are all learned responses, a legacy handed down from one generation to the next.

Are you active in impacting your children’s future or have you abandoned them to the influence of school curriculums, peer pressures, and the entertainment media? “Son of man, I have made you a watchman…” (Ezekiel 3:17)  God will hold us accountable for our actions as well as our inaction.

Examine your daily actions in light of their future impact for the Kingdom of God. Do your actions speak of Christ’s love and presence in you? What legacy will you leave behind? Do your actions lead people to Jesus or push them away? Are you leveling the path for future generations or placing stumbling blocks in their way?

May you, in the power of the Holy Spirit, actively impact tomorrow for yourself and generations to come to the glory of God.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Is That All There Is? #899

Posted on May 11, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 899

everest“Is That All There Is?”

For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his life? (Matthew 16:26)

Jon Krakauer writes in his book, Into Thin Air: ‘Straddling the top of the world, one foot in China and the other in Nepal, I cleared the ice from my oxygen mask, hunched a shoulder against the wind and stared absently down at the vastness of Tibet…I’d been fantasizing about this moment for months. But now that I was finally here, actually standing on the summit of Mt. Everest, I couldn’t summon the energy to care…I snapped four quick photos…then turned and headed down from the peak…I had spent less than five minutes on the roof of the world.’

We can be a driven people – driven to achieve, attain, and acquire. Having goals and the drive to achieve them is not necessarily a bad thing. Such drive becomes detrimental however when it usurps our relationship with family, friends, and especially our relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Apart from Jesus Christ, we are an empty people existing in an empty way of life. When we deny Christ, we deny the imperishable gift of the indwelling Holy Spirit and we then seek to fill the resultant void with the perishable items of this world.

Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat. Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them. (Psalm 115:4-8)

Like the silver and gold that we idolize, we place ourselves in a vault of fear, afraid of theft and loss of value. Our sense of security is always shaken and our inner peace is stolen from us. Like the money we strive for and care about above all else we become spent, worn out, and devalued as a result of shallow life relationships.

Whatever the ‘idol’ we seek to fill our emptiness with, we will become like it. Addictions – physical or chemical – leave us as empty as when we began and left unchecked, the addiction results in our being used up and cast aside like the paraphernalia associated with it.

Do you feel emptiness in your life? Perhaps you have accepted Jesus Christ in years past but the pressures and cares of this life have choked off your relationship with Him. Perhaps you have struggled to fill an emptiness in your life with anything or anyone but Jesus, only to find the emptiness becoming increasingly worse. Like Jon Krakauer you achieved, and now that you have, you cannot summon the energy to care.

If you have chased the things of this world and are now asking ‘Is that all there is?’ then ask Jesus to fill your emptiness and make you whole. Seek to revive your heart with a fresh infilling of God’s Holy Spirit.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Work Ethic #898

Posted on May 5, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER Pray Week 898

fourmis collaboration“Work Ethic”

Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. (Proverbs 6:6)

One of my favorite job interview questions was to ask prospective candidates to describe their work ethic. Sadly, many young prospective candidates did not understand the term ‘work ethic’ nor were they able to describe it.

It is interesting that God in His great wisdom, knew that we would not all be blessed with a good human work ethic example, so He built that standard into the ant.

In Proverbs 6 God exhorts the sluggard to study the ant’s work ethic. There is no one ant that oversees another. They act in a shared leadership fashion and work together as a team to accomplish a common objective. They all know what to do and do it diligently. They remain productive even when no one is watching. The ant has initiative.

Sluggards are those who are in desperate need of a work ethic attitude adjustment. No one wants a sluggard working for them or on their team. Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him. (Proverbs 10:26)

Sluggards have an entitlement mentality. They want more pay and benefits but do not want to work hard for it. The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing… (Proverbs 13:4)

A sluggard is one who is a procrastinator, always putting things off till later and ‘later’ never seems to come. Meanwhile in the workplace others have to pick up the slack and morale suffers. The sluggard does not plow in the autumn; he will seek at harvest and have nothing. (Proverbs 20:4)

Sluggards are full of excuses as to why “they can’t do” when in reality it is because they won’t do. The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!” (Proverbs 26:13)

