Author: Don Guthrie

Don Guthrie is the Senior Pastor at FBCSA.

40 Days of Prayer – For people to be saved

However you imagine the balance between sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man, whether Calvinist or Armenian, one thing is certain.  Prayer is powerful with God,  powerful in the salvation of those who separated from God and empty of eternal LIFE.

Day 4 – Will you pray for People to be saved?
“My heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation” says Paul in Romans 10:1.  Jesus saw the same opportunity.  “Beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest.”  (Matthew 9:38)  Apparently, the prayers of the people of God have a huge effect on the “divine opportunities” that come our way.  A prepared witness + an open heart = faith = salvation!    So, will you?  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES to pray for people who do not “see” the spiritual realities of this universe?  Linger here.  Pray for the Lord to send you into the harvest.  “What man among you, if he has 100 sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the 99 and go after the one which is lost?  (Jesus – Luke 15:4)  Will you pray?

Re: Verse reading – Luke 5:12-26.  (First day, new series of studies in the book of Luke)

40 Days of Prayer – Repentance and Renewal

People who pray (thank you for being one of this number) must face sin.  Must understand it.  Must appreciate the non-negotiable position of a holy God toward it.  Christianity is not soft.  It does not allow spiritual avoidance.

Day 3 –Will you pray toward repentance and renewal?
Three times when the Lord was teaching us to pray He focused attention on sin.  Forgive us. (the guilt of it)  Lead us not into temptation. (the courage and daily choices required of us)  Deliver us from Evil.  (the power of it)  Great promises are given to those who will walk this pure path.  “If we confess OUR sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us.”  (1 John 1:9)  “Repent and return, so that YOUR sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”  (Acts 3:19)  Most people do not see this need. . .a holy God, quenched and silenced  by our sin.  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES and ask Him to open your eyes and start your journey of repentance?   “If my people. . .

Re: Verse reading – 2 Peter 1:16-3:18.  Rain or shine, I will see you in church in a few hours!

40 Days of Prayer – Your Pastor(s)

We have begun a 40 day journey together.  Hundreds of us.  Focusing our prayers.  Asking God with united voice.  Welcome to these days.  I believe God will bless us.

Day 2 – Will  you pray for your Pastor(s)?
He has no small task.  To speak God’s word.  To guide God’s people.  Leading a church, developing a staff, casting vision, teaching scripture, enlisting leaders, offering counsel.  Pastor’s often find themselves asking Paul’s question, “Who is adequate for this task?” (2 Corinthians 2:16)  The answer is obvious.  God.  Only God is adequate for this task.  Unless the people of God pray for the Spirit of God to fill their leaders, failure is certain.  So, today, will you?  Will you TAKE 5 MINUTES and hold your Pastor(s) before the Lord?  Be still and determined.  Wait for the Spirit to lead your thoughts.  “And pray on my behalf”, said Paul in Ephesians 6:19.  God’s love is to send leaders.  Our love is to pray for them.

Re: Verse reading – 2 Peter 1:16-3:18  Great study!  Look forward to seeing you tomorrow (Sunday)

 

40 Days of Prayer – The President

Normal Christian behavior!  It is ignored by many, but still God’s plan for the church.  “My house shall be called a house of prayer.”  Will you join me?  Starting this morning, and ending on New Year’s Day, hundreds of members and friends of FBC will unite our prayers.  40 days of “agreeing together”.

Day 1 – Will  you pray for THE PRESIDENT?
Much repenting to do here.  We pray for the President, not because we like him or because we don’t, but because we believe that He (in the operation of his office) is part of God’s plan for the world.  No nation is closer to God by disrespecting those who are in authority.  Even when our conscience demands “civil disobedience” it will be bathed in prayer.  Read 1 Timothy 2:1-3.  Then TAKE 5 MINUTES  and hold the name Barack Obama before the throne of grace!  Linger longer if the Spirit gives you encouragement. The real battle in this world in won in prayer.  Send this blog to your children and friends!  Invite them to join. Blog what the Lord teaches you in prayer.  We want to hear from you.   The next 40 days are going to be a blessing.

Re: Verse reading this week. . .2 Peter 1:16-3:18.  I will look for you on Sunday!

