“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.”
1 Timothy 2:1-2 NLT
The goal of the Gospel is not to affirm you, celebrate you, and empower you to do whatever you want to do.
The goal of the Gospel is to rescue you, transform you, and empower you to do whatever God wants you to do.
The disciples asked Jesus, "Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?"
But Jesus turned and rebuked them.
(Luke 9:54-55)
(This is a word for the Church in every age.)
Moses: “I can’t speak.”
Job: “I have no peace.”
David: “I am a worm.”
Isaiah: “I am a man of unclean lips.”
Elijah: “I have had enough, Lord.”
Paul: “I am the chief of sinners.”
In our inadequacy, God is always adequate!
My patience with mean or angry or judgmental folks increased greatly when a friend taught me to stop asking (in my mind) "What's WRONG with you?"
and start asking (in my mind) "What HAPPENED to you?"
What made you so angry or mean?
Hurt people hurt other people
The worst evils aren't done by people
who know what they're doing is wrong.
The worst evils are done by people
convinced that they're doing right.
Don't believe the lies you tell yourself.
I've been a pastor and worship leader for many years. Please believe me when I say, worshipping and singing songs to Jesus is not the same thing as following him.
Query…
Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.””
Luke 18:17 NIV
In your opinion, what does ‘receive like a little child’ mean, in one or two words?
The more time we spend with God listening to his heart, the more we begin to think like Him and value the things that God values. #Prayer#TransformationalPrayer