Pray without Ceasing

Mission impossible comes to mind when I read the words of I Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” Reading that verse for the first time in my early days as a follower of Jesus, struck me as a mountain too big to climb. How does one do that? The question stayed with me. While the task appeared impossible to attain, yet I knew that God’s word was true. Jesus said, “What is impossible with men, is possible with God.” There must be a way.

A.W. Tozer made this observation in the first line of his book, The Knowledge of the Holy: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Meditate on that statement. Why would my thoughts of God be the most important thing about me? You may have heard the statement, “ideas have consequences.” Indeed. Our thoughts, of course, are the precursor to our actions. As such, my life will be representative of what I’m thinking, whom I’m thinking about and what information I’m processing. So, “Yes”, what I think about God is critically important. And what I think about God will directly impact my prayer life.

God calls us into a relationship with Him. How are we to respond? Jesus stated that we are to love God with all of our heart, all of our mind and all of our strength. Our response is not to be only one of duty, but one that is whole hearted. A passion that God commends in His servant David, whom he called “a man after His own heart” I Samuel 13:14.

The Lord spoke through His prophet Jeremiah when He said to the nation of Israel, “Am I a God near at hand, and not a God afar off?” In my beginning years as a Christian, I began to study the Bible to learn who God is. A study of His attributes led me to learn about His holiness, His power, His justice and His mercy and many more. To me, during this time of my new life in Christ, God seemed to be far away. So high above the heavens that He was not near at hand. The opposite of where Israel was living. The truth, however, is what He says in His word, He is both near and far.

In seeking to grow in my nearness to God in recent times, my studies ventured into the area of friendship; specifically friendship with Christ. A concept that has been challenging for me to grasp over the years. Likely due to my personal biases or perhaps the materials used for study did not go there. Friendship is not typically seen as an attribute of God, but is descriptive of a relationship. Recently Jesus’s words in John 15 were especially impactful.

The theme song from the TV show and later movie “Mission Impossible” comes to mind when I read the words of I Thessalonians 5:17, “pray without ceasing.” Reading that verse for the first time in my early days as a follower of Jesus, struck me as a mountain too big to climb. How does one do that? The question stayed with me. While the task appeared impossible to attain, yet I knew that God’s word was true. Jesus said, “What is impossible with men, is possible with God.” There must be a way.

A.W. Tozer made this observation in the first line of his book, The Knowledge of the Holy: “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” Meditate on that statement. Why would my thoughts of God be the most important thing about me? You may have heard the statement, “ideas have consequences.” Indeed. Our thoughts, of course, are the precursor to our actions. As such, my life will be representative of what I’m thinking, whom I’m thinking about and what information I’m processing. So, “Yes”, what I think about God is critically important. And what I think about God will directly impact my prayer life.

God calls us into a relationship with Him. How are we to respond? Jesus stated that we are to love God with all of our heart, all of our mind and all of our strength. Our response is not to be only one of duty, but one that is whole hearted. A passion that God commends in His servant David, whom he called “a man after His own heart” I Samuel 13:14.

The Lord spoke through His prophet Jeremiah when He said to the nation of Israel, “Am I a God near at hand, and not a God afar off?” In my beginning years as a Christian, I began to study the Bible to learn who God is. A study of His attributes led me to learn about His holiness, His power, His justice and His mercy and many more. To me, during this time of my new life in Christ, God seemed to be far away. So high above the heavens that He was not near at hand. The opposite of where Israel was living. The truth, however, is what He says in His word, He is both near and far.

In seeking to grow in my nearness to God in recent times, my studies ventured into the area of friendship; specifically friendship with Christ. A concept that has been challenging for me to grasp over the years. Likely due to my personal biases or perhaps the materials used for study did not go there. Friendship is not typically seen as an attribute of God, but is descriptive of a relationship. Recently Jesus’s words in John 15 were especially impactful.

John 15:15 (NKJV) No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.

