Day 21 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 21 - Jude 1:24-25 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into his glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are his before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT The book of Jude was written by a half brother of Jesus Christ. Jude wrote the book in response to more false teachings that were trying to break into the Christian Church. Jude was probably a prominent leader of the Church given his impressive pedigree. Today's prayer comes from Jude as he prays for those who would read his letter. In this portion of Jude's prayer the word "glory" is what we will be focusing on. Jude, like the rest of Jesus' family, almost missed the glory of Christ - in fact, they once thought He was out of His mind! But God's glory through someone can't be pawned off so easily when it is seen over and over again. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS Glory is one of those words that gets used all the time but is really hard to define. Think about it, what does glory mean? If you look the word up in the dictionary you will get an amazing glimpse to how profound the word glory is. Descriptions like, renown, worthy of praise, honor, worthy of worship, bliss, to name a few, are used to help define this elusively simple word. Yet that's the word the Bible uses to define God's presence. He ushers in glory. At the same time we are called (even created) to bring glory to God. Strangely, those same descriptions used to define glory in the dictionary apply to us as we move to bring glory to God. Jude praying that we, readers of his letter, would bring all glory to God, shows us that we are responsible for making sure the world sees that all we are is a direct result to the relationship we have with Christ. Glory given to us is glory wasted. Jude knew that first hand as his eyes were opened to who his half brother really was and that kind of glory made a permanent change in who Jude was for the remainder of his life here on earth and, for all eternity. CONSIDER THE PRAYER Lord, thank you that Jude reminds me of the fact that I will, one day, fully be in your glorious presence. It is a result of your glory that Christ is in my heart. It is as a result of your glory that Coastline exists. Help me to be a part of You getting your glory into my community. Help me make those connections within Coastline, and outside as well, to make it possible for me to bring glory to your name. Jude mentions the words, "falling away." That is a scary thought. His prayer, and mine too, is that Your glory keep the possibility of falling away far from me and my Church. Let us walk in your glory. Let us share your glory. Let us bring glory to your Name. Thank you for the joy of your presence. Glory to your Name! Amen.

Day 20 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 20 - Philippians 1:9-11 9 I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. 10 For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return. 11 May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation-the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ-for this will bring much glory and praise to God. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Paul founded the Church at Philippi on one of his missionary trips around the region. Paul's letter to Philippi is one that was probably written as a way to just let them know how he had been doing since being imprisoned. In this letter, however, there are many powerful spiritual truths that just spill out of Paul. In today's prayer we focus on love. When Paul was named Saul he served the God of Israel. It's the same God we Christians serve - God the Father. Sadly, the issue of love hasn't been totally understood by the Jews because of their not being able to see Christ was the Messiah. On the road to Damascus, Paul was introduced to Jesus in a Heavenly vision. Paul was so overwhelmed with what real love looks like that he simply had to follow this Christ he felt he was destined to destroy. In today's prayer we see the power of a prayer for love. The results of love - God given love - is something that cannot be argued with. Paul wanted the Philippians, whom he loved so much, to experience more and more of the love God has for them. God's love is something that we can never pray too much for. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS What really matters - that's one of the statements Paul makes in his prayer. You see Paul had learned that the years of being zealous for a God he really didn't know wasn't worth a thing because it was devoid of love. The fruit of our Salvation that Paul talks about in his prayer is Love. God's love to us and our love, fueled by God, to others. Paul loved the people in the Church of Philippi. But, Paul realized that God's love was so much better for them. Although Paul longed to be with the Church, he realized that the better thing for the Philippians was to ask God to shower them with the kind of life changing love that Paul had experienced on that dusty road to Damascus. CONSIDER THE PRAYER I love you Lord. That takes on an entirely different meaning after reading Paul's prayer to the Philippians. Your love is a real game changer. It is the kind of thing that can actually set us free, make us useful in your Kingdom building process and bring us to a place of completeness that nothing else can in this world. Thank you for your love. Thank you that Coastline wants to be a part of introducing that love to others. Help my Church to show me how I can be a part of bringing that love into my circle of influence. Bless us with more and more of your love and let that love overflow into the world around us. Amen

