The title of today's lesson is "Life Begins @ 40 and the scripture we'll be looking at is Deuteronomy 2:7. Here’s a number that will provoke a little thought, the number 40. In Biblical numerology it is a big number, among the most repeated in Scripture. What it means and how it applies to our lives is the topic of this introduction to our 40 Days of Prayer emphasis, and the beginning of the fortieth year of ministry for Northwood Baptist Church. Does life really begin at 40? Get your Bible ready to find out.

The title of today's lesson is "Your Father in Heaven" and the scripture we'll be looking at is Matthew 7:9-11. Biblical faith is a relationship. It is not a set of religious standards, a creed, or a code of conduct. At heart, our faith involves a Heavenly Father who loves His children in incredible ways, and who goes to extraordinary lengths to redeem us and draw us close to Him. Our 40 Days of Prayer begins with the simple yet profound discovery of a Father who listens to our prayers and provides Fatherly oversight over us all the time.

The title of today's lesson is "The Kingdom of Heaven" and the scripture we'll be looking at is Matthew 13:44-46. It’s a simple fact of life: we pursue the things we love. This explains why a highly pressurized culture will find the time, money, or resources to achieve the things we value most, even when we are squeezed to do it. Of course, Scripture warns about losing perspective. Today, we encounter a Kingdom parable that reveals the value of the Kingdom. It is a treasure. Are you pursuing it?

Christians are Kingdom people. The values of the Kingdom should guide our lives. This week we are studying the Beatitudes, an important teaching of Jesus about Kingdom living and the character of Kingdom people. This text provides a sharp departure from the values and ideals of pop culture and the religion that a secular world-view espouses. Ours is a calling to a distinct lifestyle. Listen to what your Heavenly Father says to you about living as people of the Kingdom.

"Believe" is one of the cultural buzz words these days. New agers, pop religionists, and the health-wealth crowd all speak of the inherent power of belief, you know, having faith in faith. Of course, Biblical faith is directed toward God as revealed in the person of Jesus Christ. Faith isn’t something we conjure within us. It isn’t in our ability to believe. Faith is about him and not us. It’s not about “how much?” but about “who?” This week we understand that faith is the way of the Kingdom, and a key to our prayer life.

Scripture speaks often about people who lose heart. Fear and timidity rule so many lives and dictate our approach to the Kingdom assignment entrusted to us. Of course, the Bible speaks of our faith in terms of power. Not personal power, mind you, the mind games of control freaks and power mongers. Rather, the confidence that is ours because we are children of the King. Praying for world-wide revival involves restoring the sense of confidence in God. It is our lesson for the week. Or, maybe for life.

We cannot live the Kingdom life on our own resources alone. Most of us discover soon in our adult lives the limitations of human achievement. Being mere mortals, called into a Kingdom assignment, our boundaries are finite. But, the God of grace and glory provides what we need to accomplish what He has assigned. The discovery of His provision may be the greatest discovery of life. This week we’ll examine one of the greatest promises of Scripture, the pledge of His grace. Wow!

Humans are easily distracted. It doesn’t take much to throw us off course. Today, intentionality defines successful missional congregations, that is, churches that know their mission and pursue it purposefully. These weeks of prayer have directed us to our Kingdom assignment. We must never forget why the Lord chose us and gave us the commission to influence the world in Kingdom ways. It’s gut check time! Do you understand and accept His assignment?

The Lord’s Prayer is a perfect expression of Jesus’ desire for the Kingdom mission. Clearly, Jesus prayed for the Kingdom to come on earth as it is in heaven. Often we act as if this were an impossibility, the pipe dream of starry eyed idealists wishing for a utopian world. Jesus believed that his followers would change the world, that they would influence the world in Kingdom ways. The outcome of these forty days should be a world that is different because Kingdom people are influencing it. Is it so for you?