Prayers for Boldness Vs. the Laodicean Church

[Jeff K]

Prayers for Boldness Vs. The Laodicean Church


When I look at the early church, those who went through great persecution, who were willing to lose everything to call Christ their Savior, I have been wondering about the Laodicean church and how broad it might be today. How vast is the lukewarmness, and how many will be spewed out?

In Acts 4, we find Peter and John arrested and put in jail for their testimony of Jesus. When released and gathered together among the brothern, a great prayer was put forth to God – not a prayer for God to remove the persecution, not a prayer for provisions, not a prayer for new chairs in the auditorium to keep the members comfy – no, this was a prayer for Boldness to speak the Word of God, despite the threats.

Acts 4:29-31 (NKJV)

“Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the Word of God with Boldness.

My personal church has been doing “community outreach” services on a monthly basis. This past weekend I went downtown where we met up with another Christian group to feed and fellowship with the homeless and less fortunate. A pastor told me that the group hosting the event (they do it every Saturday) does not want anyone to present the gospel to anyone in this corner parking lot. “Feel free to go across the street, but we don’t want these people to hear different gospels, get offended and not come back – this is just a time to fellowship with this group.” I was a bit crushed because I thought the whole reason to gather people together with food was to have the opportunity to share Christ.

I wonder if Peter and John would have just smiled and had “fellowship” with this group of lost souls.

Not just because of the event, but I wonder if the lack of prayer for boldness to reach lost souls for Jesus Christ puts me (most Christians I know) in the category of “Lukewarm”? Obviously, the early church was on fire for the Lord, reaching many with the Word of God. I see many today who have become wealthy and have need of nothing – nothing for themselves and nothing for the lost. I consider myself a bold person, but I have yet to boldly present the gospel to the man I work for. At one point in the recession, it was just the two of us and a secretary, so I am close enough to not have an excuse. Not just this one man, but so far I have not been willing to give up all to boldly witness for Jesus on a regular basis.

I often hear “Time is Short” on these forums. Would you join me in prayers for Boldness? Prayers for a burden to reach the lost? Prayers to be filled with the Holy Spirit and have the power to go forth with His Word?

Oh Lord, I am so weak and cannot do anything without You. Help me to not quench or grieve the Spirit that I might be filled and boldly go forth with Your word. Thank You Lord Jesus – in Your name I pray, Amen.

 

[Andrew]

Not just because of the event, but I wonder if the lack of prayer for boldness to reach lost souls for Jesus Christ puts me (most Christians I know) in the category of “Lukewarm”?

The Laodicean church's problem.
Revelation 3:17 (DBY)
Because thou sayest, I am rich, and am grown rich, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art the wretched and the miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked; I counsel thee to buy of me gold purified by fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white garments, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness may not be made manifest; and eye-salve to anoint thine eyes, that thou mayest see.

One of the problems that Laodicea had was their water supply, which came via a six-mile aqueduct from hot springs. Due to its source, it was lukewarm when it arrived. The other problem was that this made the city vulnerable to attack through having their water supply cut off. Consequently, they were quick to compromise instead of fighting.

 

[Everlasting Life]

Would you join me in prayers for Boldness?

Lord God, I pray that you would fill Jeff and your church with the boldness we see in Acts to preach your Gospel. Let all hindrances be removed. Open up conversations naturally in such a way that it can be recognized that you are creating an open door. Help us to discern good timing for each individual you put in our paths, give us the right words, materials, guidance and sensitivity in how to present and speak into people's lives about your love, grace and wonderful Salvation.

In Jesus name, Amen.

 

[Andy C]

Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

 

[Hol]

Amen

 

[Jeff K]

Lord God, I pray that you would fill Jeff and your church with the boldness we see in Acts to preach your Gospel. Let all hindrances be removed. Open up conversations naturally in such a way that it can be recognized that you are creating an open door. Help us to discern good timing for each individual you put in our paths, give us the right words, materials, guidance and sensitivity in how to present and speak into people's lives about your love, grace and wonderful Salvation.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Amen!

 

[Jeff K]

Isaiah 6:8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here am I! Send me.”

Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what he has done for my soul.

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Psalm 40:3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.

Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Amen, Andy!
Those verses sure do speak for themselves.

 

[Randy - Saved by Grace]

Lord God, I pray that you would fill Jeff and your church with the boldness we see in Acts to preach your Gospel. Let all hindrances be removed. Open up conversations naturally in such a way that it can be recognized that you are creating an open door. Help us to discern good timing for each individual you put in our paths, give us the right words, materials, guidance and sensitivity in how to present and speak into people's lives about your love, grace and wonderful Salvation.

In Jesus name, Amen.

Praying in agreement.........

