Craig Groeschel to Christians: Make This Dangerous Prayer to God – 'Break Me'

One of the most dangerous and difficult prayers a Christian can make is for God to "break them," Pastor Craig Groeschel says.

Groeschel, who heads the large, multi-site Oklahoma-based Life.Church, discussed the importance of Christians praying that God may "break [them]" in his "Dangerous Prayer" series.

The sermon begins with a prayer to God to "break me of my pride, break me of my selfishness, break me of anything that keeps me from knowing you."

The evangelical pastor warns that this prayer, unlike others, will not necessarily make you "feel good" or fall in line with "God will always make your life better" version of Christianity.

Although this prayer is difficult, it does have the potential to open up your life in greater ways to God, Groeschel continues.

In exchange for this pain of breaking that you may experience in your walk with God, there will be infinite blessings, the pastor says, pointing to an experience in his own life, when he was told by a pastoral mentor that in planting his church, God would break him.

Groeschel experienced the repetitive "breaking" after encountering numerous roadblocks and tragedies while trying to start his church, but also notes that from this immense struggle and pain came infinite blessings as it drew him closer to God and his Christian community.

The pastor goes on to point to two Bible verses that discuss this dangerous prayer: Mark 14:3 and Mark 14:22, which both use the metaphor of a person being "broken" so their faith may be fully "poured out."

In Mark 14:3, a woman breaks an extremely expensive bottle of perfume and pours it over Jesus' head in an act of worship.

This act, Groeschel explains, serves as a symbol for the woman leaving her past life behind and moving forward in her walk with Jesus, physically represented by her breaking the valuable perfume, a symbol of her livelihood, over Jesus and pouring her life out to him, so he in turn may strengthen her faith.

In Mark 14:22, 24, during his Last Supper, Jesus "took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, 'Take it; this is my body' […] 'This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many.'"

Again, in this verse, the metaphor of "breaking and pouring" is being used to show the breaking of oneself.

Through this verse, Jesus is saying "may you also be poured out in such a way [that you give] everything [you] have as an offering for God's glory," Groeschel says.

"Life's greatest breakings often lead to life's greatest blessings," the pastor reiterates. "Those whom God uses the greatest are often those who have been broken the deepest […] because God never wastes a hurt."

For those who are fighting the "breaking" out of a fear of pain or failure, Groeschel encourages them to stop resisting, and rather embrace the destruction by giving themselves fully to God and their church community.

When you get to the moment of breaking, "you can either run to God or […] from God," Groeschel says.

"My greatest advice to you is just break wide open, fully depend on God and let him do a healing work for you," the pastor concludes.

REF: Christian Post.

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Perry Noble Says All Christians Should Be Baptized; Like Putting on Jesus Jersey

Every Christian has the ability to become closer to Jesus through the act of baptism, Pastor Perry Noble says.

Noble, who oversees NewSpring Church in Anderson, South Carolina, said in his most recent sermon that his church is betting that all Christians have "what it takes to follow Jesus."

Although it's easy for a Christian to make excuses, such as "I can't follow Christ […] I can't read my Bible […] I can't pray," Noble tells his congregation that he believes each and every person has the ability to make their next step in their walk with Christ.

Noble adds that "your next step is your best step," calling on all Christians to seek out baptism as their next major move in their growing faith.

He uses the example of wearing a football jersey, saying that it is important that you wear the jersey of the team that you think is best for you.

"Baptism is putting on the jersey of the one who is invested in me," Noble says, suggesting that Jesus wants us as Christians to "go public [and] put on the jersey" of His "Jesus" team.

Additionally, the pastor tells his congregation that baptism serves as an "an outward profession of an inner connection" with Jesus.

Noble points specifically to multiple Scripture passages that speak on the importance of baptism, including Matthew 3:13-17, which details Jesus' journey from Galilee to Jordan to be baptized.

As the verse notes, John tried to dissuade Jesus from baptism, saying: "'I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?'"

Noble says that this verse is especially important, as there will always be barriers in our way when we are trying to further our connection with Jesus.

It's important to note that these roadblocks aren't always obviously evil, Noble continues. "The opposition [doesn't always have] a pitch fork, horns, and a devil costume."

While opposition is a barrier, it also serves as "an opportunity to continually say 'yes' to Jesus."

Noble also points to Acts 2:38, in which Peter calls on Christians to "repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

It's important to note that Peter didn't just tell us to repent for our sins, but also to be baptized, as repentance is internal and baptism is external.

"Baptism is something that every single follower of Christ is told to do," Noble says.

Lastly, he points to Romans 6:3-4, which reads: "Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?"

When you experience the cleansing, immersive act of baptism, "the old you is buried" and a new you is born through Christ.

"When we come back up, it's symbolic of the fact that we have a brand new life in Christ," Noble says.

REF: Christian Post.

