Prayer is life!

"if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."
2nd Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)

So, today being the Global Day of Prayer, and me having enjoyed the Toronto GDOP, I have decided that tonight's study will be on prayer! Good times!

Healing of the land, cleansing of sin, bringing of miracles, healing, all these things are more, they come from prayer.

I went to biblegateway.com (which is, by the by, awesometastic! It is where I pull all the different translations I use for these studies [there, my secret is out]), and searched for the word 'pray' and was returned with 365 results (in the NIV). Interesting, very interesting. There are, am I wrong, 365 days in a year? Coincidence? Yeah, probably, just pulling your leg!
Anyway, back to the point! God is big on prayer! Literally (you can look it up!) from Genesis to Revelation, the word 'pray' is used! And, based on the whole 365 times things, I'd say it's used pretty liberally. Which is good!
God is big on prayer! He is very big on prayer! He, as my new friend Chris would say, digs it large! (Chris if you're reading this, love ya buddy!)
Prayer is our communication with God! It is the walkie talkie that we both have.
Remember when you were a kid, and you would poke a hole in the bottom of two plastic cups, and tie in a string, one end into each cup, and use them like telephones? That is a PERFECT analogy of prayer in my opinion. Prayer is our direct line to God! We have one cup, he's got the other!
If you don't pray, you are not talking to God, and you are not hearing from God. A man who was praying at the GDOP tonight said something so truthful, so simple, yet so mysterious and lost by a lot of people, "prayer is a two-way communication." A lot of people think that prayer is one-way, just us to him. But the truth is is that he is talking back! We often just do not listen, are talking too much ourselves, or do not know his voice! And sometimes we have things that block us from hearing from him. Guilt from sin, distracting thoughts, a lack of passion, mental blocks, oppressions of the mind, and other things.

"So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

This is a favourite verse of my Pastor's, and he's talked about it a few times before. This is the breakdown:

Faith comes by hearing hearing = faith
hearing comes by the word word = hearing

word --> hearing --> faith

Do you find your faith is weak? It's because you're not hearing from God eh? And you don't know why?

Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word God

Not reading the word? Well, there's the problem right there!

You know, as they do, this study is getting a little long, so I will wrap it up (sort of) with this. I struggle with reading the bible regularly, I struggle with it a lot. I don't read it nearly enough as I want, or need to. I take it in at church services, at cell groups, from friends who speak it, and when I do these studies, and that is something, but it's not nearly enough. I pray to God that he will grow in me a desire for his word! It's hard! I really just need to make it a priority. I was talking recently with some fellow guys about building God's house, and about how our priorities tend to be on building our house before his, and how that makes me feel (which is sad).  My life is about building God's house! I want to live full time a life of servitude for his house because I love him, love his house, love his people, love his lost sheep, and I love just the act of it! But I need to get my priorities straight in my day-to-day routine. God give me strength!
I encourage you reader, to press forth, to pray, to seek God, to crave his word like a fine food, and to dive into time with him fervently. Do not lose heart! And lift up your fellow Christian! Someone lift me up! Pray with me about prayer, pray with me about the word! There is so much power in these things.

"Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."
James 5:16 (NKJV)

Healing of the land, cleansing of sin, bringing of miracles, healing, all these things and more, they come from prayer.

Care to get your feet wet?

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them. They were scared of of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when he looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
Matthew 14:24-31, The Message

I've been thinking about this recently. I think that this is an excellent demonstration of the grace of God. Notice that it's Peter, who seems to say, in doubt, "if it's really you..." who is the one to step out on to water. But his faith in Jesus is so great that he trusts this form that seems to be Jesus. I can just imagine what it would be like to take a step or two out of the boat, on to the rocky sea. Can you? I would be freaked out with joy and encouraged by experiencing the power of faith! Faith in Jesus is so powerful it can defy the rules of physics! Oh Lord grow our faith in you!
But then, sigh, we see doubt's power to quench faith. "But when we looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink."
We see here the power that doubt has. It's all in our minds! As you see, the power to do great exploits, to make miracles happen! It all comes to our faith!

