Can You Relate? Part 4

Have been going over for the past few weeks talking about Matthew chapter seven dealing specifically in relationships this passage of scripture Matthew five six. And seven those three chapters are the sermon on the mount and specifically we were focusing in on Matthew chapter 7 the first 16 verses there. Because I was wanting to draw our attention to the words of Jesus as he's given us some instructions on how. We can have the best relationship we can with people we've been going over things like judge not. And talking about the plank not worrying about so much what someone else has going on. But being sure that we're taking care of ourselves and then last week we looked at Jesus's teaching on being patient. And not forcing and pushing our advice on other people I want to give a little side note to this. I know those of us who've been raised in church have listened to many messages about the the pearl. And the swine that was there and the plank and judge not my desire has always been to show in this series the emphasis of the.

Relationship it has been in my own study I haven't run across anybody else who took the passage as a whole I've seen many sermons done. Individually about whether it was judge not or or worrying about the plank or even the pearl. And I did that to a degree kind of showing each one individually. But putting them together as a whole now the reason I say this is. Because I don't want anybody to feel like you know maybe pastors drifted drifting over into some mainstream christianity christianity. And in my theology my thoughts because that's not the case I hope you know me by this point I'm I'm Apostolic at my core. And everything I do I believe in the mighty God in Christ and representing him. Well and all that we do in our lifestyle convictions. So I don't want there to be any confusion because at the end of the day here's here's the most important thing. If you miss everything else about the series I've been teaching don't miss this point.

And it's simply this you have to allow God's spirit to guide you in every area of your life. You have to you cannot rely on your own emotions you cannot rely on on how your heart feels. Because those things will mislead you they will you can't can't trust your heart it's hard to even know those things. But you can always trust his spirit and in our relationships with individuals and our relationships. And in our marriages and our families and our relationships with those we meet outside the church walls. And the work and school environment allow his spirit to guide everything you do going through these words going. And spending the time we have the past few weeks my goal is to show. You the importance of of being sensitive to the moving of the spirit and. If you'll be sensitive God will do the work of opening the door you just have to learn how much. And how far and those things come by being intimate with him spending time with him which is where we're going.

Tonight and I just want to say that it's kind of a little sidebar there. But that is my desire all relationships require work they do every one of them. Well if they're going to last maybe I should put it that way relationships that are really meaningful relationships are going to laugh relationships that have. Purpose and intent they you got to put something into them you got to put some effort. If anybody is not going to put effort into it I dare say that relationship is going to have problems in all likelihood it's not going. To last very long now Jesus doesn't want us to experience any of our relationships in a wrong way that's why there's. So much in the scriptures that talk about relationships and how we should have them how. We should conduct ourselves and we're going to see in this message tonight that. Jesus begins to pivot the focus away from our relationships with other people and starts in this. Tonight with our relationship with him and how we can have a a strong.

And a healthy relationship with God now one of the primary ways that we interact with. God is through prayer and I feel like if you've been around here any length of time at all. If you call me pastor you know I've talked about the importance of having daily prayer time. I can't underscore that enough it is so important that you learn in some way to carve out some time to be with. God whether that's coming up here because there are there are some of you who visit our prayer room on a daily basis. And I'm so thankful that you do that and that's why it's there and. I want you to use it some of you have time at home some of. You have have different areas different places that work into your schedule. So whatever the case is whatever the circumstances are it doesn't really matter I'm just glad that you're doing it. Because it's important to have a prayer life it's important to have a prayer life.

You have to have it if you're going to have a relationship with God. Now according to some polls more people will pray this week than we'll exercise more people will pray this week than drive a car or even. Go to work according to what research I did nine out of 10 people say. They pray regularly and three out of every four people claim they pray every day. If you get on google and you google the word uh prayer or google the word uh pray you're gonna get a hundred million links pop. Up in a one second search so it's not a subject that is not out there it's something that people acknowledge. Now I want to ask you though if the average person is is praying that much it seems like. Maybe there would be a little bit different outcome in the world we live in. So I begin to wonder just because people say they're praying does it really mean. They are praying or what does prayer mean to people because maybe that could be the difference maker what people understand is prayer what are.

