Living the Journey

Last week we mentioned how helpful it can be to gather together with two or three others for powerful prayer. (See Matthew 18:20.) However, your prayer team will not reach its full potential until the following principle is applied.

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2. Be in One Accord

“If two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 18:19).

To be in one accord is to have “the same passion.” Powerful prayer must be fervent because “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16).

To be in one accord means that each one loves Jesus with all his or her heart, soul, mind, and strength. It also means that their are no competing affections with things of the world. (See James 4:1-5.)

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What are the greatest hindrances in your life that keep you from loving God with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength? What is God leading you to do about them?

Tune in next Sunday (or Monday, if we’re late again! Ooops. Sorry about that!) for the next key to praying with power.

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Does the idea of a prayer meeting really get you excited?

Do you sometimes feel like your prayers are hitting the ceiling?

Do you have a problem falling asleep when you pray?

Every Sunday morning for the next seven weeks, we will explore one aspect of powerful prayer that can completely transform your prayer life. Enjoy!

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Key #1: Form a Group of Two or Three

“For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Matthew 18:20).

Powerful prayer is a function of the Body of Christ. His Body is made up of different parts, but each part must function in harmony with each other under the headship of Christ. Jesus is also the head of the Church; which when functioning properly is so dynamic that even the gates of hell cannot resist giving up those who are trapped and destined for eternal destruction. (Matthew 6:18)

Church does not happen only when a group of believers meet Sunday morning or Sunday evening. Church “happens” whenever two or three believers gather together in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to edify one another and to advance the Kingdom of God.

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Have you formed a prayer group of two or three? Who do you have in it? Leave a comment and check back next Sunday for another key to praying with power!

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“So Jotham became mighty,
because he prepared his ways
before the LORD his God”
(2 Chronicles 27:6).

Jotham is not a very well-known king of Judah, but his success ranks right up there with Josiah, Uzziah, and Hezekiah. Scripture does not leave his secret up to speculation!

In this powerful message from Dr. Roger Magnuson, delivered at a 2010 Regional ATI Conference, discover the key to Jotham’s might that is mentioned in II Chronicles 27:6. The Greek word for ways in this verse means “journey” and this important truth can be applied to the life of anyone who is “living the journey!”

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Runtime: 55:51

If you would like to purchase this message on DVD, please contact IBLP Publication Orders at 1-800-398-1290.

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Have you waded through streams in summer with tripod in hand? Have you biked trails in winter till your camera just quit working, it was so cold? Have you slipped on yellow-leaf-littered asphalt on a rainy day in autumn? Though I have never trekked the Michigan wilderness in spring, there is no doubt that Northwoods is a photographers bliss year round. Every season, it is completely different.

And herein lies the secret to it’s beauty.

Every photographer knows that one place can become a "completely different place" if it is just given some time. Add to the seasons some other natural elements: sunrises shed light from a different direction than sunsets do; sun, moon, stars, and artificial light all play a role in reconstructing a vista; storm clouds, cumulus clouds, altostratus clouds. . . no clouds! each component makes the biggest difference in any single composition. It makes one dizzy to think of the possibilities! No doubt, it is these irregularity that makes the Northwoods so beautiful.

Is this not strangely similar to our walk with the Lord? Does He not lead me to mountaintops and through valleys, into forest glades and across desert tracts? The scenery of life changes constantly. Sometimes He feels close and I feel encouraged. Sometimes He seems distant, and I grow discouraged. Changes in my surroundings are what makes life exciting because it allows me to  see God work in different ways. Hardships on my journey is what makes me grow, for when through temptation, failure, grace and victory a summit is reached, I am able to see more clearly the next ridge I am to scale!

God is composing a beautiful picture. It’s the irregularities in the journey that make it spectacular!

Text and photography courtesy of Lenspiration.

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Frugality becomes Stinginess when I begin to save for myself instead of for God’s Kingdom.

Protection becomes Control when the benefit of the action is transferred from the subordinate to the superior.

A Collector becomes a Pack Rat when he assembles things for security instead of for display.

Praise become Flattery when a complement focuses on unchangeables instead of the qualities that Christ has built in one’s life.

Freedom becomes License when I do what I think is fine even if it causes another person to stumble.

