30 for 30 RESET – Day 1

Gatheringplace   -   September 1, 2024

 

To RESET: “To refresh any routines or habits that aren’t serving you.”

“Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-26 NLT

I hate to say it, but drawing near to God takes effort. Just as an athlete has to discipline his or her body, or as one translation says it, “Go into strict training,” for you to get the most out of this 30 for 30 you are going to have to get serious about it.

In this passage, Paul says that he “runs with purpose in every step.” Another translation says, “I’m not playing around.” There is too much at stake!

Do you care about your family, your church, those who are lost in this life who have not yet found Christ? Do you want to know the peace of God, friendship with God, and contentment in your soul? Do you want to see more miracles in your life, in our church gatherings, when you pray for others? I do! And I know you do, too.

That is what this 30 for 30 is all about.

The apostle Paul said this when he was locked up in prison for preaching the gospel:

“For I know that as you pray for me and the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me, this will lead to my deliverance.” Philippians 1:19 NLT

WOW! What a bold statement. It’s as if he knew something about the power of prayer. He begged for prayer his entire ministry and saw God do miraculous things. He knew the signs and wonders that followed him, and the doors that opened up before him were due to the prayers of the Church.

We need more prayer. We need to discipline ourselves in prayer. And you are not alone. We are doing this together.

We also need to be in the Word. The Word of God is our spiritual food, and prayer is our spiritual drink. We need them both.

Let’s discipline ourselves in the Word and prayer. We are in a spiritual race and our kids, our families, our church, our city, our nation, are at stake and they need our prayers and our spiritual clarity, conviction, and courage.

When you read and pray, I suggest you spend a few minutes in each of these three areas: Upward, Inward, Outward

  1. Upward: Get quiet. Settle down. Begin to thank God for Who He is – patient, kind, merciful. A God Who forgives sins – Who has forgiven your sins, A God Who cares, Who listens to your prayers, a miracle working God. (There are many other attributes you can thank Him for. Go HERE for a prayer guide as well as a list of God’s names that will help you thank Him for Who He is)
  2. Inward: Read a chapter in the Bible. I would suggest one Psalm per day. Start with Psalm 1 and go from there. Or read one chapter of Proverbs per day. Start with Proverbs 1 and go from there. But, as you read, stop, and think about what it is saying. Take your time (even if you don’t get through an entire chapter – it’s okay!). Ask God to speak to you through it.

A deeper dive: For those of you who would like to read the Bible in a year, here is a fantastic way to do it. It will take more than 30 minutes per day, but it will be well worth it. It not only gives you a reading plan, but each day there is a short, very well-produced video explaining what you are about to read. Go HERE for your one year through the Bible reading plan.

  1. Outward: Ask God to show you how He would like to use you to reach those around you. Then begin to pray specifically for individuals. Pray for your family members, your boss, co-workers, classmates, friends, your church, its members, its mission, and its leadership. Pray for our city and our nation – that God would rule and reign in every mountain of influence: Church, Family, Government, Education, Media, Entertainment/Arts, and Business. You won’t be able to get to everything in 30 minutes, but that’s okay. Just pray!

REMEMBER: This 30 for 30 and the ways to connect with God through the Word and Prayer are not rules. It’s not a law to condemn you if you don’t “keep up and measure up.” Just do your best and let God do the rest.

Some Prayer Points:

Personal:

  • Closeness with God
  • Deeper devotion to Christ
  • Renewed vision
  • Renewed passion
  • Strength
  • Joy
  • A profound commitment to act as Jesus would during this election year.

Church:

  • And increase of God’s manifest presence.
  • To see more CHANGED LIVES!
  • An increase in Miracles
  • Salvation for those far from God (make a list and pray for them every day)
  • More young people joining the vision at GPC
  • New building for GPC

World:

  • A mighty harvest in our city and nation.
  • That godly men and women will fill the seats of government at local, city, state, and national levels.
  • For our missionaries (Use the bookmark handed out at church, or go to our website and check out our Missions page HERE)

Let’s go!