They what do they consider to be time spent in prayer prayer is our lifeline it's what keeps us in touch with. God prayer is what your relationship with him is built on it's founded there it's founded on his word. And it's founded in prayer but some struggle to pray and if that's you you're not alone I'll even admit myself that that early on in. My ministry as I was coming to an understanding that prayer needed to be a more important part of my daily walk with. God as I was trying to find my way of praying my method of prayer that there was a lot of times. I was frustrated there was times I felt like that my prayer didn't go very far. I even wondered sometimes did God even hear what I was saying because of how. I felt in the moment now part of that I consider to be the awkwardness in the beginnings of a relationship how many of. You in here remember those early days of of dating yeah how many married folk in the room raise your hand yeah all right do.

You remember those those first couple of dates yeah anybody have an awkward date yeah. And it that why because it was the beginnings yeah any men in the room did a boneheaded thing sometime during your dating life yeah a. Lot of elbowing going on right now yeah it's the beginnings you don't always know. And it's awkward now the reason I bring that up is I feel like sometimes. If you have not reached a level in your prayer life to where you're where you're comfortable with it you're still in some awkward phasing. Because the development of the relationship is there I can say and I can only speak authoritatively about this about my own relationship with. God that there came a time when I understood how I was supposed to pray. And I got very comfortable in the how and then when I began to carve out the time. I became even more comfortable to where the awkwardness went away now are there still times in my prayer life where it's where it's better than.

Other times yes there are some mornings where it goes on and I don't want to leave. And it's just so beautiful and wonderful what's going on his presence seems. So strong and I feel so close to him it's as if he was sitting in the chair beside me. And those moments I don't want him to go away I don't want it to end it's just. So great and there are some times in my prayers where it's still a good time of prayer. But I didn't seem to reach quite that level but it's still a relationship it's still important. Because I'm communing and communicating with him it's important now I said if you struggle in prayer you're not alone a lot of people struggle. I want you to listen to this prayer it's from a person who struggles. And this person also happens to struggle with chronic worry. So here's the prayer that they pinned dear God help me to relax about insignificant details beginning tomorrow at 7 41 am 23 seconds past the.

Minute eastern standard time do God help me to consider people's feelings even if most of them are hypersensitive dear. God help me to take responsibility for the consequences of my actions even though they're not using my fault their. God help me to not turn everything and not try to run everything. But if you need some help please feel free to ask me dear God help me to be more laid back help me to do exactly. Right dear God give me patience I mean like right now dear God help me not to be a perfectionist did. I spell that right dear God help me to finish everything out dear God help me to keep my mind on the one hey what's up. Oh one thing at a time I'm sorry I got distracted God dear God help me to do only one thing at a time help me. To learn to trust you would you mind putting it down in writing. So I could feel better about it dear God help me to be open to other people's ideas even though.

They may be misguided in Jesus name amen. Now it's a little bit funny but there may be a sliver of truth in your prayer life that. You identified with some peace or part of that prayer now here's the deal prayer is. You talking to God the God who created everything you know including you. So ask this question why would you act like you're anything. But you to the person who knows you the best if you don't normally have a very big vocabulary. Then why would you have try to have a big vocabulary when you're praying. You don't have to know all that the Bible says you don't have to have scripture memorized. You don't have to have a theology degree to pray to pray is simply. You having a conversation with him you don't have to overcomplicate it you don't have to make it any more than what it is it's. You and God talking prayer is one of the primary ways we connect with him yet some personally find it frustrating.

And so hard to do now years ago when people got sick they didn't have the things at their disposal. We did today they'd start a prayer chain they started prayer line they would get on the party line they'd get aunt so-and-so off there. So they could make a call some of y'all don't even know what a party line is. I never used one personally but I know what it is and they would begin to make calls. You remember the phone trees you know there was always a contact person and. They had ten that they were in charge of and that's how prayer we spread. Because they need a prayer why because they needed God to move. But now now things are different then they prayed for healing they got ahold of the pastor. Now they pick up the phone they they open up their ipad and there's a doctor who tells. You to take the phone and stick it over the spot and they examine it.

