Jesus Habits: Prayer (Jesus Habits Series)

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  This sermon about prayer is part of my pastor's sermon series titled Jesus Habits. 

Jesus Habits:  Prayer

One reason habits matter is this.  Successful people do consistently what other people do occasionally.  In what area of your life do you need to become more consistent? 

While you are thinking about the answer to that question, you are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

There are three points to ponder while developing Jesus habits.  We need these three things.

1.  We need the power of Christ in our lives.

2.  We need a system.  We need a lifestyle that consistently allows us to develop Jesus habits.

3.  We need accountability and encouragement from others.  We were created for community.

Today's specific topic related to forming Jesus habits:  

Jesus Habit: Prayer

Jesus began His day by connecting with His Father, God, before doing anything else.  Jesus prayed.

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there. - Mark 1:35

All that God wants to do in your life, your family, your business, etc is done through prayer.

1.  Why did Jesus pray?

Jesus was and still is fully God and fully man.  He was and is flawless but He experienced the hard stuff of life such as temptation, pressure from others, etc.

Jesus spoke these things; and lifting up His eyes to heaven, He said, “Father, the hour has come; glorify Your Son, that the Son may glorify You. - John 17:1

When Jesus experienced the hard stuff of life, He took refuge in His Father, God.

If you look at the world, you'll be distressed. If you look within, you'll be depressed. If you look at God you'll be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom

Let's focus on developing good Jesus habits, not bad habits.  Bad habits, even private bad habits, will eventually come out publicly.  Private good habits will eventually come out too. 

2.  When did Jesus pray?

Jesus prayed early in the morning.

Starting our day with God helps shield us during spiritual battles during the day.

Jesus also prayed at night.

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. - Luke 6:12

If you wake up in the middle of the night, pray.

Jesus prayed in a variety of places.  He tells us to keep seeking, asking, and knocking.

Jesus prayed with people, not just for people.

Some eight days after these sayings, He took along Peter and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. - Luke 9:28

Do you have a prayer group?  I am part of a small prayer group that meets once per week.  I always look forward to our prayer time together and I feel refreshed after we have prayed.  If you are not part of a prayer group, consider seeking one out or start one.

Jesus prayed before making decisions.

It was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God.  And when day came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also named as apostles. - Luke 6:12

Jesus prayed after great victories.

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone. - Matthew 14:23

 Jesus prayed to overcome temptations.

When He arrived at the place, He said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”  And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray. - Luke 22:40-41

 Jesus prayed for those whom He loved. 

Jesus prayed during crisis.

3.  Why is prayer a difficult habit for us to develop?

Perhaps we pray while hanging on to sin in our lives.  Practice the habit of confession.  Confess your sins to the Lord and turn from them.

Perhaps we pray with wrong motives.

Perhaps we doubt prayer is effective. 

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.  For that man ought not to expect that he will receive anything from the Lord. - James 1:6-7

Perhaps we aren't walking in faith.

Perhaps we have never been discipled.

It happened that while Jesus was praying in a certain place, after He had finished, one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John also taught his disciples." - Luke 11:1

4.  When we embrace the habit of prayer, choose to pray.  Don't wait for a feeling.

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We need a system for developing the habit of prayer.  

Begin by praying every morning for 7 minutes for the next 7 days.

Prayer is about God's glory and should be centered on Him.

Variety is a good prayer habit.  Pray about a variety of situations, a variety of people, and in a variety of places.

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Never lose expectancy in prayer.  Our prayers are instantly heard in Heaven.  Consider the following beautifully written piece by Charles Spurgeon.

Prayers are instantly noticed in heaven. The moment Saul began to pray, the Lord heard him. Here is comfort for the distressed but praying soul. Oftentimes a poor broken-hearted one bends his knee, but can only utter his wailing in the language of sighs and tears; yet that groan has made all the harps of heaven thrill with music; that tear has been caught by God and treasured in the lachrymatory of Heaven. “You have collected all my tears in Your bottle.” This implies that they are caught as they flow!

The suppliant, who groans out his words, will be well understood by the Most High God. He may only look up with misty eye; but prayer is the falling of a tear! Tears are the diamonds of Heaven! Sighs are a part of the music of Jehovah’s court, and are numbered with the most sublime strains which reach the majesty on high!

Do not think that your prayers, however weak or trembling, will be unregarded. Our God not only hears prayers, but also loves to hear them. “He does not forget the cry of the humble.”

True, He does not regard proud looks and lofty words.
He has no concern for the pomp and pageantry of kings.
He does not listen to the swell of martial music.
He does not regard the triumph and pride of man.

But wherever there is a contrite heart full with sorrow, or a lip quivering with agony, or a deep groan, or a penitential sigh—the heart of Jehovah is open! He marks that prayer down in the registry of His memory! He puts our prayers, like rose leaves, between the pages of His book of remembrance, and when the volume is opened at last there shall be a precious fragrance springing up therefrom! - Charles Spurgeon

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Prayer is a relationship.  The more you talk to God, the more you will want to talk to Him and the more you will resemble Him.