Stay with me here! What I'm getting at is this: God can not work with doubt-filled minds! But with faith-filled minds, he can do anything!
So I encourage you reader... If Jesus asks you to step out of the boat, on to the rocky sea, the best that can happen is you will walk on those waves. And the worst is that he will pull you up from the water, and you'll need a change of clothes!

From May 14/07

That's Prince Matt to You...

G'Day everybody! Pardon me, the odd Australian will pop in, I'm preparing to move there in the new year, and I just can't help myself but to interject a phrase or two here or there; but let's throw some shrimps on the barby and get on with tonight's study!
Soooo..... this morning at church, my lovely Pastor's wife, and my "church mom", spoke on our identity in Christ, mainly on how Satan tries to steal it. I Love Love Love these sermons because identity is something I have passion for. I love it when preachers, or whomever, speak on God given authority and things of the like because it so resonates in me. Let me give you a little insight as to why...
When I was a kid, I was picked on pretty bad at school because of very stupid, surface reasons. I was racially targeted and publicly humiliated and harassed constantly. This went on for about five years of my life, from grade three to grade eight. I have no shame in talking about it, and I've moved on and forgiven and am strong now, so I can continue to tell you even more why this is relevant.
For about five years I was constantly attacked on my worth, my intelligence, my appearance, my beliefs, my everything. Every thing that could be made fun, was. So sufficed to say, I became very depressed for a few years. Depression that lasted halfway through my teens! I had been out of harassment for three years before the depression was finally broken! So, the point of this is that my view of my value and identity were horribly, horribly skewed! I believed many horrible lies about myself and had serious self-esteem issues!
It wasn't until probably about a year or so ago that I really, really started to get a hold of what it meant to be a Man of God. This is still something I'm growing in, please don't allow yourself to believe that I would actually assume myself fully grown in the sight of God and in confidence and identity as a Man of God at twenty years old. So, yes, only about a year ago did I start to get it. The Bible says that God is King, God is Creator, God is Saviour, God is Healer, God is Redeemer, God is Father, God is Friend, etc., etc.. And the Bible also says that We are his children, his creation, his servants, his bride, his called and chosen ones, etc., etc.. BUT, this is something that few people actually have deep down in their hearts! Few members of the body of Christ actually realize what this means and what it entitles us to!
Let me tell you what it means!
First, this verse:

"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
Matthew 28:18 (NIV)

now, check THIS out:

"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,"
Luke 9:1 (TNIV)

So.... Jesus had all authority in heaven and on earth. I think we need to go and emphasize a few words there. Here it is as I believe it should be read

"Then Jesus came to them and said 'ALL authority in Heaven AND on earth has been GIVEN to me."

A note, when the word "all" is used in the bible, it really does mean all. Meaning there is no exception or anything else. All is All.

Okay, so what I'm trying to get at is that the Holy Spirit that dwelled in and on Jesus now lives in us through Salvation by his blood. But you may say, "Oh that's not true, Jesus was different!" But moowahahahaa, I will prove you wrong with the word of God! Okay: First, Jesus is born of the Holy Spirit, and second, God sent his Holy Spirit to be with Jesus through Baptism:

"This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit."
Matthew 1:18 (NIV)

"and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: "You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased."
Luke 3:22 (NIV)

Okay, now, the Bible also says that we receive the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Luke 3:16 (NIV).

And then Pentecost came and people were baptized with the Holy Spirit, which still goes on today. It is this Holy Spirit that is the power that casts out demons and heals the sick and raises dead, etc..
So, to wrap things up, because I spent a whole lot of time just setting this up...

We are sons/daughters of the Most High, Almighty God!
We are heirs to the highest throne!
We are Princes/Princesses to the King of All Creation!
We are friends of the Lord God who reigns!
We are created in his image!
We have received HIS Holy Spirit!

WALK IN THAT! Don't let anyone or anything take that from you!
Demons will come at you and attack your value, attack your worth, attack your everything, but you can tell them "shut up in the name of Jesus, I am a son of Most High Almighty God, an heir to the highest throne, etc., etc..
I love this kind of stuff, because to go for so long feeling like nothing, to go to such security and love and authority of being something, and what a something, is awesome and life changing.

Would you keep me warm tonight? And I mean that in a purely platonic way...

"You must encourage one another each day.
And you must keep on while there is still a time that can be called "today." If you don't, then sin may fool some of you and make you stubborn. We were sure about Christ when we first became his people. So let's hold tightly to our faith until the end."
Hebrews 3:13-14 (Contemporary English Version)

This is one of my favourite bible verses. I love this translation too. I searched through probably about ten, and I like this one best.
If you know me well, you'll know that one big thing with me is fellowship. Brotherhood (or sisterhood) and fellowship are, in my opinion, key to the Kingdom of God. The Bible says that Moses and God talked as friends (Exodus 33:11)!
I believe that the church cannot hope to see miracles, salvations, revival, growth, etc., until we band together and love each other. Until we are able to unite as one, within every church, and as a church in whole, this dark world will not be lit. How can one candle, one flashlight, one lamp, light a city? One light has a hard enough time lighting just one house!
But, a network of lights, a city set a blaze by a series of connected streetlights lightens the dark so the stars themselves become jealous! Ever hear of light pollution?! Oh that the church could be light pollution in the spiritual realm! My heart aches for unity for the Kingdom of Heaven! Just like my blog the other night about being light applies to the individual's spiritual walk, tonight I plead to not the individual, but the collective to shine!

"Two are better than one, because they have a good [more satisfying] reward for their labor; For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!
Again, if two lie down together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone?
And though a man might prevail against him who is alone, two will withstand him. A threefold cord is not quickly broken."
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (Amplified Version)

Ever notice that a movie is more entertaining when you watch it with someone else? Life is better with others! We're social creatures! We're meant to be together! (Genesis 2:18)  And we're meant to join together to build the kingdom of God!
Can I just encourage you reader to do one little thing more than you're doing now? Even if it's just calling someone from you church once this week to say, "Hi, I was just thinking about you and wanted to say hey and see how you were doing!"
These are the kind of things that help to strengthen us as a body and from there we can go and show the world how it's done!
The Bible says that the world will know us by our love for each other (John 13:35). So love love love love love!

"Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
Romans 12:10 (NIV)

This little light of mine...

"This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light of mine
I'm gonna let it shine!
This little light mine
I'm gonna let it shine,
Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!"

So, welcome to my first public devotions blog! I thought that I would so enrich the internet with my personal thoughts on biblical and Christian life topics as to have my own devotions blog.
I've been thinking recently on being a light. Being one who shines. And I've had this song in my head. It's so simple, and some might say childish, but it makes a great statement. There's another verse which goes on to talk about how the devil will not blow it out.
Matthew 5:14-16 (the Message) says:

"You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven."

I love that translation!!! "You're here to be a light." That's AWESOME!
I've been thinking, what is so wrong with being a light!? If I get to be a light, I get to be a strength to those who are in the dark! A guide to those who are lost! A comfort to those who are scared! If I get to be light, I get to be something people look for! Something people are drawn to! I was praying recently at church that God would make our church like a bright light to come to for those who are in darkness. That he would make us not just light a lamppost, but like a GREAT BONFIRE! Oh God, make me shine brighter!
Here are some other great verses about being a light:

Psalm 4:6 (NIV)
"Many are asking, "Who can show us any good?" Let the light of your face shine upon us, O LORD."

Psalm 89:15 (NIV)
"Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence, O LORD."

Psalm 118:27a (NIV)
" The LORD is God, and he has made his light shine upon us."

Provers 13:9 (NIV)
" The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out."

Isaiah 60:1 (NIV)
"Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you."

Matthew 5:14 (NIV)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden."

John 1:
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning.

3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (NIV) -- The same light that was in Jesus, the light of men, dwells in us through the Holy Spirit!

Acts 13:47 (NIV)
" For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.' "

2nd Corinthians 4:6 (NIV)
" For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ."

Ephesians 5:8 (NIV)
" For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light"

1 Peter 2:9
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light."

As you can see, the bible has a lot to say about being of light. Remember that you carry light in you and you are one who shines!