And call you in some medicine wow things have changed one of the biggest challenges to fulfilling prayer life often times is a lack of time. We are so busy we're such busy people where does one fit prayer in between work. And family in the gym and gym and going to the grocery store where we're going to fit. God in it I wonder maybe if that's why in Luke chapter 11 the disciples asked. Jesus to teach them how to pray I say this because if you go through the gospels the only recorded request the disciples made the only. Time they asked Jesus to teach them anything was this now. Let me be honest I feel like if I would have been hanging out with. Jesus I would have asked him a few other things I don't know that would help me reach one soul. But I would ask him how he walked on water I don't know that it would have benefited anything. And been overly spiritual but I think I'd have said hey that's kind of cool how.

You broke the bread and fish up you mind showing me that. Well we don't have anything the only recorded request we have that the disciples asked is. They said teach us to pray teach us I see I feel like they seen the life. He lived they realized that this man loved like nobody else he had the ability to interact with people. And and to say things unlike anybody else and I feel like they were smart enough to pay attention that. He did some stuff that was a little bit different because he was always stealing away to pray. And I think as hard a time as we give them they were smart enough to start connecting the dots together. And one of them said you know what I think it might have something to do with that fact that. He goes and prays maybe we should ask him how to do that maybe. We should ask him why he goes and spends the time he does in prayer just.

Maybe in the middle of his teaching he was leading his people on how to relate. Well we've been studying this how to love well how to how to be your best self. And then all of a sudden Jesus turns the table and he starts talking about our subject. Tonight to ask one of the main purposes of prayer is to make you more like him it's to foster it's to nurture the relationship. You are to have with God to make it stronger and Jesus takes this relationship. And we are people we're human beings we are about relationships and he starts comparing the relationship. We should have with God to the relationship of a child and a parent. And and many of you were able to understand this just like I was first hand. Because we get the parent-child relationship and Jesus is saying in the way a child asks their parent for what. They need that's how you should pray in fact let's read his words in Matthew chapter seven verse number seven ask.

And it will be given to you seek and you will find knock and it will be open to. You for everyone who ask receives and he who seeks finds and to him who knocks it will be open oh what man is there among. You who if his son asks for bread we'll give him a stone or. If he asks for a fish he will give him a serpent if you. Then being evil know how to give good gifts to your children how much more will your father who is in heaven gives the good things. To those who ask him I love this because Jesus just comes right out of the gate right out of the bat. He just simply says this ask just ask open your mouth up and ask ask seek. And knock and to me what's so surprising about this statement is just how wide open it is. He doesn't narrow it down he says for everyone who asked receive now what does everyone mean that's not a hard question it means everyone.

He wasn't exclusive he didn't just say to the men he didn't just say to the jews. He said everyone everyone who asked receives now who can ask everyone everyone can. He says ask and it will be given now the first thing that came to my mind. When I read this is probably you got to ask the right things right. You probably need to ask the right things if it's going to work because why do. We do that why do we do this it's because we always filter everything through our human minds. We base everything on our a merit system did you know we have a merit system. We do my merit system is probably a little bit different than yours. But we all have a merit system we all have a way in which. We look at people and we evaluate people we we base things off of benefits. And gains will I allow you in will I allow you close to me will. I allow you to be my friend how will we determine those things on how beneficial it's going to be to me how it's going to.

Help me in my situation in my circumstance where I am we do this. So it's only natural that when you read this when it says just ask. Because everyone that asks everyone who seeks everyone who knocks it will be given it's there it's natural. And logical with our human minds to say but I bet it only works. If you ask the right way if you're asking for the right things because. You just can't go in there and say hey got an a million dollars. Because hey that's rather selfish so you got to ask the right things. But I don't see a qualifier here not in the words of Jesus our first inclination may be to say we've got to ask the right. Things but he says ask and it will be given to you seek and. You will find knock and it will be open to you and to illustrate this. Jesus tells a story about a child who asked his father for a piece of bread.

