ASK, SEEK, KNOCK

Jesus taught us the basic principles of an effective prayer life. He said, “Ask…Seek…Knock.” I hate to ask directions if I’m traveling. Maybe you’re the same way or know someone like that. Yet, as much as we resist asking for directions or assistance, Jesus said prayer consists of asking! Jesus said to seek, which implies a diligent search for the answer. He also said to knock. Keep asking for the door to be opened. Prayer is a request – it’s a desire to find what we do not have. Prayer is the active hope that doors will be opened. Those we pray for can resist our love, our words, and our actions, but nothing can stop our prayers. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8)

-JKB

♦AS PART OF OUR SPIRITUAL “RE-SET” IN JANUARY, I AM CHALLENGING OUR CONGREGATION TO READ THE ENTIRE NEW TESTAMENT THIS MONTH! IT REQUIRES ABOUT 8-9 CHAPTERS PER DAY BUT YOU CAN DO IT- WE WILL DO IT TOGETHER!

I SUGGEST YOU DIVIDE YOUR READINGS INTO MORNING AND EVENING. THAT WAY YOU WILL KEEP UP. IF YOU FALL BEHIND GET CAUGHT UP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE! 

♦️Day 1: Matthew 1 – 8

YOUR SPIRITUAL BEST YET!

Have you noticed how often the temperature has been fluctuating these past few days? I keep adjusting the thermostat because it feels too cold and then too hot and it’s hard to predict. I’ve noticed my spiritual temperature fluxuates too. Does that ever happen to you? What if an entire congregation joined together to re-set their spiritual temperature? That’s exactly what I’m challenging us to do in January 2018! Let’s “re-set” our spiritual temperature. Let’s all do it together!

HOW?

We have several things planned to help us. It will require commitment. No one ever grows spiritually by accident! But if  you are ready to join hundreds of others in our church in a daily commitment, imagine what could happen! In fact, I challenge everyone-regardless if they’re in our church or not to join in our spiritual re-set! You could reach your “spiritual best yet!”

On Monday morning January 1, 2018 the adventure begins! I will post Day 1 of a 31 day blog which will include 2 things. First, you’ll receive a brief daily devotional to stir your spiritual life. Next, you will get a very challenging daily Scripture reading guide. As part of our spiritual best yet re-set, I AM CHALLENGING YOU TO READ THE ENTIRE NEW TESTAMENT IN 31 DAYS! Everyday on the Blog I will give you the daily reading. It will require reading about 8 chapters a day, more or less. It’s a big challenge and a big commitment but let’s do it together!

SPECIAL GUESTS

Let me introduce Dr. Joseph Kim  from Seoul, S. Korea, who will speak at all English services on Sunday January 14, 2018! Dr. Kim is the pastor of a large Baptist church, conducting 16 services every Sunday to accommodate the large crowds! Pastor Kim wlll challenge us on how prayer accomplishes the impossible.

On Sunday January 21 we are excited to welcome one of the leaders of the American prayer moment. Dr. Dave Butts, Chairman of the National Prayer Committee,  will speak in all 3 English morning services! Dr. Butts is an author and international leader on the subject of prayer.

Then, Wednesday night January 24 at 6:00pm, Brad Jett is leading our entire Choir (The Choir of Fire!) and Orchestra in our Big Night of Prayer with our special guest speaker Byron Paulus, President of Life Action Ministries, a National ministry of prayer and revival. As you can see, January is going to be special!

There’s more and I still have some surprises for you, but as a congregation would you join me in making a commitment to your “Spiritual Best Yet?” Will you make the commitment?

One way to help is to join me in spreading the word! Feel free to share this post anywhere and invite anyone to join our month of spiritual re-set!

“PRAYER MOVES THE HAND THAT MOVES THE WORLD!”

-JKB