Bikers Church Cape Town

Lead yourself

By Pastor George Lehman

 

“What chance can a man have to control his destiny when he can’t control himself.”

You and I have a responsibility given to us by God to Lead ourselves.



Hebrews 4:12 -  For the Word that God speaks is alive and full of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating to the dividing line of the [a]breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit, and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes of the heart.

The word cuts to bring greater clarity so we can live accurately and effectively. The Word helps us Lead ourselves.



The toughest person to LEAD is always YOURSELF.

 

D.L. Moody said: “I have never met a man who has given me as much trouble as myself.”

 

Psalm 139:23-24 (Amp) - Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts!  And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.

 

David is really saying, “I want to take a good look at myself”.

 

If someone asked you, “What has been your greatest challenge as a Christian?”
If we were painfully honest, the answer would be… …

“Leading myself”!

Its amazing how we can have strong opinions about how others are not leading themselves.

Self examination is not a very popular occupation.



These are some of the reasons why people don’t do self Examination

Some people already have strong feelings of guilt, condemnation, and a low opinion of themselves. (They already feel defeated)
When others have been deceived by the notion that they only have to think positively to overcome their weaknesses because, after all, they are essentially good. (They believe they are just fine)
Others think because they ADMIT being sinful people, they don’t need to look for particular weaknesses. (They feel they have already judged themselves)
Many do find the courage to examine themselves, but don’t find it an enjoyable process. (It’s like a visit to the dentist – we put it off most times longer than we should.)
When we examine our actions, we tend to discover
But if we examine our thoughts and motives we discover
When we (with honesty) ask ourselves what we regard as SIN and what we overlook or excuse, we discover our real selves.

The point is - if we find that our motives are bad, wrong and sinful, we cannot escape blame – “at least in the privacy of our own conscience”.
Our pride, insecurities and the forces of hell all combine to shield us from such knowledge of our real selves.



It’s great foolishness to regard ‘self examination’ as a negative thing.

It’s really the first truly positive act of our spiritual lives.



Genuine victory, joy and effectiveness is never going to be something we’ll know or experience unless we conduct a searching examination of ourselves.
Seeing and acknowledging any evils and begin to turn away from them. With God’s help we can lead ourselves on the right path.



In the book “God calling” God spoke this prophetic word:

Remember your great field of labour is yourself. That is your first task – the weeding, the planting, digging, pruning, bearing fruit.  When that is done, I lead you out into other fields.



James 1:21 (Amp) - So get rid of ALL uncleanness and the rampant* outgrowth of wickedness and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit, receive and welcome the WORD which implanted and rooted (in your hearts) contains the power to save your souls.

*rampant = unchecked. In other words, weeds growing amongst the good in you. The word of God is the greatest weed killer.



The point is:  All self examination is carried out – being aware of Jesus being present, listening and guiding us through the process.

We need never fear or be in condemnation because Jesus is for us to help us!!!

God cannot help those who don’t want to help themselves.

But He surely will help those who want to help themselves.  Remember, God has already examined us.



Psalm 139:1-3 (Amp) - O Lord, you have searched me [thoroughly] and have known me.  2You know my downsitting and my uprising; You understand my thoughts afar off.  3You sift and search out my path and my lying down, and You are acquainted with all my ways.



Remember, God is present and with us, helping us to see ourselves correctly – without condemnation.

Psalm 139:4-6 (Amp) - 4For there is not a word in my tongue [still unuttered], but behold, O Lord, You know it altogether.  5You have beset me and shut me in - behind and before, and You have laid Your hand upon me.  6Your [infinite] knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high above me; I cannot reach it.



How comforting to know that the One who loves us and cares for us.  The One we are talking to – nothing can be hidden from Him.



Psalm 139:7-12 (Amp) - 7Where could I go from Your Spirit? Or where could I flee from Your presence?  8If I ascend up into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in Sheol (the place of the dead), behold, You are there.  9If I take the wings of the morning or dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 10Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.  11If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me and the night shall be [the only] light about me, 12Even the darkness hides nothing from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You.



Self-examination to lead ourselves must be a real part of our daily discipline.



1 John 2:1-3 (Amp) - My little children, I write you these things so that you may not violate God's law and sin. But if anyone should sin, we have an Advocate (One Who will intercede for us) with the Father--[it is] Jesus Christ [the all] righteous [upright, just, who conforms to the Father's will in every purpose, thought, and action].  2And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world.  3And this is how we may discern [daily, by experience] that we are coming to know Him [to perceive, recognize, understand, and become better acquainted with Him]: if we keep (bear in mind, observe, practice) His teachings (precepts, commandments).