Peter’s advantage and ours

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:16-21; 2:1-3; 3:1-18 (day one)
“We were eyewitnesses of His majesty. . .we have the word of the prophets made more certain, and you will do well to pay attention to it” (v 2:16,19)  Peter believes that a vision of the glory and coming of Christ is necessary for every believer.  “For the JOY set before Him”, Christ endured the cross.   “Faith is the assurance of things HOPED for”.  The writers of the New Testament were convinced that it is impossible to have victorious faith without a clear grasp of the future that God has planned for us.  We “do well to pay attention” to these prophetic promises.  Perhaps, Peter had an advantage.  He saw the glory of Christ with his own eyes. (Matthew 17).  But, we have an advantage too.  The same Spirit who carried the prophets along (v 21) now dwells in us!  “It is to your advantage that I go away”, said Jesus, “because I will send the Comforter!”

The promise of His Spirit

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:1-12 (day seven)
“Through these, He has given us His great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature.” (v 4)  Peter is likely thinking of his own experience.  When the Holy Spirit filled him (Pentecost) it changed his life forever.  No longer was he limited in life by his own meager resources.  The LIFE of Christ flowed in/through him.  He became a participant in the nature and powers of God!  Are we convinced and clear that this truth is the foundation of the Christian life? Do we proclaim and live a life that is the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises?  “Behold, days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel. . .I will put My law IN them.”  (Jeremiah 31:31,33)  “And you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  (Acts 1:8)  We can participate in His LIFE.  He promised!

Everything we need

Re: Verse reading–2 Peter 1:1-12 (day six)
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness.”(v 3)  There go my excuses!  Feelings of inadequacy no longer welcome!  Not a “natural” confidence for me.  Learned.  Supernatural.  Spirit given.  Scripture based.  EVERYTHING we need has been given us in the person of Jesus Christ.  “My grace is SUFFICIENT for you.” (2 Corinthians 12)  “ALL THINGS are possible for him who believes.” (Mark 9:23)  In followers of the Resurrected One, lack of confidence is the exception.  Anxiety is the stranger.  “If God is FOR US, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31)  “I can do ALL THINGS through Christ who strengthens me.”  (Philippians 4:13)  Got any giants that need killing?  Allowed any fears to rule your decisions and restrict your witness?  When Christ died for sin and rose to victorious life, God declared that no hill is too steep, no assignment impossible for those who share His life.  Great news!  We have everything we need!

Grace and human effort

RE Verse reading–2 Peter 1:1-12 (day one)  “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness. . .for this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge. . .” (v 3, 5)  Peter is the poster child for the foolishness of human pride.  His early struggles with thinking he could serve Christ out of sheer determination are well documented in the gospels.  He has come, finally, to a more balanced view.  God’s grace is everything we need.  Our privilege is to participate in the divine nature.  This does not, however, exempt us from doing the work.  “Make every effort”, he says in v 5.  Not just a few efforts.  Not just one or two.  Every effort necessary to get the job done.  To your faith add goodness.  To your goodness add knowledge. . .  The list is long.  Long enough to keep a believer busy for a lifetime.  Grace allows no laziness.  Real faith equals real effort.

Why am I surprised?

RE Verse reading–1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:1-11 (day seven)
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.”  (v 4:12)  I don’t know why I am surprised, but I am.  When my days feel dark and difficult.  When things “don’t work”.  When prayer is hard and critics are many.  Perhaps I should have listened more carefully.  “If they hated me, they will hate you”–Jesus.  “Through many tribulations we must enter into the kingdom of God”–Paul.  “We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against rulers, against the powers. . .against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places”–Paul (again)  To follow Christ is a difficult, dangerous path.  Those who do so must expect both blessing from God and opposition from the world.  It is a strange way to save the world, I admit, but if (and when) life is hard, we should not be surprised.

Leaders needed

RE Verse reading–1 Peter 4:12-19; 5:1-11 (day six)
“To the elders among you. . .be shepherds of God’s flock. . .serving as overseers–not because you must, but because you are willing. . .not greedy for money, but eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.” (5:1-3)  Christians need leaders.  Sheep need shepherds.  God’s people never do well when “everyone does what is right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25)  Part of God’s love (for us and for the world) is to appoint leaders over the church.  Three names for the same office.  Elder.  Shepherd (Pastor).  Overseer.   The qualifications are high.  God’s leaders must be willing.  Volunteers. Eager.  More concerned about service than personal success.  Must use example as the main power of influence rather than heavy-handed authority.  In times of persecution (such as Peter wrote in) leadership becomes even more necessary and dangerous.  Even so, God is faithful to give leaders and reward them for service.