02/19/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 24

“Those who believe God is able to bring about remarkable things lead REVITALIZED churches. But make no mistake: God’s level of blessing typically rises to the level of our expectation. Look at pastors in history who led REVITALIZING churches, from McCheyne to Spurgeon, from Baxter to Criswell. These men all had a compelling vision to do something for which only God could be given credit… Sometimes we are so afraid of being presumptuous in our faith we end up believing God for little to nothing. What is happening in your life and ministry just now that can only be explained by the fact that Jesus rose from the dead?” --Alvin Reid, in REVITALIZE Your Church Through Gospel Recovery (pp. 42, 44-45)

Matthew 17:14-20 (ESV)
14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him,
15 said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he is an epileptic and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water.
16 And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.”
17 And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.”
18 And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly.
19 Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?”
20 He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

FAITH… Jesus’ frustration in this passage is not about the “size” of the disciples’ faith, but the kind of faith they lacked – believing, vibrant, living faith! Jesus said, “You unbelieving and perverted generation…” (17:17), and, “if you have faith the size of a mustard seed…” (17:20), you will be able to see miracles occur! Again, it is not your size of faith that matters as you seek God’s REVITALIZING, restoring power in your church. It is a matter of heart-felt, vibrant, living faith in the God of the impossible, even as small as a mustard seed!

PRAY… Father, I believe You alone are God; there is no other! You are the author of our salvation and You are the means by which REVITALIZATION will happen in my life and in our church. I join the cry of the convulsing boy’s father when he cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). Strengthen my faith every single day to keep trusting You alone to do the miraculous in our church! I believe You are more than able to do more than I can even ask or imagine, so please do it as you build my faith every day. In Your Son’s Name I pray, Amen.

02/14/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 23

Matthew 20:20-28 (ESV)
20 Then the mother of the sons of Zebedee came up to him with her sons, and kneeling before him she asked him for something.
21 And he said to her, “What do you want?” She said to him, “Say that these two sons of mine are to sit, one at your right hand and one at your left, in your kingdom.”
22 Jesus answered, “You do not know what you are asking. Are you able to drink the cup that I am to drink?” They said to him, “We are able.”
23 He said to them, “You will drink my cup, but to sit at my right hand and at my left is not mine to grant, but it is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father.”
24 And when the ten heard it, they were indignant at the two brothers.
25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.
26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant,
27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave,
28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Jesus describes two kinds of leaders in this passage. See if you can find the defining characteristics each kind of leader demonstrates: Rulers of the Gentiles and Followers of Jesus. Which do you intend to be?

WISE LEADERS… Alvin Reid writes these words in his 2013 book, Revitalize Your Church through Gospel Recovery, “The wise leaders know they will never be able to lead in their own power and wisdom. They need both the power and wisdom of God and the help of others” (p. 65). Faithful followers of Jesus know that the key to their ability to lead others in doing God’s work is daily abiding in Christ and His Word, and living in obedience to the teachings of God’s Word, fully dependent on God’s life-giving Spirit.

PRAY… Lord Jesus we need leaders who do not try to use human ingenuity and cleverness to bring Your strength back into our church family. We need leaders who depend on You and the counsel of Your Word. Please instruct our leaders daily with Your Word; inspire and motivate them by Your Spirit to obedience and faithfulness. And as we who follow them travel in their footsteps, grant them humility and grant us grace. Restore our church to a Biblical model of servant leadership where Christ is exalted in every decision, and where Your people delight to follow those who follow You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

02/05/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 22

Matthew 23:1-12 (ESV)
1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples,
2 “The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses’ seat,
3 so do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice.
4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them with their finger.
5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others. For they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long,
6 and they love the place of honor at feasts and the best seats in the synagogues
7 and greetings in the marketplaces and being called rabbi by others.
8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.
9 And call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.
10 Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ.
11 The greatest among you shall be your servant.
12 Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.

FOLLOW WHO?... “The scribes and the Pharisees have seated themselves in the chair of Moses; therefore all that they tell you, do and observe, but do not do according to their deeds, for they say things and do not do them” (Matthew 23:2-3). Those who are worthy of being followed, lead others by their own example of humility. They do not strive for their own honor, but to honor others. Those who practice such a lifestyle have earned your confidence; follow their lead as they follow Christ in the process of church REVITALIZATION. Paul told the Corinthian church, “Follow my example as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1, NIV).

