Tag: Prayer

The Christian Disciplines

by Laurin, posted in Uncategorized

Pastor Alan started a new series called “The Christian Disciplines.” He has spoken about the first few of the twelve disciplines, and you can find those messages below with audio and outlines for each.

The Christian Disciplines

Key introduction verses:  1Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Corinthians 9:24-27; Hebrews 12:1-3; Matthew 16:24, 28:19-20.

  • The Disciplines: What are the key Christian disciplines? They are as follows: 
    • Meditation
    • Prayer
    • Fasting
    • Study
    • Simplicity
    • Solitude
    • Submission
    • Service
    • Confession
    • Worship
    • Guidance
    • Celebration
  • Key Truths in the Practice of Disciplines
    • Christian disciplines are often commanded by God.
    • Christian disciplines require sacrifice. Matthew 16:24.  
    • Christian disciplines begin now.  Luke 9:57-62
    • Christian disciplines are to be sown.
    • Christian disciplines are to be a source of joy because, if practiced, they free us. John 8:31-36
    • Christian disciplines are a safeguard against the natural tendency of spiritual laziness. Proverbs 24:33-35. 
    • Christian disciplines are to put us on the path, and in the place, of deeper transforming intimacy with God. James 4:8
  • Hindrances to Practice of Disciplines 
  • Conclusion: Christian discipline is not to be a drudgery, nor is it simply an exercise in will power alone. It is an acknowledgement of God working in us while at the same time we work out our salvation in practice.  Philippians 2:12-13, Colossians 1:29.

“Joy is the keynote of all the disciplines. The purpose of the disciplines is liberation from the stifling slavery of self-interest and fear.”  Richard Foster, Celebration of Discipline.

“Everybody thinks of changing humanity, and nobody thinks of changing themselves.”  Leo Tolstoy

The Christian Disciplines: Meditation

*Note: only the last fifteen minutes or so of the message were recorded, but the entire outline is here. Sorry!

Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines.

Purpose of Practicing:  To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered (dying to self) and more Christ-centered.

Warning: The Christian disciplines aren’t a means of salvation. We are saved by the work of Christ appropriated by faith. We are however, to grow in our walk with God and the disciplines are one means to do that. We are to be transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration

Meditation:  Key verses:  Psalm 19:14; 1:2; 119:97, 101, 102, 148 

  • Christian Meditation vs. Eastern or secular forms of meditation. 
    • The focus of Christian meditation is an intense reflection on obedience and faithfulness.  This is seen in the Psalms. 
      • Psalm 119:15 – meditate and reflect upon the face of Christ.
    • Eastern meditation is an attempt to empty the mind while Christian meditation an attempt to fill the mind by focusing on the wonderful works of God.
      • Be careful of what the vacuum (the empty space) is filled with. 
    • Detachment (if that’s really possible) is the goal of Eastern meditation using language such as merging with the cosmic mind.  Christian meditation goes beyond detachment to attachment.  We detach from life’s distractions so we can be better attached to God.  
    • Eastern meditation stresses an exploration of the subconscious (scary stuff sometimes); Christian meditation explores resting in Jesus.
      • Pray God would guard your mind.
  • Practicing Christian Meditation 
    • Christian meditation is the practice of silencing our mind so that we can listen, hear and obey.
      • Two Hebrew words for meditation:
        • hagah: to mutter, ponder, or speak quietly to yourself
        • siyach: to muse/reflect upon, then act on it (in obedience)
      • Jesus practiced this in relation to His heavenly Father. John 5:19, 30.  
    • Jesus says that his sheep hear his voice.
      • We hear His voice primarily through His Word. 
      • Are we listening to hear his voice or all the voices of the world? John 10:1-5, 14  
    • Jesus invites us to sit still, be silent, and hear. 
      • He knocks; can we hear the knocking? Will we open the door? Revelation 3:20 
    • Get outside in God’s creation and reflect. Psalm 19:1 
  • Why Meditation Matters 
  • Conclusion: This week practice. 
    • Select a short passage.
    • Slow down and read it repeatedly.
    • Speak it, muttering it to yourself.
    • Reflect deeply, asking questions.
    • Apply. How will I obey?
  • Further exploration: Classic Books on Christian Meditation 
    • Confessions – Augustine of Hippo 
    • The Imitation of Christ – Thomas a Kempis 
    • The Cloud of Unknowing – Anonymous 
    • The Practice of the Presence of God – Brother Lawrence 
    • Desiring God – John Piper 
    • Knowing God – J. I. Packer 

The Christian Disciplines: Prayer

Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines. 

