“A difference in words is a very awful and important difference; a difference in words is a difference in things. Words are very awful and wonderful things, for they come from the most awful and wonderful of all beings, Jesus Christ, THE WORD. He puts words into men’s minds. He made all things, and He made words to express those things. And woe to those who use the wrong words about anything.”
Charles Kingsley (1819–1875)
We should guard our words. Words have power to uplift and power to tear down. Words have power to heal and power to destroy. As Christians we have been taught to discipline our actions, to “keep from sinning”. But, shouldn’t we give as much diligence to our words? Words are a gift from God. Like any gift, however, words can be abused. The words that we speak, the words that we type, and the words that we post on social media have power.
Here’s some practical advice:
filter your words before you speak, type, or post. Think over your response before putting it out there.
you don’t have to give an opinion on everything. This might be the most valuable of all advice.
sometimes it is better to say nothing than to say something. Actually, often this is good advice.
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15:1. The right thing said the wrong way can make it worse. It’s important to say the right thing the right way.
“speaking the truth in love” Ephesians 4:15. When in a confrontation, make sure your own motive is pure.
How loose we are with words, forgetting that our words are a representation of the Word! Lord, have mercy on us!
“It is the people of God who can truly shape a nation. Many look to great leaders or powerful governments to shape a nation. But most likely, leaders and governments will not restore a nation once it is on the downward slide. While leaders and governments can influence a nation, there is no group of people who can determine the coming years of a nation like God’s people.”
Henry Blackaby
First of all, I do think politics are important. Our nation was built on a democratic system of checks and balances. It’s not a perfect system, but I believe it’s the best system. I also believe that as Christians we have a responsibility to vote. We should vote for candidates that best represent Biblical values. But, this is where I need to digress a bit. What I don’t believe in is an elected official that will “save” the country. What I think everyone can agree on is that America is divided. Not just now, but at least for the last few decades. It’s almost a 50/50 divide. Much of that stems from a false believe that one of the major political parties will be the answer, or that candidate “x” will be the one that finally puts things back together. From a psychology level I get it. Everyone likes to believe in something. Hope is needed. But, as Christians, we should feel a bigger calling. I like the way that Blackaby worded it: A leader can “influence”, but Christians can “determine” the fate of the nation. It’s more grass roots. It’s deeper and more personal. It’s revival and discipleship. Christians are we determined to make this nation great again? If so, are we depending on those we elect or are we rolling up our sleeves and doing what we can? Once again, I believe in our system, and I think it has it’s place. But, the fate of our nation rest on us.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. These three are what we refer to as the “patriarchs of the faith”. God established His Holy nation of Israel through them. The foundations of the lineage of Jesus are traced back here as well. Jacob was the last of the three patriarchs. From him the twelve tribes of Israel are established.
The name Jacob means “deceiver”. Can you imagine naming your child that? In Biblical times names held great weight. A name was not just a name. A name was a revealer of character, of destiny, of prophecy. Jacob lived up to his name. For years Jacob was a deceiver. He tricked and bargained his way into every success he had. And it worked! Jacob manipulated his way into receiving the birthright and blessing from his father. This was more than just an inheritance, it was a promise of spiritual anointing. Jacob through his trickery received the mantle of the patriarchs. Jacob had run scams his whole life, and it helped him succeed.
But, this is where the story turns. God has allowed Jacob to receive the blessing. Jacob is now carrying the future of God’s people. Jacob is now firmly seated in the lineage of Jesus. But there’s a major problem. Jacob’s character did not line up with God’s standard.
Here’s a truth: Even when God gives a promise, character needs to handle it. God is not satisfied until we are ready for what He has prepared. The pathway to character development is brokenness. It’s not fun, it’s not easy. It’s painful and it often brings out the worst in us. But, brokenness is essential. Character matters! The character needs to match the assignment.
Here’s Jacob in need of some major correction. In Genesis 32 Jacob is running from his brother Esau. He had cheated Esau out of the birthright and blessing that should have been Esau’s because he was the oldest. Now, Jacob is fearful and is on the run. During his fleeing a truly life altering event happens. Jacob is left alone, and he wrestles with a “man” all night long. Later in the passage, it is revealed that this is no ordinary man. The Bible states in Genesis 32:28 that Jacob had wrestled with God himself. My guess is that at first Jacob may have thought this was Esau or one of his men that had finally caught up with Jacob. But, after several hours or wrestling it became apparent that this was no ordinary “man”.
