Too Busy to Pray

John Wesley said, “It seems God is limited by our prayer life—that He can do nothing for humanity unless someone asks Him.”

Jesus was a man of prayer. Most often He prayed alone, and the supernatural pervaded the natural. The heavens opened, and the will of God was revealed as the natural was changed into the supernatural, and the Father was glorified.

Obviously, the disciples recognized the importance of prayer. And they must have marveled at His ability to minister to the needs of people they knew and lived with. Their lives were transformed. They never dreamed they would leave their life-long occupations to follow a man from village to village.

They knew about miracles, and maybe they thought the day of miracles was over. Their heroes of faith—Moses, Elijah, Elisha, Daniel, and David—accomplished great feats.

They knew about supernatural provision, the dead being raised, and lepers healed. The Old Testament prophets performed the miracles Jesus was performing. They asked the Master to teach them to pray!

So often our prayer life is directed by circumstances, and we fail to see the core issues. The Holy Spirit helps us pray when we don’t know how—if we will wait before the Lord in quiet meditation. He will show us things to come. If we ask and listen expectantly, He will give us the wisdom to handle situations correctly. When we’ve made mistakes, He will give us the tools for setting things right.

Do not allow the enemy to steal your prayer time. If you have been too busy to pray, don’t waste time berating yourself. Repent for your prayerlessness, receive your forgiveness, and worship the Father. If you simply don’t want to pray, tell Him how you feel, and ask Him to draw you to a place of prayer. Prayer is talking with the Father.

Unite with thousands who are praying for the will of God to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Change begins with us. Our families, our communities, and the nations will acknowledge that Jesus is Lord! Purpose to pray prayers that avail much!

As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God? —Psalm 42:1–2

But those who wait on the Lord.
Shall renew their strength;
They shall mount up with wings like eagles,
They shall run and not be weary,
They shall walk and not faint.—Isaiah 40:31

Marriage was made for a man and a woman

To those who cannot "understand and appreciate" the views of those opposed to same-sex marriage, I would like to provide some reason behind this opposing viewpoint.

You might say that marriage is not honored in our society (1 in 3 marriages end in divorce - see research), but this doesn't mean we should disregard its sanctity. Most who oppose same-sex marriage say that it's immoral and against their conscience. The Bible, being our moral foundation, gives reason as to why it's wrong.

Jesus said, "Have you not read that he who created them from the beginning made them male and female, and said, 'Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matthew 19:4-6).

Marriage is defined in the Bible as one woman and one man becoming one flesh by covenant and sexual union.

The Bible also defines homosexual behavior as "dishonorable" and "contrary to nature" (Romans 1:26-27). Many will respond that this is imposing convictions on others. But all laws impose convictions on a culture, and all convictions come from worldviews.

This view is not to "control the lives and decisions of others," and it is not out of "ignorant discrimination and intolerance" as many claim. It is taking a stand in defense of what marriage is. As a follower of Christ I am entitled to my worldview - please do not be intolerant of this. It is man's right to choose what he believes. The choice to sin, the choice to not sin. To choose "right" or "wrong." I know what I believe to be true because I have a foundation for my beliefs and morals, not just simply I want to believe what I want to believe.

Muslims becoming Christians

There is a revival happening in the Muslim community. There are more Muslims coming into a belief in Christ than in any other time in history. In the 1980's there were only 500 Christians in Iran. Today there are well over 1 million!! These are all Muslim converts. They are realizing that there is pain, fear and hate in their Muslim communities and beliefs. Please don't misread this. I AM NOT A MUSLIM HATER. I love these people and have spent time with them in parts of Asia. I pray for them daily as I know the hope that they need through Christ Jesus. He is the same today as he was 2000 years ago... please pray for the Muslims.

Israel is GOD's chosen country...

