Prayer is a Catalyst

Scripture for the week:
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!. Psalms 139:17 NLT

Thursday reading:
Acts 11,12

key verse (s): 11:5, 12:5, 12:12

observations & questions:
During the amazing spread of Christianity after Jesus ascension you see people often in prayer and gathered together to pray.

While he was praying Peter saw the vision that he was supposed to go to the Gentiles. Later as he was in jail, the church prayed earnestly for him and in the middle of the night an angel comes and frees him. When he goes to Marys house to tell them, they were all gathered together praying.

Because of prayer, God was directing people by supernatural means to complete His purposes.

application or concept:
Prayer is not a task, it is a necessity of God moving among us and upon us.

prayer:
Lord, not only show me how to pray, but show me how to encourage a movement of prayer.

Learning Agenda:

Live chapter 7

40 verses on baptism, 275 on prayer, 650 on love, and 2350 related to finances and material possesions.

We are stewards of
the earth Genesis 1:28
gifts of the Spirit 1 Peter 4:10
the gospel 1 corinthians 4:1-2

Martin Luther: people go through three conversions, their head, their heart, and their pocketbook.

Prayer:
God thank you for today. I pray YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done in my life today. I pray for each guy in LTG. God draw them close to you. Convict them of all things that take them away from knowing you, and encourage and strengthen them in those daily things that lead them to you. Use them in the lives of those around them to impact them for your kingdom.

I pray that the lifehouse will encourage one another tonight as well as encourage any new people that come.

I pray for Callie and Ethan today. Keep them from any evil that may come their way. Draw their minds toward you. I pray you reveal yourself to them today. I pray for Elizabeth that you bring encouragement to her today. Let your work continue mightily in her. Give us today our daily bread. God provide for all of my families needs today. I pray that our finances would be enough to cover all of our debts.

Would you continue to change lives at Experience Life. Let your holy Spirit move mightily on the people who are coming and involved this week.

Obedience is not a Trivial Thing

Scripture for the week:
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.
They cannot be numbered!. Psalms 139:17 NLT

Tuesday reading:
1 Kings 10,11; 2 Chronicles 9, Romans 6

key verse (s): 1 Kings 11

observations & questions:
God clearly instructed the Israelites not to marry foreign women and told them why, because they would turn your hearts to other gods. God even specifically told Solomon not to do this, yet Solomon took many foreign wives. And sure enough, they did turn his heart away from the Lord. In his old age his heart worshiped many gods instead of being totally faithful to the Lord. Because of this his kingdom was to be taken away after his death.

god allowed Solomons son to have 1/12 of the kingdom because of Gods promise to David, the other portions would be given away to be ruled by others.

Because of Solomons disobedience, God raised up adversaries against him.

Our disobedience not only affects us, it affects our families, and many around us. Gods commandments are not trivial, but there is a reason for obedience.

application or concept:
Search for areas where i may not be serving God fully.

prayer:
Lord show me areas in my life where I have allowed compromise and steer me back to serving you fully.

Learning Agenda:

Leadership from Bloggers Perry Noble 191-202

its not our job to feed, but to lead people to places where food can be found.

Growth
Spend time with those who are where you have been - people who you can pass on things you've learned to
Spend time with those who are currently where your at in your walk - people who are growing as your growing
Spend time with those who are where you want to go - these people have all sorts of insight to offer you.

There are times when we are called out of our comfort zone and gift zone ... to serve people in a way we've never served before. If anything is "beneath us" then we truly are not beneath Christ.

Prayer:
God, your love is something beyond what I can understand. Your word says your thoughts about me cannot be numbered. I can't fathom that. Teach me more about this. Thank you for how you reveal yourself through your word. Lord let your word become more and more of a love and focus for me. Your ways are above my ways and I want to embrace your ways more and more.

Lord I pray for this movement called Experience Life. Thank you that your hand is upon us. Will you continue to reveal yourself to us. Continue to lead us in your pathways. Continue to pour out your Spirit upon us. Let More become our cry. Would you bless us as we reach out to the community. Please send more of the unchurched our way. We pray that many would be saved this week, and that saved people would hunger and thirst for you and get on fire. We pray that on fire people would step up and fulfill your plans for them on the earth. Show them how to pursue kingdom efforts with their life energy. Show them how and where to use the gifts of the Holy Spirit you have given them.

