When John the Baptist wanted to know if Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus assured John with the following report: “The blind receive their sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.” [1] Our Savior’s signature work is love in action.
When the Pharisees questioned why Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. He encouraged them to: “Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” [2]
Once, Jesus told a rich young ruler, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, come and follow Me.” [3]
“Come and follow Me.” What an opportunity for the rich young ruler! But when he heard this, he went away sad. He had great wealth. He wanted the Lord, but he also wanted his wealth.
Jesus already had one Judas Iscariot. Someone who would betray him for money! The rich young ruler was not ready to exchange his lifestyle for the kind that Jesus described.
The Apostle Paul expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” [4] Paul depended on Jesus to walk as Jesus walks.
Missionary to Ecuador and martyr for Christ, Jim Elliott, expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”
Missionary to China, Hudson Taylor, expressed the key to his walk with Jesus this way: “Depend on it. God’s work done in God’s way will never lack God’s supply.”
The Lord desires mercy. To follow Jesus means to be merciful. To follow Jesus is the opportunity to let one’s love be great! To follow Jesus is to have faith in His faithfulness. As we do His will, He supplies all our needs according to HIS riches and glory. Praise the Lord!
[1] Matthew 11:5
[2] Matthew 9:10-13
[3] Matthew 19:21-22
[4] Galatians 2:20
Free resources for prophetic servants of Jesus Christ
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Sunday, August 19, 2012
21st Century Jeremiah
I praise God for revealing to us how He reached out to a young man named Jeremiah and called him to be a prophet to the nations. God describes how He did it in the first chapter. Jeremiah felt inadequate for the task, and he was, but God promised to be with him and help him. In the first chapter, God gave Jeremiah two visions and explained the meaning of the visions to him. Thus, his prophetic ministry began because God supplied him the light to do it. [1]
God strengthened Jeremiah to share His message with His people. Though some hated, falsely accused, beat, and imprisoned him, God helped him to keep bringing forth His Word to people. God also gave Jeremiah the necessary love, patience, and endurance to care for the people that God had entrusted to him.
On July 18, 2012, I established a blog site “21st Century Jeremiah” to share the messages of Jeremiah, the prophets, the apostles, and the messages of our Lord Jesus Christ with people. God’s Word is light. Needed light for our dark world!
When I went to Hong Kong in June of 1985, it was on a gut sense, a knowing, that God called me. I went by faith, trusting in the promises recorded in His Word. That mission involved hardships, lean times and even persecution, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus and working of the Holy Spirit, it yielded good fruit. Orphans and widows were visited! Many lost souls believed in Jesus. Glory to God!
Now, I am praying, “Heavenly Father, if you want me to be like Jeremiah during this twenty-first century, then, please be with me! Please develop and cultivate me. Please also make me like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand for You. [2] Help me lead distant people from You to become close with You!
May the Lord be glorified and may souls be saved.
[1] Jeremiah 1:4-19
[2] Jeremiah 1:18
God strengthened Jeremiah to share His message with His people. Though some hated, falsely accused, beat, and imprisoned him, God helped him to keep bringing forth His Word to people. God also gave Jeremiah the necessary love, patience, and endurance to care for the people that God had entrusted to him.
On July 18, 2012, I established a blog site “21st Century Jeremiah” to share the messages of Jeremiah, the prophets, the apostles, and the messages of our Lord Jesus Christ with people. God’s Word is light. Needed light for our dark world!
When I went to Hong Kong in June of 1985, it was on a gut sense, a knowing, that God called me. I went by faith, trusting in the promises recorded in His Word. That mission involved hardships, lean times and even persecution, but by the grace of our Lord Jesus and working of the Holy Spirit, it yielded good fruit. Orphans and widows were visited! Many lost souls believed in Jesus. Glory to God!
Now, I am praying, “Heavenly Father, if you want me to be like Jeremiah during this twenty-first century, then, please be with me! Please develop and cultivate me. Please also make me like a fortified city, an iron pillar, and a bronze wall to stand for You. [2] Help me lead distant people from You to become close with You!
May the Lord be glorified and may souls be saved.
[1] Jeremiah 1:4-19
[2] Jeremiah 1:18
Saturday, August 18, 2012
The City of God
Have you ever heard of a book called “The City of God?” It was published in 426 by Augustine of Hippo, also known as Saint Augustine.
Augustine witnessed the fall of “Christianized” Rome to pagans. In response to this dramatic event, he wrote, “The City of God.” He envisioned two rival cities formed by two loves. The earthly city, formed by love of self even to the contempt of God, stands in contrast with the heavenly city, the city of God, founded and shaped by love of God even to the contempt of self. These two cities are progressing along separate paths toward different ends.
One city is about love of self and the other about love of God. The love of self over the love of God and neighbour tends to prevail in this sinful world, but one day, sin will be no more, and there will only exist a City of God... thanks to JESUS!
The City of God is not of this world. Jesus is preparing it for those who believe in Him and confess Him before people.
Jesus said to His disciples, “...I go to prepare a place for you.” [1] What will it be like? Jesus revealed the city to John the Apostle. It will come down from heaven. It is where God and humanity dwell together. New Jerusalem has streets of pure gold, walls of jewels and gates of pearl. There is a crystal sea. Far from being a ghost town, it has inhabitants from every tribe, language, and nation. God dwells there! There is no more death, pain, or war in New Jerusalem. There is no hunger or thirst in New Jerusalem. There is no more devil or antichrists in New Jerusalem. [2]
Jesus described His city as paradise to the dying thief next to Him on the cross. Abraham called it a city whose builder and maker was God. [3] Peter called it a city wherein dwells righteousness. [4] The hope of getting there empowered Moses to endure the insults of the world rather than enjoy the pleasures and riches of Egypt for a season. [5]
New Jerusalem comes down from God above. It is His work. “The city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [is a place of] an innumerable company of angels.” [6]
What a great salvation! No wonder the writer of Hebrews wrote: “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” [7]
[1] John 14:2
[2] Revelation 21-22
[3] Hebrew 11:10
[4] 2 Peter 3:13
[5] Hebrews 11:26
[6] Hebrews 12:22
[7] Hebrews 3:13-14
Augustine witnessed the fall of “Christianized” Rome to pagans. In response to this dramatic event, he wrote, “The City of God.” He envisioned two rival cities formed by two loves. The earthly city, formed by love of self even to the contempt of God, stands in contrast with the heavenly city, the city of God, founded and shaped by love of God even to the contempt of self. These two cities are progressing along separate paths toward different ends.
One city is about love of self and the other about love of God. The love of self over the love of God and neighbour tends to prevail in this sinful world, but one day, sin will be no more, and there will only exist a City of God... thanks to JESUS!
The City of God is not of this world. Jesus is preparing it for those who believe in Him and confess Him before people.
Jesus said to His disciples, “...I go to prepare a place for you.” [1] What will it be like? Jesus revealed the city to John the Apostle. It will come down from heaven. It is where God and humanity dwell together. New Jerusalem has streets of pure gold, walls of jewels and gates of pearl. There is a crystal sea. Far from being a ghost town, it has inhabitants from every tribe, language, and nation. God dwells there! There is no more death, pain, or war in New Jerusalem. There is no hunger or thirst in New Jerusalem. There is no more devil or antichrists in New Jerusalem. [2]
Jesus described His city as paradise to the dying thief next to Him on the cross. Abraham called it a city whose builder and maker was God. [3] Peter called it a city wherein dwells righteousness. [4] The hope of getting there empowered Moses to endure the insults of the world rather than enjoy the pleasures and riches of Egypt for a season. [5]
New Jerusalem comes down from God above. It is His work. “The city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem [is a place of] an innumerable company of angels.” [6]
What a great salvation! No wonder the writer of Hebrews wrote: “exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end.” [7]
[1] John 14:2
[2] Revelation 21-22
[3] Hebrew 11:10
[4] 2 Peter 3:13
[5] Hebrews 11:26
[6] Hebrews 12:22
[7] Hebrews 3:13-14
Overcoming Evil
The following Bible verses provide guidance for those who are battling evil in their effort to share the Gospel with people.
