What Moves God

Psalm 34:15 and 40:1 tell us that God moves when we pray properly. 

• God looks our direction
• God listens to cry
• God leans into our situation

This is an amazing picture: God on His throne looking our way, listening to our prayer, and leaning into us.

Here are 3 prerequisties to God-moving prayer.

1. We can move God if we pray with purity. "The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous." 
2. We can move God if we pray with passion. "His ears are open to their cry."
3. We can move God if we pray with perseverance. "I waited patiently for the Lord and He inclined to me."

An Ancient Modern Story

In Acts 18 Luke tells the story of Paul starting the church in Corinth. It is an ancient modern story familiar in so many ways.

1. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES SHARE A SIMILAR MESSAGE (repent and believe)
2. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES FACE SIMILAR OPPOSITION (external and internal resistance)
3. ALL NEW TESTAMENT CHURCHES ENJOY SIMILAR COMFORT (saints and scriptures).

The struggles we face today are nothing new. Like our spiritual forefathers, we are still proclaiming Jesus to a hostile world, and still receiving divine strength to carry on.

Staying Focused on Jesus

The Gospel writer Matthew left his tax collecting business to follow Jesus (Matthew 9:9). It was the best decision he ever made. Other people also had the opportunity to follow Jesus, but chose not to. It was the worst mistake they ever made. Why do some people follow the Lord and others don't? It is a matter of perspective.

Jesus told Matthew, "Follow Me." Notice the singularity of focus. We are to follow Jesus, not religion. In essence, Jesus told Matthew, "Keep your eyes on Me and let's go!" Jesus is lovely, powerful, wise and very much worth following. 

But the other people got distracted and took their eyes off Jesus. From their mistakes we learn two lessons.

• DON'T LET STRANGE PEOPLE DISTRACT YOU FROM JESUS

Matthew had been a despised tax collector and he no doubt invited his friends to meet Jesus. When the religious good people saw these sinners, they were offended and didn't want anything to do with Jesus (Matthew 9:10-11). Light attracts bugs and Jesus the Light of the world attracts needy people. When you go to church, keep your eyes on the Lord, not the other worshippers. 

• DON'T LET STRANGE PRACTICES DISTRACT YOU FROM JESUS

The good people had customs about fasting. It was part of their comfortable religious ritual. When they noticed that Jesus and His followers didn't observe these traditions they were troubled (Matthew 9:14). Just because someone doesn't worship the way you've always done it, don't stumble over them. When you go to church, again, keep your eyes on Jesus, don't get distracted by the various customs. 

To stay focused on Jesus maybe we need blinders like race horses. The writer of Hebrews says we should keep our eyes on Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Be careful not to allow strange people or stange practices distract you from following Jesus!

Since Judgment is Coming

Sometime in the future God is going to judge the world. Until then we have to be patient and wait on the Lord. When God is ready He will judge everyone. In the meantime, God does not need our help in judging individuals. Our concern should be to faithfully carry out our gospel responsibilities (1 Cor. 4:2). We are servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God (1 Cor. 4:1). Ultimately everyone will answer to God. In light of this future judgment here are three convictions to hold onto.

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3a)

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE ME (1 Cor. 4:3b-4)

I DON'T HAVE TIME FOR ME TO JUDGE YOU (1 Cor. 4:5).

This Will Happen

Anyone with spiritual senstivity realizes God is judging our land. During fear-filled moments when things look out of control we can be comforted by the words of 2 Peter 2.

1. GOD WILL JUDGE THE WICKED. 
   • God judged the angels who sinned (verse 4)
   • God judged the ancient world prior to the flood (verse 5)
   • God judged Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 6) Notice: God's judgment is high, wide, and deep.
   • The Lord knows how to judge the unjust (verse 9)
2. GOD WILL DELIVER THE RIGHTEOUS. 
   • God delivered Noah (verse 5)
   • God delivered Lot (verse 7) Notice: Neither Noah and Lot were perfect. 
   • The Lord knows how to deliver the godly (verse 9).

Don't worry about evil, no one is going to get away with anything. And don't worry about security, God knows how to protect His people.

Don't Forget to Use SOAP

It is about that time of year when serious Christians begin thinking about reading the Bible through in the New Year. It is good to have some kind of reading plan. Yet your goal should never be to fulfill a religious obligation, but to encounter the Living Lord. And for that, don't forget to use the soap! Here's what I mean.

Sometimes when I read the Bible my mind wanders. I stop and ask myself, "What did I just read?" Do you ever have this problem?

This little acronymn can help us stay focused and squeeze the most out of God's Word. 

