What is one way we can bless our children as they go back to school this week? This week marks the beginning of another school year for most of our children.  Consequently, the school year fills many of us with a hint of anxiety. We desire our children to make good and godly choices. So, parents, join me in covering our children with powerful prayers in several areas this school year.

We have done all we can to prepare our children for making wise decisions, but we still worry about them, right? Will they be safe? Apply themselves? Resist temptations? Develop positive friendships? When we find ourselves in the throes of worry and concern, then it is time to leave our children in God’s hands. God knows the plans he has for our children, and He knows what is best for them. So, let’s spend time, this school year, praying for our children in several areas.

The Father Knows Our Children

Trust that God knows our children better than we know our children and that he can do more with them than we ever could. Therefore, praying the following Scripture can bless you and your child. Where David uses the personal pronoun, insert your child’s name.

You made all the delicate, inner parts of (insert your child’s/children’s name) body and knit (insert your child’s/children’s name) together in the womb. Thank you for making (insert your child’s/children’s name) so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched (insert your child’s/children’s name) as (he/she) was being formed in utter seclusion, as (he/she) was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw (insert your child’s/children’s name) before (he/she) was born. Every day of (insert your child’s/children’s name) life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about (insert your child’s/children’s name), O God! They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand. And when (insert your child’s/children’s name) wake (s) up, you are still with (him/her)! Psalm 139: 13-18

Ask God to Bless Our Children’s Social Life

Having a social life is one of the best parts about school. With social interactions come all kinds of temptations. The evil one will tempt our children to use drugs, have sex, verbally and physically bully others, and to spend more time on social media than their academics. Praying the following verses over our children can bless us and our children.

If  (insert your child’s/children’s name) think he/she is standing strong, help him/her be careful not to fall. ¹³ The temptations in (insert your child’s/children’s name) life are no different from what others experience. And God, you are faithful. You will not allow the temptation to be more than (insert your child’s/children’s name) can stand. When (insert your child’s/children’s name) is tempted, please show (insert your child’s/children’s name) a way out so that (he/she) can endure. Lord, thank you for how you will strengthen and deliver (insert your child’s/children’s name). 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

Therefore, it was necessary for, you, Jesus, to be made in every respect like (insert your child’s/children’s name), your brothers and sisters, so that you could be his/her merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then you could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of (insert child’s/children’s name). Since you yourself have gone through suffering and testing, you are able to help (insert your child’s/children’s name) when (he/she) are being tested. Hebrews 2:17-18

Let’s pray that God would bless and strengthen our children to resist all kinds of social temptations this year. God is faithful trustworthy to assist our children in the heat of the most fierce tests and temptations.

Ask God to Bless Their Academic/School Life

The Bible encourages us the love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind. Let’s pray our children will exercise academic diligence this year.

The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. Luke 10:27

Let’s pray that our kids will dedicate their minds to knowing God and trusting him to help them think critically this academic school year. We desire our children to think critically and excel in their classes, for God’s glory. We need godly factory workers, teachers, doctors, lawyers, engineers, scientists, accountants, and government leaders.

Ask God to Bless Their Spiritual Life

We want to see our children discover and live God’s will for their lives. Being living sacrifices for God is the only way to show God how much he is worth to them. So, let’s ask God to bless our children to discover his will and plan for their lives.

And so, God, help (insert your child’s/children’s name here), to give his/her body to you because of all you have done for him/her. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind you will find acceptable. I know this is truly the way for them to worship you. Please help (insert your child’s/children’s name), not to copy the behavior and customs of this world, but may they let you  transform them into a new person by changing the way they think. Then they will learn to know your will for their lives, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:1-2

Our kids can learn the will of God through prayer (Philippians 4:6-9), Bible study (Hebrews 4:12-13), and being in community with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:12-14).

A Prayer to Bless Our Children

Father, we release our children into your hands this academic school year. We ask that you give them the power to resist temptation and make godly choices for you. Help them to love you with their minds and excel academically, for your glory. Finally, help them to pursue you in everything they do this year. They were your children before they were ours. We believe you can do more with our kids than we ever could. So, we gladly and confidently release them in your hands this school year. By the authority of Jesus, we pray. Amen!

What kinds of prayers do you pray over your children at the beginning of and during the school year? 

If you appreciated this post, you might find this one helpful as well:

How to Have Optimism in A Cynical World

The post How We Can Bless Our Children This Year appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Every day, we face the option of deciding which Jesus we prefer. I wish I could tell you I always want the right Jesus, but the truth is sometimes I ask for the wrong one.

While reading the gospel of Matthew, I came across something I hadn’t seen before.

“Now, it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time, they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So, when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, ‘Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?’ ….Which of the two do you want me to release to you? Asked the governor. ‘Barabbas,’ they answered.” (Matthew 27 15-21)

Two Men

This account tells us that there are two men named Jesus – Barabbas and One who is the Messiah. Pilate asked a profound question. A question we face every day: Which Jesus will we choose?  Which one do we prefer? I wish I always desire the One who is called Messiah. Some days, like the crowd, I ask for Barabbas – the other Jesus. Give me Barabbas! Give me Barabbas!

