Will Davis Jr.'s Blog, page 2

You’ll Never Guess What Happened When I Stopped Preparing My Sermons

I’m going to keep this brief, as I honestly could go on and on about it.

I’ve grown increasingly concerned of late that my preaching and the response of my congregation has become a bit rote. Perhaps a better word would be “predictable.” This was confirmed for me back in February when I felt the Lord ask me to not plan or prepare for any of my messages from Ash Wednesday through this past Sunday (Palm Sunday). It was basically a fast from preparation.

After a bit of wrestling on my part, I yielded to the Lord and walked into my church on Saturday, March 11th for my first “unprepared” service at ACF. It was one of the scariest things I’ve ever done.

My strategy was simple: I’d hang out in the back of our auditorium during the worship time. I’d pray, listen, and then go with whatever God gave me in the moment.

I participated in fourteen different services during the last forty days, and I preached fourteen different “spontaneous” messages.

It was one of the most terrifying and yet exhilarating faith walks I’ve ever experienced.

Now don’t think that I just winged it, as I didn’t. That would have been both presumptuous and irresponsible.  I spent the hours I would have used for message prep just reading and studying the Bible, and praying. I prepared me, not the messages. I didn’t end up teaching on any of the passages I had studied, but I did feel very full and very personally prepared.

Yesterday as Susie and I shared some time together on our front porch, we talked about my experience these last forty days. I told her what I want to tell you now: this has dramatically changed me. And, it has totally changed the way I view preaching and teaching.

Here’s a list of some the things I and ACF experienced during my fast from sermon prep:

1. I prayed more. There’s nothing like not preparing for a message to drive you to your knees.

2. I was more desperate. I had to listen for God’s voice and wait for his word to me. It kept me very dependent and greatly honed my listening skills.

3. Our congregations had higher expectations. I told our congregations what I was doing, and it greatly affected how they approached our weekend services. They came with curiosity and expectations, and many told me that they prayed for me during the week.

4. My messages were more Word-centered. When I plan my sermons, I typically build series out of topics that I feel the need to address. I then build individual messages from texts on those topics. But during this season of waiting for God, I didn’t feel led to a single topic. I would literally hear only a Scripture in my brain–Colossians 1, Romans 8, Psalm 22. That’s all God would give me. I typically knew almost immediately what verse or verses in the chapters God wanted me to cover. But I found it surprising how God only gave me scripture. Think there’s a lesson there?  Hmmm…

5. I was bolder. There’s something about getting a word directly from God for a specific service that makes you very confident and bold. I felt great authority as I spoke knowing that I was delivering exactly what God had given me only moments before.

6. We saw more fruit. I prayed before every message that we would see demonstrations of God’s power in each service (1 Cor 2:1-5). When it came time to call for a response, there was clear evidence of the Spirit’s increased work in our congregation. Some of the huge breakthroughs I’ve been praying for among ACFers happened in the last few weeks.

7. I felt less pressure. It’s impossible to be impressive or “preach well” when you haven’t written a message. There are no three points and a poem, no breathtaking illustrations and no tweetable comments. It’s just you, God’s Word and the Holy Spirit. As a result, I felt less pressure going in. (That is, AFTER God give me the text in each service. I felt plenty of pressure BEFORE I knew what I was speaking on.) I felt free to just deliver what God had given me, and then walk away. The rest was up to God.

8. I was more productive. I preached fourteen different messages in the last five weeks. There’s no way that I could have written and delivered that number of messages during that same time period. That type of writing and teaching load would have wiped me out. But here at the end of it, I feel refreshed and invigorated.

Lessons? I want to save those for another day. Suffice it to say that this has caused me to greatly rethink the way I approach preaching. And, it’s caused many in my congregation to rethink how they listen to a sermon. And that, on any weekend, is a win.

If you want to listen to any of the messages I shared the last few weeks, you can find them here. They begin on March 11 and end on April 9.