PRAY… Heavenly Father, our church family often has differing opinions about how to address all of the areas in our fellowship that need Your renewing touch. Please unify us around the cross of Jesus, and by Your sovereign grace, to follow those whom You have appointed to lead us through this challenging journey. Help us to walk in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave Himself up for us. Do not allow a single word of criticism or filthiness or silly talk or coarse jesting escape from our mouths, but only the giving of thanks and words of appreciation for those who are guiding us to follow You. In the mighty name of Jesus, I ask, Amen.

02/01/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 21

Mark 9:33-37 (ESV)
33 And they came to Capernaum. And when he was in the house he asked them, “What were you discussing on the way?”
34 But they kept silent, for on the way they had argued with one another about who was the greatest.
35 And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
36 And he took a child and put him in the midst of them, and taking him in his arms, he said to them,
37 “Whoever receives one such child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me, receives not me but him who sent me.”

What is the primary characteristic a follower of Jesus should display if they expect to be exalted, or known as a great person in Christ’s Kingdom?

 

SERVING IN HUMILITY… Those who lead in any local church should first take on the same clothing as Christ in His incarnation. “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although he existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:3-8). It is not stretching things to suggest that this should be the first mark of anyone who leads in your church family. Do others identify you as a humble servant of others? Ask God to make you more like His Son in this area.

PRAY… Holy Spirit, I plead with You to override my humanity and fill me with Your fruit – love and joy and peace and patience and kindness and goodness and gentleness and faithfulness and self-control – so that in all my conversations, and in all my relationships, and in all my patterns of behavior, I will be a humble and delightful servant of blessing to all the people around me. Within the context of our church family compel each of us by Your grace to be devoted to one another in brotherly love in the same pattern by which Jesus demonstrated His love toward us; and cause us to outdo one another in showing honor to each other day after day. Use our humble serving to restore our fellowship and our witness, and to REVITALIZE our church for Your glorious praise. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

01/22/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 20

LUKE 12:31

What does it mean to “seek His Kingdom?”

A KINGDOM AGENDA… In the context of Luke 12 and Matthew 6, Jesus teaches that a Kingdom agenda means…

•   A soul is more important than riches (Luke 12:16-21).

•   Faith is more important than food, clothing, or life span (Luke 12:22-30).

•   Eternity is more important than possessions (Luke 12:33-34). Do your personal priorities line up with those that Jesus prescribes? In what ways does your life currently reflect this agenda? Do your church’s priorities line up with those that Jesus prescribes? In what ways does your church currently reflect this agenda?

PRAY… Jesus, at least part of the reason our church needs Your REVITALIZING grace and restoration is because over time we have drifted away from Your Kingdom agenda. We have adopted our own agenda and we have lost sight of what You value. Please forgive us; please forgive me. We do not want to pursue our own agenda any longer. We long to pursue You, even as the deer pants for the water brook, O Lord, our souls long for You above all else. Please fill our hearts with renewed vigor to passionately pursue You and Your Kingdom agenda for our church. Set us free from the bondage of selfish and self-centered pursuits to hunger and thirst after righteousness alone. In Your Name I pray, Amen.

01/17/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 19

Matthew 6:1-15 (ESV)
1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
2 “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing,
4 so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.
6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you,
15 but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

This passage of Scripture links prayer in a believer’s life with at least three critical heart elements. These heart elements, when laid bare by the work of the Holy Spirit, reveal whether or not a believer is rightly aligned with God’s heart:

•   Theatrics = “beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them” (6:1,5)

•   Verbosity = “when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition” (6:7)

•   Forgiveness = “forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (6:12,14-15)

AUTHENTICITY… There is no place in Christ’s church for hypocrisy. Jesus warned His followers not to make their faith activities a performance to impress others (Matthew 6:1,5,16). Neither should believers judge others because there is yet plenty in their own lives to be judged (Matthew 7:1-5). Instead Jesus both lived and taught authenticity in our relationship with Him and with one another. Are either of these statements true about you or about any one in your church family?

•   “This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me, but in vain do they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men” (Matthew 15:8-9).

•   “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. These are the things which defile the man…” (Matthew 15:19-20a) When we fail to be authentic with Jesus, we will undoubtedly be playing a masquerade with our fellow believers. Let’s repent of our lack of authenticity and come clean with Jesus about our hypocrisy today.

