Author: Ken Crawford

Church Transitions and Conflict Solutions

Seeking the Face of God…

“If my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray
and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
Chronicles 7:14

Our land is hurting and in deep need of God’s divine healing. This admonition from God addresses the critical fact that the sin and wickedness in our life as a nation has direct — and disastrous — effects on our health as a nation and as a global community. If we are going to call on God to heal our land, to heal our nation, and to heal our human community, it is vital that we are also forthright in changing our wicked ways. If Christians are going to take 2 Chronicles 7:14 seriously — we must address our sins.

National sins as well as personal and individual sins are expressed as wickedness in our homes and offices, school yards and town squares. They permeate the culture to infect many aspects of business, government, and even the church. They are fueled by social media, fear-based politics, and biased media attention.

Like a cancerous infection, this evil wickedness is spreading throughout our culture and the Church. It is time that the people of faith intentionally humble ourselves and pray and seek God’s face and turn from our wicked ways. Our faith in Jesus Christ calls for no less, and empowers us for so much more.

Father God, we come to you because the people of this nation and everything in it belong to you. We are not here by accident. You are the one who set us in this nation at this particular time for the glory of your name. But Father, people in this country are turning against each other. We no longer live like brothers and sisters. Brother has turned against brother and child against parent. But your word says that if we humble ourselves and turn from our wicked ways you will heal our land. Lord, heal our hearts, heal our land. Remove bitterness and resentment from our hearts and help us to live as brothers and sisters. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Avoid Corruption

God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you. — 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NLT

Scripture calls us to two powerful principles through this passage. First, the message given to us by the apostles is not man’s opinion, but God’s truth — we must not ignore it! Second, God gives the Holy Spirit to Christians, not just a one-time or temporary gift of the Spirit but an ongoing and indwelling gift of the Spirit. Jesus promised something very similar during his ministry (John 7:37-39, as seen in tomorrow’s scripture). In other words, we cannot use up our supply of the Holy Spirit; the more we rely on and need the Holy Spirit, the more God gives us the Spirit. It’s impossible to do better than a never-ending supply of what we need to live for God!

O Father, Sovereign Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. Thank you even more for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit into my life as I need and rely on the Spirit to sustain, empower, and transform me to be more and more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

Empowered to live holy lives…

God has called us to live holy lives, not impure lives. Therefore, anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human teaching but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
— 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NLT

Scripture calls us to two powerful principles through this passage. First, the message given to us by the apostles is not man’s opinion, but God’s truth — we must not ignore it! Second, God gives the Holy Spirit to Christians, not just a one-time or temporary gift of the Spirit but an ongoing and indwelling gift of the Spirit. Jesus promised something very similar during his ministry (John 7:37-39, as seen in tomorrow’s scripture). In other words, we cannot use up our supply of the Holy Spirit; the more we rely on and need the Holy Spirit, the more God gives us the Spirit. It’s impossible to do better than a never-ending supply of what we need to live for God!

O Father, Sovereign Lord, thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit who lives in me. Thank you even more for the continual outpouring of the Holy Spirit into my life as I need and rely on the Spirit to sustain, empower, and transform me to be more and more like Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.

From Nothing… EVERYTHING!

The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters.
— Genesis 1:2 NLT

In the very first chapter of the Bible, we are taken to the formless emptiness before time began. We find the Spirit of God hovering over this formless and empty darkness, characterized as “the surface of the waters,” waiting for God to speak his creative word. God’s formative word set the power of the Spirit into creative work, ordering and making our universe and our world within it. However, isn’t it so sadly ironic that in the emptiness of our lives we so seldom cry out to God and ask for his Holy Spirit to come into our lives and bring the LORD’s creative order? Let’s ask for God’s Spirit, hovering above our messes, to enter into our lives and lead us to where we need to be and to bring the Father the glory he deserves!

O Sovereign God, I confess that I cannot order and control my life. I surrender to your grace and ask for your Holy Spirit to enter my world and bring your gracious and creative order and form your holy character and compassion in me. In the name of your Son and my Savior, I pray. Amen.

The Power to Change

I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
— Ephesians 3:14-19 NIV

One of the best gifts we can give those we love is to pray for them. One of the most important prayers we can pray for other believers is the one Paul prays here. We can pray for those we love to be strengthened by God’s Spirit! Not only can we pray this prayer for them, but we can also let them know that we are praying this prayer for them. Why not copy Paul’s prayer and send it to a believing friend or family member and let them know that you have prayed this prayer for them today?

