Ceaseless Praying

 I thought I was pretty good already but I've read something that's shown me up.  There's pride there.  Not sure when it entered in, but gasp, it's surely there!

No matter how often one prays, with a phone alarm set at intervals as a reminder to pray for this, that and the other thing, it is sincerity of heart that matters.

It's also the humble of heart.  God's word actually asks us to,

 "Pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).

We can have a constant conversation with our Lord.  There's no need to pat onurselves on the back at the three or five times-a-day we may utter a few words on others' behalf.

Praying, "Your will be done on earth Lord, is my desire."  but I often fall short of it.

"Lord, I repent of my pride in prayer, I forgot to ask what you want and desire.  May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.  May my whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless.  I await your coming.  God of peace, sanctify me completely until you come and bring me Home" (see 1 Thessalonians 5:23 ESV).

Thank You for hearing me at all hours.  May I learn to listen for your voice more.  I love You Lord.  Thank You for first loving me.  Amen.

                                            ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV.

Sing, Sing the Wondrous Love of Jesus, along with David and Noelle Music.

Lord, Teach Me to Pray

 "Whenever our Lord prayed, things happened."

I read that sentence in PRAYER The Real Battle, a booklet written by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.  They went on to exclaim,

 "No wonder the disciples asked Him ... "Lord, teach us to pray" (see Luke 11:1).

Surely, most followers of Jesus do pray.  But how effective do you feel those prayers are?  Not to minimize anyone's heartfelt prayers, but even speaking for myself, has the room ever shaken like an earthquake when you've prayed either as an individual or with a care group or even as a whole congregation of God's people?

When Peter and John and a gathering of other believers prayed for them to

 "continue to speak [God's] word with all boldness while "God did signs and wonders; ... the place in which they gathered together was shaken" (see Acts 4:30-31).

In another instance, Paul and Silas had been imprisoned in Philippi.  They'd been praying and singing hymns, when ...

"Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken ..." (Acts 16:25-26).

I love it when God does things like this.  It's like He gets the last laugh for His people.

The repercussions were a jailor and his household coming to Christ.  Perhaps even some of the fellow prisoners, who incidently had not run away when their chains had shaken off, came to Christ too.  We don't know as we are not told.  The point is the direct result of Paul and Silas' praying and praising despite their plight.

So, on a sclae of 1-10, brothers and sisters-in-Christ, 10 being the most, how often do you pray constantly for God's will to be done on earth?

Yes, we pray but is it a list?  A list of my will to be done?  Or do we actually ask our Heavenly Father to do His will here on earth. 

I hang my head.  I admit to a very low score.

But this rating can change.  If we remind ourselves, saying those words, "Your will be done, Father, here on earth as well as in heaven" and mean it with sincere heart, we may get some shake ups.

God's divine power may move for us.  Let's ask the Lord,

 "Lord, teach me to pray."  

Do what it takes to move your rating, at least one number closer to 10, the booklet authors encourage.

Let's be more God's kingdom-minded in our prayers.  See then how He works to breakdown Satan's strongholds in our lives and elsewhere around the globe, for the furtherance of the true gospel and our relationship with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Get in touch with God your Heavenly Father and pray,

"Lord, teach me to pray."

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Luke 11:1; ACTS 4:30 & 31 and 6:25-26 and PRAYER The Real Battle, Chapter 1, by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Sweet Hour of Prayer, along with Alan Jackson of Grace Bible Church.  Here is also a call to earnest, earthshattering type of prayer ...  it is about 10 minutes in length but just watch/listen to the pathos.  RISE Prayer Warriors RISE!    Re: spiritual warfare.

Transformation (Galatians 6)

 When a believer in Jesus Christ begins to change from the inside out by the grace of God and the indwelling guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will definitely see the 'new creature'.  Our character and even personality will undergo transformation for the better when we submit ourselves ever-increasingly to the Lord and His Word.

It takes time to transform.  It could take days before we see first signs, but it is always an ongoing process; in fact, lifelong.  The stages take time.  It is much like the caterpiller.  It inches along for two or three weeks and eats like crazy and then it creates a cocoon around itself.  It huddles in there for five days to three weeks.  It breaks itself out and viola!  It's a beautiful butterfly!

Now and again though, a brother or sister may slip back into yielding to temptations:  outbursts of anger, lack of self-control and other works of the flesh.  If they get caught in any transgression, we who can humbly, with much prayer, and God's guidance and spirituality, 

"should restore him (or her) in a spirit of gentleness" (Galatians 6:1 ESV).

Spiritual warfare is so real but we must remember we have the Holy Spirit who empowers us to live according to the Holy Spirit as we walk in step with Him.

As we do so, we will care for others and their burdens of life; we will examine our own hearts and we won't force or coerce another to add on to their faith, any rules or regulations, written or unwritten.  It is not outward action performed that saved us.  Rather, the focus is on what Jesus does within us, for His glory and honor.

