#898 - DO YOU BELIEVE THIS ABOUT PRAYER?

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But Moses implored the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, why does your wrath burn hot against your people, whom you have brought out of the land of Egypt with great power and with a mighty hand?...Turn from your burning anger and relent from this disaster against your people...And the LORD relented from the disaster that he had spoken of bringing on his people. Exodus 32:11-14

Moses’ petitions impacted God’s intentions.
Moses’ intercession ignited God’s compassion.
Moses’ requests influenced God’s response.

There are many aspects to God’s sovereignty that are certainly a mystery, but what I see clearly in this passage is this…

OUR PRAYERS CAN DRASTICALLY ALTER GOD’S PLANS.

Pleas that proceed from our mouths can actually move God’s heart and, in turn, re-direct God’s hands!

God forbid we become so spiritually mature that we abandon the childlike faith necessary to pray prayers like this.

What one prayer can/should you be passionately praying to show you believe that your words can impact God’s ways?

#896 - AN ANCIENT TEST

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Then the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not." Exodus 16:4

For the nation of Israel, God’s provision had a duel purpose.

Food and formation.
Sustenance and sanctification.
Hunger assistance and holiness assessment!

What was the goal of the test?

Come to me…daily.
Rely on me…daily.
Obey me…daily.

TRUST. ME. DAILY.

Maybe, this is also one of the purposes of God’s provision in our lives today. Maybe, God is not finished using provision as a test. Maybe, this is why Jesus teaches his disciples to pray…

“Give us this day our daily bread...” Matthew 6:11

“More” isn’t bad—it just doesn’t teach us to trust God like “exactly enough” does.

#895 - AN UNDERESTIMATED SIGN OF STRENGTH

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And Moses said to the people, “Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:13

I know you want to fight back.
I know you want to speak up.
I know you want to lash out.

You can’t see yourself “surviving” if you don’t.
You can’t see justice “prevailing” if you don’t.
You can’t see the Church “overcoming” if you don’t.

But, maybe the word of the Lord to you in this current season is…

BE SILENT.

In the life of a citizen of the Kingdom of God, sometimes “taking a stand” means “shutting your mouth.”

There is more than one occasion in the Scriptures where radical silence preceded supernatural victory…

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth.” Isaiah 53:7

#894 - NEED DELIVERANCE?

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Remember this day in which you came out from Egypt, out of the house of slavery, for by a strong hand the LORD brought you out from this place. Exodus 13:3

For with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt. Exodus 13:9

By a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. Exodus 13:14

…for by a strong hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt. Exodus 13:16

The phrase is repeated because the truth needs to be remembered.

Nothing can keep you STUCK IN what God's strong hands have determined to bring you OUT OF!

God is a Deliverer.

REMEMBER.

#893 - WOULD YOU GIVE THANKS FOR THIS?!?

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But I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and though I multiply my signs and wonders in the land of Egypt, Pharaoh will not listen to you. Exodus 7:3

Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt. Exodus 11:9

God's "delays" derive from His desire to more demonstratively display His dominion.

Give thanks, today, for what seems like a prolonging of God's plan. A perfect, pre-determined presentation of His power is the point!

HOLD. ON.

#892 - FOUR FACETS OF THE COMPASSION OF GOD

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During those many days the king of Egypt died, and the people of Israel groaned because of their slavery and cried out for help. Their cry for rescue from slavery came up to God. And God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. God saw the people of Israel—and God knew. Exodus 2:23-25

  1. God heard their prayers.

    • Every cry. Every groan. Every care. Every prayer you pray…God hears them all.

    • “And this is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us.” 1 John 5:14

  2. God remembered His promise.

    • Every covenant. Every promise. Every commitment. Every guarantee that God has ever made…God remembers them all.

    • “He remembers his covenant forever, the word that he commanded, for a thousand generations…” Psalm 105:8

  3. God saw His people.

    • God isn’t blind. God isn’t ignorant. God isn’t unaware. Every person, in every place, during every time…God sees them all.