Day 19 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 19 - Colossians 1:9-12 9 So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 11 We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 12 always thanking the Father. He has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Paul is writing to the Church in Colossae because of a false teaching that had come into the Church regarding praying to angels rather than praying with Jesus Christ as the emphasis. Paul authors this letter to the Colossians to remind them of who Christ is and the futility of believing anything other than the completeness found in Christ Himself. Adding to or taking away from the completed work of Christ is never a good idea and Paul doesn't want this Church to loose its momentum (fruit of good works for Christ) by being distracted and derailed on their journey to knowing Christ more fully. False teachings can so easily infiltrate our way of believing and when they do they always take the focus of our lives, efforts and results off Christ. Having God filled co-workers in Christ is one of the best ways to make sure that we don't fall for any falseness and keep our eyes clearly focused on Christ. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS Before Paul begins his correction of the false teaching that threatens this Church from falling away from Christ, he reminds them of the mighty work God has done in their lives and the destiny they have by staying on track with Jesus. Look what Paul prays specifically when it comes to the Colossians - 1)Live a worthy life, 2)Please Him in every way, 3)Bear fruit in their efforts, 3)Grow in the knowledge of Christ, 4)Power, 5)Endurance and Patience and, 6)Joy and Thanksgiving. Not a bad list of things to want someone to have. Look at the result of these prayers being answered - a share in the inheritance of the saints! Paul is praying for big results for a people group that has gotten off track. He didn't abandon them or write them off because of their false beliefs. He works to remind them of the glorious promises Christ has written on their hearts and how coming back to Christ is the first step to a God-ordained destiny. So it is in our world today. So many things threaten our ability to grasp our God given destiny. Turning back to Christ is always the right answer to those who have been called according to His Name. CONSIDER THE PRAYER God, I want to know you better. I don't want to know about you - so many false teachings can come into play when I desire to know about you. I want to know you - to experience you - to know you are there all the time in my life. Lord help me to want what Paul is praying for here. I don't know what the inheritance of the saints fully looks like but I want to participate in that kind of blessing. Please open the eyes of my heart to see you better. Help my Church to connect me to others seeking the same in their lives. Help us all come to that place where we throw off all wrong thinking about you and settle into the beautiful simplicity of a walk with a Heavenly Father that loves us so much as to pave the way for me to Him through Jesus Christ. Thank you that my Church wants that for me and all who come into its doors. Help Coastline to be even more sold out on bringing the simple and freeing message of Christ to my community. Thank you for opening so many doors for me and my Church. Help us to live out Paul's prayer to the Colossians. Let Jesus reign in my Church and in my life. Amen.

Day 18 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 18 - Acts 4:28-31 28 But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will. 29 And now, O Lord, hear their threats, and give us, your servants, great boldness in preaching your word. 30 Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus." 31 After this prayer, the meeting place shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit. Then they preached the word of God with boldness. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Christ had already been crucified and rose again. He had been lifted up before their very eyes into heaven. All pretty powerful and impacting stuff. Soon after these things Peter and John were arrested, thrown in jail and then called before the ruling body of Israel and chastised for the disturbance that Holy Spirit was causing in their group. The ruling body threatened them with strong sanctions (like beatings and imprisonment) if they don't stop allowing things like people being healed from taking place. Peter and John were filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke boldly about Jesus to the ruling body and were released. When they returned home to tell everyone what they experienced, they prayed today's prayer of faith. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS Peter and John stood up for Christ. They then asked for more of His Spirit and God answered so quickly that the very room where they met was shaken. The boldness Peter and John had for Christ ushered in the Holy Spirit even more and they spoke more boldly for Christ than before. So much of the Spirit's movement rests on our response to what God is doing in and around our lives. If we are quick to rationalize what is happening we rob God the glory and the power of the Holy Spirit can be greatly reduced in our lives. When we stand up for what God is doing the Holy Spirit is released even more in our lives. Today's prayer of boldness is something that each and every believer needs to desire in their hearts. The Holy Spirit is waiting to be released - go for it in boldness! CONSIDER THE PRAYER Lord, sometimes I just want to live my good and simple life and not be interrupted by the things of the Spirit. Sometimes I just want to coast into heaven. Other times, Lord, I hunger for the power and wildness of Peter and John. To be standing in front of the rulers of the day with the boldness to not back down and openly confess the power of Christ in my life. God bring more power. Bring more boldness. Let me experience the real adventure you have called me to be a part of. Help Coastline to go after the adventure so that we, who call this place our home, will be encouraged to go after it as well. Holy Spirit, be released in my life - be released in my Church. Let us be known as a body of believers who radically live out the grace you have shown us. Let us boldly proclaim where to get that grace that so many are seeking after. Amen.

Day 17 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 17 - John 17:20-23 20 "I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21 I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one-as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22 "I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23 I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Jesus is preparing for his final hours here on earth. He packs in as much about Himself and His Father's Plan as He can to those around Him. Towards the end of this amazing time with his closest followers, Jesus prays one of the most powerful and touching prayers one can imagine. In this final portion of Jesus' prayer from John 17 we focus on how our unity with Christ makes it possible for the lost to be attracted to a saving knowledge of Jesus. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS Not only does Christ pray for the believers, He prays for the nonbelievers who are called to be at one with Christ and with us. We all are destined to be at one with Him. We can choose to turn away as well. Prayer has powerful affects on the eternal destiny of people in this world. The power of unity is summed up on the statement, "I in them and you in me..." That's where the glory of God can be seen in us all. That's the stuff that makes nonbelievers stop and take notice. It isn't the fact that we act as one - packs of dogs can do that. It is the fact that, through the unity we have with God the Father through Jesus Christ, the glory of God can be seen in this world. CONSIDER THE PRAYER God, your plan is just too big for me to fully take in. I thank you that Jesus helped bring your plan into focus with the word unity. "Christ in me and God the Father in Christ." That simple statement opens the doors of heaven to me and I thank you for that wonderful gift. Now Lord, please let me be a part of that unity at Coastline. Help me to connect in ways that make your glory be seen in my community, in my family and in all the circles of life you have placed me in. Give my Church a greater understanding and passion for that connection that brings unity. Bless us with more and more of your glory. Let us be a part of your great movement to bring the lost to a place where they too can be a part of and experience the glory of being united with you. Help us not be a part of all the petty arguments that, sometimes, break unity amongst believers. Let this next season in Coastline's life be one of mighty connection, unity, glory and harvest. Amen.

