Our Prayer Life

    Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel's hand.    (Rev 8:3-4)

 

 

I've been thinking alot about the prayer life.  There are so many theological questions I have about the reason we pray, and admittedly many of them are a bit self centered.  However, in light these words recorded in scripture, many of those questions move to the back burner given the primacy and value of our prayers in God's eyes.  It doesn't say the works of the saints, the nice things we do for others, or even the martyrs sacrifice are closest to Him.  It's our prayers that are so dear to Him that God keeps them close and in front of Him at all times.

 

Both as a pastor and as a paramedic, I've been in hundreds of homes.  One thing I've noticed- people surround themselves with what they treasure.  A brief look inside the living room of a person's home will show what they treasure most- perhaps it's pictures showing family, a banner or wall hanging showing a favored sports team, or an expensive entertainment center. 

 

God however doesn't have (or even need) any of these in his immediate proximity.  Instead, our Lord has the most precious thing to him in the favored position in His home- the prayers that the saints of God (thats you and me if you are a follower of Jesus!).  Prayer is so precious to Him that in both the Temple on Earth and the Temple in heaven, the bible records the altar of incense, representing prayer, to be the first thing God sees looking out from His throne.  It is the closest thing to His presence, and the thing that brings God the greatest joy.

 

Remember that when you are having a struggle with or if you question the need for a prayer life.  Second only to your initial salvation experience when you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your prayers touch the heart of God more than anything else in creation.

My Response to Liberals Accusing Evangelicals of Hypocrisy

 I have read a lot of blogs/articles accusing Evangelical Christians of being hypocrites for supporting a Mormon for president. 
Let me make it clear- Almost every election I've been allowed to vote in, the choice has been the lesser of two evils.  Unfortunately, our political system does not support a person of absolute integrity making it as far as the national elections.  Neither candidate holds up to perfect Christian ideals (we are not voting in Jesus after all). Nor have the candidates been "good" Christian's in the way my fellowship would define them. 
However, we can judge (judgment is a good thing in this case) based on the content of the charactor of the man in question and their pledge to hold to biblical values.
That is the criteria Evangelicals should use.  Research the candidates, hold them up to the bible standard for leaders, and above all pray for God's wisdom before you go to the polls.
That's my view. 

Thought for the Day- Be Ready!

Reminder to all Prayer House People- This week we are praying in repentance for our nation in preparation for our evangelical band-shell service!
"So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."
Jesus- Matt 24:44 (NIV)

The lights suddenly flicked on at 5 am Saturday morning and a shout came down the bay. "Attention!" Fifty men scrambled out of their bunks and snapped to rigid attention as Lt. Colonel Adams strode down the floor followed by our lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant Monk.

"You men have five minutes to get dressed and prepare for a snap inspection", bellowed Sgt Monk.
We couldn't believe what we were hearing. You never have inspections on Saturday's once you leave basic training. Usually, passing inspection is a requirement Friday afternoon to earn a weekend pass. This weekend, we were told there would be no inspection on Friday and our passes were just given to us. We went out on the town and had the typical fun that soldiers have (this was pre-salvation for me), and didn't get back in the barracks until 3 am.

Through the fog of sleeplessness combined with the after-effects of a night on the town, we scrambled into our dress uniforms. None of us had gotten ready for this, and as the inspection began, the angry shouting from our Colonel and sergeant at the condition of our lockers, uniforms, and barracks made our stomachs fall through the floor.

Lt Col Adams suddenly appeared in front of me, and began to lay into me about the condition of my squad. Sgt Monk went over to my locker and found that nothing was were it was supposed to be and there was sand in the bottom. He angrily flipped my locker over, sending the contents across the bay. "Corporal Oscar, you call yourself a squad leader? You're the worst of them all!", he screamed in my ear.

As other lockers went flying, and more screaming was heard, the heads of our platoon hung in shame. It's bad enough to fail a platoon or company level inspection, but to fail in front of the colonel caused a deep dread to fall upon us. Not only did we look bad, but our sergeant, lieutenant, and captain also looked bad for having an entire platoon not ready.

