PEOPLE & EWS CHURCH N
O O L B OX T H C R U H C
Becoming a person of prayer IFIEDS /// PREVIEWED ON COVER
CLASS
buy the toy the next time he saw it. From that moment, he hunted for that toy in nearly every store we visited. Years ago, God put questions on my heart But as Joshua was seeking, I noticed certhat changed my prayer life. tain store aisles he wouldn’t go down. He First, I asked myself, “What would happen called them the “pink aisles.” Barbies, baby E S on I Cwere if I prayed more and did other things less?” dolls and other items for little V Ogirls What if I prayed more and slept less, checked display. He steered clear. Teasingly, I asked the news less or watched television less? To- him, “What if your toy has accidentally been day, I might also ask: “What if I prayed more placed on one of the pink aisles? Don’t you and followed social media less?” want to check?” He wouldn’t budge. Next, I considered: “Is there any area of We sometimes do the same thing spiritumy life that would suffer if I prayed more?” ally. We pray God shows us an aisle of surWould more prayer make me less loving a render to go down, and we won’t budge. We husband and dad, less effective a preacher ask, “God, heal my marriage,” but we won’t or less wise a leader? Naturally, the answer forgive our spouse. We ask, “God, help my to each of those questions was “no.” Greater finances,” but we won’t give obediently. Or, prayer would only strengthen my life. we ask, “God, save the lost,” yet we won’t So that day, I prayed, “Lord, make me a share the Gospel. Until we come to the point man of prayer. Teach me to live in an atmo- of surrender, we are not really seeking. sphere of prayer.” From that day until now, Knocking means praying with endurGod has transformed the way I pray. ance. Jesus’ commands move from simple I have found three simple keys for greater asking, to more intense seeking, to even prayer in the words of Jesus in Luke 11:9: “Ask bolder knocking. The action of knocking and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; communicates the persistence with which knock, and it will be opened to you.” Consider God desires us to pray. We may be tempted how each command speaks to your prayer life. by our flesh or by Satan to give up and stop Asking means praying with expectan- praying, but Jesus commands us to contincy. In Luke 11:11-13, Jesus compared prayer ue, even when God’s answer seems delayed. to a child asking a father for food. If a youngEnduring prayer can be compared to a ster asks his father for a piece of fish or for a grandfather who whispered to his grandpickled egg, dad might say, “No, you’ll spoil daughter, “I’ve got a quarter hidden in one your dinner.” Or, “Wouldn’t you rather have a of my hands. Find it, and you can have it.” His chocolate chip cookie?” Only a vicious father hands were in front of him, clenched tightly. would hand his son a snake or a scorpion to With great effort, the little girl began to pry eat instead. A parent may say, “yes,” “no” or open his hands, finger by finger, until finally, “I’ve got something better for you.” But no she discovered the quarter. caring parent would meet a child’s request If he was going to give her the coin, why did with something deliberately harmful. he make her go through all that trouble? Well, Similarly, you can pray expecting God maybe he enjoyed the fun of playing a game to answer, trusting His answer to be good. with her. Or perhaps he thought her effort Sometimes, God answers, “no.” Hearing “no” would make S appreciate his gift more. NeiE Rher Gthose N I L S from God can sting. But I’d rather have God’s ther of answers gets at his deepest reaD R O W “no” than anybody else’s “yes,” because it’s son, though. He hid the coin and revealed it ultimately a positive answer. slowly because he wanted his granddaughter Seeking means praying with effort. Seek- to stay close, holding his hands. ing involves searching and surrendering. Jesus For God’s power to flow through our minused the same word command in Matt. 6:33: istries, families, and lives, pastors and our “Seek first the kingdom of God.” When you pray, churches must learn to live with our hands seeking means asking, “God, what can I do to in God’s Y Shand. When Jesus commands us E SA be part of your answer to my prayer?” D A V to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, he’s When he was 7 or 8, our son asked for a working to keep us close to the Father. He’s toy action figure. I promised Joshua we’d making us people of prayer. >> by Stephen Rummage
SENIOR PASTOR, OKC, QUAIL SPRINGS
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February 27, 2020 | The Baptist Messenger | www.baptistmessenger.com | Church Toolbox
GERS W O R D S L I N S & C U LT U R E NEW
HOW TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF YOUR CHURCH (IN A GOOD WAY) S E S AY V SMITH D>>ARYAN
What do people do without a church family? I often ask myself this question as I see the church surround those going through life transitions. As new babies arrive, physical needs arise, or seasons of loss weave in T I S T S me to see and out of church members’ B AitPastonishes A H O M Alives, L K O T how the local body of believers assist H L I GtoHsupport, H IGmoves E C R U O S E R those members in their time of need. and surround The church does not exist solely to meet our own needs, but the Bible is clear that many spiritual, physical and emotional needs are to be met as the body of Christ cares for its members. Yet even those connected to a church family may miss out on what God has ordained in providing the local church. For many, the church is a place to consume. Sundays offer a place to take the kids, get free coffee, and take in some songs and a message. Entertainment value may fluctuate, but all in all, it’s not bad for free. The church is an easy place to be a consumer, but that is not what the church is intended to be. When care, correction and companionship are needed on the road of the Christian life, the local church is the God-given, Biblical prescription.
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D AV E S AY S INCREASE LIFE INSURANCE?
BAP T IS TS A M O H A L OK H IG H L I GH T R ESOURCE
Dear Dave, My husband and I are on Baby Step 3b, and we’re saving for a house. We’re out of debt and both of us make good money, plus we each have 20-year level term life insurance policies with coverage equaling 10 times our individual incomes. We also have an emergency fund equal to six months of expenses. I recently received a promotion at work, with a subsequent raise of $10,000. Should I update my life insurance policy to reflect this new income? —Maria Dear Maria, I think you’re OK right now. I’d evaluate it, and maybe update the amount every three or four years. But as you get out of debt and build wealth, and as the kids get older, the real question to ask yourselves is how much less life insurance do you need? As your income increases and you get in better and better financial shape, it’s not going to be necessary to have 10 to 12 times your income wrapped up in life insurance policies. That’s just a starting point. Would your husband and any kids be well taken care of based on your current life insurance amount? Would you and any kids be okay based on his life insurance? If the answer to both questions is yes, you’re good! —Dave The views expressed by Dave Ramsey do not necessarily reflect those of the Baptist Messenger and do not constitute legal financial advice.