Rick Warren: This Is God's No. 1 Tool for Character Building (for Most)

A married person's number one tool for being more Christ-like is their spouse, says evangelical pastor Rick Warren.

Warren, who oversees Saddleback Church in Southern California, said in a devotional this week that God has given people the gift of a spouse to help them perfect their character and make them closer to Him.

"God created marriage for the perfection of our character. It is in relationships that we learn to be unselfish and loving. And no relationship has greater impact on your life than marriage if you get married," the pastor writes, noting in the devotional that this is true if someone chooses to marry.

Warren goes on to say that the purpose of life is to grow up and realize that "it's not all about you," and there's no better way to live a selfless, loving life than through undying sacrifice for your spouse.

"[…] real happiness comes in giving your life away and being unselfish and serving and loving," Warren writes, suggesting that learning the skill of selflessness is "the most important thing in life because God is love, and he wants you to become like him. He wants to make you like Jesus Christ. He wants you to build character."

For married people, the most important God-given tool for building character is their spouse, Warren says, because "every day you get hundreds of opportunities to not think about yourself but instead about the other person."

By showing respect and love, Christians can move closer to Christ daily through serving their spouse, Warren adds.

Warren has been married to his wife, Kay, for over 40 years. The influential evangelical couple co-founded Saddleback Church in 1980, and have since seen the congregation grow to over 22,000.

Rick and Kay have previously discussed their marriage with LifeWay Christian Resources, with the couple explaining that the first few years of their relationship were extremely difficult, as the two fought frequently and spent the majority of their engagement apart, working as missionaries in different parts of the world.

Rick tells LifeWay that he believes God worked through their initial struggle as a couple to create something good.

"The Bible says you are shaped to serve God, and one of His purposes is ministry. Your greatest ministry, without a doubt, comes out of your greatest pain. God never wastes a hurt," Rick said.

"Second Corinthians 1 says God takes us through problems and comforts us so we can then turn around and comfort others. Well, now we know why we had all those marriage problems. God gave us a ministry of helping thousands of other marriages. And we decided from the very first that we were never going to fake it, that we weren't going to pretend we had this perfect marriage, but that people would grow better out of our weaknesses and out of our authenticity," the megachurch pastor added.

Kay and Rick Warren noted in their LifeWay interview that the key to a successful marriage is leading one of purpose, where both spouses work through their marriage to serve and honor God.


REF: Christian Post.

Is a Christian Parent's Main Job to Discipline the Sins in Their Children?

"I've found it's all too easy as a parent to often forget that I too have a Father — and a sin nature — and that his fathering of me is ultimate, and my fathering is secondary. It can be easy to overlook the fact that my being a parent doesn't mean I've graduated from his school, but that now I am in one of the most intensive courses," Mathis adds.

The executive director, who also serves as pastor at Cities Church in Minnesota and an adjunct professor for Bethlehem College & Seminary, adds that while it is important to help our children with their sin, we must not lose sight of working on our own sin, as this will enable us to better serve our children in their long-term spiritual journey.

"Even more important than the work God is doing through us in parenting is the work he is doing in us while parenting," Mathis writes.

The pastor references two important Bible verses that point to sin and parenting, mainly Ephesians 6:4 and Colossians 3:21, which call on fathers to "not provoke" their children.

Children are especially vulnerable, Mathis writes, and therefore parents must remember that just because they are caregivers does not mean that they are above the capability of sinning, especially against their children.

These two important verses give parents a warning "not to abuse the remarkable stewardship God has given parents for the nurturing of their children," Mathis continues.

"It is especially wicked to sin against our children — because they are our children and the very essence of our relationship with them is for their good and not their harm. Among the sinful attitudes and actions of our lives that we should grieve most are those expressed against our children," the pastor and professor adds.

Along with Mathis, other evangelical leaders, including Pastor Rick Warren of Saddleback Church in California, have spoken on the important role of Christian parents in protecting vulnerable children.

Warren wrote in a devotional earlier this week that although several parents disregard the old saying "stay together for the kids," it is important for those in troubled marriages to focus on the well-being of their children first and foremost.

Christian parents need to provide "a place of refuge and security, where they don't have to worry if mom or dad is going to walk out," Warren writes. "Why did God create marriage for the protection of children? Because when children are born, they are completely helpless. God knew that children needed a safe environment and somebody to feed and dress and nurture and protect and train and care for them."

"When you do marriage God's way, it works out better in your life and your kids' lives. Kids grow healthier and stronger when they grow up in a stable family, with a mom and a dad in a stable marriage," Warren adds.

REF: Christian Post.

Rick Warren: Why Couples in Troubled Marriages Should 'Stay Together for the Kids'

Read more at http://www.christianpost.com/news/rick-warren-why-couples-in-troubled-marriages-should-stay-together-for-the-kids-163453/#dD3RHymfkE7xOdIw.99

"Today people laugh at that statement. 'Stay together for the sake of the kids? What are you talking about? You've got to do what's best for you,'" Warren writes, adding that staying together for the children used to be considered "unselfish and mature."