Pray: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” [1]
“Submit yourselves to God! Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [2]
Listen to your conscious. The Bible warns against a conscious seared by fire. [3] A conscious seared by fire does not work. A good conscious is rooted in the fear of God. Praise God for your conscious.
“For this purpose, was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” [4]
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Jesus said this in response to the disciples telling Him, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” [5]
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons...” [6]
“Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” “I cast out demons by the Spirit of God.” Jesus referred to casting out demons as robbing a strongman of his goods. The strong man is a metaphor for a demon. The binding of him refers to how Jesus disables him as the believer places him in the hands of God. The “spoiling” of the strong man’s goods refers to his captive being set free from him. [7]
“They overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” [8] The blood of the Lamb cancelled all Satan’s claims against us because the blood of the Lamb removed our sins. The Word of our Testimony is JESUS. He is our Redeemer. Whether or not the Lord delivers us from death threats, we are determined to serve Him... “they did not love their lives to the death.”
“God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [9]
The mission of the Church is “to open the eyes of unbelievers, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are made holy by faith in Christ.” [10]
The Lord provides us spiritual weapons and protection to overcome the evil one. [11]
We are more than conquerors through Christ that loves us. [12]
The day is coming when evil will end. However, until that day we must fight the good fight of faith. [13]
To seek to save souls is to enter the battle against Satan.
The awesomely bright side to spiritual warfare is SALVATION. One of the greatest of blessings this side of heaven is to be God’s vessel to share the Gospel with a lost soul and see that person saved by the power of Christ.
[1] Matthew 6:13
[2] James 4:7
[3] 1 Timothy 4:2
[4] 1 John 3:8
[5] Luke 5:17, 19
[6] Mark 16:17; (Mark 9:38-39; Acts 16:18; 19:11-16)
[7] Matthew 12:28-29
[8] Revelation 12:11
[9] 2 Timothy 1:7
[10] Acts 26:18
Pray: “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” [1]
“Submit yourselves to God! Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [2]
Listen to your conscious. The Bible warns against a conscious seared by fire. [3] A conscious seared by fire does not work. A good conscious is rooted in the fear of God. Praise God for your conscious.
“For this purpose, was the Son of God manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil.” [4]
“Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” Jesus said this in response to the disciples telling Him, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” [5]
“And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons...” [6]
“Or how can one enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? And then he will plunder his house.” “I cast out demons by the Spirit of God.” Jesus referred to casting out demons as robbing a strongman of his goods. The strong man is a metaphor for a demon. The binding of him refers to how Jesus disables him as the believer places him in the hands of God. The “spoiling” of the strong man’s goods refers to his captive being set free from him. [7]
“They overcame him [the devil] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” [8] The blood of the Lamb cancelled all Satan’s claims against us because the blood of the Lamb removed our sins. The Word of our Testimony is JESUS. He is our Redeemer. Whether or not the Lord delivers us from death threats, we are determined to serve Him... “they did not love their lives to the death.”
“God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [9]
The mission of the Church is “to open the eyes of unbelievers, to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they might receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are made holy by faith in Christ.” [10]
The Lord provides us spiritual weapons and protection to overcome the evil one. [11]
We are more than conquerors through Christ that loves us. [12]
The day is coming when evil will end. However, until that day we must fight the good fight of faith. [13]
To seek to save souls is to enter the battle against Satan.
The awesomely bright side to spiritual warfare is SALVATION. One of the greatest of blessings this side of heaven is to be God’s vessel to share the Gospel with a lost soul and see that person saved by the power of Christ.
[1] Matthew 6:13
[2] James 4:7
[3] 1 Timothy 4:2
[4] 1 John 3:8
[5] Luke 5:17, 19
[6] Mark 16:17; (Mark 9:38-39; Acts 16:18; 19:11-16)
[7] Matthew 12:28-29
[8] Revelation 12:11
[9] 2 Timothy 1:7
[10] Acts 26:18
[11] Ephesians 6:10-18
[12] Romans 8:37
[13] Revelation 20:10, 15; 1Timothy 6:12
[12] Romans 8:37
[13] Revelation 20:10, 15; 1Timothy 6:12
Saturday, August 11, 2012
A Beautiful Life
A man with great material wealth wrote Ecclesiastes from the perspective of a self-minded person. He had denied himself no pleasure, but after those pleasures were experienced, depression set in. Thanks to God, he came to his senses, and wrote Ecclesiastes to encourage others not to make the same mistake that he did.
Rivalry may be used as a motivator to spur on work, but rivalry doesn’t result in revival. Revival springs forth from a heart that is set free from the sinful self and filled with love by Jesus Christ.
“He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” [1]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for making beautiful that which lacked beauty. Please help us to fathom Your doings more fully.”
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful works.”
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” [3] Abiding in God’s love yields tranquility whereas sinful pride never has enough.
King Solomon describes the life of wisdom in the passage below:
“The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath: one person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse those who hoard grain, but they pray God’s blessing on those who are willing to sell. Whoever seeks good finds favor...” [4]
Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” [5]
God’s love initiates well-being and good outcomes. When we abide in His love, good things happen. The love of Christ compels us to be what we would never be on our own, namely, a person whose beauty is from God, and is for the glory of God!
[1] Ecclesiastes 3:11
[2] Ecclesiastes 3:14
[3] Ecclesiastes 4:6
[4] Proverbs 11:24-27
[5] Matthew 10:8
Rivalry may be used as a motivator to spur on work, but rivalry doesn’t result in revival. Revival springs forth from a heart that is set free from the sinful self and filled with love by Jesus Christ.
“He [God] has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” [1]
“Thank You Heavenly Father for making beautiful that which lacked beauty. Please help us to fathom Your doings more fully.”
“I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear Him.” [2]
“Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for Your wonderful works.”
“Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind.” [3] Abiding in God’s love yields tranquility whereas sinful pride never has enough.
King Solomon describes the life of wisdom in the passage below:
“The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath: one person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. People curse those who hoard grain, but they pray God’s blessing on those who are willing to sell. Whoever seeks good finds favor...” [4]
Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give.” [5]
God’s love initiates well-being and good outcomes. When we abide in His love, good things happen. The love of Christ compels us to be what we would never be on our own, namely, a person whose beauty is from God, and is for the glory of God!
[1] Ecclesiastes 3:11
[2] Ecclesiastes 3:14
[3] Ecclesiastes 4:6
[4] Proverbs 11:24-27
[5] Matthew 10:8
Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Christ the Vein Where True Treasures are Hidden
“Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they refine it. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.” “Its stones are the source of sapphires, and it contains gold dust.” [1]
From fire and rock, from heat and hardness come precious jewels and metals. Miners go to great depths and endure hardships to mine these treasures.
Job speaks of something more valuable than precious stones and metals. Those shiny objects were of no use to him in the day that tried like fire. He asks, “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.” [2]
Job contrasts the value of wisdom with fine gold, onyx, and sapphire. Is wisdom really better than costly metals or precious jewels? As if comparing wisdom to gold and precious jewels was not enough, Job continued and said wisdom is better than crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, topaz, and pure gold. [3]
Where can wisdom be found? Job concluded, “God understands its way, and He knows its place.” [4] God points us to His Son Jesus Christ in the Bible as His wisdom.
“...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” [5] “Christ Jesus became for us wisdom from God.” [6] “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [7]
To acquire true treasure we need not dig deep into the heart of the earth. We need to simply humble ourselves before God as a child turns to a parent for help. Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” [8]
Paul declared, “The Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [9] Jesus reveals to us the most meaningful and inspiring riches of this life. He is the vein where true treasures are hidden. He invites you and me to partake of Him today.