And a piece of fish now to me it only takes a general observation. Because most every parent wants to provide for their kids I have to say most. Because there's always exceptions to every rule but most most parents it's in us. We have children and we want to provide for our kids we want to give them what. They need to grow to develop and thrive but it takes work yes. But we don't usually consider this to be a burden instead we consider this to be a joy. Now some days we have to remind ourselves it's a joy you are a joy. You are a blessing from heaven on average the relationships between parents and young children are usually just one way. We have three daughters and my youngest is emory she's right there yeah she's got way too much of her daddy in her. I love time with emory and I spend time with her. But usually I have to do most of the work I do now she comes along.

And she can be a big helper you know she's getting older she's eight. Now but up until this point for the most part I've had to do most of the work in the relationship it's been me reading the. Books it's been me you know helping her get her clothes laid out and or her mom. And you know it's it's been a lot of responsibility on chassis and I to help her where. She is now here's the deal when she goes to bed at night and. We tuck her in we say her prayers and kiss her and tell her good night. She doesn't set an alarm right she doesn't think about that why because she knows that. If she has to get up in time mom or dad are going to wake her up that's that's that's our Job. She doesn't often if ever worry about if she's going to eat something because. You know there's going to be food somewhere that she'll she'll get to eat.

She doesn't worry about if there's going to be clothes for her to wear or shoes on her feet or wherever. You know why because her mom and I we we do that we we take care of her. Because she's our child and and she knows that well in fact we're raising these three girls that are over here. And you know it comes into a lot of work you know between them a wife. And I are constantly being asked for things can we do this can we go there can. I have this can what are we eating for dinner can I go. See my friends can I borrow some money dad I need a 20 dad need another 20. can. You buy me this dad I need a 20. can I have that dad do. You have 20 dollars that happens and I think we're decent parents and we. We we generally we we try to do the best we can and we try to say yes.

And agree as much as we can now why do I say all this. Because I brought up my children and my relationship and my wife because that's the one. I can speak about because it's the one I live in. So when I read this passage I start thinking about the relationship I have at home with my children. Because that's what Jesus is asking us to do he's saying think about this which one of. You had a child who asked for bread and fish would give them a stone that's not what parents do that's not how. We how we react he's showing us this picture of of God's love a. God who whose desire is to provide to be there to take care of his children. Now at face value I don't know about you but this seems like it's pretty simple to me it seems like it's it's pretty straightforward. But if we're being honest could it be a little bit naive maybe I don't know could be.

I mean going to God in prayer sounds good but if God's omniscient if. God knows all things then why do I have to go to him to ask for these things. If he knows I need bread why didn't he just give me the bread. If he knows I need the bread I mean God knows what I need. Because Jesus himself said in Matthew chapter 6 the previous chapter therefore verse number eight therefore do not be like them for your father knows the. Things you have need before you ask him so if God knows what I need. Then why do I need to go to prayer to tell him what he already knows to me that seems like a lot of effort. If God's already aware of the need in my life I mean either he does or. He doesn't care therefore prayer might just be a waste of time or is it. You see there's challenges in prayer you're quiet I hope that's either because you're deeply engrossed with this weighty matter.

And hopefully you're not asleep challenges to prayer here's just a few it can be hard to pray. When plenty of people around me have everything they need and they never pray for it. Again let's talk about being human let's talk about this when I feel like I'm doing what I'm supposed to be doing. But my neighbor or my co-worker or my family member who completely disregards anything that's holy at all never gives any attention the. God matter of fact uses his name in vain quite often they seem to have everything going for them. And I know they never pray God why would I pray because they have all their needs met it's a challenge it's a challenge. They get all their need by working for it not by praying my neighbor has a nice house a nice car. Because they work hard for those things not because they honor God does prayer even make a difference. Because those who seem to not pray at all by the best I can tell are doing okay.

