WAR ROOM
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 There's a scene from one of my favorite TV shows where a man sits on death row, awaiting his pending execution, just 2 days away. His lawyers have a conversation, where the end result ends up being, they get a hold of a Rabbi to speak on capital punishment in order to influence a person whose position has access to the President, in an effort to get him to stay the execution.
Sometimes, you can't help but wonder, how the timings of sermons play out in their relevancy and poignancy to the lives of those in attendance. (this by the way, is one reason why I appreciate when my pastor says he doesn't look at giving records... then he has "clean hands" when preaching on tithe/finances) That said, you have to consider how real the struggle remains, for pastors and ministry people to be aware of situations, yet not have one particular topic or issue stand out to prompt the focus of a sermon. Seems mighty tempting, since it can so easily be chalked up to "wanting to help". This is the incredibly fine line of man doing ministry on his/her own strength versus following the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The struggle is difficult, to say the least. Pray, this #associatePastorTuesday, for the knowledge and insight into situations that Pastors are aware of; that they would use it wisely and cautiously as they carry out ministry. Pray they would rely on what they receive from their time with God and the promptings of the Holy Spirit when it comes to preparation of presenting the Word of God; whether in class or in service. Pray for the ministry of the Gospel to be relevant and timely because of God's desire to speak to us at our point of need; not because a private situation becomes a sermon topic, even if the parties involved aren't mentioned by name. May such circumstances be covered in prayer and full of discernment; that ministry would transpire with "clean hands". May there be a keen awareness of what the Spirit would say to the church, not what an individual thinks needs to be said to the church. For the church, is the Body of Christ and we belong to God. For His glory. For His purpose. Life abundant. Life eternal. Set-apart. Holy. Wholly His. -PNC
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 Isn't this a great picture? If only life's spiritual, emotional, mental and social challenges were able to be solved so easily.
That said, life often requires more than duct tape and WD-40. And as sad as that it is, we always seem to have reasons why the advice offered for someone else or by someone else won't work for our situation. I had a great quote come across my twitter news-feed as I was getting ready to write this post. "Helping others solve their own problems is more effective than solving problems for them." It also, always seems easier to sort out others problems rather than our own. I'm reminded of what Pastor mentioned during Sunday morning's service... that there comes a point in life, where you should both have an older mentor and be mentoring someone younger. I can't imagine a more worthy vocation that would benefit from such relationships than pastors. Providing practical encouragement and support to the next generation while receiving seasoned wisdom and sustenance to persevere from those before us who have paved the way. As we are all under development, we need someone offering effective help in our problems. We need to offer effective help to someone else and their problems. Pray, this #seniorPastorSunday, that Pastors will both find and be mentor in the ministry. Pray for encouragement, wisdom and advice to be well received, whether to the ears of a 20-yr Pastor of a 2-yr Pastor. They encounter so much, so quickly in the lives of the communities they serve. May they know and understand they are not neglected, discarded or unappreciated. May the community of Pastors be strengthened as they work to stick and stand by each other. Pastors...doing life together. Power in agreement for the ministry of preventing 1500 leaving each month. We can't afford them to disappear into the shadows of the known. -PNC  I came to an interesting realization the other day, that I have probably always known, but a particular situation has brought this understanding to the forefront.
The answer to your prayer may involve action and movement on your part that will catch you off guard. If the answer is no, you may be bummed out, but the matter is close,at least for now, and there's nothing you can do. If the answer is yes, then there are some "next steps" that are being laid out that one will need to take moving forward in that answer to prayer. If we don't understand that, receiving the answer may be a struggle to accept, which probably shouldn't be the case, but we're human, so it happens. The effectual, fervent prayer of a man avails much. And he very well has work in front of him, if he receives the desired answer. For over five consecutive months, now, prayers for pastors and churches and community have been posted on this site. And I'm certain, that every affirmative answer has involved more work. Increased favor in business? More work. Financial blessing and wisdom? Tough decisions ahead...and probably some more work. Restored relationships? Some real conversations that require time and effort are probably taking place in the near future. No says "it's over". Yes says, "what's