The presence of prayer

“Be on your guard and stay awake. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion, sneaking around to find someone to attack. But you must resist the devil and stay strong in your faith. You know that all over the world the Lord’s followers are suffering just as you are.” 1 Peter 5:8-9 CEV

Can you imagine what it would be like to be imprisoned because of your faith in the Lord?

I recently read an interview of two Christian women who were jailed in a notorious foreign prison. One of the things that spoke to my heart was the fact that many people sent letters to these women to encourage them but the women never received the letters. Their captors read the letters, then taunt the women by refusing to let
them see the mail.

According to one of the women, even though they never saw the letters, they were encouraged because they knew many were praying for them. They knew that the Bible verses in those letters were being read by their enemies and were impacting the lives of their captors.

It would have been easy to succumb to discouragement and defeat, but the women were able to stay strong, because they sensed the very real presence of all these prayer warriors with them in their cells, holding them up and keeping them strong.

WOW! Prayer is so necessary and important - so much more than a bedtime ritual. Through prayer, those women actually felt the presence of other believers with them in their suffering. Now, that's powerful.

Prayer is a lifeline, a palpable presence, helping those who are suffering to stay strong in their faith.

Do you know someone in prison or who is suffering for their faith? Commit to pray for them today!

Surviving Life's Storms

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV

We can prepare for some things in life.

For example, Since Dan and I went through a severe ice storm in northern NY many years ago where we were without power for 6 days in the dead of winter, we take weather threats seriously.

We knew late last week that there was a chance for Hurricane Sandy to swirl over Central PA where we live. So we watched the weather for updates on her projected path. When we knew it would probably go right over top of us, we prepared by making sure we had batteries, propane gas for our camping stove and lamps, and essential food. I also drew several coolers of water for drinking and a tub full for other uses.

So far, our power has not gone out and we don't need the extra things we gathered up just in case the storm was bad. But we are among the fortunate since the news is filled with images of New York City and the Jersey coast where storm surges, wind and rain have paralyzed parts of the area and caused a lot of destruction. It could have been far worse here in our area.

Throughout our lives, we are buffeted by powerful life storms that leave us off balance or in the dark. Some of these storms come with warning signs while other storms come up unexpectedly, knocking us for a spiritual loop and threatening to undermine our faith

In all of life's storms, there are some constant truths -

1. We can't get through them by ourselves. We need the strength and support of the Lord and others to make it through. Whenever possible we should heed those storm warnings and do what we can to be ready by seeking advice or counsel and talking through our doubts and fears with those we trust. Asking for help and prayer support is essential too.

2. We need to strengthen our faith and our relationship with the Lord on a daily basis so we are prepared - at least minimally - for those unexpected difficulties.

Lord, this morning we pray for those who have been severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. May this storm help us to understand our need to prepare our hearts on a daily basis for the spiritual and emotional storms of life so we are able to stand strong through them. Amen.

Giving our all, Monday Moments with God

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Romans 12:1 NLT*

My dearest child,

You may think that I'm asking too much when I ask that you give your whole life to me - your body, your soul, your intellect, your emotions.

But I don't ask any more of you than I demanded of myself. I gave up all of heaven's
splendor to be born in human form in a stable of all places. Have you ever tried to breathe deeply in a stable?

When I took on your form, I felt the same things you feel - the warmth of the fire, the chill of the winter air, the joy of worshipping my Father and the pain of betrayal and death. I even experienced a moment of intense, excruciating aloneness when I believed my Father could not look at me because of the sin, your sin, that I bore on the cross.

Because I love you, I will never turn my face away from you. I will never leave you alone or forsake you, no matter how much sin you believe there is in your life. I have already shouldered it all and covered it with my blood so it cannot be seen again. All you need to do is accept that as a free gift from me.

Give me all of your heart, mind, body and soul. Let me hold them in my hands. That is the best gift you can give me - a living and holy sacrifice - a gift of worship and obedience .

You will find it isn't a sacrifice at all. I will love you, hold you, comfort you, protect you and lift you up as a good shepherd that loves his sheep. I will write your name on the palm of my hands and hold you close to my heart.

All my love,
Jesus

* Romans 12:1, Philippians 2:6-11, Hebrews 13:5, Isaiah 49:16

“Tell of your joy to each other by singing the Songs of David and church songs. Sing in your heart to the Lord. Always give thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:19-20 NLV

Have you ever had a song rumble around in your head that just won't quit?

Last night a beautiful old hymn of the church got stuck there and I found myself humming and singing the words I remembered over and over again. I'm not even shure why it was there, but it just reverberated there. So in light of today's verse, I think I should share that one with you. To hear the music, click on the video link at the bottom of this post:

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation! O my soul, praise Him, for He is thy health and salvation! All ye who hear, now to His temple draw near; Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who over all things so wondrously reigneth, Shelters thee under His wings, yea, so gently sustaineth! Hast thou not seen how thy desires ever have been Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who hath fearfully, wondrously, made thee; Health hath vouchsafed and, when heedlessly falling, hath stayed thee. What need or grief ever hath failed of relief? Wings of His mercy did shade thee.

