PRAYERS AND PRAY--ERS

From cover to cover, the Bible includes prayers from the simplest entreaties to the most profound proclamations.    One sinner at the temple altar prayed, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner."  (Luke 18:13)  A father, who brought his child to Jesus for healing, prayed, "I believe, help Thou mine unbelief."  (Mark 9:24, KJV)  Abraham interceded on behalf of the city of Sodom.  (Gen. 18)  Moses interceded on behalf of the entire nation of Israelites on numerous occasions.  Solomon prayed his great prayer for understanding to judge the nation.  (I Kings 8:9).  He also prayed an exceptional prayer dedicating the completed temple. (I Kings 8)  The list of prayers and pray-ers goes on and on--Elijah, David, Daniel, the Church in the Book of Acts, Paul.....

The sinner above, who pleaded simply, but earnestly, "Be merciful to me, a sinner," Jesus said was justified. (Luke 18:14)  The father, who brought to Jesus his deaf and mute son for healing, and prayed, "Lord, I believe, help Thou mine unbelief," was rewarded by Jesus as He cast out the spirit that possessed his son. (Mark 9:25-27 KJV)  Abraham literally negotiated with God to save Sodom if just ten righteous souls could be found in it.  While it is true the God destroyed Sodom since He didn't find ten righteous people, verse 33 of the 18th chapter of Genesis reads, "And the Lord went His way as soon as He had left communicating with Abraham." (KJV)  James, in his letter in the New Testament, said Abraham "was called the Friend of God." (James 2:23 KJV)  If you bother to look up that last scripture in James, I recommend highly that you read the last 8 verses of James 5 (verses 13-20).

I don't normally have such an array of scriptural references in one sharing with you.  However, if you are a child of God and love His Word, it won't be too much trouble to look the scriptures up.  If, for no other reason, you can check me out.  That's a good reason to take your Bible to worship services.  Make sure your pastor is preaching the Word.

The prayers above range from a simple sinner's prayer that led to his forgiveness of sin and to his salvation to the prayers of people who were communicating with God in a far grander way.  But the pray-ers were persons who had a personal relationship with God or who developed one because of their prayerss.  It is a marvelous thing what God has done by providing a way for us to talk to Him.

It isn't my intention to end this in a frivolous manner, but communicating with God as a friend of His reminds me of Forrest Gump, played by Tom Hanks.  When asked what God's name was, his answer was, "That's easy.  His name is Andy.  Andy walks with me.  Andy talks with me.  Andy tells me I am His own."  That's reason enough for me to want to pray.  I, for sure, have plenty of other reasons, too.  You, for example.

A CHILD, BUT NOT CHILDISH

Nothing is more enjoyable to me than watching children play, grow and develop.  Nothing is more tiresome and detestable than watching adults thinking and acting childishly.  Paul said it well in I Cor. 13:11 (KJV), "When I was a child I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things."

Jesus gave us an opposite viewpoint when asked by His disciples, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" Matt. 18:1b (KJV)  He answered in verse three, "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter the kingdom of heaven."  Using a child in the crowd as an example, Jesus continued in verse four, "Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

Thank You, Father, for giving us such valuable lessons.

Grow up, then, as Christians, and don't continue to be childish.  But, never get over being completely dependent on God and totally trusting in Him.  Peter wrote in II Peter 3:18a, "But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ."  John penned in his gospel in John 1:12, "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God."  We need to constantly mature in our relationship with God and yet, never forget that we are His Children.

One of the greatest theologians of the twentieth century was Karl Barth.  Whether or not one agrees with him entirely is immaterial.  He was, none the less, a great Christian thinker, student and teacher.  A renowned minister of the gospel, Rev. Bryn MacPhail, recalled in one of his sermons an account of Dr. Barth visiting the University of Chicago.  At a press conference, one of the questions asked was, "Dr. Barth, what is the most profound truth you have learned in your studies?"  Without hesitation he replied, "Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

How wonderfully child-like, but not childish.

SHARING MY LIST

My last posting was entitled "New Year's Revolutions."  How are your revolutions going?  What real changes have you decided to make in your life or in the world around you where you have an impact?

