The Big Diehl

We all remember when Zach, Lisa, Screetch, Jessi, Slater, and everyone else at Bayside High School all hung out at “The Max.” That’s where it was at! I remember when I was in High school, in marching band, everyone went to the after-competition parties at other people’s houses. That’s where it was at!

For the Chrisitan - prayer is where it’s at. God has limited himself to working through us. He easily could have spoken directly to the Israelites with a loud audible voice, but instead He spoke through prophets (still does, but not exclusively). Check this verse out, God said, “I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me . . . but I found none. So I will [destroy them].”

DID YOU GET THAT? In that verse, God looked for a man but there was no one. The Almighty Creator of the universe was looking for a man — but He found no one.

Prayer is your opportunity to connect with God in a way Angels can only dream about. God allows us to partner with Him in prayer. Do you hear me? -PARTNER with Him. That’s heavy duty stuff. I’m not just the servant of the Almighty God — I’m His partner in fulfilling His will on the earth. This occurs during prayer.

Prayer is where it’s at, man. Prayer is where the action is.

My mom always told me to never start a fight. But I think sometimes we need to be fighting.

What about “Our BATTLE is not against flesh and blood . . .” What about “Take up the Armor of God.” (Eph. 6). Why is there a battle and why would we need armor unless we need to fight.

Fight your sin. Resist the Devil. Don’t be overly concerned with the bad influence others might be to you — last time I checked, “Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Why would I be concerned about being influenced — I’m a Christian — I AM THE INFLUENCER.

If that verse is true and He that is in us really is greater than he that is in the world — then we need to pick a fight with the devil and his schemes. Don’t be a wimp - start a fight!

I wrote about this earlier this year in a blog called, “Don’t Be Such A Sissy.” It’s a good one - you should go re-read it.

It’s not God’s priority to make sure you’re comfortable.

My favorite blogger, Perry Noble, wrote a few weeks ago and I will steal his thoughts here. I love the phrase, “I’m just not getting fed.” Normally when you hear that statement it is meant to be a reflection of a church or a pastor. But really, that’s more of a reflection on the individual! What they’re often actually saying is, “I’m just too darn lazy to do anything proactive in my relationship with God.”

Babies need to be fed Gerber. There might be some of you reading this blog right now who need to grow up and stop being such a baby. Grab the fork and start feeding yourself. Get into a small group with relationships to hold you accountable, get into the Bible, and get into prayer.

Just read the book of John and you’d see that Jesus stirred up trouble almost everywhere he went! Most people do not look for ways to stir up trouble - I think that sometimes you need to. Here’s why.

Let’s say you’re with a group of friends and they start to pass around marijuana. The “go with the flow” response would be to just quietly follow suit and smoke the pot so that you don’t create a rift. But stir up trouble! Go against the flow! Or let’s say you’re entering a business agreement with a buddy and he wants to cut a few corners (that break a couple unnoticeable tax laws) in order to maximize profits. The “go with the flow” response would be to just say, “sure” so that the business relationship continues strong, no one would notice anyhow. But don’t be a wimp - stir up some trouble by going against the flow.

If I speak loudly, everyone in the area will notice my voice. If I live loudly, everyone in the area will notice my life. And if you notice the life of a passionate and genuine Christian, you will find Jesus. That’s how you sweat your evangelism.

Go live loudly — go stir up some trouble.