More Than Bread

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I will explain in the next episode, but #10 and ( the first) #11 were one and the same deal. This is the real #11. Sorry! :)

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The book of James is written, "To the Scattered..." They aren't just scattered from home, they're scattered from each other, and scattered from God. They've lost their way. There's sin in the camp, the rich are avoiding and even abusing the poor,
there is little supernatural wonder, the word is not being received with meekness. They are judgmental and they've lost their passion for prayer.  

They've lost their way. They are scattered. Maybe you feel scattered. Something has driven you off course. You've lost your way. This episode introduces who James is writing to... he's writing to the scattered!

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The book of James is written, "To the Scattered..." They aren't just scattered from home, they're scattered from each other, and scattered from God. They've lost their way. There's sin in the camp, the rich are avoiding and even abusing the poor,
there is little supernatural wonder, the word is not being received with meekness. They are judgmental and they've lost their passion for prayer.  

They've lost their way. They are scattered. Maybe you feel scattered. Something has driven you off course. You've lost your way. This episode introduces who James is writing to... he's writing to the scattered!

Send me a Text Message!

As we dive into the book of James, let's start by asking, "What do you know about James?" The author of the book of James was James the brother of Jesus. So ask yourself, "What would it have been like to grow up as the brother of Jesus? How many times did James hear, "James why can't you just be a little more like your brother? Jesus never lies. Jesus always makes his bed. C'mon James, just ask yourself, wwybd. (What would your brother do?).

James didn't even believe in Jesus until after Jesus' resurrection. But somewhere along the way, he became a man of prayer, a leader in the church, and someone with an amazing heart. This episode is all about James.

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What if God brough you to this episode, just so He can say one thing to you: "Don't quit! Don't give up! I'm not done yet." Your story isn't finished, because Jesus is the author of your by-faith story and He's not done yet! Let me ask you, will you let Jesus author your story? I love these words from Pete Greig

"Even now, this Gallilean calls us by name to leave our nets, abandon small dreams of token empires, and follow him into the great unknown.  His vision for our lives is a treasure worth everything we own -- worth living for and dying for.  It's the vision for which we were born: created by God as a gift of love to his broken, beautiful world."

Don't give up. He's not done yet!

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I used to say that the greatest opportunities we have for spiritual growth are to either go on a short-term mission trip, or go through a time of suffering. Which is a great advertisment for mission trips! Who wants to schedule in some suffering? But in the last 7+ years, I've added to those two, a third opportunity for catalytic spiritual growth; times of transition. I've found over and over again, that times of  transition are times when our faith can enter new seasons of growth. 

And what is it about mission trips, suffering and transitions that bring us to new seasons of faith? I think it's the uncertainty, the reminder that our control is merely a facade. So what if, when it comes to faith, uncertainty is actually your friend? 

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You see here's the deal...if you want to walk on the water, you have to get out of the boat. And here's what I can't get out of my mind; what I'm thinking is that I want your life to be filled with unforgettable walks.  I want your life to count, to mean something, to be significant. I want it to lead to something beyond fun, friends, a career, or even family. All those are good, great even, but I'm praying that you have some water-walking moments. I don't want you to settle for life in the boat. 

And what’s your boat? That's what we'll talk about in this episode as I lay out four  four steps to an unforgettable walk!

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In this episode we are going to use the words of Jesus about prayer, the kind of prayer that matters, that gets answered... to ponder four essentials for prayer. We'll use the acronym PUSH to help us remember them.

1. Pursue Jesus
2. Understand Grace
3. Set a Plan
4. Hold Fast

Diving into this four prayer essentials will help us pray until something happens!

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Where do you need a break-through to greater things that will cause your life to thrive? Where do you need to shine a spotlight on the courage and compassion and the power and glory of Jesus; Jesus the Redeemer, the Restorer, the Lover of our Souls. If we don't pray like prayer is essential, it's because our hearts have not been grabbed by desperation for things that matter to us. 

But when desperation for things that matter grabs our hearts, we will pray like prayer is essential. We will pray like prayer matters. We will pray until something happens. We will PUSH in prayer. 

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This episode will be a bit different. Mostly scripture, less explanation. In the last episode we started unpacking the acronym PUSH; "Pray until something happens." If there is a passage filled with the words of Jesus calling us to persevere in prayer, to push when times are tough, it’s gotta be the words that Jesus spoke to his followers just before he went to the cross. So I’m going to read those words, and make a comment or two. But mostly just read His words. 

So put yourself there, even now. You don’t know it, but you are a handful of hours away from the crucifixion of Jesus. You are walking with him in the evening hours, through a vineyard, sort of a public park, and He is giving you your final instructions, think of it as a half-time talk before the second half of the greatest game you will ever play. And he starts with, "Do not let your heart be troubled." 

Listen to his words…

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So Jesus tells this story to teach a lesson about prayer.  It is the story of man who has a late night hospitality emergency.  Late night guests have come, but as He and his wife frantically search their cupboards for bread for a late night meal. It's midnight, no convience stores, the only possibility is the next door neighbor.  They always have plenty. So he goes next door...(Bang, Bang, Bang,) nothing...  (Bang, Bang, Bang). "Go away, comes the voice from inside."  "But friend...I need some bread." "Go away, the door is already locked, and my children are here with me in bed. I can't get up and give you anything."

But the man in need doesn't go away. He keeps knocking, till finally, not because of friendship but because he is annoyinly persistent, the neighbor with plenty gets up and gives what is needed to the neighbor with nothing. This story teaches us about the power of persistant  prayer.  But don't miss the even greater truth. We are not God's needy neighbors, we're his kids.