Against all odds, Israel has become an independent nation since 1948. What most people do not know is that the DAY after the signing of independence, Israel was attacked by every Arab nation in the middle east. Think about this for a moment. Israel has a population of 700,000. The Arab nations combined that attacked Israel on this day in history equals 50 MILLION muslims. They HATE Israel. Again, against all odds, Israel defeated these armies and defended their independence. Israel did not have any tanks. The Arab nations had nearly 5000. How did Israel win? Purely by a miracle of God on His chosen people. God protects those who he favors and who follow his laws.

Most people do not know that in 1973 the U.S. was very close to war with the Arab countries. Russia, who has always supported these Islamic countries, threatened the U.S. to remove their support of Israel during this time. Nixon responded by putting the nation on Defcon 3 alert and told Russia that such a notion is grounds for war (in so many words). Russia stepped down their support of the war after this.

One other thing most people don't realize is that a key Islamic leader was very good friends with Adolf Hitler during the world wars. The holocaust is one of the outcomes of this...

The reason I write these things is that we are involved in a Holy War. Whether you are "religious" or not, we are all in this together. THESE PEOPLE ARE NOT NORMAL! They are not like Americans, or anything that we know of. Do Americans forget about 9/11? This was a terrorist attack. It was a MINOR attack! It did not involve the military.

I am concerned that the people of our "western world" have become blind to how the Islamic world views us. DO NOT BE DECEIVED. This is serious! Go ahead and think I am crazy if you must, just look at the facts in our world today. Consider the old testament book of Ezekiel 38:1-6 (the War of Gog). This is prophecy to what will come.

Revival?

A touchy subject lately among evangelical and conservative churches and Christians in general is whether or not we are entering into a revival, much like the days of the Great Awakening of the 1700's. A revival is considered spiritual renewal in the life of the church. Are we entering into a revival? Many events throughout the world point to this. The 1960's through the 1980's was the official 4th revival in the history of the U.S. (called the Fourth Great Awakening). I think that the reason revivals occur is due to the extreme circumstances of our culture and where we are at, as a nation, spiritually, morally, and whether or not the Christian population is willing to step out in faith and believe that God can do anything.

The Bible says that in the last days, the Spirit of God will be poured out among the believers (Acts 2:14-21). Whether or not you believe this or not, the last days are NOW. Jesus' first coming, as God in human form, was the beginning of the last days. Jesus' second coming will be THE final day. So we are in the last days... why should we not expect that scripture is true and that the words in Acts (and many, many other passages) are for us NOW.

Let me rewind a little and enlighten... The U.S. is very much a blessed nation. And yes, it IS founded on biblical principles (whether you believe that or not is not an issue here - it is fact). Around the world are many other nations that have been suppressed by those who do not seek God and do not want him to rule over their land... and they have seen terror and calamity for ages. The Holy Spirit is very active in oppressed nations among the believers there. It has to be because of the power Satan has on other nations. I have seen things in third world countries (specifically India) that would scare people into belief in Jesus. Satan is real and his power is real. Just like the Holy Spirit, Satan can live IN us and I have seen this firsthand. Now why do I explain this? Because the U.S. is BLESSED. God has found favor with the leaders of our nation. He has found favor with our people. We are, in a sense, an extension of Israel. But this is slowly eroding away. As our culture embraces immorality (laws apart from God's laws), we drift further from God. Without belief in God (foundation for a moral truth), there is nothing to weigh morality against. As we take God's word away from our nation (removing scripture references, the 10 Commandments, prayer in public/government places, etc.), what we are doing is taking God away.

We either revive our nation or we perish. We are not invincible. God is. Do you want the power of the Holy Spirit? It will be poured out if only we ask. Believe in the power of God and share his saving grace through faith in Jesus Christ with people around you. He will give you gifts of the Spirit if you only believe that He can.

To sound like a drunkard (as the apostles were called in Acts), the end IS near.

Lord, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I'm not scared because your holding my breath, I only fear that I don't have enough time left, to tell the world that there's no time left...

