Devotionals @ The Mount Church

When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get.

Matthew 6:5

Jesus was teaching on the topic of prayer when He spoke those famous words from the passage we’ve come to know as, “The Sermon on the Mount.” Knowing how important prayer is, and how vital a role it is intended to play in our lives as believers, Jesus was taking the time to teach not only His disciples that day, but also all the throngs of people that had gathered on that mountainside, and even us today.

Prayer is not supposed to be a wish-list similar to what we’d leave with milk and cookies for Santa Claus on Christmas Eve or the vain repetitions and babblings of people who are merely interested in sounding spiritual rather than truly being spiritual. Prayer is so much more than, “Now I lay me down to sleep” or even, “Our Father Who art in heaven…” Prayer, in short, is meant to be personal, sincere, and instinctive, not robotic, rote, and empty.

Prayer is a dialogue with God, a two-way conversation, where both parties speak and both parties listen. Just as two best friends would respectfully interchange with one another, so prayer is meant to be between us and God. But prayer doesn’t have to be just a one-on-one event. Prayer can also be corporate. Exodus 2:23 records the mass groanings of the Israelites as they cried out to God under the bondage of their slavery. Verse 24 says that God heard their groanings. Exodus 15 records a coporate prayer of praise that was set to music heralding the Israelites deliverance from the Egyptians at the Red Sea. The “Prayers of Ascent”, Psalms 120-134, were apparently sung by the people as they went up to Jerusalem for various festivals. Once the Psalms were written, they were probably prayed and sung by the people on sabbaths and other occasions of rejoicing before Yahweh. (Deuteronomy 16:11) Sometimes the prayers would be spoken by one person on behalf of the rest of the people, such as we find in Nehemiah 1:5-11. Corporate prayer has long played a prominent and necessary role in the worship gatherings of God’s people.

However, it is very easy for us sometimes to fall into one of several extremes when it comes to the implementation of corporate prayer in our worship services. One such extreme is to find ourselves perhaps reciting an ancient liturgical prayer, not really paying attention to the meaning of the words and how they apply to us today. Churches that use a more high form of worship have to guard against this, lest their congregants memorize the words and vainly recite them without much regard to their power or intent (Matthew 6:7).

Another extreme is to mentally check-out during a corporate prayer. This is often the case when someone else is praying on behalf of the whole group, and rather than listening to and agreeing with what is being offered, the listener is mentally adrift, perhaps thinking about something else entirely, or even nodding off to sleep! That is not what corporate prayer is meant to be, either. Another extreme when it comes to corporate prayer is to avoid it because it is not what one has ever been accustomed to or it simply feels uncomfortable or awkward. There are many who have grown up outside of the church or in a denomination that didn’t regularly practice the art of corporate prayer, so to them it can feel “out-of-place.” We must work hard to avoid all these extremes.

Corporate prayer is more than liturgy, more than words penned by someone else, and certainly not an outdated form of worship. Corporate prayer is meant to be the united confession, repentance, submission, and outpouring of a specific group of people to Almighty God. It doesn’t have to fit any particular denominational mold, but rather it needs to be sincere, authentic, heart-felt, and humble. God has honored many a corporate prayer that has been offered in unity and humility on behalf of families, churches, ministries, communities, and even nations! It is not something to be avoided, but rather something to be engaged in and utilized for its utmost potential.

application

(Choose one or all of these if you like)

Think back to the last time you participated in a corporate prayer. What role did you play? Were you fully engaged? How could you have been more participatory?

Write out a prayer for your family to use corporately to praise God for His blessings on your home. Consider whether or not you’ll make it a call and response format or a corporate recitation, or something else.

Find an old church hymnal and read some of the corporate prayers and creeds and responsive readings at the back. Study them, look up the Scripture passages they were taken from and learn the context in which they were written so you can consider how they still apply to your life and the life of the church as well.

prayer

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of prayer and the privilege of talking to You one-on-one like this or with a group of my brothers and sisters in You. I confess that I so often under-utilize the power of prayer and I’m concerned that may be true for a lot of churches as well. May my life and the life of my church reflect our belief in prayer and the power it has to move mountains when coupled with our faith in You and our humble submission to You and Your will. May you be pleased by the priority I make it to talk to and listen to You on a daily, consistent basis, and may the same be true for all of us who corporately comprise the Bride of Christ. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

We’ve probably all heard infamous stories of meddling mother-in-laws, ones who resemble the humorous example in the sitcom “Everybody Loves Raymond.” This particular television show positions a young couple and their children right across the street from the husband’s overbearing parents. The mother-in-law constantly criticizes the daughter-in-law in that “bless your heart” backhanded kind of way. The daughter-in-law is always self conscious, trying to live up the standards of her mother-in-law’s cooking or cleaning or child rearing. The husband spends most of his days clueless or trying to extinguish fires created between his wife and his mother. It’s really not an uncommon portrayal of these types of family relationships.