 

Grace When You Can’t

My dad died ten days ago. It was expected, not sudden.

My sisters and I had many wonderful months to love on my dad and to say Good-Bye appropriately. I (we) left nothing unsaid, nothing on the table. I have no regrets.

But still, even with all that preparation, when my dad took his last breath I felt as if I had been kicked in the stomach. I was totally unprepared for the wave of raw feelings that swept over me, or for the spiritual flatlining that would follow them.

I led my dad’s funeral, but I was completely unable to pray or read the Bible in the days before. My sisters and I had kept a four-day vigil by my dad’s bedside before he died, so I knew going into the funeral that I was already physically and emotionally spent.

I’d open my Bible to read and just stare at it.  I would try to pray and simply not have the strength to say even a word.

Now, ten days removed, I’m only a little better. I can read the Word, but I still cannot pray. My spirit is just flat and lifeless, like a sailboat stuck in the doldrums with no gentle breeze to move it along. I sat for two hours at a beautiful prayer and worship event this morning and felt nothing.

Susie says there’s a word for such a condition. It’s called grief. Who knew? Maybe I’m actually getting healthier, as this is the first time I’ve really grieved in years.

But even with my spiritual weakness I need you to know that I feel nothing but grace from God. And that’s the point of this blog. I have absolutely nothing to offer God right now–I can’t pray, I can’t lead, I can’t teach. I can’t do any of the things I usually do to be a contributor to the Kingdom. But in the midst of all that uselessness, there’s grace. Waves and waves of grace.

Deep in my weary spirit I sense that none of my “uselessness” matters to God. He seems to be totally okay with where I am, maybe even more than okay. I KNOW that God loves me and that he understands this process. I KNOW that my High Priest Jesus is interceding for me right now. I KNOW that the Holy Spirit is comforting me. I KNOW that God is with me in this valley of the shadow of death. And, I KNOW that this season will end. But until then, God’s grace is enough.

Actually, it’s more than enough.

To all of you who have or will find yourself spiritually winded to the point that even prayer is impossible, please don’t fret or feel any guilt over that.

God is with you, even in your weakness.

And, this too shall pass.

Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5b

 

For the Greatest Man I’ve Ever Known

My father, Will D. Davis, passed away on Monday. My dad is and was my hero–husband, dad and grandad, statesman, public servant, elected official and kind gentleman.

I’m sure I’ll be reflecting here on my dad’s impact and legacy in the future. My daughter Emily wrote this in honor of my dad. It of course moved me to tears. It offers great perspective. I thought I’d share it here now.

 

Christmas Book Sale

This Christmas, give the gift of hope to your spiritually seeking friends. A Man Who Told Us the Truth is only $5 through December 15. Coupon Code Christmas2016.

Click here to order. 

With All Three Kids Now Married Off, Here is My Best Tip to Young Parents

Two weeks ago, Susie and I married off our last child, Sara. It was an amazing event.

Sara and me at her rehearsal, about to take our practice walk down the aisle. Photo Credit: Sherri Rivers

Being a bonafide empty-nester now has caused me to do some reflecting, mainly on God’s goodness and mercy. Susie and I have been parents since 1986. We’ve somehow managed to raise three kids who love Jesus. What a blessing, especially given the war our culture has declared on our youth.

In all my reflections, I’ve found that I can point to only one thing that Susie and I really got right in our parenting. And I want to share it with you now:

WE PRAYED.

Susie and I may not have done anything else right, as we are far from perfect parents. But the one thing we did do was pray faithfully, daily and unceasingly with and for our kids. I urge you to commit to do that now, no matter how young or old your kids are.

PRAY FOR YOUR KIDS EVERYDAY.

We started praying for Will III, Emily and Sara before they were born. We prayed God’s Word over their lives.

