Reflections on Christopraxis

God is an All-Consuming Fire of Love

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then I think a song is often worth quite a number of words, too.   These two songs together speak so well of the love of God.  

You Won't Relent - Misty Edwards from Forerunner Music on Vimeo.

All-Consuming Fire - Misty Edwards from Forerunner Music on Vimeo.

Pastor Greg spoke on this topic this week (May 8/9, 2010).  You can get the audio or video on the church website (should be available within a few days of this post).  Click here for Sermon Resources.  He makes the point well, and I have rarely heard this topic spoken on in this way.

You can obtain both of these songs on Misty Edwards' "Relentless" album, available through the IHOP web site, or iTunes.

... for indeed our God is a consuming fire.  Hebrews 12:29

By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.  And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.  Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. 1 John 4:13 – 1 John 4:17

He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”  Matthew 22:37 – Matthew 22:40

For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth takes its name. I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.  Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.  Ephesians 3:14 – 21

Rekindling a Spirit of Prayer

My youngest daughter, Sarah, is a big International House of Prayer (IHOP) fan -- no relationship to pancakes.  One of the main focuses of this group is 24x7 prayer.  They combine passionate worship with fervent prayer and intercession.  They are known for a spontaneous worship, often referred to as "harp and bowl."  The group Enter the Worship Circle is an example of this style of worship.

Last weekend I went with my daughter to an IHOP event here in Minneapolis called Onething.  This event is aimed at young adults, and is inspired by such verses as Psalm 27:4. 

The conference itself has some good worship, including Jason Upton, and other "IHOP" artist.  Much of the message is not new to me, so I was not particularly struck with a sense of finding a "new thing."   However, I think it did rekindle a spirit of prayer in me that I had not experienced for quite a while. 

My friend Mary told me that they have a live video feed from the IHOP prayer room in Kansas City.  She recommended I consider subscribing to it for the small fee of $10 per month.  My daughter indicated that she had been interested in the service, but did not want to ask to spend the money (nice girl).  Well, I checked it out, and I find it awesome!  This is profoundly changing my prayer life.  I strongly encourage you to check out the IHOP Prayer Room.  They have prayer and worship, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.  This live feed enables us to enter into the prayer and worship with them.