[1] Job 28:1-2, 6
[2] Job 28:12-13
[3] Job 28:15-20
[4] Job 28:23
[5] 1 Corinthians 1:25
[6] 1 Corinthians 1:30
[7] Colossians 2:2-3
[8] Matthew 11:25
[9] Galatians 1:11-12
From fire and rock, from heat and hardness come precious jewels and metals. Miners go to great depths and endure hardships to mine these treasures.
Job speaks of something more valuable than precious stones and metals. Those shiny objects were of no use to him in the day that tried like fire. He asks, “Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.” [2]
Job contrasts the value of wisdom with fine gold, onyx, and sapphire. Is wisdom really better than costly metals or precious jewels? As if comparing wisdom to gold and precious jewels was not enough, Job continued and said wisdom is better than crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, topaz, and pure gold. [3]
Where can wisdom be found? Job concluded, “God understands its way, and He knows its place.” [4] God points us to His Son Jesus Christ in the Bible as His wisdom.
“...Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” [5] “Christ Jesus became for us wisdom from God.” [6] “In Christ are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” [7]
To acquire true treasure we need not dig deep into the heart of the earth. We need to simply humble ourselves before God as a child turns to a parent for help. Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because You have hidden these things from the wise and learned and revealed them to little children.” [8]
Paul declared, “The Gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.” [9] Jesus reveals to us the most meaningful and inspiring riches of this life. He is the vein where true treasures are hidden. He invites you and me to partake of Him today.
[1] Job 28:1-2, 6
[2] Job 28:12-13
[3] Job 28:15-20
[4] Job 28:23
[5] 1 Corinthians 1:25
[6] 1 Corinthians 1:30
[7] Colossians 2:2-3
[8] Matthew 11:25
[9] Galatians 1:11-12
Saturday, August 4, 2012
Streets of Gold Not Shades of Grey
Jesus said, “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” [1]
Jesus warned against lust. He made it clear that lust leads to hell. It is that serious!
I do not like to talk about lust, but it is something with which we must deal. When Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount, He devoted a paragraph to it.
Lust distorts one’s perspective of people. It objectifies them. It de-humanizes others for the sake of personal gratification. Lust is not love. It is selfish.
Jesus said that to be with Him we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. [2] God’s love lays down one’s own life to make another’s life better. It is about valuing others more than self. Jesus Christ empowers us to love as God loves. We must be in a relationship with God to have His love.
One of my favorite illustrations on God’s love is found in the Trinity: The Father so loved the world that He gave His Son, the Son so loved the world that He gave His life, and the Holy Spirit so loved the world that He deigned to live in humans who believe in Christ. The Bible says: “God is love.” [3] Love is His essence and nature.
The carnal self likes to recklessly enjoy sin. The problem with sin is that after we leave this life for the next one, there is a Judge, and His job is to ensure that no sin enters heaven. And no sin will! Sin must be dealt with at the cross or at the judgment seat. Which will it be?
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus said, namely, that if we embrace lust, we will lose our whole body in hell.
Lust is not a friend. It is a fiend. Lust is not something to gamble on. Those who do, lose.
The Bible urges us to FLEE from lusts. [4] Martin Luther taught, “You cannot stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair.” We need to treat lustful thoughts like the ugly demons they are.
The Bible says, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [5] Love God! Hate provocative images. They are robbers. Read Proverbs chapters 5-7 to hear what the wisest man in the world said about lust.
In the Book of Revelation, there are two women: the Bride of Christ and the Harlot Babylon. Babylon is described as an enemy of God's saints. She seeks to destroy them. The Bride of Christ is described as God’s holy people. She is the one who inherits God and His blessings. Babylon is the one who is destroyed by God. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus encourages His people to have nothing to do with Babylon.
If there is anything worth pursuing, it is God’s holiness. Holy vessels do not taint what God pours through them. Jesus said, “For their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” [7] Holiness is about being God’s blessing to others.
With the release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” and other movies of this genre, hell has opened wide its mouth to devour souls. Like fish plucked from the sea, once people take the bait, they are hooked and captured. Unless they submit themselves to God and resist the devil, the devil will NOT flee from them. They will be his captives. They will be his quarry.
Repent of lust. Ask God to forgive you. Ask God to rescue you from it. Lust has the potential to destroy your soul in hell. It is that serious. Ask God to keep you from temptation and deliver you from evil. Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.” [6] Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s love. Live to love not to lust!
In the Book of Revelation, an angel showed John the streets in New Jerusalem. They were made of gold so pure that a person can see through them. Choose gold not grey. Choose God not lust. Heaven is where God and humanity dwell in unity. There are multitudes of angels and people there. It is a place of singing and joy unspeakable. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” [8]
[1] Matthew 5:27-29
[2] Matthew 16:24
[3] 1 John 4:8, 16
[4] 2 Timothy 2:22
[5] James 4:7
[6] John 8:36
[7] John 17:19
[8] Colossians 3:2; (Revelation 21-22)
Five more Bible verses on holiness:
1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Corinthians 6:1: “As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4: “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
Jesus warned against lust. He made it clear that lust leads to hell. It is that serious!
I do not like to talk about lust, but it is something with which we must deal. When Jesus gave His Sermon on the Mount, He devoted a paragraph to it.
Lust distorts one’s perspective of people. It objectifies them. It de-humanizes others for the sake of personal gratification. Lust is not love. It is selfish.
Jesus said that to be with Him we must deny ourselves, pick up our cross and follow Him. [2] God’s love lays down one’s own life to make another’s life better. It is about valuing others more than self. Jesus Christ empowers us to love as God loves. We must be in a relationship with God to have His love.
One of my favorite illustrations on God’s love is found in the Trinity: The Father so loved the world that He gave His Son, the Son so loved the world that He gave His life, and the Holy Spirit so loved the world that He deigned to live in humans who believe in Christ. The Bible says: “God is love.” [3] Love is His essence and nature.
The carnal self likes to recklessly enjoy sin. The problem with sin is that after we leave this life for the next one, there is a Judge, and His job is to ensure that no sin enters heaven. And no sin will! Sin must be dealt with at the cross or at the judgment seat. Which will it be?
Thankfully, the Holy Spirit convicts the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment. The Holy Spirit reminds us of what Jesus said, namely, that if we embrace lust, we will lose our whole body in hell.
Lust is not a friend. It is a fiend. Lust is not something to gamble on. Those who do, lose.
The Bible urges us to FLEE from lusts. [4] Martin Luther taught, “You cannot stop birds from flying over your head, but you can stop them from nesting in your hair.” We need to treat lustful thoughts like the ugly demons they are.
The Bible says, “Submit yourself to God, resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” [5] Love God! Hate provocative images. They are robbers. Read Proverbs chapters 5-7 to hear what the wisest man in the world said about lust.
In the Book of Revelation, there are two women: the Bride of Christ and the Harlot Babylon. Babylon is described as an enemy of God's saints. She seeks to destroy them. The Bride of Christ is described as God’s holy people. She is the one who inherits God and His blessings. Babylon is the one who is destroyed by God. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus encourages His people to have nothing to do with Babylon.
If there is anything worth pursuing, it is God’s holiness. Holy vessels do not taint what God pours through them. Jesus said, “For their sake I sanctify myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.” [7] Holiness is about being God’s blessing to others.
With the release of “Fifty Shades of Grey” and other movies of this genre, hell has opened wide its mouth to devour souls. Like fish plucked from the sea, once people take the bait, they are hooked and captured. Unless they submit themselves to God and resist the devil, the devil will NOT flee from them. They will be his captives. They will be his quarry.
Repent of lust. Ask God to forgive you. Ask God to rescue you from it. Lust has the potential to destroy your soul in hell. It is that serious. Ask God to keep you from temptation and deliver you from evil. Jesus said, “If the Son makes you free, you are free indeed.” [6] Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with God’s love. Live to love not to lust!
