On the Edge of My Seat

Several months ago my wife and I went to the theatre to watch the movie, Zero Dark Thirty.  The movie chronicled the long journey of the CIA and US military to catch Bin Ladden.  The acting and writing were terrific.  And even though we knew the outcome, my wife and I were literally on the edge of our seats waiting to see what would happen next.  

Its nice when you know what the outcome will be in a movie or in life.  But in our spiritual journey, we often find ourselves wondering and waiting to see how God will work things out.  As our church continues to wait on God for a new building and space to meet, I find that I'm not wondering so much as waiting with anticipation.  I'm on the edge of my seat and can't wait to see how God will answer our prayers.  I'm confident, like Abraham, that God will follow through on his promises.  In Romans 4:20, Paul reminds us of the confident anticipation of Abraham.  Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. "In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.  He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises."  

I'm fully convinced that at just the right time, God will come through.  Then, I'll no longer be on the edge of my seat - I'll be jumping for joy.

Make-shift Ladder

My two year old and I share a love for Jelly Beans.  We both love Jelly Bellies in particular.  In fact, I have a special container for Jelly Bellies on my chest of drawers.  She knows that they are up there and that she can earn them when she helps around the house.
About a week ago, my daughter came running from the bedroom with jelly beans in her hand.  I couldn't believe it.  How did she manage to grab them?  Then she reminded me that my prayer bench was next to the chest of drawers and that she must have used it as a make-shift ladder.  I was impressed by her problem solving skills but had to relocate the jelly beans to the other side of the chest of drawers.
Later, I reflected on my daughter's use of the prayer bench.  I felt a nudge by God that I needed to be using my prayer bench more.  My daughter had utilized it for a sugar fix but I had to be reminded that it was there.  Now, when I look at the jelly beans, I have a great reminder from my daughter about where I need to be each day.

"Steal My Show"

Last night I was praying and listening to Toby Mac - my son's favorite music artist.  As I was praying for our Easter service at Skate Daze, I was reminded of the story behind the lyrics.  Toby Mac explained to his son the "who" that he wants to see steal his show.  Instead of Toby Mac putting on his show for his purpose, its much better for God to steal his show and do something greater that he had planned.  As Toby Mac explains, "either you can have one life and make it yours or you can give it for God’s purposes and have Him do something bigger with it–something bigger than you could ever imagine."

My prayer for our Easter service today is that we would be prepared to see God steal our service.  That His plans would go into effect - not ours.  Most of all, that Jesus Christ would receive all the applause.  Make it happen God!

40 Days of Prayer - Day #23

Today's reading in my devotional "Draw the Circle" was timely.  Recounting Abraham's journey of faith where Genesis 11 tells us that he set out and literally "did not know where he was going," the author, Batterson, challenges us to embrace a new sequence of faith; Go, Set, Ready.  As a contemplative person, I have a tendency to follow the sequence of ready, set, set, set and go.  Some of my past hesitations have reminded me that if I was in a Nascar race, I would be last off the starting line as I was doing one last check of my mirrors and gauges.

Too many times I have talked myself out of taking risks.  After praying about moving to plant a church for several months, I finally prayed to God, "can I do this?"  "Am I really ready for this?"  God swiftly and clearly replied, "No, but I am."  I knew we would be moving to Omaha from that moment on.  God was ready and waiting for us to take the first step.

There is nothing wrong with being cautious and wise.  But there is a difference between that and looking for excuses.  I'm ready to see God move in my life and our church like never before.  Instead of last off the line, I need a few false starts.  Honestly, I think God would prefer that with our faith.

I don't want to come up with excuses at the end of 2013.  Rather, I am looking forward to listing miracles.  We will move to a bigger space this year.  It will stretch my faith and our church like never before.  I'm not sure where, but I'm ready to move forward.  Just as I read in Draw the Circle, "If you wait until you're ready, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life."  I'm not ready for all that God wants to do in 2013, but God is.  So let's go!

40 Days of Prayer - Day #22

I meditated on a scripture this morning out of the book of Genesis.  I considered the story of Abraham and his son Isaac.  Isaac was the son that Abraham and Sarah thought they would never have.  Needless to say, Isaac was very dear to Abraham.  But God tested Abraham to see what was most important to him.  He asked Abraham to climb a mountain and sacrifice his own son.  Unbelievable.  What great faith Abraham had to climb the mountain and even raise the blade before God intervened at the last second.  Lets face it, not many people could climb a mountain with their child to sacrifice him or her.  Even with God ordering us to do so.
As crazy as this story sounds, we have to remember how well Abraham and God knew each other.  They had an amazing connection.  Abraham was referred to in scripture as "a friend of God."  This isn't a facebook kind of friend.  No, this is a deep and meaningful relationship.  As I pondered this scripture, I was challenged to do all that I can to become a better friend of God's.  God created me with a purpose and sent his Son to die for me so that I might have life to the full in this world and the next.  God is always there for me when I need Him, and He has left me detailed instructions for life in the form of the Bible.  What is asking of me?  To devote my life to loving Him and others.  He hasn't asked me to sacrifice my son.  God has asked for my time, my heart and my talents.  My prayer is that I learn to do give them to God without hesitation.  Just as a true friend would.

40 Days of Prayer - Day #21

News about the American-Iranian Pastor being sent to prison was released yesterday morning.  Since then, I have often thought and prayed for him.  As I was enjoying freedom in all that I did yesterday, Pastor Saeed was alone in a cell surrounded by people who hated him and who he believed in.  His family is back in the states praying for him and wondering when, if ever, they will see him again.  Today I thought about the words of Paul in the book of Philippians.
"And I want you to know, my dear brothers and sisters, that everything that has happened to me here has helped to spread the Good News.  For everyone here, including the whole palace guard, knows that I am in chains because of Christ.  And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God’s message without fear." Philippians 1:14-16
This is my prayer for Pastor Saeed.  That everything that is happening to him will spread the Good News.  Also, that all the guards would hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And that all Christians in Iran would be inspired and gain confidence is speaking the truth.  If you are reading this, will you pray for this Pastor and the Gospel to be spread in the darkest corners of the world?

40 Days of Prayer - Day#17

I'll never forget a bus ride to school one morning when I was in first grade.  Most of the time, I was by myself.  But on this day, my 17 year old brother had to take the bus to school.  My brother sat towards the back of the bus with the older and cooler kids.  I had to hang out in the middle near a sixth grader who loved to pick on me.

If this sixth grader had any sense at all, he would have recognized my brother's size.  But like clockwork he began to pick.  Somewhere between home and school this menace decided to grab me by my coat.  Dumb move.  Faster than I can type this sentence, my brother had the bully on the floor of the bus and told him to never touch me again.  Yep, it was awesome.

Just like my brother had my back then, I know that God always has my back.  I'm reminded of the Israelites marching through the Red Sea on dry ground with the Egyptians hot on their tale.  God fought for them and single handedly won the battle.  When I pray for help, God with His army of angels is their to fight on my behalf.  So just as I had no reason to fear a bully 30 years ago, I don't have to fear the fights that are ahead of me.  God will fight for me!