Purpose of Practicing: To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.

The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 

  • Principles of Prayer:  
  • Conclusion:  One thing in the Christian life that we spend all our life doing is praying.
  • Books on Prayer: 
    • Prayer, Richard Foster
    • Prayer, Timothy Keller
    • Pray Big, Alistair Begg
    • A Guide to Fervent Prayer, Arthur Pink
    • With Christ is the School of Prayer, Andrew Murray 
  • Books on Spiritual Disciplines: 
    • Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life, Donald Whitney
    • Celebration of Discipline, Richard Foster.

The Christian Disciplines: Fasting

Note: this message also only has the last fifteen minutes or so recorded. I apologize. We’ll get back in the swing of things soon!

Key Idea:  Part of discipleship (following Jesus) is the disciplined practice of practicing the Christian disciplines.  

Purpose of Practicing:  To grow closer to God so our lives are transformed to be less self-centered and more Christ-centered.    

The Disciplines: Meditation, Prayer, Fasting, Study, Simplicity, Solitude, Submission, Service, Confession, Worship, Guidance and Celebration. 

  • Fasting: Fasting is mentioned almost as many times as baptism in the Bible.
    • Fasting is instructed by Jesus.  Matthew 6:16-18, Matthew 9:14-15, Luke 18:12 
    • Fasts are found throughout the Bible. They fall into different categories: 
      • Normal – no food, just water.
        • Jesus in wilderness didn’t eat for forty days. (Matthew 4:1-2)
        • Doesn’t say he went without water.  
      • Partial – abstaining from certain kinds of food.
        • Most notable example is Daniel. 
      • Absolute – No food or water for three days.
        • Three days is the maximum time the body can go without water before things begin to break down.   
      • Supernatural – There are two supernatural fasts recorded in the Bible.
      • People who fasted in various ways, and for different reasons, in the Bible: Moses, Daniel (Daniel 9:3), Elijah, Esther (Esther 4:16), Anna (Luke 2:36-38), Paul (Acts 9:9), Jesus, Apostles (Acts 13:2-3). 
    • Fasting’s primary purpose is to create a deeper hunger for God. 
    • Fasting exposes emotions and bad habits (sin) that need to be addressed.
    • Fasting is associated with a call to repentance and dependence on God.
    • Fasting puts you in a better place to listen for God’s guidance.
    • Fasting helps us realize that sacrifice is a part of worship.
    • Fasting is a reminder that we are to do all things to the glory of God.
  • Conclusion:  Fasting is not a means for manipulating God; we already have God’s love and attention. The primary purpose of fasting is to increase our hunger for God.

Prayer

by Laurin, posted in Sunday Message

Good evening! I’m trying (again) to get caught up, so this message was actually from last Sunday. Pastor Alan was out of town, and we were blessed to have Terry speak to us about prayer. He focused on Matthew 27:50-53. To listen to this message, simply click play on the audio player below. I’ve also included notes with links to verses that Terry references in his lesson. Enjoy!

Prayer

Matthew 27:45-56

When the veil tore (v. 51), it was the culmination of God’s redemptive plan. We now have access to God (Hebrews 4:16).

We must pray through the Son, not in our own power. After all, He is the gate (John 10:9) and the Way (John 14:6), etc.

We pray to unload our burdens (1 Peter 5:7).

Jesus taught that prayer should not be a show for others but communication with the Father (Matthew 6:5-8).

We are to be in constant communication with God (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

God will supply all of our needs, if we ask (Philippians 4:19).

But we have to ask of the Father in Jesus’ name. He will provide, if our desires are aligned to His will (John 16:23).

Proverbs 3:5-6 tells us that if we:

  1. Trust in the Lord with all our hearts AND
  2. Lean not on our own understanding AND
  3. Acknowledge Him/submit to Him in all our ways…

Then He will make our paths straight.

Remember, broad is the way to hell, but narrow is the road to heaven (Matthew 7:13-14).

God has given every one of us a measure of faith. Where are we putting that faith? In myself? Money? Family? Friends? or God?

Wherever we are at with the Lord, He wants us to go deeper, higher, than we ever thought possible.

Back to School

by Laurin, posted in Devotion

This has been a busy summer for me, as I bet it has been for most, especially parents whose children have been set loose from school for the last few weeks or even months. Around here, school is beginning, which means loads of school supplies are being rounded up, lunches are being prepared, and parents are waiting for that blessed moment when their children step onto that school bus and begin a new year of education.