 

[Jeff K]

My pastor is preaching a Sunday morning summer series on End Time Prophecy and this last Sunday he was in Ezekiel 38. As he and I were talking after the service, he said that he hopes and prays that through this series and talking about how Jesus could come for His church at any moment, will spur the church to get on fire for giving out the gospel to the lost.

Exciting times to be a Christian! I'm looking forward to the events planned for July to share the gospel of Christ.

 

[Jeff K]

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.
Acts 4:33

How much of God's grace do you have?

This verse and question were presented this past Sunday night at church by David Gibbs, Jr. - founder and president of Christian Law Association (CLA). The following are my notes from his message.

2 Timothy 2:1 - be strong in grace
2 Peter 3:18 - grow in grace

Grace - God's riches at Christ's expense.

3 things that Peter and John did to receive the power of God's grace:

1. Great Praise.
Acts 4:23-28 tells us that the first thing Peter and John did was to praise God.
They understood completely in verse 28 that God is in full control of everything in our lives.
Great power takes great praise.

2. Great Boldness
Acts 4:29-30 tells us that Peter and John pleaded to God for great boldness.
What would it take for you to be bold?
American Christians have lost their boldness.
Great power takes great boldness.

3. Great Prayer
Acts 4:31 tells us that through prayer they were filled with the Holy Spirit and the place was shaken.
We should have a detailed prayer list and pray to God with specifics.
What are we asking of God that is impossible with man?
You have not because you ask not!
"Every failure in a Christians life is a prayer failure." John R Rice

Do you want great power and great grace to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? It takes great praise, great boldness and great prayer.
Lord, I need Your help in all three areas.

 

[Andy C]

Do you want great power and great grace to be a witness for the Lord Jesus Christ? It takes great praise, great boldness and great prayer.
Lord, I need Your help in all three areas.

Amen brother

 

[Jeff K]

Pray for BOB!

B - burden for the lost
O - opportunities to share the gospel with the lost
B - boldness to step out and share Christ as the Spirit leads

It's easy to get caught up in the affairs of this world, even the affairs of this forum. Take time today to think about how short our time may be here on this earth and go to the Lord and pray for BOB.

This is something I learned several years ago from Mark Cahill, an evangelist and author.

 

[lightofmylife]

Pray for BOB!

B - burden for the lost
O - opportunities to share the gospel with the lost
B - boldness to step out and share Christ as the Spirit leads

It's easy to get caught up in the affairs of this world, even the affairs of this forum. Take time today to think about how short our time may be here on this earth and go to the Lord and pray for BOB.

This is something I learned several years ago from Mark Cahill, an evangelist and author.

We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, and do the Great Commission. The BOB is a good way to put the characteristics to remember to share the gospel. It reminds me of someone who told me what HALT stands for. Hungry, angry, lonely, and tired.

 

[Belle of Grace]

We are called to be ambassadors of Christ, and do the Great Commission. The BOB is a good way to put the characteristics to remember to share the gospel. It reminds me of someone who told me what HALT stands for. Hungry, angry, lonely, and tired.

One way that is simple is to get to know a person & find a touch point in conversation. Then, purchase a book for them that has this touch point as a theme. For example, my eye doctor is an MD, and is from China. I bought a book for him written by an MD eye doctor who came to US from China & got saved here. I saw a cardiologist a few years ago who received his education at Johns Hopkins. I gave him the book, A Scientific Man and the Bible, by Dr. Howard A. Kelly, one of the founding faculty members at Johns Hopkins. He was excited about getting the book. I gave the same book to a couple of gynecologists, because Dr. Kelly discovered the use of radiation therapy in female reproductive cancers. A book that is of particular interest due to a common point is a great way to evangelize, but be discerning. It must contain the gospel message; otherwise it's just a good read with no eternal significance.

 

[LisaJoe1986]

One way that is simple is to get to know a person & find a touch point in conversation. Then, purchase a book for them that has this touch point as a theme. For example, my eye doctor is an MD, and is from China. I bought a book for him written by an MD eye doctor who came to US from China & got saved here. I saw a cardiologist a few years ago who received his education at Johns Hopkins. I gave him the book, A Scientific Man and the Bible, by Dr. Howard A. Kelly, one of the founding faculty members at Johns Hopkins. He was excited about getting the book. I gave the same book to a couple of gynecologists, because Dr. Kelly discovered the use of radiation therapy in female reproductive cancers. A book that is of particular interest due to a common point is a great way to evangelize, but be discerning. It must contain the gospel message; otherwise it's just a good read with no eternal significance.

I completely respect Dr. Ben Carson and his testimony of salvation he gives in his autobiography, Gifted Hands, but he , it turns out, is a Seventh Day Adventist. If someone were to read his testimony in his book and examine this further and find this out, it could lead them down a wrong path. It is so very hard to discern where to draw the line. I was thrown off-track by a SDA shortly before the whole Y2K thing when I was a baby in Christ.

