Day 1: The Original 50 Days of Pray revisited

Originally Written Feb 13^th 2015
I started writing these in response to the release of 50 Shades, I felt at the time that I was hearing too many “Christians” getting excited about watching this type of movie. Since then many movies have come out and are still coming out that are making me shake my head as to why “Christians” are supporting them. We all in the end make an account with God, I for one want to do my best to avoid things that are evil, especially when I can easily distinguish.

DAY ONE

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things. Philippians 4:8

With the release today of a movie that has created such controversy I ask that today we pray that God will guide His Children heart to things that are true, noble, lovely and admirable. That those among us who think that watching a movie or reading a book of this nature is okay for a child of Christ, would be shown the error in their thinking and take some time reading the Bible and praying. Today as a society we are lacking parents and role models who will stand up and lead an example of right from wrong. If we as Christian’s can’t stand up and are torn on something as simple as sexual sin, then things need to change. Jesus said even if we think about having sex with another it is the same as committing that very sin. So would not reading erotica or watching movies glorifying sex cause us to fantasise about it as well?

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray that we as the family of Christ will stand up. I ask that we will be vocal in right from wrong. That when others we know who start talking about the new movie they watched this weekend that we will be strong enough to share why we would never watch something like that. Jesus help us to be a light in this dark world. Amen.
 

Day 46: 50 Days of Change

““And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek him, you will find him. But if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.”‭‭1 Chronicles‬ ‭28:9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I have been listening to Andy Stanley’s series ‘Who Needs God’ on yourmove.is, in the last segment of the series he makes the quote ‘when we realize that our unbelief in God isn’t in his existence but our resistance.’ (Paraphrased) So many unbelievers and those who claim that there just isn’t a God, are living a life of unfufilment. We have a ingrained thought that there is more to life then just eating, sleeping and existing there has to be something more.

Our moral compass that we follow surely leads us to do the right things, but sin corrupts and causes us to go in directions we had never believed we would ever go as children. A child one would hope would never grow up with a life goal of murdering and raping people. These actions are the results of sin and sinful acts done towards that child or sinful opportunities the child has participated in. Sin then evolves and the moral compass is lost under mounds of sin. 

Those who cross the line into atheism have taken the  time to forsake the one who has created them by imagining that he doesn’t exist. Just like Christian tend to use the gap theory as an answer to questions that can’t be answered  ‘ it’s a God thing ‘ atheists tend to do the same using natural selection to fill in their gaps ‘it’s a natural selection thing’. To forsake the truth and make excuses to justify makes it harder to reconcile with God as their hearts are hardened, they are not completely lost, but much pray and humility is required to reach them with the love of Christ. They need to first reject the theory that there is no God and start to seek him.

Those who seek him will find him. This promise is used many times in the word of God. Why? Because it is truth, God doesn’t play games, this isn’t hide and seek . He promises if you seek he will reveal himself through Jesus. The Holy Spirit is working in those who are seeking putting them in the right place and right time to meet and talk to believers. We must be prepared at all times to share the love of the Father, let us not be asleep when he is calling us to reach someone. I wonder how many opeertunites I have missed due to my pride, fear of humiliation or laziness. 

We need to change our attitude in reaching the lost. The Holy Spirit uses us because we are called to reach the lost, trust he will give us opportunities to share Gods love daily. Are you ready to be used to reach the lost? 

Father, forgive me for missed opertunities. I pray that you will open my eyes to moment where I can reach those around me. I do not want to be the reason someone isn’t following you,  use me. Holy Spirit provide me wisdom and words to speak when talking to those around me, open the hearts so you can speak through me. Father you love this world and all the people in in, I should love them too so I pray you will put this love in my heart. They matter to you so they matter to me. Amen

Day 23: 50 Days if Change

““You have heard the law that says, ‘A man can divorce his wife by merely giving her a written notice of divorce.’ But I say that a man who divorces his wife, unless she has been unfaithful, causes her to commit adultery. And anyone who marries a divorced woman also commits adultery.”‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:31-32‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Christianity today has accepted the societies and views on marriage. Marriage has become something that is disposable and divorce needs really no other excuse then I just don’t love them anymore. The church has accepted this. We have failed in this area as we neglect to see the problems as they are happening. Anyone living outside of a relationship with God has no reason to believe otherwise about divorce, but one who has a personal relationship with Jesus should know that the bond they have with their spouse is more then just physical, it is spiritual, mental. It connects them on an unseen level where they are one.

