Capable people believe they can “do life” in their own power. An inner drive can subtly, over the years, replace purposeful reliance upon the Holy Spirit. Years of experience supplant moments of stillness and waiting and, before you know it, a Christian can find himself or herself living daily in his or her own power while believing all along that they are operating in the Spirit. Here’s a lesson for us to learn and retain: visible results are not necessarily indicative of walking in the Spirit. You live in a generation of shortcuts and substitutes and I’m concerned that the church is falling prey to prayerless activity.
“O Lord, I call upon you; hasten to me! Give ear to my voice when I call to you!…My eyes are toward you, O God, my Lord; in you I seek refuge; leave me not defenseless! – Psalm 141: 2, 8 {ESV}
I have come to learn that, when the enemy strategies against me, his aim is to scheme against my prayer life. His chief weapon leveled at me during these times is busy-ness. My schedule has likely not been more full than it is now and my great temptation is to believe that I can continue to be a servant while failing to remain a disciple. While the American church seems to be outgrowing prayer, we cannot find any such allowance in Scripture. There are some bible mysteries that I’m yet to get my mind around but I’m clear on the example in Scripture (not to mention the commands) that the followers of Christ find their power and pleasure in times of prayer and as a result of those times. Our experience and education is to be appreciated, but not enthroned. Technology is a great asset to the church but I wonder how often Google searches usurp bible study. Meditation upon truth is replaced in many places by innovation and I’m unsettled in my heart that the my generation will become like the church at Laodicea in Revelation 3:17 where Jesus said of their inner posture, “I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” This can happen to us, friends. It already has to some.
God has placed upon my heart to lead Meadow in a week of nightly prayer meetings at the end of March. From 3/26 – 3/30 I have committed to lead the willing in a week of opportunity in seeking the face of God for vision, power, holiness, victory and expanded influence in our community. For you who don’t attend Meadow, please know that we have a great family here. People from all walks of life gather weekly for worship, instruction and service. We are graced to be starting a church in Scotland this year if the Lord prospers us accordingly. Our missions teams visit impoverished lands and minister to others right here in the southeastern United States. God has allowed us to make a large impact via television and internet wherein we learn monthly that we are helping people learn the truth of Jesus Christ in more nations than I can count; last month we discovered that we had eight listeners each in the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia – heavily Islamic nations.
…yet with all of this fruitfulness, I sense that we are at high risk of operating in a strength other than God’s imparted power.
So we will gather and pray at the end of next month. There will be no fanfare, no lights, no gimmicks, no technology. We will strip down our services as we strip down our hearts before a gloriously generous King. In these March meetings I can hope for deep repentance in all the saints at Meadow as we open our lives up for inspection and correction. My confidence is that Meadow’s leaders will gain clarity about what to do with the challenges and impediments that our church is facing. We will most certainly call out to the God of Jermeiah 33:3 and ask Him to fulfill this ancient commitment to us as a church. On that last day, Friday March 30th, we will fast before the Lord as a people and tarry before Him before we begin a new week of ministry in His name.
We need a breakthrough, friends. All Christians do. I will cry out with the Psalmist until then, “Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands!” – Psalm 90:17 {ESV}
Psalm 62:5 My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.