If God spoke to you and promised to immediately deliver on one prayer, what would you pray? Some may pray for a job, or a house, a spouse, world peace, an end to poverty, strength to just get through the day. Once even Jesus prayed that the burden be taken from him if possible as death on the cross was going to be so painful.

After videotaping a message for LifeChurch.tv‘s One Prayer project, I have the thought of one prayer on my mind a lot. Even this weekend I’m preaching at the mother church and I had to pick some verses from the first half of 1 Kings. This is where Solomon’s one prayer takes place.

I don’t know if I could condense my prayers down to just one if given the opportunity, but let’s see how Solomon responded:

1 Kings 3:5-12 NIV:

⁵ At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁶ Solomon answered, “You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.

⁷ “Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ 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?”

¹⁰ The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this. ¹¹ So God said to him, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, ¹² I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

Solomon was so honored by God that he only wanted what God wanted. In verse 9 his prayer is that God grant him a discerning heart to govern his people and to distinguish between right and wrong. How humble and noble is that? He didn’t ask for wealth or obedience from his servants or long life or anything practical from a human perspective. He just wanted to be wise. So often, after seeking things from God, in the end, wouldn’t it have been better had we just asked for wisdom and discernment?

I have such a long list of things I’d like to have for my life, my family, my business, and the church plant. Usually at the top of that list is something that money can buy. However, today I need to re-direct those thoughts into seeking God’s wisdom and asking him to give me a discerning heart. Help me to cut through the garbage and focus on things that money can’t buy. Put my sights not on the silver and gold and things that moth and rust can destroy, but turn to heavenly things and trust that God will give me all that is needed to do his will.

In light of Solomon’s wise choice for his prayer, if God were to grant you one prayer that he would immediately deliver upon, what would you pray?

PS. In honor of Solomon’s humbleness and humility, immediately following the passage above, in verse 13 God tells Solomon: “Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both riches and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings.”

Ever had a time when you were forced to do a bunch of steps you felt were unnecessary before having a chance to do that which you felt you could do all along? There is something about the process that just seems so demeaning and unfair.

The funny thing about having to go through these things first, is that I have yet to hear of anyone that complains about it in the end. Once the preliminary work is done, we get the pay off from our persistence. We didn’t know it beforehand, but as a result of the long and seemingly-unreasonable process we are better equipped to do the work without wavering and failing. The persistence pays off!

I’m reminded of the story from The Karate Kid where Daniel-san goes to Mr. Miyagi to learn karate. Instead, Miyagi shows Daniel the floor of his home and asks him to get on his hands and knees and sand it. Daniel also gets to wash Miyagi’s fleet of old, dirty cars and give them a coat of wax. Daniel-san feels like he is being taken for granted as free labor doing Miyagi’s menial work. How wrong Daniel-san was.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1oMCES56a4

Jesus called upon a rich young ruler to take the Daniel-san challenge in Mark 10:17-21:

¹⁷As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’^[a]”

²⁰“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Jesus takes a rich young ruler who believes he has everything he needs to know eternal life. He has trained and learned from the Jewish law and has upheld it. All he needs is the blessing from his master and it will be done. However, the master tells him that he still needs to learn more, but first he must give up what is most-important to him and become humble. With that, we learn the young ruler just couldn’t get himself to give up his riches to find the great reward:

²²At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

Are we willing to give up our riches (or our: pride, comfort, secure job, worldly relationships, home) in order to become humble and learn the way of the master Christ Jesus? Or do we come to him with our religion and our thoughts of being good-hearted and believe that we deserve entrance into the kingdom of heaven on our terms?

Unfortunately for us as human flesh, it requires discipline, faithfulness and humbleness to obtain greatness. Fortunately for us as human flesh, God knew we couldn’t make it on our own and sent his Son Jesus to intercede for us--he is our peace, hope, comforter, and rock of support. All we have to do is walk away from the things we cling to in this world and follow our master and continue learning. Repeat after me…

wax on…wax off.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day Seven
conclusion

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 14–20. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

14. Yet it was good of you to share in my troubles.

15. Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only;

16. for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need.

17. Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

18. I have received full payment and even more; I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God.

19. And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

20. To our God and Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Today I’m not providing the question, I think you’ve got the idea.
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which verse or phrase hit you as something that you should apply to your own life and pray about?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.
• And finally, if you were previously racing through your devotional Bible readings don’t go back. Continue to allow God to transform you with his Word.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day six

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 10 – 13.. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

10. I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it.

11. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.

12. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

13. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Do I show concern, care and appreciation for my Spiritual leaders?
• Am I learning to be content no matter what my circumstances? What does that look like?
• Am I content with what I have?
• Am I content with my life?
• Does that mean we should never want more or just that we should be content at every point because God is faithful?
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day five

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verse 9. Read it slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

9. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me--put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Am I putting into practice the things that I’ve learned from my spiritual leaders and God’s Word in the past?
• Are there things that I’ve let slide?
• Are there things in my life that I’m doing and/or not doing that I’ve never changed but I know that I need to?
• Have I read Paul’s letters with the purpose of putting all that he says into practice?
• I can’t be perfect overnight, but do I have a peace from God that I’m actively seeking him and letting him change me in all areas that he’s encouraging and/or convicting me in?
• Do I have peace from God that I’m cooperating with him daily as he’s changing me?
• Prayerfully read the verse again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day four

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verse 8. Read it slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

8. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Does this verse tie in with yesterday’s two verses? How?
• Am I letting my mind run away on tangents that don’t fit this verse’s description of good thoughts?
• If God tells me to choose my thoughts carefully, then isn’t he also willing to help me do that?
• Do I need to chat with God about an area of my thoughts.
• What good thoughts (about the areas I’m struggling in) could I use to replace the other thoughts?
• Prayerfully read the verse again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day three

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just verses 6 and 7. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

6. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

7. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Am I worried or being anxious about things in my life right now?
• Have I talked to God about these things and am I trusting that he’s heard me and helping?
• Am I thanking God for all he does and specifically for taking care of these situations?
• Am I experiencing God’s peace? If not, what do I need to talk to him and start trusting him with so that I can?
• What does it mean to have God’s peace guard my heart and mind?
• Am I doing my part, outlined in the previous verse so that I can experience this?
• Is this something I need to do just once or every time the stress and worry hit me?
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day two
•    Slowly read Philippians 4:1 -20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
•    Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change ask him for help with that as well.)
•    Now read just verses 4 and 5. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

4. Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!

5. Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.

•    Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
•    Rejoice in the Lord, what does that mean? (Think and pray about it.)
•    ‘In the Lord’ what does that mean?
•    Why does Paul repeat himself?
•    Am I rejoicing in the Lord always?
•    What can I do to get better at maintaining a thankful, trusting and rejoicing attitude?
•    Is my gentleness evident to everyone?
•    Is my gentleness consistent or on and off again?
•    Is there someone I need to apologize to and start being gentle with in the future?
•    Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
•    Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

Guest blogger: Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

Day one

• Slowly read Philippians 4:1-20 to help you get a context for today’s reading.
• Next pray and sincerely ask God to plant his Word in you and change you into the person he created you to be. Don’t just say the words; he’s right there with you, take a few minutes and talk to him from your heart. (If you’re having trouble believing that you can change, ask him for help with that as well.)
• Now read just the first three verses. Read them slowly and think over what is being said. Read them again and again.

1. Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends!

2. I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord.

3. Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

• Now ask yourself questions and discuss the answers with God. Here are some that you can start with.
• Would my pastor and or Spiritual leaders call me a joy? Why or why not? If not, pray and talk to God about change.
• Do I love and look forward to being with other Christians?
• Am I standing firm in the Lord?
• Am I doing all that I can right now to come into agreement and solve disagreements with the people in my life?
• Am I encouraging others in my life to solve their disagreements with others?
• Am I contending in the cause of the Gospel?
• Prayerfully read the verses again and ask yourself which of the questions did you answer in a way that you made you realize that a change needs to happen?
• Finally what are you going to do about it? Talk to God, decide and go do it.

[Special thanks to author, speaker, teacher and friend Mr. Rick Osborne for his contribution to my blog this week. May you blessed as you grow in spiritual maturity through practicing this dedicated and focused daily reading plan of the Bible.]

Rick Osborne
website/blog: http://rick-osborne.com
twitter: @rickosborne

If you’ve been a Christian for any length of time, you’ve been told, encouraged and even prodded to read your Bible daily. I’ve heard Bible Teachers tell those that they’re prodding to start with 5 minutes a day or one chapter a day and work their way up. The people who’ve worked their way up I suppose are the ones who read their Bible through several times a year, every year.

That’s good, but I think that sometimes people get the wrong idea about what reading your Bible is truly all about when they hear these quick get-with-it plans. Let me say this, if you’re reading the Bible just for the sake of the task, then you’re missing out on a great blessing. Let me explain.

Here’s what James said, “Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--he will be blessed in what he does.” (James 1:21-25)

There’s a place for reading through the Bible. However, for daily devotions I would rather read three verses and come away with God’s truth planted in my heart and with understanding ringing in my mind and Spirit motivated change taking root in my heart and life.

Here’s James’ recipe: Open your Bible because you know God wants to use it to change the way you think and therefore act and grow you in your salvation. Humble yourself, which means determine that God’s Word is right and you’re wrong. Let God plant his truth inside you while you’re reading and decide to act on what you learn. Then keep acting on it until it becomes who you are. Finally receive God’s blessing.

Oh yeah, no excuses like,” I just can’t” or “I’ve always been this way” or “I don’t know how” or even “God understands, he made this way”. Sorry, it’s God’s program for all of us to grow and change and he didn’t make the parts of your character and the expressions of your personality that need changing, therefore, you can change. When God plants seeds, he’s able to see their growth through to maturity. He’s promised to work in us, our job is to follow James’ recipe and trust God to do the rest.

I’ve written a seven-day devotional program to help walk you through what Bible reading should look like. It only covers 20 verses for the week, but if you do it properly, each day’s devotion should take you awhile to get through.