PRAY… Father God, I want to come clean about my hypocrisy. It is creating chaos in my walk with You and in my relationships with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Please forgive me for not living an authentic Christian life, and by Your grace empower me to live soberly and uprightly in my walk with You and in my relationships with fellow believers. I desire to walk in the Light as You Yourself are the Light, so that I can have Biblical fellowship with other believers and so I can walk in authenticity with You. Be honored today in all my relationships, as I cast off hypocrisy and embrace the life of Christ. I ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

01/11/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 18

“God’s Word and Spirit are so powerful that they can not only build a healthy church, but even take a dying, broken, discouraged congregation and give it renewed life, causing it to flourish far beyond what its founders ever imagined.” These are words written by Pastor Brian Croft in his article “Five Unexpected Lessons in Church Revitalization,” and recorded in a 9Marks Journal entitled, Revitalize: Why We Must Reclaim Dying Churches - and How.

John 15:1-11 (ESV)
1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser.
2 Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.
3 Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you.
4 Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me.
5 I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in me he is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned.
7 If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
8 By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
10 If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love.
11 These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.

GOD’S WORD… Identify three things Jesus talks about in this passage that need to be either developed or initiated, or advanced among your church family. List them here as three specific prayer requests: “Father, shape us into a church that… __________; __________; and __________. Include these three prayer requests in your prayer below…

PRAY… Jesus, thank you for teaching us in John 15 about faithfully abiding in You and Your Word, bearing fruit, being pruned, staying connected to You as our life source, prayer, obedience to Your commandments, love, and joy. Our church family is desperate for You to do a new work among us in these areas (include your prayer requests here)… In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

01/03/22 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 17

Matthew 5:23-24 (ESV)
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

RECONCILIATION… I had not been their pastor very long. In an effort to become acquainted with the older members of the congregation, I invited one long-time member to be my visitation partner for a few months. The first time we went visiting together he surprised me at the end of the afternoon. Pulling into the church parking lot he reached into his shirt pocket to reveal a note card with the names of ten men written on it. “Pastor,” he began, “these ten men have deeply offended me and I want them brought before the church to answer for what they have done.” As we talked, I learned that he had been carrying this list of names around for more than three years, but had never attempted reconciliation with any one of them. Biblical reconciliation was missing from his demand; he was only interested in revenge. Perhaps you need to be reconciled to a brother or sister in Christ. Perhaps others in your church family are at distant odds over some issue or another. Regardless what the offense, without forgiveness and reconciliation, your church will continue to struggle and REVITALIZATION attempts will be stymied.

PRAY… Lord Jesus, we are a broken people, and among us we have broken relationships that, apart from Your grace, will continue to hamper the fellowship and the effectiveness of our church. Please show Yourself strong by surfacing every previous offense that is strangling us, and compel us, by Your Holy Spirit, to speak the truth in love to one another and to offer to one another the same forgiveness which You have so generously given to us. Please break down every stronghold of bitterness and unforgiveness in our fellowship, and replace it with the fruit of Your Holy Spirit. I humbly ask in Your Name. Amen.

12/27/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 16

CONFLICT, DISAGREEMENT, RESOLVE… Bill Henard, in his book Can These Bones Live?, says that “One of the primary reasons that a church turns inward comes from present or past conflicts within the congregation,” and that “problems and conflicts occur in all churches of all sizes,” and that “unforgiveness represents the foremost internal conflict most often ignored in the church” (Chapter 8). Unforgiving hearts are usually one of the primary causes of spiritual decline both personally and within the church. That’s why there are so many exhortations in the Bible like these:

•   Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:31-32).

•   “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you” (Colossians 3:12-13).

PRAY… Father God, I thank you that in Christ You have forgiven me all my sins and reckoned me as righteous through the atonement of Christ. I have gladly received Your forgiveness; make me equally glad to extend the same forgiveness to those who offend, disappoint, or hurt me. Transform my tendency to hold grudges into Christlike mercy toward others. Dissolve all my inner bitterness and unforgiveness in the shed blood of Jesus, and restore to me a clean heart out of which I gladly forgive others. I ask this in Your Son’s Name, Amen.