So what benefit is my prayer here's the truth this is worth writing down are. You ready it's deep I'll go slow everybody ready okay God is good y'all catch it I'll repeat it just in case. God is good God is good even if your neighbor never prays God is good even. If your cousin uses his name and ways it should never be used God is good regardless of what. You or anybody else thinks God is good God is always good God is good. And what you struggle with is this God is good I don't struggle with that pastor yes. You do because if you're being challenged by somebody having something you don't have. Then you're struggling with God being good but they don't try they live like heathens. They don't do anything God is good regardless of what man is God is good. He makes his reign to go on the just and the unjust and he doesn't stop. And try to qualify himself with you or I why because God is good.

God is good always God is always good and where you and I get into trouble is. When we want to determine who God should be good to and who God should not be good to. And you know what the problem is is because that's being God and you're not. God so I'll go back to my profound statement God is good God is always good regardless of what. He does for anybody else or what he does or doesn't do for you. God is always good God gives gifts to people whether they pray or not whether. They believe or not he gives to every life breath he gives to everyone rain to everyone's son to everyone life. But this can cause the Christian to struggle it's okay because there's an entire chapter in the Bible about this Psalm 73 the psalmist is struggling. Listen to his words truly God is good to Israel to those whose hearts are pure he's qualifying himself. God is good he's good to the good people to those that are trying to those who are doing their best he's good.

But as for me I almost lost my footing my feet were slipping and. I was almost gone for I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. God what's going on why are they doing why are you giving them why are. You blessing their life they're not trying to live for you they're not doing anything right I'm struggling over here. God with why you would allow that to happen to them in their life. Look at verse four they seem to live such painless lives their bodies are. So healthy and strong they don't have troubles like other people they're not plagued with the problems like everyone else. They wear pride like a jewel necklace and clothe themselves in cruelty these fat cats have everything their heart could ever wish for how about. You I think he's struggling a little bit here you picking up on it he's having a bad day. They scoff and they speak on the evil in their pride and they seek to crush others.

They boast against the very heavens and their words uh strut throughout the earth. And so people are dismayed and confused drinking in all their words what does. God know they ask does the most high even know what's happening. Look at these wicked people and join a life of ease while their riches multiply did. I keep my heart pure for nothing God if I've been living good for nothing. God I've been trying to obey all the rules and I've got all the merit badges I'm supposed to have. And I've done everything exactly the way that I read that I was supposed to the way. I was taught the way it was preaching me God I have always lived right. But they're prospering God and I'm struggling then I keep myself innocent for no reason. I get nothing but trouble all day long every morning brings me pain if. I had really spoken this way to others I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper but what a difficult task it is.

Then I went into your sanctuary oh God and I. Finally understood the destiny of the wicked truly you put them on a slippery path. And send them sliding over the cliff to destruction in an instant they are destroyed completely swept away by tares. When you arise o Lord you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at a dream in the morning. Then I realized my heart was bitter oh self-reflection so what happens he's praying did. You catch this this is a prayer this is a man who's being brutally honest before. God because this is the importance of prayer this is importance of the ass. He was struggling in his prayer he begins to pour out his heart God's presence is there. Because he says when I went into the sanctuary when I came into your presence all of a sudden things made sense. I began to realize and understand their destruction I realized that my heart was bitter. And that I was all tore up inside I was.

So foolish and ignorant I must have seemed like to you a senseless animal yet. I still belong to you you hold my right hand you guide me with your counsel leading me to the glorious destiny whom have. I in heaven but you I desire you more than anything on earth my health may fail. And my spirit may grow weak but God remains the strength of my heart. He is mine forever those who desert him will perish for you will destroy those who abandon. You but as for me how good it is to be near God I have made the sovereign. Lord my shelter and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things that you do it's a challenge yes it's a challenge to us in prayer. When we see that others based off of our merit system seem to be successful. And things are going good in their life and we seem to be struggling in all. We do but don't ever forget God is good don't ever forget he is good it doesn't matter what you're struggling with it doesn't matter what.

