Oh magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt His name together! -Psalm 34:3 

When I think of words that have a big emphasis, one of the words that comes to mind is the word IMPACT.  Many Christians have a desire to be used of the Lord to make an impact in God’s Kingdom.  How do we do this?  I suggest the best way to make an impact for the Kingdom is to be consistently obedient in the everyday smaller things over a life time. 

Simply by saying encouraging words about God’s love and His faithfulness to an acquaintance.  By teaching that Sunday School class week after week.  By tithing and explaining to your children why you tithe.  By preaching his word faithfully Sunday after Sunday regardless of how large or small the congregation is.  These are things that add up over a lifetime to make a huge impact for the Kingdom.

God uses little things to make His impact.  If we do this day after day, year after year, and decade after decade, then all of the seemingly little things accumulated over a lifetime make a huge impact!

Yes, there may be times of fast numerical growth, a wonderful building program or other big events that do happen, but they are a result of all of the little things that work together to bring about big differences.

So, if you want to be used in an impacting way, then walk with Him, obey his word and be faithful all the days of your life.  Then one day you can look back over the years and have the realization that he was faithful and truly did do great and mighty things!

-Gary Odom, Hispanic Church Plant Strategist, Buncombe Baptist Association

Because he bends down to listen,
    I will pray as long as I have breath! – Psalm 116:2

Life is full of all kinds of wonderful things. Marriage and children, good friends and good food, wonderful sunrises and sunsets. And life is also full of some real hardships. Unexpected deaths and unexpected debts, tough talks and tough knocks, difficult days and nights. But whatever the reality of this unpredictable life, there is one constant. That through belief in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, we find his unchanging love and favor.

And it is because of this promise, we should be compelled to call out to our Lord in prayer. Not only did he once walk in the garden with us. He once came down and died on a cross for us. He once sent his Spirit to dwell among us. And as our scripture says, he bends down to listen to us. And it is because our Lord loves us in this way, we should fill that ear with prayer. Prayers of praise, and thanksgiving, and request. Knowing that the same God who once came down, hears us. Not only that, but he desires to hear us now, so much so that he bends his ear toward you, even now.

Prayer: Gracious Father, thank you for hearing from heaven.  You are rich in mercy and kindness. Thank you for breath and thank you for life. May you name be praised with every hour I live. In Christ’s name, Amen.

William Moore, Starnes Cove Baptist Church

But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain.” -Exodus 3:11-12

Reading in Exodus 3, we have the account of Moses encountering God in the burning bush. God told Moses how he would bring about deliverance. He would use Moses, not in his own strength, but by divine enablement. Immediately Moses objected to God’s command because of his lack of ability. Moses felt the Israelites would challenge his assertion that God had sent him to deliver them. Moses said to God, “Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, ‘The God of your fathers has sent me to you,’ and they ask me,‘ What is his name?’ “Then what shall I tell them?” God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. I AM has sent me to you. This is what you are to say to the Israelites.” (Verses 13-14 NIV).

This reminds me of times when I was younger and my mother would tell me to do something and I would ask “Why?” Her classic answer was always “Because I said so.” Just as my mother affirmed to me that she loved me and knew what was best for me, God was reminding Moses and the Israelites of the same. He is still in control and can handle any situation we may encounter, if we only let him.

Prayer: Father, help us to daily give our lives over to you to make us what you want us to be and do what you want us to do.

Nancy Owen, retired BBA Communications Secretary

Much scripture is given on the topic of prayer.  Christ spent a great deal of time in prayer and gave us models on how we should pray.  We can all agree that prayer changes things.  God uses our prayers to accomplish His will and we have an awesome opportunity at any given moment to enter God’s Throne Room in prayer.  As the Lord put this on my heart, I was and am challenged in this area.

I Thessalonians 5:17-18.  “Pray without ceasing.  In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  We should find ourselves in a constant state of prayer.  When you’re happy, when you’re sad, when you’re well, when you’re sick, in the morning, in the evening, in the daytime, when you’re awake at night, when things are going well, when things seem awful --- PRAY!

We should also set times and places in which we devote ourselves to prayer.  During this time, we have a deep personal time to worship and seek Him.  Have you ever spent one hour (non-stop) in prayer?  You might say that is impossible, but I promise you, it’s very possible.  Even Christ expected such from his disciples. (Are we not a child and disciple of God, the same as Peter and John?) When Christ went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray just before He was taken into custody, he spent at least an hour in prayer.  Some of the disciples went with Him and He asked them to watch and pray.   “And He cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, ‘What, could ye not watch with me one hour’?”  Matthew 26:40. Jesus prayed at least an hour, and expected his followers to do the same.  Again I ask, have you ever spent one hour in prayer, worshiping the God of our salvation and agonizing over your family and friends that don’t know Jesus?  Have you ever spent an hour in prayer with God about your Church, that God uses it mightily to be a light to the lost?  Spent an hour in prayer, asking God to protect your Pastor and your church family?  Ever spent an hour in prayer about the works and missions of the Buncombe Baptist Association, that God uses them to reach others?