Father in heaven, I believe you are all powerful and that I cannot begin to understand your glory and might. I am humbled that you make that power available to me, and within me, through the Holy Spirit. Dear Father, there are those I love that I pray you will bless with your power. Please strengthen them with your power in their inner being. Please help them be aware of your presence in their lives through the Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

A New Year’s Prayer

Heavenly Father,

As we stand on the threshold of a new year, we come before You with hearts full of hope and gratitude. Thank You for the gift of life, for Your unfailing love, and for Your presence in our lives. As we enter the year 2025, we ask for Your guidance and blessings to lead us through every challenge and opportunity.

Lord, grant us the strength to grow in faith and trust in You. Help us to reflect Your light in all that we do, whether in our homes, workplaces, or communities. Teach us to be vessels of Your peace, compassion, and grace, spreading Your love to those around us.

We pray for wisdom in our decisions, courage in our struggles, and patience in our waiting. Let the year 2025 be a time of renewal, where we draw closer to You, seeking Your will above all else. Protect us from harm, and help us to live out our faith boldly, knowing that You are with us every step of the way.

We ask for Your blessings upon our families, friends, and all those we encounter. May we be a blessing to others, just as You have richly blessed us. May we find joy in Your presence, comfort in Your promises, and peace in Your sovereignty.

We trust in Your perfect plan for our lives, knowing that with You, all things are possible. May this year be filled with Your love, hope, and grace, and may we continually seek Your Kingdom above all else.

In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Encouragement…

Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.
Philemon 1:7 (NIV)

Wouldn’t this description of Philemon be a great one to have said about you! To be loved, supported, and encouraged by an encourager is to have your heart refreshed and your attitude lifted. It is so easy to get caught up in negative thinking and speech. We are bombarded daily with bad news and hateful speech. Let’s make a commitment to be an “encourager” who refreshes the hearts of those around us this week.

Tender and loving God, thank you for leading the people into my life who have encouraged me when I most needed it. Please give me the eyes to see and the heart to serve those around me who desperately need my encouragement. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Enough for Everyone

The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.
— Revelation 22:17 NIV

In the moving conclusion to the book of Revelation, we are reminded that the Holy Spirit lends his voice to the voices of Jesus’ bride (the church). Together, they cry out, “Come!” They are calling for Jesus to return in triumph and power. Those longing to have mortal life swept up into everlasting life also cry out for the Lord to return. The thirsty will have their thirst slaked. What we have experienced as a blessing of the Holy Spirit in our walk here on earth will now be realized in an ultimate way — we will be able to drink deeply of the water of life.

Gracious Father, thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit who continues to be a source of refreshment and blessing as your water of life within me. As I look forward to the return of Jesus, I know this blessing will be mine in a full and comprehensive way. I anticipate this glory and grace and thank you for the foretaste you have given me through the Holy Spirit. I thank you, in Jesus’ name. Come, Lord Jesus. Amen.

Actions speak louder than words.

Be careful not to do your “acts of righteousness” before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 
– Matthew 6:1 (NIV)

Why do we do the things we do? What is the motivation for our behavior? It’s so easy to fall into the trap of doing religious things so we will look good to others. This is true even when culture reacts negatively to our faith. Those around us who know about our faith and the Christians around us become the target of our behavior. While we do want to have the right kind of influence on everyone around us, we must never make our decisions about spiritual service on the basis of being seen by others to be honored because of it. Our goal must be to honor God and bless others!

Almighty God, please purify my heart of any false motivation and help me serve others based on their need and my desire to honor you in helping them. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

His power… not mine!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
— Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV

While the focus of this passage is on God, on “him who is able,” I want to draw our attention to one other key phrase in this passage — “his power that is at work within us.” Paul has earlier prayed that God would “strengthen you [the Ephesians and us] with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Ephesians 3:16). While the Holy Spirit is far more than just God’s power, the Spirit clearly does live in us to bring us God’s power! As we journey through this year, each day we will remind ourselves of God’s personal presence in our lives through the Holy Spirit. The Spirit within us is a powerful blessing that empowers us and transforms us. Let’s never forget that we are not only saved by grace but that we are also empowered by this gracious gift of the Holy Spirit within us to live for Jesus!

Oh Almighty God, I am humbled that you love me and have chosen to place your powerful presence within me. Please strengthen me with might by your Spirit within me. Mold me and transform me so that the presence of the Holy Spirit shows up in ways that remind people of Jesus, in whose name I pray. Amen.