Live Sent Day 16: Prayer + the Word = Lives Changed

“They presented these men to the apostles, who prayed and laid their hands on them.  So the word of God spread.  The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly…”  Acts 6:7

When the apostles realized they needed help, they called seven men to serve.  These seven became the first deacons.  In the Jewish-Old Testament method of blessing, the apostles laid their hands upon them as they prayed. Prayer was a priority.

The apostles gave their attention to “prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4) The Word was a priority.

When prayer is combined with the Word, lives are changed.  The scripture says that the number of disciples (note that it doesn’t say converts –disciples suggests genuine change) increased rapidly. (Ahhh…another adverb! If you’ve been reading along since day 1, you know how I love these ‘ly’ words.) Though I can’t quantify the difference between an increase and a rapid increase, I think we can assume this was an exciting, growing time for the early church.

The bottom line is that lives were being changed.  How has knowing Christ and living as a disciple changed your life?  Would you like a life change? Have you been living only as a convert – prayed the prayer and have your fire insurance, but little more?  A disciple embraces prayer and the Word.  The result is a changed life.  You are changed first and then others around you take note and are changed, too.

A woman who lives sent is a woman of prayer and a woman of the word.  Are you ready to be changed?

Lord, teach me to pray.  Give me a hunger and thirst for your Word.  Change me and use me to change others.

Live Sent Action Points:

• Decide to pray.
• Pray.
• Decide to be a woman of the Word.
• Find a Bible study to plug into this fall.* The accountability will keep you going.

*You are invited to join me beginning September 6, as I teach a verse-by-verse study of Genesis.  We will be using Joy of Living materials.  You can download the first week’s lesson here:  http://www.joyofliving.org/html/GENEBND01FF.pdf

If you are in the Siloam Springs area, we will be meeting from 9-11 am at First Baptist Church.  Email me at cross.my.heart@cox.net to sign up .

If you are out of town or work, you can still join in by doing the lesson on your own and then listening to each week’s recorded teaching lecture.  I will record those and then upload to our FBC website each week.  Ask to be added to the list and I will email you the link each week. You could even meet with a friend and have your own small group.

You can also join our Bible study Facebook group called Thirst Bible Study: http://www.facebook.com/groups/486865611324968/