After a trip to Arizona, Lowell shared an experience with a “Vortex”. Rather… a group of people were searching for a “Vortex”. Why do people inevitably seek various ways to commune with higher powers? Ecclesiastes 3:11a “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart…” Is it possible for man to Biblically communicate with God? Indeed! It is called prayer. The guys tackle some prayer questions with their guest and friend, Chris Dozier. Chris is a lifelong Martinsburg guy, and someone passionate about prayer. Below, find out what the guys were discussing…

Matthew 6:5-13

5 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

10 Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

Below are some questions people may have about prayer…

Does God hear everyone’s prayer?

Hebrews we can approach the throne of God with confidence. God has obligated himself to answer the prayers of His children. Jesus is the key! We must have Jesus for the lord to hear our prayer.

I don’t know how to pray! How?

If you know how to talk, you know how to pray. It is just a conversation. God wants to hear from us. The Spirit of God helps us when we don’t know what to pray… See Romans 8:26.

Is there a right form/position to pray?

When you start to place stipulations on prayer you begin to lose to ultimate purpose OF prayer. Go to God how you are. The focus is on relationship, not the form taken. “The only secret to prayer, is secret prayer.” See Matthew 6:6.

Is there a secret prayer that is better then others?

The prayer of Jabez!? The exact prayer of Daniel? David? The best prayer is a sincere prayer. Praying to God in a spirit of honesty and rawness, is what God wants. Historical figures were raw with the Lord. David. Jeremiah. Habakkuk. See Matthew 6:7.

Do I have to say “In Jesus Name” when I end a prayer?

No. Some misunderstand John 14:13-14 to mean if they say “In Jesus Name” they will be granted their prayer. It means we comes to God through the Bridge, Jesus Christ. We go to God, through Jesus. I John 5:14-15 is a better understanding. We pray with God’s Will in mind, and His Will to be done. See Matthew 6:10.

Have you ever been to… the DMV!?! There is nothing like a trip to the DMV to learn about patience, insanity, and most of all, submission to authority. It is hard when authority calls you to do something you don’t want to do!

Romans 13:2 “Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.”

Is there a line that we cross where we do not need to obey our authority…

or what if the authority doesn’t align with God?

What is God’s view of resisting authority?

Acts 5:27-32 “And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest questioned them, saying, ‘We strictly charged you not to teach in this name, yet here you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.’ But Peter and the apostles answered, ‘We must obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.’”

* We submit to God FIRST!

* Remember! God does not promise to protect us from consequences of Godly obedience.

* It is God’s Will for you to suffer

* I Peter 3:17 “For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”

* In this world you will have trouble

* John 16:33b “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

* Regardless of the outcome, we are called to obey God.

* Daniel 3:16-18 “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered and said to the king, ‘O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. If this be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of your hand, O king. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.’ ”

* If you have a difficult authority over you, and you are struggling, remember…

* Pray, Submit, and Pray for them

* Your Godly example of living for Jesus in front of nonbelievers could be the catalyst for them to come to the Savior, Jesus!

* Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Well, it’s that time of year when… taxes are due! The guys use paying taxes as a springboard for the topic, “What does the Bible have to say about our governing authorities?”

I Peter 2:13-16 “Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.”

* Authorities over us in our lives…

* God has placed them in authority over our lives.

* God is in control of everything.

* God uses even sinful authorities to work out His Will

* John 19:10-11a “So Pilate said to him, ‘You will not speak to me? Do you not know that I have authority to release you and authority to crucify you?’ Jesus answered him, ‘You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above.’”

* We are to pray for them.

* I Timothy 2:1-2

* Why? In order to help us lead a quiet, Godly, and dignified life.

* We are to honor and submit to them.

* Romans 13:1-7

* Mark 12:17

* When we are the Authority over others…

* Just as if we were under authority, we Submit, Serve, and Honor others.

* It is a faith building process

* Our ultimate goal is to be molded into Jesus!

* To be like Jesus on this earth… internally and externally.

* Emote and promote the Savior!

Don’t forget to check out this quick article from Tim Challies!!

Have you ever had something oversold and underdelivered? Poor old Ralphie and his Little Orphan Annie Decoder ring… OVALTINE!?!? Well, Jesus does NOT oversell , and he does NOT underdeliver. HE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT! The guys continue to discuss the Significance of the Resurrection of their King, Jesus.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact, but does it have significance in your life?

* The resurrection proves that Jesus is God!

* The old testament foretells that Jesus is God!

* Romans 1: 1-3 and Isaiah 53:5,8,10

* Jesus foretells it Himself!

* Matthew 17: 22-23

* He didn’t just claim it, but he PROVED it!!

* Check out Lee Strobel’s book “The Case for Christ”

* How is this possible?

* In the Power of the Spirit of holiness.

* Romans 1:4

* The resurrection is THE moment Jesus conquers death, sin, and Satan.

* Death-

* John 11:25, “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

* We don’t depend on this world, we depend on the One who conquered this world!

* Sin-

* I Corinthians 15:56-57, “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

* Satan-

* Hebrews 2:14b-15, …”he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.”

* The resurrection gives us the ability to experience newness of life

* Romans 8:11, “If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”

* John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.”

* He brings the dead to life! Ephesians 2

* I Corinthians 15:21-22, “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the first-fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.”

