“Make a table of acacia wood–two cubits long, a cubit wide and a cubit and a half high. Overlay it with pure gold and make a gold molding around it…Put the bread of the Presence on this table to be before me at all times.” Exodus 25:23-24, 30 (NIV) Where do you go for nourishment? How do you refuel your soul after you have depleted your emotional love tank? Is there a place to receive nourishment? As we tour the Old Testament Tabernacle, we find the place for nourishment is the Table of the Bread of the Presence. It speaks of communion, fellowship, and nourishment. As clarified in the New Testament, we don’t go to a place for nourishment. Instead, we go to a person. Jesus! He is our Manna from Heaven! He is our daily bread! “Then Jesus declared, ‘I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty’” (John 6:35 NIV). Jesus is our source! In a moment, close your eyes and begin visualizing Jesus as the bread of life. Begin acknowledging His daily provision in your life. Think about seasons when you did not know how you would make it another day and Jesus showed up with abundant resources. Reflect on the transitions in your life where Jesus provided a way for you when there seemed to be no way. Jesus is the ultimate way-maker! He is all you need! Surrender to His tender care. He will see you through. He has already been where you are going. Spend some time in prayer acknowledging your dependency upon Jesus as the bread of your life. He is your “daily” bread. Present your fears and your frustrations to the Lord in prayer and receive nourishment for your soul. Jesus is your life! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Category: Prayer
“Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing. Place it between the Tent of Meeting and the altar, and put water in it.’” Exodus 30:17-18 (NIV) The second step to intimacy with God involves “the basin of water” found in the Old Testament Tabernacle. We are touring the furnishings within the Tabernacle. After acknowledging God’s gift of salvation through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross as symbolized by the altar of burnt offering, we now move to the basin of water. The basin of water represents our cleansing provided by the shed blood of Jesus. In our prayer time, we move from praising God for His salvation gift to confessing sin and receiving His forgiveness. How can a Christ follower stay clean while living in a dirty world? You stay clean by consecrating your life before the Lord daily. Being conscious of your sin is not enough to obtain cleansing. Confess your sin specifically and say the same thing about your sin that God says about it. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” Psalm 51:3 (NIV) “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:8-9 (NIV) Confess sin specifically and confess sin instantly. As soon as the Holy Spirit convicts you of specific sin in your life, confess it without hesitation. Don’t give the devil a club to hit you with. Choose to stay close and clean by practicing instant confession of sin. Don’t allow sin to linger. Receive God’s forgiveness and walk victoriously in the strength Christ provides. You are a new creation. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“Build an altar of acacia wood, three cubits high; it is to be square, five cubits long and five cubits wide. Make a horn at each of the four corners, so that the horns and the altar are of one piece, and overlay the altar with bronze.” Exodus 27:1-2 (NIV) When you think about relationships, there are different levels of intimacy. Some relationships are emotionally distant and surfaced whereas some relationships have the capacity to be more consistent and feature an element of closeness. Then there are those relationships where the interaction is meaningful, transparent, and magnetic. The Encarta Dictionary defines the word intimacy as a close personal relationship; a detailed knowledge resulting from a close or long association. One of my favorite definitions of intimacy is: “in to me you see.” God desires intimacy with you. In the Old Testament, the portrait of intimacy was the formation and utilization of the Tabernacle. God made a way for His people to experience intimacy with Him through a religious relationship. As you enter the Tabernacle, the first item you encounter is the altar of burnt offering. The New Testament equivalent is the cross of Jesus Christ. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice for your sin. As you pray through the Tabernacle, spend some time at the “altar of burnt offering” to praise God for His ultimate love gift and for Jesus being willing to pay the penalty for your sin. You determine the level of intimacy with God. As you draw near to God, He will draw near to you (Jas. 4:8). God took the initiative to provide the way for you to enjoy an intimate love relationship with Him through faith in Jesus. What are you doing with the relationship God has made available to you? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Vital Link
“I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NIV) Why is prayer so important in the life of a fully devoted follower of Christ? Praying is like flying, when you stop, you drop. Kneeling in prayer keeps you standing. Prayer is the avenue through which we nurture our love relationship with Christ. Prayer is to the believer what water is to a fish, what helium is to a balloon, and what fuel is to a jet engine. Without prayer, there is no power. Without prayer there is no sacred communication with the Creator of the Universe. Prayer is the currency through which you participate in the economy of God’s kingdom activity. Prayer sensitizes you to the heartbeat of God. Through prayer you come to know the heart of God and you learn to discern the voice of God. Without prayer, you cannot live the life God has for you. Before you can conduct yourself in a Christian manner, you must become a