Rocket Science

"But Jesus OFTEN withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

- Dr. Luke, Luke 5:16

"Prayer is laying hold of the willingness of God."

- E.M. Bounds, "Prayer"

Ever hear someone say, "It's not rocket science, you know?" BUT… sometimes it is! You don't have to travel down life's road very far before you say to yourself, "Be very careful about putting anyone on a pedestal because, chances are, you'll be disappointed." I have learned that the hard way… And so have you! But when, over time, I have discovered my admiration and respect for someone well-placed, I will often look below the surface of their life and ask, "OK, what's the secret to their wisdom or their integrity or their attitude or their perspective or their resilient joy? Where does that impressive capacity come from?” In other words, "What's the science behind that rocket?"

Billy Graham, who died four years ago, was one of the few men I highly respected for both his personal integrity and for his singular passion for introducing ALL people to God's love through Jesus Christ. I had the chance to see Billy up close and personal when our church participated in Billy's Mission to San Diego at Qualcomm stadium on Friday night, May 9, 2003. When one of the pastors asked Billy how we should prepare for the event, Billy said, "Do three things."

As everyone grabbed a notebook and pen, Billy smiled and said, "Pray, pray, pray!"

That night, out of 50,000 people, over 2000 made a decision to invite Jesus to be the Savior and Lord of their life.

As a young man, Billy studied the life of Jesus and discovered the battery source of His earthly life. In Luke 5, Jesus tells a skeptical fisherman named Peter where the fish were hiding. Then, He healed a man of the ancient world's most dreaded disease - leprosy. Next, He forgives a young paralyzed man of his sins and makes him walk. Then, He transforms a tax collector named Levi into a disciple named Matthew. And finally, He silences a religious leader's arrogant thoughts with undisputed wisdom from above. Amazing! And that's only one chapter!

Just think about the amazing capacities someone would have to have to do any of that. They'd have to be… Supernatural… Creator… God… over everyone and everything! So, what was the secret? What was the source of Jesus' God-like capacities on Earth? PRAYER! Luke 5:16 says, "But Jesus OFTEN withdrew to the wilderness for prayer."

Prayer wasn't something Jesus just called us to. It was something He did. Jesus prayed:

...At His baptism (Luke 3:21-22)

...In the morning (Mark 1:35-36)

...Before He chose the twelve (Luke 6:12-13)

...To give thanks (Matthew 11:25-26)

...Before a miracle (Luke 9:16)

...Before walking on water (Mark 6:46)

...When healing the sick (Mark 7:31-37)

...Before raising Lazarus (John 11:41-42)

...For children (Mark 10:13-16)

...For friends in trouble (Luke 22:31-32)

...For Himself (John 17)

...For us (John 17)

...In Gethsemane (Mark 14:32-34)

...On the cross (Mark 15:34)

...After the Resurrection (Luke 24:50-53)

Prayer - Talking to God the Father personally… honestly… sincerely… regularly - creates intimacy with God, strength from God, humility before God, and confidence in God! In short, if Jesus discovered capacities from God to overcome what overcame Him through prayer… so will we!

So, be like Billy! Be like Jesus! And do the three things that can plant your feet upon the solid ground of God's capacity in every situation you face: Number 1, Pray! Number 2, Pray! Number 3, Pray! ‘Cause that's the science behind the rocket! AMEN

Pastor Harry

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