The list I have made is surprisingly short.  Not that I have only a little that needs changing.  A very long list could be made of "revolutions" that I need to start.  But, the truth is, I accomplish more when I focus more specifically.

Lately, over the past few months, I have been studying and researching the prayer life of Jesus while He was on earth.  I am convinced that nothing will get more done than prayer, according to His teachings and examples.  So, the first item on my list of "revolutions" is a change in my prayer life.. Number two, is to share my study and research on the prayer life of Jesus with you, perhaps via this blog, a book (at least a booklet), or through personal example.  But, more on this later as the study goes.

Peter was with Jesus closely as one of the twelve and, even more so, as one of the inner circle of Peter, James and John.  Therefore, he was able to see the example Jesus left.  Yet, he was the biggest vacillator in the whole crowd, up and down, up and down.  After the coming of the Holy Spirit to give power and guidance, Peter wrote in I Peter 2:21b that Christ left "us an example, that ye should follow his steps." (KJV)  If Jesus left us an example that we should follow His steps, it follows then that we should leave for others an example of the life (and habits) that Jesus left.  His example of prayer is my greatest need for revolution in my life.

Father, You tore the vail into from top to bottom that I might come to the throne of grace boldly.  Help me to take full advantage of the means You provided to keep me in touch with You.

NEW YEAR'S REVOLUTIONS

Nope, it's not a misprint.  It's an intentional use of a similar word to hopefully accomplish a completely different concept.

My opinion of the majority of "so-called" resolutions for any given New Year is more of a list of "politically correct" ideals with no real resolve.  Real resolve brings about change.  Real repentance brings about change.  And, real change brings about differences.  Hence, the phrase, "New Year's Revolutions."

Lists of resolutions are never ending and, for the most part, are well meaning and express good intentions.  Such lists may include the usual "quit smoking," "stop drinking," "stop gambling," "eat healthier," "exercise regularly," "go to church," "be a better husband (wife, parent, child)," etc., etc.  But, unless these lists include a plan for fulfilling them with follow up and determination (personal resolve), there will be no change.

I recommend that each of us make our list of New Year's Revolutions that are backed up with a needed repentance for the areas of our lives that need change.  Then, follow up with a plan to accomplish the changes.  This usually includes accountability.  Our accountability is always to God, but it sometimes helps to partner with a like-minded friend.  Jesus talked about such an idea in Matthew 18:19.  He said, "Again, I tell you that if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven." (NIV)
This is real accountability that brings about real revolution.  The next verse, Matthew 18:20, teaches us that His will is necessarily involved, i.e., "in my name."

Let your list be within His will, not necessarily politically correct, but certainly scripturally and spiritually correct, and hopefully with the partnership of at least one friend (the church).  This may bring about your greatest revolution in your personal history.  

EVE OF CHRIST'S BIRTH

Today is a day of great celebration--for children, retailers, consumers and ,of course, Christians.  All the fun and festivities shared with family and friends, as well as the food, will bring lots of joy for many of us.  But for those who are hurting, because of a great variety of unfortunate things--sicknesses, sins, losses, etc., I send to you the news of a Saviour who came to the world for these very reasons.  He can change your life around, if you will let Him.  Start your new year right with the newborn Christ in your heart.

While most of us use this date as the date of the eve before Christ's birth, it really is immaterial whether this IS the actual date, historically.  What is important is that we not only celebrate His birth, but receive Him and become children of God.  See John 1.

I join with you in spirit to thank our God for sending His Son to us.  With you, I look forward to sharing His birth and His salvation all next year as God gives us time in this world.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

RECEIVING GIFTS

Paul, in Acts 20:35, quoted Jesus as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive." (NIV)  But, in most cases, one is never asked, "What do you plan to give for Christmas?"  It's almost always, "What are you getting for Christmas?"  It seems that most of us are not looking for "blessings" but rather, more stuff.

On Christmas morning, the scene is often of sleepy-eyed children (and adults) tearing wrapping paper off our gifts.  There is almost no consideration for how long or with how much care someone took to wrap a gift.  "Tear that paper off so I can see what I got."  "It better be what I wanted."  "Can I exchange it?"

