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I was recently challenged by a professor who questioned, ““Do you believe God can do things faster, better, bigger, more long lasting, and more effectively than you can?” If the answer is “Yes!” then shouldn’t our response drive us to our knees in prayer? In the letter from James he writes, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith with your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” (James 2:18) If we have faith in a God who can unilaterally do ministry, and life, better than I can, then my faith should turn into works as I kneel in prayer inviting Him to do the work within me.

We seek to have direction in our life, but God is the One who lights the way in our life. We want to rid our life of vices that hurt us and destroy relationships, but God is the One who brings victory over sin. We want power in our ministry, but God breathes life into our ministry and it is ultimately His power we seek to see the transformation of lives in our ministries. You and I will never be able to do the work of the Holy Spirit, and there is no discipline in our life that can be substituted for prayer.

Now more than ever we need believers, filled with the Spirit of God, to intercede on behalf of our churches, families, and our nation. Billy Graham claimed, “Today the world is being carried on a rushing torrent of history. There is but one power available to redeem the course of events, and that is the power of prayer.” Forget the past and claim the future through prayer and watch God do the impossible.

Here are some resources I have come across that have helped me with my spiritual walk… maybe they will help yours as well.

The Digital Wellness Center

In a digital age where there are so many temptations and addictions that have been previously unheard of, here is a site dedicated to helping you not only understand those addictions, but overcome them as well.

**** MORE RESOURCES TO FOLLOW*****

“Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Revelation 2:4

There was a church in Ephesus that was started by the Apostle Paul. He spent more time there than any other church. After Paul left it is said that the Apostle John spent time there as well. Pretty safe to say the foundations of this church was pretty solid. From the outside looking in this was a wonderful church. They stood for what was right, and in the 1st century that was certainly no easy task. Evidently, this church worked hard and displayed patience in difficult times. They knew they needed to reach more people with the gospel and they had a strong desire to preserve the reputation of Christ. On the outside, other churches may have even envied their ministry.

However, Jesus can see the inside, He sees the heart. He had a shocking revelation, this church had lost their first love. They worked because it was expected of them. “Remember from where you have fallen…” What Jesus wanted Ephesus to know and what He wants you to know is there is no work or ministry you can do that can replace or substitute your love for God. Forgetting where we came from can happen to anyone but remember where you came from and never lose your first love.

The scene was dim, and a dark cloud of sadness was hovering over the room. Jesus had just told these men, who had given up everything to follow Him, that He was going to die. Adding to their confusion was watching Jesus, the Son of God, doing the work of a common servant by washing their feet, and then finally, Jesus reveals that someone in the room would betray Him. For the disciples It probably doesn’t get any worse than this.

Jesus understood their angst and wanted them to know something, and I believe He also wants you to know this as well. When life is difficult, and you don’t understand why negative circumstances keep happening in your life listen to what Jesus has to say, “If you ask anything in my name, I will give it to you.” If Jesus tells us something one time, you can put your life on the line for it, but what if He says it 5 different times! Yet, that is exactly what He does. In case you missed it the first 4 times, Jesus repeats again, “If you ask anything in my name, I will give it to you.”

The Apostle John was in the room that night and many years later (about 60 years) he wrote a letter, we call it 1 John. As he looked over his own past years of ministry he wanted to encourage his friends and in 1 John 5:14 he writes,

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. (15) and if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

I would love to have seen John’s face as he remembers the countless times in his own ministry where he turned to this promise only to see Jesus come through for him again and again. So much so, that John with “confidence” wants you to know this promise works. When you are alone, afraid, lacking direction, and in need of help turn to Him and ask for the peace, the wisdom, and strength you need for any and all the trials this life offers, and watch as God gives you those things that you ask for.