RECEIVE THIS PROMISE

The powerful promise of daily prayer and Bible study cannot be ignored. Jesus promises that if we remain in His Word – make the reading and study of God’s Word a regular habit – He will give us what we ask in prayer. Why would any believer wish to pray but ignore the study of God’s Word, when we are given such a great promise from the Lord? “If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” (John 15:7)

-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 9: Luke 9 – 13

ALONE WITH GOD

“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6)

When the wonders of the Christian life are summed up, nothing will ever take the place of fellowship with the Lord through prayer. It isn’t just a matter of time; it is the One we are spending time with that matters most. Time alone with God is an essential secret in developing that personal walk with God we crave. E. M. Bounds wrote, “Much time spent with God is the secret of all successful praying.” This week, set aside time everyday to be alone with God!

-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 8: Luke 3 – 8

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE

Jesus obviously made prayer a priority in His incredible life. As has often been observed, if He needed to devote time to prayer, what does that say about our prayer lives? As we develop our prayer lives, it is important to remember that prayer is a spiritual discipline. As with other disciplines like exercise, playing a sport, or improving our career skills – our prayer lives are developed over time with consistent practice. Daily prayer may include praise, thanksgiving, confession, petition, and intercession. Spending a minute or two on each would start out at 5 to 10 minutes a day for prayer. If you do that every day, I am certain that before long you will be adding more time to your daily prayer life. God never finds perfect people but He is always looking for disciplined people who devote themselves to a lifestyle of prayer!

“I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest.” (Isaiah 62:6)

-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 7: Mark 14 – Luke 2

TIME FOR PRAYER!

How long should we pray each day? The simple answer is – longer. How much should I prayer? The answer is – more! Every Christian I have ever known has questioned the quality or quantity of their prayer life. We hear (or preach) messages about the great saints like Luther or Wesley who spent hours a day in prayer only to conclude there is no way we can do the same. While these mighty men from our heritage seem exceptional, the truth is that you can do something about your prayer life right now. You can grow in the time you give God each day. You can spend more and better time in prayer. The best “Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.” (Psalm 4:1)

-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 6: Mark 8 – 13

THIRSTY SOULS

You and I are spiritual creatures with a deep need for God. In daily prayer we immerse ourselves in the power and presence of God. We also discover instruction, inspiration, and incentive to “keep going.” The advantages of prayer are far too great to ignore. In a world that places too much value on the externals of wealth, prestige, and pleasure, our hearts can grow cold and our souls can grow dry. God knows we need more. “As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God…” (Psalm 42:1-2)

-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 5: Mark 1 – 7

MEET GOD EARLY

Moses “…got up early the next morning and built an altar…” (Exodus 24:4) Job, “…Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering…” (Job 1:5) David would “awaken the dawn” (Psalm 57:8) The heroes of Scripture were early at the task of seeking God. Why do you suppose that was the case? For one thing, the early hours are less crowded with the demands of others on our time. Whether we meet God early or late, solitude is the key to an effective prayer time. There are definitely times for public or group prayer, but the daily devotional should be a time of peaceful solitude as often as possible.

George MacDonald said, “One who walks with God will tell you plainly, God does not ordinarily shout to make Himself heard.” Hearing from God, therefore, usually requires our undivided attention.  The earlier you start, the fewer distractions you will face. Try getting up earlier tomorrow to seek God and you will notice a positive difference!

-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 4: Matthew 24 – 28

YOUR PRAYER PLACE

I had a friend who’s father’s garage looked as neat as Saks Fifth Avenue display shelves! He used to say, “A place for everything and everything in its place.” That made a lot of sense to me.

Having a place for prayer makes a lot of sense, too. Jesus said, “But when you pray, go into your room…”  (Matthew 6:6) The Greek word for “room” describes a specific room in the Jewish home equivalent to an indoor garage. It was a storehouse where anything might be kept, including grain or small animals during extreme weather. It was not part of the main living area of the home. It was a place where a person could escape distractions and could avoid becoming a distraction. Having a place for prayer makes you more likely to develop a habit of praying every day. The great prayer teacher Andrew Murray wrote, “Everyone must have some solitary spot where they can be alone with God.”  -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 3: Matthew 16 – 23

 THE VALUE OF PRAYER

Do you take advantage of all of the resources available to you? The state of Arkansas recently decided to remind people about unclaimed wealth which the state auditor reported to be almost $21 million. Other states have done the same with attempts to locate owners of jewelry, stocks, or abandoned bank accounts. It is hard to imagine how so much could go unclaimed, but a far greater resource in the spiritual realm goes untapped every day. Billy Graham said he imagines in Heaven a room full of unopened presents representing all the things God wanted to give us, but we never bothered to pray for them. The problem of un-prayed prayers isn’t imaginary. The Bible says, “…You do not have because you do not ask God.” (James 4:2) Through prayer we can see things change and get things done. Remember, “Prayer moves the Hand that moves the world.”

-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 2:  Matthew 9 – 15

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