Pray, just pray.

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Jesus Habits:  Prayer

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The Power of Habits (Jesus Habits Series)

The Power of Habits, Jesus Habits

Everybody develops habits.  Some habits are good.  Some habits are bad.  We should definitely work on stopping those bad habits.  The best habits we can possibly have are Jesus habits.  We develop the best habits possible when we follow the example of Jesus.  Jesus had absolutely no bad habits.  He is the perfect example of successful abundant living.

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

Today's Bible context is threefold:  Romans 7, Galatians 2:20, and Galatians 4:19.

Or do you not know, brothers and sisters (for I am speaking to those who know the Law), that the Law has jurisdiction over a person as long as he lives? ² For the married woman is bound by law to her husband as long as he is alive; but if her husband dies, she is released from the law concerning the husband. ³ So then, if while her husband is alive she gives herself to another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from the law, so that she is not an adulteress if she gives herself to another man.

⁴ Therefore, my brothers and sisters, you also were put to death in regard to the Law through the body of Christ, so that you might belong to another, to Him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵ For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were brought to light by the Law, were at work in the parts of our body to bear fruit for death. ⁶ But now we have been released from the Law, having died to that by which we were bound, so that we serve in newness of the Spirit and not in oldness of the letter.

⁷ What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? Far from it! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “You shall not covet.” ⁸ But sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin is dead. ⁹ I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin came to life, and I died; ¹⁰ and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; ¹¹ for sin, taking an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it, killed me. ¹² So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.

¹³ Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? Far from it! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by bringing about my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment sin would become utterly sinful.

The Conflict of Serving Two Masters

¹⁴ For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold into bondage to sin. ¹⁵ For I do not understand what I am doing; for I am not practicing what I want to do, but I do the very thing I hate. ¹⁶ However, if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, that the Law is good. ¹⁷ But now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me. ¹⁸ For I know that good does not dwell in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. ¹⁹ For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. ²⁰ But if I do the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin that dwells in me.

²¹ I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. ²² For I joyfully agree with the law of God in the inner person, ²³ but I see a different law in the parts of my body waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin, the law which is in my body’s parts. ²⁴ Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? ²⁵ Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. - Romans 7:1-25

I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. - Galatians 2:20

My children, with whom I am again in labor until Christ is formed in you. - Galatians 4:19

We can copy the habits of Jesus.

 For I gave you an example, so that you also would do just as I did for you. - John 13:15

A student is not above the teacher; but everyone, when he has been fully trained, will be like his teacher. - Luke 6:40

We will resemble Jesus when we copy his habits.  When people see us, they will see Jesus in us.  We become what we repeatedly do.  Half of all the things we do every day are the result of habits.

Successful people do consistently what others do occasionally.

Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him. - Colossians 2:6

We must be consistent in our Christian walk. To become more consistent, we need the power of Christ Jesus, a system, and accountability.  Daniel had a system.  He prayed.

To develop good Jesus habits. . .

1.  The life of Jesus must live in us.

Two people have to die for us to become a Christian.  Jesus had to die for you.  You have to die to yourself. We die to ourselves so Jesus can live through us.  We die to sin, to self, even our safety if it comes between you and Jesus.

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, this person is a new creation; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. - 2 Corinthians 5:17

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2.  The habits of Jesus must be formed in us.

Is Christ being formed in you?  

Jesus is fiercely loyal.  He pursues you consistently.  Don't turn Him away.  Turn to Jesus.

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Developing Jesus Habits

Psalm 110: God is Enough (Summer Playlist Series)

When going through the worst days of your life, God is enough.

This Sunday, we are reading Psalm 110.  Psalm 110 was written by David who was no stranger to hard times and worst days.  However, David wrote many Psalms about God supremacy and authority over his life.  In Psalm 110, David declares that his God is more than enough in troublesome times.

God is Enough, Psalm 110

The Lord says to my Lord:
“Sit at My right hand
Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.”
² The Lord will stretch out Your strong scepter from Zion, saying,
“Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”
³ Your people will volunteer freely on the day of Your power;
In holy splendor, from the womb of the dawn,
Your youth are to You as the dew.

⁴ The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind,
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”
⁵ The Lord is at Your right hand;
He will shatter kings in the day of His wrath.
⁶ He will judge among the nations,
He will fill them with corpses,
He will shatter the chief men over a broad country.
⁷ He will drink from the brook by the wayside;
Therefore He will lift up His head. - Psalm 110

The following are my Bible study notes based on my pastor's sermon.  You are invited to watch, listen, and worship with us here.

God is enough when:

1.  Your enemies want to destroy you.

David had faced enemies.  As a young boy, he fought the giant, Goliath.  He constantly battled the Philistines.  He was always running from King Saul who wanted to kill him.  For years, David was an anointed king but he was running for his life.  However, even though others were constantly seeking to destroy or kill David, he exclaimed that his Lord was enough.

In Psalm 110:2, we see that God will rule with great power right in the middle of what seems to be the enemy's deadliest attack.  

In Psalm 110:3, we learn that people who are subject to the Great King (God) will follow Him gladly and freely.  God's people will constantly be refreshed.  

