Prayer: Getting Things Done

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_0058

Everyone has a To-Do list. For some of us, it is kept on a smart device or on sticky notes, while for others it is kept in the head. No matter where you house your list, you are very mindful of all the things you must get done. Let me ask you a question. Do you consider a prayer meeting as an opportunity to get things done? What is prayer all about to you?

Many times when we talk about prayer meetings we think of something that is mechanical and merely a religious routine. We pray because we are expected to and if we don’t we will feel bad. Yet, a prayer meeting is, in reality, an opportunity for believers to come to God with things that need to get done. Prayer meetings can be quite productive. Many people view them as passive. They should be viewed and conducted as anything but passive. John 14:13–14 says, “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.” Notice in the verse that we are told to ask so that things may be done. Prayer meetings are about getting things done—specifically getting God’s will done on earth.

At our church we are looking forward to three weeks of Cottage Prayer Meetings in preparation for Easter and Revival. As you prepare for Easter, take time to call for and participate in prayer meetings so that God’s will can get done in our churches and cities.

Think About It!

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_2410You have heard that humans are creatures of habit. What is habitual often takes place with little thought or at least fresh thought. It is very easy to allow this to happen in our church attendance. Whether it is the weekly services or a special set of revival meetings, we can go, sit and listen with little thought of preparing ourselves to receive with meekness the engrafted Word. Before you rush off to church this morning, would you take a moment to think about what you are doing. Think about what God wants to do in your heart. Think about what you want God to do in your heart. As you think about it, consider doing the following.

  1. Pray—give God permission to work in your heart by the power of His Word.
  2. Expect—anticipate that God will give you something awesome from His Word.
  3. Commit—resolve to respond in obedience to all that God shows you in His Word.
  4. Act—choose to immediately practice what you have been taught from His Word.

Remember, every time you walk into church and hear biblical preaching, it is a blessing and a gift from God. Don’t take it for granted. Think about it!

Let’s Seek God for Revival

Posted on by josiahkagin

Untitled designIf my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. —2 Chronicles 7:14

Nothing warms the heart of a parent more than to have their son or daughter come to them and talk openly; to come on their own and make a wrong right. So it is with God. When I read 2 Chronicles 7:14 I hear the heart of our Heavenly Father being poured out. I hear the earnest desire to bless and help. I also see what stands in the way of His blessing. Let’s think about it.

We live in a country that is running from God. From the highest office in the land to the lowest citizen, we see the marks and mindset of  lives lived in rejection of the one true God. However, believers cannot point all the fingers out at the people and leaders of our nation. The church is running from God. The evidences of this fact are seen in the instability of believers, the lack of unity, the forsaking of basic Christian doctrines and duties, the acceptance of many worldly philosophies and ideals, the casual approach to a daily relationship with Jesus and the fear to stand for His name. Many scoff at the desire and prayer revival. They say it is not possible, we are in the last days. I believe that there has never been a day in which we need to see the God of Heaven to revive His people. I believe He longs to do just that but we must humble ourselves and seek His face. This means we must turn from seeking many other things and seek Him.

Would you take sometime to pray, humble yourself and seek God’s face? Would you pause and give God your attention? Would you ask Him to revive your heart, to give you a fresh awareness of who He is and what He desires to in your life? Would you let God have control of your life? If you will God has promised in Hebrews 11:6, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.“

Anger

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_0056

Ephesians 4:26-27 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.

I was reading Spiritual Leadership by J. Oswald Chambers and came across a helpful list of six conditions that make anger sinful. These were taught by Joseph Butler (1692–1752) and I believe helpful in evaluating our anger.

  1. When, to favor a resentment or feud, we imagine an injury done to us. 
  2. When an injury done to us becomes, in our minds, greater than it really is. 
  3. When, without real injury, we feel resentment on account of pain or inconvenience.
  4. When indignation rises too high, and overwhelms our ability to restrain.
  5. When we gratify resentments by causing pain or harm out of revenge. 
  6. When we are so perplexed and angry at sin in our own lives that we readily project anger at the sin we find in others.

My Hope is in the Lord

Posted on by josiahkagin

IMG_0039-0
“And now, Lord, what wait I for? My hope is in thee.”  Psalm 39:7

This verse was written in a time in David’s life when he was facing something few of us will ever face—a son who was out to kill him. Absalom was bitter because his father failed to take action against the crime Amnon committed against his sister Tamar. Certainly, David should have stood up, taken charge in his family and dealt with this horrible sin. Like each of us though, David had his failures. Maybe he had hoped time would heal the situation or that by ignoring it everything would go back to normal. The opposite happened and this problem continued to fester.  What is so encouraging is that as David was going through these consequential circumstances he placed his hope in God. He realizes his desperate need for God. He sees ever so clearly that he cannot look to himself to resolve his problems. David not only places his hope in God but goes on to acknowledge his sin and to seek deliverance from God.

“Deliver me from all my transgressions: Make me not the reproach of the foolish.” Psalm 39:8

There is a lesson here for us all! From time to time we find ourselves in situation because of our own failures. We agonize and look for resolutions but come up empty. We must learn to do as David did and to acknowledge that God is our only hope, confess our sin and seek His deliverance. God is always there willing and ready to help the believer who acknowledges his need.

“Hear my prayer, O LORD, And give ear unto my cry; Hold not thy peace at my tears.” Psalm 39:12 

“God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

No matter the situation you can always put your hope in God. He will be right there for you!

The Fear of God

Posted on by josiahkagin

Fear-of-God_500x250

Even a brief overview of our country’s history and its leaders reveals many men who had a fear of God. It guided them. How we ought to pray that the fear of God would once again grip the leaders of our nation. Perhaps the fear of God must first grip the believers and churches of our nation before it will grip our nation and her leaders. However, I recently received a “Good Set of Rules” that guided President James A. Garfield from a young man.

  1. Make few promises.
  2. Always speak the truth.
  3. Never speak evil of anyone.
  4. Keep good company or none.
  5. Never play games of chance.
  6. Drink no intoxicating drinks.
  7. Remember food character is above everything else.
  8. Keep your own secrets, if you have any.
  9. Never borrow if you can possibly help it.
  10. Do not marry until you are able to support a wife—or your husband to be can support you.
  11. Keep yourself honest if you would be happy.
  12. When you speak to a person, look him in the eyes.

It is no wonder that God blessed our nation when those who led it were guided by Biblical principles. While our nation is running from God as fast as possible, let the followers of Jesus Christ not forget to fear God and be guided by Biblical principles.