next". Welcome to #effectiveSunday, as we pray that our prayers will be effectual and fervent. Pray that the church and its people will be prepared to act and move in the direction that will unfold as prayers are answered affirmatively. Pray that the unknown outcome of circumstances will not cause us to shy away in our prayers out of reluctance of what it may mean for our participation. Pray the effectiveness and the efficiency of the body of Christ and the church-at-large will not be hindered because we offer lax prayers. Prayer is more akin to spiritual battle than a spiritual walk in the park. Pray that we will be a people that suits up when we go to seek the face of God, prepared for all possible outcomes of whatever answer He gives, whether it's immediate or delayed. May we wait on Him as we go about doing what we know we are to do in the meantime. For the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ. Answered prayers. Ready people. Changed lives. On Earth. In Heaven. -PNC  Yesterday was a long day on the road and as usual, I had a great amount of time to pray and ponder the things of God and circumstances in which He is needed. At some point about mid-day as I was thinking out-loud, I simply stated as a response to my own thought,
"I wouldn't put it past Him." (God, that is) So often those are derogatory words... that someone would stoop to that level (for whatever reason) They're just the kind of person, that if I were the betting type, I'd place odds that they would... yeah; you know how those conversations play out. You've had them. Heard them. Perhaps you've even been the one to make the statement. I've said as much myself. God, on the other hand, only stoops down to the level where help is needed. Otherwise, he is stepping up. His thoughts, higher than ours. His ways, higher than ours. His plans, His purposes, all higher. He is able to do greater than we can ask or imagine. Whatever you have need of today, I wouldn't put it past God; to move on your behalf. To work in circumstances for which you speak fervent prayers. Pushing through in faith; holding on with hope. Waiting, seeking, trusting; not in ourselves, but in God. Untypical in that He does not do things the way we do. Typical in that He remains true to His nature and character. Pray this #communitySaturday, as the church engages its' local surroundings, opportunities to present God wholly authentic and genuine to Himself. A Holy and Sovereign God. Truth wrapped in love. Conviction draped in grace. A heavenly Father seeking real relationship with the humanity that He created from His own DNA. May revelation come alive as people hear that God is not willing that anyone perish, but desires all to come to Him through repentance. Pray that many will come to know Christ as He works on the hearts and thoughts of man and moves on their behalf for the realities of life they currently face. Work the miraculous, oh God. That you would be glorified. That all of humanity would be drawn to you. That your name be declared to the uttermost ends of the earth. That none would perish, but all find eternal life. In Christ. Through His death. _PNC  I woke up this morning, and for some reason, quickly began thinking how "finding mission" can be a simple as having open eyes and an open heart, that says, "where is there a need and does it bother me enough that I would want to be a part of the solution."
Enter, Raegan Glugosh, Founder of Touched Romania, a ministry that cares for abandoned babies in Romania. Some 4000 newborns, whose mothers are actually encouraged by the system to walk out of the hospital without their babies. Is that not incredible? One of the ways in which Raegan and her team serve... a holding ministry. It's a simple as it sounds. People come in and simply hold babies... and while doing so, obviously cover them in prayer; for God's plan and purpose for these young lives to be fulfilled. Wow. Now I know what will be on my mind most of the day. And hopefully yours, too. There will always be a need, for even Christ stated to his disciples, that the poor would always be with them. So, the only question that matters is, once a need is recognized, what will people to do to fill it? There's a problem. How will you solve it? A burden. How will you carry it? Open eyes. Open Hearts. Mission: Found. On this #missionsFriday, pray for missionaries fulfilling the call of God on their lives. Pray for Raegan and her team; and others like her... whose mission seems oh so simple in concept; yet is challenging, difficult and emotionally draining with each passing moment. Pray the grace of God in these circumstances, where the inheritance of the Lord has been immediately discarded. Pray for broken political and social systems that have helped create this problem. Pray for broken hearts and the role they play in continuing the cycle. Pray for strength and stamina, grace and peace, provision and protection as missionaries such as Raegan serve and continue to do so, despite insurmountable odds and heart-wrenching situations. May we all find and fulfill the mission God has for us. For His glory. By His grace. For the cause of Jesus Christ. -PNC  Texting my brother at certain points throughout yesterday afternoon, I was sharing my excitement regarding a decision he helped my figure out over the weekend. After some back and forth, I expressed my thanks. He texted back that I was welcome, although he didn't do much.