Lord, lead our LTG. Draw men to you this week. Let your word be something they can not get enough of. Help us to sharpen one another in our walks with you.

A Great Commission

Scripture for the week:

¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.. 2 Tim 2:15 NKJV

Wednesday reading:

Mark 16, Matthew

key verse (s): All, listing the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection and before his ascension.

observations & questions:

Appearances in Mark and Matthew
No specific appearances. All general. Mark tells about the appearance to two men headed to the country from Jerusalem which is probably the men on the road to Emmaus. He emphasizes that when these men told the disciples about this the disciples didn't believe them. The same emphasis came about Mary telling the disciples she had seen Jesus and they did not believe her.

Matthew and Mark end with Jesus giving the disciples the great commission before he was taken up to heaven.

application:

It is in human nature to doubt even though we have seen the miracles and have had God do great things in us.

prayer:

Lord, continue to point me to faith with new understandings of you and what you are doing in us.

Learning Agenda:

Live chapter 7

The three major enemies of the believer are the world, the sinful nature, and the devil.

We have victory over all three through the cross of Jesus Christ, however we have to choose living out that victory.

Prayer:

Lord, you were gracious to the disciples to continue to encourage their faith when they doubted. Thank you that you know our frame and how to encourage us. I pray for your continued encouragement for myself and my family. Would you continue to stir our faith at Experience Life and encourage us onward with you. God help us not to grow weary in serving you.

I pray for everyone involved in an LTG today. Unveil yourself to them as they pursue your word, prayer and fellowship. Stir leaders hearts to have people be accountable for their walk with you. I pray for the second site at Elife today. Lord, prepare people to step out and help this new initiative get off the ground well. We pray that you would use it to bring many who don't know you to a face to face knowledge of you. Give all involved wisdom from on high as they plan and pray for the future.

A Burning Heart

Scripture for the week:
³¹ After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. Acts 4:31 NLT

Tuesday reading:
Luke 24

key verse (s): All, listing the appearances of Jesus after his resurrection and before his ascension.

observations & questions:

Appearances in Luke

Jesus appears to the two followers on Emmaus road (Cloepas) Luke 24:13 – 32

Time:
Sunday the same day – day of resurrection

Setting:
two followers were on their way to Emmaus seven miles from Jerusalem. These two arrived and asked Jesus to stay with them.

Awareness:
As they sat down to eat he took the bread and blessed it and then broke it. Suddenly their eyes were opened and at that moment he disappeared.

Topic:
Jesus took them though the writings of Moses and all prophets, explaining from all the scriptures the things concerning himself.

Interesting note:
Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked - within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem to tell the the eleven disciples, when they arrived. He had appeared to Peter already.

Two travelers from Emmaus had come back to Jerusalem and were telling the disciples about how Jesus had appeared to them when he appears to this group. Luke 24:35 – 39

Time:
Sunday the same day as they had traveled seven miles back to Jerusalem so it had to be that night – day of resurrection. This may be the same account as John 20:19

Setting:
two followers from Emmaus were telling the disciples about how Jesus had appeared to them..

Awareness:
As they were telling about it Jesus was suddenly standing there among them. He addressed them Peace be with you” The group was startled and frightened

Topic:
Assures them they don’t need to be frightened, he is not a ghost. Addresses their doubts by showing them his hands and feet. He ate something to show he is still human. He opened their minds to understand the scriptures. He tells them to wait on the Holy Spirit who would fill them with power.

Interesting note:
Didn’t our hearts burn within us as he talked - within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem to tell the the eleven disciples, when they arrived. He had appeared to Peter already.

The Ascension – 40 days later Luke 24:50-53

Time:
40 days after resurrection

Setting:
Bethany

Awareness:
Doesn’t tell us.

Topic:
He was blessing them as he lifted up his hands to heaven

Interesting note:
They worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem filled with great joy and spent all their time in the Temple, praising God.

Learning Agenda:
Lessons from Bloggers

Noone falls into a life of sin, they have to choose it.

When you meet with a mentor, nover go into the meeting without having a list of questions you want to ask ? Maxwell told Perry Noble "I will mentor you, but you ave to ask the questions ?"

Vision doesn't come through a committee, a conference, books, excellent ideas can come from these, but a white hot, hell charging, world changing, and people inspiring vision comes from intentional and uninterupted time with Jesus, in His Word, seeking His face through prayers and staying connected with the Holy Spirit throughout the day.

posts from Perry Noble

Prayer:
Lord, Thank you for your goodness, thank you for the mercy you give to your people. Thank you for grace. We thank you that through Jesus mercy replaces justice.