At the end of the inspection, Colonel Adams asked us to come down to the day room. He explained to us the reason for the surprise inspection on a weekend. "Men, we are soldiers. We never know when the call will come for us to go to war. We have to maintain a state of readiness at all times, or that lack of readiness will cost us our lives in battle. This is a serious business we are in- and not being ready has serious, and permanent consquences."

That incident has been coming to mind recently as I survey the world we live in, and think about the soon return of Jesus for His bride. Jesus said He will come unexpectedly. He will then give us an inspection, and judge us according to what we have done with what He has given us.  Not only will it reflect on us personally, but on those who God has placed in our lives to shepherd us. (see Hebrews 13:17)

This life is a serious business. We are also soldiers of God, and have to maintain a constant state of readiness, because if we don't, the consequences for us and for those that God would have us to reach are serious and permanent.

Love and blessings

Find rest, oh my soul, in God alone;
my hope comes from Him.
Ps 62:5


Yesterday, I was studying my critical care textbook and reviewing how the heart works. The heart has its own circulatory system that is a wonder to behold. 

The body receives it’s nutrients through the heart actively pumping blood through the body. That little muscle in your chest beats, relaxes, and beats again thousands of times a day. During that process and with every heartbeat, dozens of electrolytes and other chemicals are constantly shifting around to charge, fire, and recharge its own electrical system that keeps it functioning normally. It is a wonder of God’s engineering that in most cases, it does this constantly and flawlessly for 80+ years of our existence. 

However, the heart itself has a slightly different way of receiving its life. While the rest of our bodies depend on the heart doing its job to actively pump blood around miles of piping, it receives its nourishment while it is resting in between beats. You see, once the heart pumps it's nutrient rich blood into the main vessel that carries the blood to the body, a valve slaps shut and the a backpressure is created within that vessel (from it stretching) that pushes blood backward into the vessels that supply the heart. While the heart is beating, the valve leafs cover the openings to those vessels, so if the heart never rested  it would starve and die. 

As I was worshipping this morning, I thought back to the lesson I reviewed the previous day and heard the Holy Spirit speaking to me. He brought to mind the way that the natural heart works, and said the same thing applies to our spirit. Our spirit only can gain nourishment when we are at rest. It is our flesh that is satisfied with always moving, always being active, always doing something. It is like our body- depending on the activity of the heart to survive. 

However, spiritually, our spirit and soul is like our heart- it is dependant upon a source outside its own work and activity in order to live. Our spirits need rest in order to grow, in order to mature, and simply to survive in an increasingly broken and messed up world.

Learn to take time to simply stop and rest. Turn off the TV, the computers, the cell phones, and just spend time with God. All the things in life that distract you are like the valve leaves of the heart- blocking the life sustaining power from getting to where it needs to go. 

Learn to rest in His presence. It will feel strange at first- all your Christian life you have been told to do something during your God time- pray, worship, read the bible. Those activities are vitally necessary for Christian growth and I am not trying to diminish them. 

However, we have lost the ability to simply sit and rest in His presence and allow Him the chance to refresh us, to speak to us, and to simply fellowship and love on us.

I am finding more and more that above all other “Christian” things we do, the key to growing
in Him is this simple thing- learning to rest in Him. 
Love and blessings,

Who Is The Focus Of Your Praise?

Without warning, a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. The disciples went and woke him, saying, "Lord, save us! We're going to drown!"
He replied, "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. (Matthew 8:24-26, NIV)

I was watching football this afternoon and one of the players made a great catch and ran through four defenders to the 2-yard line, which lead to a touchdown two plays later. The player promptly knelt and then pointed upwards and gave thanks to God for enabling him to make such a great play.

I had a quiet stirring in my spirit. It happens when God is trying to say something to me. I turned down the game and gave my attention to the Holy Spirit and immediately He showed me a principle I’d like to share now with you.

