The Sound of Forehands Clapping

As some of my friends know one of my favorite pass times is reading an article or an essay during lunch. Many people neglect reading a lot, because they say they have trouble reading large and lengthy books. This isn’t the case though. It is through either ignorance or laziness that they neglect reading good things. I say this because so much of what is worth reading is actually quite short and really not that hard to find. Reading is a precious gift that we neglect too often without just cause and so miss out on it’s fruit.

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I said I was going to start this blog to record my thoughts. I wanted to do that because I need to remember them and, God willing, I thought they might be useful to others. Lately, though, I haven’t been capturing them, so here goes. This is something I have meditated on numerous times, but have never written down:

No really, He is good. I am not sure if there was a time in the history of English when “good” was not a trivial word; what I do know though, is that the word “good” is not trivial at all.

The gospels record a man coming to Christ greeting him with “Good teacher!” Jesus responded, rather cryptically, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Now, to those who think this to be an acknowledgment by the Christ that he is not God, read the eighth chapter of John. Back to the point: only God is good. Really? Only God is good? I thought lots of things were good though?? No! Only God is good.

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Adrian Warnock pointed me to this awesome collection of New Testament prayers from Desiring God that can and should teach us what to pray for:

They called on God to exalt his name in the world.
Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name (Matthew 6:9).

They called on God to extend his kingdom in the world.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10 ).

They called on God that the gospel would run and triumph.
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may speed on and triumph, as it did among you (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

They called on God for the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him! (Luke 11:13; cf. Ephesians 3:19).

They called on God to vindicate his people in their cause.
And will not God vindicate his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? (Luke 18:7).

They called on God to save unbelievers.
Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved (Romans 10:1).

They called on God to direct the use of the sword.
“Take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying through all prayer and supplication on every occasion . . .” (Ephesians 6:17-18)

They called on God for boldness in proclamation.
Pray at all times in the Spirit . . . and also for me, that utterance may be given me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel (Ephesians 6:18-19)

And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness (Acts 4:29).

They called on God for signs and wonders.
And now Lord . . . grant your servants to speak thy word with boldness . . . while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy holy servant Jesus (Acts 4:30).

Elijah was a man of like nature with ourselves and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth its fruit (James 5:17 -18).

They called on God for the healing of wounded comrades.
Let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, and the prayer of faith will save the sick man and the Lord will raise him up (James 5:14-15).

They called on God for the healing of unbelievers.
It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery; and Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him (Acts 28:8).

They called on God for the casting out of demons.
And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29)

They called on God for miraculous deliverances.
So Peter was kept in prison; but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church . . . When he realized [he had been freed], he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying (Acts 12:5,12).

But about midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake (Acts 16:25-26).

They called on God for the raising of the dead.
But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, “Tabitha, rise.” And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up (Acts 9:40).

They called on God to supply his troops with necessities.
Give us this day our daily bread (Matthew 6:11).

They called on God for strategic wisdom.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives to all men generously and without reproaching, and it will be given him (James 1:5).

They called on God to establish leadership in the outposts.
And when they had appointed elders for them in every church, with prayer and fasting they committed them to the Lord in whom they believed (Acts 14:23).

They called on God to send out reinforcements.
Pray therefore the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest (Matthew 9:38).

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off (Acts 13:2-3).

They called on God for the success of other missionaries.
I appeal to you, brethren, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, that I may be delivered from the unbelievers in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints, (Romans 15:30-31).

They called on God for unity and harmony in the ranks.
I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in me through their word, that they may all be one; even as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that thou hast sent me (John 17:20-21).

They called on God for the encouragement of togetherness.
[We are] praying earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith? (1 Thessalonians 3:10).

They called on God for a mind of discernment.
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more in with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ (Philippians 1:9-10).

They called on God for a knowledge of his will.
And so, from the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9).

They called on God to know him better.
[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10 ; cf. Ephesians 1:17 ).

They called on God for power to comprehend the love of Christ.
I bow my knees before the Father . . . that you may have power to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge (Ephesians 3:14,18).

They called on God for a deeper sense of assured hope.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints (Ephesians 1:16,18).

They called on God for strength and endurance.
[We have not ceased to pray for you to be] strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy (Colossians 1:11 ; cf. Ephesians 3:16).

They called on God for deeper sense of his power within them.
I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers . . . that you may know . . . what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe (Ephesians 1:16, 19).