Jesus called his disciples “friends” because they knew what he was about and what he was doing.  Friendship is about relationship. Not just in one direction, but in two. It requires engagement by both parties, it’s a mutual investment. Jesus had invested in those relationships with his disciples…making known to them what he had heard from his heavenly Father. That engagement took the better part of three years….an investment of life and time. But what about the disciples? How were they friends with Jesus? Jesus shares that insight in verse 14:

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.”

His “friends” live a life of obedience to the revealed will of God, a life following His Son Jesus Christ. My prayer life is a step of obedience on my part and it also one of friendship with my Lord and Savior.

A hymn that I grew up singing was entitled “What a friend we have in Jesus.” According to some sources, it’s ranked in the top ten list of the most popular hymns. Written initially in Canada in the 19th century, as a poem by Joseph Scriven, to encourage his mother in Ireland who was seriously ill. The poem was entitled “Pray without Ceasing”. Sometime later, Charles C. Converse put the poem to music and retitled it to the popular hymn we know today. Converse clearly recognized the theme of Scriven’s words with many of the refrains encouraging us to share our burdens and to “take it to the Lord in prayer.” There is no burden that we cannot share with the Lord. The hymn is an encouraging reminder that my love (obedience) begins by coming to Him in prayer. A trust, a dependence, a desire to spend time with Him. Perhaps Converse recognized one of the keys that Scriven discovered when he wrote the poem; making possible our ability to “pray without ceasing” when he titled the hymn. Indeed, what a friend we have in Jesus.

Prayer – The First Step of Obedience

First and foremost, prayer is a step of obedience. When Jesus began his preaching ministry, he began with a call for people to “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” Matthew 4:17 To repent means that we forsake our life of sin and we turn to God. Our first step of obedience in the Christian life is seeking God in prayer. We turn to him and acknowledge that we desire to leave our current way of life and live for him as Lord and Savior. God meets personally with each of his children in the beginning of their new life. A sanctuary of prayer between our heavenly Father and his child. A child who is welcomed into the kingdom of God.

The initial first step of obedience in prayer at the beginning of a new life, however, is not intended to be the last step of prayer. It’s only the beginning of our relationship with our heavenly Father. The first step of obedience in prayer is also one that we live each day. Jesus stated that we are to “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness.” Our life in Christ has a directional priority. God first, everything else comes after. My motivation, however, can fluctuate and stretch like a rubber band based on the pressures of my days. Life can be so “daily!” The continuum often runs from “duty” to “desire”. My wish is that my cup of desire, to spend time with my Lord, would runneth over every day. Those times are especially sweet. But on those days when desire wanes, my acknowledgement that duty is required keeps me turning to my Lord.

Obedience in prayer enables me to develop the habit of prayer. A poem learned many years ago affirms that a good habit takes time and practice.

 
“Sow a thought and you reap an action,
sow an act and you reap a habit,
sow a habit and you reap a character,
sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

Turning to God in prayer each day enables me to seek God’s wisdom and engagement as the events of the day unfold. He is with me wherever I go. My desire is that my turning to him becomes so ingrained in my life that it becomes axiomatic in how I live.

The Bible speaks to the impact of prayer in the lives of his people. In II Chronicles, chapter 20, we read a positive example about King Jehoshaphat and his battle with the Moabites and Ammonites when they declared war on the nation of Judah. In response to their invasion, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord. God answered. God fought the battle for them. The foreign armies were destroyed. Move forward to chapter 26 and we read a negative example about King Uzziah of Judah. A man who started out well. In v. 5 we read, “He (King Uzziah) sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God game him success.” Uzziah’s early years brought great success for the kingdom of Judah and he became very powerful. After he became powerful, his pride led to his downfall. He decided that he could burn incense on the altar of incense in the temple. Something only the priests were allowed to do, not kings. God struck him with leprosy. Pride leads us away from turning to God. Prayerlessness has consequences.

