Oh LORD, in You I take refuge, cuz You are my LORD. Apart from You, there is NO ONE to perfectly hide and confide in. This, I'm coming to realize more and more in this life. There are so many disappointments. Good things too, yes. These don't always get spoken of though.
Yet, You are the best thing (Person) Who ever happened in my life. Steady and true, loving and good. Always there.
There will always be sorrows that increase but in You, You've given us each a portion, "a cup', our life. We each have our own life to live, but Father we know that we don't have to live independently of You because it will never work out very well. So, we take refuge in you. A choice. We choose to go to You, to learn to lean on You; to have our minds set to focus on You because You have assigned us a portion; our inheritance that is in You.
You have chosen us before the foundation of the Earth. Before the foundation of the Earth, LORD! You already had us in Your plan. We don't know what to say about that because You were already planning for us before we even knew we were alive.
As babies, and then throughout childhood, we learned about Jesus, who was/is the best friend anyone could ever have cuz He never leaves us nor forsakes us. That's a very good friend! He never leaves. He never forsakes.
Sometimes we may feel disappointed but we know You are faithful and unfailing, Your unconditional love is there and has been, from everlasting to everlasting.
You have made our lot in life secure because of what Jesus has done on the cross. He secured salvation for me. That will last for ever and ever. Therefore, I can confidently say, "You have made my lot secure in life."
There's many things in life that are not consistent or steady; they are continuously changing; some good, some bad. Some, as if "BOOM!" we've been hit on the head: a loved one dies; spouse looses a job; a spouse or another loved one, is falsely accused and dragged through the courts, name defamed; and it often seems there is no way out of such pits.
Jeremiah likely thought he'd never get out of that miry pit he was left to sink and starve in (Jeremiah 38). However, friends and other caring folks, came and lifted him out, with the king's blessing.
Father, I know that there are many good friends around us who will come and do their best to help us and You LORD, are there too, ready to dispense justice and help. I praise You and give You thanks for the counsel of friends, and even more importantly, the counsel of Your Holy Spirit Who indwells each of Your children.
Even at night You instruct us through Your Holy Spirit. LORD, David said, he always sets You before him because You are at his right hand...just a touch away.
Hmmm.
"Always sets the LORD before " him.
Hmmm, again.
Father, I confess, I don't always do that.
May I learn to do so, more and more, in increasing measure. May all Your children do the same. If we do this we will not be shaken when upon life's billows we are tempest tossed," as a hymn line reads. Then our hearts can be glad and our tongues, rejoice and our bodies rest secure, knowing all is right with our world because You, Father, are at the helm.
Another assurance we have in You is that You will not abandon us to the grave. Even David had that assurance. He knew You wouldn't do that. Some day there will be the resurrection of Your people and You will take them up to be with You and we will be with Christ, forever.
You told us so in 1st Thessalonians 4:17. We will go up together to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we be with Him, forever. What a future!
This because You did NOT let Your Holy One see decay (Psalm 16:10). Jesus died and was buried, was in the tomb three days but You did not let Him see corruption. Jesus burst forth from that tomb three days later. He was alive, He was seen by so many of Your people and then He went back to be with You.
Father, You are our Living God.
We serve a risen Savior, Who is alive and well with You, Father; at Your right hand.
You have made known to me and many others the path of life; the way of salvation. Help many more to strive to enter that narrow way You prepared for us and once accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, that we will do the works You have ordained for us to do.
May we find joy in Your presence, communing with You. We look forward to that "someday soon" when we will go up to be with you, together, and then we will have full, unadulterated joy of being in Your presence.
In the book of Revelation we see different scenarios, different as in, almost like candid camera shots, of those in heaven enjoying themselves in Your presence, worshiping You.
Then it will be eternal pleasures, indeed, being at the right hand with You in Heaven, in Your presence.
I give You thanks and praise You for this enduring future we have in and with You.
~ERC 2020~
Prayer based on Psalm 16
Count Your Blessings
Holy God, Almighty and Everlasting Father, may there be peace upon Israel. May those who trust in You be like Mt Zion, which cannot be shaken, enduring forever. We know that Your Gospel of Jesus went out to the Gentiles because the Jewish nation rejected Jesus. Yet, this message to individuals can still go out to them. I ask that this peace that endures forever, will come to Israel in this day and age. May many accept.
I know that there are Messianic Jews. May there be multitudes more added to their number, daily, as You have done before, as we read of in the book of Acts. Let there still be numbers even in the 1000's, as when Peter preached, that will be added daily. Find them such a willing and ready preacher, Father. A skilled harvester who relies on You and Your Holy Spirit's leading.
I pray for the Prime Minister, and others of the ruling echelons of power in Israel, that he and they will get their wisdom from You, as King Solomon once requested and was granted. Let their governing not be with selfish ambition but truly for the benefit of the nation of Israel; Jesus' people.
You love them, Father. You have not forgotten them. Surround Your people, Father, as the mountains surround Jerusalem. Surround them with Your heart and care, both now and forevermore.
We know You are good, and do good for them, especially those upright in heart. May Your people, whether Jew or Gentile, be harvesting among these people and bring them into the Kingdom of God; Your Kingdom, through Jesus Christ. May they indeed no longer reject, rather accept, Jesus as their Messiah, but also, and more importantly, as their Savior and Lord.
May Your Holy Spirit work powerfully and mightily among them as they allow Him access to their hearts, minds, and to their lives. Flood them with Him.
May Your people's trust in You be that which cannot be shaken, nor broken. As they trust may they be transformed into Your image. May they all become upright in heart through Jesus Christ and Your Holy Spirit's power.
Your true overwhelming 'shalom' peace be upon them, forever.
In Jesus' Name, I ask.
~ERC June 2020~
(originally prayed 15 February 2020)
Prayer based on Psalm 125 NIV.