Jesus Barabbas

Give me Barabbas!
Insurrection.
Rebellion.
Murder.
Darkness.
Selfish ambition.
Pride.
Self-promotion.
An undisturbed conscience.
Fellowship among the irreverent.
Give me Barabbas!

Please don’t give me Jesus, who is called the Messiah.
He disturbs my values.

Upsets my world.
He Challenges my lifestyle.
Quakes my equilibrium.
Calls me from comfort to sacrifice.
Pulls me from ease to pain.

Give me Barabbas!
I know he is the wrong one.
He doesn’t expect anything from me.
He wants to develop a subdivision in my soul.
Live there.
Hideout there.

Give me Barabbas!
Jesus, who is the Messiah, is too subversive.
His way is too costly.
His words are too hard.

Give me Barabbas!
Please give me my way, my selfish desires, and freedom from sacrifice.
Leave me to my own devices and vices.
I don’t want to change. But I need to change.
I don’t want Jesus, who is the Messiah. But I need Him.

Choose Jesus, the Messiah

I have spent way too much of my life choosing Barabbas. I am sure this is true of you as well. Today is a new day with a unique opportunity to choose Jesus, the One who is the Messiah. I commit to silencing, refusing and rejecting Barabbas. Today, I choose the One who became Barabbas and broke the grip of Barabbas. I prefer the One who forgives sins and sets people free. Today, I choose Jesus, who is called the Messiah. I invite you to place your trust in him as well.

If you liked this post, you might appreciate this one as well:

The One Time Sleep is Bad 

The post The Day People Preferred The Wrong Jesus appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Every week, millions of people listen to men and women preach sermons – long, short, expositional, topical, content heavy, image rich. In order to experience spiritual transformation, I think we should ask a practical question: How should we listen to a sermon?  Here are eight questions we should ask ourselves before or as we listen to a sermon.

Each week someone prepares and delivers a message to their congregation. The preacher prays that the people hear and apply the message to their lives. Just as the preacher prepares to deliver the sermon, the congregation should be ready to receive and apply the message.

The Foolishness of the Sermon

Pastors preach sermons each week. They prepare messages in hopes of their words about the Word will jump start spiritual transformation in people’s lives. Preachers pore over the text and deliver a message from the Bible so that Christ might be formed in people. By anybody’s standards, this is foolishness. It’s foolish because we are using words to convey and express things that are too deep for words. Because God chose the foolishness of preaching (1 Corinthians 1:21), we should be ready to cooperate with the Spirit as we listen. So, here are eight questions we should ask before and as we listen to a sermon.

• Do I expect God to speak?

When we are preparing to listen to the sermon or message, we should expect God to say something that will intersect with our lives. One of the foundational truths of Christ-followers is that we believe God is a speaking God. He speaks through creation, through the Holy Spirit, in and through the community of faith, and through his word. He has spoken in the past, and he still speaks today. Therefore, do you approach the sermon expecting God to speak to you?

• Have I spent time confessing and repenting of known sin?

Listening to the sermon is ultimately a heart issue.

“ The condition of our hearts determines the depth of our hearing.

The condition of our hearts determines the depth of our hearing. Listening to the sermon requires bringing a whole heart to the moment, not one that is divided.

“ We cannot harbor sin and hide the Word in the same heart. One will eventually evict the other.

Someone has said the Word will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Word.

• Have I asked the Holy Spirit for effective listening?

Just because God speaks doesn’t mean we are ready to listen. We need the Holy Spirit to listen effectively to what God wants to say to us. Spend time praying, asking the Holy Spirit for effectively listening to the Word of God. As we pray for effectively listening, he will show us where we need to silence the distractions that keep us from listening.

• What is my plan to obey what I hear?

When we listen to a message, we should have some response plan. The plan can include some executable moves – focusing on one truth you heard for the next seven days, starting with practical and realistic steps of obedience, having someone hold you accountable for your response plan and journal your thoughts and successes and failures. Refuse to be a passive listener. Plan to hear AND obey.

• Have I prayed for the preacher?

Satan wants to distract you, but he intends to distract the preacher more. If he can distract and attack the preacher, he can cheat and defraud you from the truth that might set you free and give you breakthrough that day. Pray for the preacher’s study time, family time, personal prayer time, physical, emotional and spiritual health and transformation.

• Am I living the truth I already know?

God is willing to speak to us each time we open up the Scriptures. But, we must not become professional sermon listeners. Why would God keep revealing more truth when we are not willing to obey the truth he has already revealed?

• Am I willing to ask questions about what the preacher said?

The preacher’s job is to develop modern day Bereans. Luke, in the Book of Acts, tell us that the Bereans were students of the Word of God. When Paul came to Berea and preached, the Bereans checked to see if what Paul was saying was true. Now, they didn’t have a critical spirit, but a curious one. Therefore, when we listen to the sermon, we should ask a few questions: Is what the preacher is saying true? Is the preacher being faithful to the meaning of the text he or she is preaching? Does it mean what he says it means?

“ Idolizing the preacher prevents Spirit-led objective listening.

Idolizing the preacher prevents Spirit-led objective listening. If the preacher can do no wrong, you will think he or she is always right. Thus, you can easily be led astray.

• With whom will I share what I have heard?

