Category: Faith

Several weeks ago, I wrote a post titled “God is not safe, but He is good.” Now, Michael over at You Can Know God has a similar post titled “Dangerous Encounters with Christ.” It’s a very well written post, and I think he’s right on, especially in our self-centered America. A brief quote:

Over the years, I’ve heard a lot of people pray something like this in a church gathering or a worship service: “God…we don’t want to just meet together, we want an encounter with you.”

I think the problem with a prayer like that is that there are a lot of people, no, probably most people DO want to just meet together and are NOT really interested in an encounter with God at all.

So often I don’t feel like getting up in the morning, and I let the day get to me before it even starts. Especially Mondays. Days when I don’t want to be awake are the times when it’s most important to get my focus in the right place. John McGowan has an excellent post about this struggle on his blog today. An excerpt:

Psalm 66 starts this way, “Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious. Say to God, “How awesome are Your works!” These verses are an invitation and a challenge to me. An invitation to the joy of worship. A challenge – will I choose to worship?

Today, will I choose to worship? Will I use the gifts that God has given me to glorify God through my small actions during the day? Will I be intentionally working to make earth more like heaven?

Borrowed (yes, I have permission to use it) from an anonomyous friend’s away message a little while ago. I think it’s very well put. He’s reflecting on Proverbs 4:18-19.

“The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.”

What He means is that righteous people aren’t perfect; they simply have the desire and the means to be so. God shows them their faults and He is the impetus for working on those faults. He is an unstoppable force, so His work in your life is constantly progressing.

This was really encouraging this morning because I haven’t been feeling like I’ve been doing a good job, but this reminded me that God’s working in me so it’s not like I’m gonna fail.

“But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know what makes them stumble.”

Don’t read too much into the use of the word wicked. The Bible makes a clear distinction in saying that the only permanent sin is not believing. If you don’t believe the Bible is truth, then you shouldn’t have a problem with this. It’s just a simple definition.

Anyway, the Bible says that Jesus is “the Light.” He reveals what we need to do and what is standing in our way of having a fulfilled life. By simple logic, if you don’t have this, then you are lost in darkness, not being able to see what makes you stumble.

This was also encouraging cause lately I’ve been screwing up and have been able to pinpoint the reason. More assurance.

But like I said, you should take this as what the Bible says and your reaction should hinge on that. Personally I believe it’s true and have seen lots of examples that seem to back it up.

Top three things about Passion 06:

1. Sharing what God has done at Virginia Tech through vtONE this semester with Zack, one of vtONE’s founders and learning how so much of what happened this semester is in response to prayers that began several years ago.
2. The commissioning prayer in the last main session, previously posted about here.
3. The prayer journey, previously posted about here.

Any of these three things would have been enough to make the trip worthwhile, but the three of them combined show just how much God is doing in this generation.

Update:
I want to elaborate more on item #1 above. vtONE exists because we believe that God has called the Christians at Virginia Tech to come together in unity. God is working in powerful ways at Virginia Tech, and I am both thankful and overwhelmed that God has chosen to use me as part of his plan here. I hadn’t stopped to fully comprehend just how much has happened for the Kingdom since Zack graduated in May, and I know that I’m not even aware of all that is going on here! We have seen prayers answered this semester that began more than three years ago–before I had even heard of vtONE and before I had been accepted to VT. Before last week, I wasn’t even aware how far some of these prayers went back and how faithfully they had bee prayed.

One of the highlights of Passion 06 was the prayer journey. The prayer journey consisted of ten prayer stations in a room illuminated by candles and indirect light, with soft worship music playing in the background. The stations were very meaningful, especially the ordering of what to pray for from the start to the end of the journey. I spent somewhere between 45 minutes and an hour going through the journey. I haven’t been in the habit of taking extended times for prayer, but I can tell you that I will be working on setting aside more time for prayer. It says in the Bible that “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). I don’t want that to be true in my life!

On a related note, if there’s anything that I can be praying for in your life, please send me an email.

Start the Passion 06 prayer journey at home below or here.

BEGIN YOUR PRAYER JOURNEY HERE

During the course of the next few days many others will stand where you are standing now, people just like you from all across the nation and around the world. Together we are seeking the face of God, standing in the gap for this gathering and for this generation.

