Ifyou vebeencomingforawhile,youknowthatwe vebeeninanextendedseries throughthebookofacts.it sbeenveryencouragingandchallenging.wehave marveledtogetheratwhattheearlychurchexperienced.theyenduredhardship andsuffering(oftenwithjoy),theywereboldinsharingthegospelandtheysaw thousandsofpeoplecometofaithinjesus,andtheyenjoyedunityandloveacross racialandculturalbarriers.i mencouragedbecauseiseethathappeninghere.doi needtotellyouithasn talwaysbeenthatway?andthankgodheismovinginus andthroughus.butwhileiamencouragedandfilledwithgratitudeforwhatgodis doing,i mstillchallenged.challengedbecauseiknowwehaven tarrived.wearen t thereyet.westillexperiencepainandhardshipandsufferingandweneedthejoyof thelordtobeourstrength.we resurroundedbypeoplewhohaven theardthe gospeltheonlywaytheirgonnahearitisifweareboldandcourageous.we veseen hundred sbaptizedinoneday,butnotthousands.yet.we remorediversethan we veeverbeen,moreunitedasachurchthani veseenin28years,butithink we rejustseeingthetipoftheiceberg. 2weeksago,SummitkidsstudiedShadrach,MeshachandAbednegointhefiery furnace.threeguyspersecutedfortheirfaithingodbutgodmiraculouslydelivers them.onthewayhome,hudsonour6yosays Mom,thatkindofstuffdoesn t happentoday,doesit?justbackinoldtimes,right? AndIthinkyouandImightbe pronetoaskthesamequestion.wereadactsandi mafraidtoomanyofus think thatkindofthingdoesn thappentoday justbackinoldtimes.butiwant mykidsandiwantyoutoknowthatgodisthesameyesterday,todayandforever. AndwhatHedidinandfortheearlychurchinthebookofActs,heisreadywilling andabletodoinandforustoday.sothequestionbecomes:isthereanythingthat keepsusfromknowingandexperiencinggodthewaytheearlychurchknewand experiencedhim? Everyfacetoftheirlives(corporateandindividual)wasimpactedbythepowerand presenceofgodbecausetheyweredevotedtohim.theyweregavethemselvesto knowingandexperiencinggod.acts%2:42saysitthiswaythey%devoted%themselves% to%the%apostles %teaching%and%to%fellowship,%to%the%breaking%of%bread%and%to%prayer. Andtheydiditinresponsetothegospel. Pleasedon tmissthepersonalimplicationsofthis.theyweredevotedtothese thingsasabodybecausetheyweredevotedtothemindividually.their%collective% individual%devotion%is%what%produced%the%dynamic%corporate%experience.it wasn ttheotherwayaround.theyweren tdependingononemantosupplywhat theyneededindividuallyorcollectivelyforspiritualgrowth.listenin1corinthians 14,itsaysthechurchgottogethertheyEACHcamewithaword.ThisisonereasonI strugglesomuchwhenihearpeoplecomplainabouttheirpastorortheirchurch andsayjunklike well,i mjustnotbeingfed. It snotthepastorsresponsibilityto FEEDyouonceaweek likethatwouldkeepyouhealthyandstronganyway.it s yourresponsibilitytopullyourselfuptothetable,drawneartogod,andfeaston thewordofgodsevendaysaweek!stoptryingtoliveoffofsomepastors relationshipwithgod developyourownrelationshiptohim.