Self examination is the character of a Higher Life Christian.

When last did you do some serious life changing “self-examination”?  Leading yourself into an effective life to being a strong, fruitful effective Christian?

To Pray is to stretch yourself

by Pastor George Lehman



“We can get tired, weary and emotionally distraught but after spending time alone with God, we find that He injects into our spirit, soul and bodies energy, power and strength.”  C. Stanley.



No stretching yourself to pray – you’ll live defeated, touchy, weak spiritual life



The key to a victorious life is a prayer life!



Matthew 12:34b – For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

Jesus is here telling us how we operate.



Coming to church, reading our bibles, with all the courses and study material available to us that’s the easy part.



However, getting on your knees and talking to God for half an hour seems incredibly difficult to most Christians.

Many think, “What does one say after the first five minutes”? - (How do I possibly fill that much time?)

The fact is that we should have grown spiritually over the years – prayer should have become easier for us.

We have come to realize that we can come directly into God the Father’s presence - before His very throne.



Hebrews 4:16 (NIV) – Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.  



There appears to be a serious attitude of prayerlessness as time has gone by in Gods church.



Perhaps because we are living in the Laodicean Era. Revelation 3:14 -20 The Lukewarm church

We have become a little complacent in our prayer life.



Prayer has slid from its former place of importance!



“The early church was married to poverty, prison and persecutions.  Today the church is married to prosperity, personality and popularity.”
Leonard Ravenhill

 

“If we displease God, does it matter whom we please?  If we please Him, does it matter whom we displease?”  Leonard Ravenhill



“You can’t live wrong and pray right.”
Leonard Ravenhill



Our scripture reading in:

Matthew 12:34 – Jesus said, “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.



He then explains it by saying:

Matthew 12:35 – A good man out of the good treasure of his heart (the storehouse of the mind where thoughts, feelings are kept) brings forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil things.



Jesus concludes by warning us that the day of judgement is coming.

Even our idle words will be scrutinized, and we will have to give account of them to God.

Verse 36 - But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.

 

Our words will either condemn us or acquit[vryspreek] us Verse 37 -“For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”



Because we know and believe these scriptures, we should be very conscience of what we allow to leave our mouths.



James 3:2(Amp) – For we all often stumble and fall and offend in many things. And if anyone does not offend in speech [never says the wrong things], he is a fully developed character and a perfect man, able to control his whole body and to curb his entire nature.



Even though we work at being blameless in speech, we realise that none of us has arrived at oral perfection.

Consider this then... applying this principle a little differently?



Most of us naturally think of this passage Jesus taught to refer to our conversations with others at home, at work, at play, at the shop, at church etc..

But what about applying it to ourselves when we are on our knees speaking to God?

Have you ever considered that, out of the abundance of our prayers, or the lack thereof, our heart speaks?



Do you deeply consider what you say to God?

Do you take the time to organize and improve how you present your request to Him?

Do you think about the attitude in which you come before the great God of the universe?

You may not consider this as a blessing, but God knows our every thought, every desire and every emotion.



Hebrews 4:13 (Amp) – And not a creature exists that is concealed from His sight, but all things are open and exposed, naked and defenseless to the eyes of Him with Whom we have to do.



The beauty of truly understanding this is that we may as well be totally open and honest with God.

Tell Him everything because He already knows the deepest intents of our heart.

God is acutely aware[bewus] of our attitude when we approach His throne.

He discerns whether we consider time spent in conversation with Him to be of great value or whether we are just going through the motions.



1 Samuel 2:3 (NIV) – “Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the Lord is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.



This does not mean that we pray perfectly every time – although this should be our goal.



We have this assurance:

Romans 8:26-27 (NIV) – 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. 27 And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.



How important is prayer to you?



Psalm 4:1 (Amp) – Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness (uprightness, justice, and right standing with You)! You have freed me when I was hemmed in and enlarged me when I was in distress; have mercy upon me and hear my prayer.



This is what prayer is – calling on God to give relief to whatever it is your asking for.

What needs to change in your life to ensure you become a prayer warrior? To pray is to stretch yourself.



Ephesians 6:18 (Amp) – Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding on behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).

There’s power in prayer.

By: Pastor George Lehman



Power comes as you spend time in the presence of the source of all power.



(The truth is if you don’t come and spend time in His presence, you’ll have no power to live your spiritual life effectively)

 

“There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God.”    

