This week’s daily Prayer Focus

Sunday: People around the world in need of food, clothing, and shelter Prayer. Verses: Is. 58:7 James 2:14-17

Monday: People who are struggling as a result of the world economic crisis Prayer. Verses: Matt. 10:29

Tuesday: The 660+ churches planted through the One Prayer 2008 mission Prayer. Verses: Eph. 6:18 Col. 1:3-4 (Some people are fasting today)

Wednesday: Protection for those sacrificing their life to work in the mission field Prayer. Verses: Psalm 91:14

Thursday: Persecuted believers Prayer. Verses: Matt. 5:10 John 17:14-19

Friday: Orphaned and abandoned children Prayer. Verses: James 1:27 Matt. 25:37-40

Saturday: Victims of worldwide natural disasters Prayer. Verses: Matt. 25:37-40 Isaiah 58:12

Our  ”One Prayer” series is centered around the theme  ”God is __________.”  I played a video last Sunday of the late Dr. S.M. Lockeridge giving his best shot at describing Jesus.  Lockeridge laid it down. Amazing.

Text is below.  Audio is here.  Edited video is here.

My King was born King. The Bible says He’s a Seven Way King. He’s the King of the Jews – that’s an Ethnic King. He’s the King of Israel – that’s a National King. He’s the King of righteousness. He’s the King of the ages. He’s the King of Heaven. He’s the King of glory. He’s the King of kings and He is the Lord of lords. Now that’s my King.

Well, I wonder if you know Him. Do you know Him? Don’t try to mislead me. Do you know my King? David said the Heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows His handiwork. My King is the only one of whom there are no means of measure that can define His limitless love. No far seeing telescope can bring into visibility the coastline of the shore of His supplies. No barriers can hinder Him from pouring out His blessing.

He’s enduringly strong. He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast. He’s immortally graceful. He’s imperially powerful. He’s impartially merciful. That’s my King. He’s God’s Son. He’s the sinner’s saviour. He’s the centerpiece of civilization. He stands alone in Himself. He’s honest. He’s unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented. He’s supreme. He’s pre-eminent. He’s the grandest idea in literature. He’s the highest personality in philosophy. He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism. He’s the fundamental doctrine of historic theology. He’s the carnal necessity of spiritual religion. That’s my King.

He’s the miracle of the age. He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him. He’s the only one able to supply all our needs simultaneously. He supplies strength for the weak. He’s available for the tempted and the tried. He sympathizes and He saves. He’s the Almighty God who guides and keeps all his people. He heals the sick. He cleanses the lepers. He forgives sinners. He discharged debtors. He delivers the captives. He defends the feeble. He blesses the young. He serves the unfortunate. He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent and He beautifies the meek. That’s my King.

Do you know Him? Well, my King is a King of knowledge. He’s the wellspring of wisdom. He’s the doorway of deliverance. He’s the pathway of peace. He’s the roadway of righteousness. He’s the highway of holiness. He’s the gateway of glory. He’s the master of the mighty. He’s the captain of the conquerors. He’s the head of the heroes. He’s the leader of the legislatures. He’s the overseer of the overcomers. He’s the governor of governors. He’s the prince of princes. He’s the King of kings and He’s the Lord of lords. That’s my King.

His office is manifold. His promise is sure. His light is matchless. His goodness is limitless. His mercy is everlasting. His love never changes. His Word is enough. His grace is sufficient. His reign is righteous. His yoke is easy and His burden is light. I wish I could describe Him to you . . . but He’s indescribable. That’s my King. He’s incomprehensible, He’s invincible, and He is irresistible.

I’m coming to tell you this, that the heavens of heavens can’t contain Him, let alone some man explain Him. You can’t get Him out of your mind. You can’t get Him off of your hands. You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him. The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found out they couldn’t stop Him. Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him. The witnesses couldn’t get their testimonies to agree about Him. Herod couldn’t kill Him. Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold Him. That’s my King.

He always has been and He always will be. I’m talking about the fact that He had no predecessor and He’ll have no successor. There’s nobody before Him and there’ll be nobody after Him. You can’t impeach Him and He’s not going to resign. That’s my King! That’s my King!

Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory. Well, all the power belongs to my King. We’re around here talking about black power and white power and green power, but in the end all that matters is God’s power. Thine is the power. Yeah. And the glory. We try to get prestige and honor and glory for ourselves, but the glory is all His. Yes. Thine is the Kingdom and the power and glory, forever and ever and ever and ever. How long is that? Forever and ever and ever and ever. . . And when you get through with all of the ever’s, then . . .Amen!

“ God is ___________.”  What would you say?