Song, Shir LaShalom sung by Miri Aloni and Lehakat Hanachal
Translation Shir LaShalom
In Actions of Loyalty and Faith, we found Jesus wanted to teach His disciples to "always pray and never give up". Therefore, Jesus told them the parable of the persistent widow and the unjust judge, where she continually pestered him to give her her rights against unfair aggression perpetrated by her adversary. In the end, she was granted those rights even though the unjust judge didn't care less about her; he just didn't want her to wear him out.
In the next section of Luke 18, verses 9-14, Jesus wants to instruct those who "were confident of their own righteousness (or goodness) and looked down on everyone else (vs 9 NIV); despising them. This parable often is entitled, "The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector".
Right there is the crux of the matter. No doubt Jesus had the crowd's attention, instantly. A Pharisee and a Tax Collector! They were at opposite poles of the social system classes and Jesus was about to explode all that; to expose the prejudice as well as the self-righteousness.
"Don't judge a book by it's cover", is a familiar adage. A book's title and/or cover illustration may be all-boring, but if a person peeks inside and reads at random, he or she may discover intriguing delights.
Similarly, if some people do things differently than you, or know less English than you, etc, it doesn't mean they are inferior to you. It does't mean you are better than they, AND, we should not look down on them; Lesson 101.
This is an exceedingly timely message in view of the current widespread demonstrations and riots (two issues that should be separated) in the USA. Why the demonstrations?
Racism.
Unjust treatment.
Years and years worth of it.
Although Jesus' point was not about racism, it was about prejudice nonetheless and Jesus did not keep quiet about it in His day. He spoke simply, yet eloquently. Read the passage, Luke 18:9-14.
Now, going to the Temple to pray was a normal daily occurrence for many of the Jewish people. In fact, they went twice a day: morning and evening. Imagine going to church that often! Once a or twice a week is nothing much. (At least when we were Covid-19 free, we attended.) Anyway, not to get sidetracked...Standing to pray was also a norm. Yet to "socially distance" oneself from the rest of the pray-ers was showing something else. In this case, the Pharisee was showing one and all his "goodness" and therefore that he could not associate with the general "riffraff"; they just were not of his class.
Let me just say here, sort of on the Pharisee group's behalf, that they were needed. Needed in the sense of showing the distinction for defining what God's Laws were and how to live them out. Many of the general congregation would have been illiterate so they needed someone to lead and guide them in God's Laws. The Pharisees and teachers of the law were that 'set'. Sadly, as in Jesus' parable, many became self-righteous in so doing.
Look at this Pharisee's prayer; it exudes arrogance of his self-proclaimed "lofty position". He thanked God,
"...I'm not like...."
Then he listed out the "bad act" guys (vs 11).
"I fast twice a week," (vs 12).
Well, yes, fasting once a year was a norm but this "pious" fellow upped it; twice a week. Exceptional. No doubt Jesus' words gratified the listening Pharisees at this point before the punch line came. What a "good" Pharisee.
Oh, he gives...
"...a tenth of all he gets" (vs 12).
Yes, tithing was the Law and norm too. Yet the tithing, according to the Law, was only on select kinds of income. This guy told God, he tithed from "all he gets"; he had gone way beyond the call of duty.
I wonder how, or even if, we all tithe. If so, is it on the nett or gross income? If one is a student, then likely you are not earning so cannot tithe, per se. If you get a weekly allowance then see that as your income. On top of tithing there are offerings which come from the heart of gratitude. Giving cheerfully is in God's Book.
Another point that would be good to look at is, and I say this because it is very close to my own experience, that those of us who have grown up in a very devout, Bible believing and teaching family and have gone to church at least three or more times a week all your growing-up years, you will have gleaned lots of Bible knowledge and teaching. This can really puff one up with insidious pride. There is a lot of theory in your head that needs to be put into action in the heart. Otherwise, there will be much self-righteousness that will ooze out too, I'm afraid. Those who know less but live it out are those who have a better example of humble Christ-likeness.
Getting back on track...At the bottom of the Pharisee's "I'm not like that" list, did you note who was down there? Yup, the other man praying at a distance, the tax collector, whom we'll "meet" very shortly.
Look at him, over there. Huh.
Yeah, he too was standing at a distance but for an entirely different reason. Make an educated guess why by reading the whole of verse 13.
Tax-collectors were considered 'unclean' as they associated, by nature of their job, with the Gentiles. If you were not a Jew, you were a Gentile. Gentiles don't follow God's laws and therefore were defiled by godlessness and way of life far, far, far, from the "Law-abiding Pharisees" and the standard of God's commandments!
Corruption was basically thought to be in a tax-collector's blood. They would take more money than they should, when collecting taxes from their Jewish brothers on behalf of their Gentile (Roman) captors. This extra 'cream' would go into the tax collector's pocket.
All this combined to keep a tax collector at the bottom of the Pharisee's least-like-list. Unclean and corrupt, so they were. They likely let the tax collectors know their distaste too, by shunning then when and wherever they could.
No doubt the general populace shared similar sentiment towards tax collectors of that day as they too, would have been cheated out of their hard-earned cash and felt betrayed, to boot. These were "their people" but they were working for the enemy.
All that said, observe the tax collector as Jesus' parable continues. He wouldn't even look up to heaven. It's as if he couldn't look God in the eye because he knew he had done great wrongs, not only in the Pharisees' and general crowds' eyes, but in his own eyes.
Repentance, one of God's favorite words and what He loves to see in us, His human creatures, was breathing out of our tax collector here, to the point of beating on his chest showing his deep feelings of genuine guilt and sadness, and beseeching God for mercy. Why? He saw himself, and knew himself to be,
"...a sinner."
Isn't this repentance? Isn't this humility?
A sinner in need of repentance. Humbly, he seeks God.
The rest of Luke 18:14 NIV says,
"...all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted."