One of the ways the sermon will last in our hearts is if we share what we have learned with one or two other people once the sermon is over. Pray about with whom you will share the sermon. Pray that the Holy Spirit will make them receptive to the truth you share. Then, over coffee, lunch, dinner, in a text, or in a private message, share the truth with them humbly and personally (how this Biblical reality intersected with your life).

So, before you come to the next worship service, spend time engaging these questions. You will view the preaching moment through a new lens and hear with new ears. In the end, I believe you will experience deeper and greater spiritual transformation.

What other questions can we ask or practical things can we do to better prepare ourselves to listen to the sermon? 

So, if you liked this post, then you might enjoy this one as well:

9 Compelling Reasons Why I Preach

The post 8 Questions to Ask Before We Listen To A Sermon appeared first on Marvin Williams.

On Friday night, racism reared its ugly head once again. Eerily reminiscent of the dark days of the KKK, white nationalists and white supremacists wielded tiki torches – attempting to instill fear – as they marched through Charlottesville, Virginia. This was the face of pure evil. But, how should Christ-followers respond?

The Friday evening march and the Alt-Right rally taking place on Saturday came in response to Charlottesville’s decision to move a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee from Emancipation Park to another park. As they marched, white nationalists and white supremacists shouted, “unite the right” and “we will not be replaced,” and called for the South to split from the United States.

Unambiguous Racism

Though the scene was appalling, visible racism is not new to our country. Millions of men and women lost their lives during the Middle Passage, slavery, Jim Crow, and fighting for Civil Rights in America. So, violence arising from racial tension is nothing new in our country. But, back then, people hid their racism under hoods and under cover of night. Now, it is bold and no longer hidden from public view. It is no longer hidden, partly because of the rhetoric emanating from the 2016 Presidential campaign.

David Duke, the former KKK grand wizard, was unambiguous about what Saturday’s alt-right and neo-Nazi rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, meant to him:

It’s the fulfillment of President Trump’s vision for America. We are determined to take our country back. This is a “turning point.” We are going to fulfill the promises of Donald Trump. That’s what we believed in. That’s why we voted for Donald Trump, because he said he’s going to take our country back.”

Ed Stetzer, Executive Director of the Billy Graham Center and publishes church leadership resources, was right when he said:

We must be willing to acknowledge that they (Alt-Right) have been emboldened by the rise of Donald Trump and the values and rhetoric surrounding his 2016 Presidential campaign. Although the President seems to teeter-totter between silence and condemnation, the table has been set. The truth is, it is clear that many in the alt-right movement feel as though a door has been opened for their supremacist worldview, and that “Make America Great Again” was about their warped definition of a great nation. 

Yes.  Emboldened racial tension and hatred may stem from the rhetoric of the 2016 Presidential campaign, but the Bible says that it comes from a deeper place.

Hatred Comes from a Corrupt Nature

When we see the face of evil as we did on Friday and Saturday, we need to look no further than in our hearts. Our evil nature manifests evil actions (Romans 1:28-31; Galatians 5:19-20). We are not good people who occasionally do bad things; we are fundamentally flawed people who occasionally do good things. If left unregenerated and unchecked, hatred and cruelty will become intense hatred and cruelty. Therefore, people who have this kind of hatred and cruelty lie in wait, stir up conflict, assault, and kill – sometimes for no sensible or logical reason (Psalm 38:19).

Racism is Sin and Irrational

“ Racism is irrational and illogical.

How Christians Should Respond

How should Christ-followers respond to what happened in Charlottesville on Friday and Saturday? Here are a few ways we can respond.

• Cry out to God

Our first response to racial evil and violence is turning to and crying out to God. As I attempted to recover from the disturbing scenes from Friday night, I recognized that this burden is heavier than any of us can carry. The racial evil in our world sickens me, troubles me, saddens me, and makes me feel helpless. It causes me to cry out to God like Habakkuk:

How long, O Lord, must I call for help? But you do not listen! “Violence is everywhere!” I cry, but you do not come to save. Must I forever see these evil deeds? Why must I watch all this misery? Wherever I look, I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people who love to argue and fight. The law has become paralyzed, and there is no justice in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, so that justice has become perverted. Habakkuk 1:2-4

Our first response should be to fall on our face before a holy, righteous, and all-powerful God – individually and collectively. Only God can bring healing to our broken world.

• Love people who are filled with hatred

We overcome hatred with love – God’s love. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus tells his followers to respond toward people filled with hate in four ways. He told his followers to love them – fight for the highest good of the individuals who do evil. Next, he tells his followers to do good to them – care and provide for them like we would our family. Third, he tells his followers to bless them – to speak well of them (find some positive to say about them). Finally, Jesus tells his followers to pray for them – ask God to intervene in their lives. The ultimate test of how close we are following Jesus is treating hatemongers like Jesus would treat them.

“ We silence the voice of racial hatred with the louder voice of redemptive love.

We silence the voice of racial hatred with the louder voice of redemptive love. Our love must be more robust than their hate.

• Hate the evil of racism

The Bible says that God hates (strongly dislikes) evil and wickedness (Psalm 5:4; Proverbs 6:16-19), of which white supremacy is one manifestation of this wickedness. For anyone who consistently practices evil actions that cause friction in the community of humanity, including racism, God renders an explicit moral judgment against them. Because God has an intense dislike for these evils, we should imitate God and hate sin and wickedness (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Romans 12:9). Rather than winking at evil or ignoring it around us, we should ask God for the capacity to hate the things he hates. The more we hate sin, the more we want His kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

• Renounce and denounce racism.

