Pastor Todd sits down for a conversation with Pastor Bob & Barb as we celebrate a milestone birthday!

PRAYER is not a button to be pushed,

but a relationship to be pursued.

You were created for responsibility.

Eventually your irresponsibility becomes someone else’s responsibility.

The principle of sowing and reaping.

3 groups:

those who hide behind their prayers

those with misguided compassion

those who are reaping the seeds that someone else sowed

Joshua 7:2-13

Am I taking responsibility for my life?

Am I hiding behind my prayers?

Am I trying to pray my way out of something I behaved my way into?

Nehemiah 8:9-10

1, My soul has found what it was looking for.

Matthew 13:44

Philippians 3:8-14

2, Joy vs Happiness

The happiness of this world is temporary.

John 13:17

Galatians 5:22-23

John 15:10-11

Romans 5:3-5

3, Requirements for Joy

- submission

- service

Hebrews 12:1-2

Psalm 16:11

PRAYER is not a button to be pushed,

but a relationship to be pursued.

What do you do when God says "no"?

When God says "no" you simply take no for an answer.

2 Corinthians 12:7-10

1. We have permission to ask God to change our circumstances.

2. God reserves the right to say "no".

3. God loves to use our weakness to demonstrate His strength.

4. God promises grace when He says "no".

Hebrews 4:16

God delivers grace:

- through people.

- through perspective.

- through unexplainable energy

We can't resist the will of God and receive the grace of Godat the same time.

We need to learn to take "no" for an answer.

2 Corinthians 4:7

PRAYER is not a button to be pushed,

but a relationship to be pursued.

Why doesn't God do something about THAT?!

**When God is uncooperative, inattentive, late

John 11

Jesus allowed this situation to happen.

He created a that so we could carry HOPE into our future.

God has the ability to enter into your pain even when He chooses to do nothing about it.

God can.

Sometimes He waits.

We can trust Him in the meantime.

Jesus is a reality... to be known and lived.

1) Complaint

John 6:41-42

2) Comeback

John 6:43-47

3) Contentment

John 6:48-51

4) Contention

John 6:52

John 6:60

John 6:26

John 6:70-71

5) Companionship

John 6:53-59

We are to fully incorporate Jesus into our lives, and take Him into our innermost being.

PRAYER is not a button to be pushed,

but a relationship to be pursued.

Luke 11:3-4

Matthew 6:11-12

Give us today our daily bread...

- a trust issue

List #1: What do I need?

Give us today our daily bread, and forgive us our sins...

List #2: Where do I need forgiveness?

...as we forgive those who sin against us.

List #3: Who do I need to forgive?

"Lord, meet my material needs, and give me material wealth... but only as much as I can handle without harming my ability to put You first in my life." (Tim Keller)

PRAYER is not a button to be pushed,

but a relationship to be pursued.

Luke 11:1-2

Matthew 6:9-10

A battle between two kingdoms:

My kingdom & God's kingdom

Our Father in HEAVEN

Our FATHER in heaven

OUR Father in heaven

When my kingdom wins, I lose.

This week, let’s pray daily, using the Lord’s Prayer as our guide.

One of the most crucial, most necessary, spiritual disciplines is PERSEVERANCE.

Important Ingredients (or results):

1) Spiritual Success

2 Timothy 3:10-12

2) Safety

Proverbs 21:31

3) Support

2 Timothy 4:9-13

2 Timothy 4:3-8

Genesis 39-41

“If God is with me, what do I do in these circumstances?”

What would someone like me in my circumstances do if they were absolutely convinced that God was with them?

Matthew 28:18-20

Are you willing to live, love and lead as someone who is confident that God is with you?