I like that expression (read the title to this blog again).  When he said it a smile seemed to pour from his face and spill on everyone nearby.  It spilled onto me. 

Paul said in Galatians 5:16 and 22: “…walk by the Spirit and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.  But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness and faithfulness.” 

Every good thing God wants to do in our lives today comes through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Everything:  the fruit of the Spirit, the understanding of God’s Word, love for worship, strength in a trial, grace to forgive, compassion for the lost, comfort in heartache, boldness in witnessing, power in ministry–all of these and more are ours when the Holy Spirit is in control.  However, when we resist the Holy Spirit, grieving and quenching Him, we can forfeit His filling and all of the good things that God wants to give us and do in and through us.  Moment by moment we should pray for the Spirit’s filling so we live and move in His power and strength and live lives reflecting the Lord Jesus Christ. 

Here’s How To Do That:

ONE: Recognize the need for The Holy Spirit in your life.  Let God grow a desire in your heart for more and more of Himself.

TWO: Keep a current account with God.  You have to get serious about removing all hindrances to God in your life.  Get by yourself and ask God to reveal these hindrances to His fulness.  Pray, “Search me O God and know my heart!  Try me and know my thoughts! See if there is any grievous thing in me! Lead me in the way everlasting! “  Then ask Him to cleanse and forgive you.

THREE: Yield yourself completely to His purposes. 

Prayer Du Jour:  Lord, free our soul to sing!  ’Come Holy Spirit we need Thee.  Come sweet Spirit we pray.  Come in Your strength and power.  Come in Your own gentle way. -Amen.

Dr. Stan Parker 

It’s easy to imagine that pastors are spiritual superheroes soaring high above all normal earthly struggles.  But they are vulnerable people who, as Paul wrote, carry around the treasure of God’s ministry “in jars of clay” (2 Cor. 4:7).  Without the prayers of others a pastor is left to face spiritual conflict with human strength alone.  In 1 Thess. 5:25, Paul pleaded, “Brothers, pray for us.”  That is most likely the plea of of all church leaders. 

Think about what can happen when people pray for their pastor:

ONE: They Can Preach More Effectively.  I can attest to the fact that there is a vital connection between earnest prayer and potent preaching.  The Holy Spirit empowers the proclamation of God’s Word in an atmosphere of prayer.  Paul’s view on this can be found in Ephesians 6:19 where he says, “Pray… that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”    

TWO: They Can Hear From God More Clearly.  Jesus has said that He, the good Shepherd, “goes on ahead of [his sheep], and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice“  ( John 10:4).  There are many days when distractions will clog the spiritual ears of a pastor and they will have trouble hearing from the Shepherd.  Having people in the church committed to praying for you helps you to keep staying tuned in to His voice.   The Lord is faithful to release thoughts, Scriptures, and inner impressions to church leadership.  The prayers of the people in the church can ensure that these promptings are readily picked up and clearly understood as the leadership of the Shepherd’s voice. 

THREE: They Can Lead More Courageously.  We must pray for church leadership so they can confidently say, “When my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.  Though an army beseige me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident” (Ps. 27:2-3).  Every pastor needs to be covered in prayer to face and address critical issues in a congregation with David-like courage.  I suggest you pray this Scripture over the church leadership and the ministries of the congregation where you attend: “God did not give us [the pastor, youth minister, elders, deacons, etc] a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.”

FOUR: They Can Stand More Firmly.  Satan’s strategy is to “strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered” (Zech. 13:7).  He is constantly trying to seduce church leadership to abuse authority, misuse money and other resources, or be unfaithful to a spouse.  Why?  Because the ripple effect could be devasting to a church.  That’s what Satan wants to have happen.  A pastor cannot and should not face spiritual skirmishes alone.  You can pray that God will rescue the leadership in your church from the works of evil.  You can pray right now for divine protection and strength in the hour of their testing/s.  Just think, they could be going through a testing time right now as you read this blog post.  Why not pause and lift up your church leadership in prayer.

Always remember that the greatest gift you can give to your church leadership is your prayers. 