    • So she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, “You are a God of seeing,” for she said, “Truly here I have seen him who looks after me.” Genesis 16:13

  4. God knew His plan.

    • Every detail. Every twist. Every turn. Every way God’s perfect will is going to be fulfilled…God knows them all.

    • “For whenever our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and he knows everything.” 1 John 3:20

God hears. God remembers. God sees. God knows.

TRUST.

#891 - AN ABSOLUTE GEM FROM THE BOOK OF JOB

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For he will complete what he appoints for me, and many such things are in his mind.
Job 23:14

“He will complete…”

  • Not me, God.

  • Because God will complete it, I don’t have to be anxious about it being incomplete.

“what he appoints for me...”

  • Not what I appoint for myself, but what God does.

  • Because God has something appointed for me, I don’t have to strive to appoint things for myself.

“and many such things are in his mind.”

  • Not a few things, many.

  • Because God has the things He has appointed for me on His mind, I don’t need to constantly have them on my mind.

  • Because there are many on God’s mind, I don’t need to be frustrated by the few in my hand.

#774: 5 DAILY AFFIRMATIONS TO DEVELOP A DEEPER DESPERATION FOR GOD

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Desperation is a catalyst for a praying life.
- Daniel Henderson

Desperation can come through crisis or cultivation.
- Ugandan Church Leader

The new job is great. To lead within the areas of prayer and teaching ministries is a dream come true. Hope Church is a faith family that I am so privileged and proud to be a part of.

BUT…

I have never been this desperate.

Desperate for God’s power. Desperate for God’s strength. Desperate for God’s intervention. Desperate for God’s wisdom. Desperate for God’s Spirit. Desperate for God’s hand on my life and my ministry.

What has this new level of desperation led to?

An intentionality and intensity to seek God and the power of the Holy Spirit in prayer, like never before.

Where has this new level of desperation come from?

Ultimately, it’s a grace of God. God has been gracious to allow me to see more clearly than I’ve ever seen before, 5 truths that have pushed me towards a greater desperation for Him. 5 truths that, if I affirm their truth often, I believe can help to cultivate, in me, a deeper desperation for God. Prayerfully, they can do the same for you.

1. MY GIFTING IS LIMITED.

Never before have I been more aware of the limits to my gifts, talents, and abilities. My ability to preach/teach, my ability to lead, my ability to write, my ability to shepherd—all of these gifts from God are impotent apart from the power of God! Never before have I been so aware that I can very easily fool myself into thinking that my gifts, alone, are sufficient for the task at hand. They. Are. Not. God’s gifts without God’s power are useless in achieving the eternal purposes for which He gave them to us in the first place. I am so desperate for God to anoint and empower the gifts that He’s given me every time I’m given the opportunity to use them.

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” 1 Corinthians 3:18-20

Is there evidence for your awareness of the limits of your gifts in how passionately, consistently, and desperately you seek the Lord in prayer?

2. MY FLESH IS WEAK.

Never before have I been more aware that, apart from the ongoing power of the Holy Spirit of God at work in my life, my propensity and my leaning is to choose sin. If left to myself, I will choose laziness. I will choose selfishness. I will choose lust. I will choose exaggeration. I will choose pride. I will choose unforgiveness. I will choose neglect. I will choose going to food for comfort rather than going to God. I will choose the road that leads to destruction. Without God’s power, I am prone to choose the enemy’s poison. I am so desperate for the power of the Holy Spirit to help to live the life of holiness and purity that I am unable to live apart from Him. I am so desperate to be a clean vessel that God can use whenever and however He sees fit.

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 20:41

Is there evidence for your awareness of the weakness of your flesh in how passionately, consistently, and desperately you seek the Lord in prayer?

3. MY ASSIGNMENT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

Never before have I been more aware of the enormity and impossibility of what God has called me to. Loving the Lord with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Loving others as I love myself. Loving my wife like Christ loves the Church. Turning a heart of stone to a heart of flesh. Causing spiritual truths to come alive and be received by physical eyes and ears. Making disciples of all nations baptizing and teaching them to obey all that God commanded. THESE TASKS ARE IMPOSSIBLE…in my own strength. That which God has called and commissioned me to do CANNOT and WILL NOT be accomplished apart from the power and presence of God at work in my life—to think otherwise would be delusional.

“Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26

Is there evidence for your awareness of the impossibility of your assignment in how passionately, consistently, and desperately you seek the Lord in prayer?

4. MY ADVERSARY IS RELENTLESS.

Never before have I been more aware that the enemy is out to kill and destroy every purpose that God has for my life, and he will not back down. He wants to kill my intimacy with Jesus. He wants to kill my unity with my wife. He wants to kill my destiny on this earth. Every purpose that God had in mind for me when He knit me in my mother’s womb, the devil wants to destroy.

The devil desires to destroy my life and yours with distractions, temptations, unbelief in God, fear of man, and anything else that would cause us to lose sight of our King and the “good works” that God prepared in advance for us to do. We must be alert. The devil is not playing. The enemy will never stop trying to rob us of everything that is ours in Christ Jesus.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

Is there evidence for your awareness of the relentlessness of the devil in how passionately, consistently, and desperately you seek the Lord in prayer?

5. MY GOD IS ABLE!

My gifts are limited. My flesh is weak. My assignment is impossible. My adversary is relentless. Yes, these things are all very true. But, the greater truth in my mind is—GOD IS ABLE. God is able to empower my gifts! God is able, by His Spirit, to help me overcome the desires of my flesh! God is able to complete the work that He began in and through me! God already has, through the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, defeated the enemy! GOD IS ABLE.

The question for you and I is, “Are we seeking and beseeching the all-powerful, all-knowing, King of Kings and Lord of Lords who is more than able to do all that which we are incapable of doing?”

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Is there evidence for your awareness of the ability of God in how passionately, consistently, and desperately you seek the Lord in prayer?

Here’s the big idea. Until we seek the Lord more desperately in prayer, these 5 affirmations are, merely, words we believe in our heads rather than eternal truths that have landed on our hearts. LET. US. PRAY!

#657 - FLEE

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Pastor, leader, husband...this is for you. This is for me. This is for us.

When certain temptations come your way (you know what it is for you), you shouldn't "hang around." You shouldn't "wait and see." You shouldn't "stay just 10 more minutes." You shouldn't "be nice." You shouldn't "try not to be rude." 

YOU SHOULD FLEE. IMMEDIATELY. 

Get in your car and leave. Ask for a ride home. Leave. Run. Get out of there.

Staying, could cost you everything. 

#654 - A FRESH PERSPECTIVE ON GOD'S LOVE

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God loves you.

Just like anything else, when you hear something over and over again, it can tend to not have the same effect on you that it once had.

But the other day, as we were talking about the holiness of God in our prayer meeting, a few thoughts about God's love dawned on me that has given me a much deeper appreciation for the love that God has for me!

God’s LOVE for you isn’t just a by-product of His GRACE, it’s an extension of His HOLINESS. In other words,

GOD'S LOVE FOR YOU ISN'T PITY, IT'S PERFECT. 

God loving you isn’t the NICE thing for Him to do, it is the RIGHTEOUS thing for Him to do.

This is key in our understanding of God’s love for us because it has a direct impact on our ability to respond to His love. Remember, NICE love doesn’t cast out fear, PERFECT love does!

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” 1 John 4:18

#653 - AN UNEXPECTED ASPECT OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY

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Tonight as we were in our prayer meeting, it hit me. As I was praying, an element of spiritual maturity dawned on me, and I had never thought about it in this way before.

It wasn't Bible knowledge. It wasn't church attendance. It wasn't evangelism. It wasn't giving. It wasn't serving. 

ONE OF THE GREATEST INDICATORS OF SPIRITUAL MATURITY IS CHILDLIKE FAITH.

This hit me while I was praying because I realized that I do not pray as audaciously as I should because, over the years, in some ways, I have lost my childlike faith in God. 

Why do I believe in Him for salvation, but I do not call out to Him for healing? Why do I trust in Him for forgiveness, but I do not petition Him for revival? Why am I sure that I am justified, yet I am unsure of whether or not He can still perform miracles? Why am I confident that He will return, yet I am hesitant to ask Him to do the supernatural in my midst.