In the Book of Revelation, an angel showed John the streets in New Jerusalem. They were made of gold so pure that a person can see through them. Choose gold not grey. Choose God not lust. Heaven is where God and humanity dwell in unity. There are multitudes of angels and people there. It is a place of singing and joy unspeakable. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” [8]
[1] Matthew 5:27-29
[2] Matthew 16:24
[3] 1 John 4:8, 16
[4] 2 Timothy 2:22
[5] James 4:7
[6] John 8:36
[7] John 17:19
[8] Colossians 3:2; (Revelation 21-22)
Five more Bible verses on holiness:
1 Thessalonians 5:23: “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
2 Peter 1:3: “His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by His own glory and goodness.”
2 Corinthians 6:1: “As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain.”
1 Thessalonians 4:3-4: “This is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor.”
Thursday, August 2, 2012
De-escalating Verbal Violence
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” [1]
Stay calm. Don’t lose self-control. The more you stress you lose control of your emotional self and become irrational. KNOW your reaction level. If you are getting angry, KNOW when to back off.
We don’t know what just happened in a person’s life to make them behave the way they are.
Signs of emotional duress include pacing, wringing of hands, fidgety, and sweating profusely. Don’t avoid the upset person. Ask how they are. Spend time listening. Only speak when you need to clarify your understanding of what they just said. Then, stop talking again.
People often resolve their own issues if we respond to their expressed needs by asking them what THEY plan to do about it. What are the options THEY are considering? We don’t take their problem on. We let them talk about how THEY will resolve the problem.
When a person is defensive, they usually start talking progressively louder. They may swear and become derogatory. It is usually during an agitated moment that they become violent. Don’t use a direct approach, i.e., “you (something).” Instead, say, “I’m concerned about your behavior. You may hurt yourself or someone else.”
When speaking with an irate person, stand at a slight angle to them as opposed to straight in front of them eye to eye and nose to nose. Face to face can be threatening. To stand at a side-angle conveys help rather than confrontation. Also, we should stand with our arms down and palms out to convey non-aggressive behavior.
Learn the art of setting limits. Outline for the person what behavior is allowed and what is not. For example, with an irate person, you could say, “Please try to get your anger under control. If you can’t get your anger under control, we will have to ask you to leave. If you cool down, we can sit and talk.” After telling them their positive and negative options, let them choose. Do enforce the consequence if they don’t listen.
Statistics show that people with mental issues are apt to be the victims of violence more than the perpetrators of it. Drugs can cause violent tendencies. Give people with a history of violence a shorter leash before intervening. Significant losses can negatively affect a person’s behavior.
People act against a perceived threat. The average personal space someone needs is three feet. Back up if tension is escalating. If you are too close, they may feel threatened. If you are a big person talking to a small person, consider backing up more. Older people tend to expect more space than younger people. Consider the volume and tone of your language. Sarcasm is a reaction to stress. A person on the defense may challenge you or defy you.
Power struggles are an emotional landmine. People may challenge your authority and credibility. When you are locked into a power struggle with a non-compliant person, focus on the problem at hand and not on the power struggle. If we take the threat personally, we become more focused on self. Ignore insults and stay with the issues at hand.
CARE stands for...
Concentrate - give full attention with body language and words
Acknowledge - nod head and consider what is said
Respond - repeat what they said back to them
Empathy - see through the eyes of another
Remember to:
Explain which specific behavior is inappropriate
Explain why the behavior is inappropriate
Give reasonable choices with consequences
Allow time to comply so as not to seem to give an ultimatum
Enforce the consequence if necessary
Time is your friend; the longer you can delay enforcement the better
“Code red” can be used as a signal for another person to help. Call 911 immediately if the situation is uncontrollable. [2]
[1] Matthew 5:9
[2] 8.2.12 notes from teaching by Mr. Steve Wiggins. Former Administrator at the Kentucky Western State Mental Hospital
Stay calm. Don’t lose self-control. The more you stress you lose control of your emotional self and become irrational. KNOW your reaction level. If you are getting angry, KNOW when to back off.
We don’t know what just happened in a person’s life to make them behave the way they are.
Signs of emotional duress include pacing, wringing of hands, fidgety, and sweating profusely. Don’t avoid the upset person. Ask how they are. Spend time listening. Only speak when you need to clarify your understanding of what they just said. Then, stop talking again.
People often resolve their own issues if we respond to their expressed needs by asking them what THEY plan to do about it. What are the options THEY are considering? We don’t take their problem on. We let them talk about how THEY will resolve the problem.
When a person is defensive, they usually start talking progressively louder. They may swear and become derogatory. It is usually during an agitated moment that they become violent. Don’t use a direct approach, i.e., “you (something).” Instead, say, “I’m concerned about your behavior. You may hurt yourself or someone else.”
When speaking with an irate person, stand at a slight angle to them as opposed to straight in front of them eye to eye and nose to nose. Face to face can be threatening. To stand at a side-angle conveys help rather than confrontation. Also, we should stand with our arms down and palms out to convey non-aggressive behavior.
Learn the art of setting limits. Outline for the person what behavior is allowed and what is not. For example, with an irate person, you could say, “Please try to get your anger under control. If you can’t get your anger under control, we will have to ask you to leave. If you cool down, we can sit and talk.” After telling them their positive and negative options, let them choose. Do enforce the consequence if they don’t listen.
Statistics show that people with mental issues are apt to be the victims of violence more than the perpetrators of it. Drugs can cause violent tendencies. Give people with a history of violence a shorter leash before intervening. Significant losses can negatively affect a person’s behavior.
People act against a perceived threat. The average personal space someone needs is three feet. Back up if tension is escalating. If you are too close, they may feel threatened. If you are a big person talking to a small person, consider backing up more. Older people tend to expect more space than younger people. Consider the volume and tone of your language. Sarcasm is a reaction to stress. A person on the defense may challenge you or defy you.
Power struggles are an emotional landmine. People may challenge your authority and credibility. When you are locked into a power struggle with a non-compliant person, focus on the problem at hand and not on the power struggle. If we take the threat personally, we become more focused on self. Ignore insults and stay with the issues at hand.
CARE stands for...
Concentrate - give full attention with body language and words
Acknowledge - nod head and consider what is said
Respond - repeat what they said back to them
Empathy - see through the eyes of another
Remember to:
Explain which specific behavior is inappropriate
Explain why the behavior is inappropriate
Give reasonable choices with consequences
Allow time to comply so as not to seem to give an ultimatum
Enforce the consequence if necessary
Time is your friend; the longer you can delay enforcement the better
“Code red” can be used as a signal for another person to help. Call 911 immediately if the situation is uncontrollable. [2]
[1] Matthew 5:9
[2] 8.2.12 notes from teaching by Mr. Steve Wiggins. Former Administrator at the Kentucky Western State Mental Hospital
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Hour that Changes the World
Jesus is an intercessor. What a blessing it is to find ourselves joining Him in intercession! What a blessing it is to see our prayers answered!
Dick Eastman wrote in his book, The Hour that Changes the World: “We constantly find Jesus praying. He prayed among hypocrites in the temple, in crowds, on hillsides cluttered with disciples, in crowded upper room, and alone on mountainsides outside Jerusalem. Prayer was more than a part of Christ’s life; it was His life.” [1]
“Prayer sees God’s infinite power. Prayer surrenders our problems to God and asks for Divine intervention.” [2]
Jesus asked His disciples only one question specifically related to the subject of prayer. While in Gethsemane, He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [3]
“Would you consider giving God a daily, sacrificial gift of time. Not just a few spare minutes here or there, but a substantial gift – perhaps even as much as 60 minutes every day? It would be time spent alone with God in personal worship, prayer and reading of His Word.” [4]
Hans Von Staden made this statement about prayer, “When man works man works; when man prays, God works.” A.T. Pierson once said, “Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.” God works through prayer because prayer requires a relationship with Him.
Dick Eastman suggests that we give an hour per day to the Lord to pray. He breaks the hour up into twelve five-minute disciplines. They are praise, waiting, confession, Scripture praying, watching, intercession, petition, thanksgiving, singing, meditation, listening and praise.
