WOW.

I actually printed the transcript to this message after listening to it the other day.  I have highlights and notes written all over it.  Yes, it's that good.  It's all about prayer.  It's challenging, but something we as believers need to be challenged in.  If you listen to it, I'd love it if you left a comment or dropped me an e-mail letting me know your thoughts.  I guarantee, you won't be the same if you do.

OUTSIDE THE CAMP by David Platt.


A couple of points he makes....

* Are we going to die in our religion or die in our devotion?

* We need to risk everything for the mission.

Amazing stuff.  Not a very long message.  Worth every minute!

PRAY.

Realizing the battle is stronger than we will ever comprehend.  Realizing that we have no strength on our own to make a difference in people's lives.  Realizing that nothing can change without the strength and power of our God, who greater, who is stronger, and who is higher than any other.  If Our God is for us, than nothing can stop us.  He turned water into wine.  He opened eyes of the blind.  He is the only light that can shine in the darkness, and the only One who can bring us out of the ashes.  There is none like Him, and we can do nothing without Him.  So, we must pray.

We finished James up in our women's study last night with a challenge to deeper prayer for others.  Nothing will change in this broken world -- nothing can change in these broken lives without the power of our great God.  The enemy is strong, but our God is greater.  He wants to heal.  We are called to pray. 

Just as in the end of James, where we see the elders of the church restoring a sinner through prayer, and Elijah is restoring the backslidden nation of Israel through prayer, so are we called in verses 19-20 to do the same for those who have "wandered from the truth".... through prayer.  It takes prayer.

These Scriptures show us the picture of confession, prayer and healing taking place.  What helps a person?  God.  What does James say in 4:2?  We have not because we ask not.  We need to interceed for people to be restored in their walk with Him and for sinners to come to Him.  We need to ask.  If we don't, who will?

As a wise man once said, "Busyness is not OF the devil, it IS the devil."  We make time for so many things in this life that are fleeting, and yet we make so very little time for prayer.  As I'm writing, I'm speaking to myself just as much as anyone else.  It's going to take discipline, and most likely a rearranging of our current daily schedules to fit in more time for prayer.  My heart's cry has been, "Lord break my heart for others that I may be so drawn to prayer for them, and not just out of a "duty" or "guilt" to do it."  We will not succeed in this task if it is only done for those reasons, and I believe only God can instill a passion in our hearts to do it.... so ask Him.  What greater pleasure can we have than to see hurting sinners come to the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ.  It can only be done through prayer.  Please, pray, keeping in mind, that it's only because our God greater... our God is stronger... our God is higher than any other.

THE IMPORTANCE OF SOUND DOCTRINE AND OUR CALL TO KNOW IT AND OBEY IT

A few weeks back, I had a conversation with a friend regarding this topic of doctrine.  We discussed whether or not doctrine was important because so often it divides believers.  I decided to look and see what Scripture had to say about doctrine, and was blown away.

My study started as I was reading through some Proverbs.  This verse stood out to me:

Proverbs 4:2  "For I give you good doctrine; do not forsake my law."

If God gives us GOOD doctrine, and we are not to forsake it, He must then enable us to understand what that good doctrine is.  God never asks us to do anything He will not enable us to do.  Therefore, my conclusion from this verse alone is that God has given us sound doctrine, and we are to know what that doctrine is because He has called us not to forsake it.  I might even be so bold as to add that true, God-fearing, Scripture-studying believers, will not vary much on their doctrine.  A big part of that, however, is to remain teachable to true doctrine.  God is growing each of us, and I want truth, even if that means I must trade in something I always believed if it does not line up with Scripture.

Maybe it would be wise to define the term "Doctrine" before I go any further.  According to Strong's it is defined as "the function or the information; instruction, learning, teaching."

So if we are to KNOW this sound doctrine, where do we get it? 

I'm going to break this verse up just a bit.

2 Tim. 3:16
"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine...."

So often we focus on the rest of that verse "for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness..." which is also amazing.  But let's not leave out that little word "doctrine".

But, Scripture is given to us for doctrine.  We are not to listen to the latest teacher to get our doctrine.  We are not to follow the newest fad or read the latest books.  We are to study the Scriptures.  When we do this, as verse 17 says, "We will be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."

Having sound doctrine from the Scripture is part of what completes us as believers and equips us.  Without it, we are unequipped.

Why are we not to listen to man to receive doctrine without holding their teaching up to Scripture? 

2 Timothy 4:3-5a  "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers, and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.  But you, be watchful in all things....."

It breaks my heart when people don't want to hear truth from the Word of God.  We need to be watchful, and more than that, when we see people following false doctrine, or slipping in that direction, according to Scripture, we are to "exhort" them and "convict" them.  This is not always the best way to make friends, but that is not what we are called to do.  We are called to speak truth, in love.

Titus 1:9  "...holding fast to the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, BY SOUND DOCTRINE, both to exhort and convict those who contradict."

We are called to give attention to sound doctrine.

1 Timothy 4:13 "Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, TO DOCTRINE."

We give attention to so many things.  How much attention are we giving to knowing and understanding sound doctrine?  It is not something we are to just brush under the rug and say we'll never agree, so let's forget about it.  We are called to it.  They key then is SOUND doctrine... only found from laboring and studying the Scriptures.  This takes effort!!  It does not come easily, but it is something we are called to do.

I leave you with a strict warning from 2 John regarding false doctrine.

2 John 9-10  "Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ, does not have God.  He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.  If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds."

THE ONE TRUE GOD

We started going through this book with our kids last night. It's a great study on the attributes of God, and is built solely on Scripture. Just thought I'd pass along this resource!

THE NARROW PATH/BIBLICAL MANHOOD

Here is yet another amazing teaching by Paul Washer, once again about the narrow path. Even if you've listened to him before and weren't sure what you thought, try this one... And yes, I realize he is not the only good Bible teacher out there, but he is one of the main teachers who God is using in my life at this time. Evan and I have listened to a lot of his stuff, and seriously are challenged every single time we do.

This one, titled, "What it takes to be a man", we listened to on our way home from MI just a few days ago. It isn't JUST for men, though there is some good solid teachings for men. It includes some good stuff for women, and also Biblical approaches to dating, which is helpful for every parent. It spends some solid time talking about training up boys to be men, so if you have sons, I think you'll be blessed.

I could list so many more, (remember, we just took a long road trip!), but I'll leave you with these for now. If you do listen, let me know what you think!

FROM A STONEY HEART TO A HEART OF FLESH

Take the time to listen to this message from Ezekiel 36. All I can say is wow. Christianity is all about becoming a new creature! I promise you it's worth every minute!