Let us live in the freedom we have in Christ.

Paul brought this true gospel of Jesus to the Galatians and others, through thick and thin, and great difficulty.  In fact, he said he has on his body,

 "the marks of the Lord Jesus."

Like a soldier showing war wounds and scars, Paul mentions his; not to boast, but to show that what he says does not come lightly.

May the

 "grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit" 

both now and forevermore.

Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 6 ESV.

Sing, Freedom, along with Jesus Culture.

In Step With the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-26 ESV)

 Personality changes may be, perhaps, seen in negative light.  I'd like to change that narrative by introducing God's ideal as seen in Galatians 5:16-26.  I'm using the ESV YouVersion.

Keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, walking by the Spirit, and being led by the Holy Spirit, are terms that as we read them, we may breeze through.  But taking some time to stop and ponder the significance is worthwhile.

When we do, we'll observe the personality change of the before and after person's character.  That is, the person who has accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and has instantly been indwelt by the Holy Spirit - God's Son's Spirit; that Comforter and Guide.

Their old way of thinking and operating, which is according to 'the flesh' to gratify the desires of the flesh,' need to be relinguished.  As the born again believer grows in Christ, he or she will leave those

 "works of the flesh" 

such as sexual immorality, idolatry, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, envy, drunkeness and the like, behind.

Case in point, for example, did you know that more recent data is that one in five children in the USA alone, are said to have been sexually abused?  The perpetrator is generally someone they know, such as a parent, grandparent, brother, uncle, someone of their own peer group or a neighbor or family friend.

If you had been someone like this before your salvation, know that Jesus who raised Lazarus from the dead, also said,

 "unbind him, and let him go" (John 11:44 ESV).

The grave clothes, those linen strips and of the cloth that had wrapped his face and body, needed to be removed.  Unwind them, and Lazarus could walk freely.

A believer in Jesus Christ needs to have his 'grave clothes' unwrapped.  As we allow the Holy Spirit and God's Word teach us, and we obey and follow these 'revelations,' our personality and character, will be transformed by the renewal of our minds and actions.

The works of the flesh will drop away - not like magic, generally speaking, but one step at a time.  The fruit of the Spirit will begin to shine in our hearts and actions.  There will be peace and joy, gentleness, kindness, goodness, self-control and so on.

"Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires" (Galatians 5:24).

Incidently, if you have been a person who engaged in being the perpetrator of sexual abuse, you may have to turn yourself in.  It is a serious matter that needs to be addressed.  The survivor of such abuse (if they have survived) will be affected for life but by God's grace the victims can find healing.  May the Lord help and comfort those of you who have been so terribly treated!!

  Lord, have mercy!

Take the pain of all these children and the many who have grown into adults, those who have been betrayed by a family member or others who were supposed to have been trusted friends or teachers or neighbors, but also the strangers that perpetuate such violence against children (especially), take this pain Jesus.  Help them, have mercy upon them.  May they find solace in You, and healing.  Oh Lord, You must cry too, as we do for these people.  Turn their ashes into something that gives life to all their wounded hearts, so they can overcome. Your enemy, Satan only comes to steal, kill and destroy but You come to give life and that they may have it more abundantly.  Lord, have mercy.  I ask in Jesus' name.  Amen (see John 10:10).

When we live by the Spirit we will be more apt to keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25).  Let's aim for this restoration and perfection of our souls.

                                              ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5:16-26 ESV.

Sing, New Creation, along with Mac Powell (quite lively) and Made New, along with Jason Nelson (a bit noisy but the lyrics are good).

Lord's Day Devotion - I Forgive You

 "Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" Ephesians 4:32 ESV.

It can be observed that this verse of Scripture commands us to be kind, tenderhearted and forgiving.  This is not optional nor to only select certain people to treat this way.  These actions are for "one another."  The impetus for the individual to obey is that God in Christ forgave them.

Of course, the parable of the two servants owing a sum of money is a good example.  One owed the master, the other was an underservant owing the servant who owed the master.  This servant was such a bully.  He was an ungrateful, unmerciful man.

Jesus taught this parable in response to Peter's question of how many times did he have to forgive when his brother sins against him (see Matthew 18:21).

"77 times," was Jesus' reply.  Then he told that parable.

It is often those closest to us that we find hardest to forgive.  We have expectations and assumptions that these friends or family members wouldn't do such and such to us.  But they did.  It's a betrayal of trust and friendship or even of marital trust.  How could that person treat you like that!!!?

"Should you not have had mercy on your fellow servant" 

Jesus asked in His parable.

That could work both ways, of course.  And so we grind and grit our teeth and seethe in the stew of simmering anger and hurt.  That is, until the still small voice whispers in our ear and conscience,

" ... forgive, as God in Christ forgave you."

Emotions twist and turn until we submit to the One who died for us, and we exclaim, "Father forgive, but how can I?!  Didn't you see and hear what he said and did!?"

