AN ORGANIZED PRAYER PLAN?

Every day that God grants me life and breath, I am learning of more reasons to pray.  There is hardly a thought that passes through my mind that does not present more people, individuals and groups, with occasions and events that need God's help.  With those needs for God's help, there is the overwhelming need for someone to lift them up to Him.  I sincerely want to be a part of that solution.

I have read--and, in all probability, so have you--of the great prayer warriors of the Bible.  To name a few--Moses, the great intercessor for the Israelites;  David, writer of prayer Psalms as well as praise Psalms;  Paul, who taught "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17); or James, half brother of Jesus, who taught "the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much" (James 5:16b KJV).  In more recent history, there is Hudson Taylor, David Brainerd or E. M. Bounds.  But, reading about and being inspired by others is not enough.  We need to be pray-ers, too.

This is the purpose of my blog today.  I no longer can rely on my mind to jog my memory of all the requests for prayer that come to me.  I need to pray about the events of the world, the earthquakes, the wars, etc.  I need to remember the sick, the hungry, the lost and on and on.  My praying needs to be specific, consistent and regular.

I am in need of a more organized method for daily praying, in addition to personal devotions.  So, I am appealing to you for ideas.  If you have a method, or system, that helps you with this, please comment, email, facebook message me or even call me.  My profile should give you ample ways to get in touch with me.

As ideas are presented and are developed into a workable plan, I promise to share with you.  I'm retired, so I know I have more time than many of you.  There are mothers out there who have little personal time.  There are dads who worked long and hard before getting home to family needs, like yard work and maintenance on house and equipment.  The demands on our time, the tensions on our minds or the pressures that press on us from every direction--all show that we need help--if, indeed, we are going to pray as we should.

If you have ideas, share them, please!!


If you have an organized method for praying that you have developed, let us in on it!!


God know our needs, as well as the whole world's, before we pray.  But, in His Divine wisdom, He has chosen to use man to pray for man in His supplying the needs of mankind.

TESTS, TRIALS AND TEMPTATIONS

Books have been written.  Songs have been penned and sung.  Questions have been asked.  Mostly, WHY?  Why am I being tested?  Why am I going through these trials?  Why am I being tempted so?  Why does God let this happen?

If the truth be known, all three--test, trials and temptations, can make us better Christians.  They can let us know where we stand with God.  None of them, no matter how hard they may be to bear, should make us question God or His love and care for us.  His Word is the key to the answers that we need in facing all three.  And, rest assured, if you are a Christian, you will come face to face with each of them.

A better understanding of each of these three will help us in our dealings with them.  That better understanding comes straight for the Bible.


I.  GOD TESTS

Periodically, in our education process, tests come.  Those tests don't come because the teacher or the education system is trying to make it hard on us.
     1.  They are to help the student know how well he or she has grasped the subjects taught.  And,
    
     2.  They are to help the teacher/system know how effective the teaching has been.

Fortunately, we need not concern ourselves with the #2; that is, whether God's teaching is effective or not.  His Word and a right relationship with Him will provide the effective means.  Our concern is with #1--have we learned, are we growing, are we maturing as His disciples?

In the 22nd chapter of Genesis, God gave Abraham an exam of a lifetime.  God tested him on his belief that He would do as He said He would.  Hebrews 11:17-19 is a look at the answers Abraham put on his test.  Genesis 15:6 is Abraham's test results for his "life exam."  "Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness."

Remember, God may test you.  Get ready for your exam!


II.  GOD ALLOWS TRIALS

Tests, for the most part, come from God and have to do with our relationship with Him.. Trials, on another hand, are afflictions, difficulties and circumstances that come our way, allowed by God but not caused by God.

Job is probably the best example in the Scriptures of God-allowed trials.  It's almost as though God was bragging to Satan about the relationship He had with Job.

Don't read too much into that statement.  I'm not trying to give God human traits--like bragging.  But, wouldn't it be great if we lived so that God could "brag" to the Devil about us?

Listen to what God said about Job in Job 1:8.  "Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.' " (NIV)

James wrote in his epistle in verse 2 of chapter 1, "Consider it pure joy..., whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

There are those who preach a gospel of no suffering in this world--only happiness, wellness, no poverty, no hunger...  That is not the gospel that Jesus preached.  He said in Matthew 26:11a, "The poor you will always have with you..."  He taught in the Sermon on the Mount that persecution should be expected. (Matthew 5:10-12 NIV).

Paul had to deal with his God-allowed "thorn in the flesh." (II Corinthians 12:7).  In verses 7-10 of that passage, Paul tells us why he was allowed to have this "thorn" and many other weaknesses such as insults, hardships, persecutions and difficulties.  Jesus, in verse 9, gave Paul the great promise, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (NIV)

In Acts 5, the apostles were flogged and rejoiced that they were "worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name." In Romans 8:17-18, Paul writes that "...we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory."  Then he adds that "I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us." (NIV).

