Christ in the school of prayer

Speaker: David Sommerdorf
Windsor Baptist Church
Sunday, April 19, 2015
Sunday School Lesson

Text:  Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.  For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.

1. The call to prayer
A. The Word of the Father is a call to prayer.
Matthew 7:7...Ask
Matthew 9:38...Pray ye
Luke 18:1...Men ought always to pray
Matthew 26:41...Pray that ye enter not into temptation
I Thessalonians 5:17...Pray without ceasing

B. The example of the Son is a call to prayer.
1) While on earth
- in His baptism, before sending the disciples, at the grave of Lazarus, for Peter's faith, on the Mt. of Transfiguration, at the last supper, in Gethsemane,  on the cross for His enemies

2) While in Heaven
- Hebrews 7:25 - Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.

C. The urging of the Spirit is a call to prayer.
- Romans 8:26 - Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

D. The needs of our life are a call to prayer.
- Psalm 72:12 - For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.

E. The anxiety of out hearts is a call to prayer.
"The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith." ~ Andrew Murray
- Philippians 4:6 - Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication let your requests be made known unto God.
1) Hinders our faith in God
2) Hinders the power of God
3) Hinders our peace with God

F. The temptations of the flesh are a call to prayer.
- Matthew 26:41 - He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

2. The practice of prayer
Begins by asking....Matthew 7:7
1. Be instant in asking.
2. Be constant in asking.
3. Be complete in asking.

There is a 'giving of God' that only comes from our asking.

3. The certainty in prayer
Everyone that asketh, receiveth...Matthew 7:8

A. Every one that asketh, receiveth something.
B. Every one that asketh, receiveth good things.  Matthew 7:7-11
1) light and understanding
2) peace
3) Holy Spirit
C. Every one that asketh, receiveth the very thing he NEEDS.  Matthew 6:8

Upcoming Sibling Shenanigans...

It’s been quite some time since I have been to Michigan to visit my brother.  It’s not that we haven’t gotten together…he drove out to the Land of Lincoln for Thanksgiving and then again for Christmas through New Year’s…and in February we met in the Windy City for the AutoShow.  Well, it’s my turn to travel to him sooo today I booked my Amtrak ticket for Easter weekend which is in 2 weeks.  {Yeah!}  I even decided to splurge and take “Easter Monday” off as well…that way I get to spend all of Easter with the big guy.  On Monday, he will deliver me to the Amtrak station – via Starbucks because I had to bribe him to get him to pick-me-up and take-me-back to the train.  I believe his exact words were, “If I don’t show up to get you, call Dial-A-Ride or a taxi.”  Nice.  Where was I?  Oh, on Monday morning, he will deliver me ( * hoping * ) via Starbucks or the cute little coffeeshop establishment next to Amtrak – all before he heads in to work.  What a guy!!!  I have no idea what we will do that weekend…I know he’s been wanting to clean out and setup his screened-in porch area.  It’s actually quite nice with several windows and hardwood floors.  I’m thinking a table with a couple chairs or a futon / daybed out there.  I think he’s finally seeing my vision for his porch…it’s only taken 4 years.  “Sis, it would be nice to be able to sit out there and read or drink coffee.”  Ummmm…YES!  Yes, it would.  Perhaps we will work on his porch…  I do know this – whatever we do, it will be a blast!!!  I love spending time with this guy.

Shoes!

"I like Cinderella, really I do.  She has a good work ethic.  And she likes shoes.  The fairy tale is all about the shoe at the end, and I'm a big shoe girl."  ~ Amy Adams

Spring ahead...

This Saturday night, we get to set our clocks one hour ahead.  And it's always during the springing-ahead weekend that I fondly remember my college roommate, Brenda.  You see, Brenda thought we had to set our alarms to wake-up at 2 a.m. to then turn the clocks one hour ahead.  

Thankfully we were only roommates for one springing-ahead...  :)

  

March Randomness

This morning I turned my calendar from February to March.  March, oh how I love thee.  There are several reasons why I love this month...

1. Daylights Savings Time - spring ahead and get more daylight.

2. The First Day of Spring!  I've been counting down to this day for months.  True story.  Since early January.  Yep.  It's close!!!

3. Two co-workers celebrate their b-days this month.  

4. Random March-ish weather.  One day it will be cold and brisk...and then next there will be sunshine with hints of spring in the air.

5. Warmer days ~ warm enough to crack open the windows and let the brisk March-ish air inside.

6. There's a greater chance of a 60 degree day which means PEDICURES!!!!!  

I always pack away my winter clothes 10 days too soon.  It happens every year.  The beauty of where I reside now is I have 2 giant full-length closets so I can keep my current wardrobe in my closet and put my off-season wardrobe in my guest room closet.  This helps when I pack away my winter clothes too soon.  

Loves flits about in the spring.  March is the beginning of those shenanigans.  

Love is the air and it smells like coffee.  :)

Things that make me happy...

Fridays...coffee...good books...coffee...sunshine...coffee...flannel sheets...coffee...knitting...coffee...spring...coffee...  :)

73...

73 days until spring!!!!