We should publicly denounce all racism and white supremacy in our country. All people, especially Christ-followers, should speak out openly against and repudiate white nationalism and supremacy. Any claim that one group is superior to another is racism, pure and simple. It diametrically opposes the gospel of Jesus. Moreover, it denies human dignity and freedom in this country for which many died.

“ White supremacy is wrong. It is a sin. And, we must stand against it and not be silent about it.

Pastors – white and black – this is not a time for silence. The gospel demands that we vehemently reject white nationalism and white supremacy. For, “God sent his son – a brown Middle Eastern man – to save the whole world, including sinners of every race and ethnicity (John 3:16).” Biblical Christianity overcomes social, ethnic, and gender barriers. ” Any supremacy – racial, gender, ethnic – is spiritual bondage, and we need Jesus, the ultimate deliverer, to set us free (Galatians 3:26, 28).

Hating and renouncing violence in our world begins with hating and rejecting violence in our hearts.

“ Hating and renouncing violence in our world starts with hating and rejecting violence in our hearts.

It repudiates racism no matter where we find it. There is no place for white nationalism, white supremacy, and Neo-Nazis in America.

• Do more than cry and talk.

We cannot sit back and do nothing. We are responsible for confronting white supremacy when and where we see it. Our job is to:

Uproot the stubborn weeds of anger and fear.
Break the yoke of superiority and inferiority.
Smash the yoke of false assumptions.
Pulverize the yoke of incorrectly assumed hostility.
Demolish the yoke of misunderstood motives.
Dismantle the yoke of prejudicial judgment.

• Love One Another

We must love one another. Our God, who is love (1 John 4:8), calls us to love each other, grieve, and stand with each other. Let’s not wait for more suffering to occur. Let’s come together now. The world will know that we belong to Jesus because we fight for the highest good for one another. Thus, our love for one another will heal the festering wounds in our world.

We are facing a turning point in the history of our country. Will we rise and speak and live the gospel’s truth, or will we remain silent and be as guilty as the white supremacists who are spewing their hateful rhetoric and inciting racial violence? So, I believe how we respond in the coming days will define us as the Church of Jesus and the human community. I pray we will choose the former instead of the latter. 

What are some other ways Christians should respond to the racism in Charlottesville? 

See other relevant posts:

Four Biblical Reasons Why Racism is Irrational

The post Racism Shows Up in Charlottesville appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Each week, before I walk on the platform at Trinity Church, I ask myself a simple but profound question: Why do I preach? Here are at least nine reasons why I keep preaching.

Preaching is hard. Studying the text, finding the big idea, crafting a rational and relevant outline, preparing my heart in prayer, dealing with distractions – my own and things that distract people in the congregation – delivering the message in an interesting manner, and facing the let down, criticisms, complaints, and lack of transformation after messages, are enough to make me ask: “Why in the world do I put myself through this every week?

Why do I prepare a 35-40 minute talk, when I know three-fourths of what I say will fall on bad soil (Matthew 13:18-23). Though preaching can be discouraging at times, I am committed to this blessed burden and sacred trust. Here are a few compelling reasons why I keep preaching the unchanging and powerful word of God.

I preach because God called me to preach.

I preach the Scriptures because God called me to this ministry. At sixteen years old, through prayer, a series of spiritual indicators and markers, and some level of effectiveness and fruitfulness from teaching Sunday school and in other venues, I knew God had set me apart to preach his Word. He overcame my reluctance, helped my weaknesses, authorized my message and confirmed the truth of what I would declare. So, preaching comes from a place of God’s calling on my life. This calling is tested by confirmation from the Holy Spirit, community, and effectiveness. Jeremiah 1:4-5; Luke 4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-2.

I preach because Jesus came to preach.

I preach because preaching was a significant part of Jesus’ ministry on earth. One of Jesus’ main ministries while on earth was preaching. He preached to the few, and he preached to the many. He preached formally in the synagogues, and he preached informally at a community well.

“ I preach because my Rabbi preached.

I preach because my Rabbi preached. Because I desire to model my life and ministry after Jesus, I place a high priority on formal and informal preaching. Mark 1:38; Ephesians 2:17.

I preach because Jesus commanded me to preach.

I preach because Jesus commanded his disciples to preach. Jesus commanded his followers to preach what it would look like for God to truly reign and rule in the world and in a person’s life. So, to not preach would have meant they were disobedient to Jesus. We are just as much his disciples today as the early followers. Thus, as his disciples in the 21^st Century, Jesus calls us to preach the good news of the kingdom. If we fail to live out this command, we, too, are being disobedient to Jesus’ command. Mark 3:14-15; Mark 16:15; Matthew 10:5-7

I preach because preaching is important in salvation.

I proclaim the Scriptures because God uses formal and informal preaching as a valuable tool in the salvation of humanity. Though many have touted preaching as an ineffective means of communicating the gospel, God, in his sovereign choice, has chosen the foolishness of preaching to draw people to himself. I am not responsible for the result, but I am responsible for discharging my duty to faithfully announce this message of hope. Romans 10:14-15; Isaiah 52:7; Romans 10:17; 1Corinthians 1:21

I preach because it was a priority in the early church.