Day 16 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 16 - Matthew 26:38-40 38 He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 He went on a little farther and bowed with his face to the ground, praying, "My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine." 40 Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, "Couldn't you watch with me even one hour? CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Jesus was but hours away from some of the most brutal torture any man could have faced. He knew that his life would end but not before hours and hours of questioning, beating, scourging and finally being nailed to the cross. He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to prepare himself spiritually. The burden of what was to come was so great Jesus was overwhelmed to the point of death. In His prayer, Jesus put the emphasis on the right person - not Himself and His desires, but the will of The Father. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS There is no doubt that Jesus was concerned about the hours of suffering that were to come. But that might not have been the worst of what overwhelmed Jesus in the Garden. You see, Jesus knew that the Father's will was that He, Jesus would pay the price for all man's sin. That meant that Jesus was to be the first and last human being that God the Father would turn His back upon. Think how that must have wracked Jesus to the core. His own Father, the very person Jesus stood side by side with and created all the universe, was now going to temporarily abandon His own Son so that all mankind could find their way to Him. No wonder Jesus ended up sweating blood during His prayer time in the Garden. Now with that in mind, think how much less the battle is for us to give our will over to God's will. Very few of us will ever be in a position to have to die a cruel death as part of God's Plan. Not a single one of us will ever have to face the prospect of giving into the Will of God that calls for us to be abandoned by Him. That, thankfully, was done once for all in the person of Jesus Christ. CONSIDER THE PRAYER Jesus, thank you for surrendering your will to such a horrible thing as being abandoned by your Father so that we could gain access into your glorious family. Thank you for showing us that surrendering our will to the Father's is something that can be done and is rewarded with an even greater closeness to You. Forgive me when I insist on my will over yours. Forgive me when I'm too weak to choose Your will over mine. Now God, please give me the strength to want to serve your will in all my life. Help Coastline to recognize Your will for this community and for the leadership to follow through on surrendering the Church's will for the greater will of the Father. Thank you for never leaving us or abandoning us. Thank you for showing the lost that they too can come in and find hope, forgiveness, love and compassion through the people you have called Your own at Coastline. Amen.

Day 15 - 21 Days of Prayer Devotional

21 Days of Prayer DAY 15 - Ephesians 3:14-21 14 When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father,[a] 15 the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.[b] 16 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. 17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. 18 And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. 19 May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. 20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. CONSIDER THE CONTEXT Paul was one praying man. He said in one of his letters that he prays without ceasing. Wow - how is that possible? One day we might wake up to the fact that we are paying more than we think we are. In today's prayer from scripture, we see Paul praying for those he has had the opportunity to come into contact with through the Church in Ephesus. This is a powerful and spirit directed prayer that covers many of the important characteristics of what it is to be fully under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. This is the kind of prayer we can believe Jesus is speaking to our heavenly father for each one of us right now. CONSIDER THE IMPLICATIONS There are many truths in this particular prayer from Paul. God is concerned with our inner being. He wants that part of us to be blessed by the riches of power and strength. He doesn't want our inner being to be weak or crippled as it is in so many of our lives. And, Oh how we are to know Christ's Love - it's depth, width and breath in our lives. We are to know Jesus as well - really know Him with an experiential knowledge that trumps any head knowledge we may pick up from a good sermon or any reading we may do. Finally we are to know that the power of this world is nothing to the power that we have in us through Jesus Christ. Isn't that a freeing thought? Yes, the power of this world can cause many problems for us - some of them seemingly impossible to overcome. But, God is so much more powerful. That power is there for us at the call of our God who is in control of it all. Best of all, the same riches are available for our Church. Oh what a great God we serve. That's who you are praying to today. CONSIDER THE PRAYER Dear Lord, I accept the kind of life Paul pays for today. I accept the power and the strength of an inner being that can only come from you. I turn to you for that kind of faith - the gift from you that I don't deserve and can't earn. I thank you that my Church believes in this kind of free and powerful life for me and all that come through its doors. Now, make us all able to accept it - all the more. Please let us know the size of your love for us and for those who don't know you yet. Please help us walk in the peace that comes with knowing that you are greater than all those principalities that can literally destroy us if you allowed them to do so. Protect us from those powers who long to diminish your fullness in people's lives by messing with their well being. Keep us close to you and complete in the knowledge of your son's saving grace. Amen