As you begin at Station 1, spend 5-6 minutes at each station until you reach the end of the journey. Feel free to stand, kneel and pray silently or pray out loud. Join your prayers in agreement with all those who will stand before and after you.

AS YOU PRAY:

Pray in faith
In is not the length of our praying that moves the heart of God, but our faith.

Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. Without faith it is impossible to please God.
Hebrews 11:1,6

Pray with confidence in the grace of God
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
Hebrews 4:16

Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you
In the same way, the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Romans 8:26

“Father, I am here to meet You. Lead me, use me, reveal Yourself to me, pray through me.”

---

1

PREPARE YOUR HEART

Bow Down
Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the Lord our Maker, for he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, the flock under his care.
Psalm 95:6-7

Before you begin to pray for others, ask God to search your heart.

Search me, O God, and know my heart; see if there is a wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Psalm 139:23-24

Confess any sin and receive the promise of His full cleansing that is yours in Christ Jesus.

Draw near to god and he will draw near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts you double-minded. Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will lift you up.
James 4:8,10

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.
Psalm 130:3-4

Declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, and yield your heart and life to him again today.

Therefore God exalted him (Jesus) to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:9-11

“Father, search me and try me, see if there is any wicked thought or action in me. Jesus, I confess my need of You and thank You for making me new. I proclaim You as Lord over all.”

---

2

FOR THE GLORY

As we gather here, and as we pray, we have one goal: the glory of God. That’s why we pray in Jesus’ name. We are asking that God do all these things for the purpose of making much of Himself and magnifying His fame in these days and through our lives. Before asking Him for anything, exalt God for who He is.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.
Psalm 96:2-3

For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before him; strength and glory are in his sanctuary.
Psalm 96:4-6

One generation will praise your works to another, and will tell of your mighty acts. They will tell of the glorious splendor of your majesty.
Psalm 145:4-5a

For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations.
Psalm 100:5

“O Lord, our Lord how majestic is Your name in all the earth.”

---

3

PRAY FOR THE NATIONS

TOP TEN UNREACHED PEOPLE GROUPS
Digil-Rahawiin
Farsiwan
Sanaani, Northern Yemeni
Arab, Bedouin
Airmaq, Taimani
Arab, Omani
Arab, Ta’izz-Adeni
Socotran
Gypsy, Domari
Tai Tho

In scripture “nation” means “people group,” so we pray that every people group in the world will hear the Gospel in a language they can understand AND that a church will be established in their culture, led by their people.

All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, O Lord, they will bring glory to your name.
Psalm 86:9

Pray for bold and innovative messengers to hear and respond to God’s global mission.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.
Matthew 9:37

Ask God to encourage, inspire and favor workers all around the globe, giving them unprecedented access and influence with unreached people groups.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
Matthew 24:14

Pray that God’s glory would be seen by all people, in every nation; and that awakening will come to the closed and restricted countries of the world.

“Father, send us out for Your glory.”

---

4

PRAY FOR YOUR CAMPUS/CITY

Lift up the campuses/universities in your area.

Pray for: Staff, Faculty, Administration, Students

Maybe you are one of many who follow Jesus, or one of few.

If you are one of many, ask that Believers will live in such a way that the whole campus will know how amazing Jesus truly is.

If you are one of few, sow faithful seeds in prayer today for a new outpouring of God’s Spirit on your campus.

Father, let your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Matthew 6:10

Pray for the lost on your campus, that their eyes will be opened to see the glory of God.

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.
2 Corinthians 4:6

Pray for unity among the believers on your campus. Repent of any competition or pride that keeps Jesus from being exalted as the center of all things.

“Lord use me to help students on my campus/in my city awaken to Your glory.”

---

5

PRAY FOR THE LOCAL CHURCH

Pray for: Your church and for 2 other churches in your city.

• For the staff and leadership of your church and the other churches—for purity, wisdom, encouragement, vision and protection from evil.
• For unity among the churches in your city. For a desire to see the name of Jesus exalted above that of any church.
• For a spiritual stirring and the fresh work of the Holy Spirit, empowering the Body to be the true expression of Jesus to the city.
• For personal renewal in the lives of people, a rediscovery of intimacy with God.
• For the strengthening and maturity of the Body, an army mobilized for His glory.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21

Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household, built n the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Ephesians 2:19-22

“Lord, we are Your people—lead us, fill us, shine through us.”