Marine in God's service

This post is copied from my friend at sleepybearhollow.blogspot.com. It was important enough to share:

A United States Marine was attending some college courses between assignments. He had completed missions in Iraq and Afghanistan . One of the courses had a professor who was a vowed atheist and a member of the ACLU. One day the professor shocked the class when he came in. He looked to the ceiling and flatly stated, "God, if you are real, then I want you to knock me off this platform. I'll give you exactly 15 minutes." The lecture room fell silent. You could hear a pin drop. Ten minutes went by and the professor proclaimed, "Here I am God. I'm still waiting." It got down to the last couple of minutes when the Marine got out of his Chair, went up to the professor, and cold-cocked him; knocking him off the platform. The professor was out cold. The Marine went back to his seat and sat there, silently. The other students were shocked and stunned and sat there looking on in silence. The professor eventually came to, noticeably shaken, looked at the Marine and asked, "What the hell is the matter with you? Why did you do that?" The Marine calmly replied, "God was too busy today protecting America's soldiers who are protecting your right to say stupid things and act like an idiot. So, He sent me."

Heaven or Hell - Does it matter?

Eternal bliss far more surreal than we can ever imagine, without pain and suffering.
OR
Eternal pain in a lake of burning sulfur and fire...

What does it matter? Who cares? Live it up! Do what you want! You only have one life to live! Who are THEY to tell US how to live?! Why do they think they are so righteous? What hypocrites....

This is the scenario today. Complacency plagues our churches today. The typical Christian is merely existing and not being an example or expressing the forgiveness that they have received. People are dying daily without knowing Jesus. Do you know where they are now without having a personal relationship with Jesus? Hell. There are only 2 options. Yes, options. Are you making a difference? Do you know what God can do with you? Are you willing to let go of your SELFISHNESS and let God use you? You are NOT too weak. You are NOT too timid. You are NOT too short, too tall, too fat, too skinny. God can use you. Just be willing!

I am fed up. Sick even. Sick of people telling me that we must be "all love" and "no war." I didn't realize it was still the '70s... Does anyone even realize what God is capable of? He CREATED you. He created everything. EVERYTHING. Think about it. Don't you think that God can do infinitely more than you could ever hope or imagine? (Ephesians 3:20)

There is a sect of Christians today that claim that we should not express our belief on others, but to only live our life as an example. We should do this, but we are also told to go into the world and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). Do NOT for one moment take a scripture out of the Bible and use it against another without taking the WHOLE Bible into context. We are COMMANDED by Jesus himself to go into the world and make disciples! This means getting off your butt and telling people about the saving power, grace, mercy, hope and love of Jesus! Tell someone! It is by His grace we are healed. Allow Him to work in you and move you to share you faith with others.

Too bold? No. Too outright? No. Uncaring? NO! Do you want your unsaved friend to burn for eternity? Seriously. Hell has become an image of pop culture, one of Satan's ways to deceiving us into believing that it is cool (fire, skull and crossbones, demonic images, etc.). THIS IS REALITY. Don't let this world trick you into thinking otherwise. If you are OF the world then you are OF Satan. He has rule over it and will use all those who are OF it. To be IN the world means you understand this and will do as God wills you to share your testimony of coming into faith in Jesus with others. It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that this happens. This isn't just preaching as it might sound. This is real.

Fear tactic? Maybe. God uses fear to help us. Would you jump off of a cliff to your death if you didn't have fear? Probably. God gives us MANY examples to be fearful of Him so that we might turn to Him and ask for forgiveness. With fear also comes love. If we know God and fear Him for who He is, then we know we are loved by Him. Does a father let his child do whatever he pleases? No, he disciplines him and the child fears him. This fear is backed by love because the father knows what is best for the child. The child learns between right and wrong and in turn loves his father for his discipline. God wants what is best for us and it is clear that Satan has control over Earth. But God is greater than Satan. God created him. Don't be deceived by those who claim we shouldn't share our faith. Do we want to "convert" people to Christianity? YES! If they do not believe in the one and only Risen Lord, Jesus Christ, they are going to Hell.

The words are the same today as they were yesterday or 20, 100, 2000 years ago... "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." (John 3:16-21)

Taking it to new levels...

This post is dedicated to those adrenaline junkies (you know who you are) that are looking for the next thrill. Remember, wear a helmet.