Prayer Du Jour:  Lord, may the prayers of Your people and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, enable pastors, staff ministers, and all church leadership to have victory in the battles they face. -Amen.

 Stan Parker 

When I was a young boy we would sing this song in Sunday School:

Stop!  And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me!  Stop!  And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me! He forgave my sins and He saved my soul!  He cleansed my heart and He made me whole, so… Stop!  And let me tell you what the Lord has done for me! 

I remember singing that song with such enthusiasm!

The Apostle Paul writes about what the Lord has done for us in Colossians 1:12-14.  In this section, Paul celebrates the work of the Lord in the lives of His people.  What work?  What has God done for us?

ONE: He has qualified us (made us sufficient) to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.  Note:  By His grace, we have been qualified.  By the unconditional love of God we have received redemption, the forgiveness of our sins.

TWO: He has rescued us (delivered and drawn us to Himself) from the dominion (control) of darkness and brought (transferred) us into the kingdom of the Son He loves.  James Stewart was a famed Scottish preacher, theologian, professor of New Testament at Edinburgh University, and chaplain to the Queen when she was in Scotland on holiday.  In his book A Man in Christ, he says this about Paul’s writing (Colossians 1: 12-14): Christ is the redeemed man’s new environment.  [We] have been lifted out of the cramping restrictions of [our] earthly lot into a totally different sphere of Christ.  [We] have been transplanted into a new soil and a new climate, and both soil and climate are Christ. 

THREE: He has given us redemption, the forgiveness of sins.  We should allow nothing to obscure this reality.  “In Christ we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins”  (Philippians 1:7).  “As far as the East is from the West, so far has He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103: 12).  Therefore, let us “Bless the Lord… and forget not all His benefits.  He forgives all our sins” (Psalm 103:1-3).

Prayer Du jour:  O for a thousand tongues to sing my great Redeemer’s praise, the glories of my God and king, the triumphs of His grace.  He breaks the pow’r of cancelled sin, He sets the prisoner free; His blood can make the foulest clean; His blood availed for me.  -Amen!

Dr. Stan Parker

The new stats are in and the results are sad.  According to the Barna Survey of U.S. Adults (July 2008), the following say the Bible is Holy:

84% all U.S. adults

90% of women

78% of men

96% of Blacks

83% of Whites and Hispanics

54% of Asians

90% of those over 40

77% of those under 40

67% of those 18 to 23

38% of self-identified non-Christians

Perhaps the the Big Ten need a branding make-over?  Perhaps most congregations need to be re-minded of the importance of the Bible for their spiritual health?  Do we all need to be made aware that no matter where we are on our spiritual journey, nothing matters more to our continued growth–including church services, serving activities, small groups–than time spent in God’s Word?  I think most leadership within evangelical churches will concur that the single most important (effective) personal activity that is the strongest catalyst for spiritual growth is the Bible…  nothing beats the Bible.

Personal reflection on the meaning of Scripture is the single most important practice that is most predictive of spiritual growth.  Local pastors and church leaders can readily tell when the congregants are into the Word on a consistent daily basis.  Especially so when there is reflective Bible reading.  By reflection I mean one of thoughtful and careful deliberation versus skimming a Biblical passage or someone’s devotional writing.  Thoughtful, personal meditation will significantly catalyze our spiritual growth.  We cannot remain the same.

What are the barriers that keep us from reflection on the Holy Scriptures like we should?  Why do we not include reflection on Scripture in our daily routine?  Why do we consistently crowd out of our calendars this most beneficial practice that has extraordinary power to advance spiritual growth?

NUMBER ONE:  We just forget how beneficial it is.  When we see as God sees, we will do as God says. 