---

6

PRAY FOR YOUR NATION

Pray for those who lead your nation—for wisdom, righteousness, justice, courage, discernment and encouragement.

I urge, then . . . that requests, prayers, intercessions and thanksgiving be made for everyone—for kings and all those in authority.
1 Timothy 2:1-2

Confess the corporate sin of the nation as we have turned away from God.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
Proverbs 14:34

If my people, who are called by my name, will 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 will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Pray that God’s fame and His glory will be echoed throughout the nation.

Pray that America will use its wealth and influence to meet the needs of the suffering and less fortunate around the world.

“Father, have mercy on us and on our nation.”

---

7

PRAY FOR PASSION06

Pray for these days, that there would be a thin ine between heaven and earth as we seek His face.
“Father, we are here for You.”

Pray for those who are leading us (Speakers, Community Group Leaders, Lead Worshippers).
“Father, anoint those who lead us.”

Pray for a powerful outpouring of the Holy Spirit on this place.
“Come, Holy Spirit.”

Pray that we will be convicted of sin, righteousness and truth.
“Jesus, open our eyes to see you.”

Pray for students who have come from other nations.
“Lord, reach the nations through all You do in these days.”

Pray for the Passion staff and the volunteers who are wearing around the clock to make the conference work smoothly.
“Father, strengthen and energize those who prepare the way.”

Pray for the city of Nashville and its churches.
“Father, be glorified in the hearts of the people in this city.”

Ask that one hundred years from now the memory of these days will still burn for God’s renown.
“Father, let these days be eternal, bearing fruit for Your name that lasts forever.”

Ask God to send us out as a mighty army for His name.
“Fling us far and wide with a passion for Your glory.”

---

8

BE STILL

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.
Psalm 46:10

---

9

PRAY FOR THOSE WITHIN YOUR SPHERE OF INFLUENCE

Pray for the friends you are here with – for all that God is doing in their hearts.

Pray for your family here and back home.

Pray for your roommates here at Passion06.

Pray specifically for your Community Group and Family Group.

Pray for the leaders of your ministry and those who have helped facilitate your trip to Nashville.

Pray for a friend you wanted to be here but couldn’t make the trip.

Pray for someone you know who is serving God as a missionary somewhere in the world.

Pray for your neighbors at school/home (dormmates, suitemates, classmates, teammates, workmates).

I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.
1 Corinthians 9:22

“Father, open my eyes to see what You are doing all around me.”

---

10

LET ME BE THE ANSWER

Now that we have poured out our prayers to God, let’s ask Him to use us to be the answer to our prayers.

Ask God to fill you with Himself and use you as a part of His plan to do the very things you have asked Him to do.

Pray for sensitivity to the Holy Spirit and the ability to recognize opportunities all around you.

Be very careful, then how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Ephesians 5:15-16

“Here I am, all of me; take my life, it’s all for Thee. Father, use me in Your eternal story.”

The last main session at Passion was a very emotional time for me. Louie Giglio talked about personal calling, focusing on how all Christ followers are called to be full time ministers, regardless of occupation. He explained how we’re instructed to reflect Jesus in our whole lives, whether we are called to be on a ministry’s payroll or whether we’re called to design boutique jeans. At the end of the talk, he had everyone who felt called to commit themselves to full time ministry through doing their non-ministry payroll job with excellence and integrity in a way that mirrors Jesus stand. He next had all the people who felt called to professional ministry stand and finally all the people who felt called to one of the previous two options, but were unsure which at the time. Then Louie, other members of the Passion team, and the worship leaders came out on stage and prayed over everyone who was standing.

After a few minutes of praying, we went back into worship. I was choked up during the commissioning prayer and was flat out crying during some of the worship songs. The whole experience was so emotional, seeing nearly all 18,000 people who were at the conference standing for the commissioning, and knowing that I was stepping out in faith by standing there. During the worship, a banner that read “GLORIOUS”, two letter per side, surrounded the stage. The banner changed colors from white to red and then finally to blacklight purple. When the blacklights came on, the banner exposed thousands of messages written on the banner as worship–all of which had been written on it during the week by people at the conference. The camera panned across the banner, so we could read the smaller quotes. One of the quotes summed the whole experience up perfectly: “God is not safe, but he is good.” Exactly what I was feeling and why I was so emotional.