In James 4:6 NIV we discover,
"...God gives grace to the humble."
Actually, peruse the whole verse,
"But He gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says, "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble...Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble."
There's a happy ending for the tax collector in Jesus' parable. He went home,
"...justified before God"
rather than the pompous Pharisee.
I love the tax collector but before we go and get our noses too far up in the air, we need to remember not to have prejudice against the Pharisee-type of people either. They too, need God's mercy and grace just like the rest of us. They too, need repentance just like the rest of us. If we find ourselves in this 'category' we too, must entreat God for mercy. Thank God, He grants it!
Forgiveness, is another one of God's favorite words and actions. Praise Him for it!
In the Actions of Loyalty and Faith blog entry, attitudes of prayer were mentioned and it can be seen that the tax collector's attitude encompassed some of those. Being unashamed in prayer, was one. The tax collector was unashamed to admit he was a sinner (yes, there was some shame in feeling his unworthiness as seen in his distancing himself from the main group of praying men). Praying humbly and with expectancy from God, were two other attitudes. He asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner. That was it. No preamble, no long elaborations, just: short, sweet and to the point. God had heard. Then he trotted off home.
Even though he felt his unworthiness due to the stigma against him in addition to his 'real' sins, the tax collector still poured his heart out to God. We, too, can be encouraged in this. Many may feel they are unworthy to ask God for favors, for whatever reason, yet, when we come humbly to Him in repentance, seeking His mercy, our relationship with God, the Merciful One, will be made right. We will be justified in our Heavenly Father's sight, by His mercy and grace. If we want to feel confidence, feel confidence in God and not in our own "goodness".
Which of the two men praying, would you have been?
I leave one more Bible verse, Matthew 7:12 NIV,
"So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets."
Those are Jesus' very words of life. Let us live by them and treat others in the best possible way.
Father God, we often look down on other people who are not like us. We seek your forgiveness, grace and mercy, as we repent of our deeds that are not according to Your will and way. May Your Holy Spirit ever convict us when we begin to get self-righteous, confident of our own 'goodness'. Rather compel us to have Your goodness exhibited in our lives and to treat others more than how we ourselves wish to be treated, but to treat them as You would. Thank-You for your unconditional love, care and especially for Your forgiveness. In Jesus most precious Name I pray.
~ERC June 2020~
Based on Luke 18:9-14.
Father's Day commemorates and honors fathers. So saying, indulge me as I spout on about the four fathers in my life. Three of the four of them came before, making them three forefathers whilst the one is the father of our children. Would you term that the "aft" father?
Naturally, my natural father looms first. He is now with my Big Father. Nevertheless, in his lifetime he was one to practice what he preached 99.9% of the time and he would not expect more of you than he did of himself and so it was very difficult to get any 'wedge' on him. He set the bar high and sometimes that was very exhausting and stressful and made one feel rebellious of times. As you can imagine, though, that was actually bittersweet "medicine" and helped keep us on the straight and narrow for the most part.
He made sure we knew the Holy Scriptures that were able to make us wise unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15). It was like we grew up in a seminary, constantly imbibing God's Word. Perhaps my siblings and I didn't always appreciate that way back when, but it certainly has put us in good stead now. This I have come to value.
Between my Dad and Mom, we got to know Jesus and this has been an invaluable, priceless 'knowing'. Jesus became my best Friend. A friend and Father like no other, but more of Him, later.
Dad was happiest and in his element at the Gospel Tent. Every summer he would spend weeks encamped there, preaching, driving the Gospel Bus, and doing what needed doing to further the Kingdom of God; serving Jesus, His Lord, Master and Savior. Of course, we siblings were "dragged" into this too but looking back on all that now, summing it up, he left us a glorious legacy for serving the Lord and doing the good deeds God, our Heavenly Father, ordained for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
Many of these I have mentioned at other times: how he would go to the port in the nearby city where we lived and connect with sailors from all around the world; giving them portions of the Word of God and/or tracts that would help show the way to their Savior; sometimes he'd bring them home for a 'Canadian' meal and we'd get to learn about another part of the globe. If Dad went on his preaching circuits he'd return and regale us with interesting tales and once a 'new' recipe to try out on us by way of "souvenir". Of a winter, he'd create a small ice-rink for us to spend hours of skating pleasure, to name a few positive memories.
One life lesson he instilled in us was about a life-time partner. Make sure you are not "unequally yoked" (2 Corinthians 6:14). If you have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, make sure the one you wish to marry has too.
"How can two walk together unless they agree' (Amos 3:3)?
The foundation needs to be firm as there will be plenty of incidents for disagreement. If you come from the same basic premise, then the marriage will be more stable and less likely to be shaken out of its roots.
Like I said, he practiced what he preached, and he and Mom had 63 steadfast and faithful years together before he was called to His Heavenly Father, first. Mom had been the apple of his eye.
Another great, great forefather was my father-in-law. He was a jolly good man. My first, most cherished memory of him happened at The Tea Ceremony. In Chinese culture, The Tea Ceremony is something like an initiation party to welcome the bride into the husband's family. Here she gets to meet and greet the elders (anyone above the husband's age): the new father and mother-in-law; aunts, uncles, older siblings and to learn the relationship to the husband, and the title of which each must be addressed. Quite a feat.
The newly married couple serves these elders with small cups of tea and in return, receives red packets with money enclosed and/or some gold jewelry for the "new" member of the family. Upon serving the tea, the bride must greet the relative, by title (there are coaches for this so you get it right) and invite the elder to drink some tea. If the elder takes a sip, he or she signifies acceptance of the bride into the family. All did, in this case.
However, my father-in-law did the remarkable: he titled that wee cup right up and swallowed the whole lot of tea! In the blur and haze of this cross-cultural proceeding, this action did not go unnoticed. Forever after, I have been deeply grateful to this man who welcomed a virtual stranger, and foreigner, at that, into his midst and fold.