I felt the same way about Rosaria Butterfield in The Secret Thoughts of an Unlikely Convert. This book offers an AMAZING testimony of a radical lesbian who was converted to Christ. After she describes how this happened, she gets into the doctrine of reformed theology and why they only sing hymns and such. I do not necessarily disagree with what she says, but the story loses the grace message at some point and becomes rather dogmatic. I would like to tear the book after the conversion section and glue the cover on there and end it to share.

This might be a good thread for people to share books they have read and who they might minister to. It is so easy to purchase a gift on Amazon and have it shipped directly to the recipient. You can even add a note to it. I recently did this with Wrestling With an Angel to encourage a friend who has a severely autistic adult child she and her husband are struggling with. This is by a dad who was in the same situation. He expounds on the truths he has learned about the gospel by having a child with autism.

My all time favorite book is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom - Great story for sharing the true gospel during difficult times
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus and No God But One by Nabeel Qureshi are fantastic for insight into Islam

 

[Belle of Grace]

Excellent idea for an ongoing thread, LisaJoe!
Yes, I, too, thoroughly enjoyed Dr. Ben Carson's biography, but was disappointed like you were, when I researched him further & discovered the SDA affiliation. Books are a wonderful way to witness, but like I mentioned earlier, they 'must' contain a clear & accurate presentation of the gospel. Otherwise, it's of no eternal value. God bless you, LisaJoe. If you have further book suggestions, I'm ready to listen.

 

[Jeff K]

One way that is simple is to get to know a person & find a touch point in conversation. Then, purchase a book for them that has this touch point as a theme. For example, my eye doctor is an MD, and is from China. I bought a book for him written by an MD eye doctor who came to US from China & got saved here. I saw a cardiologist a few years ago who received his education at Johns Hopkins. I gave him the book, A Scientific Man and the Bible, by Dr. Howard A. Kelly, one of the founding faculty members at Johns Hopkins. He was excited about getting the book. I gave the same book to a couple of gynecologists, because Dr. Kelly discovered the use of radiation therapy in female reproductive cancers. A book that is of particular interest due to a common point is a great way to evangelize, but be discerning. It must contain the gospel message; otherwise it's just a good read with no eternal significance.

While creating a punch list at one of my job sites, the painter I use was listening to a scientist talk about evolution on his speaker phone and I later had the opportunity to witness to him. I told him I had a book that did a great job talking about evolution and creation and asked if he would read it. The book was written by Mark Cahill titled "One Heartbeat Away". He said he loved to read and that he would, so I looked for the book but could not find it. I ended up ordering a couple from Marks website and was able to deliver the product. The last I time I ran into this contractor he said he was half way through.

I was prompted to post up thread about praying for Bob shortly after I started reading Mark Cahill's book again. This was the first time I shared a book with someone that has a gospel presentation in it. I ended up giving out several other copies and look forward to further conversations with those who received them.

 

[Belle of Grace]

While creating a punch list at one of my job sites, the painter I use was listening to a scientist talk about evolution on his speaker phone and I later had the opportunity to witness to him. I told him I had a book that did a great job talking about evolution and creation and asked if he would read it. The book was written by Mark Cahill titled "One Heartbeat Away". He said he loved to read and that he would, so I looked for the book but could not find it. I ended up ordering a couple from Marks website and was able to deliver the product. The last I time I ran into this contractor he said he was half way through.

I was prompted to post up thread about praying for Bob shortly after I started reading Mark Cahill's book again. This was the first time I shared a book with someone that has a gospel presentation in it. I ended up giving out several other copies and look forward to further conversations with those who received them.

Great! Another suggestion for Bob might be Chris Cagan's book, 'From Darwin to Design', a mathematics professor goes from atheism to faith. I ordered a copy for a friend of mine whose son began to doubt the truth of the Bible in college several years ago & is still struggling with his doubts. Werner Gitt, 'In the beginning was information' is another book by a brilliant German scientist. A few generations ago, there were 'many' brilliant scientists who definitely believed in & worshiped God. You can look up famous inventors & scientists who are/were
(now deceased) Christians. The man who invented the MRI machine was a Christian. Google search names of famous scientists who are/were creationists. You'll be surprised. Isaac Newton who discovered the principles of calculus is included. The most brilliant scientists & inventors who ever lived were too smart to fall for the foolishness of evolution. Look up Jason Lisle, a PhD in astrophysics. He wrote, 'The Ultimate Proof of Creation'. Your contract worker has been feeding on garbage instead of consuming the beautiful truth of God's Word that is so obvious to anyone who will look. "If you seek Me, you'll find Me if you search for Me with all your heart."
It's really 'dumb' to believe in evolution. It's also a huge trap by Satan to lure people away from the authority of God's Word.