I pray today that your kingdom, your rule on earth and your reign would come on earth in my life as it is in heaven. Show me how to allow you to live through me today. Enable me with all the empowerment of heaven on the earth.

I pray that you would take care of all our financial needs God. Help us to pay all of our debtors. I pray your hand would be on my children today. Reach out and make yourself known to them. Speak to their minds your thoughts. Show them how your ways are different from the ways of this world.

I pray your encouragement to be upon Chris, Tim, Justin, Brandon, and Clayton today as well as Rebecca, Missy, Heather, Greg, and Nicole.

Lord keep me in a mindset of prayer all day.

Appearing after the Resurrection

Scripture for the week:
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14 NLT

Thursday reading:
John 20,21

key verse (s): All, listing the 4 appearances of Jesus after his ressurrection and before his ascension.

observations & questions:

Appearances

1. Jesus appears to Mary Magdalene (John 20:11-18)
   
   Time:
   Sunday morning – day of resurrection

Setting:
At the tomb, she is standing outside, she saw someone standing there and presumed it was the gardener

Awareness:
she turned and saw someone standing there.

Topic:
go and tell your brothers and the Ascension

Interesting note:
Jesus lets here know he has not yet ascended to the Father

2. Jesus appears to the disciples minus Thomas (John 20:19-22)

Time:
Sunday evening– day of resurrection

Setting:
at a meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders.

Awareness:
suddenly Jesus was standing there among them.

Topic:
peace, being sent, receive the holy spirit, forgiveness of sins

Interesting note:
Jesus breathed on them and said “receive the Holy spirit. This was before Pentecost.

3. Jesus appears to Thomas and the disciples (John 20:24-28)

Time:
Eight days later – so Monday of the second week

Setting:
The doors were locked.

Awareness:
even though the doors were locked suddenly Jesus was standing there among them.

Topic:
peace, and showing Thomas his hands and his side

Interesting note:
Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.

4. Jesus appears to Several of the Disciples: Simon Peter, Thomas, Nathanael, the sons of Zebedee, and two others (John 21:

Time:
Later – so past eight days

Setting:
Were in the boat fishing

Awareness:
At dawn someone called out to them from the beach “Fellows, have you caught any fish? Then he said throw out your net to t he right-hand side. John said to Peter “It’s the Lord”. Peter swims to the shore and the other disciples follow in the boat with a full net of fish.

Topic:
do you love me, feed my sheep

Interesting note:
John says this was the third time he had appeared to the disciples. Some wondered if it was Jesus. I wonder what about his look made them question.

prayer:
Lord, I want to be aware that you may show up at anytime in my life. Thank you that you understand the human frame and know what will help them to have faith in you.

Learning Agenda:
Live - lesson 5 Living in Victory

We are free in Christ, but experiencing that freedom requires something additional. It means dealing with areas of sin and strongholds and allowing Christ to be Lord of every area of our lives.

Old habits die hard. Selfishness is hard to give up. We're born with the propenisty to think, "it's all about me." The sin of pride and self-sufficiency, in fact, is one of the most deeplh rooted sins. to reach spiritual freedom, you must allow christ to rule your life.

Prayer:
God, You are an amazing God, Your ways are so wise and so above and beyond the ways of humanity.

thank you for health, thank you for a city like Lubbock to live in, thank you for simple things like getting to eat out at a places where other people serve us. thank you for a house to live in with so many modern luxeries, like running water, air conditioning, yards to play in. Thank you for times with family like this past mothers day. Thank you for bringing me close to my whole family.

I pray today for those who represent us in our Texas government. Lord direct there lives, speak wisdom into their minds, give them discernment to vote against evil policies and to vote for those policies that would encourage your ways.

I pray for prayer at Experience Life. Lord let us grow in prayer and how we pray. continue to teach us to pray. Continue to grow our body of believers in the art of prayer. Let us be known as those who call upon the Lord.

I pray you meet all my families needs financially, emotionally and spiritually today. God prepare godly spouses for both of my children. Bring godly influences into their lives that they might know you and follow you all of their days.

