Month: June 2017

You’re doing it wrong…

You’re doing it wrong…

When it seems as if God isn’t talking, we can begin to lose sight of the bigger picture and live only for ourselves in the past. By the past i really mean the past; We rely on old stories of days gone by. i don’t mean reminiscing or sharing exciting memories but what i do mean is we aren’t trying to or living to make any more new ones. Some may not even have any stories of their own but simply rely on the stories of others.

Fact, Jesus want’s to talk to you right now. Fact, it will require you to put things aside and spend time with Him. Fact, He want’s to use you in adventurous ways. Fact, it will demand that you trust in him completely. Fact, none of these things are easy. Talking to Jesus can be scary because He might say things you don’t want to hear, but need to hear. Putting things aside, clearing your schedule, is difficult; With adventure comes challenges, and challenges test our trust and requires simple faith…and by simple, i mean Herculean faith.

A few things to consider. You have to believe that Jesus wants to talk to you. One of my favorite verses is Psalms 5:3 “Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.” (NLT) We can wait expectantly because we know that His Holy Spirit is at work, John 14:26 says; “The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you.” (MSG) When you pray, pause and give time to hear what Jesus would say to you. Solomon once prayed that God would give him a hearing heart, a heart that hears and understands. (1 Kings 3:9)

Go on great new grand adventures with Jesus! The Christian life is not boring…if you think it is, you’re doing it wrong!

you are LOVED,
cj

A Place for Prayer

A Place for Prayer

A few nights ago i had a dream that i was sitting at a beautiful rolling desk in an early 19th Century library type room. It was so real that i even had the smell of books in my nostrils. Although the chamber was very 19th Century, i was on my Mac Book, which sadly because of the cracks and dents looks like it might have come from the 19th Century, but most definitely did not. For me, there is just something about old books and furniture in an older musty book smelling room with a fireplace that i find great pleasure.

It’s in these moments of blissful dreaming that i seem to hear and generate ideas with Jesus. It’s almost as if together we are sitting and discussing what is going on in my life and the life of the ministry. It’s my dream prayer closet. To one day have a study straight from the late 18th early 19th Century, full of old musty books, a beautiful wood desk, old English furniture with brick fireplace, would be my happy place, my prayer retreat, my battery charging station.

Scripture mentions a prayer closet. In Mattew 6:5-6 Jesus gives this instruction:

“And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place, so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace.” (MSG)

Perhaps, even my dream is a bit too extravagant, but it is for me a peaceful moment where in my only focus is Jesus and His will.

 you are loved,
cj