THAT WE MAY BE ABLE

THAT WE MAY BE ABLE!

2 Cor 1:3-4

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

John 11:32-35

32 Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.

33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled,

34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.

35 Jesus wept.

           God allows pain into our lives that we might be able to minister to others in their trouble – any trouble. The more pain we bear the better qualified we are to assist those who suffer. We can relate to their pain by remembering our own. We can soothe their hurts because we can remember that God soothed ours. We can encourage because we have experience in overcoming.

           Coming to the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus encounters deep grief. He even suffers Mary’s accusing comment: “if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.” It was the same as saying that Jesus killed Lazarus by delaying His arrival. Those whose calling is to provide comfort have felt this stinging accusation from time to time. We were too late or too inept to keep the pain from happening. Now all we can do is apply ointment.

           But wounded people are not aware of how deeply the comforters feel their grief. Jesus wept! He shed tears because He assumed the feelings of those to whom He ministered. Like a sponge soaking up a spill, Jesus absorbed their tears and they spilled out His own eyes. I would guess He is still doing that today.

Heb 4:15-16

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Dear God of all comfort, soothe the pain of those who suffer today. AMEN

NAKED

NAKED!

Heb 4:12-16

12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.

13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.

14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.

15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Suppose that a messenger of God, an angel, were now standing at your right hand and fixing his eyes upon you, would you not take care to abstain from every word or action that you knew would offend him? Yea, suppose one of your mortal fellow servants, suppose only a holy man stood by you, would you not be extremely anxious how you conducted yourself both in word and action? How much more cautious ought you to be when you know, not a holy man, not an angel of God, but God Himself, the Holy One, is inspecting your heart, your tongue, your hand, every moment, and that He Himself will surely call you to account for all yea think, speak, or act! (Attributed to John Wesley)

Since the fall, shame is always associated in Scripture with nakedness! Man’s first self-awareness was that he was naked. How long he had been that way is anyone’s guess and he ignored it; it did not bother him in the least. However, when sin entered it tore away the covering of innocence and made him feel exposed. Fig leaves made a poor covering and so blood was shed to obtain a covering – not for God’s eyes but a covering for man’s own shame. God still saw man as he was.

Ps 90:8

8 Thou hast set our iniquities before thee, our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.

Rev 3:18

18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Dear Lord, hide me and cover me with thy righteousness that I may commune with Thee without shame. AMEN

ITS HARD TO BELIEVE

IT’S HARD TO BELIEVE!

Mark 9:23-24

23 Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.

24 And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.

           Belief is the “assent of the mind to the truth of any proposition.” (McClintock and Strong). Belief does not need any means or arguments but may simply be a response to our senses. What makes one witness credible while another witness is discredited?

           In Mark 9, the father of the demonized son relates the failure of other means to release his son from this torture. The father then pleads with Jesus saying “but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” This was almost a statement of doubt and not a statement of faith. The father was willing to try this one more thing but you can hear the doubt in his plea.

           Jesus answered that belief is crucial to the cure. The father then admits the weakness of his faith and asks for help in believing. So it is with us. We believe with the weakest faith at our disposal. Without evidence, we place our trust in an invisible God.

           God always allows for doubt because doubt and belief exist together. Cures, miracles, and turn-a-rounds can almost always be ascribed to natural means. Only the believer assigns the cure to God. Doubters go on doubting, even in the face of miracles, while believers go on believing.

           Only when the doubter is willing to ask for help in believing does he move from one realm to another. When the doubter acknowledges his doubt, and agrees to the possibility of belief, faith is born.

           Belief grows as we exercise faith. Stephen, in Acts 5 and 6, was said to be a man “full of faith” or “covered over with persuasion.” He maintained his faith even while being stoned to death and saw, by faith, Jesus standing at the Father’s right hand ready to welcome him home.

Dear Lord, we beg with the disciples, increase our faith! AMEN

HE WILL PILOT THEE

HE WILL PILOT THEE!

Mark 4:37-39

37 And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

38 And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

39 And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

           Great ships sit at anchor within sight of the shore. Why do they wait? They have called for and are waiting for the harbor pilot. He knows these waters. He has sounded the depths and is familiar with the narrows. He is aware of every hidden wreck and rock. He and he alone can be trusted to guide the ship safely to the dock.

           Edward Hopper ministered at the Church of the Sea and Land in New York City. There he met sailors from around the world. He wrote the words to a hymn called Jesus Savior, Pilot me. The poem first appeared in The Sailor’s Magazine in 1871. We may feel confident to sail our vessel on the deeps but we need the Pilot to guide us safely home.

