Cypress Church

Groaning in the Night … Prayer of Desperation and Doubt

Savoring Life … Prayer of Thanksgiving

The Quiet After the Storm … Prayer of Silence

Speaking the Unspeakable … Prayer of Vengeance

Hey, God – Get Up! … Prayer of Asking

Facedown Before the King … Prayer of Worship

This wrestling with God in prayer is an issue of the heart. And through we are made righteous by Christ at salvation, there is a process God brings us through to develop our character, align our affections, and curb the very present pull of our sinful flesh. This process includes intense internal interactions with the Holy Spirit as He guides, encourages, directs, helps us apply God’s Word, and through it all, grow us to be like Jesus. This matter of the heart is brought out in Ephesians 1:15-19 challenging us to; Wrestle with Jesus’ Revelation at the Core, Wrestle with Jesus’ Hope at the Center, Wrestle with Jesus’ Power at the Crux of Choice.

After Jesus was resurrected, the Holy Spirit was given to us, so we all would have the same guidance, teaching, help, growth and hope like the disciples had when Jesus was physically present (if you want to study more about the Holy Spirit read John 14:16-31 and John 16:7-15). The Holy Spirit moved mightily in those first believers. As you read the Bible book of Acts you get a glimpse of how the Holy Spirit empowers, grows and guides us followers of Jesus. Reading those accounts inspires me and so does the new NBC TV new series ‘AD’. Though it is not a Bible study and should not replace the reading of Scripture, it does portray what it might have been like. I have found it encouraging and a good discussion starter with people who don’t know that much about Jesus or the Bible. To learn about the series visit http://www.nbc.com/ad-the-bible-continues

Jesus’ resurrection changed everything and gives us immediate and already victory, but not fully yet as we still endure the swift current of sin in our world. However there is victory in Jesus for Jesus’ resurrection; Annuls Evil Influences, Rearranges our Eternity, and Releases Sin’s Grip as we place our faith in our Rescuer Jesus.

Jesus’ resurrection changed everything and is the validated truth we should live by for Jesus is the Authenticated Authority, Jesus is the Verifiable Redeemer, and Jesus is the Proven Restorer and to change and grow is to believe in this truth regardless of our perception.

Jesus’ resurrection changed everything and gave us a higher purpose for life. To embrace this purpose we must…Let Jesus’ Love In, Let’s Jesus’ Love Out, and Let Jesus’ Love Compel.

Jesus’ resurrection changed everything and afforded to us the opportunity to live a revived life as we believe and grow in faith. Colossians 3:1-10 speaks of living this new revived, ‘alive’ life as we; Adjust Life’s Aims, Discard Life’s Hindrances, and Align Life’s Behaviors.

God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9) and there is a way that seem right to us but it’s not good (Proverbs 14:12, 16:25). Many times God’s way is unconventional and Jesus reveals that in the famous Triumphal Entry celebrated on Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter). Yes following Jesus brings a thriving life (John 10:10, 1 Timothy 6:18-19, John 8:32, 2 Corinthians 5:17) yet it’s NOT by way of a path we expect like the one of fame, power, me-centeredness, and pride. This unconventional path is one where we Thrive through Godly Humility, Thrive through Hope in the Lord, and Thrive through Trust in God’s Truth.