                                                                      -Brother Lawrance

 

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Amp) - Be unceasing in prayer



The reason why we need to be unceasing in prayer is:

Prayer has infinite power.  And for this reason, Satan tries everything to prevent us from praying.  He knows that we are not a real danger when we work and accomplish a great deal – even if it is for the Kingdom of God.  But when we pray much, we invade Satan’s dominion and rob him of his captives.  There is nothing Satan dreads so much as our prayers. We give God legal right to destroy the works of Satan.



“Prayer is a shield to the soul, a sacrifice to God, and an affliction for Satan.” (Bunyan)



“Need we wonder at the lack of power in our prayer when there is such reluctance to make the needful sacrifice in waiting upon God.”   - Andrew Murray



The Christ we trust in, the Christ that lives in us offered Himself a sacrifice to God.

It is when this same attitude persists in us, that we shall receive power from Him as INTERCESSORS to pray the prayer that is powerful and effective.



James 5:16b (Amp) - The earnest (heartfelt, continued) prayer of a righteous man makes tremendous power available [dynamic in its working].



Prayer is a matchless opportunity, for through prayer we can change everything - ourselves, problems, circumstance and people.

Prayer can go where we can’t!



What an unspeakable grace to be allowed to deal with God in prayer for the blessing and supply of the needs of others.

It is indeed worth living for to know that God will use me as an Intercessor.



Out of compassion in action flow these 3 functions of intercession:


Intercession: Praying on behalf of others; standing in the gap.

 

Hebrews 7:25 (Amp) – Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.



#1  Intercession is serving.

It’s making oneself available.



Jesus our chief intercessor said:

Mark 10:44-45 (Amp) - And whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.  For even the Son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and give His life as a ransom for many.

You cannot pray effectively for others if you don’t have the servant heart of Jesus Christ.



Serve [Greek] in Mark 10:45 is ‘doulos’ meaning “in bondage by choice”.  Prayer is striking the winning blow.  Service is gathering up the results.

When last did you choose to place yourself in bondage to stand in the gap for others?



#2 Intercession is fighting.

It’s being involved in battle.

Ephesians 6:18 (Amp) - Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit with all (manner of) prayer and entreaty.  To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).



Dr. Luke the disciple describes the intensity of Jesus’ battle in prayer:

Luke 22:44 (Amp) - And being in agony*, He prayed all the more earnestly and intently, and His sweat became like great clots of blood dropping down upon the ground.

*Agony [Greek]:  A place of contest; a battlefield.



When we intercede for others, we are engaging in battle on their behalf.  interestingly, their victory brings blessing to us. What a greater joy is it not to see God change the circumstances of someone whom you have been praying for!!



#3 Intercession is weeping.

It’s brokenness before God.  When we sow in tears for others,

Psalm 126:5 says, Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy.”
Tears are water to spiritual seeds we plant in prayer.

The result will be a bountiful harvest from our brokenness.

When last did you pray for someone that you shed tears for them?



Child of God,

He counts on you to take your place before His throne as an INTERCESSOR.  Let us ARISE and be conscious of our Holy calling.  Take our place and commit to be a prayer warrior for God’s Kingdom.



In closing:

It is not just saying prayers that gets the results, BUT it is spending time with father God:
- Learning His wisdom;
- Drawing on His strength;
- Being filled with His anointing;
- And living in His love that brings results to our prayers.

THE HABIT OF PRAYER

Pst. Kobus Massyn



“How our posture in prayer shapes our outcomes”

If we say “ Prayer changes circumstances”. We need to take note of the fact that it is a effort from us to God. It is our action, focus and intention to connect with the King of Kings. The beauty of it is that He enables, encourage and responds to our every effort.

But the result is not in the dynamic of prayer. Not the technique of prayer. Or the amount of prayer.
But the habit of prayer.

Because prayer is not built in moments of crisis —
prayer is built in habits of posture.

In Luke 11:1 we read:

“One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When He finished, one of His disciples said to Him,
‘Lord, teach us to pray…’”

They didn’t ask Him:

Teach us how to preach
Teach us how to heal
Teach us how to lead

They said:
“Teach us to pray.”

Because they understood something:
Prayer shapes everything else.

Prayer shapes:

our perspective
our patience
our faith
our relationships
our identity

Prayer is not only words…
Prayer is posture.

And I want to structure this message around four habits that shape powerful prayer.

BE CURIOUS, NOT CRITICAL

How: Say “Wow” (Rom 11:33)

When we come to God in prayer, our posture matters.