Care to get your feet wet?

Meanwhile, the boat was far out to sea when the wind came up against them and they were battered by the waves. At about four o'clock in the morning, Jesus came toward them. They were scared of of their wits. "A ghost!" they said, crying out in terror. But Jesus was quick to comfort them. "Courage, it's me. Don't be afraid."
Peter, suddenly bold, said, "Master, if it's really you, call me to come to you on the water."
He said, "Come ahead."
Jumping out of the boat, Peter walked on the water to Jesus. But when we looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink. He cried, "Master, save me!"
Jesus didn't hesitate. He reached down and grabbed his hand. Then he said, "Faint-heart, what got into you?"
Matthew 14:24-31, The Message

I've been thinking about this recently. I think that this is an excellent demonstration of the grace of God. Notice that it's Peter, who seems to say, in doubt, "if it's really you..." who is the one to step out on to water. But his faith in Jesus is so great that he trusts this form that seems to be Jesus. I can just imagine what it would be like to take a step or two out of the boat, on to the rocky sea. Can you? I would be freaked out with joy and encouraged by experiencing the power of faith! Faith in Jesus is so powerful it can defy the rules of physics! Oh Lord grow our faith in you!
But then, sigh, we see doubt's power to quench faith. "But when we looked down at the waves churning beneath his feet, he lost his nerve and started to sink."
We see here the power that doubt has. It's all in our minds! As you see, the power to do great exploits. To make miracles happen! It all comes to our faith!

Stay with me here! What I'm getting at is this: God can not work with doubt-filled minds! But with faith-filled minds, he can do anything!
So I encourage you reader... If Jesus asks you to step out of the boat, on to the rocky sea. The best that can happen is you will walk on those waves. And the worst is that he will pull you up from the water, and you'll need a change of clothes!

Apparently it's hot in here. No? So you say it's me then?

Ever have a moment where God decides he wants to make you feel special, and does?
Recently I have started attending a young adult church called TACF Central (whoop whoop). I've been going for the past four Sunday nights, and have really been enjoying it. I've met some crazy characters and just some great, Godly, down-to-earth people. One of these people, whom shall remain nameless, came up to me last night during worship. He came and gave me a little side-hug. I said "hey, what's up?"
"Nothing, I just wanted to come over and bless you, if that's okay."
"Sure," I said, figuring he meant "I just wanted to come over and say hi with a side-hug."
I was wrong. "Sure, go right ahead I said."
And he started to pray. He was speaking into me that he saw me on fire for God, a man on fire in that very place. Now, I'm not exactly small or hard to find, and I was standing kinda at the back, not hard to see. But I thought it was really cool that he had looked around and saw me like that. Back to the prayer.
"Yeah," he said, "I just see you as a man on fire, and you're going to go out and change the city. You're going to go out and set this city on fire for God."
And then he went on, in traditional TACF style, to "light me".
"I light you right now, I light you!" he says.
Now, I forget to mention that coming into TACF this night, I felt a little discouraged, just lies trying to get me down. But after this awesome man of God prayed for me, I feel confidence just rise up and glow in me. Thank you sir!

It's crazy sometimes how God will use people to "light you".
I think I will continue to go to Central... maybe I will see YOU there!

It begins

It begins
A blog is born

So, welcome to my humble ablog (that was a play on the word 'abode', it's not a typo). I hope that you find much of something here; be it encouragement, wisdom, hilarity, insight, or insanity. This is where my thoughts, my struggles, my journey ways shall come to share themselves. If you find yourself reading this, it's because you are either bored, and don't have much better to do, or you are interested in me, in my life. Welcome if the case is the latter, or the former, either way I am glad you chose to learn a little more about me!
If you've been cleared to view this blog, it's because I trust you to know me. I hope that you trust me to know you too.
Here we go, you and I, you and every soul who decides to peek in on the world of Matt, or MattWorld, as I like to call it. If you're prepared for a walk into the unknown, a dive into the deep, a journey into the mysterious, you just may find it. However, if you seek to find something to seek, you will find that you need to find something to find first (it makes sense... I think).

Have fun!