You're going through it doesn't matter what's coming your way it doesn't matter the diagnosis or the bills that are stacking up it doesn't matter the. Lack of money or that you lost your Job or that your front wheel came off your car it doesn't matter any of those things. God is good he is good he is always good and the best thing. You could do is get your eyes off your neighbor and get your eyes on him. And start focusing on on what he has done for you because I promise. When you do that you will always realize just how good God is. So when you're facing that challenge go back to him another challenge to pray or in a life of prayer is the unanswered prayer as pastor. I've prayed for hundreds of people and so many of my prayers have gone unanswered. When unanswered prayers begin to stack up it's easy to stop believing that anybody's paying attention it's easy to get a little bit bitter starting to.

Feel like our prayers don't make a difference so what does it matter we can start to think prayer is unnecessary. Because God seemingly gives to a lot of people who don't ask and it's unproductive. Because it all seems like he fails to give to those who do. But we have to remember that God's promises are not unconditional his love is. Let me say that again God's promises are not unconditional. But his love is sometimes we mix it up we switch it around and. We struggle with those things God is wise and he knows the difference between what is good for. You and what is not whether you do or not a good parent would not give a stone or snake to their child. But what if the child asked for a stone or snake it would be irresponsible of the parent just. Because the child asked for it to give it to him I know I'm being simple. But yet I'm being deep could it be the unanswered prayer is exactly what.

You need but you're kicking and railing against the good thing God's trying to do for. You how much more does God know the difference between what is good and what. We need than we do when I read this book it says his ways are above ours higher than ours. So could it be maybe possibly that he knows what's best for you do. You think for a minute that God doesn't know where you are do you think for just a moment that. God has forgotten you or what you've gone through the God doesn't hear your prayer in the middle of the night as the tears stream down. Your face and your pillow is soaked because of the situation you're in that. You seem like you have been in for a long time knows where you are. He knows what you've been through and what you've experienced I go back to my previous point. God is good God is always good and sometimes prayers go unanswered because that in itself is the blessing let's think about what.

Jesus is saying for a minute does a loving and wise parent always do what their child asked him to do no how many moms. And dads can say in this room right here that there are plenty of things. You get asked that you say no no we're not going to do that we're not going to do that. And what's the reaction from the kids well that probably varies from being a little frustrated to falling out. And doing the centipede across the floor and spinning around throwing stuff I mean I've seen that the other kids in walmart. But not mine but yeah we do that now let me ask have you acted in a similar fashion. When God hasn't answered your prayer how have you behaved when things haven't gone the way. You want them to go if a parent were to give their child everything. They asked that parent would be irresponsible and there is a reason known only to. God while some prayers don't get answered on what some prayers do tim keller wrote a book on prayer here's a quote from it it says.

God will either give us what we ask or give us what we would have asked. If we knew everything he knows so it's a challenge sometimes in prayer. But I remind you again to look at what I told you to wrote down. God is good God is always good one more challenge it's a challenge to our prayer can be our inability to trust. God Jesus paints this picture we see this we this imagery of a of a loving father eager to give to those who ask. And and here's the deal for a lot of us that kind of resonates inside of us. We we can identify with that we can grab a hold of that because it was something that. We experienced in our own life and and in when I think about this. I think about my own dad my dad's here tonight I love my dad my dad is a good man he's a loving man. He always provided for my brother and I and my mom you know he.

He he was he blessed us he was a hard-working man taught us a lot of a lot of good principles in life. And I'm thankful for him because of that it may be that I have a little easier time trusting in my heavenly father. Because I had a father who loved me and there are some people though that was not your relationship the words. I just spoke about my father you can't speak those words about your father. Because it wasn't true whether he was there at all he had any relationship with him all or or. Maybe he was was something that was always you were just a burden to him. He didn't want you around or maybe he worked he never seen him or. Maybe just maybe instead of protecting you he hurt you he harmed you he abused. You he did things to to you that should have never been done and. Because of that you struggle with this whole relationship when you read these words.