WHY PRAISE
“Praise puts God in His rightful position at the outset of our praying. In praising God we declare His sovereignty and recognize His nature and power. Praise decentralizes self. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self.” [5]
“Not only does praise open our devotional hour to an outpouring of God’s glory, but it sends Satan running. He cannot tolerate the presence of God. God inhabits the praises of His people. Adoration is the antidote to the poison of satanic oppression.” [6]
“The full meaning of praise can be captured in its Old French origin, ‘preiser,’ which means to ‘prize.’ To praise God is to prize God. The word ‘prize’ means to ‘value, esteem and cherish something.’ During our times of praise we esteem God with our words of adoration.” [7]
WHY WAIT
“Waiting on the Lord is a silent surrendering of the soul to God.” [8]
“John of Damascus, the ancient Greek theologian, defined waiting as ‘the elevation of the mind to God.’ It is wholly being taken up with God. God says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Strong relationships are best cultivated in silence.” [9]
WHY CONFESS
“God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than our desires for Him.” “An awareness of our past failures especially tends to buffet the mind as we pray. Suddenly we feel hopelessly unworthy of offering our petitions. The devil has gained a victory and soon we stop praying altogether.” [10]
“God knows our sin, but we need to know it and confess it. Likewise, we need to confess our utter dependence on God for our attitude, direction, and power to do what is right. The moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize the responsibility to change it. Sin causes indifference, and it is impossible for indifferent people to change the world.”
“If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened.” [11]
“This is why confession is critical to our praying… It clears the conscience of faith-killing guilt and opens the heart to truly believe God will hear our petitions.” [12]
“Bitterness towards others drains prayer of power. The greatest danger in having enemies is not what they may do to us – it is what we do to ourselves as we allow harsh, bitter, angry reactions to develop.” [13]
King David made three confessions. He confessed his need for divine attitude, divine guidance, and divine unction. Divine attitude: “Renew a right spirit in me.” Divine guidance: “Cast me not away from Thy presence.” Divine unction: “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” [14]
WHY PRAY SCRIPTURE
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” “The Word alone is the source of faith.” [15] “Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request, ‘Do as Thou hast said!’ The Creator will not cheat the creature who depends upon His truth; and far more, the Heavenly Father will not break His Word to His own child.” [16]
WHY WATCH
Jesus said to, “Watch and pray!” Peter said to, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.” “Much praying is hampered by a dull, drowsy frame of mind.” [17]
“I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out, reminding God to remember.” “Appointing watchmen to guard walled cities was common custom in Bible days.” The intercessor’s ministry is to keep watch over his community’s well-being by faithfully praying to God for the people. [18]
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you pray. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” [19]
“The great lesson for every time of prayer is – to see to it, first of all, that you commit yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and with entire dependence on Him, give Him the first place; for through Him your prayers will have a value you cannot imagine, and through Him also you learn to speak out your desires in the Name of Christ.” [20]
WHY INTERCEDE
“Intercession is prayer offered on behalf of another. When the prayer warrior intercedes, he forgets his personal needs and focuses all of his faith and prayer attention on others.” “There are two essential questions the prayer warrior should ask himself as he goes about the ministry of intercession. They are: ‘How much awareness do I have relative to the problems of world evangelism?’ and, ‘Am I aware of how Satan is working to hinder God’s workers.’” [21]
“To intercede is to stand between a lost being and an Almighty God, praying that this person will come to know about God and his salvation.” “Our prayer does not save the sinner, but somehow it serves to prepare his heart for the moment word reaches him of Christ’s love.” [22]
“Four specific times, the apostle Paul spoke of ‘making mention’ of his fellow Christians in prayer. Surely the apostle did not spend his entire waking time praying for every specific need of each fellow Christian. Instead, he confidently lifted their names before God, fully trusting God to bless each of them.” [23]
We need to pray that God will turn the spiritual blindness of unbelievers to sight because, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [24]
Intercessions for missionaries including names of countries and national leaders:
More laborers to the harvest
Open doors for these workers
Fruit as a result of their efforts
Finances to expand their work [25]
WHY PETITION
“If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that He may have, you and I cannot expect to have the rule relaxed in our favor. Prayer is man opening his heart’s door to receive power already appropriated by God. Expressed helplessness is the key to opening that door, thus giving God access to our need. We must define the need.” [26]
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” “Jabez was bold enough to ask of God a blessing. God not only honored the request but chose to use Jabez as an example of how He longs to answer our sincere petitions.” [27]
“The more specific and complete the petition, the more faith is generated when we bring it to God. The petition should be simple and sincere. Eloquence is not necessary for effective praying. Even the simplest petition, when offered in faith, opens doors to the miraculous. ‘Lord, teach me to ask!’” [28]
WHY THANKSGIVING
“Thanksgiving helps me focus on God’s faithfulness. Thanksgiving might well be labeled ‘a confession of blessings.’ It is during this aspect of prayer that we recognize all of life’s blessings and confess them before God. Like praise, thanksgiving places the believer’s attention where it must be centered to make prayer effective.”
“When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.” [29] Thank God for His faithfulness in the past. Thank Him in advance for what He is going to do against the overwhelming odds.
WHY SING
The Psalmist says to come before God with joyful songs. “No fewer than forty-one Psalms specifically refer to ‘singing praises’ unto the Lord. The New Testament speaks of singing spiritual songs.” [30]
“Paul and Silas ‘sang praises’ unto God while they were in prison.” God opened their prison doors and set them free. The Lord gave His people victory over their enemies as they went forth into battle singing His praises. Singing praises to God during a difficulty is a prayer of faith; we sing God’s praise for who He is knowing that such a faithful God will not disappoint us. [31]
WHY MEDITATE
“The Hebrew word for meditation (hagah) means to mutter upon.” God tells us to meditate on His law day and night, to observe to do it, and it will make our way prosperous and give us success. The Psalmist says His meditation in the Lord is sweet, and he finds gladness in the Lord.” Scripture meditation lifts us out of self’s squalor to the pure air of God’s kingdom. [32]
Meditations: God – Psalm 62:5; God’s Word – Psalm 1; God’s work – Psalm 77:12; Past victories – Lamentations 3:21-23; Positive thoughts – Philippians 4:8
WHY LISTEN
“Prayer is the soul’s pilgrimage from self to God; and the most effectual remedy for self-love and self-absorption is the habit of humbling listening. Solomon penned, ‘Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few.’” [33]
“To listen in prayer is to mentally absorb divine instruction from God concerning specific matters for that day. Our prayer should be a conversation, one in which we listen as much as we speak. To find His Father’s will Jesus spent whole nights listening. Listening implies confidence that God truly desires to speak to us.” [34]
“God, alone, knows the solution to every problem we will face. This listening phase of prayer allows the believer to tune in on God’s solutions. We do not engage in prayer to tell God what to do. Our goal in prayer is to discover what God wants us to do so that He will be glorified.”
“Elijah heard God speak with the sound of a gentle whisper.” During the listening aspect of your prayer you may wish to keep a note tablet handy to record these impressions.” [35]
WHY PRAISE
“Jesus not only taught to begin our prayer with praise ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,’ but He also taught us to end our praying with praise – ‘For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’”
“Just as antagonism, hostility, cursing against God exercises and strengthens all that is most abominable, diabolical, and base in the human spirit, so worship and praise of the infinitely loving, lovely God exercises, reinforces and strengthens all that is most sublime, transcendent, and divine in the inner being.” [35]
CONCLUSION
“Accomplishment always begins with a commitment of the will. Without practice no Christian will become a real man or woman of prayer. Practice requires perseverance.”
