Good Eyesight

In 2 Chronicles 20:12, there is a statement that carries great weight. In the face of an unsure battle a prayer is offered to God, "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on You." This is an incredible example of humility and dependence on the One who provides solutions to the problems we can't seem to overcome.

I think that we find ourselves in the position of not knowing what to do quite often, but we fall short in turning our vision to God in the process. We wait until things have deteriorated in our relationships or circumstances before we begin to pray desperate prayers. If we were willing to admit at the beginning of each day that we don't know what to do and that our vision is resting on God alone, it would change our focus. We would no longer journey through life depending on our strength, but instead trusting in God's ability to work in & through us. To see strongholds demolished and our lives restored, we need to admit our weaknesses and start turning our eyes to God.

One Voice

In our efforts to reach our community it is important that we have like-minded people work together. It can't be a continued effort to build independent kingdoms and receive personal glory when positive things happen. The only way the strongholds of discrimination, poverty, socioeconomic oppression, and selfishness can be shattered is through the concentrated & unified prayer of God's people. It is a radical return to being the Church that God intended us to be--one that the gates of hell can't stand against.

I was privileged to take part in the beginnings of that last night at Central Park. Churches of various denominations and ethnicity joined in prayer for our schools, parents, and community. It was a fulfillment of the prayer of Jesus for His followers-that we would be one as He and His Father are One. This deliberate advance of unified prayer will bring revival to our community if we will continue to trust in the unfailing power of the Holy Spirit. I am excited about the prospects of these continued efforts and believe that God will honor the fervent, persistent prayers of His people if we will remain faithful.

Be Aggressive

There is no doubt that there are things that seem bigger than we are as individuals.  This may take the form of addictive sin, prejudice, socioeconomic circumstances, or community history. The idea of trying to conquer them can be quite frightening and beyond our abilities. The enemy is aware of our fears (and apathy) and attempts to bully us into submission and refusal to act. It is by recognizing the power and authority of God in our own lives that we are spurred to take action. We then become willing to rise up to protect the territory that is being threatened and run into battle with full confidence in God's power to gain victory. Our community needs us to take that aggressive action and awaits the rescue that comes through Christ.

Bigger Than

Circumstances can sometimes seem overwhelming. Even though it may seem sudden we haven't arrived at this point in our lives instantly, but as a result of our history. This tale of decisions and influences can form a tidal wave that we don't believe we can escape from. It creates a wellspring of hopelessness within us that only forces us deeper into sin, shame, guilt, and repression.

Thankfully there is another way. We can admit our own weakness and allow God to intervene for us. Scriptures tell us that nothing is too hard for Him, that if our God is for us that nothing can stand against us, and that the power of God within us is greater than the power of evil in the world. Prayerfully submitting our lives to God creates a new fountain of hope and pulls back the curtain to allow us a glimpse of victory that is assured when we follow Christ. 

When we are declaring war on the enemy, it's comforting to know that we cannot encounter an attack that is greater than the King we serve.

Get Ready

We started a new series today titled, "Make War." The premise is simple really--we are engaged in a spiritual battle whether we recognize it or not and we will be affected by the skirmishes along the way. To have the best chance of survival & to make an impact for God's army we have to begin to prepare. Pretending that the battle isn't happening doesn't change its reality. We have to take necessary steps to be fully engaged:

• Actively reading & applying Scripture on a consistent basis
• Continually praying--not just for our immediate needs, but purposefully asking God to deliver in big ways to rescue & redeem people
• Finding ways to be active in our community to help the poor & disadvantaged
• Working actively with schools as they invest in this generation of young leaders
• Serving in our churches with the greater vision of reaching our entire community for Christ in mind
• Making it a mission to be a messenger of grace to a community that has only heard a message of condemnation
• Protecting our marriages & families from influences that threaten our stability and unity
• Constantly seeking divine wisdom for opportunities to battle on other people's behalf.

The battle is on. Time to get ready, pick a camp, and fight for what's right.