On Sunday, we began our “One Prayer” series where we are completing the sentance “God is ___________.”  It’s difficult narrowing the focus on a topic so encompasing as explaining God, as if we could ever do Him justice.  Nonetheless, here’s the poster I showed this sunday that used to sit above my bed when I was 10 with many of the great names of God/Jesus.  So dated!  Still pretty cool, though.

This week’s daily Prayer Focus

Sunday: The 36 countries represented in One Prayer Prayer. Verses: Matt. 6:10 1 Tim. 2:1-2

Monday: The pastors participating in One Prayer Prayer. Verses: Eph. 1:16-19 Eph. 6:19-20

Tuesday: Other One Prayer churches in your area Prayer. Verses: John 13:34-35 John 17:23 (many people are fasting this day, too)

Wednesday: Opportunities to spread the gospel Prayer. Verses: 2 Cor. 5:18-21 1 Matt. 28:18-20

Thursday: People who don’t know Christ Prayer. Verses: 2 Cor. 4:4 Mark 2:17

Friday: Increasing boldness in our faith Prayer. Verses: Acts 4:30

Saturday: Leaders who are planting and launching churches Prayer. Verses: Matt. 9:36-37 Acts 4:30-31

New series coming up this week.  (Taking a break from the Beatitudes in Matthew Chapter 5.)

One Prayer is an opportunity to see what can be accomplished when the Church works together.  For the next four weeks, churches from around the world (literally, about 1800 of them = over one million people) will be invovled in One Prayer, praying together,  learning together and worshipping “together.”

Each of the next four weeks, our worship experiences will be based on the theme  “God is __________.”  This sunday, I’ll take my first crack at it.  The neat thing is that you won’t just be hearing from me.  Gifted communicators from around the states will join us (thank God for technology) and will complete that sentance, “God is __________”

Churches from around the world won’t just be hearing similarly themed messages describing who God is, during One Prayer, hundreds of thousands of believers will come before God as one.  Joined in focus and purpose, we’ll pray together daily together. This is where this blog will play a key role.  On Sunday afternoon, a prayer guide will be posted right here as a guide for your week.  Imagine hearts and minds unified around the globe!

Just curious, how would you fill in the blank: “God is _______” ?

Looking forward to the next few weeks!

Jesus is the ultimate killer app.

Last Sunday, I concluded a few weeks talking about KingsWays vision: Worship. Grow. Send.  Since I can’t find all that I want or need to say in a few minutes on Sunday morning, here’s a few more thoughts (some based on comments I heart later in the day/week) about being “sent” people for the Kingdom of God.

 Being “sent” is not an organized church activity.  It can be, but most often, it is not.  People live out their “sentness” in their daily lives- in their 40 hour a week jobs, their lunch hours, their recreational time at night (or whatever you do).    Certainly having programmed “send” events are important, especially for those who want at a plug and play experience where you just show up and “go,” but ultimately, when people live missional lives is when the gospel is best spread.

 “Being “sent” is not synonymous with front line, in the trenches, sharing your faith evangelism.  Again, it can be, but it most often, it is not.  I would lump most kingdom building activities under the category of being sent people.  See list below.

 Feedback:

I got some feedback from people saying:

 “I don’t feel “sent” when I sit in a meeting and make decisions and plans for KW.” 

 Or

“I’m on the worship team (or children’s team) and the practice and execution of that ministry takes a lot of time.  How can I still have time to be “sent”?”

 I would respond: You are living out the paradigm behind being sent.  When our priorities are the Kingdom of God and your time, energy and resources go to the kingdom, you are living out a sense of “sentness.”  Paul says in 1 Corinthians that we are the body of Christ… some do this, some do that… but it all builds up the body.  Some Paul was writing to those who thought some roles were more important than others, but each role allowed the body to do the thing it was designed to do.

 So what does being “sent mean?”

Some concrete examples: (Notice that some are roles inside the church and some are external)

• Food drive (coming soon)
• Showing up early to set up 
• Staying late to tear down
• Teaching Sunday school (and learning the motions to those songs)
• Singing on the worship team
• Servant Evangelism activities (bottled water handout, fun game for children at community party, coming soon).
• Watching the little ones in the nursery
• Praying for your server at the restaurant
• Being on the council
• Going to the Gulf Coast to help rebuild homes (Appalachia next summer?)
• Intentional/random conversations of faith with co-workers
• Leading a Bible study at work
• Inviting someone to church
• Inviting your neighbor over to grill something (or fry something!)
• Leaving a KW business card at a restaurant and leaving a big tip. (Don’t leave card without big tip)

 There are too many to name…  The point is that being “sent” happens at home, at work, at church, or anytime you endeavor to contribute something for the Kingdom of God! 

 So, what do you think?