“Find the very best time for personal prayer. Set a goal of rising 60-90 minutes earlier than normal for at least at several days of experimentation. Those who have no set time of prayer do not pray. The most important appointment I have today is my appointment with Jesus in prayer. Fight all interruptions fiercely.” [36]
“Recognize the overwhelming importance of your daily hour with God. Until we recognize the full worth of our prayers, we will never develop a consistent habit of prayer. To be faithful in prayer is to share with God in His plan to change the world.” [37]
Pray for lost souls that they will ask, ‘Whom can I trust?’ ‘What is my purpose for living?’ ‘When will I really be free?’ ‘Why do people hate religion?’ ‘How can I cope with my problems?’ ‘Where will I go when I die?’”
Eastman’s ministry has reached 800 Chinese cities since he began the one-hour prayer focus.
[1] Dick Eastman, The Hour that Changes the World, Chosen Books Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI © 98, 02, p. 25
[2] Ibid, p. 18
[3] Ibid, p. 23; Matthew 26:40
[4] Ibid, p. 24
[5] Ibid, p. 20
[6] Ibid, p. 31; Psalm 22:3
[7] Ibid, p. 32
[8] Ibid, p. 36
[9] Ibid, pp. 28-39; Psalm 46:10
[10] Ibid, p. 45; Andrew Murray
[11] Psalm 66:18
[12] Ibid, p. 46
[13] Ibid, p. 50
[14] Ibid, pp. 50-51; Psalm 51
[15] Ibid, pp. 54-55; Romans 10:17
[16] Ibid, pp. 56-57; Charles Spurgeon
[17] Ibid, pp. 61-62; Mark 14:38; 1 Peter 5:8
[18] Ibid, p. 63; Isaiah 62:6
[19] Ibid, p. 69; Romans 8:26-27
[20] Ibid, pp. 63-64; Andrew Murray
[21] Ibid, pp. 72-73
[22] Ibid, p. 78
[23] Ibid, p. 79
[24] Ibid, pp. 81-82; 2 Corinthians 4:4
[25] Ibid, p. 81
[26] Ibid, pp. 84-85
[27] Ibid, pp. 88-89; 1 Chronicles 4:10
[28] Ibid, p. 94
[29] Ibid, pp. 95-97
[30] Ibid, pp. 103-105; Psalm 100:2;
[31] Ibid, pp. 106-109; Acts 16:25; 2 Chronicles 20:20-22,
[32] Ibid, pp. 111-112; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 104:34
[33] Ibid, pp. 114-116; Ecclesiastes 5:2
[34] Ibid, p. 120
[35] Ibid, pp. 124-126; 1 Kings 19:12
[36] Ibid, pp. 127-128
[37] Ibid, pp. 135-137
Dick Eastman wrote in his book, The Hour that Changes the World: “We constantly find Jesus praying. He prayed among hypocrites in the temple, in crowds, on hillsides cluttered with disciples, in crowded upper room, and alone on mountainsides outside Jerusalem. Prayer was more than a part of Christ’s life; it was His life.” [1]
“Prayer sees God’s infinite power. Prayer surrenders our problems to God and asks for Divine intervention.” [2]
Jesus asked His disciples only one question specifically related to the subject of prayer. While in Gethsemane, He asked them, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” [3]
“Would you consider giving God a daily, sacrificial gift of time. Not just a few spare minutes here or there, but a substantial gift – perhaps even as much as 60 minutes every day? It would be time spent alone with God in personal worship, prayer and reading of His Word.” [4]
Hans Von Staden made this statement about prayer, “When man works man works; when man prays, God works.” A.T. Pierson once said, “Every step in the progress of missions is directly traceable to prayer.” God works through prayer because prayer requires a relationship with Him.
Dick Eastman suggests that we give an hour per day to the Lord to pray. He breaks the hour up into twelve five-minute disciplines. They are praise, waiting, confession, Scripture praying, watching, intercession, petition, thanksgiving, singing, meditation, listening and praise.
WHY PRAISE
“Praise puts God in His rightful position at the outset of our praying. In praising God we declare His sovereignty and recognize His nature and power. Praise decentralizes self. One cannot praise God without relinquishing occupation with self.” [5]
“Not only does praise open our devotional hour to an outpouring of God’s glory, but it sends Satan running. He cannot tolerate the presence of God. God inhabits the praises of His people. Adoration is the antidote to the poison of satanic oppression.” [6]
“The full meaning of praise can be captured in its Old French origin, ‘preiser,’ which means to ‘prize.’ To praise God is to prize God. The word ‘prize’ means to ‘value, esteem and cherish something.’ During our times of praise we esteem God with our words of adoration.” [7]
WHY WAIT
“Waiting on the Lord is a silent surrendering of the soul to God.” [8]
“John of Damascus, the ancient Greek theologian, defined waiting as ‘the elevation of the mind to God.’ It is wholly being taken up with God. God says, ‘Be still and know that I am God.’ Strong relationships are best cultivated in silence.” [9]
WHY CONFESS
“God cannot hear the prayers on our lips often because the desires of our heart after the world cry out to Him much more strongly and loudly than our desires for Him.” “An awareness of our past failures especially tends to buffet the mind as we pray. Suddenly we feel hopelessly unworthy of offering our petitions. The devil has gained a victory and soon we stop praying altogether.” [10]
“God knows our sin, but we need to know it and confess it. Likewise, we need to confess our utter dependence on God for our attitude, direction, and power to do what is right. The moment we admit that a particular act displeases God, we recognize the responsibility to change it. Sin causes indifference, and it is impossible for indifferent people to change the world.”
“If I had been cozy with evil, the Lord would never have listened.” [11]
“This is why confession is critical to our praying… It clears the conscience of faith-killing guilt and opens the heart to truly believe God will hear our petitions.” [12]
“Bitterness towards others drains prayer of power. The greatest danger in having enemies is not what they may do to us – it is what we do to ourselves as we allow harsh, bitter, angry reactions to develop.” [13]
King David made three confessions. He confessed his need for divine attitude, divine guidance, and divine unction. Divine attitude: “Renew a right spirit in me.” Divine guidance: “Cast me not away from Thy presence.” Divine unction: “Take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.” [14]
WHY PRAY SCRIPTURE
“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” “The Word alone is the source of faith.” [15] “Every promise of Scripture is a writing of God, which may be pleaded before Him with this reasonable request, ‘Do as Thou hast said!’ The Creator will not cheat the creature who depends upon His truth; and far more, the Heavenly Father will not break His Word to His own child.” [16]
WHY WATCH
Jesus said to, “Watch and pray!” Peter said to, “Keep a cool head. Stay alert. The Devil is poised to pounce and would like nothing better than to catch you napping.” “Much praying is hampered by a dull, drowsy frame of mind.” [17]
“I’ve posted watchmen on your walls, Jerusalem. Day and night they keep at it, praying, calling out, reminding God to remember.” “Appointing watchmen to guard walled cities was common custom in Bible days.” The intercessor’s ministry is to keep watch over his community’s well-being by faithfully praying to God for the people. [18]
Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you as you pray. “The Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.” [19]
“The great lesson for every time of prayer is – to see to it, first of all, that you commit yourself to the leading of the Holy Spirit, and with entire dependence on Him, give Him the first place; for through Him your prayers will have a value you cannot imagine, and through Him also you learn to speak out your desires in the Name of Christ.” [20]
WHY INTERCEDE
“Intercession is prayer offered on behalf of another. When the prayer warrior intercedes, he forgets his personal needs and focuses all of his faith and prayer attention on others.” “There are two essential questions the prayer warrior should ask himself as he goes about the ministry of intercession. They are: ‘How much awareness do I have relative to the problems of world evangelism?’ and, ‘Am I aware of how Satan is working to hinder God’s workers.’” [21]
“To intercede is to stand between a lost being and an Almighty God, praying that this person will come to know about God and his salvation.” “Our prayer does not save the sinner, but somehow it serves to prepare his heart for the moment word reaches him of Christ’s love.” [22]
“Four specific times, the apostle Paul spoke of ‘making mention’ of his fellow Christians in prayer. Surely the apostle did not spend his entire waking time praying for every specific need of each fellow Christian. Instead, he confidently lifted their names before God, fully trusting God to bless each of them.” [23]
We need to pray that God will turn the spiritual blindness of unbelievers to sight because, “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.” [24]
Intercessions for missionaries including names of countries and national leaders:
More laborers to the harvest
Open doors for these workers
Fruit as a result of their efforts
Finances to expand their work [25]
WHY PETITION
“If the royal and divine Son of God cannot be exempted from the rule of asking that He may have, you and I cannot expect to have the rule relaxed in our favor. Prayer is man opening his heart’s door to receive power already appropriated by God. Expressed helplessness is the key to opening that door, thus giving God access to our need. We must define the need.” [26]
“Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, ‘Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.’ And God granted his request.” “Jabez was bold enough to ask of God a blessing. God not only honored the request but chose to use Jabez as an example of how He longs to answer our sincere petitions.” [27]
“The more specific and complete the petition, the more faith is generated when we bring it to God. The petition should be simple and sincere. Eloquence is not necessary for effective praying. Even the simplest petition, when offered in faith, opens doors to the miraculous. ‘Lord, teach me to ask!’” [28]
WHY THANKSGIVING
“Thanksgiving helps me focus on God’s faithfulness. Thanksgiving might well be labeled ‘a confession of blessings.’ It is during this aspect of prayer that we recognize all of life’s blessings and confess them before God. Like praise, thanksgiving places the believer’s attention where it must be centered to make prayer effective.”
