Focus 40: part 3

Today marks the midway point in our 40 day journey. Easter is in 20 days! I've been so encouraged by the unfolding of God's plan before us as we've continued to bring repeated prayer before Him. There is something to being persistent in prayer. I think Jesus said something about that. In fact, just check it out for yourself. (see Luke 18:1-8, emphasis on the first verse)

#3 - Church Health & Growth
Church leaders are so used to hearing these words and would give their right arm to see their ministries grow & be healthy. In fact, leaders are so desperate they tend to cycle through dozens of books and attend numerous conferences and seminars on this very topic. We look at what others are doing and think if we just did it that way, we too can be "successful." As I've personally been praying for health & growth at the Waters Edge Church, I keep coming back to a statement Jesus himself made. He said, "I will build my church." And another one. "Follow me."

I think he meant what he said. Call me simple.

I also don't think those two statements can be divorced in the hearts of those he has chosen to lead his people. What I mean is, we can become so obsessed with "building the church" ourselves (and our egos), we forget it's his work. Then we say "Follow me." And fail to point people to the beauty and glory of Christ as revealed in the gospel.

Focus 40: part 2

Today is day 6 of 40. We're closing out this first week and my heart beams as my mind replays the scene at the conclusion of our service yesterday morning. The picture of so many coming forward, linking arms, and acknowledging the need to seek reconciliation in our relationships and unity in our mission. We have to if we want to be legitimate. It's not optional. Not in the kingdom.

#2 - A Spirit of Revival/Renewal 
As we look to the second item on our "Top Ten" prayer priorities, we next cry out for a "spirit of revival/renewal." The plea for revival is an acknowledgment that while our hearts have been made alive, occasionally we need to be resuscitated. So we pray along with the psalmist, "Restore us, O God of our salvation . . . will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?" (Psalm 85:4,6). My specific prayer is that God would renew your passion over this 40 day period, that Christ would be the supreme object of all your affections, and that our joy would be made complete in him.


The next obstacle in our way is bigger than the last. It's the largest we will encounter and one with whom we will continually do battle. Namely, our pride. Revival only truly comes to the broken hearted, the lowly. There is only One who is deserving to be "high and lifted up" . . .


For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite" (Isaiah 57:15). 

Focus 40: part 1

Today marks the beginning of "Focus 40" for the Waters Edge Church and many other churches across the globe. Over the next 40 days leading up to Easter, we are challenging one another to really lean in with a laser-like focus on our pursuit of the will of Jesus Christ for us as a church and as individuals. We have small groups meeting in homes to pray and encourage one another, resources available on fasting, prayer guides, and a 40 day devotional booklet. The elders have produced a "Top Ten" Prayer Priority list specifically for WEC. This post is the first of ten that will highlight those prayer needs. The list doesn't appear in any specific order, but is simply a compilation of what we want to bring into Focus for our church.

#1 -Reconciliation & Unity in the Body
Even good people with good intentions offend others. We sometimes cause heartache even to those we love most. It's what sinful human beings do. Forgiven human-beings, however, recognize the importance of reconciliation and the power of forgiveness. The bible instructs us, "If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all" (Romans 12:18, ESV). This requires us to be ambassadors of reconciliation and agents of grace.

As we pray for reconciliation & unity in the Body, specifically at WEC, we have to humble ourselves and look inward. We have to ask God to search our innermost being and bring to surface any bitterness or unforgiveness in our hearts toward others. Some of it may have been lying dormant for years, slowly gnawing away at our ability to truly love. Some of us may need to ask for forgiveness. Some may need to extend open arms and forgive others. Regardless....it matters. Here's why.

"if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses" (Matthew 6:15, ESV).

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, 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" (John 17:20-21, ESV).