Christian. Once you become a Christian, your Christian conduct is informed by God’s Word and empowered by God’s Spirit through the vital connection called prayer. What does your prayer life look like? If the prayers you offered up in the past seven days were transcribed, what would the content be? Would your transcribed prayers be redundant? Would they be filled with passion and compassion? Prayer is a spiritual discipline that builds your spiritual muscles. Now commit to talk to God about people and talk to people about God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:35-36 (NIV) As you grow you serve and as you serve you grow. In the midst of your serving, God brings others into the equation. He will bring people into your path to give you an opportunity to serve them and to meet their needs. At other times, God will bring people into your life to help meet your needs. Keep investing in the lives of others. Continue to shine His light and share His love through serving. God will add to our number. Serving produces numerical increase. God will draw people to know His love as you serve sacrificially. “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:41 (NIV) “…And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” Acts 2:47 (NIV) Serving puts feet to your prayer life. Serving gives evidence to a watching world that you are living to benefit others. When you give your life away through selfless service, God multiplies your impact. You become a channel of God’s blessing as you build bridges to people in need. Remember, you are never more like Jesus than when you are serving. As you live out the Christ-centered life in a self-absorbed world, God will use you to bring others into the Kingdom. That’s right! Heaven’s population is multiplied by your faithfulness in serving the Living God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Pray Strategically
“The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations.” Psalm 98:2 (NIV) You may not have the opportunity to travel to every continent on the planet, but you can touch every continent through prayer. Choose to pray strategically by employing a weekly prayer plan for the continents. Pray for Africa on Monday, Asia on Tuesday, Australia and Oceania on Wednesday, and Europe on Thursday. Pray for North America on Friday, South America on Saturday, and then pray for the church you are connected to on Sunday. Our natural proclivity is to be individualistic in our praying. We get so self-absorbed and self-centered that we bypass the joy and delight of praying for those outside of our sphere of influence. Go global with your prayer life. “’Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.’” Acts 4:12 (NIV) “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Pet. 3:9 (NIV) Embrace God’s heart for the nations of the earth. God loves every people group and provides salvation by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus. You can participate in God’s redemptive activity through the powerful avenue of prayer. Pray for the softening of the hearts of the people throughout the earth. Allocate some time each day to pray for one of the continents. Would you be willing to go on a short-term mission trip to one of the continents that you pray for? God has saved you so that you can invest your life in bringing others to Christ. It all begins with praying for those not connected to Christ. Yes! You can change the world through prayer. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Pray Continually
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV) What if the content of your prayers this week were transcribed and put into book form and placed on the end table in a doctor’s office waiting room for others to read? What would your prayer life reveal to others? What would the content of your prayers reveal about your walk with God? Choose to pray specifically. Instead of articulating generic requests and ambiguous petitions, begin to pray with specificity. For example, begin pray for others to know and enjoy the personal presence of Jesus. Pray for lost people by name. Write their names down and pray specifically for these individuals to become children of God. If the whole world is under the control of the evil one, then who will rescue the perishing? Who will do spiritual battle in prayer for the lost souls on this planet? Pray evangelistically and be willing to be used of God in the process of bringing others to Christ. Jesus has given us understanding so that we can know Him personally and make Him known intentionally. Jesus is the true God! There is no other! Jesus is eternal life! Jesus is the hope of the world. Jesus has saved us so that we can continue His ministry on the earth of bringing others into His kingdom. As a kingdom citizen, you have a kingdom assignment. Pray specifically for the salvation of individuals by name. Pray expectantly by making yourself available for God’s use in His redemptive activity. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Seeking God
“In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.” 2 Chronicles 34:3 (NIV) What caused Josiah, at the age of sixteen, to begin to seek God? When you look at his family tree, you find that both his father, Amon, and his grandfather, Manasseh, did evil in the eyes of the Lord. It is obvious that Josiah did not receive his spiritual heritage from them. When you look into the life of his great-grandfather, Hezekiah, you find a much different portrait. “Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother’s name was Abijah daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father David had done.” 2 Chron. 