Again, we hear,

"...as God in Christ forgave you."

It's hard but then we think again of all the agony Jesus went through, suffering and dying on that cruel 'tree' and cross. Costly grace He exuded to erase my sin and buy my pardon.  Debt, paid in full.  And we say,

"Thank You, Jesus.  Thank You for this salvation.  God has now forgiven me."

And we choke a bit and stumble over our own, "OK, I forgive you" to that person who has injured me.  "I forgive you only because God in Christ forgave me."

Like we have been forced and out of guilty feelings.  It sounds, not quite "fully baked" forgiveness.  There is still a holding back.  May the Lord, forgive us again, teach us how to love and forgive, until we can utter a clean, clear, and sincere,

"I forgive you."

And we remember then Jesus' kindness, tenderheartedness and His forgiveness and what's more, all He has done for us and we give our thanks.  And on Lord's Day we remember Him through the breaking and partaking of the bread and the drinking of the cup.  We remember His suffering and sorrow.  He did all this, for me.

Lord Jesus, I do remember the travail of Your soul, the torture of Your body; the betrayal by Judas Iscariot and Peter's denial that he even knew You.  All of that!  I remember.

Yet You chose to forgive.  Then You chose to forget our sins and remember them no more because You died for them, taking our punishment for them and clearing our debt.  You offer forgiveness.

  "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do" (Luke 23:30 ESV).

Even those perpetrators of Your death, You would forgive!

And we hang our heads and finally with a full heart give our thanks to You by being able to say a genuine "I forgive you" to those who have wronged us.

Thank You, Jesus.  

Amen.

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 4:32 ESV.

Sing, Let Your Mercy Flow, along with Risen Tunes.

POEM - The Crucible

 The cactus

grew

there,

In the desert.

It was

hard

to believe,

but

there it 

grew.

In

unrelenting,

scorching,

and blazing hot

sun

by day.

Cold temperatures

by night.

It was by night, though,

in the dark,

that it could breathe.

In.

It could breathe

out,

in that dry,

arid desert

crucible.

Alone

but its

resilience

was at its best;

its best, best.

And that's like

life.

We go 

through 

valleys,

those

shadows of death.

But 

mountains of

victory,

come.

And we 

breathe

in.

and out,

in our

crucible 

of

life.

We 

endure.

We

become

resilient -

like that cactus.

And

in that crucible

we find,

"the fourth man."

He 

is the

One

who walks

beside

us.

Never leaving,

Never forsaking.

Never failing

us.

In

Him

we can

trust,

with 

all

our 

heart.

And

go on

breathing

in,

breathing 

out,

despite

the heat

and

the cold.

Thank You, Lord.

For

Your

sustaining breath

in the night

and  in this

crucible

of 

life.

~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Proverbs 3:5 & 6 ESV; Psalm 23:4; Daniel 3:24-26; Hebrews 13:5 and Zephaniah 3:5 ESV.

Sing, Trust In God (Chris Brown), along with Elevation Music.

POEM - The Empty Crib (Isaiah 40:11)

 

The Empty Crib sat there,

abandoned.

 Quiet.

  Alone.

   Silent. 

That was the worst of it.

And,

No more

  crying

to be heard.

No more

   cooing

        either.

Baby

    is

     gone!

Gone.

It wasn't because she

  grew up.

No, she didn't get

  that chance.

Sickness

overcame her.

Rivers of

  tears,

Hiccuping sobs,

  battled

each other.

Her Mamma,

Her Pappa,

  in mourning.

    Bewildered.

        Stunned.

Jesus,

Where are You?

You could have

   healed

      her.

We knew

  You

 could have!

Why not?

We still

    love You.

We still

   trust

     You.

She's in Your 

   arms!

     You

     embrace

          her

              now.

But it's so empty.

  Empty crib.

    Empty arms.

       Empty chest.

  My heart

            gone!

But,

  because You

      live,

Jesus,

  we'll

     face

        tomorrow.

In this 

  stillness,

In this

  silence

give us

  back

     our hearts.

Make them

  full.

Make them

  overflow

Make them

  comfort

    others

     who

       sorrow.

You have 

  given

    us

hope and

   peace.

Someday

  we will

    see

      her

       again.

Turn our empty

   hearts

     always to

        You.

You love us even

  more

   than

     we loved her.

This is a

  lesson

   we

    learned.

Heart-achingly

  painful.

   But joy

    has

    come

 in this

  morning

     of life.

Someday,

  our heart-crib

   will be

     full

      again.

~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Isaiah 40:11.

Sing, I Stand Amazed in the Presence of Jesus, along with Gaither Music and Trust in God, along with Elevation Worship.

In loving memory of, and in conjunction with Hannah Elizabeth's Chin Swe Hwa's anniversary of departure from earth to her Heavenly Home in the arms of Jesus.