Our failure as a church stems from our lack of discipleship with other believers. Sometimes it isn’t for the lack of trying. We try to connect with bible studies, but we make ourselves to busy to attend. Why do I need to go to that group? I don have time for that. Our priorities are sometimes self centered and  we don’t realize that small groups and discipleship works for all involved. It is there to build up not just the disciples but the leader as well.  Here groups help build accountability and openness to expose problems in our lives and marriages, things we can see and work to correct before the extreme requirement of divorce is even considered. 

Marriage is hard. If you think marriage is easy then your doing it wrong. Taking our spouse for granted, expecting that everything is okay is the road to disaster. You need to engage your spouse, talking with then, asking them how they feel, what they need and want. Sex is a vital part of marriage, it connects you on a level that no one else should have ever done before, or in a perfect world never should again. It is the bond that seals your marriage. His gift of sex was not meant to be used as a weapon or tool. That comes out on special occasions or when needed to get something. It is a desire and longing that should be regular in the marriage. Those outside the church should be envious of your love life with your spouse, as you use it as a way to connect and not a weapon or tool.

I am not writiting this as judging those who may be divorced. My hope is for those reading this whose marriage seem to be rocky, or maybe in the very beginning of divorce. Fight for your marriage, if you are a Christian couple considering divorce I pray that you bring your situation to Jesus. Find some help, your pastor, counselling, accountability partners. If any of those folks recommend divorce, drop me like their hot and find someone else who is willing to show you ways to fight for your marriage. You don’t need that negativity in your life. This does not apply nessecerally if your spouse is making in unsafe to be with, please tell someone and get the help you need.

Fight for your marriage. It is worth it, restoration and forgiveness can be achieved. I have been there. I can attest it can happen.dont do it for the sake of your kids. Do it for the sake of you and your spouse. 

Jesus, you gave us marriage as a gift, we need our spouse. Forgive our society for the ease we have made it to discard our spouses. Forgive us as the church for not being their for the marriages in our churches that have fallen into divorce. We have accept it as the norm, we need to work to help marriages avoid this option. Let our marriages be an example of your love for us. We want to love others how you love them, they matter to you, so the matter to me, Amen.

Day 22: 50 Days of Change

“You say, “I am allowed to do anything” —but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.”‭‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭10:23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

As a father of four children I understand where this verse is going. ‘You never let us have any fun’ is a phrase that I hear on occasion.  I feel the connection because we as a society here have come through a generation where children were give almost absolute freedom to do whatever they wanted. Parents pushed hard to be the ‘cool’ non rule making parent and tried to be the friend. They didn’t want their kids resenting the rules and them like they did towards their parents. Somewhere along the line they got the notion that rules and limits didn’t make for good parenting.

A child will tell you that eating candy for breakfast is what they want to do, but a parent should know that it isn’t good nor beneficial for the child. Letting them watch endless hours of TV and electronic time on the internet are both things that require moderation. It goes the same for us as adults, we have things around us that are ‘allowed’ but it still doesn’t make them good and beneficial. 

Watching pornography is ‘allowed’ but there is no benefits or goodness as it demoralized someone’s daughter. Smoking is ‘allowed’ yet it destroys your body, and those around you. Just because something is allowed doesn’t always make it right, and participating in them doesn’t always make you a ‘bad’ person. It should make you question your motives and why you are participating in these things that harm the body and the mind, do they follow the teachings of Jesus. 

Are the things your doing good for you? Are they harming you physically? Mentally? Spiritually? What are you losing out on from doing them? Do they help you in sharing the love of Jesus with others? If it is something hidden would it cause others to lose respect for you if revealed? If anything has popped into your head as I am doing but maybe I shouldn’t be I pray today that you ask Jesus to help you stop these things. It may not be easy but with the Holy Spirit by your side everything is possible.

Jesus, thank you for revealing so much in your word. Thank you for daily showing us your love and guiding us. Today we pray tha if we are doing things that are not acceptable and are holding us back then show us and free us of these chains. We may truly enjoy these things, replace them with something good and pleasing, remove our desire or addiction for them. Let our lives reflect who you are to the world around us. Just because we can doesn’t mean we should. Help us to see the world the way you do and that the people matter to you, so they should matter to me. Amen