Find your Purpose

As we go day-to-day through our lives, what stands out to you? What is your purpose? What are you good at? Do you excel in an area of your life? Does it have a positive influence on your life? Have you used this ability to help others? Why or why not? Do you want to excel or improve in an area that you feel you have a talent or ability in?

These are the kinds of questions we should ask ourselves every day. We have a purpose here, each one of us. We are each given things we are good at. But sometimes it is difficult to realize these abilities in our culture. America is full of people that are only out to please themselves. This is a destructive lifestyle. We need to look at what we do, as a career, as a hobby, everything we do and analyze it. Does it improve my life or does it take away? Does it give to someone else or does it harm them?

I didn't know what I wanted to be when I grew up... I am now grown up. But I have discovered through various events in my life that I am good at making things better. I have realized that seeing how something could make someones life easier or improving the way things were accomplished came from an early age. When I was 6 years old, I was very neat - still am. My room was never messy and I had an almost obsessive compulsive way about me to have things in order. Order equaled peace. Without order I was a mess. No pun intended.

In my early teens I realized I had an ability to invent. I have always been into cars no matter what the make or model. I loved the idea that you put the key in, turned it, the engine started, the gas pedal made it go, the shifter made it go faster, etc., etc. I loved to know how things worked. When I saw ways to make these things better, I would dream about how to do that. My mind would race (and still does) to the furthest expanse of my imagination. Then I would reel in to reality and decide what part of these dreams could actually be accomplished. In 8th grade, I went to a private school, Neskowin Valley School, nestled in the foothills of the Coast Range at the base of Cascade Head near the little beach town of Neskowin. There I discovered this ability even more so. I remember a project in particular where we were asked to invent something for our science class. Being a private school, we had no official school bus so we would carpool. I rode in another classmates parents minivan (a Ford Aerostar) that I got to know very well. Being into music my entire life (I had my first "walkman" when I was 8 and "Men at Work" and "The Cars" were my first exposure to "modern" music) I hated wearing those old foam headphones, so thought of adding small speakers into the headrests of the minivan and attaching them to the stereo controls in the back seats of the van. There were several other things I did that were "inventive" that are actually now standard in minivans today.

Later, after high school, and after encouragement from my wife, I went into college to study Computer Aided drafting. After a year of that I was bored so moved onto graphic design. This led to web design, photography, painting, and currently organizational skills for use within the college where I work. The whole purpose for explaining all of this is not to gloat about how "special" I am. It is meant to be an illustration of how we can look back into our life and see a pattern. Sometimes the patterns are not obvious at first but they ARE patterns. We can use this information to narrow down what we are good at and then consciously use these abilities.

The bigger reason for this post is not only to discover abilities. At the age of 19 I accepted Jesus as my Lord and savior. To most (non-Christians) they don't really know what this means except that it has become a "catch-phrase" among Christians and Evangelicals. At the time, I really didn't know what it meant, except that I believed (like a mustard seed size) that I was not in control of my own life (rather I shouldn't be in control). High school was a blur and I did not want to keep down that beaten path. Something needed to change and I knew it wasn't within myself to make this change. My journey into my 20s went from surfing with Christian bros to partying again in Salem with old high school buddies during college years. My marriage, only 3 years old, was suffering because of my destructive behavior. A change was needed - again. My wife and I committed to going to church every weekend and haven't looked back. Since my recommitment 10 years ago, God has done amazing things in my life. I am humbled by his grace and mercy on my dirty soul. And best of all, I am forgiven for all that bad stuff I have gone through and every day of my life.

Abilities are given to us for a purpose. God's purpose. He buries them deep within us and slowly molds us to a point where we realize these are gifts from him. That is where the real fun begins. You want to know where JOY and HOPE comes from? It comes from changed lives. It comes from forgiveness. It comes from knowing Jesus on a personal level - not an unreachable god but a personal, loving, gentle, strong GOD. He loves you and wants a relationship with you. If you would like to know more about this contact me: corey@salemsurfers.com.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE