My good friend and fellow blogger Trey Bailey, author of The New Normal blog sent me this today and he has given me the freedom to share it with you. I hope it encourages you to see how God is working in His life.
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After completing the “Experiencing God” workbook, Chad Hambrick challenged me to write out a prayer to God summarizing my take-away from each unit and then create a concrete goal to assist in living out these take-aways. Here is what I have come up with:
Lord,
I know the truth of the scripture. I know you have called me out and adopted me as a son into your family, a joint heir with Christ. I am assured by the Holy Spirit’s presence in my life that I am redeemed by the blood of Jesus, not by anything that I have done, but only through his sacrifice and grace.
I ask that you assist me with your Spirit to live a life that reflects your holiness and proclaims your glory till you return.
Help me to constantly be aware of your Holy Spirit’s presence, even making a point to consistently seek you first in all things regardless of perceived magnitude.
Action:
[Pray every hour on the hour despite the situation or surrounding.]
Make me uncomfortable for the sake of Christ, so that I will grow in my dependence on the Father. Press me to give sacrificially of my time, my money, and all my stuff so that others may know your great love and providence in their lives.
Action:
[Give sacrificially over and above my tithe to watch God do great things & increase my dependence on him.]
[Secure 3 men to work through Experiencing God together. Begin meeting with them one hour every other week.]
Remind me that a real and honest relationship is a two-way conversation. As I pour my heart out to you, slow me down enough to listen to what you have to say as well. Speak to me. And help me to hear your voice and respond accordingly.
Action:
[Schedule one day a month to get away and be still before the Lord. Completely “unplug” for the day.]
Grow my intimacy in our relationship. Lead me to the cross where I will worship the Holy God, deepen my conversation time with you..let there be few distractions..and speak freely, Lord.
Action:
[Once a month schedule a time to sing and play before the Lord in personal worship. Try to let the Holy Spirit sing through me. Not scheduled songwriting, but spontaneous worship.]
Draw me to your Word. Let me read with a hunger like that of a starving man. Devouring the Word (my daily bread) and placing it above all earthly things. Give me strength to put you first in my day. And Spirit, remind me of the truths and promises all through the day.
Action:
[Start each day with a personal encounter with God. Do not start anything else until I’ve met with God.]
[Mark an “S” on my palm to remind me that I am “surrendered” to Christ for his bidding and his purpose.]
Bring me to a place of trust, knowing that God has my best interest in mind. And help me to grasp the concept that the spiritual is just as real as the physical. But let me trust more in the spiritual than the physical.
Give me a bold confidence, in Christ alone, to attempt God-sized challenges. Let the work of my hands be noticed by man as something that only the supernatural could accomplish. Thus bringing fame to the Holy King and none to me, your servant.
Action:
[Plan something impossible. After a time of unloading my will before the Father, listen and write out an impossible task. Pray, listen, and act to see if God makes the impossible, possible.]
I give up. I surrender all of me, my family, my everything to do your will.
Action:
[Acquire a bedroom suit for the basement. Acquire a washer & dryer. Make that space ready and available for someone to move in with our family, if needed.]
Prompt me to obey and Spirit, convict me when I do not. Remind me that obedience leads to a greater intimacy with the authority.
Action:
[When prompted by the Holy Spirit to act..obey immediately.]
Grant me patience to hear others, knowing that you speak to every believer..not just me, as I’m prone to arrogantly believe.
Action:
[Set up a time once a month to LISTEN to a member of my team/church..no leading..just listening. Ask questions directly related to the Holy Spirit’s work in their life: What is God teaching you through his word? What is the Holy Spirit doing in your life right now?]
Provide me opportunities to love and to show radical grace. We all need a second chance. And my offering of grace could be the open door someone may need to hear the redemptive message of the gospel.
Action:
[Once a quarter, serve in the Celebrate Recovery band on Thursday night.]
Prepare me and empower me to live my faith out loud, for your fame. First with my spouse, then with my children, next in my workplace, and amongst my friends and neighbors..so that the world will see who YOU are in all your goodness and glory. And that the legacy of Christ will continue for generations to come.
Action:
[Spend daily time in prayer with my family utilizing the prayer board.]
[Schedule a couple of events a year where I am serving my community.]
[Blog weekly, and facebook/twitter daily with the intention of living my faith transparently before my friends, family, and community.]