Let us be reminded that “We live in a world where we do not wage war as the world does.  The weapons we fight with are not weapons of the world.  On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.  We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” II Cor. 10:3-5.  How can we deal with the pollution that our culture and society has systematically impacted us with?  How can we ensure that ungodliness does not consume our thoughts, steal our focus away from the truth of God’s Word, and control our thinking?  By taking the time and energy to read, analyze, memorize, and personalyze the Scriptures (reflect upon our Bible reading), we consistently wash our minds with His Word, and we see our lives transformed.  The psalmist asks a pointed question to each of us in Psalm 119:9-11.  “How can [we] keep [our] way pure?  By living according to [God's] Word.  I seek You with all my heart; do not let me stray from Your commands.  I have hidden Your Word in my heart that I might not sin against You.”   Daily Bible reflecton will benefit us personally in a couple of significant ways: (1) by modifying our behavior, and (2) by enabling us to react to life’s struggles, tensions, and trials based on the recall of Truth, not lies.

NUMBER TWO: We have lost the joy of getting into God’s Word and allowing it to get into us. 

How can this be?  We live at a time when there is no shortage of Bible study guides, devotionals, and other helpful products.  No creative juices have been spared when it comes to resources to unlock the mystery and power of God’s Word.  Bible reflection should not be like a treadmill of monotonous routine because of all the wonderful tools available to help us explore it.  Still, review the stats above.  Do we not need a fresh inspiration to start a new personal routine of reflection on Scripture?  I think so.  And the results will be enormous.  Kingdom benefits to you, to me, to those in congregations around the world, and to the members of society at large, will be significant.

“Into the Word and onto the world, this be our banner proudly unfurled.  Let all our strength ’gainst the foe be hurled, go in the power of the Spirit.  Into the Word His workmen to be.  Onto the world that Christ men may see; telling the Truth that from sin set free; take the Word to the world today!”  -Unknown Song Title and Writer (sang as a pre-teen in a youth choir in Kansas City, MO at the International Assembly of the Church of the Nazarene, early 1960s).

Stan Parker    

The election of the first African American President of the United States is making history. Barack Obama will turn his attention today from the jubilation of victory to the sobering challenge of leading a nation worried about economic crisis, two unfinished wars and global uncertainty.

There are certain things that the Christian community should be doing with fresh vigor now that the election results are in. We should read and practice Paul’s assignment given to Timothy when he was instructing him in matters of how to set in order the public worship of the assembly in Ephesus. In I Timothy 2:1 Paul begins a priority list of the elements that are to be emphasized. This is a relevant subject as we begin a new era in our nation. First, Paul lists public prayer–the people of God encountering God Himself on behalf of their fellow Christians and people around the world. Prayer, he says, is to receive emphasis when the community of believers gather [and should be an ongoing emphasis by the community of believers]. “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone.”

Prayer is put first for two simple reasons:

ONE… reason is prayer focuses people’s hearts and eyes on God right at the very beginning. This is what makes a church service different from the gathering of the local Rotary or any other secular group, God is recognized; He is declared to be in our midst. Let us begin this new era of leadership in our nation with prayer for the new President, for the members of Congress, and for State and local government leaders. Let us acknowledge the power, the grace, and the liberty that the presence of God imparts in unique ways to all those who will open their hearts and minds to His leadership. Let us pray that God will renew a right spirit within His church. Pray that His church will know Him and make Him known. Pray that His wisdom will be sought and that our nation may be instrumental in solving many of the problems of life.

TWO… prayer means that we place our own humanity in perspective. When a people will recognize the presence and power of God, then somehow human problems pale. We begin to see them in the right perspective. God and His world, what we are doing with our lives, who we are, how we are intended to function–all these and more begin to take on increased importance in our eyes, hearts and minds. We can see more clearly as a result of focused individual and community prayer.

Paul is telling young Timothy that when the people of God gather, their primary task is to focus upon the greatness, glory and grace of God. There they will see things in their proper perspective; there they will see solutions that were not seen before. There every heart will find the ministry of the presence, peace and power of God.

Prayer Du Jour: Lord, teach us to put the first thing first when we face new situations and when we gather as Your people: to come to You in prayer. -Amen.

Stan Parker

You know you have signs of fatigue if you look at your clock radio and think it is a computer terminal, and you feel you need to finish a programming assignment on it NOW. Better, you can’t figure out which tube sock goes on which foot!