12/13/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 14

Mark 1:21-28 (ESV)
21 And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching.
22 And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.
23 And immediately there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit. And he cried out,
24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God.”
25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!”
26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying out with a loud voice, came out of him.
27 And they were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.”
28 And at once his fame spread everywhere throughout all the surrounding region of Galilee.

After His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus declared His authority over everything! Matthew 28:18-20 records His words to this effect. What is the extent of His authority to which He refers in Matthew 28:18? “_______ authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.”

ALL AUTHORITY… Throughout His life, and particularly during His ministry, Jesus demonstrated His authority, until, through His death, burial, and resurrection, He unquestionably held ALL authority: Authority over creation (John 1:3; Col. 1:17); Authority over all tangible and intangible resources (Phil 4:19) ; Authority over disease and physical handicap (Mark 6:53-56; 7:31-37; 8:22-25; 10:46-52) ; Authority over the spirits (Mark 5:1-13) ; Authority over religion (Mark 11:15-18) ; Authority over man’s plans (Matthew 16:21-23) ; and Authority over sin, the grave, and death (1 Corinthians 15:50-58; Revelation 1:17-18).

PRAY… Jesus, You have demonstrated that You stand alone in creation and human history as the One with ALL authority. I bow in total submission to Your authority. You are our Sovereign God, Lord, Creator of heaven and earth, and victorious Savior vanquishing sin, the grave, and death! I praise You and worship You above all other things, for You alone are worthy to receive glory, honor and praise. Please exercise Your great, majestic authority over our church and bring REVITALIZATION to our fellowship, our effectiveness, our missional life, and our ministries, all for the glory of Your Name! Amen!!

12/06/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 13

Luke 6:1-11 contains two specific instances wherein Jesus did something which did not fit the traditional understanding or interpretation of one of the Ten Commandments

TRADITIONS THAT GO BEYOND SCRIPTURE… If Jesus were to visit your church this week, what are some of the things your church “traditionally” does that are not mandated by Scripture, but might be currently “treasured” as unchangeable as though they were mandated by Scripture? (In other words, some people might be upset if you don’t do these things anymore; or some people might be tenaciously insistent that these things never change.)

Can you recognize that things we often cling to, that do not come directly from Scripture are often some of the things that need to change in your church if you are going to experience REVITALIZATION? If not, ask Jesus to open your eyes to this reality, and then pray this prayer…

PRAY… Heavenly Father, I believe the testimony of Your Word – that indeed You created the heavens and the earth and that Your creative work was performed through Your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. I believe and affirm that through Christ all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, both visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities; that all things have been created through Jesus and for Jesus. He knows best about all the rules that should be associated with His creation and His church, which He bought with His own shed blood. Therefore, Father, today I surrender all the preconceived ideas which me and my church have added to Your design or to Your specifications in Scripture by way of our “sacred traditions.” I submit myself once again to the full authority of Christ and His Word. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.

 

11/29/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 12

John 9:35-41 (ESV)
35 Jesus heard that they had cast him out, and having found him he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 He answered, “And who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
37 Jesus said to him, “You have seen him, and it is he who is speaking to you.”
38 He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, “For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind.”
40 Some of the Pharisees near him heard these things, and said to him, “Are we also blind?”
41 Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no guilt; but now that you say, ‘We see,’ your guilt remains.

In today’s passage Jesus is having a conversation with some religious leaders about the blind man and his healing, not willing themselves to believe that Jesus had sufficient power to do such a miracle. Because of their stubborn hearts and unwillingness to believe, Jesus referred to the religious leaders as “blind” themselves.

What are the two greatest barriers you can identify that will need to be overcome in order for your church to be REVITALIZED? ____________________; ____________________

BELIEVE… The Pharisees in John 9 were insistent that Jesus could not have the power to heal blind eyes. Only God could do such a miracle. So, they questioned the formerly blind man twice; they questioned his parents. Yet they could not disprove that Jesus had done something unexplainable to them. Don’t you want Jesus to do something unexplainable in your church? Don’t you long to see Him restore Gospel fervency and evangelistic effectiveness in your church family? Jesus is the One who can do it! Not a committee; not the remaining members of your congregation. Only Jesus. Do you believe? Do you think He can solve, demolish, and overwhelm the barriers you listed above? Do you believe?