Here are three very specific requests we made for our kids that God honored:

We prayed that they would come to faith at an early age and that they would love Jesus
We prayed that they would love the Church
We prayed for their future spouses…that they too would love Jesus and love his Church

By God’s grace we’ve seen those prayers answered. Each of our kids came to faith in Jesus at an early age, and each loves Jesus today. Each of our kids loves Jesus’ Church and is serving in some form of Christian ministry. And each married a strong believer who equally loves Jesus and his Church.

That’s just about all that any praying parent could ask for their kids.

Susie and I are humbled and blessed by God’s favor to us and to our kids. And I can tell you today with unwavering confidence that what we see in our kids’ lives and marriages is the fruit of over two decades of prayer.

There are, of course, many other things we prayed with and for our children, as God’s Word is an endless supply of powerful prayer promises. As you read God’s Word, ask him for promises to pray for your kids. He will graciously give them to you.

And so fellow parents, that is by far the best parenting advice I can give you–PRAY FOR YOUR KIDS! God will honor it.

**If you’d like a great, practical resource on how to pray for your kids, I encourage you to buy my book Pray Big for Your Child.  In the book, I walk you through praying for your child from the time before they are born, through all of their various stages of life and up to their adulthood. The book has hundreds of scriptural pinpoint prayers to help you get started praying God’s Word over your child’s life. You’ll find it to be a very helpful resource.

Now, let’s pray for our kids!

 

 

Why I Created a Twitter Account Devoted Entirely to Prayer

God shapes the world by prayer.

So said E.M. Bounds, the 19th Century Methodist circuit rider who left us quite a legacy in prayer.

I have been a fan of Bounds, and others like him, for decades. I return to his writings frequently. They inspire me and remind me of what really matters most in God’s Kingdom.

Friends, please forgive my bluntness, but if our country is going to avoid the impending judgment of God, it will only happen through prayer.

I’ve never known a time in my life where prayer–knee-bending, soul-ravaging, Spirit-flowing, food-depriving, sleep-denying prayer–has been more urgent or more necessary.

That is why I started a Twitter account (@PrayBIGNow) devoted entirely to prayer. I know it’s a very, very small thing. But if I can encourage you in your prayer life, then I’ve been successful.

Beyond that, it’ll do me good to do the work of mining such great content on prayer.

At @PrayBIGNow, you’ll find biblical promises on prayer, recommended readings on prayer and great statements about prayer from prayer leaders and intercessors throughout history. The statements are 140 characters of pure prayer inspiration.

I hope you will follow @PrayBIGNow, and retweet the content that inspires and encourages you. Please help me help others to keep their thoughts turned to God in prayer throughout the day. It’s what our country most desperately needs.

Now, let’s pray . . .

An Election Question for God: Whose Side are You On?

With the election just one week away and with our country seemingly as divided as it’s been in my lifetime, I found the following story helpful in redirecting my thinking toward God’s perspective.

Joshua, the leader who replaced Moses after his death, had just led the nation of Israel across the Jordan and into the Promised Land. A well-trained warrior, Joshua was on high alert. He knew he was officially on enemy territory. He was well aware that even though God had promised to give them the land, their enemies in the land had no intention of just rolling over for them. Many tough battles lay ahead.

A few days before Israel was to attack the well-fortified city of Jericho, Joshua ran into a man who faced him with a drawn sword. Joshua, uncertain of the man’s identity and allegiances, approached the man and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?” 

The man’s response was not what Joshua expected: “Neither,” the man replied, “but as commander of the army of the LORD I have now come.” 

The commander of God’s armies was no small figure in the Old Testament. Most scholars agree that this was a pre-incarnate appearance of the Lord Jesus.

Joshua got it immediately, as the Bible records that he fell face down on the ground in reverence.

He then asked, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

Perhaps Joshua thought that this holy warrior was going to tell him the plans for taking Jericho. But again, he got an answer he wasn’t expecting.

The commander of the LORD’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so. (See Joshua 5:13-15). 