“When Jesus began His prayer to raise Lazarus from the dead and when He began His prayer for food for the thousands of hungry people around Him, He began by saying, “I thank You…” It is precisely when the need brought to us is greater than we could ever meet that we should begin our prayer by saying, “I thank You, Father.” [29] Thank God for His faithfulness in the past. Thank Him in advance for what He is going to do against the overwhelming odds.
WHY SING
The Psalmist says to come before God with joyful songs. “No fewer than forty-one Psalms specifically refer to ‘singing praises’ unto the Lord. The New Testament speaks of singing spiritual songs.” [30]
“Paul and Silas ‘sang praises’ unto God while they were in prison.” God opened their prison doors and set them free. The Lord gave His people victory over their enemies as they went forth into battle singing His praises. Singing praises to God during a difficulty is a prayer of faith; we sing God’s praise for who He is knowing that such a faithful God will not disappoint us. [31]
WHY MEDITATE
“The Hebrew word for meditation (hagah) means to mutter upon.” God tells us to meditate on His law day and night, to observe to do it, and it will make our way prosperous and give us success. The Psalmist says His meditation in the Lord is sweet, and he finds gladness in the Lord.” Scripture meditation lifts us out of self’s squalor to the pure air of God’s kingdom. [32]
Meditations: God – Psalm 62:5; God’s Word – Psalm 1; God’s work – Psalm 77:12; Past victories – Lamentations 3:21-23; Positive thoughts – Philippians 4:8
WHY LISTEN
“Prayer is the soul’s pilgrimage from self to God; and the most effectual remedy for self-love and self-absorption is the habit of humbling listening. Solomon penned, ‘Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so let your words be few.’” [33]
“To listen in prayer is to mentally absorb divine instruction from God concerning specific matters for that day. Our prayer should be a conversation, one in which we listen as much as we speak. To find His Father’s will Jesus spent whole nights listening. Listening implies confidence that God truly desires to speak to us.” [34]
“God, alone, knows the solution to every problem we will face. This listening phase of prayer allows the believer to tune in on God’s solutions. We do not engage in prayer to tell God what to do. Our goal in prayer is to discover what God wants us to do so that He will be glorified.”
“Elijah heard God speak with the sound of a gentle whisper.” During the listening aspect of your prayer you may wish to keep a note tablet handy to record these impressions.” [35]
WHY PRAISE
“Jesus not only taught to begin our prayer with praise ‘Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be Thy Name,’ but He also taught us to end our praying with praise – ‘For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.’”
“Just as antagonism, hostility, cursing against God exercises and strengthens all that is most abominable, diabolical, and base in the human spirit, so worship and praise of the infinitely loving, lovely God exercises, reinforces and strengthens all that is most sublime, transcendent, and divine in the inner being.” [35]
CONCLUSION
“Accomplishment always begins with a commitment of the will. Without practice no Christian will become a real man or woman of prayer. Practice requires perseverance.”
“Find the very best time for personal prayer. Set a goal of rising 60-90 minutes earlier than normal for at least at several days of experimentation. Those who have no set time of prayer do not pray. The most important appointment I have today is my appointment with Jesus in prayer. Fight all interruptions fiercely.” [36]
“Recognize the overwhelming importance of your daily hour with God. Until we recognize the full worth of our prayers, we will never develop a consistent habit of prayer. To be faithful in prayer is to share with God in His plan to change the world.” [37]
Pray for lost souls that they will ask, ‘Whom can I trust?’ ‘What is my purpose for living?’ ‘When will I really be free?’ ‘Why do people hate religion?’ ‘How can I cope with my problems?’ ‘Where will I go when I die?’”
Eastman’s ministry has reached 800 Chinese cities since he began the one-hour prayer focus.
[1] Dick Eastman, The Hour that Changes the World, Chosen Books Publishers, Grand Rapids, MI © 98, 02, p. 25
[2] Ibid, p. 18
[3] Ibid, p. 23; Matthew 26:40
[4] Ibid, p. 24
[5] Ibid, p. 20
[6] Ibid, p. 31; Psalm 22:3
[7] Ibid, p. 32
[8] Ibid, p. 36
[9] Ibid, pp. 28-39; Psalm 46:10
[10] Ibid, p. 45; Andrew Murray
[11] Psalm 66:18
[12] Ibid, p. 46
[13] Ibid, p. 50
[14] Ibid, pp. 50-51; Psalm 51
[15] Ibid, pp. 54-55; Romans 10:17
[16] Ibid, pp. 56-57; Charles Spurgeon
[17] Ibid, pp. 61-62; Mark 14:38; 1 Peter 5:8
[18] Ibid, p. 63; Isaiah 62:6
[19] Ibid, p. 69; Romans 8:26-27
[20] Ibid, pp. 63-64; Andrew Murray
[21] Ibid, pp. 72-73
[22] Ibid, p. 78
[23] Ibid, p. 79
[24] Ibid, pp. 81-82; 2 Corinthians 4:4
[25] Ibid, p. 81
[26] Ibid, pp. 84-85
[27] Ibid, pp. 88-89; 1 Chronicles 4:10
[28] Ibid, p. 94
[29] Ibid, pp. 95-97
[30] Ibid, pp. 103-105; Psalm 100:2;
[31] Ibid, pp. 106-109; Acts 16:25; 2 Chronicles 20:20-22,
[32] Ibid, pp. 111-112; Joshua 1:8; Psalm 104:34
[33] Ibid, pp. 114-116; Ecclesiastes 5:2
[34] Ibid, p. 120
[35] Ibid, pp. 124-126; 1 Kings 19:12
[36] Ibid, pp. 127-128
[37] Ibid, pp. 135-137
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
The Blessed in the Book of Revelation
Jesus said, “Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near.” [1]
“‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” [2]
“Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” [3]
“’Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me, ’These are the true sayings of God.’” [4]
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [5]
“Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.” [6]
The blessed keep the words of the Revelation prophecy. We watch. We remain ready for the Lord’s return. We have an invitation to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We keep the commands of God while we wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to return.
A new heaven and new earth is in the making! [7] Jesus, the faithful and true witness – the one who was dead but now is alive – is about to bring it. “Thank You Heavenly Father for this blessed hope!”
[1] Revelation 1:3
[2] Revelation 14:13
[3] Revelation 16:15
[4] Revelation 19:9
[5] Revelation 22:7
[6] Revelation 22:14
“‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” [2]
“Blessed is he who watches, and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.” [3]
“’Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’ And he said to me, ’These are the true sayings of God.’” [4]
“Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.” [5]
“Blessed are those who do His commandments that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter through the gates into the city.” [6]
The blessed keep the words of the Revelation prophecy. We watch. We remain ready for the Lord’s return. We have an invitation to be at the marriage supper of the Lamb. We keep the commands of God while we wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to return.