I teach the Scriptures because it was a natural part of the life of the early church. When I make preaching a priority, I am walking in the footsteps of the first apostles and the early church leaders. In Acts 8:1–4, Luke stresses that preaching was not limited to the apostles (Acts 8:1), but all the other believers in Jerusalem who “were scattered” and so “went about preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). Since verse three specifically mentions that women were included among the believers who were persecuted, the text does not warrant an interpretation that excludes women from those who fled Jerusalem and “went about preaching the word.”

I preach because it is a trust from God to me.

I declare the Scriptures because God has given me a trust. For those whom God has gifted/graced to preach and teach, we have the awesome responsibility. We must faithfully and reverently discharge our responsibility because not only do we want to please God but also because we will be evaluated with a stricter measurement. James 3:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:4; 1 Timothy 1:11; Titus 1:3.

I preach because it is part of my worship of God.

I herald the Scriptures because it is part of my worship of God. Worship is the praise, adoration and, reverence of God, both in public and private. Thus, preaching is a celebration of the worthiness of God, by which I honor his name.

I preach because I love people.

I preach because I love people. All kinds of people – Black, White, Latino, Asian, tall, short, thick and rail thin. Every person that sits and listens to the preacher is an image-bearer. And, God loves them deeply. God loved people so much that he gave his Son (John 3:16). Because God loved and gave, when I stand as a mouthpiece for God, I am called to love the people to whom I preach and to give my all when I preach.

“ If I love preaching more than the people to whom I preach, I should quit preaching.

If I love preaching more than the people to whom I preach, I should quit preaching.

I preach because it is a joy.

I proclaim the Scriptures because it is a joy to see people encounter God through the Scriptures coming alive through Spirit-empowered proclamation. I can’t help but preach God’s Word. When I want to hold it in, I am like Jeremiah when he said: “But if I say I’ll never mention the LORD or speak in his name, his word burns in my heart like a fire. It’s like a fire in my bones! I am worn out trying to hold it in! I can’t do it!” (Jeremiah 20:9). The truth is, I can’t help myself. There are times I find myself sermonizing in conversations with my wife, children, and staff. If people will listen, I will preach and teach.

It still amazes me and brings me great joy each time God uses something I said in a message to help people takes steps of faith in their walk with him. In that moment, I am humbled and overjoyed that God would empower and use someone like me to speak on his behalf.

Sacred Trust

I know preachers are low on the totem pole these days, but I am glad that God called me to be a preacher. Preaching is hard work, and it will not be effective unless the Holy Spirit empowers the preacher. Therefore, pray for the preacher. Pray that God would speak to him/her, through him/her and in spite of him/her. Preaching is a sacred trust from God and has a central place among God’s people and is vital to their life and growth.

Ultimately, I preach to awaken people to full life with Christ, to help them grow in grace, and to equip them for the work of ministry. I preach now, so one-day, other men and woman will preach later.

If you enjoyed this post, you might also like this one:

Warning Signs That We Are Drifting Away From God 

The post 9 Compelling Reasons Why I Preach appeared first on Marvin Williams.

There are all kinds of studies that tell us that sleep is good for us. But, as I was reading Luke 22 the other day, I recognized the one time when Jesus said that sleep was bad for us.

Listen to these ancient words that still have relevance for today. As I read them and savored them, they reverberated through the corridors of my soul.

At last, he stood up again and returned to the disciples, only to find them asleep, exhausted from grief. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation.” Luke 22:45-46

The Disciples Sleep

Just hours before he would carry the sins of the human community on his shoulders and in his body, Jesus speaks these words to his friends – the men who are responsible for his worldwide mission. He invites them to enter into and share his agony through intercessory prayer. But, they are exhausted with grief and a self-absorbed pursuit of moving up the leadership ladder. How can they sleep while their Master suffers? Before I come down too hard on them, well over 2000 years later, He speaks these same words to me.

Yet, I Sleep

I am in the garden, sleeping while he is praying. My Savior invites me to pray with him. But, I am exhausted with grief, pride, self-reliance, and self-absorbed pursuits. My Savior invites me into his pain. He asks me to agonize with him over the murders, abortions, rapes, racial and gender inequalities, human traffickings, genocides, injustices, abusive relationships, body shaming, and all other crosses to bear. Yet, I sleep. He comes to me. I am sleeping in the comfort of my selfishness. I’m found out, embarrassed, and I offer no excuses or rationalizations. Man, I was asleep. It was good sleep, too. I wipe the sleep from my eyes and the drool from my mouth, only to recognize that he has been praying. He has been agonizing over the pain, the brokenness, and the sins, of the world. Jesus kneels alone on his praying ground, deeply troubled. Yet, I sleep.

Wake Up

Because I have been sleeping, I have not been praying. And, because I have not been praying, I have not depended on my heavenly Father. My self-reliance means I am more apt to fail and fall into all kinds of temptations – irrational fears, unnecessary anxieties, satanic lies, and delusional beliefs. Lord, I am sorry. Please forgive me. Therefore, it’s time for me to:

Wake up!

Wipe the sleep from my eyes.

Get up!

Arise!

Pray!

Intercede!

Talk to the Father!