As we approach the election, I believe many of us are asking the same question that Joshua did. I know many believers who are supporting Mrs. Clinton, and I know just as many who are voting for Mr. Trump. Christians in the U.S. are in no way aligned on who should lead us. Neither are we aligned on issues like abortion, immigration, gender identity and confusion, homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and how to care for the homeless and weak in our society.

Many of us are asking God, “Whose side are you on?”  And we’re thinking that we’ll have our answer on the evening of November 8.

The story above makes me think that perhaps we’re asking the wrong question. In fact I’m not sure our question of God’s allegiance matters at all. It may well be that God is asking us, “Whose side are YOU on?”

As Christ-followers, we don’t approach this election as Democrats or Republicans, conservatives or liberals, or even as Americans. At least, that is not how God sees us. From God’s perspective, we approach the election and our role in this nation as citizens of his Kingdom. Our only goal is the advancement of his cause. Our only allegiance is to our King.

And with that mindset, with that Kingdom perspective, it changes greatly how we approach November 8:

While we vote our consciences, we must also pray for God to give us the leader that will best fulfill his purposes for our nation
We must pray regularly for our next president, regardless of how we feel about him or her personally
We must continue to pray for God’s Spirit to sweep through our nation
We must work together as the church to humble ourselves, pray, seek God’s face and repent of our collective evil before God
We must pray that God will hear our prayers, forgive our sins and heal our land
We must be salt and light in our land
We must continue to declare the Good News of God’s Kingdom, and we must demonstrate that Kingdom with God’s power
We must continue to seek justice in the land for those who cannot get it for themselves, and we must speak for those who have no voice
We must encourage the church, using our respective spiritual gifts to insure that Jesus’ portion of His Bride in our country is healthy
And we must remember that, as Isaiah promised, the government will rest on his shoulders and that there will be no end to the greatness of his Kingdom and to the peace he will bring  (See Isaiah 9:6-7)

Friends, God is not an American God. His agenda for our nation can only be found in the agenda of his Kingdom. That’s his platform. He isn’t running for office; he is already ruling as our King. No election will change that.

And that again begs the question, “Whose side are you on?”

 

 

 

 

 

The Surprising Power of UNANSWERED Prayer

If I may continue my theme from last week’s entry, I’d like to talk to you a little more about prayer. Specifically, unanswered prayer.

In recent days (the last 2 years) God has led me to increase my asks of him. I have felt specifically led to pray for things that I might not have before. I’ve engaged others in praying with me. I’ve fasted. I’ve searched the Scriptures and searched the motives of my heart.

And yet, as of today and at least from my perspective, those prayers remain unanswered.

In a prayer meeting recently where we were asking God for one of these impossible things, one of the people there commented how good and sweet God was to not answer our prayers immediately. At first I thought that sounded odd, as what could be good or sweet about an unanswered prayer?

But upon further reflection, I have come to agree with my wise sister in Christ. God has indeed blessed us by making us wait.

Here are five great things that have happened while we have waited on God. And for those of you who are also waiting, I pray this encourages and emboldens you.