A side note: Do we stand a chance in a wrestling match against God Himself? “In this corner, weighing in at 175 pounds (I wish) with an arm reach of 70 inches, and in this corner, the Creator of the Universe that has no weight, His reach is unlimited.” Yeah, not a fair fight right? But Jacob wrestles all night. What we need to understand is the fight extended because God was working. Jacob needed the struggle.
During the night of fighting, at some point the “man” touches Jacob’s hip socket and dislocates it. I’ve never broken a hip, but I’ve heard stories. I’m sure the pain was overwhelming. But, Jacob held on, he kept wrestling. When God is ready to shape a character, it can hurt for a while. It might even hurt a lot for a while. The old saying “no pain, no gain” is just as applicable in the spiritual realm. But, despite the pain, Jacob holds on. When the sun is coming up, the “man” was ready to end the night of fighting. But Jacob declares, “I will not let you go unless you bless me”. Yes! Jacob has made it to his point of revival. During the night Jacob had a realization that this was much bigger than a wrestling match. Jacob was fighting for his life, his future, his destiny. And, he knew he needed blessing.
For the first time, trickery wasn’t going to work, submission was. Jacob couldn’t manipulate his way out of this one. At this point, the “man” asks Jacob his name. They both knew his name, but it brought out a moment of confession. A concept I see here: We have to confess the past in order to step into the future blessing. After Jacob says “Jacob” (which once again means “deceiver”). After Jacob confesses, “I’m a deceiver, I have been all my life” … Then, the “man” says, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel”. The name Israel means, “One who struggles with God”. Jacob then asks the “man”, what is your name? The man simply says, “Why do you ask my name?”. Then he blessed Jacob (now Israel), and he disappeared.
On this night a major correction occurred. The deceiver transitioned to the receiver.
In life we don’t like pain. Pain hurts. To be clear, not all pain is from God. There are painful moments in life that are orchestrated by evil. There are painful moments in life that are simply the degradation of society and the yearning for the perfection of Heaven. But, it many instances, pain is coming from Heaven. God is allowing, and even causing pain for a greater purpose. I know that last sentence ruffles some theological feathers, but I believe it to be completely true. God allows and even causes pain for a greater purpose. When we face difficult days and obstacles I think we need to consider what is going on in the spiritual realm. God will often use things in the natural world to do supernatural things. The situation may seem “human”, but it’s actually “divine”. God can and does work through earthly circumstances. Here is the great news when pain comes: it means it is not too late. If God is allowing pain, He’s still working and refining. Think about surgery. If a doctor says, “no need to operate”, it means no hope is left. Surgery isn’t fun or easy, but it provides a way of recovery. God is a great surgeon. If he’s “operating” it means He is still working!
We don’t change our first names any longer, but we certainly can change our reputation. What is it that you have been known for? What trait is it that has defined who you are and how you operate? God is in the name changing and character correcting business. He took one of the “greats” in the Bible from a deceiver to a receiver. He can do that with each of us as well. Our job is to hold on until we have received that blessing. We hold on until all of the fight has left us. We hold on until we get to that point of submission. One last thought to ponder: Jacob’s most painful point was just before the breakthrough. Just before the blessing, he had the dislocated hip. Are you in a painful season now? Hold on! God has not forgotten you, God has not left you. Actually, God might just be about to bless you. The promise awaits!
This story is a synopsis of my life. Short blog post today. My life, my story, much like many of yours is messy. But, it’s full of hope and victory. Be blessed.
“It always startles me that the disciples never said to Jesus, “Lord, teach us to preach.” They heard the greatest sermon ever preached by the greatest man that ever lived, the Sermon on the Mount, and yet not one of them ever said, “Lord, teach me to preach.” They never said, “Lord, teach us to do miracles.” They did say, “Lord, teach us to pray.” And I’ll tell you, if there’s any prayer that needs to be prayed in the church of God today, as far as I’m concerned, it is, “Lord, teach us to pray.” – Leonard Ravenhill
Prayer is likely the most agreed upon spiritual discipline. You will not meet a believer anywhere that doesn’t believe in prayer. It crosses denominational lines. Everyone knows of prayer’s importance. But, do we REALLY believe in prayer? Before I’m considered a heretic, I think it’s a valid question. Do we really truly believe that we have a seat at the Holy of Holies and that the Creator of the Universe is listening to us and talking to us? Once again, I believe most Christians intellectually answer the question with an emphatic “yes”.
But here’s the million dollar question: Why don’t we do more of it? I mean, if we honestly believe in prayer, shouldn’t that be our ultimate pursuit. It was for Jesus! As Ravenhill stated in the quote, this was also the desire of the disciples. They could have asked for help in the miracles, healings, or preaching. But, no, they wanted to learn how to pray. “Lord, teach us to pray”. That was their desire.