Through the resurrection of Jesus, He gives significance to our lives!

Have you ever recommended a song/movie to a friend, and they not share your enthusiasm for it? The guys discuss their excitement over the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Many know it as a fact, but do they have enthusiasm for the resurrection? The guys discuss why there is so much to be excited about, as it pertains to the resurrection!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is a fact, but does it have significance in your life?

The resurrection proves that Jesus is God!

* The old testament foretells that Jesus is God!

* Romans 1: 1-3a “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God, which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures, concerning his Son…”

* Isaiah 53:5,8,10

* Jesus foretells it Himself!

* Matthew 17: 22-23, “As they were gathering[f] in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill him, and he will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.”

* He didn’t just claim it, but he PROVED it!!

* Check out Lee Strobel’s book “The Case for Christ”

* How is this possible?

* In the Power of the Spirit of holiness.

* Romans 1:4 “was declared to be the Son of God in power according to the Spirit of holiness by his resurrection…”

People admit to, talk about, right songs, and think of, heaven. Even those who deny heaven, still reference it. God has made us for eternity

Ecclesiastes 3:11a “He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, he has put eternity into man’s heart…”

We look for greatness and satisfaction and believe that is heaven. But if we truly know what makes heaven so great, it will transform how we live on this earth.

“It would seem that Our Lord finds our desires not too strong, but too weak. We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” C.S. LEWIS

What makes heaven so great? The answer is simple, God. It’s all about the Father!

John 17:3 “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.”

“If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ was not there?” FRANCIS CHAN

Revelation 21:22-23 “And I saw no temple in the city, for its temple is the Lord God the Almighty and the Lamb. And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.”

How do we get to the point of God’s presence mattering this much?

* Grow closer to Him through intimacy.

* Intimacy comes through learning His Word

* His Word transforms our lives to walk like Jesus.

Death happens continually around us. And when people discuss life after death, many try to explain what it is like in heaven. Unfortunately, their views are not based on God’s Word. The Bible shares many facets of heaven, and the best way to understand it, is to go to the Source. The guys begin by sharing 4 common misconceptions related to heaven.

Misconception #1 – People think when we die, we are absorbed.

Unlike many cults and religions, the Bible is clear we will not become assimilated into a cosmic force.

Job 19:26-27 “And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself,and my eyes shall behold, and not another.”

Misconception #2 – Heaven will be boring.

God gave made responsibilities before our sinful nature, and He will give us responsibilities after our sinful nature.

Matthew 25:23 “…Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.”

Misconception #3 – The physical realm is evil, and God’s plan is to destroy physicality.

We are not a body with a spirit. We are a spirit with that is temporarily in this body. In heaven we will receive our resurrected body.

Acts 3:21, “Whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.”

Misconception #4 – We will not spend eternity in heaven.

There will be a new earth and a new heaven and we will live there for eternity.

Revelation 21:1a, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away…”

Interested in more information about heaven? Check out Randy Alcorn’s book “Heaven”

The guys continue a discussion about fish… this time, the fish in an aquarium.

God has made and designed us to operate in the environment he has established. The Lord calls His children His Workmanship, or His Masterpiece. However, because of our sin, we area flawed masterpiece… needing redeemed.

Scripture referenced today includes:

Psalm 8

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2 Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them?

2 Peter 2:19 (ESV) — 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved.

The guys take us out on fishing trip today.  From this trip, we discover the truth that God is the Great Designer.  The Lord designed us and knows exactly the best environment for us, His creatures.  From Psalm 8, we find that God is ‘mindful of man’.  The Lord is at work in our lives and concerned for us!  The Great Designer is working the details of our life to bring us closer to him.    

C.S. Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

Psalm 8

Lord, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth! 

You have set your glory

in the heavens.

2 Through the praise of children and infants

you have established a stronghold against your enemies,

to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens,

the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars,

which you have set in place,

4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,

human beings that you care for them? 

The guys continue their discussion about the wonder of God’s creation. As lovers of the outdoors, Lowell and Billy get excited about creation. But, even more so, they get excited about the Creator. Recently, one of the guys finished watching the television program, Alone. The television series demonstrates man’s tendency to “give thanks to the creation, not the creator”. From the creation, humans can learn great truths about the Creator.

Specifically, we can see that the He is:

* ​The God of Revelation.

* ​The God of Redemption.

Creation reminds us that God is Great; but recognizing the Greatness of God is not enough. We need redeemed!

Click here to hear The Color Green by Rich Mullins

Scripture Passages today include:

* Romans 1:21 (ESV) — 21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

* Isaiah 55:12 (ESV) — 12 “For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.

* Isaiah 44:14–17 (ESV) — 14 He cuts down cedars, or he chooses a cypress tree or an oak and lets it grow strong among the trees of the forest. He plants a cedar and the rain nourishes it. 15 Then it becomes fuel for a man. He takes a part of it and warms himself; he kindles a fire and bakes bread. Also he makes a god and worships it; he makes it an idol and falls down before it. 16 Half of it he burns in the fire. Over the half he eats meat; he roasts it and is satisfied. Also he warms himself and says, “Aha, I am warm, I have seen the fire!” 17 And the rest of it he makes into a god, his idol, and falls down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “Deliver me, for you are my god!”

* Isaiah 53:11 (ESV) — 11 Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous, and he shall bear their iniquities.