Be devoted to prayer!

The Invitation Still Stands

Today, Jesus passionately invites us into the exhausting, powerful, joyous, and intimate spiritual habit of prayer. Prayer should be the believer’s normal response to the internal and external pressures of life. So, I hope you will join me in making prayer a priority, where we daily, intentionally, joyfully, and imperfectly meet with the living God of the universe on behalf of another human being.

Pray without ceasing. 1 Thessalonians 5:17

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. Colossians 4:2

Do not be anxious about anything, but pray about everything… Philippians 4:6

Next time Jesus comes to us, may he find us praying instead of sleeping. Therefore, let’s awake, arise and join him in praying for the brokenness in our world in those we love.

Other posts that might interest you:

Seven Rules Of Prayer We Should Break Immediately

A Prayer for a Racially Divided World

One of the Most Dangerous Prayers You’ll Ever Pray

12 Barriers to Effective Prayer and How To Overcome Them 

The post The One Time When Sleep Is Bad For You appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Each day we have a choice to pursue worthy or unworthy things. Life is too short to chase the unimportant. We must choose to abandon the worthless and pursue those things that are worth our time and energy. Here are, at least, five things that we should seek every day.

Pursue a more intimate relationship with God.

We were created to know and love God (John 17:3). Pursuing a close relationship with God is a most worthy treasure we can and should pursue. First, we must ask God for a desire to want to spend time alone with God. The more time we spend with God, the more we will want to spend time with him, and the greater our love will be for him. This love is not merely having knowledge about God, but affectionately relating to God. The way we seek God is by talking and listening to God through prayer and His Word. Pursuing God is all about hearing what he says and doing what he says. Chase God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength. Speak his love language – obedience to his commands. Therefore, before you pursue anything or anyone else in your day, seek God. Because God designed us to know him, then everything else we pursue pales in comparison. So, he must be our primary pursuit.

Pursue deeper relationships with our families and friends.

God created us for community and deep connections with people (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). It doesn’t matter who we are; God designed us for human connection. The closest connection we have is with our family – mother, father, siblings, spouse, and children and friends. So, be intentional. Call. Text. Spend quality and quantity time with those you love. Put it on your calendar. But, also allow yourself to be interrupted. These moments are often the holiest of all and when God speaks the loudest.

Pursue smarter choices concerning our health.

We live in a stressful world. A stressful world often leads to stressful and unhealthy lives. Stress affects every part of our lives. It affects our immune system, our sleep, our mental health, and our eating habits. God has given us one body, and he expects us to be good managers of it (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). How can we pursue our health? So, get up and get out. Exercise daily. Move for at least thirty minutes a day. Walk. Run. Bike. Swim. Just move and get your heart pumping. Moreover, make healthier eating choices. Eat sensible meals and cut out as much sugar as possible.

Pursue greater awareness of ourselves.

Self-deception is the worst kind of deception (Jeremiah 17:9). Self-awareness is the solution to self-deception. According to Shelley Duval and Robert Wicklund, self-awareness is the ability to look inward, think deeply about your behavior, and consider how it aligns with your moral standards and values. They argued that when your behavior is out of alignment with your values, you feel uncomfortable, unhappy and adverse. Thus, you can quickly fall into a mode of self-deception. Therefore, understand your strength and weaknesses, know the impact you have on others, focus on other people and ask for feed back.

Pursue the discovery of something new.

Each day we should stretch our minds by learning something new. The moment we stop learning is the moment we stop living. God wants us to love him with our hearts and mind. We love God with our minds by continuing to remain curious. Therefore, ask questions of people who are smarter than you are. Read books and articles outside your discipline. Expand your intellectual horizon by exposing yourself to new and different knowledge. One of my sources for learning something new every day is www.curious.com  You can customize and have a curious quotient workout delivered to your inbox every day. Check it out.

So, my friends, choose to abandon your pursuit of the unimportant and chase after those things that add the most value to your life and the lives of others.

What are there other things we should pursue each day? 

If you liked this post, you might like this one as well:

26 Questions to Help You Have the Best Year Ever 

The post 5 Worthy Things We Should Pursue Every Day appeared first on Marvin Williams.

Golf calls it a mulligan. IT uses Control-Alt-Delete. Whatever it’s called, at some point in time, we all want one and need one – a do-over. Oh, how I wish I could do many things over.

Everyone Desires a Do-over

We all fail and need a do-over. Sometimes, I fail because I overestimate my own strength. I think I am better and stronger than I am. Other times, I underestimate the influence of the evil one. He hates me and wants to destroy me. If he can get me to believe his lies, then Satan will defeat me. Last, I fail because I undervalue community. The truth is, I am more susceptible to failure when I separate myself from the community of faith. I failed and wished I could do a few things over.

Parental mistakes? Yes! Man, I wish I were more present with my kids growing up.
Financial mistakes. Yep! I wish I had saved more and spent less.
Leadership mistakes. I wish I were more decisive and firm on some issues.
Marital mistakes. Boy, I wish I loved harder, sooner.

I wish I could turn back the hands of time and live those moments again. If I could hit the ball again, I would square up a little more, keep my body quiet and not slice it or hook it into the woods. I wish I could hit Control-Alt-Delete and start with a clean slate. The truth is, these failures are part of our story of forgiveness and redemption. Our failures are designed to move us to take advantage of new opportunities and new ways of reaching our destiny and goals.