Jesus, Savior, pilot me
Over life’s tempestuous sea;
Unknown waves before me roll,
Hiding rock and treacherous shoal.
Chart and compass come from Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


While th’Apostles’ fragile bark
Struggled with the billows dark,
On the stormy Galilee,
Thou didst walk upon the sea;
And when they beheld Thy form,
Safe they glided through the storm.


Though the sea be smooth and bright,
Sparkling with the stars of night,
And my ship’s path be ablaze
With the light of halcyon days,
Still I know my need of Thee;
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


When the darkling heavens frown,
And the wrathful winds come down,
And the fierce waves, tossed on high,
Lash themselves against the sky,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me,
Over life’s tempestuous sea.


As a mother stills her child,
Thou canst hush the ocean wild;
Boisterous waves obey Thy will,
When Thou sayest to them, “Be still!”
Wondrous Sovereign of the sea,
Jesus, Savior, pilot me.


When at last I near the shore,
And the fearful breakers roar
’Twixt me and the peaceful rest,
Then, while leaning on Thy breast,
May I hear Thee say to me,
“Fear not, I will pilot thee.”

Heavenly Father, be my Pilot today. AMEN

SEASONAL BLESSINGS

SEASONAL BLESSINGS!

Gen 8:19-22

19 Every beast, every creeping thing, and every fowl, and whatsoever creepeth upon the earth, after their kinds, went forth out of the ark.

20 And Noah builded an altar unto the Lord ; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar.

21 And the Lord  smelled a sweet savour; and the Lord  said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

22 While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

           It’s almost Autumn here in Texas and, although today’s projected temperature highs and lows are still 93/68, there is a crisp feeling in the air. Our famous heat has waned a bit and there is a slight chance of much needed rain. Soon my wife and I will be buying cans of heart healthy soup and we both look forward to some Texas chili. The Wichita Theater in nearby Wichita Falls is auditioning for the seasonal favorite “It’s a Wonderful Life.” I love the changing of the seasons!

           Christians look for God everywhere – and find Him! Today I find Him keeping his promise that “while the earth remains” there would always be a rotating change of seasons. With the flavorful aroma of sacrifice still in His nostrils, God gave Noah a weather promise! The promise has a broad application if we condense it into one popular phrase: “This too shall pass!” Whether you are enjoying your current “season” of life or enduring it, you need to know that it will not last. Seasons of joy should prompt us to prepare for harsher times while seasons of difficulty and pain should encourage us to wait for the seasons of joy.

James 5:7-8

7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman [farmer] waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

Dear Lord of Harvest, thank you for the promise of a season of refreshing. AMEN

GOD GRADUALLY REVEALS OUR DUTY

GOD GRADUALLY REVEALS OUR DUTY!

Acts 9:3-6

3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven:

4 And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.

6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

           I’m a big-picture guy and one who needs to know details. That quirk of personality finds me often impatient when seeking to know God’s direction for my life. Paul gave voice to my often-asked question: “Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?” Please tell me now and make my future plain!

           Jesus’ answer to Paul was simply to get up and go into the next city. That did not answer the big picture question and it did not give many details. This is how God often reveals His will. If you want to know God’s will then just take the next step forward. Step by step God reveals to man his duty.

           Obedience, then, is always our next duty. Like a baseball player who is called out at home plate even though he appeared to have made a home run, be sure you do not fail to tag each base along the way. Be deliberate and methodical in your obedience.

           The passion to escape is strong but Jesus told Paul to simply continue on his same journey. He was to go into the city. What city? Damascus was still Damascus but Paul had changed. It is not always a new environment that we need. The familiar path is changed because we have been changed. Saul became Paul and he was about to learn God’s purpose but he would learn it gradually.

Acts 26:16

16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Dear Lord, help us not to be anxious about how slowly you lead us. Help us to simply follow step by step. AMEN

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW

CAN YOU HEAR ME NOW?

James 4:8

8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

There was an old retired preacher who lived with his wife down the street. He was content to care for his wife and tend his vegetable garden. Many times people would come to his house for advice, prayer and comfort. Much of his ministry now was done in blue jeans and at odd times.

One day a young man dropped by for a talk. He was desperate because he had lost his job and didn’t know how he was going to provide for his family. As he poured out his heart to the preacher he angrily declared "I’ve begged and begged God to say something to help me, preacher. Why doesn’t God answer?"

The old preacher, who was sitting across the room, spoke a reply so quietly the young man was unable to make it out. The young man stepped across the room. "What did you say?" he asked. The preacher repeated himself, again in a soft tone. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair. "Sorry," he said. "I still didn’t hear you." With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more. "God sometimes whispers," he said, "so we will move closer to hear him."