It almost seems as if, over the years, as I've grown in my ability to explain God, I've lost my ability to believe God. What a tragedy!

Here are three ways that I know my faith has shrunk that I hope to reverse and I pray you'll avoid!

MY PRAYERS WOULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS ACCURATE RATHER THAN AUDACIOUS.

One indicator of this might be if you always feel the need to say in your prayers, "If it's your will..."  Only you know whether or not that is a necessary statement in your prayers or if you are using it as a way to guard your ego if the prayer is not answered. Audacious prayers requires childlike faith.

MY PREACHING WOULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS PRACTICAL RATHER THAN PROPHETIC. 

Did God call me to preach just so that people would have a few "to-do's" to try during the week? I don't think so. God called me to preach so that His truth would be proclaimed. He called me to preach so that darkness would be exchanged for light; so that death would be exchanged for life! Prophetic preaching requires childlike faith.

MY LEADERSHIP WOULD BE BEST DESCRIBED AS CALCULATED RATHER THAN COURAGEOUS.

The local church doesn't need another calculated leader. That might be what a business looking to turn a profit needs. But, the body of Christ needs a courageous leader who will boldly follow the leading of the Holy Spirit regardless of the cost. Courageous leadership requires childlike faith. 

Now don't get me wrong. There is nothing inherently wrong with accurate prayers, practical preaching, and calculated leadership. It is when these things come at the expense of childlike faith where I believe one's spiritual maturity must come into question. Enough is enough.

Would you join me in maturing our ability to believe God like a child?

"For an answer Jesus called over a child, whom he stood in the middle of the room, and said, “I’m telling you, once and for all, that unless you return to square one and start over like children, you’re not even going to get a look at the kingdom, let alone get in. Whoever becomes simple and elemental again, like this child, will rank high in God’s kingdom." Matthew 18:2-4 (MSG)

#619 - WHAT DO PASTOR'S DO?

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This past week one of the kids in our church asked me what my job was! Haha! Though he's only 8 years old, he does know that I preach on Sundays, but he didn't think that was enough to be my actual job.

But, I don't think this 8 year-old kid is alone in his thinking! Many people don't understand what a pastor does on a weekly basis. 

So in an effort to paint a picture of what a week in the life of a pastor looks like (and to list all the things that I actually have to do this week!) here is a list of many of the things that I will do between now and Sunday afternoon.

  1. Design/Send Out MovementWeekly (Email Newsletter)

  2. Send out Pastoral Team Meeting Reminder Email

  3. Prepare agenda for Friday's Pastoral Team Meeting

  4. Lead Friday's Pastoral Team Meeting

  5. Re-Design 1-1 Discipleship Relationship "Cheat Sheet"

  6. Prepare agenda for Sunday's Discipleship Meeting

  7. Lead Sunday's Discipleship Meeting

  8. Record Discipleship Meeting Video Invite

  9. Prepare Keynote Slides for Sunday's Message

  10. Preach Sunday's Message

  11. Book reservations at Reno restaurant for Acts 29 Bay Area gathering

  12. Send Email to Acts 29 Bay Area Pastors with info for Reno

  13. Facilitate group on Thursday

  14. Send out MovementMusic Leadership Team Email

  15. 1-1 meeting with a staff member

  16. 1-1 meeting with Principal of Elmhurst 

  17. Dinner meeting with 2 families who are new to the church

  18. 1-1 meeting with a ministry leader

  19. 1-1 meeting with a Bay Area Church Planter  

  20. 1-1 meeting with a former church member

  21. Phone call with a church member

  22. 1 Pre-Marital Counseling Session

Hopefully this list can help you see that pastoring is so much more than preaching a message on Sunday mornings!

Keep your pastor in your prayers! His list is, very likely, similar to mine! And, if you're reading this, and I'm your pastor, please keep me in your prayers! I would surely appreciate them!

