One who has the power to do something about EVERY situation?
We have seen pictures and reel after reel of what war looks like. We have to hunt for the pictures of soldiers praying, soldiers being baptized in the desert and reporting miraculous events of protection and care. God isn’t sleeping through this war. He isn’t distracted by some other single incident and missing our concerns.
During the days, months, and years ahead, we as Christians have an opportunity to hold up God’s banners of truth, hope, compassion, power, and unconditional love. Whether it is family, friends, fellow members of our local church, co-workers, or even unknown people on the street, we are Christ’s ambassadors with opportunities to share God’s peace that DOES pass understanding through prayer, fellowship, and witnessing to the character of God.
God’s temple, His dwelling on earth is ME. It’s YOU. We are His temple. We carry His light into the WHOLE world. Jesus said to “GO into ALL the world”. Do I think that Jesus spoke carelessly and didn’t really mean “ALL”? I must lift my head out of my own little universe and see the opportunities that the Lord has placed in my path. I can do NOTHING without Him. Sharing that testimony in these uncertain days is being a conduit of God’s light – His lighthouse – in a world that would want me to believe that all is lost! Just before He died, Jesus said to His disciples and to me,
“I have much more to say to you, more than you can now bear. But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will bring glory to me by taking from what is mine and making it known to you. All that belongs to the Father is mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is mine and make it known to you… “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:12-15, 32
As we pray each day, let us remember to always pray through to the victory that has already been won!
Questions: What prayer concerns can we lift up before God about our nation?
Who do we know ‘in harm’s way’?
Week 6
In case someone out there has forgotten, Valentine’s Day is just two short days away. Sometimes I think that there is more media pressure to get a gift for this occasion ‘RIGHT’ than there is at Christmas! Whether you are a guy or a girl, God has a suggestion for the PERFECT GIFT! It is not a dozen roses. It is not a diamond ring, necklace, or bracelet. It is more precious than that. It is FIVE MINUTES of your time in prayer EVERY DAY for your wife or husband or friend. Let’s see what Jesus says:
“Have faith in God! If you have faith in God and don’t doubt, you can tell this mountain to get up and jump into the sea, and it will. Everything you ask for in prayer will be yours, if you only have faith. Whenever you stand up to pray, you must forgive what others have done to you. Then your Father I heaven will forgive your sins.” Mark 11:22-25 (CEV)
Jesus tells us clearly about the power of prayer AND He tells us that the prayer must be coupled with forgiveness. Whether you are married or seeking God’s will in a relationship, it is hard work. It requires GOD’S grace and mercy and LOVE each and every day. Prayer is the secret ingredient.
A wonderful Christian author, Stormie Omartian, has written a series of books “The Power of the Praying Wife”, “The Power of the Praying Husband”, and “The Power of the Praying Parent”. I am not working on commission here! But Mrs. Omartian has done a wonderful job in writing down some guidelines for us to help us pray for our spouse and children – regardless if we are going to be married, if we have been married for 1 year or 50, whether our children are infants or 40 years old.
Let us give our loved ones the BEST Valentine ever – lifting them in prayer EVERY DAY. They will know it! They will see and feel the blessings of the Lord in their life as you lift them in prayer. 1 Corinthians 13 from the CEV:
What if I could speak all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. What if I could prophesy and understand all secrets and all knowledge? What if I had faith that moved mountains? I would be nothing, unless I loved others. What if I gave away all that I owned and let myself be burned alive? I would gain nothing, unless I loved others.
Love is kind and patient, never jealous, boastful, proud, or rude. Love isn’t selfish or quick tempered. It doesn’t keep a record of wrongs that others do. Love rejoices in the truth, but not in evil. Love is always supportive, loyal, hopeful, and trusting. Love never fails.
Everyone who prophesies will stop, and unknown languages will no longer be spoken. All that we know will be forgotten. We don’t know everything, and our prophecies are not complete. But what is perfect will someday appear, and what isn’t perfect will then disappear.
When we were children, we thought and reasoned as children do. But when we grew up, we quit our childish ways. Now all we can see of God is like a cloudy picture in a mirror. Later we will see him face to face. We don’t know everything, but then we will, Justas God completely understands us. For now there are faith, hope, and love. But of these three, the greatest is love.
Questions: What says ‘I love you’ most clearly to you?
An Ordinary Person
Henry Neufeld – born in British Columbia, Canada, to missionary parents with a brother and two sisters, Henry spent his early years learning about servant hood and ‘being content in all things.’ His thirst for knowledge had him continuing his graduate studies in Biblical Languages and coming out of that not believing in God. He took a ten-year tour through the military doing Special Operations and earning the nickname of ‘Little Hitler’ for his ability to do personnel reviews and cut people down to size! To meet this gentle man now is to come into contact with the power of God to totally change people and make ‘head knowledge’ about Him become ‘heart knowledge’ of Him. Henry loves me even in the un-lovable times. He supports me and God’s ‘call’ on my life. He is truly my covenant marriage partner with the Lord.
Week 7
Elisha’s servant got up early, and when he went out, he saw an army with horses and chariots all around the city. The servant said to Elisha, “Who, my master, what can we do?”
Elisha said, “Don’t be afraid. The army that fights for us is larger than the one against us.”
Then Elisha prayed, “LORD, open my servant’s eyes and let him see.”
The LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NCV, emphasis mine)
“Oh my Lord, what shall I do?” I’ve been there – wore that t-shirt down to a rag – and I am here today to testify to the fear that tried to isolate and destroy me.
Fear and deception are the great weapons of the enemy. If he can convince me that I am overwhelmed and outnumbered, then I will give up. I will pull in and try to find some cave to hide away.
“Open His eyes so he may see.” That’s the answer. Give me eyes to see YOUR truth, Lord. There is not a situation that God does not have control. God is Creator, Ruler, Savior, King of King, Alpha and Omega, beginning and end.
I testify to you today that He has brought me through abuse, shame, poor choices, divorce, raising three children (through their teen years!), ministry, financial catastrophes, cancer, and