Yes, there is power in prayer. E.M. Bounds stated that “The men who have most fully illustrated Christ in their characters, and have most powerfully affected the world for him, have been men who spend so much time with God as to make it a notable feature in their lives…..To be little with God is to be little for God.” May turning to God in prayer be your first step of obedience each day.

The Way of a Farmer

One of the oldest and noblest occupations on earth belongs to those who labor in the soil. We call them farmers. My heritage during my growing up years belongs to what is often referred to as the “Great Plains” of our country. Another description commonly refers to it as the “bread basket” for supplying agricultural abundance. Generally, the Great Plains comprise that area which is west of the Mississippi River and east of the Rocky Mountains. It’s huge! Beautiful country for raising grain. It attracted my grandfather to this country about a century ago. Emigrating from Denmark, he brought his bride and three children to this country during the great depression. He was a farmer in Denmark and he planned to be a farmer in America. America had more land and an opportunity to grow. More promise for a young man with a growing family. As a young man, my grandfather shared with me that his favorite song was “America, the Beautiful”. Those amber waves of grain were true….he found that here. My grandfather was a farmer and he was a noble man. Grateful for his courage, hard work and his sacrifice. Characteristics very becoming of farmers.

While never holding the official occupation of being a farmer, I was very fortunate to be associated with many who did. My grandfather, my father, my friend, my friend’s fathers and many more. You see farming permeates most of life and business in the Great Plains. It’s the main thing and much of life and business revolves around the seasons of the year. The spring brings a new season of planting. Moving into summer comprises fertilizing, cultivating and irrigation to help the crop prosper. And, of course, the autumn season turns into harvest where the crop is taken to market to be sold. Winter is a time of rest, repair and getting things ready for the next season when the whole process starts over again. And so goes life for the farmer year after year. An annual cycle that repeats during their life time. Repetitive? Yes. Boring? Not! Farming is anything but predictable with the weather being one of the greatest variables that will keep your anxiety and even your blood pressure rising. Another can be the unpredictability of the markets and commodity prices. Will there be a gain or a loss this year? A farmer’s life is filled with risk and reward. And yet, the farmer must carry on year after year. Sowing seed to plant a new crop with the hope that THIS year will be one of great abundance, great weather and great markets.

In one of his parables, found in the gospel of Mark, chapter four, Jesus uses the life of a farmer to illustrate a principle of the kingdom of God for his disciples. Jesus tells the story about the farmer who went out to sow his seed. Some falls on the path, and the birds ate it up. Some seed fell on the rocky places where there was little soil. It quickly sprouted with the sunshine but was soon scorched because it had no root. Other seed, fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants so they did not bear fruit. Still other seed fell on good soil and sprang up producing a crop thirty, sixty, a hundred times what was sown. The twelve disciples who were following Jesus, asked him to explain the parable for them. Jesus replied, “The farmer sows the word.” Jesus knew that they were going to experience many different types of “soil” in the hearts of men. The key for them was to keep on sowing the word of God. Season after season after season. Just as the farmer who plants a new crop each year. Faithful, hopeful and looking forward to the harvest.

The way of a Christian is like the way of a farmer. We are to sow the word of God, in season and out of season as the apostle Paul would say. We do not know when, how or if the seed we have sown will grow. For God is the one who makes the seed grow. We must be faithful to keep sowing the word. Not only in our own life but also in the lives of others. Just like the farmer. It’s a noble calling.

The Art of Listening

One item on my “to do list” at the beginning of each year is to work on a list of goals and objectives to help chart my course for the year. Generally, one of those goals is to spend time in the Bible during the year. Encouraged to do so by those who were faithfully helping me to grow as a disciple of Christ in my 20’s, the practice has stayed with me through the years. The principle of being saturated in the Word of God through hearing, reading, studying, memorizing and meditation has yielded a multitude of blessings. For example, one of my goals is to read through the Bible in one year. Another goal is to meet with others to study the Bible. The Word is the sword of the Spirit; God speaks to us through His Word. (Ephesians 6:17)  Indeed, it’s quite difficult to hear God’s voice when I’m not in the Word of God. The Bible is essential to my growth as a Christian.