God Specializes in Do-overs.

Adam and Eve failed in the Garden of Eden, but God gave them a do-over. 
Abraham lied and said Sarah was his sister, but God gave him a do-over.
David committed adultery with Bathsheba, but God gave him a do-over
Peter denied Jesus, but God gave him a do-over.

God specializes in do-overs. He did it for his people then, and he is willing to do it for his people today. Thinking about the past and not trusting God to handle it is a waste of time. We can’t change the past. We cannot rewind the hands of the clock. If we try, we are only making ourselves prisoners of regret and guilt. Only God can erase the past, press rewind, and hit control-alt-delete. If God is the only one who can change our past, then what responsibility do we have when we fail or need a do-over?

What To Do When You Need a Do-Over?

Believe that God is bigger than our failure. Some of our failures are big. God is bigger than your biggest failure. Much bigger. And, he wants to give us another chance. We know this in our heads, but this belief needs to trickle down to our hearts. We know that we believe this truth when we refuse to allow our failures to stifle our progress and rob us of joy.

Admit our failure to God and others. There is nothing more painful than watching someone live in the grips of arrogant self-denial. Self-awareness is the first step in dealing with failure. Admit your failure. Say it: “It was my fault. I procrastinated. Pride and arrogance took over, and I failed. I thought I was better than I was.”

If our failure is a result of sin, then we need to confess our sins to God and others and repent (1 John 1:9; James 5:16).

Apologize. In your failure, did you hurt someone or let someone down? If you did, go to them and humbly admit your failure, why you failed, and apologize for letting them down. Be specific. “I apologize for _____________.” Ask forgiveness. Move on.

Begin again. When we fail and are in need of a do-over, sometimes we shy away from ever trying again. Sometimes, failure deals us a mighty blow, but we cannot and must not stay on the canvas. Failure is not final. We must get up and begin again (Proverbs 24:16). If we are knocked down seven times, the Holy Spirit will give us the power to get up and begin again. For God sake, believe you are more than a conqueror, through Jesus Christ.

Jesus can move our failure to inactive status when we remember that he is bigger than our failures and he is willing to give us another chance to make progress and get it right.

The post 4 Significant Actions To Take When You Need a Do-Over appeared first on Marvin Williams.

The world is a cruel place. Hate abounds.  The evidence of this hatred was never clearer Friday night in Portland, Oregon on the light-rail. Jeremy Joseph Christian, 35, is accused of and was arrested for stabbing three men who intervened when Christian allegedly yelled racial slurs at two teenage girls. This is the embodiment of hatred. How should we respond when we get a front seat to this kind of cruelty?

When a person’s behavior deliberately inflicts pain and suffering on the weak and defenseless, they are cruel. Jeremy Joseph Christian fit this description to a tee. He is a cruel and hateful man. Plain and straightforward. For no reason, other than hatred, he terrorized two young teenage girls – one black and the other Muslim. But, Ricky John Best, 53, Taliesin Myrddin-Meche, 23, and Micah David-Cole Fletcher, decided it was time to silence racism and hatred. They went into action to defend the weak and defenseless, and Best and Meche lost their lives. So, should we get involved like these men? How should we respond when someone attempts to hurt the weak and defenseless?

Hatred Is Evidence of a Corrupt Nature

Our evil nature manifests evil actions (Romans 1:28-31; Galatians 5:19-20). We are not good people who occasionally do bad things; we are fundamentally bad people who occasionally do good things. If left unregenerated and unchecked, hatred and cruelty will become intense hatred and cruelty. People who have this kind of hatred and cruelty lie in wait, stirs up conflict, assaults, and kills – sometimes for no sensible or logical reason (Psalm 38:19). The world hated Jesus, and they will hate his followers (John 15:18). When we see this kind of hatred, then we know we are living in the last days or an era right before Jesus returns (Matthew 24:10). People like this need to be born again (John 3:5).

All We Can Do Is Pray

I know, with every tragedy in our world, other bloggers and I sound like a song on repeat. Pray. Pray. Though I feel like this is a common statement in light of this act of hatred, but I know when we pray, God does act. Praying doesn’t mean passivity. Praying should lead us to action. More about this later in the post.

There was a woman who stayed with one of the young men who was stabbed, and reporters asked her what did she do as she sat with him. Her response was: “I prayed. All I could do was pray with and for him.” All we can do is let these daily tragedies drive us further into the arms of a loving Father. So, pray for the families of the victims, the injured young man, the young women, and yes, the suspect.

Love People Filled With Hate

We overcome hatred with love – God love. In Luke 6:27-28, Jesus tells his followers to respond in four ways towards people filled with hate. He told his followers to love them. This is fighting for the highest good of the individual who does evil. Next, he tells his followers to do good to them – care and provide for them like we would our family. Third, he tells his followers to bless them – to speak well of them (find some positive to say about them). Finally, Jesus tells his followers to pray for them – ask God to intervene in their lives. The ultimate test of how close we are following Jesus is treating hatemongers like Jesus would treat them. So, we silence the voice of hatred with the louder voice of love.