Here are Four Steps that have been helpful to many in combating fatigue:

STEP ONE: Know Your Life-Mission or Purpose.
Can you identify a vision that God has given you for your life? Do you have a particular call God placed on your heart? All people–not just those in full time ministry positions with Christian organizations–have calls to service.

In fact, a “call” is what you would do if you weren’t being paid for it, and you were given no place in which to do it. Every where I go I find myself in situations where I share pastoral care, teaching and counseling. What about you?

God has placed each one of us on this planet for particular purposes. Get in touch with that purpose; then live within it.

STEP TWO: Make Time For Yourself.
Too many just wake up each day, show up at work, and then others tell us what to do. We never have to plan anything. Our days are full. That’s OK.

But, we must make sure we plan time for ourselves. The Bible teaches, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Be compassionate to yourself as needed. Jesus is our example. In places of solitude and silence, Jesus reaffirmed the Father’s mission for his life. The crowds continued to cry out for his attention, yet Jesus made time for himself. We must, too.

STEP THREE: Discipline Your Life.
Create some regular rituals and schedules for your day. Begin each day with prayer, Bible reading, meditation, worship. Experience the richness of grace that can come through these holy habits.

The goal of discipline is not to bind us but to free us. Think about the areas of your life where you could create disciplines and good habits; habits of delight more than duty!

STEP FOUR: Stay Close To Jesus.
The daily grind can drain us emotionally and physically. When we get home, we are usually tired and worn out. Yet, family and frinds need our participation in their lives. Often, we feel as though we have no more energy to give. Stay close to Jesus. He is the most positive, upbeat person alive; he is the source of our energy. Through Bible study, meditation, worship, and solitude, we can keep on going and meet the needs that come to us outside of our office and work environment. In fact, these historic, time-tested means can help us build immunity for combating fatigue.

“Submit yourselves, then, to God… Come near to God, and He will come near to you… Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up” (James 4: 7-10).

Prayer Du Jour: Lord, yesterday You helped us. Today You’ll do the same. How long will this continue? Forever, praise Your name! -Amen.

Dr. Stan Parker

As you go through life, you will find many things that will not make sense to you, and you may turn to God and ask why and find that all of Heaven is totally silent.

What I am learning is that life is not a problem to be solved, it is a mystery to be lived. The Old Testament book of Job underscores this fact. Job suffered and did not get an explanation as to why he suffered so much. The take away teaching from Job is that we do not live by explanations, we live by promises. Think about it. It takes more faith to trust God when we don’t understand then when we do. Joseph Kennedy (1888-1969), father of U.S. President John F. Kennedy coined the phrase, When the going gets tough, the tough get going. This is what Job did (see Job 13:15 and 23:10-12). He didn’t know why he was suffering all that he did, but instead of walking away from God, he walked towards God with an attitude of trust. God gave Job a revelation about relationships and never explained the “why” of his trials. God revealed to Job that He is sovereign and sufficient (see Job 38:1-4).

Here’s what we can do when we do not understand the things that happen around us:

1) Say out loud, “I am here by God’s design and appointment.”
2) Remind yourself, “I am in His keeping.”
3) Remain submitted to the fact that you are under His training.
4) Confess that “This is all for His time.”
5) Read Romans 8:28 aloud. Mark the verse and claim it as a promise for you.

Remember this, God is too good to be unkind to you. He is too wise to be confused. If you cannot trace His hand, you can always trust His heart.

Prayer Du Jour: Lord, we praise You and trust You right now for this day, this hour, and in this situation. Help my tendency to become self-absorbed and forget Your sovereignty. -Amen.

Dr. Stan Parker

Alister McGrath, Oxford theologian says that Evangelicalism, particularly American Evangelicalism, is failing the church. Note these words from his book, Spirituality in An Age of Change: Rediscovering the Spirit of the Reformers (Zondervan, 1994):
“Evangelicals have done a superb job of evangelizing people, bringing them to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, but they are failing to provide believers with approaches to living that keep them going and growing in spiritual relationship with Him… People need support to keep them going when enthusiasm fades.”