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee; Surely His goodness and mercy here daily attend thee. Ponder anew what the Almighty can do, If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, who, when tempests their warfare are waging, Who, when the elements madly around thee are raging, Biddeth them cease, turneth their fury to peace, Whirlwinds and waters assuaging.

Praise to the Lord, who, when darkness of sin is abounding, Who, when the godless do triumph, all virtue confounding, Sheddeth His light, chaseth the horrors of night, Saints with His mercy surrounding.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore Him! All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before Him. Let the Amen sound from His people again, Gladly for aye we adore Him.

***

Joachim Neander wrote the words to this hymn in German around 1674-79. It was one of many poems he wrote and sang to the Lord as he wandered the beautiful Düs­sel River Valley during the time when he was the principal of the Düs­sel­dorf Reformed Grammar School. At that time, the valley was a narrow gorge, full of caves and beautiful waterfalls - a perfect spot to inspire such majestic words.

As he wandered there, he often held outdoor gatherings where he would share his poems and preach about the Lord. Today the valley is named after Neander and is a wide, open area after being quarried for limestone deposits. And in case your wondering, yes, the famous remains of the "Neanderthal Man" were found there in a cave originally named after the hymnist.

Too soon old, too late smart

The Pennsylvania Dutch have a saying - "We grow too soon old and too late smart."

The older I get, the more I laugh about that because does seem to be true.

Have you ever watched kids as they grow up? They seem to pass through stages in their relational development with their parents:

Age 2 - Mom and Dad know everything.

Age 5 - Mom and Dad are smart, but I really want to know for myself

Age 12 - My friends know more than my parents.

Age 16 - Mom and Dad don't know anything. Why should I listen to them?

Age 21 - I've been to college, now I know it all.

Age 25 - I'm not sure I know it all. Maybe that's why my parents did it that way...

Age 30 - Hey Mom and Dad, how did you used to do that?

Age 60 - Boy do I miss my parents. I wish I had paid more attention to the things they told me.

Often, we seem to go through similar stages in our spiritual, relational development with our Father God. When we first become Christians, everything about our relationship with the Lord is fresh and new. We want to serve him with everything we have and we eagerly look to him for answers.

But over time, that eagerness fades and we begin to fall back into our old ways of coping with life, maybe even trying to solve problems ourselves. Being a wise parent, the Lord knows we have to mature in our relationship with him until we come back to that place of total dependence, awe, respect and trust in him. That's the place where wisdom begins.

“The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; the knowledge of the holy one is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 CEB

How much can you carry?

"Carry each other’s burdens and so you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2 CEB

Missionaries who do Bible translation work have an interesting job. In many cases, they have to create a written alphabet for a language that is only spoken. Then they have to work with the native speakers of that language to choose the right words so that their particular culture will understand the true meaning of the scriptures.

In the Konni language, spoken by a people group in Ghana, there were 5 different words for the verb, "to carry." Each word had a different meaning and was used in a different circumstance. To choose the wrong one would confuse the Konni language speakers about the real meaning of this verse.

One word meant "to carry on one's back" and was always used when speaking about carrying a baby. Another similar word meant to "carry on the hip," which referred to a small child. Since babies and young children aren't considered to be a burden in that culture, that word would have been a poor choice.

Two other words referred to carrying something light in front of you or carrying something on your shoulder like firewood or a tool. Those words would not have conveyed the true meaning of the verse either, because carrying firewood and tools were important activities - definitely not burdens as we understand them. And when we think of carrying something light in front of us, it certainly doesn't produce the mental image of struggling with a burden.

The final word meant to carry a heavy load on the head. From the time the people were children, they strengthened their necks and backs by gradually increasing the weight of the loads they carried. By the time they reached adulthood, they could carry heavy loads without problems. This was the most appropriate word to translate the verse. 
 
Wow! What a rich picture that gives to this verse. "Carry each other's heaviest burdens on your head and so fulfill Christ's command!"

Monday Moments with God

We all need affirmations - to know we're loved when we feel unloveable, to know the Lord carries us when we feel too weak to go on, or to feel the strength of his grip when we feel like we're slipping over the edge. These Monday Moments with God are dedicated to a dear friend who is in need of encouragement - to start her week off knowing the Lord will help, comfort and guide her along her way. I pray they will lift you up too.

My Dearest Daughter,

To me you are as beautiful and pure as a wooly, white lamb. As your shepherd, I will provide everything you need. I will protect you when the wolves of life attack and drive the lions away from your resting place. I know that the rushing waters of the streams frighten you , so I will find still pools for you to drink. I will lead you to lush, green pastures where you can eat and be satisfied.

Stay close to me today and follow where I lead you because I am committed to taking good care of you. If you wander too far from my sight, I will follow you and bring you back on my shoulders because you are just as important to me as the other sheep in my care.

Remember that I know you by name and each evening I look for you as you enter into the fold for a time of sweet rest and each morning, I call you out by name. Listen for my voice.

Love,
Jesus, your Shepherd.

Psalm 23:1-3; Matthew 18:11-13; Luke 15:3-7; Isaiah 43:1; John 10:1-16

"The Lord is my shepherd; I have everything I need. He lets me rest in green pastures. He leads me to calm water. He gives me new strength. He leads me on paths that are right for the good of his name.” Psalm 23:1-3 NCV