Hate Evil

The Bible says that God hates (strongly dislikes) evil and wickedness (Psalm 5:4; Proverbs 6:16-19). For anyone who consistently practices these evil actions that cause dissension in the community of humanity, including hands that shed innocent blood, God renders a clear moral judgment against him or her. Because God has an intense dislike for these evils, we should imitate God and hate sin and wickedness as well (Psalm 97:10; Proverbs 8:13; Romans 12:9). Rather than winking at evil or ignoring it around us, we should ask God for a capacity to dislike the things he hates. Use the list in Proverbs 6:16-19. The more we hate evil, the more we will want for His kingdom to come and his will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Help the Weak and Defenseless

The hatred of evil will automatically lead to contributing to eradicating it from our communities and world. These men saw and heard evil speaking and attempted to silence it. I am not certain if these men were followers of Jesus, but they did what followers of Jesus would and should do. In fact, they did what any human being should do.

I know some will say that this was none of their business. Had the men not stood up, they might still be alive today. That might be true, but what if the suspect had killed the girls. These people might have died a thousand deaths over the duration of their lives – I wish I had the courage to stop the bully but was afraid I would get hurt or die. We have a responsibility to act and defend those who cannot defend themselves (2 Samuel 9:1; Luke10:30-36). As we defend the weak, let’s ask God for wisdom for how we should protect and the right time to act (Later this week I will post what the Bible says about self-defense).

This Is What It Means to Be Human

Best, Meche and Fletcher are hailed as heroes. I understand why. But, I would assign them a higher honor; they are human beings. When you are part of the human race, you stand up for the weak and defenseless. They died because they were being human and trying to liberate the weak and defenseless. Yes, I know this is dangerous, especially in light of the present social climate. However, until Jesus returns, we are to fight racism, hatred, and cruelty, bringing UP THERE DOWN HERE, even if it cost us our lives.

How would you have responded if you were in a similar situation? 

If you liked this post, you might like these posts as well:

4 Biblical Reasons Why Racism Is Irrational 

A Prayer For a Racially Divided World 

The post Two Men Die Fighting Hate With Love appeared first on Marvin Williams.

“In Jesus name, we pray. Amen!” Most followers of Jesus end our prayers this way each time we pray.  There is nothing wrong with praying like this, but is it necessary for us to do it? You might be surprised.

I think we would all agree there is power in the name of Jesus. Somebody just shouted Amen! Because we know there is power in the name of Jesus, we have developed a habit of ending our prayers with: “In Jesus name, we pray. Amen.”Some say it two or three times for emphasis, believing that ending our prayers this way will make our prayers more likely to be answered by God.

Is it necessary, however, to end all our prayers this way? Now, I am not saying we shouldn’t end our prayers this way; I am asking is it necessary to end our prayers this way? Why do we pray this way?

Jesus Said to Pray In His Name

There is a good reason for us to pray in Jesus name. Jesus instructed his followers to use his name when they prayed (John 14:13-14; John 15:16; John 16:23-24; Ephesians 5:20).

These verses are pretty clear that we should pray using Jesus name. But, these verses don’t say we should end all our prayers in Jesus name. So, what does it mean to pray in Jesus name?

Praying In Jesus Name

In the first century to come or act in someone’s name meant that the person sending you sanctioned you to come or act on his/her behalf. You would not dare come on your own (Acts 3:6; Acts 4:7; Acts 16:18 and 1 Corinthians 5:4).

So, first, what it means to pray in Jesus’ name is talking to the Father based on the authorization Jesus gives us. How does Jesus give us the authority to come to the Father? Through his death on the cross. If we have surrendered our lives to Jesus, then we are in Jesus Christ. So, when we approach the Father in prayer, we are not coming on our merit. We can approach the Father because through Jesus’ death, we are acceptable to the Father.

Moreover, the name of a person represented the person and all of his or her character. The name of Jesus represents all that he is, his entire character. So, praying in Jesus name means that we pray in a way that is consistent with who he is and what he desires. Praying in Jesus name comes very close to the idea of praying according to the will of Jesus (1 John 5:14-15). It means praying for things that will exalt, honor and glorify Jesus.

Saying Prayers In Jesus Name Is Not A Magic Formula

So, is it wrong to add in Jesus’ name to the end of our prayers? No, there is absolutely nothing wrong with adding Jesus name at the end of our prayers. However, it must not be used a magic formula, believing somehow if we tack it on the end of our prayers that God is obligated to answer our prayers.

Prayer is a conversation with the living God. It must not be reduced to using Jesus’ name a lucky rabbit’s foot to get what we want. Praying this way is unbiblical. Adding “In Jesus name” at the end of our prayers when our hearts are far from him, or our prayers are motivated by selfishness, is meaningless.

The truth is, we can start or end our prayers with: “In Jesus Name.” We can add it in the middle. We can use phrases like, “Father, I do not approach you on my merit, but I come to you with the authority of Jesus.” The words are not the most important. The condition of our hearts is the most important aspect of talking to the living God.

Genuinely praying in Jesus’ name and for His glory is what is important. It is not the words in the prayer that matter, but the purpose behind the prayer. Praying for things that are in agreement with God’s will is the essence of praying in Jesus’ name.

What did you learn from this post that you didn’t already know? 

The post Should We End Our Prayers In Jesus Name? appeared first on Marvin Williams.