Falls Creek Preview

Falls Creek is 47 days away.  It seems like it was just about 12 months ago that we were preparing for 2010 Falls Creek.  In anticipation of the upcoming morning Bible studies, I have a little preview for you.  We are going to talk about some of the friends of God.  Particularly, we are going to look at one of the characteristics of these individuals that made them stand out from the rest of God’s people. 

1.       Enoch, a man of faith who pleased God.  “Enoch walked with God; and he was not, for God took him.”  Gen. 5:24.  “By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.”  Heb. 11:5.

2.       Moses, a man of humility that God talked to like a friend.  “Thus the LORD used to speak to Moses face to face, just as a man speaks to his friend.”  Ex. 33:11a.

3.       David, a man of worship.  “But now your kingdom shall not endure.  The LORD has sought out for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has appointed him as ruler over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”  1 Sam. 13:14.  “So David arose from the ground, washed, anointed himself, and changed his clothes; and he came into the hose of the LORD and worshiped. “  2 Sam. 12:20.

"Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving."  Col. 4:2

What does Paul mean to "devote yourselves to prayer"?  I asked the youth last night and heard some great answers.  Actually, I asked what the word "devote" means.  The responses were: commit, focus, no distractions, etc.  I answered that it meant to give something a high priority.  Then, we discussed why is that we all agree on the importance of prayer but not necessarily the reverence of prayer.  Do we really realize that we are speaking to the creator of the universe, when we pray?  He listens and pays attention to us.  We act like we are talking to a friend.  I don't mean to pray and communicate with God like He's not your friend.  Just remember that your friend is the savior of mankind.  Your friend is, "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created...all things have been created through Him and for Him." Col. 1:15, 16. 
At the same time, be excited about your prayers because He listens to you.  Maybe, we need to stop and realize not just the importance of communicating with God.  We need to stop and realize the marvel and appreciation of communicating with God.

The Steve