There is one group, however, that I always find on my heart at this time of year: teachers. As a former teacher myself, I know how exciting and stressful this time of the year can be. I also know that with each new year and each new educational law or regulation passed in the US, American teachers take on more and more responsibility. It is a terribly heavy weight to bear, the shaping of both minds and lives, but one that teachers feel called to do day after day.

So, with those amazing people who care for our country’s children every day in mind, I would like to offer a prayer. I found this prayer in an article from Dayspring.com and thought it was beautiful, so I adapted it a bit for this post:

Dear God,

As countless teachers begin the new school year, grant them an abundance of Your wisdom. Prepare their hearts to welcome and love the young souls that fill their classrooms, and may we make sure to show them love and respect in return. Give them grace as they help students who aren’t thriving, courage to say what needs to be said, tools and knowledge on how and when to speak love, and strength when they feel weak. When they feel unseen, remind them that no moment goes unnoticed. They are shaping the future in one million small – yet incredibly important – ways every day. We are overwhelmed with gratitude for the gift of learning they share with our children. Bless them, Lord, and may they see even just a glimpse of how their faithfulness will forever impact generations to come. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen.

The article mentioned above also included some beautiful verses to act as reminders:

If you are a teacher, hold onto 1 Corinthians 15:58 and James 1:5 throughout those days ahead:

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless. (1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT)
If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. (James 1:5 NLT)

If you are a student, make it your aim to never lose sight of Proverbs 4:13:

Take hold of my instructions; don’t let them go.
Guard them, for they are the key to life. (Proverbs 4:13 NLT)

Remember that teachers have an extremely important job to do, and they do it whole-heartedly, every day, despite the things that might be happening in their lives outside the classroom. Keep them in your prayers and be understanding in your dealings with them. They are a blessing to us all!

Hope you’ve had a beautiful, blessed summer!

Effective Prayer

by Laurin, posted in Devotion

This Thursday, May 3rd, is the National Day of Prayer, a day when Christians from all over our vast nation gather in churches, small groups, schools, homes, or go out on their own to pray specifically for the United States of America. This year’s theme is “Unity,” and the foundational scripture is Ephesians 4:3, “Making every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (You can learn more about this event at their website.)

While the National Day of Prayer is special to many, every Sunday at Colona Community Church is a special day of prayer for us. We set aside time in every normal Sunday service for “Praise and Prayer Time.” It is during these moments each week that members of the congregation can share their joys and burdens with each other, so that we can rejoice alongside and pray for one another. It is a privilege that our small congregation cherishes.

Prayer is so important to and such a blessing for those who believe. Taking our requests to God is a privilege for believers that Christ paid for with His death on the cross. It was then that the veil separating the Church from the Holy of Holies was torn, granting us direct access to the throne of God. Now we can take our hearts right to God, and He will hear our requests.

Does that mean that God will give you that new sports car you’ve always wanted or the big house on the shore of a beautiful lake that you dream of? No. Sorry to say, but that’s not what God means when He says, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours” (Mark 11:24, NLT).

Note that John 15:7 says it even more succinctly: “But if you remain in Me and My words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” (NLT). There’s the key: remaining (or the old KJV word abiding) in Christ, planting His words in your heart, growing in the grace and knowledge of Jesus. As Rick Renner wrote: “Jesus knew that if His words take up permanent residency in your heart and mind, you will never ask for something that is out of line with His will for your life. His Word will so transform your mind that your prayers will always be in accordance with what He has already said.”

So as we work out our salvation (Philippians 2:13-14), as we draw nearer to God (James 4:8), as we abide in Him (John 15:7), our prayers become more effective, because we are praying His will (Matthew 6:10), we are seeking Him first (Luke 12:31).

If we want America to be “great again,” if we desire for our nation to turn back to God, it must begin with each individual believer feeding on the Word, filling our hearts and minds with its Truth, abiding in Him, so that our prayers may become even more powerful and effective, and we can spread our joy and peace and hope and love to all those around us.

I do hope that you will join me and countless others this Thursday as we pray for the U.S.A. and all who live, work, and play here. May God bless America again!

And if you have a burden that you’d like the fellowship of Colona Community Church to be praying for, please click on our “Prayer Requests” page and send us a message. We will be honored to take it to the throne for you and come alongside you in your time of need. God bless you today and always!