You might think that you are unworthy to enter the Throne Room of our God.  Our God is an awesome God and His Throne Room displays that majesty.  There are angelic beings (Seraphims and Cherubims)  that constantly encircle the Throne crying, “Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty.”  Lightning and thunder come from the throne.  When He speaks, the Bible says His voice is the sound of many waters and the posts of the Temple move.  Yes, we serve an awesome God, and He bids us to come into His presence in prayer.  Christ’s blood made us worthy to enter that Throne Room with confidence, knowing that this King of Kings loves us and cares for us and wants us to communicate to Him in prayer.

If you are uncertain on how to start, try praying the scripture.  Find a favorite passage and pray that to God.  Worship him in prayer through that scripture.  Then seek Him about your requests.

Prayer- God, today I pledge to spend more time in prayer.  You expect us to seek You in prayer and I want to follow Your commands. You are Holy and Awesome, and you’ve made us worthy to be in Your presence through Christ! Thank you for the opportunity to pray and to come into Your presence.  We ask your blessing on everyone that supports the work of the Buncombe Baptist Association.  Please use the works of the Association to further Your Kingdom and to reach those that are lost.  In the name of Jesus our Lord, Amen.

Dwayne Dills, Buncombe Baptist Association- CPA, Brookstone Church

When I think of prayer, sometimes wonderful Biblical scriptures come to mind.  At times, my thoughts turn to beautiful lyrics of a favorite gospel song or an old hymn.

For several days, the words of this song by Robert Sande and Samuel Scott have reminded me of the importance of these two elements in our daily lives:  Prayer & Faith.

“Prayer is the key to Heaven

But faith unlocks the door.

Words are so easily spoken.

Prayer without faith is like a boat without an oar.

Have faith when you speak to the Master.

That’s all He asks you for.

Prayer is the key to Heaven

But faith unlocks the door.”

As Christians, what an incredible privilege we have each day to speak person-to-person with the Creator of the universe! The omniscient one, He knows and understands the desires of our hearts before we even speak.  Yet, He tells us to “Pray without ceasing. In everything to give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17-18, KJV

Having been raised in the home of a Baptist minister, my parents taught my brother and me the importance of prayer and faith from an early age.  We remember our family altar of prayer before bedtime; we remember the tender moments of grace around the table before each meal; we remember seeing the hand of God work in myriad ways to provide for the needs of our family through the years; we remember miraculous ways that God healed the sick in our church family; we remember souls coming to know the almighty power of God and accept Jesus as person Savior; we remember the personal touch of our loving Lord as He ministered to us in the days following the home-going of our sweet parents and many other dear family members and friends.

How remarkable it is in 2019 that our same God is still on His throne; still in control; still caring; still loving; still all-knowing and still with us every day, in every way.  So, let’s talk with our Heavenly Father, in prayer and faith, believing exactly that.  What a privilege to carry EVERYTHING to God in prayer!

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for the privilege of prayer, a personal conversation with you that we may enjoy any time – day or night.  Thank you for listening to the desires of our hearts.  Thank for hearing us as we praise your name for every good and perfect gift coming from your bounty in Heaven.  Thank you, most of all, for the Hope of Heaven.  Help us to pray without ceasing for our world, our leaders, our pastors, our friends and our families.  We do believe that prayer is the key to Heaven, but our God-given faith unlocks the door. In the Name of Jesus we humbly pray, Amen.

Judy Lewis, Pole Creek Baptist Church

Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. 2 Chronicles 24:2

Joash was only seven years old when he became the king of the southern kingdom of Judah
and reigned for forty years in Jerusalem. His reign followed that of the wicked woman Athalia, who usurped the throne after the death of king Ahaziah. Because of his youthful age, Joash needed a wise counselor to guide the decisions he would be required to make. That counselor was Jehoiada, one of
the priests.

With the help of his counselor, “Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest” and instituted many reforms. First, he reinstated the practice of giving the levy instituted by Moses (one shekel) for restoring the house of the LORD. The people of Judah responded by giving the required money, which was used to pay for the needed work. The money was entrusted to workers who could be depended upon. There was excess money given by the people which was used to prepare utensils for the house of the LORD.

Unfortunately, after the death of Jehoiada, Joash began to listen to counsel from a group of officials
of Judah and abandoned the house of the LORD. He began to serve false gods, ignoring the rebuke of
God’s prophets who tried to bring him and his counselors back to the LORD. Eventually, a small army
of Arameans defeated a very great army of Judah and despoiled the land. At the end, Joash was mur-
dered by his own servants. His good deeds were unable to overcome his unfaithfulness.

Prayer: Dear God, give us wise counselors to guide us in the way of truth found in Your word. May we 
also be wise counselors to those who look to us for guidance.