God enjoys when His people praise Him for their accomplishments. It shows a level of appreciation for the blessings He has bestowed, and even a dependence upon Him that gave you the blessings.

I read of another football player this week that, after dropping a crucial pass that would have won the game for his team, wrote on his Twitter-"God, I stick up for you!  Why would you do me like that?"

There is also a subtle, yet real danger in only praising God when something good happens. It's a trap of the so-called "Prosperity Gospel" (which isn't a Gospel at all).

God is worthy of our praise at all times, "good" and "bad". Praise that only comes during good or triumphant times is, at its center, focused on what is happening with us and not with the Glory of God.  In those circumstances, our praise is not God focused, but is dependant and focused primarily on us.  Praise that is not completely focused on God and His character is tainted, and is therefore unbecoming of a gift that is worthy of a Soveriegn King.

A shallow and immature faith will praise God during the good times, and doubt or accuse Him of being uncaring during the bad times. A correct and mature view of God understands Him for who He is- the mighty and sovereign ruler of all that was, is, or ever shall be.

The Apostle Paul gives us the correct view of God with this promise in Romans-

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28-29 NIV)

Take a moment and ask yourself what your view of God is- is it only centered on you and how He is blessing you, or is it focused on who God is at all times?

Your circumstances do not change or affect Him! God is good, all the time, and all the time God is good! Even in the “bad” times, if you yield and focus on God, His love and mercy will shape you into the image of His Son. The callus’ formed by self-focus will fall off, and all that remains will be a vessel worthy of God that sings a heavenly chorus of His goodness.

Trust God and praise Him at all times, because He is worthy of it!

Love and blessings,

Turning 41

"So teach us to number our days, That we may present to Thee a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12 (NASB)

I've been having a unsettled feeling the last few weeks.  It's like a sense of anticipation tied with expectation that something is about to happen.  I suppose it feels like Christmas Eve as a child, knowing that when you wake up, you get to open all those mysterious packages that you've been looking at for weeks.

At 3:15 am, December 3rd, I turn 41.  As I think back over my life thus far, I have this sense of uneasiness that I haven't accomplished anything.  That causes me to ask myself why I feel the need to accomplish anything- is it pride, vanity, or the desire to actually spend my life doing something that will mean something to others?

There is a quote made famous in a movie several years back- "What we do in life, echoes in eternity".  This is very true for every human who has ever lived.  No matter how short or long your life is on earth, what you do will follow you into the afterlife.  The scripture is clear about this-


For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil. (Eccl 12:14)

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. (2 Cor 5:10)


I'm not so worried about being punished by God- my sins were wiped away by the blood of Jesus when I turned my life over to Him, and made Him Lord and Savior of my life.  I'm very concerned about having nothing to show for the years He has given me.  The great man of God Leonard Ravenhill shared this concern in his sermon "The Judgment Seat of Christ", and wrote the following poem-

His Plan For Me

When I stand at the Judgment Seat of Christ

And He shows His plan for me,

The plan of my life as it might have been

Had He had His way - and I see

How I blocked Him here, and checked Him there,

And I would not yield my will,

Will there be grief in my Savior's eyes,

Grief though He loves me still?

Would He have me rich and I stand there poor,

Stripped of all but His grace,

While memory runs like a hunted thing,

Down the paths I cannot retrace.

Lord, of the years that are left to me

I give them to Thy hand

Take me and break me and mold me,

To the pattern that Thou hast planned!

In a few hours, I'll be 41 years old.  According to the latest statistics, the average American male lives to be 75 years of age.  This means that my life is over halfway complete should I live long enough to obtain that average.

