Prayer - A New Perspective

Isn't it interesting how God sometimes allows life's circumstances to DRIVE us to our knees, however, we often see prayer as a last resort, but I think God may be trying to change our perspective by seeing prayer as the most potent tool/act that can transform ours and others difficult circumstance.

An Example of Selflessness

2 Timothy 4:6-8 says For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

This passage of scripture is an excerpt of a letter the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy while in a Roman prison. What strikes me about this passage are three things:

1. Paul viewed his life as one being poured out like a drink offering

2. Paul longed for Christ's appearing while alive and doing the work of the ministry

3. Paul encourages and instructs Timothy, a young pastor, when he (Paul) is in a dismal prison environment

Pouring Out Our Lives Like A Drink Offering

In 2011, it is rare to hear someone refer to their life as a "drink offering." According to the life application bible, a drink offering consisted of wine poured out on an altar as a sacrifice to God. Its fragrance was considered pleasing to God. The Apostle Paul viewed his life in that manner- a sacrifice and fragrance unto God.

In the 21st century, many people are clearly living for themselves and not God. They aren't pouring out their lives as a drink offering for the Lord's glory as Paul did in his day. Even in Christiandom, many are ministering under the banner of Christ, but their ministry's aim is to clearly build a name for themself and be known in the earth, similarly to those who attempted to build the tower of Babel in Genesis 11 . A casual look at the Word Network or Church channel on television reiterates this notion.

Galations 2:20 says I am crucified with Christ and I NO LONGER LIVE, BUT CHRIST LIVES IN ME. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

The aim of every Christian should be to be more like Christ. Great effort should be exerted into crucifying sinful desires that not only distance us from Christ, but attracts others to our self or our gift instead of Christ. (ie. preaching, teaching, playing a musical instrument, singing etc.....)

Jesus said "If I be lifted up, I'll draw all men unto me." Why do many live their lives feverishly working to lift themselves up to draw men and women to themselves?

Our life is not our own because it has been bought at a price. (1 Cor. 7:23) Because of this truth, let's purpose to pour out our lives as a drink offering to the Lord as the Apostle Paul beautifully illustrated for us. When our lives, gifts and abilities point people to Jesus and not ourselves, we are truly living for Christ and our lives are like drink offerings; being poured out for God's glory.

Living With Assurance and Longing For the Appearing of Christ

While in prison, the apostle Paul writes the following: "Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing."

The apostle Paul lived his life in a way that he was CONFIDENT that the Lord was going to award him a crown of righteousness when he (Paul) stands before Him (the Lord) in heaven. Even more impactful is the Apostle Paul's LONGING to see Christ while in prisoned for preaching the gospel and advancing the kingdom of God.

What is evident here is that the Apostle Paul loved Christ more than himself. Mathew 16:25 encapsulates it well: "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it."

Be A Blessing To Others During Your Hardship

The fact that Paul wrote 2 Timothy 4:6-8 while in prison to encourage Timothy, a young minister, is a beautiful testament of SELFLESSNESS! The handwriting was on the wall for Paul, he was going to be killed for preaching the gospel, nevertheless, his focus was not on his own fate, but his focus was on Timothy, his legacy; the one that would carry on the work of the ministry after he was dead and gone.

How often do we put others before ourselves? Like Paul, how often do we see the big picture of the kingdom instead of what only involves "me, myself, and I?" Help us Lord! And thank you Apostle Paul for your example!