Dear Lord, if I can’t hear your voice in my deep need, help me to be smart enough to move closer. AMEN

THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE

THAT YE MIGHT HAVE LIFE!

The phrase “that ye might have life” was spoken three times in the King James Version of the Bible; all three times it was used by John! It was John’s mission statement and life purpose that others might have life through Jesus the Messiah. However, each of the three times, John also speaks to a different powerful force.

1. THE POWER OF MAN’S WILLFUL REFUSAL!

John 5:40

40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

There is a mighty power in man’s ability to freely choose. In John’s fifth chapter Jesus spends considerable time defending himself against unbelieving Jews who “sought the more to kill him because He had once again relieved human suffering on the Sabbath and because He had made himself equal with God.”

Those who were thoroughly unconvinced mingled with those who were nearly convinced but the decisive result was that they refused to come to Jesus that they might have life. To put it another way, a horrible way, they did not have and would not have life. It was a momentary decision with eternal results.

Throughout our lifetime this awe inspiring gift of choice remains ours. In a thousand opportunities we must choose wisely.

2. THE POWER OF SATAN’S SINISTER SCHEME!

John 10:9-10

9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The scriptures say of Jesus that “in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5) and John might here say of Satan “in him is no light whatsoever.” Satan’s total focus is to steal – to kill—and to destroy. The opposite is true of the Savior. He has come to give – to give life in abundance – and to repair and restore.

3. THE POWER OF THE WRITTEN WORD!

John 20:30-31

30 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book:

31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

Why would a rugged fisherman, a “son of thunder,” chronicle the life of a carpenter and itinerant preacher named Jesus? He answers for himself when he says that he wrote so that his readers might be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God and that in that believing they might have life, eternal life, through his name.

Our own powerful gift of free and willful choice will either doom or deliver us! Satan will influence and manipulate that choice to accomplish his purpose of stealing, killing and destroying but God has given us a living Word that we should read and heed…that ye might have life.

Dear Lord, may your Holy Spirit guide me and protect me today as I make life altering choices. AMEN

NEW AND LIVING WAY

NEW AND LIVING WAY!

Josh 3:3-4

3 And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord  your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

4 Yet there shall be a space between you and it, about two thousand cubits by measure: come not near unto it, that ye may know the way by which ye must go: for ye have not passed this way heretofore.

Heb 10:19-20

19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,

20 By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;

           The Hebrew word used for “way” in Joshua is the word derek and it simply means “road” but figuratively it means “a course of life.” The Jews had never passed that way before and would require God’s guidance and courageous human leadership.

           In Hebrews the words zao and hodos are translated “living way.” The idea is a new and vibrant manner of living. Both the Old Testament and the New indicate a radical change. This was a change from self determination to divine leadership.

           Oh, how we need divine leadership. Looking back over the wreckage strewn over the old way, we should gladly follow the wise and benevolent leadership of a loving God.

Dear Lord, many today are about to embark upon a new way of life. Perhaps it is a change in their health or a new relationship or a new job. All these are major life changes that cry out for your leadership and mercy. Please be God to us today and make us wise enough to follow. AMEN

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL

IS THERE A SONG IN YOUR SOUL?

Eph 5:18-21

18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;

20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;

21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

           Singing is one of the most natural things in God’s creation. Coyotes howl at the moon. Have you ever wondered why? Elephants trumpet and birds warble their own tune. Children, even before they can speak, express their joy and sorrow, their love and anger simply by changing the tones in their voice. Mothers listen for these songs and by some instinct known only to mothers translate these songs into intelligent speech.

           Music expresses emotion and is defined by culture. Most of us know the difference between classical symphonic music and the music of mountaineers we call blue grass. Celtic music conjures up even visual images of the Scotts and the Irish. But what are psalms, hymns and spiritual songs?

PSALMS -- These are the compositions of the Shepherd King David and can be found in the Bible. Some were chanted and others were put to music which is now mostly lost. Some were sung antiphonally (one group would sing a verse and another group would respond with the answering verse). When ancient psalms were put to modern music the result was early praise and worship.

HYMNS – These are songs written by more modern saints. These are poems and rhymes set to music that pictures the Christian experience. Fanny Crosby’s hymn, “All the Way my Savior Leads Me” praises the sure guidance of God in the life of the believer.

SPIRITUAL SONGS – These are odes intended to magnify God and edify man.

All Creatures of Our God and King

All creatures of our God and King

Lift up your voice and with us sing,

Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thou burning sun with golden beam,

Thou silver moon with softer gleam!

Refrain

O praise Him! O praise Him!