PRAY… Lord Jesus, we have evaluated our situation many times, even prayed over it; honestly our prayers have often been without true faith that You could actually do anything about our plight. But today, I renounce my own “blindness;” I turn away from my “blindness;” I embrace Your mighty power. You can do anything! I believe! You can walk on water; bring water from a rock; part a river and even a sea! You can raise the dead, and You can breathe life into dry bones! Jesus, I cry out to You, with the rest of my church family, pleading for Your miraculous intervention in our church. You are able! I believe You can overcome every barrier that stands against us, and I surrender my own defeatist perspective to your conquering grace! Jesus, come and do what only You can do in our church. In Jesus’ Name. Amen!

11/22/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 11

“Every church needing REVITALIZATION can assume at some point in the ups and downs of their existence that they lost sight of the Biblical model and structure of authority and must begin to recover it if any other patters of dysfunction can be addressed to ensure a healthy direction for the future. Authority matters. Who is in charge in your church? Jesus is the bridegroom of His bride. He is in charge. He is the one to whom the church must submit if it is to have life and experience the unity that only He can bring, for it came at the cost of His own life (Eph. 2:11-15).” —Brian Croft, “Biblical Church Revitalization”

Matthew 16:15-19 (ESV)
15 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

WHO’S IN CHARGE? When Peter correctly answered Jesus’ probing question about His identity, Jesus not only affirmed Peter’s answer, but went further to explain what it meant for Him to be “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Jesus went on to say that “…I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it” (Matthew 16:18) As Brian Croft wrote in his book quoted above, Jesus is in charge. “He is the one to whom the church must submit if it is to have life and experience the unity that only He can bring…”

As a friend of mine often says when pressing someone for an honest answer, “If someone held a gun to your head demanding to know who was in charge of your church, what would you answer?” If it is anyone other Jesus Christ then some serious repentance, prayer, and reorientation needs to happen.

PRAY: Jesus, I acknowledge and submit to Your authority, and Your authority alone, over Your church. I am not the authority in our church, nor is any other person the authority. Please forgive me for any time that I have attempted to exercise my own authority in Your church, as though it belonged to me and not to You. Please restore a deep sense of humility among all the leaders in our church, and a glad desire to submit to Your authority alone. I agree with Peter, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!” and thereby You have full authority to reign in Your church. I surrender and submit myself to You, King of all kings, and Lord of all lords! Amen!

Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 10

11/15/21 Luke 6:46-49 (ESV)
46“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?
47 Everyone who comes to me and hears my words and does them, I will show you what he is like:
48 he is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when a flood arose, the stream broke against that house and could not shake it, because it had been well built.
49 But the one who hears and does not do them is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the stream broke against it, immediately it fell, and the ruin of that house was great.”

Which person in Luke 6:46-49 are you most like right now, today?

__ The person building a house on a rock-solid foundation—you do whatever Jesus says; OR

__ The person building a house with no foundation—you are ignoring Jesus’ instructions

RETURNING TO THE WORD… REVITALIZATION is about a group of Christ-followers surrendering all their own pre-conceived ideas about what their church should look like and how it should behave, and returning to the Author of their faith, upon whom the church is founded.

We started this section of prayers by renewing our confidence in God’s Word. Not just for the sake of our church’s REVITALIZATION, but ultimately for God’s own glory and for our personal and corporate good. Let’s close out this section by asking God to transform our minds according to His Word so that we might prove what is that good, acceptable, and perfect will of God concerning our church.

PRAY… Lord, I love Your Word; I praise You for providing such a wonderful road map for life and living. You are my hiding place and my shield; from now on I wait for Your Word. I place my own thoughts and ideas in submission to Your Word. Sustain me according to Your Word, that I may live the life You designed for me, and in so doing be a part of a renewed church family set upon the very same purpose. Uphold me by Your Word; strengthen my resolve to seek Your Word before the counsel of others, and then compel all of us together to obey whatever You say. We love you and Your Word. In your Son’s Name, Amen.

 11/08/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 09

John 1:1-4 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

“THE THIEF COMES ONLY TO STEAL AND KILL AND DESTROY; I CAME THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE LIFE, AND HAVE IT ABUNDANTLY.” (JOHN 10:10) This life that Jesus gives is not just fire insurance against an eternity in hell, but it is the very substance of life in the present. He knows better than anyone else exactly what your church needs in order to be a life-giving force in your community.