Critical prayer sounds like:

“Why, God?”
“This is not fair.”
“This should not be happening.”



But curious prayer sounds like:

“Lord… what are You doing here?”
“How is Your hand at work?”
“What can I learn from this?”

Curiosity opens heaven.
Criticism closes hearts.

Mary and the Angel

Luke 1:34–38

“Mary asked the angel, ‘How will this be, since I am a virgin?’
The angel answered… ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you…’
Mary responded, ‘I am the Lord’s servant. May your word to me be fulfilled.’”

Mary does not say:

“This is impossible.”
“Choose someone else.”
“This is too much.”

She says:
“How will this be?”

That is not doubt —
that is curiosity.

And because of that posture, she becomes the carrier of the Messiah.

Outcome

Curiosity positioned Mary for:

miracle
destiny
calling
history

James 1:5
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God…”

Jeremiah 33:3
“Call to Me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”

Application

In prayer:

Don’t begin with judgment
Begin with wonder

Teach your heart to say:
“Wow, God… what are You doing here?”



Because:

Critical hearts see problems.
Curious hearts see possibilities.

BE CAREFUL, NOT CRUSHING

How: Respect the growth

God works in processes, not shortcuts.

Prayer must respect:

timing
seasons
maturity
development

We often want:

instant answers
fast breakthroughs
immediate results

But God often works:

slowly
deeply
steadily

Elijah and the Rain

1 Kings 18:41–44

Elijah prays for rain.

Once — nothing.
Twice — nothing.
Third time — nothing.

On the seventh time, the servant says:

“A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

Small sign.
But Elijah knows —
big breakthrough is coming.

He does not despise the small cloud.
He respects the growth.

Outcome

That small cloud produced:

heavy rain
national restoration
answered prophecy

Zechariah 4:10
“Do not despise these small beginnings…”

Galatians 6:9
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest…”

Psalm 37:7
“Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him…”

Application

In prayer:

Don’t rush God
Don’t crush the process
Don’t despise small signs

Because:

Crushing kills faith.
Careful cultivates miracles.

Sometimes the greatest prayer is not:
“Lord, hurry.”

But:
“Lord, help me wait well.”

ASK, DON’T ASSUME

How: Create the opportunity for answers

Many believers assume:

“God already knows.”
“God sees my need.”
“God understands.”

Yes — He does.

But God responds not to need…
He responds to faith expressed through asking.

Unasked prayers remain unanswered prayers.

Blind Bartimaeus

Mark 10:46–52

Jesus stops and asks him:

“What do you want Me to do for you?”

Jesus already knows he is blind.
But He still asks.

Why?

Because God wants us to:

articulate our faith
define our desire
express our trust

Bartimaeus answers clearly:

“Rabbi, I want to see.”

Outcome

Jesus responds:

“Go… your faith has healed you.”

And immediately he receives sight.

Matthew 7:7
“Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find…”

John 16:24
“Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.”

James 4:2
“You do not have because you do not ask God.”

Application

In prayer:

Stop assuming
Start asking

Be:

specific
honest
bold

Because:

Assumption is silent faith.
Asking is activated faith.

CONNECT, BEFORE YOU CORRECT

How: Relationship before instruction

Prayer is not first about fixing.
Prayer is first about fellowship.

Correction without connection creates resistance.
Connection creates transformation.

God changes us more through:

closeness
than through
criticism

Jesus and Peter after failure

John 21:15–17

Peter denied Jesus three times.

Jesus meets him on the beach.

He does not say:

“Why did you fail?”
“Where were you?”
“Explain yourself.”

He says:

“Simon… do you love Me?”

Three times — restoring the heart
before restoring the calling.

Only after connection does Jesus say:

“Feed My sheep.”

Outcome

Connection restored:

identity
confidence
leadership
destiny

Peter becomes the preacher of Pentecost.

Psalm 25:14
“The Lord confides in those who fear Him…”

John 15:4
“Remain in Me, as I also remain in you…”

2 Corinthians 3:18
“We are transformed… as we behold the Lord…”

Application

In prayer:

Don’t rush into fixing
First sit in God’s presence

Because:

God heals more in presence
than in pressure.

Sometimes prayer is not talking.
Sometimes prayer is simply:
being with Him.



IT IS THE HABIT THAT SHAPES EVERYTHING

Prayer is not just an event.
Prayer is a habit.

And habits shape outcomes.