Andletmesayonemorethinghere becausetheyloved,worshipped,soughtand experiencedgodintheprivateplace,theyexpectedthatsamethingtohappenwhen theygottogether.canwebehonest?manyofyoudon thavethatsameexpectation. HowdoIknowthat?Abouthalfofyouwerelatetoday.Youstrolledinlikeitwasno bigdeal.there snowayyoushowuplatelikethattoaballgameoramovieora concert.andifyoudidhappentoarrivelate,you druninbecauseyoudon twantto missanything. Whentheygottogether,theyexpectedGodtoshowupbecausetheyhadbeen pursuinghimprivately.????? TheyexpectedGodbuttheydidnotassumeGod.Expectationleadstopursuit, assumptionleadstoapathy. SotodayIwanttoaskaquestion.AreYOUdevotedtothesethings?Most specifically,areyoudevotedtothewordofgodandtoprayer?thisisnotmushy sentimentality,thisisactive,layitallontheline,abandonyourselfkindofdevotion. HaveyougivenyourselfwholeheartedlytoseekingGodinHisWordandinprayer? Ihaveonegoalinmindthisweekend.Thatistostir,provoke,challengeyou(every oneofyou)topursuedevotiontothewordofgodandtoprayer.i%say%pursue,% because%devotion%to%anything%is%cultivated%and%developed.onyourwayin today,yougotacopyofanewresourcethatwe veproducedcalled 30DAYSd KickstartYourDailyTimewithGod I mgoingtochallengeyoutotakeitand committousingit,alongwithoursummitbiblereadingplan.becausei m convincedthatifwewillrespondtothegospelbydailydevotingourselvesto knowingandexperiencinggod,thenwewillcometoseeandknowgodisawaythat weneverhavebefore. Ifyou vegotyourbibleturntomatthew6. Lord sprayer Matthew%6:9B13% 9% This,then,ishowyoushouldpray: OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyour name,10%yourkingdomcome,yourwillbedone,onearthasitisinheaven. 11%Giveustodayourdailybread.%12%Andforgiveusourdebts,aswealsohave forgivenourdebtors.13%andleadusnotintotemptation,%butdeliverusfromthe evilone. % IbelievethisshortprayeroutlinesforuswhatourdailytimewithGodshouldlook like.thisisnotaprayerforustorepeat.it samodelforustofollow.jesusdidnot say praythis whathesaidwas thisishowyoushouldpray Don tmissthat, becausetheyarefundamentallydifferent.onebecomesaritual,theothershapesa relationship.
LetmeshowyouFOURWAYSIthinkthisprayershouldinformorinfluenceour dailytimewithgod. 1.%Our%daily%time%with%God%should%celebrate%and%cultivate%our%relationship% with%him% Jesus instructiononprayerbeginswiththis verse9 OurFatherinheaven,hallowedbeyourname ThishastobetheplacewherewebeginallofourtimewithGod.IfyouandIcan startourapproachwitharightunderstandingofgodasfather,theneverythingelse willfallinplace. Tothedisciplesthiswouldhavebeenarevolutionaryidea uptothispoint,noone calledgodfather.theideaofreferringtogod,letalonespeakingtohim,insucha relationalwaywasunheardof.butjesusisunderscoringanessentialtruthhere.we haveaccesstogodbecausewearehischildren.byfaithinjesus,youandiare adoptedassonsanddaughtersofgod.letthewonderofthissettleinonyou.what anincredibleprivilege,inchrist,youhisbelovedchild.andourprayingshouldbe onthebasisofthatpositionandforthepurposeofnurturingthatrelationship.your timewithgodshouldbefirstandforemostaboutrelationship. Jesussaid,rightprayingisrootedinunderstandingourrelationshiptoourFather God.ButsometimesourrelationshipwithGoddoesnotreflecttheclosenessand engagementofafatherandson.andthedistanceinourrelationshipisnothisfault, it sours.godhasn tabandonedus,we veabandonedhim.hehasn tneglectedus, weneglecthim.godisnotanabsenteedfather,weareabsenteedchildren.youandi needdailytimewithgodpreciselybecauseweneedgod likeasonneedshis father weneedourfatherinheaven. Nottoolongago,ourboyswerehavingaconversation.TobehonestIdon treally rememberwhatoccasionedit,buthaddon,our4yearold,lookedat6yearold brotherandsaid Hudson,ifMomandDaddied,wecouldplayWiiandiPadallthe time. Myfirstthoughtwas,maybeweneedtogetsomecounseling followedby shouldwelockourbedroomdooratnight? Hehasnoideahowmuchheneeds me.thereisnowayhecouldcomprehendandappreciateallthatimeantohim.he can tevenimaginewhatwouldhappenifiweren ttheretoprovideforhimandlead himandlovehimandprotecthim.hedoesn treallyhaveacategoryforwhatlife wouldbelikewithoutdad.sometimesallhecanseeisthatiamkeepinghimfrom whathewantstodo.truthbetold we renotmuchdifferent.wearewoefully unawareofhowmuchweneedgod.andwemightnotsayit,butinternallywethink ifgodwasoutofthepicturewecoulddowhateverwewantedto. WeneedtolearntosaywiththePsalmist Psalm63:1 1"You,%God,%are%my%God,%earnestly%I%seek%you;%I%thirst%for%you,%my%whole%being%longs%for% you,%in%a%dry%and%parched%land%where%there%is%no%water."