John 5:24 (ESV) Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

FROM WORD TO LIFE… Fill in the blanks below:

 “…he who hears My word, and ________________ Him who sent Me, has _______________ life...” “…[he] does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into ______________ .”

When we believe God’s Word we avoid judgment, pass out of death’s claws, and receive LIFE!! This is true for eternity and for today! You and your church, as you believe God’s Word, His promises and assurances, will begin to experience NEW LIFE in Christ!

PRAY… Lord Jesus, help me to cling to Your Word as the very substance of life for me today and throughout eternity. Thank you for giving us Your Word; I want to thirst for it like the Psalmist, as the deer pants for the water brook, so let me soul thirst for You and Your Word. Use Your Word in me to build my faith and to help re-shape our church into an effective instrument for the Gospel in our Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth, I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

 11/01/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 08

John 17:13-21 (ESV)
13 But now I am coming to you, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have my joy fulfilled in themselves.
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
21 that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.

Use whatever resources you have at your disposal (commentaries, Bible software, Bible dictionaries, etc.) to examine John 17:17, and particularly the word “sanctify” as it appears in that verse. Write what you discover here:

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SANCTIFY… In you research on the word “sanctify” you should have come across information that says “sanctify” means to “set apart for special use.” The word comes from the Greek word from which we get the word for “holy” or “holiness.” It is an action initiated and carried out by God Himself in the lives of His people. And in the case of Jesus’ prayer request in John 17:17, it is a work God performs through His Word in the hearts and minds of His people. We are set apart unto God, out of this world, and beyond the reason and logic that drives humanity, through the work God does in us as we give ourselves to His Word. He “sanctifies” us in the truth, which is His Word. No tool in your REVITALIZATION process will be more valuable than God’s Word. Keep it close. Read, study, meditate on, and memorize it daily.

PRAY… Father, in keeping with Jesus’ own prayer on behalf of His disciples present with Him, as well as for all those who would believe in Jesus because of the testimony of those first disciples, I plead with You for Your sanctifying work in my own heart and life as I give myself daily to Your Word. Let Your Word dwell richly within me, and within our church family, that we will be sanctified in Your truth, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in our hearts for all that You are doing among us. I ask this in Jesus Name. Amen.

10/25/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 07

There were plenty of accusations. “They want our property so they can sell it to fund their own ministries,” suggested one opponent to the REVITALIZATION partnership being offered by a sister church. Another used scare tactics among the few remaining homebound members by overstating the value of the church’s property and how a partnering church would use this value to their own advantage. Still another accusation came from the chairman of the few remaining deacons, “Those offering us assistance only want to make a name for themselves and they care nothing about us.” These, and many other misguided, yet painful, accusations may very well be a part of your church’s efforts toward REVITALIZATION. Despite their opposition, stay the course because part of the process of REVITALIZATION is the cleansing of hearts and motives among those who resist the process.

INSIDE OUT… Jesus challenged the Pharisees on more than one occasion to be careful about putting on a religious front when, in fact, their hearts were yet unclean in motive or attitude. “Now you Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and of the platter; but inside of you, you are full of robbery and wickedness” (Luke 11:39). “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like white-washed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness” (Matthew 23:27). Not only must we make sure our attitudes and actions are pure before the Lord in this REVITALIZATION effort, but we must also pray for our brothers and sisters who are demonstrating something less than pure motives and attitudes in their reaction to God’s work of REVITALIZATION.

PRAY… Jesus, thank you for giving our church the opportunity for restoration and REVITALIZATION. I know the process will not be easy, but with You all things are possible, and we are trusting in Your ever-present help throughout the process. Please cleanse my heart, and the hearts of all our church members of any evil, conspiring, or uncooperative spirit in the REVITALIZATION process so that You alone can gain glory and Your church be reclaimed for Your great purpose. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

10/18/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 06

John 8:31-32 (ESV)
31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,
32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

CONTINUE IN MY WORD… Perhaps the most important dimension of REVITALIZATION is the restoration of God’s people to a profound confidence in God’s Word. Jesus’ promises surrounding His Word are numerous. In John 8:31-32 He promises that faithfully giving heed to His Word on a continuing basis proves we are His followers. In John 15:7 He promises that abiding in His Word and allowing that Word to transformatively abide in us opens the doorway of prayer and allows us to bear much fruit for His glory. In John 14:23 He promises that those who keep His Word will be loved by His Heavenly Father and will eventually make their home with God. In John 8:51 He promises those who keep His word will never see death!

