21 Days of Prayer - John 6 - At The End Of The Day

Today is day six of our journey through the Gospel of John and we are nearing the end of our first week in the 21 Days of Prayer. I have already seen the difference that prayer can make. It is clear that God supplies and answers as we seek Him. As we set aside time for Him and choose to open ourselves to His will, we will notice an increased sensitivity to the voice of the Spirit.

Take a moment today, maybe right now, to read through the sixth chapter of John. As I read through John chapter six, I noticed several stories about Jesus that were very familiar to me. He feeds the five thousand to show that He can supply all our needs, even when it seems like He has nothing to work with. Jesus walks on the water, proving that the powers of nature are nothing to our supernatural God. Our Lord teaches that, as the bread of life, He satisfies all our desires. But in spite of all of this, at the end of the chapter, many of his disciples desert Him. Interesting stuff.

A few years ago I picked up a practice for when I read scripture devotionally. Before I read, I ask the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to what He wants me to see. And then I look for one verse or thought to hang on to in that passage. Rather than try to immediately apply everything I’ve read, I desire to have the Spirit illuminate one thing that I can walk away with.

As I read John six, the Holy Spirit seemed to point my spirit to John 6:68-69. After all of the stories and miracles and teaching and rejection in this chapter, I was drawn to the words of Peter. He confessed, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.” After all of the miraculous events and tumultuous times, Peter had captured the truth. Our love for God isn’t about what He does for us. It is founded on who He is to us.

I don’t know what you are facing today. You may be experiencing miracles. You may be tempted with rejecting the voice of God in your life. Either way, here is the truth: Jesus is the Holy One of God. He is the only way, truth and life. He is the one who loves you unconditionally with a plan for your life. And no matter what your life circumstances, at the end of the day, He is the only place in which your hope can be securely placed.

I pray that you will trust Him today with all that you have. Where else would you go? There is no one else like Him in greatness, power or love.

It’s all about Jesus!

21 Days of Prayer - John 5 - What Are You Waiting For?

I can remember a time when I had ordered something through the mail. I waited expectantly for it to come. I had an idea in my mind when it would arrive. But, much to my dismay, the doorbell didn’t ring. Several days probably went by before I realized that maybe I had missed the stirring at the door. I felt somewhat foolish when I opened the front door, looked out on the porch and saw my package. The thing I had been waiting for was there all of the time.

What are you waiting for? Is there something that you desire from life, or from God, but it seems to be illusive to you? Are you looking for love? Do you try to earn acceptance? Do you long for freedom or forgiveness? Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? What are you waiting for?

Sometimes I think we get the mistaken idea that God is playing some sort of chess match with us. Once we make a move, then He’ll make one. If we can do just the right thing, then maybe His next move will be a blessing to us. The story we read today in John chapter 5, however, enlightens us to the fact that it isn’t meant to work that way.

In John 5 there was an invalid man who sat by a pool waiting for something spiritual to happen. He was frustrated when he could not receive his healing. Jesus told him that he didn’t have to worry about that any more. You see, the one standing in front of him was the Son of God, Himself. If anyone could heal him, it was Jesus. No more magic or timely maneuvers, just believe.

How about you? Is it time for you to stop working for God’s approval or trying to manipulate blessing in your life? Maybe it is time to just believe. The Son of God, Himself is calling to you. He loves you more than you can imagine. Don’t just talk about praying or fasting. Seriously communicate with Him today. Tell Him your need. Listen to the Holy Spirit’s promptings in your heart. And put your trust in Him. He is the one who can heal you today.

It’s All About Jesus!

21 Days of Prayer - John 4 - Don't Miss It!

It was snowing and the roads were pretty slippery. My mind was racing as I processed the events of the day. I was thinking about what had happened. I was trying to sort out what was ahead. It was one of those times when you are so consumed with what you are thinking and forget what you should be doing. As a result, I drove right by my street. I was aiming for home, but I missed it because of how busy I was.

As we are going through these 21 Days of Prayer, our theme is It’s All About Jesus. Together, we are reading through the Gospel of John. Take a moment now to read chapter 4.

What I love about this story is that Jesus didn’t allow Himself to be so consumed with the world around Him that He missed the divine appointments ahead of Him. Take the story of His chance meeting with the Samaritan woman. In that culture, there was no reason for the two of them to have a conversation. In fact, some would even say it was inappropriate. But Jesus saw that it was invaluable. He took the risk and the time to share with her that there was more to life than what she was living. As He was led of the Spirit, He pointed her to the living water.

And then there is me. Not only do I drive by my own street, but sometimes I’m so driven that I miss the opportunities God places in front of me. I value times like these 21 Days to re-align myself with what really matters. Am I taking time to hear from God? Do I allow His Word to be the guide for my life? Can I truly say that it is all about Jesus?

Slow down today. Look for that encounter that might be life-changing. Allow God’s Spirit to direct you to the right individual or to say the inspired words that could make all the difference.

Praying for you!

21 Days - John 3 - Born Again

I recently had the privilege of visiting with a young couple in the hospital. They were just hours away from having their first child. Something truly miraculous was about to happen. A new life was being born. A person was about to make their grand entrance. Every life is a gift from God. It is worth celebrating.