Swollen with the Spirit

Scripture for the week:
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14 NLT

Tuesday reading:
Acts 2

key verse (s): Acts 2

observations & questions:
 they were sitting in  house and the sound of a mighty windstorm filled the room.  Everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit.  The word for house here is oikos, which could be used of any inhabited place.  

The word for filled in verse 4 pimpremi is translated many times as swollen or to swell.  So you might say they were swollen (filled to the brim) with the Spirit.


They spoke with other tongues.  This infers it was not their normal tongue or language but another one.   This ability was given to them by the Holy Spirit.

Interesting that people came running when they heard the loud noise.  Many of the people who had come to hear what the comotion was all about heard these people speaking in their own native tongues. 

I am curious what these filled with the spirit Christians were telling about God as they spoke in the various languages of all these people groups.


Peter steps up and addresses the crowd and addresses their confusion.  This is not ... but this is ...God pouring out His Spirit on all men and women.



prayer:
Lord teach us how to be filled to the brim with your Spirit.  Teach us about how the Holy Spirit can give us abilities beyond what are in us naturally.

Learning Agenda:
Leadership Learning from Bloggers

WHAT I WISH SOMEONE WOULD HAVE TOLD ME

#1 - Your Primary Objective Should Be To Be Faithful To Jesus And His Vision.

If you are planting a church then PLEASE–do read books, go to conferences, ask
questions…BUT PLEASE, at the end of the day don’t try to do what someone else has
done…and don’t try to become something you are not–even if something is a GREAT idea…if
God isn’t leading you to do it–DON’T, I can promise if you do it will be a HUGE waste of time.

You and I are called to be faithful to Jesus. How has HE called you to do church? You’ve GOT
to get a WORD from HIM…and when you do–pursue it with relentless passion and do not
apologize or alter your course for ANYONE!

#3 - You Cannot Take People To A Place You’ve Never Been!

One of the mistakes I believe church planters/pastors often make is that we want our churches to
go on incredible journeys with God–yet we are not personally on going on an incredible journey
with God. We want to see our people grow closer to Jesus–yet we aren’t growing closer to
Jesus.

If you want your church to get a fresh word from God then you need to beg Him for a fresh word for yourself.

If we are not being faithful in our personal walk with Christ then how in the world are we ever
going to hear His voice in regards to the direction of the church and messages. I personally
believe if we would spend more time on our faces before God and less time on the internet
searching for sermon illustrations that God would continue to rock our worlds–AND the people
in our church!

#5 - You Will Be Criticized When God Begins To Move–Expect It And Get Over It.

#7 - Be True To Who God Designed You To Be

you will never, I mean EVER, do life and/or ministry in such a way that wins the approval of everyone–so STOP TRYING. (Please see Galatians 1:10)

God wired me in a unique way. I use comedy. I laugh a lot. I am A-D-D. I am not “deep.” I
love Clemson. I hate cats (yes, even yours!) I wear blue jeans. I make fun of religious idiots. I
am “abrasive” at times. I get emotional about the church and what I perceive to be God’s
passion for it.

#9 - Never, I MEAN EVER, Underestimate The Importance And Power Of Prayer

Prayer isn’t just a good idea when we can’t think of anything else to do. It isn’t something to tack
on to every Christian meeting to make us feel better about ourselves. It should never take a
backseat to anything…it should be THE THING that guides the people in the church on a
personal basis.

Prayer:
God, Thank you for life itself.  Thank you for the freedom to live in America where I have so many personal freedoms.  Thank you for the privileges I have. 

I pray for Experience life that all of us would hear Gods voice for our future, that we would her Gods voice for our present, and we would hear Gods voice on how to deal with the past.  Lord help experience life be a blessing to the city of Lubbock.  Show us how to serve you in loving our neighbors and loving our brothers and sisters in the body of Christ in Lubbock.

Lord I pray for our singles lifehouses today.  I pray that you would direct us to your vision for our lives.  I pray for each single adult that is involved at Experience life that you would lead them to not only knowing you, but being on fire for you, and you would direct them to be leaders in the city of Lubbock but more than that in the kingdom of God.  Show us Lord how to multiply our lifehouse that more people can be reached and encouraged and pointed toward you.

Hanging out with the Resurrected Christ

Scripture for the week:
They all met together and were constantly united in prayer, along with Mary the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus. Acts 1:14 NLT

Thursday reading:
Acts 1

key verse (s): Acts 1:2,3

observations & questions:
In the forty days after the crucifixion he appeared to the apostles from time to time. Think of the expectation they must have had as Jesus just popped in from time to time. What an encouragement to pray.