Having a green thumb, Papa, could coax just about anything to grow. Orchids were one of his specialties; aloe vera plants flourished, as well as mangoes. He prided himself on those worm-less mangoes and took great care there were none. Tres magnifique! He knew I especially like the apple-shaped mangoes from one of his trees and would often offer me the first fruit. He would do many little works and tweaks of charity for all his children, grandchildren, and even, at times, great-grandchildren.
His one great labor of love for the family was to make aloe vera soup. From his aloe vera plant supply he'd choose the biggest "leaves" and "skin" them, paring them down to the nutritious flesh for the weekly clan gathering dinner, soup pot. It was a time consuming enterprise but it was lathered in his love and loyalty for and to family.
Such was my father-in-law and much, much more.
The third "father" in my life, is, of course, the father of our children. He wasn't afraid to get his hands dirty, so to speak, with child care; stinky diapers and all. A stalwart through the thick and thin of child-rearing and guidance and keeping them in line, as the years ticked by. All those years of selfless toiling have been mammoth achievements of fatherhood and he, along with other such faithful fathers of fortitude and family, deserve the respect and consideration of a day "just for him. After all, he definitely earned his stripes.
Of the four fathers, the most 'fore' of the forefathers, is my everlasting Heavenly Father; my Big Father. He is my ever Living Father who loved me so much He sent His Son to die on my behalf to atone for my soul's transgressions and falleness and to repair the relationship between God and me (all mankind), offering forgiveness of sins and everlasting life. What's more, He sent His Holy Spirit to help lead, guide and comfort me all along the way of my life. Jesus my Savior has become my Friend and through Him, I get to know my Father, God.
Do you have such a Father? He is always there for me and you. He is the Compassionate, Merciful One; the one true God in whom I can trust, depend, and rely upon. He is a Refuge, a Deliverer, a shield (as the Psalmist David was fond of saying). He gives security, grace, supplies my needs; is staunchly devoted to me, His child. He would be so to you too.
Through the Holy Spirit, my Heavenly Father is developing my relationship with Him; my emotional well-being as I can tell Him all my worries, cares and anxieties; His discipline, with love, compels me to obedience as I read and obey His Word and through it all provides that feeling of security; yes, of everlasting life in the after-earth life; therefore, security spiritually, emotionally and physically.
Google explains about what makes a father different from a dad, not that I agree entirely, but it's something. They describe it this way, "the difference between 'father' and 'dad' is, the man 'donates' sperm and therefore becomes a father, while a 'dad' "gets up every day and does whatever he can to put a roof over your head, clothes on your back and food on your table".
All of my four fathers have done this to the best of their abilities and two are still ongoing. The memory of the two earthly forefathers lingers like a beautiful, lasting fragrance. Two are still ongoing. Their constant, true-blue attention to their responsibilities and unerring care has certainly created and built a fine family flock.
Kudos to my husband, the father of our children. Even so, to my Heavenly Father who deserves my grateful gratitude for all He has done for me. Father God, we honor and praise You with our lives.
"Thank-You so much, Abba,* Father for all my four fathers."
HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO ALL FATHER'S OUT THERE.
~ERC June 2020~
Notes:
*"Abba" is Aramaic which loosely translates as, "Daddy"
,
Lord, may You always be exalted. May praise await You, LORD, in the hearts and minds of the children of men; Your creation of those human being critters You have made. May our hearts and minds be always ready with praise for You instead of complaints about other people or even complaints about You, Father!
Sometimes, oh, not just sometimes, many times, we also complain about You. Where are You? Why would You allow something bad to happen? Lord, help us rather, to focus on what You have done: these good and positive things; those 'count Your blessings" moments. Help us to indeed see at least ONE thing per day that we can find to thank and praise You for.
As You hear our prayers, many times our feelings and sins overwhelm us but You forgive our transgressions and we confess to You. When we do, You said You are,
"...faithful and just and will forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9).
Blessed are You, oh Father God!
Blessed are those of us You chose to adopt into Your family. We are filled with goodness from Your Holy Temple. We are filled with goodness as we read and obey Your Word. May we see the awesome deeds of righteousness and not the things to complain about so that indeed, praise will await You. So that our hearts will be filled with joy, the joy of the Lord.
You are the hope of all the ends of the Earth, the Savior to all people, even to the farthest seas, to the highest mountains, that You formed by the Word and Your power. You also still the roaring of the seas and waves. We know Father that the waves of the sea can really toss a ship about as if its a cork in a bucket. So powerful, Your arm! Those roaring waves.
Nations are in turmoil too but You can bring peace. At this time of prayer (15 Feb 2020), Turkey and Syria, and Russia and I don't know all which countries are in the fray Lord, but there is so much turmoil here, there and everywhere, around the world. We can and do ask for peace so that these things don't escalate, people don't die or get killed because of these conflicts. We do realize, true peace won't descend upon this Earth until Jesus comes back to rule and reign, for those 1000 years.
However, Lord, until then, send men and women to be able to be 'go-betweens' of the countries; to be effective peacemakers. Peace, so that the civilians, who are not necessarily into all the politics of all these kinds of quarrels, that those people will be protected from harm and death from the politics of "playing chess" with peoples' lives. It seems the "little man" is the one to get hurt.
Due to the peacemaking, may those people who are living far away, live far from fear because of the wonders You have wrought in such situations and beyond. When the morning dawns and the evening fades, they will call forth songs of joy and hear the songs of praise to You; morning and evening and throughout the whole day long, for that matter.
Thank-You that You care for the land. You water it and enrich it abundantly with streams of water. We just had a good rain last night, TQ. Now the air is cooler too. In this way You want to help people grow their crops so they can provide food for their families and others.