#610 - MY SHAMEFUL CONFESSION ABOUT THE RESURRECTION

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For far too long, I have appreciated and praised God for Christ's death on the cross, but I have not been in awe of and worshipped Him for His resurrection from the grave.

I have not lived my present life in light of my future resurrection.

I have lived short-sighted. I have lived more for the temporary than for the eternal. I have not been utilizing the single, greatest resource for hope ever given to mankind by God.

But, as I prepared and preached my Easter message, I found myself with a new found appreciation for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This appreciation comes not only for how the resurrection of Christ will impact my eternity, but for also how it will impact my life now! I hope you will join me in praising God for his resurrection power! 

Because Christ rose again, I will rise again. And because I will rise again...

IN REGARDS TO MY STORY

  • The best part will be the end.

  • Everyday, I get closer to the best part.

  • "Happily every after" does not only happen in fairytales. 

IN REGARDS TO HARDSHIP

  • Every difficulty is temporary. No hardship is final.

  • Even if sickness or tragedy were to take my life, it will usher me in to my very best days.

  • No relational, financial, emotional, mental, educational, physical, or spiritual challenge I face can threaten me ultimately being resurrected with Christ. 

IN REGARDS TO SUCCESS AND FAILURE

  • No earthly success or failure will define me.

  • Every earthly success will be outdone in the end.

  • Every earthly failure will be undone in the end.

IN REGARDS TO PURPOSE

  • There's more to life than enjoying the "middle chapters."

  • There's deep motivation to spread the gospel so that more people will have hope during their "middle chapters" and experience the "ending" that I am anxiously awaiting.

  • There's urgency because the end is drawing near.

IN REGARDS TO HOPE

  • I have it. Always.

  • I can give it. Anytime.

  • I can access it by simply beholding my resurrected Christ!

"For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ." 1 Corinthians 15:21-23

#605 - THE GAME I LOVE TO LOSE

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Being the super competitive guy that I am, I absolutely hate to lose. Many who know me might even consider me a "sore loser." But there is one game, I cannot win no matter how hard I try, and it is a game that I've actually come to love to lose. The game is - trying to outgive God.

In the last couple of months, I have been blessed to see God, in some very tangible and practical ways, crush me in this game time and time again! I am convinced.

YOU CAN'T OUTGIVE GOD.

And it's not just financially. You can't outgive God in any area of your life.

Time. Energy. Emotions. Love. Influence. Opportunities. Resources. Encouragement. Affirmation.  

WHEN YOU GIVE, HE TAKES WHAT YOU GAVE AND MULTIPLIES IT BACK INTO YOUR LIFE.  

He takes what you put into His hands and places something more fulfilling, more satisfying, more enjoyable, more valuable, more precious, and more glorifying to Him into your hands.

WHEN IT COMES TO GIFT GIVING, GOD WILL ONE-UP YOU EVERY SINGLE TIME!

You will give resources to others, but the way He will give resources to you will be bigger. You will give opportunities to others, but the way He will give opportunities to you will be better. You will give love to others, but the way He will give love to you will be deeper. You will give of yourself to others, but the way He will give of Himself to you will be grander.

I encourage you, play this game with God. 

Attempt to outgive Him. Attempt to out-love Him. Attempt to out-sacrifice Him.

YOU WILL LOSE, AND YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

Give away your life; you’ll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Luke 6:38 (MSG)

#601 - THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THIS

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Don't allow yourself to be fooled. 
Church isn't and neither is community.

Don't allow yourself to be distracted. 
Blogs aren't and neither are books.

Don't allow yourself to be tricked. 
Work isn't and neither is worship.

Don't allow yourself to be deceived.
Prayer isn't and neither is a preacher.

Don't allow yourself to be confused. 
Service isn't and neither is sacrifice.

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SCRIPTURES.

There is no substitute for the truth that comes from the Scriptures. There is no substitute for the revelation that comes from the Scriptures. There is no substitute for the Voice that comes from the Scriptures.

It's in the Scriptures where...

God's story is written.
God's love is revealed.
God's gospel is displayed.
God's commands are given.
God's Son is resurrected.
God's return is foretold!

THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE FOR THE SCRIPTURES.

Read them. Study them. Enjoy them.

The life that can be found in them is nowhere else to be found. 

“Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God." Matthew 4:4

#596 - THE PRICE OF DISOBEDIENCE

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Though obedience to God comes at a personal cost, I’d rather pay the price of obedience than forfeit the peace of mind that comes from knowing my life is surrendered to Christ.

Obedience costs me my comfort.
Obedience costs me my familiarity.
Obedience costs me my control.

But, disobedience costs me so much more.

Disobedience costs me my peace. 
Disobedience costs me my confidence.
Disobedience costs me my joy.

OBEY.

You can either bow to God in obedience or bow to yourself through disobedience. 

CHOOSE GOD.

You're not worth being bowed down to. 

#594 - WHEN YOUR HEART BETRAYS YOU

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"The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" Jeremiah 17:9

The wickedness of my heart is one of those most discouraging things about me. How I want it to feel, how I want it to react, how I want it to respond, how I want it to believe, and how I want it to love - rarely is my reality. More times than I'd like...

MY HEART BETRAYS ME.

My heart lies. My heart exaggerates. My heart deceives. 

And because I have experienced the betrayal of my heart time and time again, I am convinced...

MY HEART MUST BE LED.   

When my heart feels jealous, I must lead it away from jealousy by celebrating the success of others. When my heart feels discontent, I must lead it away from discontentment by praising God for His blessings. When my heart feels selfish, I must lead it away from selfishness by extending generosity to someone in need. When my heart feels worried, I must lead it away from worry by meditating on the promises of God's Word.

When my wanders towards control, I must lead it towards delegating authority. When my heart wanders towards lust, I must lead it towards loving my wife. When my heart wanders towards laziness, I must lead it towards disciplining my body. When my heart wanders towards legalism, I must lead it towards embracing God's grace. 

When my heart runs away from commitment, I must lead it towards being faithful one more day. When my heart runs away from empathy, I must lead it towards asking one more question. When my heart runs away from courage, I must lead it towards taking one more bold step.

LEAD YOUR HEART. WHEREVER YOU TAKE IT, IT WILL FOLLOW.

#592 - THE PSALMIST'S SPIRITUAL MATURITY

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But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
Psalm 69:13

For all of my prayers. For all of my concerns. For all of my desires.
The Psalmist gives me an appropriate and spiritually mature mindset for all my requests unto God.

ANSWERED PRAYER

He will answer.

ABUNDANT LOVE

Because He is loving.

ACCEPTABLE TIME

When He sees fit.

God's acceptable time is the appropriate time.
TRUST.

#590 - UNDER-APPRECIATED PLEASURE

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The pleasure of a good meal.
The pleasure of a compliment.
The pleasure of a good night's rest.
The pleasure of an unexpected gift.
The pleasure of a new pair of shoes.
The pleasure of an extended vacation.

I can go on and on about the various, more obvious pleasures of this world that I enjoy and look forward to.

But as great as the above pleasures are, I have recently become more and more convinced that there is a pleasure that I have under-appreciated though it has been available to me for as long as I've been a follower of Christ...

THERE IS GREAT PLEASURE IN PRAISE!

Like for real. Not because I'm a pastor. Not because I have to say it. Not because I want people to believe it. But, because it's true.

There is great pleasure in praising the Maker of the heavens and the Earth. There is great happiness in hallowing the name that is above every name. There is great bliss in blessing the One from whom all blessings flow. There is great delight in declaring unto God His matchless wonder and power. There is great ecstasy is exalting the King of King and the Lord of Lords. There is great gladness in glorifying the God of infinite grace and mercy. There is great wonder in worshipping the Lion and the Lamb.

THERE IS GREAT PLEASURE IN PRAISE!

The pleasures that are experienced in praising God are far greater than any other pleasure that can be found in this world! It's better. It's better. It's better! He's better. He's better. He's better!

And here's one last thought to make the pleasure of our praise unto God that much more satisfying...

GOD IS PLEASED BY THE PRAISE THAT GIVES US PLEASURE!