June 2, 2014: Volume 3, Number 15
|
|
|
|
MORE WITH
30 60 100 MINISTRIES |
|
|
|
|  Discord and prayer. They both come from our mouths ... but produce radically different results.
Today's feature, Stir Up or Build Up? explains how your mouth can be a powerful tool in building up other believers.
In this seventh part in a series on practical vigilance, we give you practical ways to pray for your brothers and sisters in the faith -- directly from scripture.
 Let us know in an email how you're using this content to cultivate your spiritual health. And always keep growing!
|
|
SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY LEADER� WORKSHOPS CONTINUE ON JUNE 6
| Spiritually Healthy Leader� workshop series equips you to be spiritually fit, manage conflict, maintain  healthy relationships, set a healthy pace, overcome leadership challenges, and finish well. The series continues in June with a session about managing conflict.
Join us for Session 3: Conflict Check Up
Friday, June 6: 8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Learn to identify the causes of conflict, find out positive ways to deal with conflict, and get tools to turn conflict's potential damage into positive and constructive interactions. Register today.
|
UPDATE ON SPIRITUALLY HEALTHY LEADER� WORKSHOPS IN UKRAINE
|  Our plans remain on track to travel to Ukraine this fall to share the Spiritually Healthy Leader� workshop series with Christian leaders there.
Just this week we received these words from Ukrainian Pastor Sergey:
"The situation in Ukraine is still very difficult. Thank you for your words of encouragement. I read your letter to believers in my church. They were blessed by it. It is so important to have faithful friends in Christ who love you and pray about you in time of need and struggle. We believe and trust God for a peace for Ukraine. We pray about your coming in September."
Please continue to stand with us and the believers in Ukraine during this time of upheaval. Thank you for your faithfulness!
|
|
|
|
|
 Feature: TRIED, TRUE, STATE-OF-ART -- ARMOR FOR DAILY BATTLE
PART 7: STIR UP OR BUILD UP? PUTTING YOUR PRAYER On | Seventh in a series about personal vigilance
In Proverbs 6, God describes seven sins He hates, starting at the top of the human body and moving down: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill, a conniving heart, feet that rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies, and a man who stirs up dissension.
Then in Ephesians 6:12-18, God provides a set of practical tools we can use to battle those seven sins, which include the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, the shield of faith, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes shod with peace, and the belt of truth. Paul concludes his description of the armor with this urging: "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18, NIV).
The connection between the final tool, prayer, and a man who stirs up discord is clear: both come from the mouth. Yet they produce altogether different results. 
Stir Up Discord or Build Up the Saints?
"A man who stirs up dissension" speaks up not to state a difference of opinion, but rather to create division. His words intentionally sow conflict, cultivating and spreading disagreements.
Yet God can use that same mouth to bring blessing on others rather than cultivate strife ... when that mouth is focused on praying for others.
Put Your Prayer On
A believer clothed in God's armor pulls his outfit together with the finishing touch of prayer. "Praying in the Spirit" - with the aid of the Holy Spirit - equips the armor-clad Christ-follower to use his words to build up other believers, rather than stir up dissension between them. When praying in the Spirit, it is impossible to sow discord among people.
Be aware that by guiding all you say and do through the filter of prayer, you may find those who oppose you. Yet that particular conflict is between the other person and God - not with you. The resulting discord stems from the rebellion in their hearts.
How to Pray to Build Up the Saints
Ephesians 6 answers basic questions about how to use this piece of gear: Who is praying? (you) For whom? (all the saints - all believers in Christ); What are you to do? (keep on praying); Where should you pray (in the presence of the Holy Spirit); When should you pray? (on all occasions); Why should you pray? (to stand against evil, verse 10); How should you pray? (persistently and watchfully - you're to be alert.)
When it comes to the content of your prayers for God's people, you can start with scriptures like these:
- Pray for mercy: 2 Timothy 1:18a
- Pray for wisdom and revelation: Ephesians 1:16-19
- Pray for spiritual strength: Ephesians 3:14-19
- Pray for purpose: 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12
- Pray for growth: Philippians 1:4-6
- Pray for discernment: Philippians 1:9-11
- Pray for knowledge: Colossians 1:9-12
- Pray for spiritual maturity: Colossians 4:12
When you "put your prayer on," you do more than simply avoid conflict. Rather than stir up others and create problems among Christ-followers, you build up your brothers and sisters ... equipping them to do great things for the Kingdom.
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 1: Get Your Gear Ready
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 2: The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Leave Vulnerable
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 3: My Hands Are Full - and That's a Good Thing
Armor for Daily Battle, Part 4: Follow Your Heart or Guard Your Heart?
Growth Point
Put your prayer on.
Scripture
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:18, NIV) Prayer Points - Describe a time when you've witnessed how words created contention among God's people.
- "When praying in the Spirit, it is impossible to sow discord." How have you seen that truth lived out?
- Ask God to show you one Christ-follower to pray for right now, using scriptures listed above.
|
| What People Are Saying ... |
 | | Laurie Westlake |
"It didn't take long for me to figure out that The Spiritually Healthy Leader workshop was no group therapy session on balancing life. The curriculum written and taught by the Jantzens held dead-on truths about leadership, expectations, and productivity. It was not only a joy, but also a relief to put the truths I learned into practice and discover that serving as a leader (which all Christians do regardless of job title) can actually be stress-free and a blessing! I continue to exercise the principles I learned. My spiritual well being is the first consideration in everything I do. It affects family relationships, work productivity and ministry accomplishments. If I'm not operating from the healthy heart of Christ, not only I, but everyone I'm leading is going in the wrong direction. I learned to not only lead from my God-given strength but more importantly, to lead others from their God-given strengths. I operate in a new zone, one that glorifies Christ and helps others realize their dreams. It doesn't get any better than this!" Laurie G. Westlake
Hear more testimonies from Christians in remote areas served by 30 60 100 MINISTRIES staff here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