"Really? Do you always have to do what's best for you? That's called narcissism. Can you sometimes do something that's best for somebody else? For someone who's more vulnerable than you are? That's called maturity. That's called unselfishness. That's called love," the evangelical preacher maintains.

Warren also writes that it is important to do marriage "God's way" so children feel secure and protected, and therefore have the opportunity to flourish in ways they may not be able to if they grow up in a divorced household.

Children need "a place of refuge and security, where they don't have to worry if mom or dad is going to walk out," the pastor writes. "Why did God create marriage for the protection of children? Because when children are born, they are completely helpless. God knew that children needed a safe environment and somebody to feed and dress and nurture and protect and train and care for them."

"When you do marriage God's way, it works out better in your life and your kids' lives. Kids grow healthier and stronger when they grow up in a stable family, with a mom and a dad in a stable marriage," the pastor adds.

Divorce is a prominent topic in the evangelical church, with different polls offering different insights into how secular Americans view divorce compared to evangelical Christians.

A 2008 Barna study found, for example, that when "evangelicals and non-evangelical born again Christians are combined into an aggregate class of born again adults, their divorce figure is statistically identical to that of non-born again adults: 32% versus 33%, respectively."

Best-selling author Shaunti Feldhahn has dedicated herself to debuking myths about marriage, divorce and religion, telling The Christian Post in an interview in 2014 that several "statistics" regarding marriage in the church simply are not true.

Feldhahn told CP at the time that after conducting eight years of research for her book The Good News About Marriage, she found that marriage statistics are not nearly as dismal as they once seemed.

One important misunderstanding, Feldhahn clarifies in her book, is the conception that divorce rates are the same in the church as outside of the church, as mentioned in an earlier Barna study.

The author told CP that she partnered with the Barna Group to determine that these numbers were misleading because they only accounted for people's expressed religious beliefs, rather than their actual church attendance.

"So I partnered with Barna and we re-ran the numbers: and if the person was in church the prior week, their divorce rate dropped 27% compared to those who weren't! Many studies have found that church attendance drops the divorce rate 25-50% compared to those who don't attend. It also increases happiness in marriage and has several other dramatic life and marriage outcomes that we cover in the book," Feldhahn told CP.

 REF:Christian Post

Pastor Rick Warren: 5 Tips for What a Healthy Family Looks Like

The mark of a successful family is its ability to encourage personal growth in its members, Pastor Rick Warren says.

Warren, founding and senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Orange County, California, wrote in a devotional this week that families are boring and stagnant when they don't encourage growth.

"Awesome families encourage growth. They create an atmosphere of lifelong learning. They help each other develop. They encourage the discovery of each person's spiritual gifts and abilities," Warren writes. "If you haven't learned anything new or developed any new interest in a long time, you're not growing!"

The California pastor continues by saying that there are some things that need to be learned in a family setting rather than other environment, such as work or school.

These five important learning experiences include teaching family members what to do with their feelings, how to handle conflict, how to handle loss, what values matter most, and the importance of good habits.

A healthy, growing family expresses their emotions and encourages honesty and openness. It's also important for families to learn how to deal with their problems with each other in a constructive, healthy way, the pastor writes.

Additionally, it's important for children to learn the concept of losing, as they will not be able to win at everything in life. Parents also have the responsibility to teach children what values matter most, and to educate them on the dangers of "sex, salary, and status."

Lastly, it's important for a Christian family to center their habits around a life following Jesus Christ so they may build better character.

Warren's family suffered a devastating loss in 2013 when 27-year-old Matthew, the Warrens'' youngest son, committed suicide after suffering years of depression and mental illness.

Amy Hilliker, Rick and Kay Warren's daughter, previously spoke about how Matthew's mental illness affected her family's dynamic, saying at the Gathering on Mental Health and the Church event in 2015 that her family tried using love and unity to fight through her brother's mental illness.

"In my twenties, Matthew's illness ramped significantly at the same time my body began to crash from the undiagnosed chronic Lyme [Disease]," Hilliker said, as reported by the Christian Examiner. "Between my illness, Matthew's illness and some other traumatic family circumstances, it often felt like we were living in this underground bunker. We were here existing on planet Earth but not really engaging with the real world or real people. We would occasionally lift that hatch and look out long enough and survey the land. Then the next wave of chaos would hit and we'd have to hunker down and hold onto each other and pray to make it through."

Hilliker added that despite the difficult times, she and her family tried to persevere.

"We have had to learn to accept each other's different levels of tolerance, of proximity to the struggle, differing ways of engaging Matthew," Hilliker said. "It divided us many times. But we were determined to keep pursuing love and connection with Matthew despite this tension."

REF: Christian Post.