"Wisdom & encouragement, bro...priceless." Apparently I had forgotten the often stated sage advice, which he included in his response: "Wisdom comes from experience and experience comes from bad choices." The "haha" on the end of the text made me smile, until I realized, had I made the decision he helped encourage me to make a few yrs ago, let alone 10 yrs ago, things would be very different indeed. Then, I got to thinking about churches. About ministry. About the sovereignty of God. About His hand, turning what the enemy intended to harm and destroy, to bring glory to His name and to work His purpose in our lives. This all confirmed of course, during Wednesday nights' service..."if we knew then what we know", but the problem is had you done things differently, you wouldn't be where you are now, which despite your satisfaction or lack thereof with the here and now, God still has a plan in place for your life, family, career and ministry. So, now...it's just a matter of not living in the past, not letting bad decisions get the best of you and not allowing the frustrating consequences of those decisions that are now present day reality detour you from making good decisions moving forward. "If God be for us, who can be against us. We can live in victory today." - DeGarmo & Key Pray, on this #deaconThursday, for those in churches and ministries, struggling with today's reality because of yesterday's bad decisions. Pray for those having difficulty understanding the how and the why of God's desire and ability to use our mistakes for His glory. Pray for those exhausted, from "everything" seemingly going the wrong way in their lives at nearly every turn. May they realize the break they need in life, is found in Christ and the breakthrough ready at God's command. Pray for those tempted to give in to the victim mindset; that while the struggle and challenge is real, may the have the mind of Christ... knowing, understanding and fulfilling the truth, that greater is He who is within me, is greater than he who is in the world. Bad decisions. Useful. For the glory of God. For those whose hearts are set on Him. Notice King David...a man after God's own heart; not a man's decisions after God's own heart. David's heart knew His place with God, even when his decisions failed to line up. He paid the consequences, yet he died, having fulfilled God's purpose in his generation. Likewise, let it be said of us. -PNC  Yesterday afternoon, I had to wait for the guy coming alongside the driver side of my vehicle to pass, so that I could get out of the lane I was in....marked as an "exit only" lane.
After safely moving over, I had a "thanks...that was not my exit" moment. I had to laugh as I reflected on the great scene from Turner & Hooch. Tom Hanks' character has just taken possession of junkyard dog "Hooch", whose owner was murdered. Hanks' character, best described as "spotless", walks Hooch through the house that first night, laying down the rules of the house, stepping into each room and ending each series of rules with the words, "This... Is Not Your Room." Kids and teenagers are rough. And that was when I was a kid... and a teenager, for that matter. Figure out what to do in life, where to go and with whom. Lots of wrong turns, turns-around, and parking at a corner gas station trying to figure out which way you were supposed to be heading. I love driving and always have, long before I ever got my license. I still have the aforementioned moments. Both on the road and in life decisions. I can only hope I do well by God with the inheritance of children that He has entrusted to me and my wife. And I can pray for the pastors, teachers and advisers they will have in their lifetime. So there you have. Pay attention on the road. Watch for the correct exits and entrances. And pray. While driving. It helps. All of it. You should try it. Pray, this #youthPastorWednesday, for wisdom, as children and youth pastors preach, teach and counsel young people. Pray for their effectiveness in helping to teach and reinforce the life-long skill of decision-making combined with a lifestyle of prayer. Pray for discernment in handling the moments of wrong turns and figuring out the right direction, both in their own lives and in the lives of the youth they serve. Pray the proper understanding of reading and interpreting life's road signs. May the grace of God overshadow the frustrations of the journey.. For life is a journey. Eternity is the destination. For the grace of God. For the cause of Christ. A generation of discerning, alert and skilled drivers of life, who place greater trust in God than their own abilities regardless of their years of knowledge and experience. May the know how to use the truth of Scripture and the prompting of the Holy Spirit as their GPS and trust-worthy road map. -PNC  I had an interesting morning, yesterday. Driving along, allowing the Holy Spirit to work through me as I prayed over situations and family and friends.
Then, the prompting hit...prayer's catch. A college friend came to mind and the prayer began. And when I thought I was done praying... no, you're not done yet. Continued praying some more. Thought I was done, but no... no release. Some 8-10 minutes later... I finally felt a release of the Spirit; to pray about other people, other matters. But not until there were tears on my face as I sat in traffic, waiting to proceed through a construction zone. So often we pray and it's easy to move through situations and individuals and on to what or whoever may be next. I had opportunity late last night to find the friend online and encourage them, that they were doing good work, faithful to the plan and purpose God had for their life; that they should keep the faith and continue to fight the good fight. Nobody likes being passed over, nor readily dismissed. Neither should our prayers take on similar characteristics of our time and consideration. Consider the massive amounts of people and circumstance that flood the church offices on any given day. In a place and time where it would be easy to offer a quick prayer, a short Scripture and a succinct piece of advice; care and compassion are paramount in expressing and revealing Christ to those in need. That takes time, even when the time is hard to find. It must be found. People's faith, how they handle their fears and how they face the facts of their reality hang in the balance. On this #associatePastorTuesday, pray Pastors would be effective managers of time. May they have a keen awareness peoples needs and the time & investment needed, albeit, in light of other responsibilities. Pray a continued willingness for the Holy Spirit to lead and guide, even when it messes up schedules; to pray, guide and advise situations with compassion, knowing that people need to understand they are important in light of eternity and should not be easily dismissed. We need a move of God in our lives, our nation and our world. May the effectual, fervent prayer of man avail much for the glory of God and the cause of Jesus Christ. It doesn't matter if it last 70 seconds over 70 days, or 70 minutes over 700 days, we may never quit believing God to perform the miraculous through the power and the gift of prayer; especially when we following the prompting and leading of the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to make intercession for us, when we don't know how to pray. -PNC  In days when authenticity and genuineness are quickly disappearing, they are also character traits that are more readily recognizable because they seem so infrequent.
