21 Days of Prayer…Day 9

Stingy people aren’t happy people. Think of the Scrooge.

While we typically think of money when we use the word “generous”, we can use that word to express many different kinds of generosity.

Everything we have from our time, to our abilities, to our money is truly a gift from God and can be used to honor Him and bless others. After all, we’ve been blessed to be a blessing!

Here’s a question for you: Are you truly a generous person?

I’m not asking if you’d like to be thought of as generous. ARE YOU GENEROUS??

Prayer Prompt: Father, I want to accurately reflect your generous character in my life. Show me ways I can use the blessings you’ve given me to bless others. Reveal to me how I could be more generous with my time, my abilities and the money you’ve entrusted to me.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.”  (Proverbs 11:24-25 NIV)

21 Days of Prayer…Day 8

We’re a full week into our 21 Days of Prayer. Today I want to remind you of a truth we talk about often at Community.

“If Heaven and Hell are real, the most loving thing you can do is introduce someone to Jesus.”

Here’s how we express it in our E.P.I.C. LIFE commitments. The “P” stands for Practical Love. Real love is going to be sharing the most important Good News with the people God puts in our lives.

Many of you already have a TOP FIVE list of those you’re praying for. Today, don’t limit God to those five. Keep your eyes open for every opportunity!

Prayer Prompt: Father, today I want to be super aware of your presence in my interactions with others. Help me reflect your love and grace. Use me to communicate your heart for every person I encounter. I want them to see Jesus in me!

“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.”  (Colossians 4:5 NIV)

21 Days of Prayer…Day 7

In order to truly be ALL IN, we’ve got to completely SELL OUT!

Remember, if Jesus is not Lord OF ALL, He is not Lord AT ALL.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “cheap grace”? It’s about how we sometimes tell people, “if you don’t want to go to Hell, all you have to do is say this prayer…”

God’s grace cost Jesus His life…and accepting His grace should cost us something. It’s a free gift, but if we’re really going to surrender our life to Him, it will cost us.

Today, consider what needs to be given up, burned, left behind in order for you to fully follow Jesus…for you to be ALL IN.

Prayer prompt: Convict me Father of anything I’m clinging to that takes away from my full devotion to you. What is comfortable for me may not be a sin, but it could be a distraction. Help me see what needs to go, so I can move forward with YOU.

“So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant.”  (1 Kings 19:21 NIV)

21 Days of Prayer…Day 6

I do not want to get to the end of my life and think…I could have shared more, given more, prayed more, loved more…but I was just too caught up in me.

Going from GOOD TO GREAT with Jesus and being ALL IN is about being present in the moment. It’s about hearing God’s voice now. It’s about jumping into action when He says, “NOW!”

Your prayer today is simple, but it’s not for 2 years from now. It’s for today.

Prayer prompt: Father, I don’t want to hold back anything. If there’s a way I can make a difference in someone’s life today, show me. I’m ready for action. Send me!

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’” (Isaiah 6:8 NIV)

21 Days of Prayer…Day 5

Are you hungry? Maybe you’re reading this before your breakfast, and now you can’t focus. I get it, but I’m not talking about food.

Are you hungry is a question of life, purpose, and passion. Are you satisfied? Or, do you want more out of life, out of your relationships, out of your following of Jesus.

Today’s prayer is based on the words from Jesus you’ll see below. If you’re hungry for more, and not satisfied with the status quo, you might just be ready to SELL OUT so you can go ALL IN with Jesus.

Is there something you’re holding on to that keeps you from taking that next step of obedience as you follow Jesus? Is there a sin, a habit, an attitude you’re clinging to?

Prayer Prompt: Ask Jesus to help you let go of anything and everything that’s holding you back from truly being ALL IN.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”  (Luke 9:23 NIV)