A new heaven and new earth is in the making! [7] Jesus, the faithful and true witness – the one who was dead but now is alive – is about to bring it. “Thank You Heavenly Father for this blessed hope!”
[1] Revelation 1:3
[2] Revelation 14:13
[3] Revelation 16:15
[4] Revelation 19:9
[5] Revelation 22:7
[6] Revelation 22:14
[7] Revelation 21-22
Friday, July 20, 2012
The Patience of the Saints
“And another angel followed, saying, “Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.” [1]
Babylon is a spiritual harlot. [2] She is not committed to the one true God. She is sensual. She is material. Like a rock star who will do anything to gain devoted fans, she promotes the most outlandish behavior. She hates God’s saints because they will not join in the rebellion.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’” [3]
Babylon rests on the back of the beast. The beast is the antichrist. His goal is to steal the hearts of God’s people from God and turn them to himself. The temptation in that day for Christians will be to fall away from faith in God rather than to suffer persecution. God warns us NOT to worship the beast or his image, because those who do will suffer for all eternity.
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” [4]
Be patient! Be a saint! Keep the commandments of God! Keep faith in Jesus!
Jesus Christ is the Name is above every other name. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only Name by which we must be saved. Only Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Only Jesus rose from the dead. No other religion can boast of a risen Savior. Only Jesus is coming back to get His people. The only blessed dead are the ones who die in Him. Only those who worked for Jesus will enjoy eternal rest. [5]
The Prophet Jeremiah spoke of the rise and fall of Babylon more than any other prophet. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals that another Babylon will rise and fall in the last days. As God called Jeremiah to forewarn His Old Testament people of ancient Babylon, Jesus is calling us His New Testament messengers, His Church, to forewarn people of the New Testament Babylon.
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.” [6]
Thankfully, just as God got Noah IN the ark before the flood and got Lot OUT of Sodom before the fire fell, God will take His saints out of this evil world before HIS judgments fall. [7]
“And another angel came out from the altar who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs (180 miles).” [8]
After God’s angels have safely stored the fruit that He wants to keep, His angels will cast the bad fruit into the winepress of God’s wrath.
After God closed the door on the ark of Noah and after God’s angels got Lot out of Sodom and Gomorrah, the next stage was judgment on the ungodly.
This is what Jesus is telling His people in Revelation. Be patient! Endure! Be holy! Be obedient to God’s commands. Keep faith in Jesus! Overcome!
[1] Revelation 14:8
[2] See Revelation 18
[3] Revelation 14:9-11
[4] Revelation 14:12-13
[5] See Philippians 2:9-11; John 14:6; Acts 4:12
[6] Revelation 14:14-16
[7] See 1Thessalonians 4:15-18 (the rapture)
[8] Revelation 14:17-20
Babylon is a spiritual harlot. [2] She is not committed to the one true God. She is sensual. She is material. Like a rock star who will do anything to gain devoted fans, she promotes the most outlandish behavior. She hates God’s saints because they will not join in the rebellion.
“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’” [3]
Babylon rests on the back of the beast. The beast is the antichrist. His goal is to steal the hearts of God’s people from God and turn them to himself. The temptation in that day for Christians will be to fall away from faith in God rather than to suffer persecution. God warns us NOT to worship the beast or his image, because those who do will suffer for all eternity.
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’ ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.’” [4]
Be patient! Be a saint! Keep the commandments of God! Keep faith in Jesus!
Jesus Christ is the Name is above every other name. He is the way, the truth, and the life. He is the only Name by which we must be saved. Only Jesus died on the cross as a sacrifice for our sins. Only Jesus rose from the dead. No other religion can boast of a risen Savior. Only Jesus is coming back to get His people. The only blessed dead are the ones who die in Him. Only those who worked for Jesus will enjoy eternal rest. [5]
The Prophet Jeremiah spoke of the rise and fall of Babylon more than any other prophet. In the Book of Revelation, Jesus reveals that another Babylon will rise and fall in the last days. As God called Jeremiah to forewarn His Old Testament people of ancient Babylon, Jesus is calling us His New Testament messengers, His Church, to forewarn people of the New Testament Babylon.
“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’ So He who sat on the cloud thrust in His sickle on the earth, and the earth was reaped.” [6]
Thankfully, just as God got Noah IN the ark before the flood and got Lot OUT of Sodom before the fire fell, God will take His saints out of this evil world before HIS judgments fall. [7]
“And another angel came out from the altar who had power over fire, and he cried with a loud cry to him who had the sharp sickle, saying, ‘Thrust in your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, for her grapes are fully ripe.’ So the angel thrust his sickle into the earth and gathered the vine of the earth and threw it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. And the winepress was trampled outside the city, and blood came out of the winepress, up to the horses’ bridles, for one thousand six hundred furlongs (180 miles).” [8]
After God’s angels have safely stored the fruit that He wants to keep, His angels will cast the bad fruit into the winepress of God’s wrath.
After God closed the door on the ark of Noah and after God’s angels got Lot out of Sodom and Gomorrah, the next stage was judgment on the ungodly.
This is what Jesus is telling His people in Revelation. Be patient! Endure! Be holy! Be obedient to God’s commands. Keep faith in Jesus! Overcome!
[1] Revelation 14:8
[2] See Revelation 18
[3] Revelation 14:9-11
[4] Revelation 14:12-13
[5] See Philippians 2:9-11; John 14:6; Acts 4:12
[6] Revelation 14:14-16
[7] See 1Thessalonians 4:15-18 (the rapture)
[8] Revelation 14:17-20
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Live God’s Story for You - It’s a Good One!
“Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book, they all were written,
The days fashioned for me, when yet there were none of them.” [1]
God wrote our lives in His book before we were born. He knew our days even when none of them existed. We are the outcome of His masterful design.
“Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.” [2]
God knows His original purpose for us. He is willing to work with us and resource that purpose if we invite Him to do so. Though He created us, and He sustains us, He respects our free will. If we want God’s help and counsel, Jesus advised us to... “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” [3]
Recently, Sherry and I were blessed to be entrusted with the care of three of our grandchildren while their parents were away. As we did, I could not help reminiscing about my life as a child. I found myself saying to the Lord, “Thank You for working with me all my life to bring about your good and perfect will for me. Help me to respect You, listen to You and obey You so that You might fulfil all Your good purposes for me.”
The Lord says to us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [4]
Live the story God has written for you – it is a good one. Think about it! The God who created the universe and sustains it is with you. He has ample resources and angels to help you all the days of your journey.
[1] Psalm 139:16
[2] Hebrews 12:2
[3] Matthew 7:7
[4] Jeremiah 29:11
The days fashioned for me, when yet there were none of them.” [1]
God wrote our lives in His book before we were born. He knew our days even when none of them existed. We are the outcome of His masterful design.
“Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith.” [2]
God knows His original purpose for us. He is willing to work with us and resource that purpose if we invite Him to do so. Though He created us, and He sustains us, He respects our free will. If we want God’s help and counsel, Jesus advised us to... “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” [3]
Recently, Sherry and I were blessed to be entrusted with the care of three of our grandchildren while their parents were away. As we did, I could not help reminiscing about my life as a child. I found myself saying to the Lord, “Thank You for working with me all my life to bring about your good and perfect will for me. Help me to respect You, listen to You and obey You so that You might fulfil all Your good purposes for me.”
The Lord says to us, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” [4]
Live the story God has written for you – it is a good one. Think about it! The God who created the universe and sustains it is with you. He has ample resources and angels to help you all the days of your journey.
[1] Psalm 139:16
[2] Hebrews 12:2
[3] Matthew 7:7
[4] Jeremiah 29:11
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