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Dear Lord, fill my heart with song and let my lips praise you in the streets. AMEN

THE GOD OF HOPE

THE GOD OF HOPE!

Rom 15:13

13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

           Paul, writing to the Romans, offers multiple views of God. In Romans 15:5, He is the God of patience and consolation. The patience is His and the consolation is ours! Here the word “consolation” is paraklesis and is the same word that is translated “comforter” when Jesus promised the Holy Spirit in John 14:16. The word is made more powerful by the use of a definite article making it “THE consolation.” Consolation is in the person of Jesus Christ.

           He is the God of peace in Romans 15:33 and the word “peace” is eirene and indicates both quietness and prosperity. It also is preceded by a definite article which makes it “THE peace.” Peace, both quietness and prosperity, is in the person of Jesus Christ.

           In our text this morning, He is the God of hope. Here hope is elpis (el-pece’) and means both expectation and confidence. Once again it is forcefully preceded by a definite article. The hope that we have in eternity is an expectant hope. It is like an “expectant” mother large with child. She is confident of delivery but uncertain of the date! Many signs, both visible and known only to her, assure her that her hope is well founded.

Dear Father, all around we see signs and evidence of your soon coming. Inside us also there is a confidence that our hope is well founded. Thank you Lord, that our hope, our peace and our consolation is firmly grounded in your person. AMEN

SILVER FOR TIN

SILVER FOR TIN!

1 Sam 8:13-21

13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers.

14 And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants.

15 And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants.

16 And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work.

17 He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants.

18 And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the Lord  will not hear you in that day.

19 Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us;

20 That we also may be like all the nations; and that our king may judge us, and go out before us, and fight our battles.

21 And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the Lord.

           Israel was about to trade gold for brass and silver for tin! They were tired of a king who could part waters so they could cross the un-crossable. They were weary of a king who showed Himself in a cloud and pillar of fire. They wanted a king with skin on.

           Saul stood head and shoulders above all others. He would be their king and they would find status among the other nations of the world. So is our thinking in America as we begin another presidential political cycle. One candidate wants to “Make America Great Again!” I think we need to make God Great again. Only then will America be great.

           Samuel tried to warn them! Five times he said that this new king would TAKE! There would be high costs and losses associated with the selection of a human ruler. So it is with both political parties. No matter who we choose, “he will take!”

           We have so declined from right that government now says one thing while God clearly says another. When that happens believers have a choice to make!

Acts 5:28-29

28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

Dear Lord, help me to be a good citizen but when my government opposes you help me to take a firm and appropriate stand for right. AMEN

YOUR PRAYER LIST

YOUR PRAYER LIST!

Rom 8:26

26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Listening to prayer requests can be revealing and sometimes entertaining as people ask God for some interesting things. Too often we sound like Janis Joplin singing: “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz.” Perhaps it would be helpful to take another hard look at our prayer list. Even when he walked the earth Jesus refused to overturn a decision in an inheritance squabble.

Luke 12:13-14

13 And one of the company said unto him, Master, speak to my brother, that he divide the inheritance with me.

14 And he said unto him, Man, who made me a judge or a divider over you?

I am told that Billy Graham had a list of worthy things for which to pray. Borrowing a bit from his list let me make these suggestions.

1. Pray against spiritual coldness!

Heb 3:12-13

12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2. Pray for doctrinal purity – that you are not drawn into believing false doctrine!

Eph 4:14-15

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

3. Pray for those with whom you have personal conflict and for those who hate you!

Matt 5:44

44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

4. Pray that the Gospel will be effective in these last days!

Col 4:2-4

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5. Pray against sexual impurity!

1 Thess 4:3-4 & 7

3 For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:

4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel [how to control the urges in his own body] in sanctification and honour;

7 For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.

6. Pray against a greedy love of money and possessions!

Eccl 5:10

10 He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase:

7. Pray for peace!

2 Peter 1:2-3

2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,

3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

8. Pray for the salvation of the lost!

Rom 10:1

10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they might be saved.

9. Pray for those in authority!

1 Tim 2:1-2

2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

10. Pray for daily provision of needs!

Matt 6:11

11 Give us this day our daily bread.

Matt 6:31-32

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

32(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

Dear Lord, forgive me for my selfish praying and teach me by your Holy Spirit what to pray for. AMEN

INTERCESSION AND INTERVENTION

INTERCESSION AND INTERVENTION!

1 Tim 2:1-4

2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;

2 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.

3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;

4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

           Is there a difference between the words intercession and intervention? I think so, although some may think I’m splitting hairs. Intercession is, according to Webster, “The act of interceding; mediation; interposition between parties at variance, with a view to reconciliation; prayer.” Intervention is more personal or perhaps more physical in nature. It is “Any interference that may affect the interests of others.”