As we read our way through the Gospel of John, we find ourselves today in chapter 3. It would be good for you to stop right now and read that chapter. This passage has some familiar segments. It is the phrase that Jesus coins in verse 3, however, that is so key to our understanding of faith. Jesus says that “unless you are born again, you can never see the kingdom of God.”

Born again. It is a miracle to be born once. But how is one born again? Take time to read John 3 and remember again the gift of life that Jesus has given to us. He has offered us forgiveness and freedom. He has created a way for us to shed our past and be right with God. He has offered us a new life. Our spirits, and our eternal destiny, can be born again. When was the last time you thanked Him for your salvation? Are you born again?

Maybe you haven’t received that gift. Jesus came to give that new life to you. No matter who you are or what you’ve done, His love reaches to you. If you will choose to live your life for Him today and ask Him for His forgiveness, God’s Word promises that He will hear that prayer.

What about the people in your world? Do they know the love of God that gives us the chance at new life? How can you show that to them today?

As you focus on Jesus today, I hope that your prayer will be two-fold. First, thank God for His salvation and recognize Jesus as Lord of your life. Second, pray for those who need to have the new life that only Jesus can bring. Pray that they will be born again.

God bless!

21 Days of Prayer - John 2 - Roller Coasters

It is cold outside this January in Toledo. Sometimes it does me well to think about warmer times here. Like the things we do in the summer. Like going to Cedar Point and riding the roller coasters. Amazing place, Cedar Point. The amusement park is known around the world for its amazing thrill rides. I’m always apprehensive when I get on the first one of the day. But it is just a matter of time until I’m back in the groove and enjoying the ups and downs of the experience.

If only we could do the same thing with the ups and downs of life. As we are journeying through these 21 Days of Prayer, we are today reading the second chapter of John. In it, Jesus faces some of the ups and downs of life. He celebrates at a wedding and performs His first miracle. He observes the hypocrite vendors in the temple and responds with righteous anger. Jesus shows that as a man, He experienced the same roller coaster of emotions that you and I sometimes encounter.

The interesting thing is that Jesus always responded appropriately. As He was led by the Spirit, He knew just how to handle each situation. As we seek Him today, let’s strive to do the same. I want to know Him better so that I can be more like Him. That way, whether my life is up or down, I will be able to enjoy the ride.

Take a moment now to read John 2. Let us pray together today that we will be more like Jesus so that others may see Him in us. When they do, they can be introduced to the only one who can change their lives.

Remember that It’s All About Jesus!

Pastor Chad

21 Days - John 1 - Recognizing Him

It happened to me again the other day. I could tell when he approached me that the gentleman knew who I was. But I was in a hurry. I was trying to get one of my children where they needed to be and time was tight. He started to speak to me, and initially, I just gave a polite reply. But then it hit me. I know this guy! It was the father of a friend of mine. I felt embarrassed that I almost ignored him, but relieved that I had made the connection. Isn’t it funny how sometimes we can pass right over the people and things that we really should recognize?

Today we begin our journey together through the Gospel of John. I was struck at how Jesus is introduced to us in the first chapter. John gives us some theological background on who Jesus is in verses 1-18. He does this so we will know who Jesus really is. The rest of the chapter tells the story of how John the Baptist and Jesus’ first disciples recognized who He was. Not unlike my experience, they had to stop and see that this Jesus was no ordinary man.

Verse 10 struck me when I read it. “He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him.” Our world is so self-focused that people miss who Jesus is. The truth is, if I’m not careful, I can be so driven and distracted that I forget who He is. I get caught up in my needs and requests that even in prayer I can fail to stop and meet with the one who is the beginning of it all.

Take the next few moments and read John chapter one. Set aside some time to turn your thoughts to Jesus. Make a commitment that these next three weeks will be All About Jesus. Join me in doing all that you can to recognize Him as center of your life.

I am praying for you that this 21 Day journey will be life-changing!

21 Days of Prayer

The way in which we begin something has a powerful effect on the end results. As we begin a new year it is important that we start things right. As a church, we are at an historic moment. Calvary is beginning a new season of greater effectiveness for the Kingdom of God. As an individual, you stand at the beginning of a new year, and a new opportunity to accomplish God's will and receive His blessing.

Calvary has designated January 9-30 as 21 Days of Prayer. In Luke 12:31-32, Jesus instructs us that if we will make the Kingdom of God our primary concern, God will give to us all that we need. Will you join me during these next 21 days in seeking God for the year ahead.

Our theme for these three weeks will be "It's All About Jesus." Together we will be reading through the book of John and looking at not only who Jesus was, but how His life changes our own. Each day I will be posting a challenge and some requests for prayer on my blog. These thoughts will help us to make the most of our time focused on Jesus.

I invite you to join me. Set aside some time for prayer and scripture. Allow God's Holy Spirit to change your life. You may even choose to fast or serve others in a sacrifical way during this time. Let's join together and believe that God will "do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us" as we seek Him during these 21 Days of Prayer.

Pastor Chad