Thereisnothing,apartfromHimself,thatGodcouldgivemeordoformethatwould satisfy.idon tneedsomethingfromgod IneedGod. That swhysomuchofyourtimewithgodneedstobefocusedonwhoheisdfather, andwhoyouare child.thatkindoffocuswillleadyoutopraiseandthanksgiving. ThosearethethingsthatsetmeonacoursetodrawneartoGod. Letmesuggestyoucultivatethisbyjournaling.Theprayersectionofthisguide (HOLDITUP)willprovidesaplaceandsomedirectioninhowtodothis.Feedyour praisebydocumentingwhatgodisteachingyouabouthimself.gobackoveryour sermonnotesandpulloutwhereyouheardorsawgod.makealistofthingsfor whichyouneedtoexpressgratitudeandthankfulnesstogod.openupyoureyesto thegoodness,kindness,mercyandloveofgod.wheredoyouseethatinscripture? Wheredoyouexperienceitdaybyday?Writeitdown.Bespecific.Buildforyourself somethingthatfeedsyourfaithandcausesyoutorememberthegreatnessofgod, somethingthatturnsyourattentiontowardhimandnottowardyourselfandyour circumstance. 2.%Our%daily%time%with%God%should%reorient%us%toward%His%kingdom%and%His% purposes% Yourkingdomcome,Yourwillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven WhathaspermeatedourpreachingandteachinghereattheSummit,ourmission andvisionasachurch,nowneedstomakeit swayintoourpraying.youandineed agospelrevolutioninourprayerlives.waytoomuchofmyprayingismotivatedby andfocusedonmyowndesireforcomfort,ease,relief,andpleasure.thisisoften reflectedinwaysthatmaybeverysubtle.iprayforthingstogowell,forthe absenceofcomplicationsandconflict,iprayforsafety,andhealth. ToomuchofwhatIprayforistemporaryandmedcentered.Ishouldknowbynow thatgod sprimaryagendaisnotmypersonalcomfort,ease,relief,pleasure.and honestlyit sawasteofbreathformetoprayinwaysthatdon treflectgod sagenda andhispurposes.ineedtorecallthepromisesofgodandmakethosecentralinmy praying.ishouldbeprayingmoreeternal,kingdomfocusedprayers. RecentlywewerereadingtheGospelStorybookbiblewithourkids.Whenwe finishedthestoryofcainandabel,hudsonwasfurious.youcouldseeitinhiseyes andalloverhisface. Mom, hesaid, it snotfair.it snotfairthatcainkilledable andhedidn tgettolivehisreallife.hehadtogouptoheavenandlivesomefake life. Yousee,tomy6yearold,thisiswhat s%real,%andheavenisnotreal,it sfake. Butisn tthathowwepray??? asifallthiswerereal,asifeternityandheavenwere fake. OurprayingneedstobemotivatedbytheGospel,throughthelensoftheGospel,for thepurposeofthegospel.fromthemomentsinenteredtheworld,god spurposein
everythinghasbeentoredeemandreconcileustohimself.fromgenesisto Revelationit sthestoryofwhatgodhasdone,isdoing,andwilldo.whenhekilled ananimaltomakeagarmentcoveradamandeve,godwaspointingtothedayhe wouldslayhisonlyson,thelambofgod,tocoveroursinandshame restoringus torelationshipwithhimself.redeeming,reconciling,restoringdthisisgod seternal purpose. IfGodansweredallyourprayersinone,fellswoop,towhatdegreewould his kingdomcomeandhiswillbedoneonearthasitisinheaven?howmanynew peoplewouldbeinthekindgom?howmanyofhispromiseswouldbefulfilledfor you?howmuchofhispurposeswouldbeaccomplishedinyourlife?areyou prayingthosekindsofprayers? Practicallyspeaking,youandIneedtobuildforourselvesabankof yourkingdom come,yourwillbedone thingstopray.startalistofthepromisesofgodthatyou discoverasyoureadthebible.writedownprayersrecordedinscriptureandsay thosebacktogod.beintentionalaboutprayingforpeopleyouknowwhoarelost,as wellasnationsandpeoplegroupsthatdon thaveaccesstothegospel.again,this guidethatwearegivingyoutodaywillhelpyoubegintheprocessofcultivatingthis kindofprayerlife. 3.