What enemies do you face?  Cancer?  Depression?  A broken relationship?  A struggling family situation?  

When you become discouraged under the enemy's attacks, go straight to your King God.  God will conquer your enemies and He will renew and refresh you.   

2.  Your sins consume you.

Not only was David constantly under physical attack.  He faced internal struggles as well.  David was plagued with his sin of adultery with the wife of Uriah.  That sin led to more sin including murder.  This all led to the death of David's son.

When sin consumed David's life, David still knew that his God was enough.

In Psalm 110:4, we learn about a truth that will last for all eternity.  Jesus is our King forever and our Priest forever.

You might be asking, "Who is Melchizedek anyway?"  At this point in his sermon, my pastor tells us what we know about Melchizedek.  Here is a brief summary.

In Genesis 14, we learn that Melchizedek is a minor character in the Bible.  God has promised to Abraham that He would multiply his descendants, make him the father of many nations, and make him wealthy and prosperous.  Abraham has a nephew named Lot.  Abraham and Lot were very close.  They were both wealthy and lived near each other.  Lot lived near Sodom.  Sodom went to war with other cities.  A king named Chedorlaomer takes over all the valley where Lot lived.  Lot becomes caught up in the battle.  He eventually becomes a prisoner of war along with his wife, his kids, his entire family including all of his flocks and possessions under King Chedorlaomer.  

This struck a nerve within Abraham.  In my pastor's words:

"This is not smart, because Abraham is like Liam Neeson.  He has a special set of skills.  If you take one of his family members, he is going to hunt you down.  He will find you and he will kill you."

Abraham goes after King Chedorlaomer.  God gives Abraham power so he wipes out King Chedorlaomer.  He takes back Lot and all his family and possessions.  The he takes all of Chedorlaomer's possessions.  Then, Melchizedek comes along.  Melchizedek is introduced without genealogy which is unusual for Old Testament characters. We know he was the king of Salem.  Salem has the root Hebrew word for peace.  Melchizedek's name means King of Righteousness.  Melchizedek is the  King of Righteousness whose kingdom is peace.  Who does this point to?  Maybe Jesus?

When Abraham sees Melchizedek, he bows and worships Him.  He immediately gives Melchizedek 10% of everything he took from Chedorlaomer.  Melchizedek doesn't show up again until Psalm 110 when David says his King is a priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.  David points to the ultimate King Priest, Jesus.  

We fast forward to Hebrews 7.  Melchizedek is mentioned in Genesis 14, Psalm 100, and then again in the New Testament in Hebrews 7.  

We sin.  We all sin.  Sin separates us from a Holy God.  Sin will condemn us to an eternal separation from God.  However, God, in His mercy, sent our King Jesus forever, our Priest forever, to pay the penalty for our sin once for all.  Jesus is the only one who can make sinful man right with a Holy God.

When you feel consumed by a sin or multiple sins in your life.  You might see no way out, but there is a way.  Jesus forgives.  Jesus heals.  David tells us in Psalm 100 that God is enough and He is, even when your enemies want to destroy you and even when your sin consumes you.

3.  When your future seems hopeless.

Have you watched the news lately?  If you watch, you'll probably feel overwhelmed with all the bad stuff going on in the world.  When I watch the news, I feel like our future seems hopeless.  The news media is flooded with reports of racial riots, protests, anarchy in the streets, lawlessness, political upheaval, bombings, etc.  King David's world felt hopeless too.  David's son would murder his other son to avenge his sister's rape.  Despite all of that, David loved Absalom, welcomed him home, and greeted him with a kiss.  How did Absalom respond?

Absalom conspired to overthrow the king, slandered his father's reputation, forced him to flee for his life, raped all of David's wives, and ultimately cost the lives of 20,000 men.  That certainly paints a portrait of a hopeless future for David and his family.  David must have wondered about God's faithfulness, but in the midst of all the ugly, David proclaimed that his King was more than enough.  

Be encouraged.  Jesus is near in seemingly hopeless situations.  In fact, in verse 6, we read that King Jesus will repay the godless and unbelievers that threaten you.  One day, He will destroy those who mean to harm you.

Regarding verse 7, if you look up the Hebrew word for "drink," it is used for the purpose of celebration such as a wedding feast.  The word for "brook" refers to a torrent of water that comes after a deluge of rain.

In the midst of hopelessness, we can remain hopeful because King Jesus preserves His people no matter the circumstances, leading them to a celebration that is coming sooner than you might expect.

If you are in Christ today, be hopeful!  Our King is coming!

In the darkest of days, God is enough.  Jesus is our King.  Jesus is our Priest.  Jesus is our Hope.

How will you respond to Psalm 110?  

If you have not bowed to King Jesus - if you have not repented of your sin and given your life to Jesus, then I want to challenge you to wait no longer.  Surrender your life to Jesus today.  He will overcome your enemy, forgive your sin, and give you a future and a hope.

For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. - Jeremiah 29:11

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Psalm 110:  God is Enough (Summer Playlist Series)