The beginning of a new week is an ideal time to recognize and confess any lack of confidence we have been demonstrating, real or otherwise, in God’s Word. His Word is timeless and unfailing; it is fully dependable and trustworthy. Throughout the REVITALIZATION process you will need to daily profess your confidence in, and dependence upon, His Word. “Do not lean on your own understanding, [but] in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5b-6). “Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105).

PRAY… Father, I confess that I have not always delighted in, nor trusted in Your Word. I turn from my faltering faith and ask Your forgiveness for my lack of confidence in Your Word; forgive my failure to believe that Your Word is settled in heaven forever. Today I am asking You to restore my full confidence in Your Word and that You will use Your Word to guide me, and our church family, through every phase of the restoration and REVITALIZATION process for Your eternal glory and praise. I ask this in the Name that is above every other name, Amen.

 10/11/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 05

Psalm 111:1-10 (ESV)
1 Praise the LORD! I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
2 Great are the works of the LORD, studied by all who delight in them.
3 Full of splendor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures forever.
4 He has caused his wondrous works to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and merciful.
5 He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.
6 He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the inheritance of the nations.
7 The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;
8 they are established forever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
9 He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant forever. Holy and awesome is his name!
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!

A PRAYER OF PRAISE… Now, join the Psalmist in praising and thanking God for His goodness, His works, His righteousness, His gifts, His power, His redemption, and His covenant. Write words of praise below: Lord, I praise You for Your...

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A PLACE FOR PRAISE… You can probably remember when, in an earlier day, there was a general sense of excitement among your fellow church members; a time when the place of worship was filled with the praises of God’s people. That is God’s intent for the gathering place of His people. That is what Jesus expected to find when He entered the Temple in the First Century. “It is written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer’… have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of infants and nursing babies You have prepared praise for Yourself?’” (Matthew 21:13, 16). Prayer. Praise. In His house. Among His people. Can it begin again with you?

PRAY… Father, I can remember when we gathered with people on our church campus with excitement about You, Your goodness, grace, mercy and love. I remember when we filled our gathering place with praise to Your Holy Name. O God, restore those days among us through Your miraculous REVITALIZING work in our church. I believe it is urgent that You act now to restore us to Your purpose. We are desperate for You; change us for the sake of Your eternal and glorious PRAISE! Let Your praise fill our hearts and our gathering place once again.

10/04/21 Praying With JESUS: 40 Days Toward Church Revitalization — Day 04

Of course, Mark’s gospel account is not the only place in the New Testament wherein a sense of urgency is portrayed. John’s gospel records words of urgency directly from Jesus’ mouth.

John 1:1-13 (ESV)
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
6 There was a man sent from God, whose name was John.
7 He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him.
8 He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light.
9 The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, yet the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him.
12 But to all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.

Jesus healed the man who had been born blind in order to display the works of God through the man’s life. List three things here that would display the works of God in your community if your church pursues, and experiences, REVITALIZATION:

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THE UNKNOWNS… Did you notice the things that were unknown by the participants in John’s account of the blind man’s healing? His disciples didn’t know why the man had been born blind. No one knew how clay could bring sight to blind eyes. The blind man’s neighbors did not know how the blind man came to have sight. The blind man did not know where Jesus had gone after Jesus had healed him.

Every situation has unknown factors. Generally, we don’t like having unknown factors because we like to have everything under our control. But in the work of REVITALIZATION you will encounter unexpected unknowns for which you could not plan. What will you do with them? Will you be willing, just like the participants in the blind man’s healing, to trust every detail to Jesus? Are you ready to entrust all the unknown factors in the REVITALIZATION of your church to His sovereign rule?

PRAY… Lord Jesus, I must admit that the whole business of REVITALIZING our church is somewhat frightening. There are many unknowns. Yet, it is also exciting to think about the lives that will be changed and the influence we can have once again in our community for the sake of the Gospel! Still, Lord, I am sure there will be things about this REVITALIZATION that will be uncomfortable for me personally; things that will be out of my control. I want to say with all my heart today that -- I trust You! You spoke everything into existence! You are the substance by which all things are held together! I believe You will gloriously handle all the unknowns that come into play in the complete REVITALIZATION of our church. I trust You to do it! In Jesus’ Name, Amen.