In reflecting back on 2017, growing to be a better “listener” was not to be found on my list of goals and objectives. Not even a whisper in the back of my mind! But as the year progressed, the need to improve my listening capabilities became more and more apparent. In a meeting with a group of men in studying the book of Proverbs, a couple of Scripture verses were particularly impactful. A major theme in the book is the distinction between the wise man and the foolish man. A distinction that is made manifest in the choices one makes and the eventual consequences of those choices. Pride and humility, another theme, are contrasted throughout the book. One rests with the fool and one with the wise.  Proverbs 18:13 was especially poignant, “He who answers before listening, that is his folly and his shame.” As a person who greatly enjoys being with people, I have the tendency to also enjoy talking. Imagine that! A tendency that shows itself when I begin to think how I will answer someone while they are talking. Doing two things at once is not possible for me. So when I’m thinking about my answer, I’m obviously not listening. That’s where the fool lives and it is to his shame. I was convicted that I live there far too often. The second verse from Proverbs was also in chapter 18, verse two. “A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.” Obviously, my desire to share my opinions comes at the expense of not truly understanding people when I am with them. Now I’m twice the fool!

Another reminder of the need for good listening skills occurred during the Bible study, “Every Man a Warrior” series, which another man and I studied last summer. Specifically, the second book which zeroed in on my role as a Husband and a Dad. It hit this area hard. It’s extremely difficult for me to know the deep issues going on in the lives of those closest to me, my wife and children, if I am not a good listener. And to be a good listener, I need to spend “time with them!” That requires an alteration in my agenda and my schedule to accommodate theirs. The time involved here is quantity, rather than quality. The time is also dedicated toward me “asking questions,” rather than telling others what “I’m doing” or what they should be doing! The study required us to put these skills into practice. In doing so, one becomes painfully aware that my skills are not anywhere near where they ought to be. Felt a bit like I was back in sixth grade instead of operating at the PhD. level which is where I should be by now! Gratefully, God never gives up on us, so there is still time for me to change.

As the year progressed, more hints came my way. Another Bible study called “The Way of the Alongsider” carried a chapter entitled the “Way of Depth”. In order to grow deeper in relationships, we need to be exceptional at listening. By this time in the year, I had received the message that this area needed a lot of focus. Good communication can only take place when I listen well. As Stephen Covey noted many years ago in his book the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, we must “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.” Toward the end of the year, a good friend asked for assistance in facilitating the “Deep Dive” coaching seminar with him. A seminar dedicated to help leaders turn their ministry dreams and life goals into practical and life-changing realities.  One of the sections that fell to me, (Yes, you guessed it!) was on developing “active listening” skills. Needless-to-say, the opportunity was welcomed as another venue to put these skills into practice.

Improving in this area of “listening” is indeed an art. It takes on going practice and diligence to truly seek to hear what others are seeking to communicate. In doing so, my understanding of others and my relationship with them will greatly deepen. I’ve found that it clearly takes focus to ask good questions instead of telling my stories and my experiences. My goal is to reach a high school diploma in this area of listening. And perhaps even grow further! Gratefully, God is answering prayer and enabling progress one step at a time. In the words of Familyman Todd Wilson, “It’s hard, but it’s good!”

