I just got done listening to a prayer conference where the speaker noted all the revivals that have taken place in the last 300 years.  All of them started in prayer.  There hasn’t been a revival of note that did not start with prayer.  And I do not believe the next one will be an exception.  So what are you praying for?

Joy is a simple three letter word that many of us miss.  But Joy is something we all can have if our minds are focused on the right things.  What brings you joy?  Think about these things.

Happy Labor Day.  What steals your joy and what can you do to prevent this was our message Sunday.  Too many times our joy is stolen and we do not have the attitude of the mind that we need.  And it is all about our mind.  We need to think differently, change our focus, and keep it guarded if we have any hope to keep the joy that comes from God.  I hope that our joy this week is renewed because of what God is showing us in the book of Philippians.

I hope that no matter what season of life that you find yourself in that you will continue to look to God who is always by your side.

We probably will never experience the pain and anguish that the psalmist who wrote Psalm 137.  But it is good to know that God even accepts this kind of hurt and brings comfort to those who experience all kinds of suffering.  He too had to experience the horror of having his “baby” die on the cross.  So whatever you are going through or experiencing, God is there to hear your cry and answer your prayers.  Just call out to him.

I just got done listening to Bryan’s message from Sunday and I liked the idea.  He spoke very well about the two false ideas the God helps those who help themselves and that we are never given more than we can bear.  Many times we think that we need to help God or do things ourselves.  This is absolutely false.  And many times we are given more than we can bear ourselves.  But all of this is for us to trust in God more and allow him to bring us through all those difficult times.  Do not get all caught out with these two myths because they can lead you down some dark roads.

My prayer for you this next week that if you cannot sleep that God will give you a song in the night to sing you back to sleep.

I think one of the greatest lessons we can learn is how to lament as a community or as a body of believers.  When we can look at others around us and join together in weeping and crying out for others, it gets our eye off of ourselves and our problems.  And when we look at our problems less, many times our problems become less.  Prayers of group confession and laments over actions (or inaction) spur us to do better and to renew broken relationships.  And so take some time this week and call up someone from the church and lament together about how God can change what is taking place at your place of worship.

Lamenting for our sins is one of the most common laments in the Psalm.  And with Psalm 22 Jesus lamented for the sins that were placed on him (not his own).  So what are the sins that you need to lament this week over.  Confess those and Jesus will forgive you.