Failures in ministry and a lax spirit in Christendom regarding the ability of its people to relate and share the faith in tangible ways to a lost and unbelieving culture has led to a great deal of skepticism when it comes to spiritual matters. Interestingly enough, even people of faith are becoming increasingly aware of those who have a genuine and authentic faith in God versus those who are in the church... for lack of better words, playing church. However, one never wants to think or believe that this is possible from ministry leadership. Yet we all have our doubts and suspicions, that when you look at ministries, something seems amiss, that can't quite be pinpointed. That said, for those in ministry whose faith is seemingly unshakable (not that they haven't had insurmountable challenges), for those who love serving others and the body of Christ large, for those who have a heart and passion for people to have a genuine, ongoing encounter with God... these servant-leaders can not be missed. By anyone. These are the men and women we need in ministry. These are the people we can't afford to burn out. These are the individuals and families we need to continue to serve the church and the local community. These are leaders that must know they are appreciated, supported and needed. And above all, they are covered in prayer; brought before the throne room of heaven, daily. On this #seniorPastorMonday, pray an increasingly authentic and genuine spirit from those in the pulpit. Pray for the situations and circumstances they face, personally, at home, regarding matters that perhaps only a select few within the church will ever know. Pray, a spiritual hedge against moral and ministerial failures; that healthy relationships and healthy boundaries would come together and remain strong, that they would live and lead above reproach. May God continue to pour out His spirit, anew and afresh on these servants as they faithful give of themselves to the cause of Jesus Christ, relying not on what they can give of themselves, but on what Christ gave of Himself for us all. Finally, pray for those ministries, that at times, seem suspect, that something is "off". Pray for a spirit of discernment, wisdom, correction and reconciliation come into being, if and when time and place of circumstance demand those elements. May the grace and love of God abound in such circumstances, and God, not willing that any should perish, bring them back into right relationship and proper alignment with Him in due season. Bless your servants, who lead us closer in our walk of faith with God. We do not live life alone, not one of us. Thank God. -PNC  My brother and I loved playing this game when we were kids. I remember at least once, we had a game last about a week, as we would play it after school for a while, then slide it underneath the couch until the next day. So much fun!
I called him Friday night to get his input regarding what was on my mind. Always a man with great insight (through his own experience and observations), he replied to my concerns, this is how we do it and it makes things so much easier. I explained my concerns in taking the risk of that decision, and that while I knew he was right, it made me nervous in actually following through on his advice. Partly, because it was a step of faith to continue to trust God that He was with us in this area of our lives. Saturday morning, I took his advice, made the decision, followed through on it and took the time to go through where everything should go. Later in the morning, I had to call..."brother, you were right! I can't tell you how different this feels! What a peace of mind!" So it goes,with most of life, whether in the marketplace or in ministry. There will always be risk; but having someone whose counsel and advice can be trusted because the person from whom it comes, has traveled that road and while the road has been challenging, they have safely traversed it Granted, we've all made the wrong decision and at times paid for it dearly and literally... but that shouldn't dissuade us from trusting again, that God has a plan and a purpose for us and that He is able to take our bad decisions and our experience, even the misfortune, and use it to create opportunities where He is glorified, lives are changed and challenged and that peace in this life is possible. It requires prayer as you seek the face of God, sound advice as you seek wise counsel and trust that God will help you make the right decision for what He has in store for your life. Pray, this #effectiveSunday, for those in ministry (as well as the marketplace) whose life experiences are causing them to hold back from making decisions through which God desires to accomplish something great. Pray that fear and worry and anxiety not overtake them to a place where delay and indecision causes further damage and irreparable harm. Pray for a return and continual positioning of ourselves, to seek the face of God, first and foremost. Pray wisdom, will indeed come from those who ask of God, who gives generously. Pray for sound advice from those whose counsel we seek, from people who place their trust in God, where God has worked through miraculous through their own decisions, good, bad and devastating. What the enemy intends to use to harm and destroy us, would God use to accomplish the miraculous to protect us and restore us. For His name sake. For the glory of God. For the encouragement of the body of Christ. Risk will be rewarded. -PNC |
AuthorJust a man, attempting to fulfill God's plan. Husband, Dad, Dreamer. Blogger. Archives
February 2019
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