The Best Defense is a Great Offense

Last month our family traveled to the great state of Texas to attend a convention in The Woodlands. Along the way, we made a stop in the Cincinnati area to visit Uncle Denny. He joined us as we spent a day to visit “The Ark Encounter” in Florence, Kentucky. Quite an experience and one we plan to enjoy again in the future. Our time with Uncle Denny is always a delight. With a heart fervent for the Lord, he is an encouragement to be around. He attends church twice on Sunday. Once in the morning at an apartment complex nearby and again in the afternoon at the nursing home care center which is also a short walk from his apartment. The morning session is held twice a month by an itinerant pastor in the Wesley tradition who stops by to share the word of God and sing hymns with the willing tenants. Recently, the pastor asked Uncle Denny to consider picking up his mantle to share the word of God on one of those two Sundays when the pastor is not able to be there.  It was not a surprise to hear that he had been asked. Uncle Denny has a passion for Christ and it shows. He delights in sharing the Word of God with those he meets; friends and strangers alike. Well, Uncle Denny accepted the mantle and began his first sharing of the Word in June. While we were with him, he was focused on preparing to share his next message on John 14:6, where Jesus stated that, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Those who hear will be blessed!  Uncle Denny just turned 85 earlier this month. 

At a breakfast this past month my dear friend, Steve, shared that his world as a grandfather was going to be expanding very soon. His second and third grandchild were to arrive during the third quarter this year. He was excited and I was excited with him. Or as a friend from Australia shared last year, “I was upcited!” With emphasis on the “up”! It provides a better mental picture! My friend had a prayer verse posted in his home that provided guidance for him in his role as a grandfather. It was Psalm 71:18 – “Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come.”  Steve’s desire was to not only spend time with his grandchildren, but to invest in them spiritually.

Both Uncle Denny and Steve’s examples were encouraging. These men are making a difference. Investing in others. It reminded me of the phrase, “The best defense, is a great offense.” A term historically associated with military campaigns but used more frequently today in the world of sports. A good offense keeps the enemy off guard and less capable to attack. It also focuses on taking new ground.   Playing offense is something we should do our entire life. There may be times when limitations surface in our lives, but the Lord will be faithful to provide new opportunities to guide our steps. We need to remain faithful to follow His lead.

What is the Price of Your Integrity?

The story is told of “Honest Abe” Lincoln that as a young man he held a job as a clerk in a country general store. One day in selling goods to a woman, Mrs. Ducan, he charged her two dollars and six cents. In reconciling his accounts at the end of the day, Abe recognized that he had charged Mrs. Ducan, six cents too much. When he closed the store, he walked the two miles to her home to return the overpayment to her*. Other examples of Lincoln’s life have been noted that earned him the moniker of “Honest Abe”.   Nations today, as they did then, long for leaders with such integrity.

In attending a convention in North Carolina recently, I went to a presentation by Steve Scheibner. Scheibner is a pilot with American Airlines and he was giving a message to men on “Second Mile Leadership”. A good message that was based on Jesus statement in Matthew 5:41. One of the areas of leadership that he addressed was integrity. He asked the question, “What is the price of your integrity?” His answer to that question was that he believes for most men that their integrity is worth about a “buck seventy-five”, $1.75.   He had a simple test. See how you fare. He asked the audience, “What do you do when you are paying the bill at the restaurant and discover that your waiter failed to charge you for one of the beverages that you had ordered?” Do you, consider it their loss and your gain? Or do you immediately inform the waiter that they made a mistake and they need to add one more beverage to the bill? Scheibner’s conclusion is that most men take the money and run, rationalizing that the error belongs to the waiter and the restaurant.   For Christians, of course, that’s never an option. As the apostle Paul testified in his trial before Governor Felix, “I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.” Acts 24:16 NIV

Our integrity should not have a purchase price. Living a life of integrity brings its own rewards. Proverbs 10:9 states that “The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.” NIV When our conscience is clear before God and before man, we can rest secure. Just like Honest Abe, our reputation remains intact. Integrity enables others to rely upon us and to trust us; our word and our actions represent our bond.   In the restaurant example above, informing the waiter of the error on the bill even has the opportunity to open doors to a conversation about God. A strong testimony accompanies a man of integrity. And when the waiter asks “why would you do this for me?” Make sure you are ready to give an answer for the hope that is within you!

 

*The Character Journal, A Ministry of Home Life Ministries……Taken from Gaining Favor with God and Man by William M. Thayer, 1893

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