Many of the trials faced by Christians are because we are Christians.  However, there are trials to be faced in this world because of the evil in and imperfections of this fallen world.  Illness, broken homes, broken lives, poverty, hunger, etc. are a part of the world we live in.  In each case, because we are Christians, or because we live in this world, trials are a part of our lives.  And, in each case, God does not allow those trials in order to benefit Satan in his works of evil.  God does not allow those trials because He can't keep them from happening.  Rather, He allows them for His purposes of reconciling us to Him and developing us for living in His coming Kingdom.

So, as with James, in all your trials, "count it pure joy."


III.  SATAN TEMPTS--GOD NEVER DOES (JAMES 1:13)

All of God's human creation is subject to temptation.  Even the angels are/were subject to temptation.  Otherwise, how would Satan and his followers fall from their position before God?  But, that's another subject that we won't cover in this blog.

Humans were tempted both before and after the fall in the Garden of Eden.  Even Jesus, who is God the Son, while in His earthly life as Son of man and human as we are, was tempted by Satan.  Matthew, chapter four, records the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness.  Hebrews 4:15 informs us that Jesus was "tempted in every way, just as we are--yet without sin." (NIV)

Being tempted does not mean that one has sinned.  Only yielding to temptation to go against God's moral law means committing sin.  When sin is committed there are consequences.  The consequences of sin may mean sickness, financial difficulties, broken homes, etc.  Yet many will question why God has caused or allowed these consequences.  God often gets the blame when it was us who caused our problems all along.

Remember this.  Even when God forgives our sin, the consequences must still be paid in this life.

Satan is constantly doing his job and will continue until God says it's enough.  I Peter 5:8 says "...the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." (NIV)  He's after you and me every step of the way.

We may be tested many times in many ways.  There may be trials along our journey.  But, for all those the God gives or allows, Romans 8:28 is a promise that "all things work together for good, to them that love God..." (KJV)

While temptation itself is inevitable to us all, yielding to it is not.  Yes, we humans make mistakes, misjudgments, miscalculations, etc.  We may actually yield to temptation and thereby sin.  John says in I John 2:1a, "...if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous." (KJV)

Paul, in I Corinthians 10:13, gives us a first defense.  "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man.  And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear.  But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up to it." (NIV)

There are many weapons in the Christian armory to use in defeating Satan in his job.  Look them up.  Hold on to God's promises.  Here are just a few scripture references that will keep you company through all of life.  Ephesian 6:10-18, James 4:7-8 and I Peter 5:8-9.

What are some of the problems that you face?  In what ways do you feel God has tested you?  How are you suffering in your life, your family, your work?  Have you looked to God's Word and His church for strength and help?

We used to sing an old chorus, "I know the Lord will make a way for me..." 

GOD'S GIFTS AND BARBECUE

During much of the 1980's and 1990's, my wife and I owned and managed a southern style barbecue restaurant.  In addition to serving a constantly growing customer base, we were blessed with the regular tasting and enjoying my favorite food.  Southern boy that I am, we called it "bobby-q."

The barbecue meats included pork, beef, chicken and pork ribs.  We also added to the menu hickory-smoked chicken wings, fried fish and an assortment of home-style vegetables and desserts.  Mmmm...I can smell it now...and almost taste it.

All of the barbecue was cooked in a specially designed smoker that used the heat and smoke from a real, live fire of hickory wood.  That fire, unfortunately, had to be started every morning and maintained all day long.

So, when reading my Bible today in my morning devotions, my attention was "vice-gripped" by one of the verses.  The passage was the first chapter of II Timothy.  The particular verse was verse 6, where Paul told Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God..."

Every person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ and receives Him as Savior, also receives a gift from God.  That gift can be one (or more) of the gifts discussed in scriptural references such as I Corinthians 12.  Don't get "hung up" by any particular gift.  It is for God to decide what gift.  And all the gifts are for building up the church body.  But, our job is to "fan into flame" that gift in order to be effective.

That's when the comparison began to hit me.  In order to have that barbecue cooked, somebody had to "fan the flame."  And the same is true regarding the gift God gave to me, if that gift can be used for edifying the church.

The version of the Bible that I was reading was the New International Version (NIV).  I quickly reached for the King James Version (KJV).  It translated the same part of verse 6 as "stir up the gift of God."  I then read the same passage from the New American Standard Bible (NASB).  It read "to kindle afresh the gift of God."

It was the combination of these translations that gave me a much more complete meaning.

In the barbecue restaurant, when we came in the first thing in the morning, we stirred the coals from the previous day's fire.  This caused the coals to become live, hot coals.  Then, we added some kindling (paper; very dry, small pieces of wood; or even "fat lighter" pine splinters).  Finally, we fanned the hot coals and kindling until a flame started.  Only when the flame was going could we add more hickory wood and begin to maintain the fire.

This is why I make Bible reading, praying and listening to the Holy Spirit a daily practice.  Often, He uses everyday experiences to teach me...Sometimes it's a combination of versions of the Scriptures...Other times it's a book I'm reading.  But, God always teaches me, if I keep my heart and mind open to Him.