You crown the year with Your bounty and carts can overflow with abundance. We think, Father of people in such places as Africa, in Malawi and elsewhere, where at times there is too much rain for their crops and flash floods wash them all away. Then at times there's not enough rain, crops wither and die and leave great hunger in the aftermath.
Go to those countries, Father. Heal the land, bring repentance. May they humbly bow to You. As You heal the people, heal their land. May they have enough to eat each and every day and not just every third day or more.
Yet, Father, when they have enough to eat, may they not forget You like many of the rest of us do; taking it all for granted and often complaining on top of that. May we all praise You in the morning and evening, with songs of joy. May there be grasslands to cover over desert areas. May their hills be clothed in gladness and their meadows have flocks and may their valleys be mantled with grain so they can shout for joy and sing.
May praise always await You springing up from our hearts filled with gratitude to You.
In the Name of Jesus I ask, Amen.
~ERC February 2020~
(Originally prayed)
Prayer based on Psalm 65
Sing along with Jason Silver singing, Psalm 65 Song
Some are going back and gathering at their church buildings once again; however, some are still at home and giving cause for some reflection. Being on lock-down for so many months to the cyber-linked Lord's Day service experience, compels us to think more deeply and in a more concentrated manner. How do you answer such questions as, "What's worship all about, or why do we do this week after week?"
There's "home schooling" and there's "home church-ing": and for one, the cyber church with only the "two's and three's" of our natural family, is not all that bad. We are down to the "bare bones" of what Jesus asked His disciples to do, and consequently, us. Jesus is still in our midst. Yes, He said this in a different context, but I think it can be "borrowed" here,
"...where two or three gather in My Name, there am I with them" (Matthew 18:20 NIV).
We agree, together, as brothers and sisters-in-Christ, to remember our Lord Jesus Christ,
"as often as we eat this bread and drink this cup..."
remembering Him in His death and resurrection. We do this,
"until He comes" (1 Corinthians 11:23, 24).
Worship is NOT only about singing, although that is a wonderful outlet of voicing our praise and adoration to our Savior. After all, scenes portrayed in Heaven as seen in the book of Revelation, reveal multitudes singing and praising God.
When a person gets down to it, I believe our Heavenly Father's great desire for us is to "remember Jesus in His death" and to also live a holy life (Romans 12:1-2). Doing so shows Him true honor, reverence and praise. James reminds us that true, pure worship also includes looking after the poor and widow, etc (James 1:27) Obedience to God and his word is another aspect of this as we read in 1 Samuel 15:22,
"It is better to obey God, rather than sacrifice..."
Most of all this can be done while "locked away" at home as most of this is just continuous, plain, godly living on a day-to-day basis. This is the "worship" due to God and the Name and Person of His Son, Jesus.
Nevertheless, the cyber version of congregational "worship" is great for lock down time but it is only a small fraction, or capsule, perhaps, a "mega-vitamin" boost to encourage one and all to press on for the Lord. Yet, I don't agree it should be a norm ever after, once lock-down restrictions are fully removed. No, siree!
I had best interject something here though. Our brothers and sisters in Christ who are involved in helping the cyber service happen for each "home-churching", no less, in my own assembly that I attend, work tirelessly to get prepared for each Lord's Day service. In no way would I want to minimize that colossal effort! I'm very thankful to my fellow bros and sis from my assembly group who make this weekly meeting happen. May our Heavenly Father bless all their efforts and gift of sacrificing their time to do so. It is no small feat.
God's Word reminds us, however, not to neglect gathering together (Hebrew 10:25). We are members of one family, the family of God, and God's children need to stick together. God forbid that cyber service becomes our norm. May the joy of being together in Christ, and physically present, with other like-minded family of God members compel us to be together and not to neglect the fellowship we can have one with another, never taking it all for granted, rather guarding against and eliminating any apathy creeping in and infecting the whole; like an intrepid virus.
A small example of this is that there is a roaring bonfire, but after several hours it burns low, leaving the embers glowing and sending out their welcome warmth in the dark for many hours afterwards. Remove one ember from the collection and set it aside, away from the others, and what happens? Yes, it will glimmer for a spell, but eventually it's heat and light fizzle and sputter out to cut off all benefit and productivity therefrom.
We need to keep our "glow" and be with our brothers and sisters-in-Christ; our co-ember members. Yes, we must each do our responsible part as respective members of the body of Christ, but doing it together encourages and builds each other up in our most holy faith (Jude 1:20 KJV).
God be with you all til we meet again.
~ERC June 2020~
Sing along in prayerful manner while waiting for the church buildings to open its doors once again. God Be With You Til We Meet Again, as sung by a Mennonite Choir.
Here is a vision I envision: Prayer - Songs of Ascent
Father, God, it is very difficult to be forgiving people. Even if we say that we have forgiven there is nothing that shows that we have not when a slur is cast upon the one who has supposedly been forgiven. That is difficult. Our mouths and tongues can often get carried away, propelled by our unrestrained minds and combined with a sympathetic ear to our real or chondriac injustices.
However, You say in Your Word, in another of David's Psalms, Psalm 15, to be exact, that those who speak the truth from the heart, those who have no slander on the tongue, those who do their neighbor no wrong nor cast slurs on their fellowman, these are the ones You honor.
There are those who can keep their oaths, even when it hurts. Many, Father, make oaths or vows when they get married; those wedding vows that can stymie us. Every married couple likely finds it a big test especially when they find out the one they married is not really the one they thought they were marrying. His or her personality, their attitudes, come out in true range of color and it could hurt and one or the other may get the "runs"; meaning, want to escape those vows. Many a slur can get slung around, or worse.
I'm not talking about those who get beaten up by a spouse. Then I know there may well be need to have some separation for the safety of the victim and children.
BUT, those disappointments with the spouse who, maybe was not quite as mature as originally thought, not knowing how to give and take. Lord, there's so many things; yet if we cling to our vows, our oaths that we made "for better or for worse", help us to see our way clear to be overcomers, by Your grace.