I have this sense that should I die right now and stand before Jesus to give an account of my life, much of what I've accomplished will not survive the fire of his judgment (1 Cor 3:10-14).  Furthermore, I feel that what God has given and gifted me in (through whatever abilities I may possess) have been grossly underused. 
I believe the anticipation I feel is that of impending eternity.  Realistically, it could be years from now before I face His judgment, or it could be before I finish typing this sentence (whew!  made it!).  Whatever Jesus' will is for me regarding my time on this earth, I want to live whatever time I have left to HIS glory.  Much of my life has been me focused.  The real purpose of life, as revealed through God's Word and the Holy Spirit is to be HIM focused.  So many people go through life and never discover the "meaning of life".  As a Christian,  I know that answer- it is one word- Jesus!  The end.  Period.

With that in mind, I take Leonard Ravenhill's poem to heart, and focus on these lines-

Lord, of the years that are left to me

I give them to Thy hand

Take me and break me and mold me,

To the pattern that Thou hast planned!

Lord Jesus, whatever time you have willed for me to remain upon this earth, use for your glory and the furtherance of Your Kingdom.  Please squeeze out of me the maximum usage You can get from a human being, and let all of it bring praise to Your Name.

Many blessings,

Thought for the Week- August 23, 2010

All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country-a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. (Heb 11:13-16, NIV)


The desert sun was breaking the horizon and a soft morning breeze cooled the sweat on the old man’s brow as he continued his climb up the small mountain in front of him. He paused for a moment to catch his breath, and looked up at the climb still awaiting him. Wiping the moisture from his weathered brow, he grasped his staff and continued the slow climb to the summit. His thoughts wandered over the past decades of his journey. His had been a hard road, much like the climb he was taking now. Nearing the summit, his heart began to beat faster, both in anticipation and regret. With one final push, he cleared the final rise and stood at the summit, and saw the land on the other side of the mountain.


Lush green valleys lay before him. Fertile farmlands filled the landscape surrounding small towns that that were well built and easily defended. The wind carried the smell of a rich land up from the valley to his nostrils, as his eye welled with tears looking out over this wonderful landscape. His heart ached to look at such a spectacular view, the end of his journeys, and the fulfillment of God’s promises to not only him but also to his people. Seeing it at last, he could barely contain himself from running down the other side of the mountain and into that paradise.


He leaned heavily on his staff, slowly lowering himself to his knees. Hot tears fell from his eyes as he lifted them to the heavens. “Almighty LORD” he prayed, “Please?”


A gentle wind blew up the mountain, enveloping him in a soft, cool cocoon of Presence. A soft whisper spoke to him, “No”.


He bowed his head in worship and submission, knowing and trusting in the wisdom and justice of God. Moses slowly rose, and with one final look, began his journey back down Mt Nebo.

As part of my reading last week, I read both the accounts of Moses on Mt. Nebo and the chapter in Hebrews posted above. I was struck how quick we (I am very guilty) are to forget the promises of God, and question His decisions and His justice. Moses waited 80 years to come to that place on Mt Nebo, most of them spent in the desert.

Many of us have promises from God that are yet unfulfilled. We walk in the desert of waiting, wondering where God is and questioning in our hearts “Did God really say…??”

The great “Hall of Faith” found in Hebrews 11 was placed in the bible by God to be encouragement to us. God knows that our fickle human hearts are quickly led in directions that are not His direction. He, in His wisdom, has set a time and place for all things. Often times, there is a great deal of time between the promise and the fulfillment of that promise. The reason is He has to prepare us to walk in the fullness of that promise.

In other words, He is like a father promising His son a car when the son is only 5 years old. The son has some growing up to do before he has the maturity to be able to function in that promise. Remember Jesus’ words in Matthew- "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him! (Jesus- Matt 7:9-11)

If you have a promise from God, and it has yet to be fulfilled, ask yourself- “Do I need to grow up a little first?” Ask God that question, and see what He says, and in the mean time, believe that it will come to pass, for God is a good God, and all of His promises are “yeah, and amen!”

“Your focus will determine your reality” is a wise proverb. In the Christian’s life, our focus and trust in God will often determine how soon He can fulfill His promises to us, and take us to that next level spiritually.
Many blessings