29:1-2 (NIV) I wonder if Josiah was influenced by the godly life that his great-grandfather, Hezekiah, lived. Another possibility is that Josiah began to seek God when he became a dad, at the age of sixteen, to Jehoahaz. For me personally, when I became a dad my understanding of God’s love and my pursuit of God intensified. There’s something about seeing your own flesh and blood and embracing the awesome responsibility of parenthood that draws you to God. You recognize your dependency upon God. Regardless of your age or life stage, assess your level of thirst for God? Are you passionately seeking God daily and allowing Him to have full access to your mind, emotions, and will? Is there anything or anyone you desire more than you desire God? I have discovered in my walk with God, whatever you feed grows and whatever you starve dies. Make Jesus your top priority. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. Let Jesus quench your thirst! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (NIV) Knowledge is needed to take things apart. Wisdom is needed to put things back together. When your life is coming apart, you need God’s wisdom to put your life in order. Trials tend to skew our vision and stifle our passion. It is so easy to lose perspective when facing trials. Our tendency is to be captured by the immediate and bypass the future that God has in store for us. Why do we wait so long in the process to turn to God in prayer? We try to figure out circumstances on our own and frantically search for answers apart from God. Nothing comes into our lives without God’s permission. If God permits trials, then God will use those trials for our good and for His glory. If only we can embrace that reality earlier in the process of our trials. God is both the Creator and Sustainer of our lives. He knows where we are and what we are facing and where we are heading. “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Ps. 46:10 (NIV) “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” Prov. 3:5-6 (NIV) In faith, turn to God and ask for His wisdom. Seek to gain God’s perspective on the trials you face. God knows what you don’t know and God sees what you don’t see. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Lead Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Reaching the Lost
“For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.” John 17:2-3 (NIV) Jesus values reaching lost people. As Jesus was praying in the Upper Room, the Disciples had the privilege of overhearing the sacred communication. Jesus identified the authority He had been given to give eternal life. Then Jesus defined eternal life as that of knowing God and knowing the One whom God had sent. Jesus came to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). His mission was to bring salvation to fallen humanity. The entirety of Jesus’ life and ministry was centered upon reconciling the world to God. Jesus provided eternal life through His atoning work on the cross. “‘Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him.’” John 3:36 (NIV) “And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” 1 John 5:11-12 (NIV) Do you place the same value on reaching lost people that Jesus did in His earthly ministry? If His life was focused upon bringing people into the kingdom of light, shouldn’t that be our mission? Decide to view people through the eyes of Jesus. He established our value and their value on the cross. The price Jesus paid for the penalty and removal of our sins is far too much to calculate. If you ever wonder how much Jesus values reaching lost people, just look to the cross. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“After Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed: ‘Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you.’” John 17:1 (NIV) Jesus values bringing glory to God. There are 650 prayers in the Bible and the Gospels record nineteen occasions upon which Jesus prayed. The longest prayer we have of Jesus is found in the twenty-six verses of John 17. Jesus prays for Himself, He prays for the Disciples, and then He prays for future followers, which includes us. You can discover what is important to people by listening to their prayers. The Disciples had the privilege of overhearing this prayer of Jesus while they were in the Upper Room. As Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He requested to be glorified by God so that He in turn could bring glory to God. As you study the life of Christ in the Gospels, you will discover that Jesus oriented His life around the focus of bringing glory to God. Everything Jesus said and everything Jesus did was to bring glory to God. His message, His miracles, and His personal touch ministry were featured to bring glory to God. What do you value? What have you been praying? Your prayers indicate what you value. Do you value bringing glory to God? Eliminate motives that are contrary to God’s heart. Eradicate the corrosive attitudes that dishonor the Lord. Bring your life to the place of living to bring glory to God. God deserves all of the glory for what He has rescued you from and saved you for. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1-2 (NIV) Soul rest has come to mean more to me since entering my forties. For so long, I focused on physical rest and making sure I got ample rest each night. But soul rest is different. Soul rest has to do with how you are doing on the inside. Soul rest has to do with your relationship with the Lord and with others. Soul rest has to do with your level of morality, godliness, and purity. When your load exceeds your limit, you get tired physically and experience soul exhaustion. During these seasons, you will have nothing to give because your soul is empty. Spending time with people who replenish you and spending time doing activities that refresh you will promote soul renewal. Guard your daily intimacy with God. Practice His Presence throughout the day. Soul rest comes as you feed on God’s Word and as you enjoy unhurried time alone with God in prayer. Your soul will find rest in God. He is your salvation. He is your rock. Come to the Lord and experience a perpetual refreshing. Anchor your life to Rock of your salvation. You will never be shaken because God is your fortress. You can take refuge in Him. Are you caring for your soul? Do you seek to employ a weekly Sabbath? Are you creating margin in your life to be still and know that He is God? Incorporate a weekly pit stop into your week to allow the Lord to refuel your soul and to renew your vision for life and ministry. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Discerning God’s Will