The Bible, however, illustrates this unique link between daughter-in-law and mother-in-law in a much different way. In the book of Ruth, God uses a mother and her deceased son’s wife as exemplars of loyalty and sacrifice. Naomi is a mother to two sons, both of which were killed in battle, leaving behind wives. Having previously lost her husband as well, Naomi was left with just her daughters-in-law. Though she was surely lonely and scared, this mother knew that the young women should go back to their homelands in order to remarry and continue on their lives. However, Ruth refused to leave Naomi’s side, despite the mother-in-law’s urgings. And her willingness to support the family in this way illustrates numerous lessons about how we, as loyal followers of Christ, should help meet the needs of those around us, how we should find ways to be true givers.

giving is sacrificial

Naomi and Ruth both mourned the loss of a shared loved one; however, Naomi was wise enough to realize that Ruth was still vibrant and youthful, still likely to remarry and continue on with a family of her own. Despite her fewer years, however, Ruth proved to be even wiser, understanding that the love she had developed for Naomi was far more important than starting a new life. Naomi was her family, and she was easily willing to sacrifice an comfortable future for a continued relationship with a woman she respected and cherished.

In verses 8 and 9 of Ruth 1, “Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, “Go back, each of you, to your mother’s home. May the LORD show kindness to you, as you have shown to your dead and to me. 9 May the LORD grant that each of you will find rest in the home of another husband.” Ruth, however, responds with humility and a sacrificial spirit: But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me” (16-17). She did not hesitantly follow along out of guilt or obligation; she stayed committed to Naomi because of an unconditional love, a love worth giving up her own independence or dreams.

giving requires sensitivity and humility

Ruth not only loved Naomi, but recognized a need in Naomi’s life that only she could fulfill. Naomi had been left alone, outliving a husband and both sons. She was in need of companionship, but just as importantly, she had physical needs which would be even harder to meet as she got older. Ruth obviously understood the tangible, day-to-day hardships Naomi would face as an elder widow with little chance of remarrying, so she not only remains loyal to Naomi as a friend, she also commits her life to serving Naomi’s needs. In Ruth 2:2, “Ruth the Moabitess said to Naomi, ‘Let me go to the fields and pick up the leftover grain behind anyone in whose eyes I find favor.’” She acknowledges that Naomi will need her help to physically survive and is humbly willing to become a servant to aid her. She readily visits fields to pick up scraps so that she and Naomi will not have to go hungry.

giving reaps rewards

Ruth was never looking to be repaid for her love and service to Naomi. She was simply loyal because that is what she knew Naomi needed at the time. Because of her willingness to give sacrificially to her mother-in-law, however, God blessed Ruth obviously and generously.

First, when Ruth visits Boaz’s fields and asks to take only the leftovers, this honorable man orders his workers to leave a bountiful supply of grain behind for her. (Boaz gave orders to his men, “Even if she gathers among the sheaves, don’t embarrass her. Rather, pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up, and don’t rebuke her.” Ruth 2:14-16)

Second, Boaz not only gives food to Ruth, but eventually buys Naomi’s family’s land and marries Ruth herself. Such an action provides both stability and protection for Ruth’s future, even though she was willing to live without these things for Naomi’s sake. (Then Boaz announced to the elders and all the people, “Today you are witnesses that I have bought from Naomi all the property of Elimelech, Kilion and Mahlon. I have also acquired Ruth the Moabitess, Mahlon’s widow, as my wife, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property, so that his name will not disappear from among his family or from the town records. Today you are witnesses!” Ruth 4:9-10)

Last, God blesses Ruth’s loyalty and service in the most awesome way. She gives birth to a son, Obed, part of the lineage of the future king David, a royal family for sure. Because of Ruth’s example of conditional love and giving, God not only blessed her present life but allowed her to be part of the most incredible legacy. (”Naomi has a son.” And they named him Obed. He was the father of Jesse, the father of David.” Ruth 4:17).