Our faith has grown . I know it sounds ironic, but God’s delayed answer has actually increased our faith. Rather than growing cynical or weary, we’ve grown more expectant and confident. That’s the obvious fruit of the extended time we’ve spent in God’s presence in prayer. And that leads to the second thing . . .
We’re praying more. Each of us has found our individual and corporate prayer lives enhanced by the wrestling with God we’ve been doing. I personally haven’t known this much power, expectation and excitement in my prayer life in years. Every time I pray I know something is up. It only makes me want to pray more.
We’re learning about prayer . The more we seek God, the more we learn about him. The more we pray, the more we learn about prayer. I’ve learned about the importance of staying after God in prayer ( see last week’s entry ). I’ve experienced levels of intercession, thanksgiving and praying in the Spirit (Eph. 6:18) that I wouldn’t have if I weren’t so desperate for God. I don’t know if God has led me to pray for these things so I could learn these profound lessons, but the lessons have clearly been worth the effort.
  We’re more humble . Had God answered us after our first round of prayers, I, for one, might have been tempted to grow cocky and think that I had this prayer thing all figured out. It might have been easy to say, “Hey, look what we did.” Today, I can promise you there’s no chance of that happening. This season of waiting has only heightened my awareness of the mystery and sovereignty of God. He’s going to act when and how he chooses, and when he does no one but him is going to get the credit. Waiting for God has broken and humbled me, and that’s all good.
God’s answer will be even sweeter . To paraphrase the Apostle Paul, if waiting on God is sweet, imagine how sweet his answer is going to be. When Lake Travis hit it’s full elevation back in the Spring , it was the culmination of a multi-year prayer process and the official end of a severe drought in Central Texas. Our weather patterns have basically changed. God did that. And the celebration continues in Austin to this day. The end of the drought and the filling of the lake was a massive answer to prayer for all of us who interceded for it. And every one of those faithful intercessors will tell you that the wait was worth it.

I’m going to be dancing in the streets again soon. God is neither inconsistent nor uncaring. We are doing exactly what he asked of us. And he is working. The answer to our (and your) big, hairy, audacious prayer is going to come. And man, it’s gonna be sweet when it does.

For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail. Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay. Habakkuk 2:3

On Splitting Wood and Answered Prayers

I learned a profound lesson last week about prayer through an unlikely activity–splitting firewood.

My wife Susie, my daughter Sara and I spent a few days last week at our family’s 100-year-old cabin in Estes Park, Colorado. We recently lost five pine trees due to mistletoe, and I asked the tree guys to leave tree rounds so I could turn them into firewood.

As you can see from the photo, tree rounds are simply short pieces of the tree’s trunk. I use a wood splitter to turn them into firewood.

A wood splitter is like a very heavy, rather dull ax. You swing the wood splitter against the open face of the round. The repeated pounding creates a weakness in the round and it eventually splits in half.

I have to tell you, there’s no better feeling than swinging that heavy splitter and have a huge round split wide open before you. It kind of made me feel like I may have missed my calling to be a lumberjack.

Anyway, I need to point out that the rounds never split on the first swing. I had to hit some of them 10-20 times before I saw any weaknesses in the wood. In same cases, I never saw any cracks at all. I’d just swing and swing and suddenly the wood would split.

God used my novel wood splitting attempts to teach me about prayer.

In prayer, we often take one swing at the big, hairy audacious request we have before God, and when nothing happens, we quit. We stop praying.

But that’s a terrible mistake. Just because we don’t see something happening doesn’t mean it isn’t.

When you’re praying for things like physical healing, the freeing of a captive, the restoring of a relationship, the breaking of a generational curse and/or deliverance from demonic oppression, you can’t expect a one-swipe prayer to get it done.

When Jesus said, “This kind cannot come out by anything but prayer” (Mark 9:29), he meant seasons of prayer, lifestyle prayer, soaking prayer.  This is why both Testaments of the Bible urge us to be vigilant and unceasing in our prayers. God commanded us to “give him no rest” (Isaiah 62:7) until he does all that he promised.

So to all you weary intercessors out there, I offer this encouragement: God is working. Your prayers are being heard. Stay at it. You may not see the cracks in the wood yet, but they’re forming. Keep swinging in prayer. Keep pounding away at Heaven. You are not wearying God. He’s honored by your persistence.

And he will come through.

One cold night last week, my family and I sat by the warmth of our cabin’s massive fireplace, burning logs that I had split earlier that day. It was really gratifying.

Imagine how it will feel to hug that addict who is now free, or to play hoops with the kid who previously couldn’t walk, or to enjoy the sweetness of repentance and relational reconciliation, or to baptize that person who you helped pray into the Kingdom.

It’s worth the wait and the work. Keep swinging.

Check Out Susie’s New “Dear Daughters” Podcast