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Colossians 1:9 (NIV) One of the most profound prayers you can pray for others is for them to know God and to do His will. Knowing and doing God’s will is the purpose of life. God has provided the way in Jesus for us to know God personally and to obey His will completely. The knowledge of God’s will comes through spiritual wisdom and understanding. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul affirmed, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor. 2:14). Spiritual discernment comes from the Spirit of God living inside of you. At the moment of conversion, you were filled with the Holy Spirit. He lives in you to teach you and to remind you of the things Jesus did and said (John 14:26). Pray that others might be saturated with the knowledge of God’s will. When you pray for others, ask God to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding. As they come to know God’s will they will have the opportunity to choose to obey God’s will. You will be involved in the process through the avenue of intercessory prayer. What a wise investment of your time! Are you in the center of God’s will? Have you asked God to fill you with the knowledge of His will? Are you willing to ask God for spiritual wisdom and understanding to know His will? Bring honor to God by obeying His will. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
God’s Perfect Timing
“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Philippians 1:4-6 (NIV) God is working. His purpose and plan will be accomplished. Satan cannot thwart God’s will. Even when you experience doubts, delays, and distractions, God is still fulfilling His agenda. God is sovereign. He rules and He reigns. God factors in our sin. God factors in the reality of demonic opposition. God is not surprised by our surprises. God’s master plan includes you. It is God’s will for you to be saved, to grow spiritually, and to join Him in His redemptive activity. Jesus took on the full wrath of God for your sin so that you could be set free to have a vibrant love relationship with God in Christ. You were filled with the Holy Spirit at the moment of your conversion so that you could continue the ministry of Jesus on this broken planet. God will complete the good work He began in you. What God starts, He always finishes! God is not through with you. You are still in the process of becoming who God has made you to be. God is molding you and shaping you into the man or woman of God He created you to be. Will you allow God to continue His work in you so that He can accomplish His work through you? Are you willing to trust God’s timing? God knows where He wants you. God knows what the finished product of His character development in you looks like. God’s timing is perfect. Entrust your life to His care. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Keeps on Aligning
“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:27 (NIV) Your body is a house of prayer. When you became a follower of Jesus Christ, you were adopted into God’s family and your body became the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Indwelling Holy Spirit intercedes for you in alignment with God’s will. As a child of God, you can affirm that Someone is always praying in you and for you. The Holy Spirit keeps on praying and keeps on aligning your prayers with the purposes of God. God created you for His glory and He searches your heart. “O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD” (Psalm 139:1-4 NIV). God knows you intimately and He intimately knows the Mind of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit brings your needs before God. Sometimes you don’t know what to pray and sometimes you may pray about something unwisely. The Holy Spirit edits your prayers and brings them into alignment with God’s plan. Thank God for the ministry of the Holy Spirit, who intercedes to bring the purposes of God to fruition. You are not designed by God to continue the ministry of Jesus on the earth in your own strength. God has chosen to take up residence inside of you through the Person of the Holy Spirit. Your constant Companion is the loving and interceding Holy Spirit. You are never alone. Keep joining the sacred communication known as prayer. Be thankful for the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit living inside you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Keeps on Filling in the Gaps
“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” Romans 8:26b (NIV) Several summers I had the privilege of serving as a chaperone for some of the fifth grade boys for our annual preteen camp. One of the highlights was free time. All the third, fourth, and fifth graders got to enjoy the zip line, the swimming pool, the water slide, the train, dodge-ball, paddle-boats, and the most amazing go-carts. Once the gate opened for my crew to get into the go-cart action, a few of my guys couldn’t reach the gas pedal. Fortunately, the attendant came to the rescue by inserting a cushion between the rider and the rear portion of the seat. The cushion filled in the gap and enabled each of my guys to enjoy the fun on the track. Then of course, I got to race them! When it comes to prayer, we experience a gap between our being finite and God being infinite. Because of our finiteness and fallibility we cannot perceive fully what God would desire. Therefore, we do not fully grasp what is appropriate in prayer. We are weak in that we do not know what to pray for, since the totality of God’s will is somewhat hidden from us. The Spirit fills this lack through the ministry of intercession. Our deficiency is compensated by His sufficiency. When we don’t know what to pray, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us in ways that are beyond our human comprehension. The gap created by our humanity is filled by the intercessory ministry of the Holy Spirit. He keeps on filling in the gap for us. When you pray, the Holy Spirit edits your prayers to bring your petitions before our Holy God. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