When we pray with:

Curiosity → we see revelation
Carefulness → we see growth
Asking → we see answers
Connection → we see transformation

Jesus lived a life of power
because He lived a life of prayer habits.

OUR CHALLENGE

This week:

Be curious with God
Be patient with process
Be bold in asking
Be present before correcting

Because:

The habit of prayer
builds the heart
that can carry the power of God.

What is the Meaning of Prayer?

“Do not make prayer a monologue* …. make it a conversation”
(A long speech by one person not allowing others to speak. It often leaves you feeling unheard, empty and uncertain.)

“Luke 18:7 – Will not God bring about justice for His chosen who cry out to Him day and night.”

We need to increase the intensity of our prayers! Crying day and night!!! We just don’t pray enough! It takes time spent in earnest prayer to receive revelation from God! Little time and hurry just spoil the picture! More time and early hours would most surely revive and invigorate dead spiritual lives!

Time spent with God will bring abundance to our lives!  When we are devoted to Him in our quiet time, we will be devoted to Him in public!! Lingering in God’s presence and waiting upon Him opens spiritual eyes and ears!

More time and early hours produce holy living! A holy life would not be so rare and difficult if our devotional “quiet times” were not so short and hurried!

Silent and patient waiting on Him in prayer is lifeblood to the true believer!! Cry out to Him day and night and you will never be the same again!!” – Peter Pollock

Prayer is simply defined as communication from humans to God, involving earnest requests or entreaties,(smekinge) and it serves as a direct means of speaking one-on-one with the great God of the universe.

Scripture affirms that God hears the prayers of those who trust in Him,

Jeremiah 33:3 (Amp) – Call to Me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things, fenced in and hidden, which you do not know (do not distinguish and recognize, have knowledge of and understand).

As seen in numerous Psalms, and Jesus emphasizes its importance by teaching the disciples to pray regularly.

He used phrases like "when you pray" rather than "if you pray."

This highlights prayer as essential to the Christian life.

It was modelled by Jesus Himself who frequently prayed to His Father, highlighting prayers role in developing humility, praise for God's holiness, oneness with His kingdom, and submission to His will.

The English word "pray" derived from Latin "prex," meaning a request, supplication(Smeking), or petition,(asking for things)

Prayer is approaching a Sovereign King, beginning with reverence toward "Our Father in heaven."

It includes intimate fellowship, emphasizing the believers' privileged access to God's power.

Hebrews 4:16 (Amp) - “Let us then fearlessly and confidently and boldly draw near to the throne of grace (the throne of God’s unmerited favor to us sinners), that we may receive mercy [for our failures] and find grace to help in good time for every need [appropriate help and well-timed help, coming just when we need it].”

Prayer varies, from reflecting emotions from complaint to supplication, - and it is essential for seeking God, spiritual warfare, and aligning ourselves with His purpose.

Matthew 6:9-13 -  "In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed (to treat Gods name as set apart, pure, and deserving of ultimate reverence) be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."

Jesus provides the model prayer, beginning with praise for God's holiness and submission to His kingdom and will, it produces a humble attitude.

It includes daily requests for provisions and forgiveness, while prioritizing God's purpose over material needs, to be in line with heaven's order.

The prayer addresses God as "Our Father," implying a shared relationship with us and God.

Luke 18:1 -  "Then He spoke a parable to them, that men always ought to pray and not lose heart

Jesus commands persistent prayer, to avoid discouragement, Which He illustrated by the persistent widow, showing us how God responds to His children who cry out day and night.

Philippians 4:6 - "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication(a humble, earnest, respectful prayer), with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God."

Psalm 55:17 -  "Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud, And He shall hear my voice."

David affirms regular prayer times, reflecting on our commitment to God's kingdom work and submission to His will, with assurance of being heard by Him.

James 5:15-16 -  "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much."

Fervent(vurig) prayer, rooted in faith and fellowship, is effective, impacting healing and forgiveness through a sincere praying heart.

Scripture is very clear that prayer is a privilege which must fit into God's purpose and plan for our lives.

We cannot alter this clear instruction to pray – many don’t take prayer serious enough, we pray when we have time, or when we have a crises.

James 4:3 - “And even when you do ask you don’t get it because your whole aim is wrong—you want only what will give you pleasure.”

In conclusion:

“Prayer is the measure of a man’s real spiritual condition” - E.M. Bounds

“Prayer is presented as a lifestyle of “Constant Communication” with God, not a mere duty or occasional activity”

1Thessalonians 5:17- “Never stop praying.”