Father, teach me today the ways You would have me use the gift You gave me.  May I keep the flames going on my gift so You may build up Your church and bring glory to Yourself.

Your comments are helpful.  Thank you for sharing.

I AM

Popeye, the spinach swilling sailor of cartoon fame, had a saying about himself that I shall never forget.  "I yam what I yam and I can't be any yammer."  That impressed me as a child growing up in a way that only a child could be.  That silly quote has stuck with me over the years; but, now it has an adult Christian perspective.

God spoke to Moses on the occasion of the burning bush in the desert.  (Exodus 3)  He told Moses that He had heard the cries of the Israelites and had seen their oppression.  He was sending Moses to lead His people out of Egypt.

Moses was reluctant.  "Who am I to go?', Moses replied.  God said in answer, "I will be with you."  "What do I tell the Israelites if they ask Your name?", Moses said, trying to get out of the job.  God gave Moses His name.  "I am who I am.  Tell them 'I Am' sent me." (verse 14).  He Who was, Who is and Who is to come.  That's Who God is.

In the New Testament, in the Gospel According to John, are recorded the well-known "I am" statements of Jesus.

1.    I am the bread of life............John 6:35
2.    I am the light of the world.....John 8:12
3.    I am the door.......................John 10:9
4.    I am the good shepherd........John 10:11
5.    I am the resurrection and the life..John 11:25
6.    I am the way, the truth and the life..John 14:6
7.    I am the vine.........................John 15:5

 
There is no part of our lives that this does not cover.  He is who we need.  He is all we need.  In the Old Testament "I Am" sent Moses.  In the New Testament, "I AM" came to us and lived among us.  And, if you let Him, He will live in you.

How does the "I Am" name apply to us?  Two verses by Paul describes who and what we are.  In I Timothy 1:15, Paul said, "...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (KJV)  Then, in I Corinthians 15:10a (KJV), the Great I Am meets the human "I am".  Paul said, "But by the grace of God, I am what I am..."


A song entitled "I Am Not Worthy", written by Beatrice Bush Bixler tells this story well.

     1.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But Jesus left heaven for me;
          The Word became flesh and He died as my Savior,
          Forsaken on dark Calvary.
chorus:  I am not worthy this dull tongue repeats it!
             I am not worthy this heart gladly beats it!
             Jesus left heaven to die in my place.
             What mercy, what love and what grace!
     2.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But "In the Beloved" I stand;
          Now I'm an heir with my wonderful Savior,
          And all things are mine at His hand.
     3.  I am not worthy the least of His favor,
          But He is preparing a place
          Where I shall dwell with my glorified Savior,
          Forever to look on His face.

If you are interested and will take a moment, you can hear a trombone solo of the melody of this song on youtube at the following address:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4moqu17ggim.

Beginning a New Blog

My last two blogs on this site were about prayer.  In fact, I made the statement that over the next few weeks, maybe months, the subject would be regarding prayer, especially the prayer life of Jesus.

Instead of blogging about prayer on this site, I have decided to start a new blog entitled, "THE PRAYER LIFE OF JESUS."  For your information the blog address (URL) will be  http://prayerlifeofjesus.blogspot.com.

Beginning this week end I will start posting on this subject.  I encourage you to read, follow, comment about and share both blogs with others of your friends, neighbors and acquaintances.

There are very few topics that we can blog about and study from the Bible that are more important than prayer, especially from the example and teaching of Jesus.

"One Christian" will continue to share with you what he has learned from the scripture and the Holy Spirit.  Now we will endeavor to share even more specific studies on the prayer life of Jesus.  If there is any reason why we should pray, it's because Jesus prayed and taught his followers to pray also.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PRAYING?

My daughter is married to an active pastor.  Recently they attended a state-wide "preachers' retreat."  These meetings include seminars, activities and worship services.  Generally speaking, this is a time of mental, physical and spiritual growth and development.  Therefore, most pastors and spouses look forward to this time in their schedules as "must attends."

After the recent event, my daughter related a story to me that she knew would be of interest to me.  At one of the worship services the leader called on one minister to lead the group in prayer.  The minister, in particular, was a devout, but humble soul, who had pastored for decades at the same church effectively.  My personal knowledge of and friendship with him made the following very believable.  The leader referred to this gentleman as "an icon among us."

My friend stood to pray, not having known in advance how he would be introduced.  He started his prayer, "Lord, You know that I'm no icon.  But, I know You and You know me."  My daughter didn't tell me what else he said.  She did say, however, that the impact the above words had on the whole group was profound and soul-searching.  His humility before his Almighty God was obvious.  But his relationship with Him was revealing. They knew each other personally.

I can't think of any better qualification for leading any group in prayer.  I can't wish to have more of an "in-road" to God than this when I pray--whatever the occasion, whatever the needs, whatever the situation.

Lord, You know everything about me.  Help me to learn all I can take in about You.

Over the next few weeks, perhaps months, my sharing with you will be about prayer.  It will especially be about the prayer life of Jesus.  Please comment to let me know your thoughts, your feelings and your needs.

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.