They called on God that their faith not be destroyed.
I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail; and when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren (Luke 22:32).

Watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man (Luke 21:36).

They called on God for greater faith.
Immediately the father of the child cried out and said, “I believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24 ; cf.Ephesians 3:17).

They called on God that they might not fall into temptation.
Lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6:13).

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41).

They called on God that he would complete their resolves.
To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his call, and may fulfil every good resolve and work of faith by his power (2 Thessalonians 1:11).

They called on God that they would do good works.
[We have not ceased to pray for you that you] lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work (Colossians 1:10).

They called on God or forgiveness for their sins.
Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12).

They called on God for protection from the evil one.

Deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13).

My friends and I are going through Ephesians 6:10-15 tonight. It’s a very familiar passage to me, but I’ve been giving it some new thought. It begins with:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

I’ve been reflecting on what “the schemes of the devil” means. We know from Scripture that Satans goal is the spiritual death of as many as possible. It’s also been said by many Christians that Satans fall back goal (if he can’t prevent salvation that is) is to keep us bound so that we do not do the work of Him who called us.

The breadth of Scripture presents Satan as the liar, the deceiver and the accuser of the brothers. His goal is death and his means are most often lies. So what are his “schemes?”

A World Heavy Weight Champion
A professional fighter trains himself thoroughly in such a way that he has a large array of different attacks. I’ve heard it’s quite common that before a match, a fighter and his coach will watch video, a lot of video, of the opponent. Seeing where his opponents strengths and weakness are, the fighter will tailor his fight to take advantage of these.

Usually when I hear “the schemes of the devil” I think of them in very broad terms, but when Satan looks upon me and is scheming against me I don’t think he is just saying “duhhh I am gonna get that guy!” On the contrary, his plans are extremely well thought out in regards to my past, what my weakness are internally and the temptations of my present circumstances.

My point is simple and I think on track with this passage. What are his schemes against you? What attacks has he used on you in the past? Has there been a common pattern? If there has been, then I’d urge you to look at the armor of God presented in the next section of Ephesians 6 with those past attacks in mind.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.

Prepare yourself with a defense to match the attacks of the past.  We should be able to say with Paul that “we are not ignorant of [satans] designs” so that we can answer Peters call for us to “be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”  

My hope is that this passage wouldn’t just be about generic schemes of the devil and generic defenses against them, but instead would evoke in us thoughtfullness about how he has decieved us in the past and an eagerness to prepare ourselves by the Spirit through the Word of God to destroy those pathetic attacks when they come.

Just read a short post from one of my friends. It’s very honest and right on the money. Testimony of what God is doing is so so encouraging to others! He’s everywhere working all the time! Here’s a little example of His hand at work in my friends life:

I have been a Christian now for 8 1/2 years. Honestly I have not really read the bible much until this year. I would hear messages and talk about them or go to home groups, but when it came down to me actually doing the work….that was a rare occasion. I often times made excuses for myself and felt justified by others at times. But it wasn’t until a few months ago that I new I need to really do something about it. You don’t really realize how sinful you really are until you start reading His word. And I am not saying that we should have a beating every time we read it, but once you realize the person you are you can seek forgiveness.

Amen? Amen, amen!

From her post here.

Like many of you I long to do something significant. I want to be a part of something of great importance. I believe that I was created by God for something special. I know that sounds tacky, but I really believe it.

As the years have gone by, my calling has gotten clearer and clearer to me. Its sweetness and my desire to do it have increased in tandem with that clarity. When you know that you know that you know that God has called you to a particular ministry that ministry becomes so desirable.

God has given me an increasingly Godly wife who bears the name of what I am finding in Gods call: Joy. She respects me. She challenges me. My wife loves me. She is also the mother of our children and, contrary to the continuous lies of the enemy, she is a good mother to them!

God has given me four children. Four! Each one is such a lavishly precious gift from God to me. To me! It is so so so easy for me to miss that, but by Gods grace I am seeing and responding to that reality more and more.

Gods calling is that I would lead this household well. It is a calling of extreme importance. One that will have profound effects for the joy of many people and the name of my God.

His calling on my life hasn’t changed in the past 7 years, but my reception and embracing and enjoying of it has.

He is calling you too by the way.

I know I have posted a lot of videos today, but skip all the rest and watch this one. This hits so close to home.

An ad airing in select markets of Black Entertainment Television:

HT: Between Two Worlds