The safe choice usually is to be passive. Many people believe that Satan wants us to do bad things, God wants us to do good things, and there’s a middle ground where we just stay where we are. But Satan’s plan for us is simple: that we ignore God’s plan for our lives. Being passive is letting Satan win! Following Christ means taking risks and not always being safe. Jesus said, If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me (Mark 8:34 ESV). That’s not choosing the safe option! I chose to step out in faith and go with the unsafe option, even though much of myself tells me that I am crazy for doing so. I know that the cost will be high and I know that it won’t be an easy option, but I am trusting in the goodness of God and moving outside of my comfort zone. If you’re reading this, please pray for me as I figure out what to make of my calling. I know how I’ve been called, but I have yet to learn or figure out what that means in practical terms of how I move forward from here.

Note: I’ve discovered that the quote is a loose quoting of Mr. Beaver from C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

This morning:
Small family group with just three of us, but the best one yet. Because there was time set aside to do eight people’s worth of sharing, we were able to actually have some good discussion with everyone involved and then an extended time of praying for each other and praying for the day.

John Piper was back up this morning. I liked what he had to say better, but I still don’t understand why people find his talks so challenging. Every single talk I’ve ever heard Lon give has been more challenging than Dr. Piper’s talks for me. That said, Dr. Piper is amazingly humble. People will scream out things like “you’re my hero” during his talks and he doesn’t even respond. I’ve never seen a minister who’s near as publically visible and even half as humble as him.

Matt Redman led worship for the morning session. He’s my favorite worship leader of the Passion-affiliated artists, and it was cool to have the chance to worship with him. There were some new songs, and some of his really old stuff. The song choices were great, and were an excellent lead up and conclusion to John Piper’s talk (which is always based on the glory of God).

This morning, I learned a lot about brokenness and suffering. Candi (Pearson) Shelton shared about her 23 year old brother’s recent death. He was supposed to be one of the community group worship leaders. Candi and her husband are the worship leaders for my community group. I’m still not sure how I feel about having community groups that feature nationally known people running them, but I guess it’s cool that a lot of big names want to be involved with what God is doing through passion.

Evening update:
I went to a sectional on hearing God through hard times this afternoon. I intended to sleep in a corner. I heard the start of the talk as I was dozing off, and decided to stay awake. Ask me about Jimmy the cricket–his very memorable example.

Back to the hotel for break, but the hall was being cleaned and so it was too loud for sleeping. I caught up with the outside world and looked through some old vtONE files. Sno and I had dinner with Zack, a good friend and the former leader of vtONE. I updated him about all the awesome things that happened this semester that related to seeds that he was planting years ago for vtONE. It was also good to get updated on how things are going for him and to find out that he’s going back to seminary next semesterish.

I missed most of the worship for the evening session because we took a while for dinner. Louie gave a good talk, but I had actually heard the exact same talk given by Cory Mansfield two years ago, who used to be one of the [nlcf] worship leaders. I think he may have stolen it from Louie, but it wasn’t quite the same.

I need to get some sleep so I’m safe to drive tomorrow, but the two real highlights of the day were the prayer journey and the late night session. I will fill in this part when I’m back.

This morning:
Family group was interesting this morning (5 girls + me, but still a cool time). Worship was good again with Chris Tomlin leading. Louie took a cheap shot at all of Chris’ over used songs. Chris responded with new songs. I do have to say that I really don’t see what the hype about this John Piper guy is. i’ve heard at least 10 better sermons recently. He didn’t talk at all about applications of what he said, and he’s very calvinist.

This evening:
Large group time featuring David Crowder Band. More of a concert than worship, but still cool. Beth Moore taught, and I was impressed. I had always written her off as only talking about girl stuff, but her talk was the most challenging talk I’ve heard at Passion and her delivery was excellent. I will probably post after the conference about some of the things she talked about. Late night was with Steve Fee and Charlie Hall. I was nearly asleep in my seat, or it would have been awesome.

Now:
Sleeping. Another full day tomorrow and some sleep would be nice.