Today I started posting on Instagram a short prayer to go along with the Scripture focus on my heart for the day. Feel free to join me in applying God’s Word and praying it back to our Good, Good Father. Here’s today’s post:
Today’s #instaprayer is inspired by James 2:1-4. “My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ while you say to the poor man, ‘You stand over there,’ or, ‘Sit down at my feet,’ have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?”
Category / Living on Purpose
What Are We Missing?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ahg6qcgoay4&feature=share
I dare you to take this quick little challenge on YouTube to see if you get the correct answer. Few do. But more than just A #BrainGame, this is a great illustration of how easy it is to lose focus when there are distractions everywhere.
It also illustrates a beautiful spiritual truth: Just because we don’t see God in the midst of our situation doesn’t mean He’s not there waiting to be found if we only shift our focus off our circumstances and on to Him.
Know that you don’t have to go it alone.
“I will never leave you or forsake you.” – God (The Bible, Hebrews 13:5)
“Seek Ye First….”
More #EyeOpening reading from the YouVersion #BibleApp: #Radical by David Platt. Reminds me of something Pastor Derrick Golden said during lasts week incredible time of ministry at Amazing Church: “It’s not about the cars”. All this is helping me get focused on #GodsKingdom rather than on what #OurCulture teaches us it looks like to be successful.
“Don’t worry and say, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ That’s what those people who don’t know God are always thinking about. Don’t worry, because your Father in heaven knows that you need all these things. What you should want most is God’s kingdom and doing what he wants you to do. Then he will give you all these other things you need.” – Matthew 6:31-33 ERV
#SeekingFirstTheKingdomOfGod
Hope….
Never Too Late to Get Back On Track
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV
It’s Time for the Dead to Be Raised
We all know people who are breathing but are so very far from alive. Maybe we’ve even lived that way ourselves for a season – in a kind of sleepwalking state where we are practically corpses but still forging through the motions of life. In some ways, this is more heartbreaking than actual physical death because it doesn’t have to be that way.
Jesus died and lives again so it doesn’t have to be that way….
Today my heart is heavy for people living but not fully alive. I am praying for the “same power that raised Christ from the dead” to resurrect the living dead from the spirits of lethargy, apathy, and hopelessness that have been preventing them from living the abundant, powerful, hope-filled life Christ died to give them.
May we all live as ones fully alive so the life in us can resurrect others who so desperately need to experience life… real LIFE (Living In Freedom Everyday).
As the prophet Ezekiel did when he was faced with a vision of of hundreds of corpses (Ezekiel 37:1-14, I speak life into “dry bones”. And, in Jesus Name, those weary souls will have no choice but to dance with joy again because my God has given me power to raise the dead!
So if you’ve been feeling dead inside, you’re not reading this blog by I accident. I speak life to you now in Jesus Name. And open your mouth and use your own words to speak life to yourself. No more corpse-like living! It’s time for your resurrection.
“Spirit Break Out – Tear Our Walls Down”
This Sunday at Amazing Church, we are going to sing these words loudly as a prayer over our communities, our families, ourselves.
If you’re in North Texas, please feel free to gather with us in person:
AmazingChurch.com
300 Ridge Road
Mckinney, TX 75070
But, around the world, please gather with us in spirit by singing out the powerful prayer:
“Spirit Break Out – Tear Our Walls Down”
“Why Sit Around And Wait For A Miracle to Come – When We Can #BeOne”
So…. the numbers on our Texas thermometers tell us that it is indeed summer. And, I hope you have some good plans for yours…. Perhaps an adventuresome family road trip or a relaxing rest on the beach. But in the midst of all the summer fun, there are still so many hurting people – praying for miracles. So this summer, I challege you… I challenge me: let’s not just “pray for a miracle to come”. Instead, like this song says and our God and Savior demonstrated, let’s #BeOne!
For you, that may look like going on a mission trip or serving at a local shelter or cooling station in the midst of the summer heat. For me, looks like serving my community with my Amazing Church during #AmazingsBigSummer. For all of us, maybe it could look like us putting our phones down for a minute to get close enough to people to know what their needs really are and to take the time to make a difference in their lives.
So, as we step into summer, will you join me in making this a #SummerOfMiracles by committing to #BeOne??
Not Just #ShadowBoxing
Learning to live, love, and pray #strategically….
Not Just Another Monday
As we begin this new week, may we rise up each day with joyful expectation and watchful hearts so we don’t miss the miraculous beauty and moving moments our Heavenly Father pours out on us – strengthening us to tackle every task with excellence and passionate artistry.
May we be “just like our Daddy”. He is our Amazing Creator.
So, may we walk into this week looking to create beauty: leaving every place we step better than we found it rather than just trying to make it through and get things done.
Father, open our hearts to see the beauty, and empower our wills and our spirits to add to it. In Jesus Name….
Ragamuffin Oasis: Finding Our Places to Just Be 