When Jesus talks about the relationship and having a father-type relationship you don't like that relationship. Because of how your physical father was how your earthly father was it causes. You to struggle that that's a real reality there are people who really do struggle in having a relationship with. God because they can't trust because trust had never been demonstrated to them before in their life that's a challenge. So when they read the words it says ask they're like ask every time. I got asked I got hit in the mouth every time I got asked. I was told every time I got asked there was nobody for me to ask. So it's a struggle it's a challenge that is there Jesus knows this can be true. So so he just comes out and names it because he says in verse number 11 of chapter 7. And Matthew he says if you the then being evil he just points it out mankind can be evil know how to give good gifts how.

Much more he's telling you God goes above whether your relationship with the earthly father was good or whether your relationship with the earthly father was. Bad how much more does your heavenly father again I go back and remind. You one more time God is good God is always good God is perfect in his love. And he is a perfect father he would do anything he could to show. You his love in fact he did all he could when he died on a cross for. You to show you the lengths he would go to prove his love even. If you turned your back on him he would still leave the 99 to pursue. You that's what God does and the reason Jesus tells us to pray is prayer is about our relationship prayer is about. You and I talking to God it's about establishing that relationship prayer is about talking to him. And having conversation and it's meant to build our relationship what kind of relationship can.

You have if there is no conversation how would you ever know them how would. You talk to them or how would you understand them if you haven't talked to them conversation is one of the primary vehicles that. We have that helps us understand and build and foster friendships and relationships the conversations. I have with my wife chastity every day are built and continue to strengthen our relationship talking is what. We do more than any other activity in our married life talking we talk to each other. We talk through tough situations we listen we ask questions and because this we're able to better understand ourself we're able to better understand each other. Our needs our desires and then we can respond to the information that we have in loving ways that's how prayer is supposed to be. You start reading this and in reading this you start to. See his personality as you read this it begins to unfold the things he likes. And the things he doesn't like why is that important because this then will transfer over into your prayer life.

You begin to know him you begin to know how to talk to him. You begin to have intimate conversations with him why because you've read his word you've put it inside of. You and then when you go to prayer it prayer becomes not just my little want list just not my little needs my little thanks. God I need you to do this x y and z and all that's good take those things before him. But Jesus when he was teaching his disciples said don't spend a lot of time on that stuff. God already knows those things instead the more you know this the easier it is to spend time in prayer. Because he reveals himself here and just like my wife who in a couple of days will be 21 years of marriage. I know how to have a conversation with her I know what to talk about. I know how to make her smile I know how to make her laugh. I also know how to make her mad so I know what I can say.

And I know what I shouldn't say that's what prayer is you read his word. You know him you begin to understand him and then in your prayer it becomes more intimate. And it becomes stronger and it becomes more personal because that's what prayer is about it's discovering a relationship that's more intimate. And more deeper than anyone you'll ever have in your entire life the relationship with him. God loves to be asked he doesn't need our wisdom he doesn't need our knowledge not even the information contained in our prayers. But by inviting us into prayer God also invites us into a deeper relationship with him how does this work. Because there's a give and a take there's a give and a take that is there just like in human relationships. If only one person has all the power if only one person has all the control. And all the influence it eliminates the personhood of the other this is true of our relationship with. God and this is why we can say with confidence that God is good.

God is always good as I start to bring this to a close tonight no matter how bad the storm is no matter how much pain. That you have personally experienced in your life or the things that you have gone through no matter how different the outcome is from what. You prayed for God is good God is always good in the hardest moments of life. God comes close to us and he does not change why because God is good. God is always good he doesn't falter he doesn't quit he doesn't leave he doesn't. Let go because God is good he is always good God is just as good to the parents of obedient children as. He is to the parents of children who have rebelled because God is good. God is always good God is good to the family who just lost their home in a fire as. He is to the family whose house didn't burn down because God is good. God is always good God is just as good to the single person as.