Isn't it just like Jesus to get to the heart of a matter?  Giving from love, caring, compassion and sharing will bring about more blessings than receiving ever will.  Those "blessings" don't mean more stuff or things, but, rather, more of God's richness, more of His "well done, good and faithful servant."

Sometimes though, as Christians, we are going to have to deal with receiving gifts.  Sometimes there are gifts that we can't buy, earn or deserve.  Sometimes there are gifts that our friends, neighbors or parents can't afford.  So, how do we deal with gifts like that?

In Ephesians 2:8-9, we learn that grace, by which we are saved through faith, is the gift of God--not by our works or anything that we could do and thereby boast.  Grace is the gift; faith is the receiving of it.  We can't be saved without receiving (by faith) the gift of God (His grace).

Acts 2:38 tells of another gift from God.  Peter is preaching on the day of Pentecost that we should repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of our sins.  Another of the benefits of having our sins forgiven is that "you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you." (Acts 1:8 NIV)  Romans 6:23 (NIV) tells us "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."  If you will, note that wages are earned, but the gift of God is by grace (unearned).

I urge you to read John 1:1-18.  Jesus is the Father's gift to the world.  But, the world must receive the gift.  Verse 12 says, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become the children of God." (NIV)  Isn't it wonderful that if we receive God's gift, He just keeps on giving?

Father, thank You for the gift of Your only Son and for teaching me how to receive Him.  May I forever learn to keep my heart open for the gifts that You keep on giving.  May I have the good judgment to keep on receiving from You.

The more I receive of God's gifts, the more He gives.  What a marvelous God and what a wonderful philosophy of giving as His is!

What Christmas Giving Is All About

In my last sharing with you I talked about giving thanks in everything as being the will of God for us in Christ Jesus.  Now we are slipping into another "giving" season.  From giving thanks to giving gifts.  Most of this idea came from the wise men bringing gifts to the newborn baby Jesus--the Saviour of the world (Matt. 1:21).

The first 12 verses of Matthew, chapter 2, relates to us the visit of the wise men from the east.  They presented gifts of gold, incense and myrrh.  However, they did not give gifts expecting gifts in return from the "king of the Jews."  They came to (v. 2) worship Him.  Then, in v. 11, they saw the child and "bowed down and worshiped him". (NIV)  Worship was their purpose, giving of their gifts was a reaction.  After they had worshiped Him, "they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts..."(v. 11-NIV).

It is not my intentions here to chide each of us for our traditions during the Christmas season.  God knows only too well how many judgmental attitudes there are among "Christians", especially during this time of year.  But, it may serve us all well, if we examine our reasoning, and timing, of giving.

We (as children) write our letters to Santa.  We ask each other, "What do you want Santa Claus to bring you for Christmas?"  Our  "treasures" are opened, and our credit cards are maxed out.  All this for the purpose of satisfying our so called "Christmas spirit".  When all the time, our giving should be a reaction stemming from our worshiping.

For years parents have set ideals for giving to their children for Christmas.  Two of the most prominent of those ideals are the following.  One, give gifts equal to, or better than, their friends get.  Two, make sure the children have more than the parents themselves had.

Other ideals include the likes of "one-upping" the neighbor with decorations.  Another is keeping up with the Joneses" on the size of our TV or the latest electronic games or mobile phones.  Not many of us would admit to such silliness, but we do it just the same.

Forgive me if I am appearing to you as being negative and judgmental.  I love Christmas and what it stands for.  I have probably bought into a more selfish idea of Christmas than I would like to admit to.  But, as I get older, study His Word more, begin to understand the shortness of life, realize the value of worshiping Him and serving others, Christmas giving takes on a totally new meaning.

Father, help me to come to You for the purpose of worshiping and praising You.  Then, may I open my treasures (where my heart is, Matt. 6:21) and give gifts that may bring glory to You and help wherever they are needed most.  Because of Your Gift (Jesus) to us, may we be cheerful givers in return.