Scott Lane – Page 30 – The Everyday Prayer

Change of Heart

Re:Verse reading–John 4:4-30, 39-42 (day five)

“So the woman left her waterpot, and went into the city and said to the men, “Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done; this is not the Christ, is it?””

The woman at the well had an encounter with Jesus that radically reshaped heart and life. Her priority of getting water was now not as important (left her waterpot) as telling others about Jesus. She began inviting others to investigate Jesus actually being the Christ. Don’t overlook the fact that she was now engaging people that she previously was trying to avoid (came alone in the afternoon). She had a new burden for others to encounter Jesus like she had. She had been set free from the sins that had held her captive and had defined her. They were now a small part of the larger story of the grace and power of Christ.

Has your heart changed like this? An encounter with Jesus through the Holy Spirit will cause it.

Already

Re:Verse reading–John 3:1-21 (day five)

I still remember the words of a college professor, “If you never understand how lost you were, you’ll never appreciate how saved you are.” Jesus’ words in John 3 sound similar. “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.” John 3:17-18

We are ALL already condemned. Lost. Separated from God. That’s where we start from. A place of non-belief. We don’t move from a neutral indifferent place in our hearts to God or away from God. We ALL start away from God, already condemned. That’s how lost we were. But when we trust and believe in Jesus, we are no longer condemned. How safe and saved is that? We should celebrate even more, God’s love, grace, and generous gift.

Not a Genie

Re:Verse reading–John 2:1-22 (day five) And Jesus *said to her, “Woman, what does that have to do with us? My hour has not yet come.”

Why the harsh words to his mother? Especially since Jesus was going to do what she had asked. It points to a deeper question, “Why does God give us what we ask for?” Is it because we asked? Kind of. More specifically, it is because we asked for the right thing (God’s will). Jesus was clearly stating that God is not like a genie in a bottle- granting us whatever we ask. Do you see the danger? For us? For others? He is protecting (pride/ego) and also teaching (a bigger/better perspective) to look and ask for God’s will. “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing.” Does this perspective sound familiar? ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Crucial Question

Re:Verse reading–John 1:1-18 (day five)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,” John‬ ‭1:14‬ ‭

When you study religions and compare them to Christianity, there are important questions that show the differences. What are the holy writings? How is salvation accomplished? How was the world created? The most crucial question that must be answered is, “Who is Jesus?”

John leaves no doubt about the answer from the beginning of his gospel. Jesus is fully divine and fully human. Jesus is preexistent with God. Jesus is God. Jesus became a human.

Each of these statements is vitally important to the gospel message. How would you answer this crucial question, “Who do you say that I am?”

Thankful for God’s Love

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (Day Five)

Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, that the power of Christ may dwell in me.

Why was Paul thankful (glad) for the love of God? Because God’s love does what needs to be done in order to point us to and give us the greater/greatest thing- Himself thru a relationship with Jesus.

God worked in Paul’s heart until he saw enough of God the Father and enough of God the Son, Jesus Christ, that he knew and felt that God’s love was not ultimately for health in his body. It is to bring him into an intimate relationship with Jesus.

Are you thankful for that kind of love?

Making the Mind, Mind

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 10 (day five) Paul uses an interesting phrase as he reveals the strategy for the warfare against culture and worldly things. “and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,”

The battleground is in the minds (thoughts, knowledge, understanding) of the Corinthians. The strategy for combat is to make their minds mind- become obedient. How does one make their mind mind? It’s more difficult than you might guess. Because our thoughts come from within, we can easily be confused to believe that they are automatically true. The scriptures have lots of warnings about our thinking and our minds- strengthening, subduing, renewing. The Bible also exhorts is to, “test the spirits (thoughts, ideas, understandings) to see if they are from God”. Test with the scriptures, test with Christian community, test with trusted Pastors, and test with personal prayer. To follow Christ, we must make our minds mind.

Heart Change

Re:Verse passage – 2 Corinthians 7:5-16 (day five)

There is a profound portrait of repentance in this week’s Re:Verse passage. Repentance is literally “turning away” and walking in the opposite direction. Repentance begins with conviction from the Holy Spirit. It is what Paul described as godly grief. The result is salvation- freedom and restoration. Our spirits and souls are lifted and encouraged. Attitudes and behaviors are dramatically different.

What did it look like for the Corinthians? Look in verses 7 and 11. Their disinterest to Paul’s presence was now longing. Their dismissal of his authority had shifted to passion. Their previous deception was now a righteous anger against Paul’s opponent. Those believers in Corinth demonstrate a clear and vibrant change of heart.

Let’s pray for the Holy Spirit to continue that heart changing work of repentance.

“godly regret is the first step of repentance. And repentance follows and completes the change of heart.” John Piper

Grace and Thanksgiving

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 4 (day four)

“so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.”

There is a very close connection to grace and thanksgiving in this passage than we might not recognize. It is better seen in the Greek. Grace- charis Thanksgiving- eucharistian. The true giving of thanks in Paul’s words is directed naturally and intently to the giver of the gift (glory of God) as opposed to only the gift. We are thankful for jobs and vocations. If we are honest, we do feel like we have earned (to some degree) the salary and wages. We have exchanged labor for pay with our employer. The degree of thankfulness is less. The more undeserved the gift, the more easily the attention and gratitude is directed to the giver. What gift is more undeserved than grace? What gift could be greater than grace? What is a more fitting response to grace than thanksgiving? Ephesians 2:5 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God.

The Speed of Unity

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:12-24, 2:1-11 (day five)

2:3 This is the very thing I wrote you, so that when I came, I would not have sorrow from those who ought to make me rejoice; having confidence in you all that my joy would be the joy of you all.

Heard a new phrase a couple of weeks ago. “The Speed of Unity”. Paul demonstrates this principle that helped him prioritize and discern his actions and behaviors. Paul is committed to move at the speed of unity. His return visit would have caused great pain and anguish, so instead he writes a letter. His goal was the health, joy, and unity of the church. He demonstrated patience and humility in order to keep that group of believers strong in their faith and to preserve and promote their joy. Same intensity and energy required to write the letter. Just a longer process than a “guns blazing” visit.

If our goal is a healthy unified church, we ought to move at the “Speed of Unity”, considering carefully our actions, reactions, and decisions. Also a wonderful principle for relationships.

Prayer

Re:Verse reading–2 Corinthians 1:1-11 (day five) “you also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many.” 2 Corinthians‬ ‭1:11

One of the lessons we have learned in our pastoral transition and succession is that if we will pray, God will hear us and help us. Something powerful and supernatural happened when the people of God prayed in unity and clarity for a pastor, a process, and provision. How many of us can praise God for hearing and answering those prayers? What would that worship look like and sound like at FBCSA? Grand and glorious.

We should continue the work and help of prayer for the ministry and mission of FBCSA by continuing to pray in unity and clarity for His Kingdom to grow (strength and numbers) in and thru our church. May the work of prayer and resulting worship continue!