Rick Henderson – Page 3 – The Everyday Prayer

The Peacemakers

Re:Verse passage – 1 John 4:19–21 (day seven)

One of the things I have noticed in our time here in Europe with the First Youth Worship, is that America is not the only country that is polarized. The tension that we are feeling and the issues we are facing in the United State are prevalent around the globe also. Why is that? Why are we so divided? You may be able to draw some conclusions that may attribute to the tension such as social media or cable news, but the short answer is that we are more divided than ever because the devil wants us to be.

We as christians need to be the peacemakers in the world to fight against the enemy’s division. We need unity. I get that it can be difficult in a time where a tribe may cancel you if you do not agree with their particular set of beliefs, but this passage sets the standard for us and sets the example for which we Christians should be striving: to love our brother. We cannot say we love God if we hold hatred or disdain for those who do not think the way that we think. We are called to love. Love your brother (love your neighbor) even when you don’t agree!

With All Your Heart

Re:Verse passage – Jeremiah 29:10–14 (day seven)

This passage contains another “coffee cup verse” or as I like to call them “tattoo verses.” These are verses that nominal Christians will know by heart, but it is obvious that they don’t recognize the context surrounding them. I saw many teammates in football who would have tattoos of Bible verses, but that ink was the only thing that told me they had ever opened a Bible.

People want to believe that God has a plan for them, plans that “give [them] a future and a hope.” Yet, they aren’t willing to go past that verse to see how God defines and modifies that promise. The future hope is only becomes fully recognized through personal prayer and sincere seeking. If you truly want to know the future that God has laid out for you, you have to be seeking Him, and in order to find him, you have to be seeking Him “with all your heart.”

Do you feel like you are seeking God with all your heart? What do you think might happen if you put more effort into your seeking? Don’t you want to know what God might show you if you sought Him with all your heart!?

The Best Life

Re:Verse passage – John 10:10 (day seven)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.

“Living your best life” is a phrase our household has adopted to describe someone who is living carefree and thoroughly enjoying themself. For instance in the picture below, we would say “Brock is living his best life!”

Jesus came so that we can live our best life. Through Christ we are provided an opportunity to have a life that we never could on our own: a life of encouragement, not shame. A life of comfort, not worry. A life of peace, not fear. He can provide all those things and so much more.

This week I will be living my best life. I will have 120 teenagers from our church at Impact Youth Camp. Will you pray with me for them? Will you pray that God will bring them encouragement, comfort, and peace? Will you pray that students will walk away from the things that are stealing their life and walk with Jesus? Will you pray that our students will see that living their best life is to realize that we are made in the Image of God?

Better Together Imago

Re:Verse passage – Genesis 1:26–27 (day seven)

male and female He created them. vs 27b

God created both male and female in His image. The complexity of our God could not be contained in one human life form, which is the most complex life form in the universe, so He created two similar albeit different life forms that would function cohesively in order to give a more accurate representation to who He is. God created male and female each uniquely different so that we realize we are better together (throwback to Summer of 2022).

It is not by some accident or evolution that male and female are so different from each other. God created us for relationships. Not just on the physical or romantic level, but in all areas of our life. We were not designed to live this life alone. Being created in the Image of God, Imago Dei, means that we were created to know God more intimately through being together. Marriage, friendships, and community all show us that our unique differences are what truly makes us more like God.

The Truth

Re:Verse passage – John 14:6 (day seven)

Isn’t it amazing how much Jesus speaks to us today? Two thousand years ago, Jesus spoke words that we need to hear in 2024. I AM The Truth. In an era when truth has been deemed relative, Jesus tells us that truth is in fact absolute. It is absolutely Him.

Truth may seem like something we are constantly searching for (especially in an election year). Each person has a version of the truth that is different and may even seem different from yours, but Jesus tells us that if we come to Him, not only will He tell us the truth, but He will give us the Truth to always be with us. This Truth will help us filter out what is false so we see the Truth more clearly.