Ralph Long, Bethel Baptist Church

You do not have because you do not ask. -James 4:3

In today’s Scripture James drills deep to identify root causes for the lack of spiritual vitality and the worldliness that was causing quarrels and fights among believers. They “did not have” because they were prayerless — that is, they were lacking in dependence on God through a prayer relationship. They were guilty of seeking to acquire things by taking matters into their own hands. The picture here is of a self-centered believer who is impatient and not walking in intimacy with Christ. The word “ask” in James 4:2 refers to a request of the will. At the core of their self-reliance was no desire to experience God’s presence, provision and purposes in their lives through prayer. Instead of God, they were seeking self-centered solutions to problems through fleshly and worldly means. God’s intervention in the affairs of the day was neither solicited nor wanted. Their heart pursuits were way off base and became an affront to the Lord. Therefore, prayerlessness doesn’t just refer to a lack of prayer, it also refers to the lack of any desire for God and His help or intervention through prayer.

Prior to the 1857-1859 Layman’s Prayer Revival, most churches in New York City (like many across America in that day) were struggling to hold their own numerically and spiritually. Prayerlessness abounded in many denominations and churches as spiritual and moral decline was the norm. But everything changed when God intervened by calling His people to seek Him through united prayer gatherings. God’s people suddenly began to depend on Him in prayer — seeking Him, His presence and His help in their time of need. Thus, one of the great hallmarks of the Layman’s Prayer Revival was the presence of a spirit of prayer that prevailed from the start. Union prayer meetings sprang up everywhere. From these meetings, which began in early fall in 1857, evangelistic efforts began to bear unusual fruit. Nearly 50,000 new members were added to evangelical churches in New York City by May of 1858. Today, God’s great work is hindered because of prayerlessness among believers and churches. Are you guilty of prayerlessness? What about your church? Jesus declared in Mark 11:17, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for the nations’? But you have made it a den of thieves.’” What will you do?

Prayer: Father, forgive my prayerlessness. Lord teach me and my church to pray. Make my church a house of prayer for the nations. -Amen

Shared from the Baptist State Convention of North Carolina, www.prayfor30days.org

They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. (Mark 9:10)

But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it. (Mark 9:32) 

These were amazing times but also trying times for the disciples.  In the beginning of chapter 9 is the transfiguration of Jesus, where Peter, James, and John got to see Jesus in His glorified form talking with Moses and Elijah.  They were amazed by this, but as they were leaving Jesus told them not to discuss it until He rose from the dead.  They kept it to themselves, but they also had no idea as to what Jesus was referring to. 

We are afraid to ask questions.  We are afraid because we don’t know all the answers and we are too prideful to admit it.   We are afraid because of appearance, ignorance, and shyness.  Somewhere along the line of Christianity we bought into the lie that we shouldn’t question any questions. 

Jesus knows already that you don’t know, so just admit to Him you don’t and allow Him to teach you.  That is what He wanted the disciples to do, and that is what He wants you and me to do today.  Ask Him, ask a mentor, ask your pastor, ask your teacher, ask a trusted friend, just please ask someone. 

 Prayer: Father, help me to feel free to ask the One who knows any and all questions I may have. Forgive me for my pride, Amen.

-Pastor Chris L. Reese, Enka Baptist Church

I am the vine you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit. John 15:5

The times we live in call for the church to be light in a very dark world and salt in a very unsavory world. We are called to glorify God as we seek God in PRAYER to impact our communities and our world. Healthy churches are PRAYING churches.

The Buncombe Baptist Association of churches celebrates 136 years of effective ministry this year. Join us by leading your local church to acknowledge God’s blessing upon this partnership and pray for his continued guidance. PRAY for your sister churches who are diverse in context and community but united in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. PRAY that together we that abide in him and see God unfold a great harvest of souls in the days ahead!!

-Perry Brindley, Director of Missions- Buncombe Baptist Association

But when he (Peter) saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me. And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?  Matthew 14:30-31

Storms can be a frightening experience, but storms on a lake can up the fear factor. I remember a time as a boy, when my dad took the family out boating in upstate New York. The day started out beautiful and we were all excited to be spending the day together. I was a little worried about my mom since she was afraid of water and couldn’t swim, but we boarded the small boat and set sail for a fun day. Without warning the weather changed suddenly and a storm blew up out of nowhere. The waves were crashing violently against the boat which was rocking us from side to side. We were all frightened, but my dad remained calm and got us safely back to shore. As I think back on that event, the storm was so severe that in all reality the boat should have flipped throwing all six of us over into the deep dark waters. I realize now that only through the prayer of others, and even my own childish prayer, was our family spared. Going through this storm as a family and being able to share our thoughts and feelings during and after the storm, brought some comfort and unity. The same is true for our church family. We are all navigating life together and we need encouragement, prayer, and unity as a family in order to safely make it to the other shore. Let us pray daily for one another.  

Prayer: Our Heavenly Father, thank you for loving us and saving us.  We are grateful too that you are more than willing to help us through all of life’s storms. You did not leave us as orphans to try and figure out how to make it to the other shore; instead you are our anchor and the One we trust. Lord, unite us as your people to be intentional in praying and encouraging one another. In Jesus Name, Amen

- Lonnie Ray- Reveal Ministries Consulting, Executive Pastor- Brookstone Church