I believe there are a multitude of reasons that we don’t pray more. If you’re still reading this blog, hang with me. This is not meant to be a feel guilty session. Not at all! Take this as an encouragement to seek the deeper things of the faith. Prayer is the secret, it’s the life-giving ingredient in the Christian life.
So, what are some of those oppositions to prayer?
Spiritual Warfare – Yes, it’s real. Yes, there are forces that we cannot see. Just as real as the device in your hand now, or the computer you are staring at, is the spiritual realm surrounding you. When you “get serious” about wanting to pray, you better believe there will be opposition. Have you ever sat down to pray or study your Bible, and then suddenly every single thing on your to-do list from the last decade comes back to you? It’s happened to me. Ever had a moment to yourself, then suddenly the phone rings? It’s happened to me. Yes, Spiritual Warfare is real. Here’s the answer: Pray anyway.
“It’s Boring” – no Christian is going to say this out loud. It sounds like heresy. But, we all know it’s been thought. The truth is, the sentiment has some merit. Why? Because some of our praying has been boring. Anyone reading this old enough to remember the old-school prayer meetings? The intention was good, but man, that was a long hour of listening to everyone’s ailments and then naming them out loud one by one. Oh, we mentioned some missionaries as well, but that was about it. To overcome “boring”, I think we need to be reminded of what prayer actually is. It’s not just a list of things we need done (though that’s not wrong to pray). But, it’s more. It’s having a seat at the table with God Himself. Prayer isn’t just petitions, prayer is relationship. It’s not just talking, it’s also listening.
Lack of Belief. This one needs to be said, because it’s unfortunately the case. Despite being talked about and promoted, at the deepest part of many Christians, there is a lack of belief in prayer. Once again, no Christian would admit this, but if we truly believed, wouldn’t we be doing more of it?
Busy Schedules. I get it, you get it. Life is busy. Deadlines, expectations, and unexpected crisis are a part of life. Could it be that distraction is still one of Satan’s greatest and most-used ploys? I believe so. A distracted Christian is a non-effective Christian. Ouch, that was strong! Our power, our effectiveness comes from our prayer life. The fruit we bear has a direct correlation to the amount of prayer we have.
Last Resort. Much like lack of belief is the thought of “well if all else fails, let’s pray”. NO! Pray first, pray last. Pray!
Prayer is without a doubt the most talked about discipline in Christianity, but in my opinion, likely the least practiced. Prayer is also I believe the single most important of all the spiritual disciplines. I know there may be some push back on that statement. I mean Bible reading is important as well right? Well yes, I won’t disagree. But, how deep is our understanding of the Word of God without prayer? Didn’t the Bible instruct us to ASK the Holy Spirit it to teach us? Once again, not picking a fight here, Bible Study is important, but so is prayer.
As a long time Christian, a long time church-goer, and someone that’s been in the ministry for 34 years now (geez I’m old) … I believe I still need to learn more about prayer. “Lord, teach me to pray”. I hope that is your heart cry as well. I want to end this blog post for those of you still reading with a statement that might ruffle a few feathers. It’s not meant to be controversial, but it is meant to be challenging. I really believe we have given way too much lip-service to prayer, and not enough actual prayer. We’ve modeled that in every area of Christianity. Prayer time in the home is relegated to a quickie before meals. For the super spiritual, there’s the night time prayers. But still, is that enough? In our services, we pray, but it’s in many cases the opening hello, and the closing good-bye. Can I remind us all that Jesus himself that my church is to be a “house of prayer”. He didn’t say cool music, deep preaching, fellowship, or anything else. Jesus said a “house of prayer”. Don’t worry, I’m not saying singing and preaching are bad. The Bible calls for that as well. But, shouldn’t prayer be given more than just at the maximum 5 minutes per service?
Here’s my line in the sand. By the way, many of these blog posts I’ve posted were written months ago, and scheduled for posting. Not this one. I’m typing this late on a Sunday night, and it’s posting on Monday morning. This is truly where I’m at in my walk right now. Going forward, my life and my ministry will be prayer centered and prayer focused. If God gives me another church position, it will be with prayer at the core. Staff meetings will be a lot of praying, and yes, still some planning. Services, will be preaching and singing, but a lot more praying. No matter what, my life is going to be a great deal more praying.
As the days get darker, and the times seem heavy, I encourage you to take this challenge as well. Call out to God with me, “Lord, teach us to pray”!