           The Bible teaches, and Christians believe, that through intercession, people can be changed. To intercede is to stand between God and someone. It is to represent another person's concern to God. It is reasonable to think that the motivation for intercession is either love for that person or obedience to the God who urges us to intervene. If that is so, then to NOT pray for someone is to display both a lack of love for them and a direct disobedience to God. Another serious possibility is that one has become an un-believer in the power of prayer.

           The words effectual and fervent in James 5:16 are actually translated from the same Greek word. The word energeo means to be active and efficient. This kind of prayer is intense and no word is wasted in the process. One can almost see the sweat on the brow of the one praying as they engage in spiritual conflict.

1 Sam 12:23

Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord  in ceasing to pray for you:

Lord let me intercede so that you might intervene. Lord when I pray send forth answers with energy! AMEN

HOW TO PRAY

HOW TO PRAY!

Matt 6:5-6

5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

           This is the preamble to what we call “the Lord’s Prayer” which follows in verses 9 through 13. Jesus gives us four instructions for prayer.

           Pray secretly! Jesus had just commented on the prayer habits of the hypocrite who loves to stand in public places and pray public prayers so that he might win public applause. Note that none of those things have anything at all to do with communication with God! No, Jesus recommended a closet or inner room of the house where there would be no distractions and no witnesses except God.

           Pray sincerely! Jesus warned against “vain repetition.” The single Greek word which is translated vain repetition is battologeo and it literally means “to stammer, stutter or to prate (babble or jabber) tediously.” Those who would string together a long list of “Jesus, Jesus, Jesus” would be like leaning on a door bell. Once the Master of the house has heard the bell and opened the door there is no need to keep ringing it! The only response possible would be “What! What! What!”

           Pray in submission to His will! The purpose of prayer is to align ourselves with God not to force God to align Himself with us. We should not ask God for anything that will dishonor His name, delay His kingdom, or disturb His will on earth. We can ask God to do specific things that would further His cause and honor His name. The results are powerful.

           Pray stubbornly! In Luke 11:5-10 the force of Jesus’ advice was to ask and keep on asking and to knock and keep on knocking. If your request is not answered soon then keep on asking using the principles of secrecy, sincerity, and submission.

           Pray in the Spirit! Romans 8:26 indicates that when we do not know God’s will in a matter, we can ask the Holy Spirit to translate the groaning of our heart into an appropriate prayer to the Father. When all we can do in prayer is moan the Spirit understands what we need and want.

Dear Lord, today there is much to pray for. Please send your Holy Spirit to join me in the sanctity and secrecy of my heart. Please ask Him to hear and translate the groaning that He finds there and answer according to Thy will. AMEN

WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME

WHAT WILL YOU GIVE ME?

Matt 26:14-16

14 Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests,

15 And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver.

16 And from that time he sought opportunity to betray him.

Judas was eaten up with greed. The want of money is never satisfied and the sacrifice of the perfume in the alabaster box in the house of Simon the Leper still burned in his nostrils. His indignation over its spillage was not due to a burning desire to help the poor but a poor assessment of the value of his master (See verse 9).

Thirty pieces of silver was exchanged for the Son of God. It was the most notoriously bad bargain of history. Judas weighed the jingle in the bag and it felt good in his hand – and from that time he sought opportunity to betray Jesus. Oh, how we universally condemn this most evil of men while we practice this very form of parsimony.

For a few hours of overtime we trade our children and rob them of the presence and counsel of father or mother. We set them adrift for a few ounces of silver and later decry their lack of discipline and direction. For a few dollars more we gladly abandon worship at church and fumble for excuses to make null the clear teaching of Scripture on the matter. “Forsake not (a clear command) the assembling of yourselves together like some have done” (Hebrews 10:25).

As love for money grows, love for God becomes tasteless. Like Malachi’s congregation we moan, “Behold, what a weariness is it!” (Malachi 1:13). We assemble for the loaves and the fishes and nothing more. Without the smoke, the lights and the sensory stimulation our soul is dead and worship is lifeless. Judas still assembles with us, going through the motions, and waiting for an opportunity for gain.

Ultimately Judas lost not only his Lord but his money and his life. Seeing that his betrayal would mean Jesus’ death, a result he never intended, he tried to reverse the bargain. He took the money back but the warranty had expired and the deed could not be undone. He threw the money down and went out and hanged himself. Judas “went to his own place” and now languishes in the flames of Hell because his heart was overthrown with avarice.  

Matt 16:26

26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Dear Lord, let me not be deceived by the allure of material gain. AMEN