S - Scripture: Read a passage or chapter from God's Word.

O - Observation: What are the major themes and key words? What jumps out at you?

A - Application: What is God communicating to you personally through this text? 

P - Prayer: Talk to the Lord about what He shows you from His word. Share with the Lord your dreams, fears, and desire to obey Him.

By using this simple SOAP technique you can experience the Lord every day. And spending time with God will help you have a happy New Year.

God with Who?

In a remarkable act of love, God wanted to be with us so much, He came to planet earth. And so they called the baby Immanuel, meaning God with us. Now every December we gladly celebrate the coming of the Christ Child. 

The American Christmas with hot chocolate, caroling, tinseled tree, presents, and banquet is a lovely tradition for the fortunate; but, for some Christmas will not be merry and bright. 

And yet, if we read our Bibles carefully, we conclude God loves the prisoner, the hospitalized, those who have to work during the holidays, those who serve overseas, those in nursing homes, those who have lost loved ones, the lonely, the poor, the orphan, and the broken-hearted. 

This Christmastime will you extend the love of God to the less fortunate with a kind word, prayer, gift, or act of kindness? 

Remember: God wants to be with all of us, not just some of us.

10 Indicators of Christ's Imminent Return

Jesus said He's coming back, and in Matthew 24 He gave us signs to watch for signaling His soon return.

1. Deception (verses 5, 11, 23-26)
2. Conflict (verse 7a)
3. Disaster (verse 7b)
4. Persecution (verse 9)
5. Apostasy (verse 10)
6. Wickedness (verse 12a)
7. Hatefulness (verse 12b)
8. Perseverance (verse 13)
9. Missions (verse 14)
10. Desecration (verse 15)

3 Steps to Spiritual Renewal

Simon Peter was supremely confident, pledging his loyalty to the Lord. But during the arrest of Jesus, Peter failed miserably, denying Christ three times; and, during the crucifixion of Jesus Peter was noticably absent. Approximately six weeks later, Peter went fishing and failed at that also (John 21). Imagine how horrible Peter must have felt.

How did the Lord reinstate Peter? More importantly, when we falter how does the Lord restore us? Here are three aspects of spiritual renewal.

First, we must SPEND TIME WITH JESUS. Simon enjoyed a nice breakfast of fish and bread with Jesus. In a similar way, we enjoy time with God through prayer and scripture. The resurrected Lord met with Peter at sunrise. I find the Lord most often meets me in the early morning hours also. It is amazing how "a little talk with Jesus makes things right."

Second we must SERVE GOD'S PEOPLE. Three times Jesus asked, "Simon do love Me?" Each time Peter declared his love for the Lord, Jesus told him to feed His lambs and tend His sheep. In other words, "Peter if you really love Me, take care of my people!" The way we show our love for God is through service to others. God then blesses us when we bless others.

Finally, to be brought back into fellowship with God we must SURRENDER TO THE CROSS. Jesus told Peter to expect suffering. He also told Peter not to worry about other people. Likewise we are to focus on the Lord and follow Him. As we follow Jesus we can expect to be treated like He was and that of course means the cross. Practically this means that we give up living for ourselves and die to our preferences in order to submit to God's will. 

When we drift away from God He wants to bring us back into fellowship with Himself. Simon Peter's experience shows us the way to renewal.

• Spend time with Jesus
• Serve God's people
• Surrender to the cross

Can People Tell You Have Been with Jesus?

Even their critics realized Peter and John had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). But do our neighbors and acquaintances know we've been with the Lord? Is there enough evidence in our lives to convict us as Christians?

Peter and John spent three years with the Lord. Additionally, after healing the lame man at the temple, they spent an entire night in jail no doubt praying and communing with the Lord. The next morning when they stood before the officials everyone knew, Peter and John had been with the Lord.

Here are two characteristics of people who spend time with Jesus.

1. BOLDNESS - See verses 13, 29, 31, and 33. Those who stand before the KIng of Kings and the Lord of Lords are empowered to face every challenge. Life no longer intimidates them. "The righteous are bold as a lion" (Provergs 28:1). 
2. FRUITFULNESS - See verses 4, 14, and 22. As the old preacher said, "God is still in the life changing business." People who spend time with the Lord become conduits for the flow of God. The Lord working through them touches and improves the lives of others. 

God wants to work in us (boldness) and through us (fruitfulness). 

Use these two characteristics for self-evaluation. "Is my life marked by boldness and fruitfulness?" If not, spend more time with the Lord.

Today's Challenge: Retreat from the busyness of the day and bask in the presence of the Lord.