Categories
Keeps on Helping
“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.” Romans 8:26a (NIV) Have you ever wondered what to say when you don’t know what to pray? Here’s some wonderful news from God’s Word. The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We are finite and have limitations that keep us from always knowing what to pray. The Spirit keeps on helping you carry the load. Living in a fallen world creates stress and distress and discouragement. You need outside help. You need the assistance the Holy Spirit provides. In this life, you combat the weaknesses found in the human condition and you combat the perpetual susceptibility to sin. “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.” John 14:16-17 (NIV) The Person of the Holy Spirit living inside of you is your Counselor. The Spirit of Truth lives in you and empowers you to live in victory and enables you to overcome adversity. He is your Comforter. When you are unsure of the path God wants you to take, the Holy Spirit living in you, illuminates the path. When you are hurting and feeling down, the Holy Spirit comforts you. He is your constant Companion. You are never alone. You are never without help and without hope. The Spirit of Truth equips you to operate in the center of God’s will. He helps you carry the load produced during this earthly existence. Where do you feel weak? Where do you need the Spirit’s help right now? Yield fully to the Spirit’s control. Enjoy the journey God has for you by submitting to the work of the Holy Spirit living in you. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Facets of Forgiveness
“Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.” Matthew 6:12 (NIV) Forgiveness is always the best decision. The Bible teaches us multiple facets of forgiveness. We have the privilege of receiving God’s forgiveness provided by the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. This vertical forgiveness initiated by God allows us to be in a right relationship with God. We also have to come to the place of forgiving ourselves. Once we have received God’s forgiveness for our sins, we need to forgive ourselves so that we can walk in the freedom Christ provides. Another facet of forgiveness is that of extending forgiveness to others. In teaching His disciples how to pray, Jesus included the discipline of extending forgiveness to others. Before asking God to forgive us of our sins, we are to have already forgiven those who have sinned against us. In order to have a proper vertical relationship with God, we must ensure a proper horizontal relationship with others. When it comes to extending forgiveness to others, you never have to wonder if God wants you to forgive someone. God expects you to extend instant forgiveness to others. To harbor bitterness or resentment breaks the heart of God. To fail to forgive others is to disobey God. Spend some time in prayer asking God to search your heart. As God reveals fragments of unforgiveness in your life, deal with them before God in prayer. The more specific you are in prayer the more dynamic your experience in prayer will be. Forgiveness is always the best decision. Honor God by extending forgiveness to others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Living the Life
“And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.” Col 1:10-12 (NIV) Are you living for the audience of one? God wants you to live a life worthy of the Lord. Consider all that Jesus did to purchase your salvation and to provide for your abiding peace. Think about what Jesus did to take care of your forever. You are saved for all eternity. Heaven is your home! As you live to please God, He desires for you to bear fruit, grow in your knowledge of Him, be strengthened by His might, and perpetually and joyfully give thanks to Him. God has qualified you to participate in the inheritance of the saints. You are blessed and highly favored of the Lord. You are fruitful, you are growing, you are strengthened, and you are joyful in the Lord. As a child of the living God, you have been lavished with His unconditional love. Make pleasing God the passion of your life. As you trust God daily to provide the strength for Christian living, you will bring pleasure to Him. God loves you and wants you to please Him in every way. Be conscious of His abiding presence. Be alert to opportunities to bear fruit, as you stay connected to Christ. Allow the life of Christ to be evidenced through your life as you do what Jesus did to love God and to serve others. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Seeking Him Earnestly
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Heb 11:6 (NIV) God has doors for you to walk through, bridges for you to cross, and experiences for you to embrace. Faith is the key that unlocks God’s plan for your life. Without faith, you cannot please God. Make His smile your goal as you exhibit Spirit-filled faith. The great adventure of the life God has for you is right in front of you. Do you believe that God exists? Do you have a personal relationship with God through Christ? Then you have the faith that unleashes God’s power and the faith that illuminates the path God has for you. Earnestly seek the Lord. Passionately pursue Him daily through your Spirit-filled faith. You can look in the rear view mirror of life to trace God’s faithfulness in your past. Revisit the spiritual markers that remind you of God’s abundant provision. Recall all that God has done to bring you this far. Celebrate each victory! Now look to the future through the eyes of faith to see where God wants you to join Him in His activity. Leave room for mystery. God wants you to walk with Him daily and to trust Him completely. God may take you places you have never been. Stay close and clean. Keep your love relationship with the Lord your top priority. Enlarge your Spirit-filled faith through daily intimacy with God. Draw near to Him each day and enjoy His abiding Presence. Seize God’s invitation to join Him in His activity. God loves you! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Spiritual Wisdom