His topic of conversation during that time was the kingdom of God. Jesus gave them some more expectation by telling them in a few days they would be baptized with the Holy Spirit.

When he would appear and they were with him they kept asking Him questions like has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom ? His encouragement was that they would receive power (dunamis) when the Holy Spirit comes upon them to be witnesses. God gives power for a witness of Jesus. He is not giving power for our pleasure.

What an amazing 40 days to get to sit with the resurrected Christ and ask him questions. He also proved to them many times that he was alive

application or concept:
Jesus knows where we are at and will show us himself to encourage us and He sent the Holy Spirit that we would have power and witness about him.

Pray for an awareness of the Lord and ask for continued power from the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses.

prayer:
Lord, I ask that you continue to fill me with Power through the Holy Spirit. Give me opportunities to be your witness until you come again as you left then.

Learning Agenda:
Google Reader: Quotes from Seth Godin in Tribes reviewed by Tony Morgan

“When you fall in love with the system, you lose the ability to grow.”

“If it’s about your mission, about spreading the faith, about seeing something happen, not only do you not care about credit, you actually want other people to take credit.”

“People yearn for change, they relish being part of a movement, and they talk about things that are remarkable, not boring.”

tonymorganlive.com

Prayer:
God, Thank you for vision that is beyond our capabilities. Help me not forget that my capacities will be weaker than what I am capable of. Yet I can come to you and find your capacities more than enough.
Father, enable me to carry out all you have called me to do.

I pray for our country today Lord, I pray president Obama would hear your voice. Speak directly to Him by your Spirit. Speak to him from people you strategically place around him. God I call out to you to direct our countries leaders, senators and representatives to your will. Make your will clear to them. I pray for our local leaders. Today encourage our local leaders at the prayer gathering at the court house.

I pray today for Mike and Terri McCombs in Guatemala. God strengthen their hands today. Provide for their financial needs. Continue to bring wisdom and revelation to thier ministries. I pray also for workers for the harvest their in Guatemala. Encourage Mike and Terri with your presence today Lord. Lead them as they plan furloughs and retreats.

United in Prayer

Scripture for the week:
So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.” John 13:34,35 NLT

Tuesday reading:
Acts 1

key verse (s): Acts 1:14, Acts 2:42

observations & questions:
The followers of Jesus has gathered something from being with him the last three years. They were constantly united in prayer. Jesus had imparted to them something that was in His DNA, communing with the father through the vehicle of prayer on a consistent basis.

In 2:42 we see that all the believers were devoted to prayer.

What does it mean to be devoted to prayer ?


application or concept:
Continue to develop systems that facilitate communing with God in prayer. Spend time this week on prayer vision for Elife

prayer:
Lord, prayer is such an important facet of our Christian life. Continue to teach me how to pray and how to teach others to pray.

Learning Agenda:
Live: Leadership from Bloggers.

“The moment we label a person or a situation, we put on blinders to all evidence that contradicts
our diagnosis.”

Humility
“The real issue here is not if pride exists in your heart; it’s where pride exists and how pride is
being expressed in your life.

“Where there’s an absence of edifying words there’s also normally the presence of pride and of
self-righteousness, because those who are proud are too preoccupied with themselves and think
too highly of themselves to care about building others up or to be sensitive to their true needs.”

“Show me a church where there’s division, where there’s quarreling, and I’ll show you a church
where there’s pride.”

10 stupidest leadership mistakes I've made
Assuming it’s always black and white. Following rules is easier than the messiness of
relationships. Following rules is easier than discerning God’s will. The policies or guidelines we
establish should actually remove barriers and allow more freedom within our organizations. But,
innovative organizations don’t value the rules over the mission.

Tony Morgan

Prayer:
God I know today's success is directly proportional to time I spend with you. Help me to continue to prioritize time daily with you. I want to be in on what your doing today, not look back at what you did yesterday.

Lord help those around me that are struggling with emotional distress. I pray you give them sound guidance.
I pray for the Elife singles this summer. God would you direct us in how to multiply lifehouses and how to have a plan this summer that encourages single adults to walk with you. I ask that your presence would be with us at singles leadership lunch tomorrow.

Lord help me develop vision here at Elife to increase prayer and our prayer capacity. Help us to plan, enlist, train, and encourage prayer.