I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; that is the Spirit of truth. John 14:16-17

The Hardest Job

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 31:10-31 (day seven)

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. vs 30

Peter Drucker (management expert) once said that the four hardest jobs in America are president of the United States, president of a university, CEO of a hospital, and pastor of a church. I do not doubt the first three have their share of difficulties, but I know and have seen the difficulties in pastoring a church. I am grateful FBCSA has a great pastor and pastoral staff, aren’t you?

But do you know who bears the brunt of the difficulties of this job? The spouses of these ministers. We (the ministers) wear many different hats, we are often busy on major holidays, and we work very, very odd office hours. It is our spouses who feel this weight more than any one else. Without their support and encouragement, we could not do what we do! These women (who fear the Lord) deserve praise!

So if you see a pastor’s wife today, make sure to thank her for all that she does!

Proverbial Warfare

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 27:17 (day seven)

The sharpening of iron insinuates a sword or knife. Though there are multiple uses for these objects, the one that jumps into our minds is weaponry. Could it be that Solomon wanted to point out to us that we are being shaped for warfare? However you may take this text, accountability, discipleship, or correction, it is evident that our purpose is to be ready for an attack.

Today is Pentecost Sunday, a day where we will celebrate the immanence of the Holy Spirit. With that, we recognize that there is a Spirit at work within us. However, there is a spirit at work in the world that is working against the Holy Spirit and desires nothing more than to go into battle against dull blades. Here are the questions we should be asking ourselves this morning: How is your blade being sharpened? Will it be able to defend against an attack of the enemy?

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6:13

A Future Hope

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 23:17-18 (day seven)

Surely there is a future. Vs 18a

What does the sinner have that one might be envious of? Money, fame, perceived freedom. It’s a life that may appear easy or stress free to those looking on, but the truth of the matter is that the sinner is only living for today.

What should we have that the sinner would be envious of?

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah 29:11

The word “future” found in both texts is the same word translated from the Hebrew אַחֲרִית. God has so much more in store for us than wealth, fame or anything else the sinner’s life may convey. God has a plan and a purpose for each and every one of us for both this world and the one to come. When we walk with (in the fear of) the Lord, He gives us the very thing the sinner is looking for: hope.

Rich or Poor?

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 22:7 (day seven)

Does God want us to be rich? There are Christians out there who would say that God does want you to be financially prosperous. Many Proverbs, including todays passage, point to the benefits of being wealthy. Yet, what do we do with the rich man whom Jesus told to sell all that he has and give it to the poor? Or right after that where Jesus says it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? This dichotomy leaves us confused. Does God want us to be financially prosperous or does He want us to be poor?

The answer can be found in the context of Proverbs 22. Verse 2 says, “The rich and the poor have a common bond, The Lord is the maker of them all.” The sovereignty of God calls us to be content in all circumstances. Contentment shows trust. Then in verse 9, “He who is generous will be blessed.” God’s focus is not on how much or how little we bring in, but on how generously we give of what all He has given to us. Generosity shows obedience. Contentment (trust) and generosity (obedience) are the traits that will lead us into a more prosperous life, even if the prosperity is not financial.

Solomon

Re:Verse passage – Proverbs 15:15-17 (day seven)

Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
Than great treasure and turmoil with it. vs 16

We might look at this and be like, “Easy for you to say Solomon. You were the richest and wisest of all the kings of Israel. Did you actually ever live with little or was everything handed to you on a silver platter?” Yet, Solomon was not perfect. He actually ended up chasing after a life of worldly pleasures. He had hundreds of wives and concubines. He sacrificed and made altars to their pagan gods, all out of the allure of grandeur. 1 Kings 11:6 tells us, “Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not follow the Lord fully, as David his father had done.”

Today’s scripture puts all of this in perspective. Solomon looked back and saw that it was not worth it. We see him similarly in Ecclesiastes 1:14 say “I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.” Solomon chased after the world, but the world could not give him what he truly needed: an intimate relationship with the Lord.