Early in the book of Ruth, when Boaz learns of the devotion Ruth has shown Naomi and God, he says “”I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. May the LORD repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:11-12). God did indeed give Ruth refuge and rewards. When we, too, love God enough to sacrifice to meet the needs to those impoverished around us, then we will finally, truly understand the peace and blessings God desires us to possess. Ruth is a perfect reminder of the giving spirit present in the hearts of those who love God.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

Philippians 4:6

How many times have you said to someone “I will pray for you…”, and then never followed through on the promise? If you are like me, that has happened more times than you wish to admit. We all know we should pray. We also know that prayer is a good thing to do-we may even declare to others that, “God answers prayer.” But do we put any actions behind those words? This is an area that I am continually being challenged in, but looking back over the years I can see a pattern of growth and some positive changes. There are many “baby steps” that we can take to grow in this area of spiritual discipline.

give it time

The very first thing we have to do to build a pattern of prayer in our lives is to schedule time for it. If we don’t do this, we can never claim it is a priority in our lives. By scheduling time for it, I mean choosing a time in our daily lives that we will devote to prayer. Maybe your time will be on your commute to work, or while you are in the shower, or sitting in the pick-up line at school. Maybe it’s the last few minutes of your quiet time, or the first few minutes of the day. You can do it while you exercise, or the last five minutes of your lunch break. No matter when or where it is squeezed in during your day–just make a place for prayer. As you grow to practice it, rely on it, and enjoy it more, the time slot will grow. You will find yourself doing it as second nature as you utilize and understand it more.

write it down

Maybe you don’t enjoy journaling or writing out your thoughts. Well, for prayer purposes, you need to “just do it” anyway! Buy yourself a small notebook and begin recording your prayer requests in it. Remember to date the requests, and then leave space to write how God answers your prayers. If you do this consistently, you will have an excellent written legacy to show you how God does hear you and answers your prayers. It will be a memorial to his faithfulness and will show you a record of your spiritual discipline. Your faith will grow (Hebrews 11:6). Your relationship with God will grow (Philippians 4:6,7). And your relationship with those you pray for will improve (Matthew 5:44, James 5:16).

watch it grow

I have asked God for things my whole Christian life. And I suppose he has answered many of my requests. But about four years ago the circumstances in my life drew me into a pattern of fervent prayer. And an amazing thing happened-God began to give me “in your face” answers! I prayed for certain tings constantly throughout my day. I fasted and prayed even more. And God’s answers came pouring into my life! Big, bold answers that truly were beyond what I had imagined possible (Ephesians 3:20). When this began to happen, I began to see God in a new way. I felt so connected with him. He was personally involved in my life. He obviously loved me enough to specifically answer my prayers. And as he answered those prayers, I was able to trust him for even more. My relationship with him blossomed. My faith grew leaps and bounds. And my prayer life was brought to a new level of understanding. Prayer really does change things.

So, as we all endeavor to walk with Jesus, as we all attempt to grow in spiritual maturity; don’t over look the importance of prayer in the equation. Start with a small step and definite commitments. Buy a notebook. Find a time. Choose specific requests to trust him for. And place one foot in front of the other as you continue your walk in becoming more like Christ. The blessings will be real. The rewards will be evident.

action points

1. Choose a time and place you will devote to daily prayer.
2. Buy a small notebook to record prayer requests and answers.
3. Choose a specific area of need to concentrate your prayers in, as well as general requests.

prayer

Heavenly Father, I thank you that you desire for me to spend time talking with you. I thank you that you do hear my requests and you desire to answer me. Help me to discipline myself in this area. Help me to trust you for your answers. Grow my faith and broaden my vision as I entrusts my requests to you. Reveal your power to me. Amen.

In daily devotions and study, we as Christians often focus on the power, sovereignty, and omniscience of God. Or the kindness, forgiveness, and creativity of God. But what we often overlook, because we take it for granted, is the uniqueness of our God. If God is not completely different than the other gods, Biblical and otherwise, we have little reason to base our faith in Him, no reason to whole-heartedly accept that He is the absolute God. It is the combination of those earlier mentioned traits, as well as many more, that does make our Christian God unique.

Other religions focus on multiple gods, none singly possessing all the characteristics that our God demonstrates throughout scripture. Some religions focus on self-actualization or a belief that individual humans can become god-like themselves. Those who claim that they aren’t “religious” often replace a formal god with money, fame, friendships, or a long list of other things. The bottom line, however, is that none of these alternatives to the one true God can compare to His ability to create and rule the world and still have an intimate relationship with His creations.

The Old Testament reminds us numerous times of the unique qualities of our God. From God showing his compassion by walking in the garden with Adam and Eve to Him demonstrating his wrath on Sodom and Gomorrah to Him proving his power in Elijah’s challenge to the prophets of Baal, our God reminds us that no other god can compare. And He directly addresses his uniqueness in Isaiah 46.

In this chapter of Isaiah, God first mocks the idols of the people, revealing their inability to truly affect our lives:

Bel bows down, Nebo stoops low;
their idols are borne by beasts of burden.
The images that are carried about are burdensome,
a burden for the weary.

They stoop and bow down together;
unable to rescue the burden,
they themselves go off into captivity.

“Listen to me, O house of Jacob,
all you who remain of the house of Israel,
you whom I have upheld since you were conceived,
and have carried since your birth.