He is to the person who just got married because God is good God is always good. God is good to the person who lost their Job as he is to the person who just got a promotion. Because God is good God is always good God's goodness is not dependent on any outcome or what. You and I do because God is good God is always good God is good. Because when those storms come he comes in closer than the storms ever come. He holds us in his arms and he does not change and he does not falter. He does not quit and he does not leave he does not walk away. He does not abandon he doesn't leave you astray why because God is good. God is always good no matter what he never lets go why because his desire always has been. And always will be having a relationship with you he will do whatever it takes cross whatever chasm. He has to overcome whatever he has to have a relationship with you are there challenges in prayer yes there are things that.

We all struggle with but it does not negate that God is good. So ask just ask just ask because that's what he said to do was ask. And if you ask if you seek if you knock it will be there it might not be the way. You thought and that might not come in the form you expected and that might it might not come in the time that. You thought it should have but it will come and when it comes it's good. Because God is good God is always good will you stand with me tonight. God I love you and I thank you for your goodness and your mercy for the way that. You relentlessly pursue after us seeking always and desiring to have a relationship with us. Thank you Lord for your presence it's in this room right now your spirit is moving it's walking in this place down every aisle. Lord you're desiring a relationship with us a deeper relationship than we've ever known.

God to take us to places we've never dreamed of and you Lord I pray that something would ignite inside of us that. We would move past the challenges we face in our own personal prayer life that. We would push through understanding and knowing that God you are good you are always good. Let us never forget this truth let it be what we live by every day trusting in. You in Jesus name we pray and amen. Amen amen God bless you listen to me I got two things I need to tell. You about real quick I've been feeling a strong strong push in my spirit for several months. Now to get us back to to to more prayer in this church I've been working with rj. And we're going to go back we're fixing to kick something off on August the 3rd we're going to go back to having 24-hour prayer chains. Here at the church we're going to be doing those in the prayer room I'm very excited about this.

Now here's the way it's going to work we have 48 slots that we've signed up for. So there's going to be a slot for every hour and every half hour. So there's going to be time when there's going to be people overlapping in the prayer room the reason. We did this is because we don't want there to be a break in the chain there's a sign up. You can go to the church app or church website under events it's already live right now. So you can sign up on the third it's going to start at 6 a.m on Monday the 3rd. And it'll end at 6 a.m on Tuesday the 4th all of it will be done in our prayer room. Now here's the deal because some of you going to ask I'm going to go ahead. And answer the question I'm asking for there to be physical people in that room for 24 hours our church is big enough to make this. Happen we can do it it doesn't negate any prayer you do at home.

So I appreciate everybody who's going to pray at home and some of you can't make it. And I love you and I appreciate your dedication please keep praying at home it's important. But I'm looking for 48 individuals who can show up on sometime in that 24-hour period period. And sign up for a prayer shift and help push the kingdom of God further in our community. Now we're also going to have a fast day that day too I'm not going to tell. You how to fast you pick that fast whatever you feel like God lays on your heart whatever it is it's going to be a sacrifice. Then fast that day and God's going to continue to do mighty things in our church we're going to start doing this on a monthly basis. The first Monday of every month is going to be prayer and fasting 24-hour prayer chain. And fasting because I feel like God is moving us into a new area. And I want to be a part of it some of this only comes through prayer.

And fasting that's the first thing the second thing is this this coming Sunday evening at 5 00 p.m we're going to be having what they're. Determined as a more traditional service which I think is funny because I think. We still have traditional service now that's up for debate. But we're going to have a service where we're going to be singing some more of the singing under the. Lord hymnal songs and it's going to be taking place in an old sanctuary at 5 00 p.m on Sunday evening it's open to everybody they've. Been promoting it in the 50-plus group but if you would like to come you're welcome to be a part of that service. Again it's this coming Sunday at 5 p.m and they're going to be starting those every month on the fourth Sunday of every month. You can go to that now listen to me this is the pastor this is not something that. You do in place of Sunday morning church this is in addition to Sunday morning church.

I catch too many of you all skipping we're just going to shut down the Sunday evening. So that you can come back to Sunday morning amen. Yes amen God bless you you're just missing Jesus name.