heaven's tree book club

CHAPTER  THIRTEEN
BEYOND BREAKTHROUGH
I can't believe I have reached the last chapter of this book. It is nearly 250 pages in length but went by so fast. Each day when I finished a chapter I was so looking forward to the next chapter. I did not feel that way with the last book. In fact, I am a little sad that I am now at the end. I have been so encouraged by this book. Although I have not experienced breakthrough in my praing so far, it is still not even half way through August. I have had some faith moments but nothing major in terms of breakthrough. I feel like I still need to stay on this subject of prayer however. I ended the last book with my rating of the book and it seems to be the right time now
Biblical: 10/10
Readable: 10/10
Inspirational: 10/10
Practical: 10/10
Grade: 100 %
Each chapter begins with a Bible passage and many supporting passages. It is a fun and easy read. The stories and insights encourage but also challange. At the end I feel closer to God but also am given insight as to what to do. I haven't read such a book that has blessed me as much as this one in a long time.
Today is Sunday. I had one of the worse insomnia nights in a long time. I can't even remember if or when I fell a sleep. I was super tired all through the day. I yawned many times during my dad's Sunday school and the sermon. I felt ready to sleep any time. Needless to say sleeplessness always impacts the mood and I was really discouraged and tired throughout. When I took a nap in the afternoon, I woke up suddenly to pain and heat coming from my knee. The pain is here sometimes, but the heat is less frequent. Each time it happens I get so discouraged about my condition. It is pain enough as to not be able to walk. Today just felt like one of those throw-away days.
In the midst of this, I did have a dream. It was not just a dream of physical healing, but a dream where I met my girlfriend for the first time. Today marks the one year anniversary of when she said "yes" to me. To this day, I have neither the health or the finances to go see her. I pray often for the opportunity to see her but I know multiple roadblocks stand in the way. Only God can bring us together. In one dream, two major prayers were answered, concerning my health, and my relationships. Now, neither request has actually been fulfilled, but God knows my concerns.
 
"Though Solomon was flawed, he also loved the Lord, and it was this love that God focused on.
Aren't you glad that God is full of mercy and compassion? Though many turn Christianity into a legalistic tit-for-tat theology, isn't it true that God has shown amazing patience with all of us? Haven't some of his choicest blessings come at times when we were not doing splendidly in our walk with him? Hasn't his gracious attitude toward our shortcomings been what has melted our hearts and
drawn us close to him? I don't know about anyone else, but as I look back over my own life, all I see is "goodness and mercy" written in large letters over my feeble efforts to serve Christ.
Yet this is not to excuse sin or justify disobedience. Rather, it is to portray the setting for one of the most amazing prayers ever prayed. Though Solomon was flawed, he also loved the Lord, and it was this love that God focused on. That's why I am profoundly thankful for this portion of Scripture. My best sermons and prayers are never what they should or could be, yet God keeps on working with me all the same. Thank God for his long-suffering love that delights in mercy!"
It is interesting that the last chapter focues on the prayer of Solomon. The author goes into why Solomon is flawed. He made a treaty with a king he should not and made a political marriage which was Biblically prohibited. He also made sacrifices where he should not have. God looked past these things and saw his heart to honor and worship Him. We see God's mercy and love in this portion of Scripture because we know we also are not perfect. This is an encouraging way to begin.
"Now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David" (1 Kings 3:7a).
Solomon began by praising and thanking God for placing him on the throne. He acknowledged that he had come to his position, not by an accident of history nor because of superior qualifications, but because of God's gracious choice. How surprising that Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, would have become king at all!
Bathsheba, you will remember, was the woman David seduced while her husband was away at war. When she became pregnant with his child, David arranged for her husband to be murdered in battle in order to cover up the sin. Solomon would have known that he should have had little hope of inheriting his father's throne. In fact, his mother's name would only remind people of King David's moral failure. But God allowed Solomon to become king and Bathsheba's name to go down in history. No wonder God, who is so different from us, is called the "father of mercies"!
Like Solomon we should approach God with praise on our lips. Everything we are and everything we have comes from him."
The author shows four keys to prayer from Solomon's prayer. First is thanks and praise. I would add the idea of recognizing God's grace in our lives. Solomon knew that it was because of God's grace that he could take the place of his father as King. The more we recognize the work of grace, the better our worship becomes. I only recently began to thank God for little things like even a couple of hours of sleep and to have a sofa to sleep on and pillow. The older I get the more simple things become really valuable.
"But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties" (v. 7b).
