GOSPEL :: FAMILY :: MISSION
The average person consumes 4.7 hours of television a day. This doesn’t even account for social media use. The average Christian consumes less than an hour of Scripture study, biblical teaching and Christian community every day. The American vision of confidence is in shambles. The American dream that Hollywood force-feeds us every day is a sham. Where does your confidence come from?
Who is your master? Are you devoted to God whose endless devotion to you is captured in the cross of Christ? Do you love Christ with all of your soul? Is Jesus your master?
God’s Word reminds us that he is the Lord our God. He hears our prayers, he sees our tears and he offers us healing through the cross of Christ.
How do you look into the face of suffering with confidence? How do you not give into the temptation to throw in the towel? How do you encourage others to stay strong in these circumstances? When your parent is dying. When your friend’s marriage falls apart. When your sibling loses their job. When a child dies. When a friend suffers abuse. When your finances are in ruins. When your friend stabs you in the back. When your child rebels. When you give into that sinful pattern again. When your physical health fails again. Where does your confidence come from?
Where does your confidence come from? When your parent is dying. When your friend’s marriage falls apart. When your sibling loses their job. When a child dies. When a friend suffers abuse. When your finances are in ruins. When your friend stabs you in the back. When your child rebels. When you give into that sinful pattern again. When your physical health fails again. Where does your confidence come from?
The eyes are the windows to the soul. Seeing is believing. Every time we watch a movie or see a commercial on TV or look at an advertisement on a billboard someone is trying to sell us something. Someone is trying to make us believe something. Advertisements are attempting to convince you that your current financial or material position is less than acceptable.
This week’s prayer passage is a core passage that informs our prayer lives. We are Christians. As Christ’s possessions we come to him humbly in prayer. We seek the presence of Christ. We turn in repentance from our sin. As we do this, God hears our prayers from the throne of Heaven, forgives us and heals us. This is such a great privilege and promise!
Spend some time praying according to the points below:
:: Spend some time recounting how God saved you and express your gratitude for his work in growing you in the gospel.
:: Confess any known areas of pride and sin in your life and in the life of your church family.
:: Ask for forgiveness and renewal in Christ’s presence and ask the Lord to provide true sorrowful repentance in the lives of his people.
:: Pray for the 26,000 people in our community. 17,000 do not know Christ. Divorce rates are high, addictions are devastating and broken families are systemic. Ask the Lord for healing throughout our community.
It’s Christmas!! The trees are decorated. The lights are up. Christmas songs are in full effect. The presents are wrapped. Christmas meals are planned. It really is one of the most beautiful and exciting times of the year. And one of the most exciting things about this time of year is the great opportunity we have to exalt Christ.
When you feel alone or unimportant or when you are struggling to experience the grace and truth your heart needs, please remember that you are not alone, you are not unimportant and you can experience grace and truth in the presence of Christ who is the life-giving, life-sustaining presence we need.
Visible things point to invisible things. The visible behaviors of your life point to the invisible desires of your heart. The visible actions of your lifestyle point to the invisible affections of your heart. The way you spend your money, the way you manage your wealth and the way you care for your physical possessions are all like visible plants that point to invisible desires. Visible things point to invisible things.
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