I heard or read once that those who are not happy in a marriage become philosophers. So maybe they could be more than that as we shine and do our part, Father, bring the other spouse around and compel them to grow up, mature, be that person they should be in Your sight, taking the responsibility needed in caring for the "other half" in the marriage relationship.
I'm thinking, Father, mostly of those who belong to You, because when that baton of responsibility, "companionability," faithfulness, courtesy and sensitivity to the other, etc. happens, as David said, we can dwell in Your sanctuary. We can live on Your holy hill. Furthermore, this type of person will never be shaken.
In addition to that, are those who lend their money without usury, without interest; that would be someone without greed. What a wonderful character especially when accompanied with integrity. He/She would also NOT accept a bribe against the innocent. Their integrity knows no greed; this is truly a splendid thing, Father. These kinds of people will surely never be shaken and go steadily onwards.
Nevertheless, Father, there are vile men that sling slurs about, earn money by nefarious means, and even throw slurs upon Your holy name, but we do not condone their actions, rather we fear the Lord and do what is right in Your eyes. May this be true of each of Your followers, Lord, so they can dwell in Your sanctuary and live on Your holy hill knowing that we become more Christ-like and speak gracious, forgiving words from our hearts, as we do so.
Father, we know that Your steadfast love never ceases and Your ear is always open to our cry; guard our minds, hearts and lips.
In Jesus' Name I pray.
~ERC February 2020~
(originally prayed)
Prayer based on Psalm 15
As a child of God reads his or her way through the gospel of Luke in the Bible, the topic of the Kingdom of God pops up at intervals. Jesus explains it to His disciples and any other 'hearers' at the time.
He related the parable in Luke 13:18-20 of the mustard seed. As you know, mustard seeds are among the tiniest of seeds, yet when planted and flourishing, its limbs branch out providing shelter enough for the birds of the air to want to build their nests within its protective security. This, Jesus is implying, is that all nations can come to rest and thrive in and under the protection of the Kingdom of God.
Jesus went on to liken the Kingdom of God to yeast folded into bread dough. You can't see the yeast but you can see the evidence of its presence in the dough. Similarly, the Kingdom of God can't be seen with the naked eye but its influence becomes powerful in the lives of individuals who have accepted Christ.
Two things, mustard seeds and yeast, seemingly small and insignificant, grow into something of greater substance. God's mighty Kingdom of which He is King, appears comparably. Hallelujah, our God reigns.
Further to that, we arrive in Luke chapter 17 and verses 20 and 21 where we are reminded that the Kingdom of God can't be seen; no-one can pinpoint it and say, "Aha, here or there it is!" No. It is somewhat like the wind as we are told in John 3:8 (NIV) when describing the Holy Spirit. You can't see the wind, you can't ascertain its source whether it originally comes from the east or west, but the effects of the wind blowing through can be seen in the bowing of trees, heard in the rustlings of the leaves; seen in the blades of the grass of the fields making waves, as the wind tickles them in passing; or it can be felt on your face, fanning you with its breeze but you can't see the wind itself, physically.
The Kingdom of God is within a believer in Jesus Christ through salvation (Luke 17:21); it is an internal and spiritual state. This Kingdom was also present in Jesus' person and ministry. He was the One who suffered first and was rejected of men. However, this persecution which culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus, brought and bought salvation for all mankind. From then until now millions and millions have entered the Kingdom of God through the "Door", Jesus Christ.
Earlier in Luke (14:25-33) Jesus told the crowds of people surrounding Him, that they needed to count the cost of being his disciple. Those who dare to enter the Kingdom of God, will suffer in one way or another; some more intensely, even, at times, to the point of death. Have you counted the cost?
Many years ago there were five men who counted such a cost. The verse we have here in Luke 17 and verse 33 (NIV) warns,
"Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."
This knowledge was crucial to these men. One of them, Jim Elliot, lived by that verse and had this motto,
"He is not fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
Jim and his four fellow missionary friends and brothers-in-Christ, surely did just that in counting the cost of "being all there" (another of Jim's sayings") in and for and on behalf of God their King and the Kingdom of God.
Perhaps, there are some who don't know this story. The five men wanted to bring the gospel of Jesus Christ to a tribe in Ecuador, called the Huarani's. They were a very fierce and savage group who were decimating their own numbers by NOT turning the other cheek upon being offended, rather it was all "eye for eye", "tooth for tooth" and definitely, "life for life".
No one had ventured to these people for fear of their lives. Yet, these five courageous men were obedient to God's call on their lives to engage in these people who were precious in His sight. They too, needed to learn of God's love, care and forgiveness and have transformed lives.
One of the five, Nate Saint, was a bush pilot and so these men geared up to fly over the area to locate this tribe. Finally, they did. Eventually they let down gifts to the warriors below, lowering a bucket for them to retrieve the gifts. At one point, they got a return gift of a parrot!
After several weeks of such contact and exchange, the men believed they would try for an encounter on the ground. This they did with no untoward event, feeling after a bit, that it would be okay, and so they decided to spend a night in the jungle near the tribe's village.
That was a fatal night in terms of earthly thinking. God had another perspective. In His Kingdom, the word 'forgiveness" looms large and loud. Jesus had suffered for our sakes to bring many sons to glory. Now the families of these five valiant brothers would need to seek solace in His grace and forgiveness.
Do you know, Jim Elliot's wife Elizabeth and their three-year-old daughter Valerie, and Nate Saint's sister Rachel, enlarged their hearts with God's love (another element of the Kingdom of God), care and forgiveness. Sometime thereafter, having found someone from that tribe who was actually city living, taught them some of the language of the Huarani; enough for them to make another foray into this "wild jungle tribe".