Jealousy becomes Envy when I desire that which God has not given to me instead of protecting that which He has.

Explaining becomes Excusing when I rename sin in a way that does not make it sound so bad.

Unity becomes Compromise when everyone agrees on the lowest common denominator instead of uniting around the highest.

The difference between Wealth and Riches is that wealth consists of things that are not temporal, like children, health, time, relationships, and character.

Justice becomes Fairness when I focus on rights instead of responsibility.

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Matthew 6:25-34 comes to mind as we think about not having fear or worry. Jesus says for us to “take no thought for your life” and goes on to talk about our food, clothing, etc. – the things of this world that affect us and that we tend to worry about. What do you worry about the most? What are you afraid of? What concerns you? (fitting in, the future, school, job, death, good-byes). In the Greek, the word “thought” is μεριμνάω (merimnaō) and means to be anxious about, to be distracted by, care, concern. The Amplified puts it this way- stop being perpetually uneasy (anxious and worried) about your life!

This same Greek word is used in Luke 10:38-42, when Jesus says, “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things” What caused Martha to explode in front of Jesus? What causes us to react so strongly to our family or friends? (expectations of others, lack of gratefulness, pride, wanting praise, focus is on self – wanting to be noticed, thinking only of what others are thinking of me). Mary didn’t want to miss out on the presence of Christ. She sat at His feet. She did the one thing that was needful. What distracts us from listening to Jesus? (sleep, school, working out, music, being too busy, sin… the WORLD is anything that alienates you from God) How can you remove these distractions, or, should you change your list of priorities? (choose to get up early, choose to spend extra time in the Word, pray, memorize His Word). What’s most important to you? Would others agree as they observe your life? Don’t waste  moments.

~ Side note: Enthusiasm is God in us. Think of a tea kettle. When you’re boiling/in the midst of difficulty, what kind of whistle do you give? My life is to shout the existence of God (so that others say, God must be in her!). Let’s pray for this! May we respond under the control of the Holy Spirit!

The same Greek word is used in 1 Peter 5:7, “Casting all your care upon Him.” The Amplified put it this way, Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him. Here’s what we can do with these troubles and worries. Take them to the Lord in prayer. You can come to Him anytime, anywhere! Prayer is taking your mind and focusing it on God, and then re-focusing! Pour out your heart to Jesus (Psalm 62:8). Phil. 4:6, Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God’s peace [shall be yours].

And here’s the amazing part – the second part of the verse, “for He careth for you.” Amplified, He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. This word for care is μέλει (melei) and means to take interest, to care; concern; it matters. How greatly we are loved! Preach this to yourself: He cares for me. What matters to me matters to Him. Remember Romans 8:28 and the promise that if it’s not going to work for good (that’s God’s goal), He wouldn’t have allowed it. He is good. The safest place for us is right in the middle of God’s will.

~Side note: protection and the Umbrella analogy – you don’t hold the umbrella, only God does! to the degree you let Him hold the umbrella, you will have peace. we cannot be in control! be yielded to His authority. peace comes with authority. Christ is our peace.

Here’s just another way how this Greek word is used. 1 Corinthians 7:32, 34 “He that is unmarried careth for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord… The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit.” In a positive way, we are to care and be concerned about the things of God, how we can please God, how we can pursue holiness and be wholly separated to Him. Where are your concerns centered? Do you even care about the things of God? Ask God to help you desire and love Him more.

Waiting on the Lord- think of Jesus and His example of waiting. He was peaceful in the wait. He waited thousands of years to become flesh and dwell among us. He waited 30 years to begin His earthly ministry. He waited until Lazarus was cold and decaying before He raised him from the dead. We must learn to wait as He does. What profit is there in the wait? Isaiah 64:4, He acts for those who wait for Him.

“Impatience accomplishes nothing except to shatter your peace”- Elisabeth Elliot. Put yourself completely in His hands. His timing is right. Isaiah 40:31, But those who wait for the Lord [who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired.

Are we assured that we are safe in the hands that hold the stars? Can we wholeheartedly surrender to God, leaving quietly with Him all of our ‘what ifs’ and ‘but what abouts’? ALL can rest quietly in His very capable hands. ~Elisabeth Elliot

~ Jennifer Lavin

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