%Our%daily%time%with%God%should%affirm%our%dependence%on%Him giveusthisdayourdailybread Thisisthemostfascinatingphraseintheentireprayertome.It sthefirstreal ask intheprayer.andit sthefirstthingthatseemstobefocusedonmeandreceiving somethingfromgod. WhenGoddeliveredthechildrenofIsraeloutofslaveryinEgypt,Heprovidedfood forthem.godmadeitrainpotatoflakes.dailymanna,breadfromheavenwasgod s wayofsustainingthem.theyhadnoothersourceoffood.nomeansofgettingwhat theyneeded.noalternativewaytosustainthemselves. Saying dailybread wasjesus wayofpointingthedisciples,andus,backtothis verybasictruth inthemostfundamentalway,wearealldependentongodforall weneedforlife.myprayersshouldacknowledgemydependenceongod s sustainingprovision.thisisnotaprayerforabundanceorexcess,it sacallto humblerelianceongod. ButIthinkthere ssomethingelsehere.justafewchaptersearlier,matthewrecords forusthetemptationofjesusinthewilderness.afterfasting40days,jesusis temptedbysatantoturnthestonesintobread.andthisishisreply manshallnot livebybreadalonebutbyeverywordthatproceedsfromthemouthofgod. Jesus sinstructiontothedisciples,andtous,isthatwemustrememberthatweare notonlydependentongodforphysicalsustenancebutweareabsolutelydependent
onhimforthesustainingofoursouls.youdon tjustneedbreadforyourbody,you needthebreadfromheaventofeedyourheart,soulandmind. Iaminallways,physicalandspiritual,utterlyandcompletelydependentonGod. Andnotonlyshouldmyprayersreflectthat,butmypursuitofGodinHisword shouldpositionmetoreceivethatdailybread. Psalm%19:7B10%% 7"The%law%of%the%Lord%is%perfect,%%%%%" refreshing%the%soul.%% The%statutes%of%the%Lord%are%trustworthy,%%%%%% making%wise%the%simple." 8"The%precepts%of%the%Lord%are%right,%%%%%% giving%joy%to%the%heart.%% The%commands%of%the%Lord%are%radiant,%%%%%% giving%light%to%the%eyes." 9"The%fear%of%the%Lord%is%pure,%%%%%% enduring%forever.%% The%decrees%of%the%Lord%are%firm,%%%%%% and%all%of%them%are%righteous." 10"They%are%more%precious%than%gold,%%%%%% than%much%pure%gold;%they%are%sweeter%than%honey,%%%%%% than%honey%from%the%honeycomb.% % WhenI mwearyandwornout,ineedtoberecharged WhenIdon tknowwhattodo,ineedwisdom WhenI mdiscouraged,ineedjoy WhenI mconfused,ineedclarity WhenI minsecure,ineedconfidence WhenI mwanting,ineedtobesatisfied. AccordingtoPsalm19,allthatisfoundintheWordofGod. Again,canwebehonesthere?We vefilledourliveswithsomanyotherthingsthat wedon tperceivearealneedfortimeintheword.wesaywedon thavetime,or wedon tknowwheretostart,orwejustdon tunderstandthebible.butinreality whatwe resayingisthatwedon tthinkit snecessary.whenyouneglecttimewith God,whatsuffersisthelifeofChristinyou.Butifyoutookhalfthetimeyouspend onfacebook orevenathirdofit afractionofthetimeyouspendontwitter,or textingandemail,anddevotedthattothewordofgod,youwouldbeastoundedat whatgodwoulddo.you dbeoverwhelmedbyhowheworksinyou.butyouwill neverknowuntilyoustart.
4.%Our%daily%time%with%God%should%anchor%us%in%the%Gospel% Andforgiveusourdebts,aswealsohaveforgivenourdebtors.13%Andleadusnot intotemptation,%butdeliverusfromtheevilone. % ThisisareminderthatmytimewithGodneedstoendwhereitstarted focusedon relationship.myrelationshipwithgoddidnotbeginwithmepresentingmyselfas onerighteousandwithoutoffense.andiwillcontinueinthatrelationshipnot becauseofmyperformancebutbecauseofthesamegracethatsavedme. Titus%2:11B13% 11"For%the%grace%of%God%has%appeared%that%offers%salvation%to%all%people.%12"It%teaches% us%to%say% No %to%ungodliness%and%worldly%passions,%and%to%live%selffcontrolled,%upright% and%godly%lives%in%this%present%age,%13"while%we%wait%for%the%blessed%hope the% appearing%of%the%glory%of%our%great%god%and%savior,%jesus%christ,% YouandIdesperatelyneeddailytimewithGod.Weneedtocelebrateandcultivate therelationshipwithhavebecauseofjesus.weneedtohaveourperspective reorientedtowardhiskingdomandhispurposes.weneedtorecognizeour dependenceongodandpositionourselvestoreceivehisdailysupply.weneedto besaturatedinthegospel. James4:8DrawneartoGod,andhewilldrawneartoyou. Willyou?WillyoudrawneartoGod?WillyoudevoteyourselftoseekingGod DAILY,inHiswordandinprayer?