Now, you need to know some of the Huarani beliefs. Not that I may have all the details entirely exact but, as I recall, if these tribal people saw someone's spirit leave the body (upon the person's death) and go over the "great divide," (from earth life to afterlife life), then it was believed that that particular person had been a very great and important person.
The Lord allowed, one particular tribesman, the one who actually had killed Nate Saint, to see Nate's spirit (and possibly of Jim's etc) spirit, indeed going over the "great divide". This shocked him and filled him with remorse. God's softening tool. He used their beliefs to bring this man, and others, to Him.
Due to this, when the ladies and young Valerie advanced upon one of Satan's kingdom's strongholds to claim territory for God's Kingdom, the tribal people were more ready to listen to the glad news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Incidentally, Steve Saint, son of Nate, who was just a young lad at the time of his father's death, had a hard lump of unforgiveness in his heart for years and years. However, God hadn't finished the story in Steve's life yet and called him to the Huarani!! Such audacity on God's part. Could Steve count that cost? Could he forgive the tribe in general and the actual murderer in particular?
God knew Steve's heart and by and by, Steve did come humbly to His Lord, Master and King and accepted the call and cost (to forgive), bringing his family with him. For the continuing saga, you can find the book or watch the movie, End of the Spear. The book of course is always the better version.
Part of the counting the cost of life in the kingdom of God for Steve, was forgiving the most heinous crime against his father and others. For Peter, James and John and others, in Jesus' time, was to leave their source of income at the shore and march after Him to follow in His footsteps. We will each have our own cost. Do you dare to pay it?
Steve, the disciples, others, and ourselves are the heralds of God's Kingdom. The general populace will go on their merry way as Jesus highlighted from Noah and Lot's time.
For Noah it was to be ridiculed for more the one hundred years, all the while building the ark and preaching of the coming judgement.
"Rain? What's that?! Crazy, Noah!"
Up until that time, water hadn't ever fallen from the sky so it seemed rather ludicrous.
Suddenly, the unclean animals came marching 2 x 2, and 7 of a clean kind; filing into the ark by an "invisible Orchestrator's hand". Noah and his wife, his sons and their wives, filed into the ark and God shut the door. Contained inside, Noah and his little family band could likely hear the shouts and laughter of derision as the rain, still did not come.
BUT...but then it did.
Suddenly, before you could say, "It's raining!"
Suddenly. Abruptly, is the key here. Judgement swooped down, swiftly and surely. Fear and panic ensued, no doubt, and so did monumental loss of life. However, that was not what God had desired for the people of earth whom He had created and with whom He wanted to have fellowship.
Likewise in Lot's dilemma. He rubbed shoulders, daily, with the wicked of Sodom and Gomorrah, yet judgement hovered ominously above the twin cities. Lot and family were loathe to leave so the angels had to grab them by the hands and practically drag them away to relative safety before the 'sudden' assault of fire and brimstone descended in fury.
Lot's wife's pillar of salt is a reminder that the material possessions and soft life she desired and loved was not "counting the cost" in God's favor. Again, judgment was swift.
All that while, in both Noah and Lot's day, the citizens continued in eating, drinking, making merry, marrying and going about as if nothing would end it. They were decisively overtaken by destruction. They had wanted to preserve their way of life only to lose it on things that did not count. There was no time to take any of those possessions or way of life with them. No treasure earned for the Kingdom of God.
Is this 'sudden' happening going to come in our day? Like Jesus told his disciples, the sign of the vultures circling in the sky, is obvious of the location of carrion on the ground, so too would folks know when God's Kingdom will have arrived.
Two in bed, one taken to judgment another to fellowship with God. And, like the mustard seed and yeast, the evidence of the fullness of the Kingdom of God will be clearly manifest. Indeed, then we can point and say, "Here it is!" and it will be the best way of losing our life for Christ and His Kingdom until then.
You know, we wouldn't even be talking about the Kingdom of God, if Jesus hadn't gone to the cross and rose again from the dead. Praise the Lord, that He did. Jesus, "lost" His life on our behalf. Let us remember Him for this through our partaking of the bread and drinking of the cup of wine as we pass them one to another of our brothers and sister's in Christ.
Thank You, Jesus, for Your salvation and for bringing us into Your Kingdom.
~ERC May 2020~
Based on Luke 17:20-37.
The widow of Jesus' parable symbolizes helplessness. She had no family, no protector, no money for paying bribes; likely she was looked down upon by society in general, and not taken much account of. Justice was on her side, though, and so was her own perseverance. What had she to lose?
The unjust judge didn't care less about anyone but himself, certainly he didn't care about the widow. This widow with an adversary taking advantage of her, or, at least, attempting to do so. This judge was 'forced' to deal justly, for once, on behalf of someone from whom he could gain nothing except to not be "bothered" or "worn out".
The Good News Bible (not that I'm a fan of this paraphrase), says, that that judge didn't want the widow to "wear him out". That phrasal verb, it explained in the footnotes of the SPM textbook, was taken from the boxing ring, of all things!
This borrowed expression intimates, "give a black eye". The NIV says the judge didn't want the widow to "attack' him. Isn't that hilarious!? The widow, who could barely help herself, attack him and give him a black eye!? What a laugh!
God has His wondrous ways of gaining justice for his people in the least expected of ways. The unjust judge's thoughts all mixed up and illogically concluded, were included in God's solution. So, even though he took his sweet time about it, the judge got the woman her rights.
What a wondrous, "happily ever after" story; my favorite kind...
Yet, what was Jesus' point? He was teaching His disciples to "always pray and not give up" ( v. 1); to be persistent. Often we may become skeptical when our prayers aren't answered as quickly as we'd like, or in the way we'd like (as one of my sisters reminded me). You see, with God, a day can be like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day, to Him.