Even to your old age and gray hairs
I am he, I am he who will sustain you.
I have made you and I will carry you;
I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

“To whom will you compare me or count me equal?
To whom will you liken me that we may be compared?

Some pour out gold from their bags
and weigh out silver on the scales;
they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god,
and they bow down and worship it.

They lift it to their shoulders and carry it;
they set it up in its place, and there it stands.
From that spot it cannot move.
Though one cries out to it, it does not answer;
it cannot save him from his troubles.

He further reiterates the weakness of any other god-figure compared to Him after explaining that these idols are simply metal statues and nothing more. He, on the other hand, is an all-knowing, all-powerful, and all-loving God, a God worthy of worship and praise.

“Remember this, fix it in mind,
take it to heart, you rebels.

Remember the former things, those of long ago;
I am God, and there is no other;
I am God, and there is none like me.

I make known the end from the beginning,
from ancient times, what is still to come.
I say: My purpose will stand,
and I will do all that I please.

From the east I summon a bird of prey;
from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that will I bring about;
what I have planned, that will I do.

Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, you who are far from righteousness.

I am bringing my righteousness near,
it is not far away;
and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
my splendor to Israel.

prayer

Father God, thank you for reminding us of one of the most important things about our faith in you—there is no other like you! Help this reminder give us the strength to resist giving our time, resources, and devotions to other gods in the world around us. Your unique ability to create intimate relationships with us makes all other temptations (power, fame, money, success) pale in comparison! Allow us to be sensitive to your word and the Holy Spirit in a way that continually prompts us to praise your uniqueness and to remain faithful to you only.

…and surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Matthew 28:20b

The presence of God is a promise to those who know him personally. It is an assurance and a hope to all who struggle in this world. It is a truth you can build your life around. But it is so much more. His presence carries with it many promises that are recorded in his word, and gives us a peace to go through life. The subject of his presence is one that I feel he revealed to me in a very personal way. Although I have never heard God speak to me audibly, about 10 years ago I found myself faced with a medical procedure that I knew was going to be painful. I was afraid. I was living in dread of that appointment. And as I drove to the doctor’s office, I was praying aloud to God, asking him to make it not hurt. Suddenly, as I drove, I felt a quiet come over me, and these words came to me as clearly as if they were spoken aloud: “I have not promised you a life free of pain. But I have promised you my presence in every circumstance.” I almost looked into the back seat to see if someone was sitting there, the words seemed so real. And as I considered them in my heart, peace flooded over me, and I was no longer afraid. His presence is real. And it is powerful.

Scripture tells us much about God’s presence. It is absolutely necessary for life, but if we were to actually see him, we would die. It is truly an awesome thing. As I searched the scriptures this morning, I found several verses that speak to the benefits we receive as a result of his presence. This list is in no way all-inclusive, but it gives us a glimpse at what blessings are ours in connection with his presence. Psalm 31:20 says that his presence provides a shelter for us. How often do we feel like we are beaten down by this world we live in? When we acknowledge his presence, we can hide in that shelter. Exodus 33:14 says that “rest” comes as a result of in his presence. Do you need rest from the trials of life and the demands placed on you? His presence will give you that rest. All we need to do it take it.

Psalm 23:4 tells us that God’s presence casts out fear, regardless of the circumstances we find ourselves in-even the approach of death. Fear is such a common enemy. It has a paralyzing effect on its victims. What a great comfort and strength to know that God’s presence does away with fear. Psalm 16:11 says that his presence fills us with joy. Not happiness that changes with our circumstances. Not a thrill that will soon pass. But joy that continues on in our lives just because of his presence. Look at all we miss when we do not “practice his presence”. And lastly, Psalm 139:7-12 assures us that there is no place we can go that will exclude his presence. His presence is all-encompassing. It is everywhere we could go and anywhere we could not. We cannot escape his presence…and that is such a wonderful truth. He is always with us, even to the end of time.

So we, like the people of Nehemiah, need to focus on and thank God for his presence. Without it we would fall to the enemies of this world. Without it we would perish. But with it, we can enjoy shelter, rest, joy, and the freedom from fear. Praise God for the gift of his presence, and recognize it moment by moment throughout your day.

application

Choose something this week to remind you to “practice his presence”. You can put a note on your mirror, a sticker in your car, or a dot on your briefcase. Just choose something that will catch your attention and remind you that God is always with you and you can trust him with your problems, heartaches, and concerns. As you acknowledge his presence, you will experience the blessings that go along with it.

prayer

Father, thank you that you are always with us. Thank you for the precious gift of your presence and what it does in our lives. Help us to remember that you are with us always, and that you give us rest and joy as we trust in you. We love you, Amen.