Instead of boasting about his superior education or his being trained by Israel's finest leaders, Solomon acknowledged that he was unfit for such an important position unless God equipped him. Amazingly, the king who would become known as the wisest man in history compared himself to a little child. Solomon's belief in his natural inability is exactly what qualified him to receive supernatural help. His humble spirit helped to unlock the treasury of heaven.
The same holds true for us. If we humble ourselves before God, he will certainly lift us up. But if we rely on our own abilities, connections, or position, we will receive little help from God."
With so many accomplishments we can boast about today, Solomon listed none. Today, as modern industrialized citizens, we have education, positions, connections, and so many other things we can either rely on or boast about. In the church in New York, more than half of the congregation had PHDs and live in the best neighborhood in the city. When we come before the king of kings, we cannot find our value in the things of this world.
 "Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number" (v. 8).
Three times in his brief prayer Solomon referred to himself, not as the king, but as God's servant. No wonder he received such an incredible answer to prayer! A servant's
task is simple—to follow orders. Solomon had no thought of "using" God but instead displayed a fervent desire to be used by him. This was Solomon's attitude as he prepared to respond to God's invitation to ask for whatever he wanted."
Many in the prosperity Gospel movement try the name it and claim it Theology. Many pray as though we can manipulate God. It is not about how we can use God. Rather, it is how can we be used by Him to accomplish Kingdom purposes. This third key relates well to the fourth and final key from this prayer.
"Solomon asked for a blessing that would bless God's people.
"So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?" (v. 9).
This final portion of Solomon's prayer was the real key to God's overwhelming response. Rather than asking selfishly for himself, Solomon called on the Lord for help so he might serve God's people effectively. He asked for a wise and discerning heart so that he might govern fairly and lead Israel with wisdom. When God heard his request for a blessing that would make him a blessing to others, he answered with such liberality that Solomon became the richest and most glorious king of his time.
Solomon's petition highlights an often overlooked facet of prayer. The Lord took notice that he didn't ask for himself but rather was concerned for the welfare of God's own people."
How can I be a blessing today should be the motive of our prayer. Not how can God bless me and only me. This fourth key is how we should filter our prayers. The three prior keys were what led up to this request. Solomon first came to God with thanksgiving and humility. He recognized his position as God's servant and what naturally follows is Solomon's desire to do what would bless God's people.
The author closes with an illustration from his own church. Some children from Africa did a performance and the author felt led to show a video about a ministry program that needed funding. The author was hesitant to give because the church was in some financial difficulties and was also in the middle of a building program. He went ahead with the offering, believing it came from God. $26,000 was raised. Then, all of a sudden he got a call from a stranger.
"As our conversation drew to a close, I assured the woman, "Please know that anything you send will be deeply appreciated."
"Good!" she replied. "I need to ask you to overnight some documentation about your church. Please make sure it gets to me by tomorrow, since I am meeting with lawyers and accountants to settle a lot of details about the inheritance. As soon as these matters are settled, I'll be sending you a check." I caught my breath when she told me the amount. She wasn't sending a check for $50,000. Nor $100,000. No, she intended to contribute a check in the vicinity of $3,000,000!
Here was a total stranger telling me how God had moved her heart to help us at just the right moment in time. While we chatted some more and then said good-bye, words I had heard before were resounding within me: Just bless them and trust me to look after you and your needs.
God's promise applies to each of us today. If you haven't already done so, make it your habit to pray that he will use you to touch the lives of others. As you open your heart to compassion and mercy, God will do exceedingly beyond what you can ever ask or think. As King Solomon experienced so many years ago, God will not only supply the things you ask for, but will also grant you unimaginable blessings. For the Lord is faithful. He does not change. Because he is our Source, we, too, can step out in faith into the realm of breakthrough prayer."
Prayer:
Father, we have come now to this final chapter. You have encouraged me so much with the Scriptures, insights, and stories here. Solomon shows us how to pray. With thanks, humility, recognizing we are Your servants, and asking that we be a blessing to others. So far, I feel like a burden on my family because of my health condition. My mom's health is also worsening. I want to help out around the house but I have trouble even standing. I pray once more for the healing and health of my body so that I can relieve my family of their duties in the home,. I don't know how much longer my mom can be able to walk. I want to be able to take care of my parents and that You would enable me to love my unbelieving family members. I continue to pray for breakthrough also in my singleness. I ask not merely for a life companion to share closeness and life with, but a ministry partner and spiritual companion who is able to make us stronger as one than we are separate. I pray that I can be a blessing to her and to encourage and challenge her in her walk with You. Lastly, I pray for employment and ministry opportunities. Still today, I lack career and ministry purpose. I long to make a difference and be a blessing in this community. Please enable open doors and opportunities for me to be a testimony and positive influence in people's lives for Your name's sake.