From His perspective, a thousand years is "quickly," as compared to the vast unending, infinite "everlasting" past and future. It's like a drop of water dripped into a bucket of water, to us; it is insignificant. God's thoughts are always comprehensively and incomprehensibly BIGGER than ours. However, He is always just. We need to be persistent and patient for his timing which is always, "just right".
In addition, I want to interject here that I once read somewhere from one of the many plethora of books read over the years, that "prayers never die". That thought never left me even though I forget from which book I read it. It is encouraging especially when we get discouraged when we perceive our prayers are being "ignored".
"Hello, God, are You there?"
There was a story of a woman who prayed for her son to come to Christ. She persisted in this prayer and hope for about twenty years. The son persisted in rejecting Christ. By and by, the mother passed away but her prayer lingered on. Somehow or another, that son did eventually accept Jesus as His Savior. That prayer was answered and in time to come, that woman will be reunited with her son. What a glorious day that will be.
If you flip back to Luke 11, there is something more about prayer that Jesus taught His disciples. He also tells the story of the man rapping persistently on his neighbor's door in the middle of the night. How annoying and seemingly inconsiderate! It worked and he was granted his request from the neighbor albeit somewhat begrudgingly, which is understandable.
However, we too, can learn to be so unashamed in our prayers. The man was also expectant that the neighbor would give in, get up and give him the food begged for. Sure enough, he did. So, too, our God doesn't delay His support. We can count on Him because He has our backs.
Loyalty to God our Heavenly Father is a needed "ingredient". We ought "always to pray and not give up" (Luke 18:1) When it seems like answers are not forth-coming, let us pray on to Him, this God, our Maker. Don't go and pray to other gods. Don't give up on our God.
Faith, Loyalty's twin, will help propel us to persistence and perseverance in prayer. Faith, even as small as a mustard seed, can sprout amazing happenings. "Father, God, stretch our faith."
Scary prayer. If God stretches our faith, the stretches between prayer uttered and answered may be protracted. Will you persist? This is a "vicious cycle" that's not vicious. Faith building times. Pray expectantly utilizing our faith and loyalty to God our Father.
Pray with reverence. This is God, Almighty we speak to, "Hallowed be His Name". We are His creatures. He is our Father. Due respect and reverence is owed to Him.
I'm not so sure the widow revered the unjust judge, but she may have showed him respect due to his position in relation to hers. She would certainly have had to be humble about it. If she had to go to him repeatedly, she'd also need to have been unashamed. She was already looked down upon, yet because she knew she had the law on her side, she went with the appropriate posture and with expectant hope of gaining her goal; justice served.
God, our righteous Judge will do so much more for us than that unjust fellow. Trust God. Be loyal to Him. Be persistent, unashamed, humble and reverent. He will answer, "quickly".
Some may have some concerns they have given up on. Why not resurrect them and "try again" with the attitude of the "helpless" widow. We don't have anything to lose and everything to gain. Ask according to His will.
Maybe it's even an idea to re-examine our desires. Are they what God would approve of? Maybe the request needs altering. Maybe we just need to persist longer.
Psalm 66:18-20 (NIV) tie into these thoughts,
"If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened; but God has surely listened and has heard my prayer. Praise be to god, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"
A prayer journal could increase You faith, you know. List down your requests and petitions and put the date beside each one. Over time go back and see which ones and how they have been answered. You will be pleasantly, surprised, no doubt. When we have such an account we will be encouraged and and our faith will leap in a growth spurt. Our trust in God our Heavenly Father, Provider, Protector will be further cemented. May our helplessness transform into hopefulness by persistence in prayer and trust in God.
Keep calm and pray on.
~ERC June 2020~
Based on Luke 18:1-8.
Father, it's pretty cool that Solomon must have been listening well to all his father David had to say, or even having read what his father had written. In Psalm 72 he asked You to endow him with justice and remarks on your righteousness. So he wanted Your wisdom which he asked for and You gave to him. Now he knows he can ask You for help for him to rule with justice too.
He asks confidently because he knows You are the just and righteous One; the King of all kings. He sees himself as the royal son, whether he was king yet at this time or not, he does refer to himself as such, when he penned these lines and spoke this prayer asking for Your help, looking to a future day in ruling justly.
For us followers of Jesus Christ, we are referred to as "royal priesthood" (1 Peter 2:9), we too need to ask, and do ask You, Father, for wisdom and to learn how to relate justly with others in our interpersonal relationships, with others be they family, neighbors, church members or colleagues at work, staff, with students, depending on our occupation; members of the public, and etc. Lord, help us to do righteously and justly with those whom we associate and/or are under our care.
Help us too, to listen to those who are in authority over us and I ask that those who are in authority over us will also have that needed justice and righteousness, wisdom and grace and use their position of power appropriately and not let it go to their heads, swelling it to unpleasant proportions and actions. May they indeed, "reign" with as You would and do Father, keeping in mind that all such authority comes from You in the first place (Romans 13:1).
Father, I first prayed this prayer back in February. Now, here it is early June and the news has switched from Covid-19 to the demonstrations and riots in the USA and so I insert this addition. There is definitely need, God, for Your mercy and peace upon the situation and for Your justice to intervene over the USA. May the leaders and the demonstrators and the rioters see justice being served. Oh, we need You, Lord more than ever. Your peace. Your justice. Work Your wonders and miracles for the people of the USA. May they not take it for granted but find the gratitude and thanksgiving to offer up praises to You when justice and peace come.
May all of us followers of Jesus Christ exemplify Jesus and all that He was and did. I know we can never measure up to His standard of perfection or of justice-giving because we are not You, Father God, but we are Your followers so we should follow in Jesus' footsteps, which is what Your character is Father. Like Father, Like Son, and so we Your children, should be characterized thus. So help us all.
I ask all this in Your Son Jesus' Name.
~ERC February 2020~
(originally prayed)
Prayer based on Psalm 72:1 & 2