Sluggards are habitually late for work and have a high absentee rate. As a door turns on its hinges, so does a sluggard on his bed. (Proverbs 26:14)

The sluggard is a know-it-all. They do not have a teachable spirit. In school they have a negative attitude toward their teachers and school work. This same behavior problem translates into a poor work ethic in the job marketplace later in life. The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly. (Proverbs 26:16)

If you recognize sluggard tendencies in yourself, pray for God’s Holy Spirit to empower you to overcome your weakness and change. If you are in a leadership position as a parent, pastor, manager, or other position of authority, pray that you will set the solid biblical example of a good work ethic for others to emulate. Live and work by the standard of the Word of God. Be a mentor for our youth with respect to a biblical work ethic. Reward and recognize a good work ethic and hold them accountable when it falls short.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Time Stewardship #897

Posted on April 28, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 897

make-it-count“Time Stewardship”

So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. (Psalm 90:12)

We are mortal. Our bodies we have in this world will not live forever. There, I said it. It is a fact that cannot be refuted yet it is a fact that we have a tendency to not want to think or talk about.

In our youth we live and act as if we are invincible and will live forever. As we age we become more keenly aware of our mortality. I must confess that living and working in the world’s largest retirement community here in Florida provides an uncomfortable context for me as I am constantly reminded that our bodies age, become frail, and die.

As uncomfortable as it is this reminder is not a bad thing. Indeed, God wants us to remain aware of our mortality. In our reference Scripture the Psalmist asks God to teach us to number our days. God wants us to remain aware of our mortality for the purpose of getting a heart of wisdom.

When we have a heart of wisdom we are abandoned to God – our mind and will seeks first His kingdom and His righteousness in every aspect of our lives. We make all that we think, say, and do count for His glory and to further His kingdom.

God desires that we be wise stewards. And the Lord said, “Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his master will make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of food in due season?” (Luke 12:42 NKJV)

He wants us to be good stewards of our physical bodies. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

God wants us to be good stewards of all the material resources He provides. His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’ (Matthew 25:21)

In order to be the wise steward that God values we have to be a wise steward of our finite allocation of time. The flesh wants to make every moment of time count for its pleasure and its desires in the here and now. With a heart of wisdom we have a heart for God making every moment of time count for His kingdom and His glory knowing that we are investing for eternity with Him.

Teach us to number our days, Lord. Teach us to abandon our will to yours. Teach us to live every minute of time we have in this body as an investment toward our eternal future with you. Teach us to make every minute count for your kingdom as we serve others in your Name. Amen.

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B2B Concert of Prayer – Offended #896

Posted on April 20, 2014 by ron021950

CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 896

cross-of-christ-0104“Offended”

And blessed is the one who is not offended by me. (Matthew 11:6)

Have you noticed how intolerant our world society has become toward Christianity and the symbol of the Cross of Jesus Christ? It is ironical that much of the intolerance stems from those who promote tolerance for all religions and peoples – all, except for those who are Christian. Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. (Luke 12:51)

Christians should not be surprised by persecution. Jesus clearly warned us that we will be persecuted (Matthew 10:16-23).

Why does the Cross of Jesus Christ offend? It offends because of its exclusivity. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)

Just as the Cross of Christ separated the two thieves on Calvary – one to receive forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus and the other to die in his sin – so the Cross continues to be the narrow gate by which all mankind is to enter. Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

Our carnal nature wants an easy road. It wants ‘heaven on earth’ – now, not later. Our carnal nature is prideful, lustful, and stubborn and it chafes at the idea of dying to self so it is offended by the Cross. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)

Our carnal intellect is offended by the perceived foolishness and folly of the Cross of Jesus Christ. For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18)

The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14)

Jesus says we are blessed if we are not offended by Him. He also says we are blessed when we are persecuted because of Him and that this should be cause for rejoicing. Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:11-12)

We should not view the Cross of Jesus as a commonplace religious symbol. May you see it with a renewed sense of awe and reverence for what it truly represents. May you see in the Cross the enormity of the love God has for you in that Jesus would die on that Cross to pay the price for your sin. May you see the power it represents for forgiveness of sin and for the free gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.

He is risen! He is risen, indeed!

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