“For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” Col 1:9 (NIV) One of the most profound prayers you can pray for others is for them to know God and to do His will. Knowing and doing God’s will is the purpose of life. God has provided the way in Jesus for us to know God personally and to obey His will completely. The knowledge of God’s will comes through spiritual wisdom and understanding. In his letter to the church at Corinth, Paul affirmed, “The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Cor 2:14 NIV). Spiritual discernment comes from the Spirit of God living inside of you. At the moment of conversion, you were filled with the Holy Spirit. Pray that others might be saturated with the knowledge of God’s will. When you pray for others, ask God to give them spiritual wisdom and understanding. As they come to know God’s will they will have the opportunity to choose to obey God’s will. You will be involved in the process through the avenue of intercessory prayer. What a wise investment of your time! You can impact the lives of others through praying specifically for them to know and to do God’s will. Are you in the center of God’s will? Have you asked God to fill you with the knowledge of His will? Bring honor to God by obeying His will. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Phil 4:7 (NIV) Choose to replace your anxious thoughts with intentional prayer. Your focus will shift from the gravity of your circumstances to the enormity of God’s power. You will gain God’s perspective on the obstacles you face and you will be fortified by God’s peace. The peace of God is not the absence of adversity, but the presence of Divinity. God’s peace transcends understanding in that it is difficult to fathom. How can a believer have such peace in the midst of a raging storm? The peace of God is not subdued by the intensity of your circumstances. God dispenses His peace in proportion to your need. The stronger the waves of resistance you encounter, the greater the allotment of God’s peace you experience. God’s peace will guard your heart. The enemy knows that if he can rob you of your passion for God in the midst of your adversity, he will have stolen a piece of your heart. The peace of God will guard your heart from the toxic assaults unleashed by the enemy. You have given your heart to Christ and His peace will reign in you. During seasons of adversity, the enemy seeks to pollute your mind with thoughts of fear, timidity, and doubt. God’s peace will guard your mind. As you replace your thoughts with intentional prayer, the peace of God will shield your mind. Fear will be replaced by faith, timidity will be replaced with courage, and doubt will be replaced with assurance. How’s your heart? How’s your mind? Are you experiencing the peace that transcends all understanding? Let the peace of God provide relief to your soul. Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Replace Your Anxious Thoughts
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.” Phil 4:6 (NIV) Anxiety is the great distraction. All of your emotional energy is diverted to fuel the vast demands anxiety produces. Incessant worry evaporates the tranquil waters of peace and contentment. Instead of living to benefit and bless others, you marshal strength to combat the gravitational pull of self-absorption. During these seasons, the small things of life that would usually not phase you appear as giants. Anxiety has a way of distorting your perspective. What is the antidote to anxiety? How do you recapture God’s perspective on your circumstances? The first step is to replace your anxious thoughts with intentional prayer. You have the precious gift of unhindered and uninterrupted access to your Heavenly Father through the avenue of prayer. The more specific you are in your prayer life, the more dynamic your experience of God’s peace will be. Be prayerful. Be specific. Be thankful in the midst of your circumstances as you cast your cares upon the Lord. Consider writing or typing the items in your life right now that are generating anxious thoughts and feelings. Cry out to God in prayer over each item and express your desperation for God’s perspective and God’s provision. God wants you to seek Him and to long for Him. Your abiding relationship with Him is the most important relationship. Draw near to God. Begin to anticipate God’s response as you specifically present your requests to God in prayer. Watch to see how God brings clarity to your confusion. Take note of the renewed strength God provides to help you navigate the troubled waters. God may eliminate the obstacles or empower you to overcome the obstacles. Either way, you will come to know God by experience! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Extreme Measures
