Sixteen hundred spiritually- hungry Christ followers from all over the Pacific Northwest jammed into a local church this past weekend. I had the privilege to be wedged in with them, singing praises to Jesus, listening to the speakers, and praying for revival.

The presence of the Lord was palpable. . . .

Moses’ burning bush experience is a foreshadowing of the fire of the Holy Spirit spoken of in Matthew 3:11 and Luke 3:16.

The context in Matthew makes it clear that the fire of the Holy Spirit . . .

I pray this prayer from Ephesians over my family often. However, I didn’t know until today that it is called an Apostolic prayer. All the prayers recorded in the New Testament are apostolic because they were spoken either by Jesus, our Apostle and High Priest (Heb. 3:1), or His apostles.

This past Sunday, my Pastor highlighted some common themes in these apostolic prayers and suggested . . .

I don’t wait very well. I get restless and irritable if I must wait more than a few minutes for anything. If my doctor is behind schedule, I am pacing the waiting room floor. Even five minutes on hold, and I hang up, thinking that I’ll try again later.

Unfortunately, I approach my prayer time with . . .

I seethed with anger for a whole week. My friend attempted to manipulate my behavior through guilt. That may work on some people. It just made me mad. I felt bullied and trampled on rather than loved and cherished.

I wish I would have known . . .

Today, I joyfully study the Word every day, and I delight to pray with others. The spiritual disciplines are the same. What changed? My motivation. Once I saw the beauty of Jesus and felt His presence, I wanted more. . . .

I wallpapered a world map on our family room wall. We pinned family photos over the countries we visited. We strung yarn along our travel routes. Geography and social science lessons flowed easily. So did my prayers.

I knelt for hours in front of the map praying through the 10/40 window. I paced from end-to-end decreeing and declaring . . . .

God lavished His love on me by making a way for me to be in His presence for all eternity. Jesus purchased that privilege for me when He gave His life for mine. Now, I am engulfed in a deeply intimate and far-reaching love. A love so vast, how could I but love Him in return?

I slipped in and out of a feverish sleep. Every time I opened my eyes, tears of pain gathered. My body ached too much to sob with the tears, so they quietly trickled toward my ears. I could not hold a thought or focus more than a moment or two. The fog was impenetrable, but the pain was worse. . . .

“Successful is God’s word spoken over you. He says you are successful even if the world does not see it. God will remind you why you are running for Him.”

I received this prophetic word with joy. I am elated to know that my God regards me as “successful.” I have no position or power or wealth which the world associates with success.

What is God’s measure of success? Jeremiah 9:24 is a good example. . . .

At His second coming, Jesus will finally and fully destroy the enemies of God (Rev. 20). When He comes on His white horse, His armies will be with Him (Rev. 1).

Have you ever wondered why Jesus needs an army when He is already the Victor? His is an army of worshipers. This sounds like a victory march. . .

Which is your least favorite book of the Bible? Mine is Leviticus. All the blood and gore of the sacrifices turns my stomach.

Of course, Jesus Christ is foreshadowed in each of the sacrifices . . . .