Prayer

We need to believe that God will answer us when we pray. Look at a few verses from a conversation Jesus has with His disciples during the Last Supper.

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

John 14:12-14 (NLT)

But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!

John 15:7 (NLT)

You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.

John 15:16 (NLT)

You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

John 16:24 (NLT)

What do you think Jesus was trying to get across to his disciples? I want to see God answer our prayers. But it’s not just a blank check from heaven. Look again at John 15:7, “...if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!" The key to answered prayer is remaining in Christ and His Word. IF we remain in Christ and abide in Him we can expect God to answer our prayers. This week pray, abide in Christ (John 15:5-8), and watch what God will do.

Worship & Prayer

For my people have done two evil things: They have abandoned me— the fountain of living water. And they have dug for themselves cracked cisterns that can hold no water at all!

Jeremiah 2:13 (NLT)

Worship and prayer are essential. They connect us to God. Without worship and prayer in our life we are on our own. We will try our hardest, maybe do our best, but it won’t be enough. We are broken people. On your own, you will never be able to be the person you were created to be. For me, in order to be the disciple, husband, father, pastor, teacher, neighbor, friend I am called to be, I need to be connected to God who mends my brokenness with his grace and love and then fills me with His living water! We must walk in God’s wisdom, strength, courage, new life, victory, etc. and not our own.

This week worship and pray and meditate on what Jesus tells you and me in John 15:5-8...

“...I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father. “

Worship

Worshipping God is our highest calling and nothing pleases God more. The Westminster Shorter Catechism asks “What is our chief end?” It's “to glorify God and enjoy him forever.” Here are a few Bible passages about worship for you to meditate on this week.

• 
Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. 1 Chronicles 16:9
• 
Sing to the LORD, all the earth; proclaim his salvation day after day. 1 Chronicles 16:23
• 
I will praise thee, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will show forth all thy marvelous works. Psalm 9:1
• 
Sing to the LORD, you saints of his; praise his holy name. Psalm 30:4
• 
You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy. Psalm 30:11
• 
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. Psalm 59:16
• Come, let us worship and bow down. Let us kneel before the Lord our maker. Psalm 95:6
• We will bless the Lord from this time on and forevermore. Praise the Lord! Psalm 114:1
• 
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Romans 12:1
• 
Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing: "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!" Revelation 5:13

New Year's Resoluiton

It’s that time again... Time for your New Year’s Resolution! What’s your resolution this year? Does it have to do with your physical health? Finances? Perhaps a spiritual goal?

If history is any judge you probably won’t keep your New Year’s resolution this year. In fact, many who are reading this now may have already broken their resolution. Resolutions have to be more than just words and good intentions. Making a resolution is easy. Getting results, well, that’s difficult. Results requires action and that’s where we fail most of the time.

I want to share a verse with you for 2010. I believe God has given this verse to you and our church for this year.

You crown the year with Your goodness, And Your paths drip with abundance.

Psalm 65:11

Hold on to this verse. Remember John 10:10 and the abundant life God has promised you. I love the promises of God! The Bible is full of them, and remember, they are there for YOU!

What I love about the promises of God is that they are true and will come to pass. Unlike many of our New Year’s resolutions, God puts action behind His promises. Never forget that God is faithful and true and what He promises is yes and amen. Hold on to the promises of God this year. Don’t let anybody or anything rob you of the hope you have in God! Happy New Year and may God crown your year with His goodness and may your paths drip with abundance.