“From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the LORD his God.” Jonah 2:1 (NIV) If you spent three days and three nights inside a great fish that God provided, you would probably place that in the category of a life changing experience. Your entire life would be marked by that one experience with God. You would never be the same. Your view of God and your reverence for God would be catapulted to a new level. “The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head.” Jonah 2:5 (NIV) “To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you brought my life up from the pit, O LORD my God.” Jonah 2:6 (NIV) Can you imagine Jonah, with seaweed wrapped around his head, praying to God from inside this large fish that God provided? I wonder if Jonah was kneeling, standing, floating, or treading water while he was praying. It clearly illustrates that God is willing to go to extreme measures to rescue us from ourselves and from our sin. You don’t have to wait for God to bring you to a place of desperation to call out to Him in prayer. You have the perpetual invitation to nurture your love relationship with God in moment-by-moment prayer and surrender. Remove the seaweed that tends to cling to your mind and embrace the opportunity to commune with the Creator of the universe. Your life changing experience can continue as you faithfully seek God’s face in prayer. Whether you are in the tumultuous waters within the large fish called life or on the tranquil dry ground of daily life, pray to our Living God. God loves you and His heart beats for you. You are the apple of His eye! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Praying for Our Nation
“Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and pleas for mercy with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. 4 I prayed to the Lord my God and made confession, saying, ‘O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, 5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules.’” Daniel 9:3-5 (ESV) Daniel prayed in brokenness and confession on behalf of his people. He took ownership for their spiritual health and vitality. Daniel sought the Lord God in prayer. He cried out with fasting and humility before the Lord for God’s mercy to be extended. Revival is for believers who have become apathetic toward the things of God. Revival is designed by God to restore a believer’s passion and hunger for God and His agenda. When revival comes, it produces a byproduct known as a spiritual awakening. While revival is for believers, a spiritual awakening impacts unbelievers and brings them to the place of transformation. The only way for our nation to genuinely change is for the lost to get saved and have a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Pray for everyone, including national leaders and those in authority, that they may come to know the Lord personally and have a growing relationship with Him. Can you imagine our nation fully yielded to the Lordship of Christ? Can you envision our nation passionate about pursuing God daily and living for His glory? Join me in praying for that vision to become a reality. Pray for our nation. Seek the Lord in brokenness and humility on behalf of our nation. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 258: Daniel 7-9) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. 19 But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer.” Psalm 66:18-19 (ESV) Sin is an offense to God. Sin is absent in heaven and yet fully present on earth. Sin saturates the landscape of life on this broken planet. The curse of sin can only be reversed through the atoning work of Jesus on the cross. When a person comes to faith in Jesus Christ, sin is removed and the righteousness of Christ is imputed. The new Christian is placed positionally right with God. Without purity, there is no power in prayer. As a child of God, it is imperative to stay close and clean by confessing sin instantly and receiving God’s forgiveness intentionally. You have to combat the impact of memory. “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3 ESV). David had to navigate the reality of his memory. Even after confessing his sin of adultery and murder, he had to acknowledge that his sin was ever before him via memory. What hinders prayer? The most vicious impediment to prayer is sin. Sin violates the covenant relationship you have with God. Sin grieves the heart of God and quenches the Spirit of God living in you. Husband, when you do not live with your wife in an understanding way, your prayers are hindered. “Likewise, husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way, showing honor to the woman as the weaker vessel, since they are heirs with you of the grace of life, so that your prayers may not be hindered.” 1 Peter 3:7 (ESV) The purity of your relationship with God and the purity of your relationships with others has a direct impact on the effectiveness of your prayer life. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 132: Psalms 65-67, 69-70) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
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Prayer of Jabez & Jesus
“Jabez was more honorable than his brothers; and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, ‘Because I bore him in pain.’ 10 Jabez called upon the God of Israel, saying, ‘Oh that you would bless me and enlarge my border, and that your hand might be with me, and that you would keep me from harmso that it might not bring me pain!’ And God granted what he asked.” 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 (ESV) You can discover what is important to people by listening to their prayers. Jabez prayed for God’s blessing, for God’s abundance, for God’s provision, and for God’s protection. As Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven, He requested to be glorified by God so that He in turn could bring glory to God. There are 650 prayers in the Bible and the Gospels record nineteen occasions upon which Jesus prayed. The longest prayer we have of Jesus is found in the twenty-six verses of John 17. The Disciples had the privilege of overhearing this prayer of Jesus while they were in the Upper Room. Jesus prays for Himself, He prays for the Disciples, and then He prays for future followers, which includes us. “When Jesus had spoken these words, he lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, ‘Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you.’” John 17:1 (ESV) As you study the life of Christ in the Gospels, you will discover that Jesus oriented His life around the focus of bringing glory to God. His message, His miracles, and His personal touch ministry were featured to bring glory to God. What do you value? What have you been praying? Your prayers indicate what you value. Do you value bringing glory to God? God deserves all of the glory for what He has rescued you from and saved you for. Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 115: 1 Chronicles 3-5) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“You have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your book?” Psalm 56:8 (ESV) God created you for a divine purpose to fulfill. You are not here by accident; you are here by divine appointment. God designed you so that you can know Him personally and fulfill His plan intentionally. Fulfilling God’s agenda requires God’s enabling. You cannot continue His ministry in your own strength. In this life you will face difficulties and go through seasons of uncertainty. Fatigue, exhaustion, and feeling depleted are normal features of living in a fallen world. God intimately knows your inmost feelings and He keeps count of all your wanderings. He puts your tears in His bottle. He records every step you take and every decision you make. Nothing escapes God’s attention. “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy.” Psalm 140:12 (ESV) “With my voice I cry out to the Lord; with my voice I plead for mercy to the Lord. 2 I pour out my complaint before him; I tell my trouble before him.” Psalm 142:1-2 (ESV) Prayer enables you to express your heart to God. You have the sacred privilege of communicating with God through the grace-paved avenue of prayer. Acknowledge your dependency upon Him. The Lord executes justice for the needy and maintains the cause of the afflicted. You can cry out to the Lord in prayer. You can lift up your voice to plead for mercy. In prayer, you have the invitation to pour out your complaints before the Lord and to share your trouble before Him. God can handle your frustrations and He can bring calm to your troubled waters. Don’t run from the Lord! Run to the Lord and watch how His mercy comes running to you! Chronological Bible Reading Plan: (Day 106: Psalms 56,120,140,142) Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“At the time of sacrifice, the prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I am your servant and have done all these things at your command. Answer me, O LORD, answer me, so these people will know that you, O LORD, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.’” 1 Kings 18:36-37 (NIV) Elijah prayed a bold prayer and experienced the power of God. He had challenged the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal and the four hundred prophets of Asherah to a showdown on Mount Carmel. The prophets called on the name of Baal from morning till noon and received no response. However, Elijah had the sacrifice drenched in water and then he stepped forward to call on God. The power of God fell and consumed the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the soil, and the water in the trench. Elijah prayed to God in faith and experienced a demonstration of God’s power. The people saw this and fell prostrate to the ground and exclaimed, “The Lord—he is God!” This was truly a mountaintop experience that portrayed the effectiveness of praying in faith. God answers prayer! What are you currently combating? What is perplexing you? Have you considered taking that burden to the Lord in prayer? You know that God is able to consume a water-soaked sacrifice. You know that God can cause fire to fall at a moment’s notice. There’s nothing beyond God’s reach. Do you believe that God will do what He says He will do? Do you believe that God is able to deliver you through your circumstances? God is waiting for you to take Him at His Word and to entrust your life to His care. You will never face anything that God cannot handle. God will work everything together for your good and for His glory! Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell
“‘And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.’” Matt 6:7-8 (NIV) Before you pray, consider the One you are praying to. God has invited you into the most amazing conversation you will ever have. Prayer is having face-time with the One who designed you. God thought of you long before you thought of Him. You are privileged with the communication that will continue for eternity. Your love relationship with God is continual, perpetual, and eternal. God does not respond to your prayer based on the number of words you articulate. Unleashing a barrage of words does not give you favor with God. The prayer relationship God invites you into does not depend on excessive verbiage, but rather on the sufficiency of God’s omniscience. God knows everything about you and every detail of every situation surrounding your life. God is fully aware of your current reality. He knows where you have been, where you are, and where you are going. God knows your inmost fears and frustrations. Don’t be like the pagan who thinks he will be heard because of his catalogue of words. God knows exactly what you need before you ask Him. Prayer is not bringing God up on your circumstances, but bringing you up on God and His sovereignty over your circumstances. When you pray, be mindful of God’s activity in your life. Be alert to the awesome nature and character of God. The reality of prayer is an abiding comfort in that your lifeline to God is always connected. You have direct access to the One who gave His one and only Son to grant that access. What will you do with the honor and privilege of prayer? Pursuing God, Stephen Trammell Executive Pastor Follow me on twitter at: http://twitter.com/stephentrammell