We Need a Spiritual Awakening

Watch any newscast for more than 5 minutes, and you realize our country is in deep trouble. Our screens are plastered with news of new scandals, divisions, and violence. Deception and immorality have become the norm instead of the exception. From politics to business and even in the church scandal seems to be the word of the day.

As hard as we may try, it’s obvious we don’t have the answers to the problems our country is facing. New programs, leaders, and ideas always seem to take us down the same road of hopelessness, fear, and anger.

What we need is a fresh work of God in our country, our churches and even in our lives. (more…)

Brushing Your Teeth And Time With God

So, which is more important, brushing your teeth or spending time with God? The answer seems obvious right? Of course spending time with God is more important than brushing your teeth.

Now a couple of follow up questions. “How often to do you leave the house in the morning without brushing your teeth? If you are like me; never. Brushing my teeth is part of my morning ritual.

How often do you leave the house in the morning without spending time with God? Ouch, that one stings a little. I intend to spend time with God, but sometimes if I am running late, or things come up, I may miss it. (more…)

When You Pray – Our Father

Jesus had the richest prayer life of anyone who has ever walked on this Earth. The Disciples saw Jesus do many things, from feeding the crowds to healing the sick and even raising the dead, but when they saw Him pray they were amazed. One day the disciples asked, “Teach us how to pray.” I have a feeling they were asking, “Jesus, teach us how to pray the way you pray.”

In Matthew 6, Jesus gives us the model prayer. Traditionally, it’s called the Lord’s prayer, but it was really a model designed to teach us how to pray.

Jesus began the model prayer with the words “Our Father.” What words do you use when you pray? How do you address God? (more…)

Praising God in Difficult Times

I remember sitting in my office when my boss came in. He had come in unexpectedly, late in the day and was now sitting in my office across my desk. As he began talking about the organization and what changes were coming, I became more and more concerned. At one point I stopped him and asked, “Wait a minute, are you firing me?” He said, “No, not firing…” “I asked, am I working here tomorrow?” He simply said, “No.”

I remember driving home that day thinking what am I going to do? I have a wife and three kids at home; we had very little saving, what is going to happen? How will we make it?

We have all had those times when life seemed to make an unexpected left turn. Suddenly, we are on a detour down a dark and dangerous path. We may have lost a job, lost a spouse, or our health. Whatever the reason we now face an uncertain future, and fear of tomorrow.

When we face difficult times, how are we to respond?

As strange as it may sound, learning to praise God during our difficult times can give us peace, hope and invites God right into the situation we are facing. (more…)

The Power of Persistent Prayer – Part 3

Title with hands folded in prayer
Over the last two weeks, we have talked a lot about the power of persistent prayer. Persistent prayer is prayer that doesn’t give up. It is prayer that holds onto God until the answer comes. Persistent prayer says, “I will keep on praying until something happens, or God tells me to stop praying.”

Today we are going to look at the second part of that statement. Are there times when God tells you to stop praying for something or someone? (more…)