Re-Escalation Prayers (War)

 At the re-escalation of the USA-Iran conflict, my heart shuddered in helplessness and concern and even fear for my brothers and sisters-in-Christ in Iran.  There has apparently been an upscaling of persecution against the Christians since the war began.  The conflict has added greater heart to what had already been ongoing oppression and abuse.

Crackdowns on churches.  Seizures of churches.  Threats of arrest of church leaders and so forth escalated.  AI Overveiw, if it is to be believed, which I do believe is true for the most part, blames some of abuse on religious stances and the regime's belief that those who turn from the mainstream religion are apostates.  Underground, rapid church growth is seen as conniving with the enemy.  The war emboldens efforts to stamp Jesus and His people out.

If you do not have a favorite country, where believers are persecuted for their faith in Jesus, to pray for, you might pray for our brothers and sisters-in-Christ in this country.  As Brother Andrew and Al Janssen encourage in their booklet, keep abreast of the news, secularly as well as through Christian channels, when and where available.

Interceed for them until you are even sacrificing your time and energy.  Be devout in these prayers and pray without ceasing for our 'family members' and for those who would come into the kingdom of God.

Heavenly Father, make a way for them.  Put Your covering over them Lord.  Have mercy upon them.  Give them courage to steadfastly hold Your name and continue to be faithful to You.  Give them light in their nightmare of persecution.  I beseech You in Jesus' name.  Amen.

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026 ~

Based on John 15:13 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, More Than Tongue Can Tell, along with Mike Masubo Jr.

Committed to Persistent Prayer

 Have you ever cried because of suffering or because of some loss?

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands has been attributed to having said,

"You see things differently through eyes that have wept."

She'd had her share of suffering and loss despite being a Queen.  She knew the heartache firsthand.  She'd lost a husband and a son.  And also on her and her family's account, someone trying to harm them in a crowd, fatally struck bystanders just a few feet away from them (see AI Overview).

We can read this and feel some kinship at the tragedy.  Our imaginations can help with some of it too.  And when we think of what's going on in Goma where the M23 continues to strike terror into the population, cutting down innocent citizens, slaughtering them and/or beating them near to death; going into private homes in the middle of the night and snatching young men straight out their beds, forcing them to join their ranks.

Or in the Ukraine with the continued conflict with Russia.  And now in Iran being mercilessly bombarded.  Can you imagine all the fallout:  all the injured, maimed, wounded physically, mentally, and emotionally?!

And we cried, "Abba Father, WHY!?"

"Lord, have mercy!!"

And hopefully we cry out on the behalf of the suffering Church in these places.  Give them courage to remain faithful due to these travesties and when the furnace of persecution is turned up seven times hotter because the brothers and sisters-in-Christ get blamed for the wars, pray our brethren, the family of God - will continue to faithfully and with great courage, stand firm and be a light shining in the darkness to lead others to Christ.  No doubt they are crying and weeping.

Remember to weep with them.  Weep and watch and pray.  Pray too for any of the pastors and the missionaries that walk among them.  Uphold them in prayer.

What is your country and people you want to pray for?  Perhaps there's even a people group in your own country that are looked down upon and bullied.  Pray for them.  Pray for those who wish to bring the true gospel of Jesus Christ to them, that they can enter the Kingdom of Heaven that does not ostracize them.

Will you be willing to consistently, persistently persevere in prayer for them, daily?  Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:11).  Weep with those who weep until He comes (Roman 12:15 ESV).

                                                     ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 5:17 and Romans 12:15 ESV and PRAYER - The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, A Tribute Song To All Persecuted Christians, along with and Pray Without Ceasing Pray - Hymn along with Tabernacle Cardiff.

Book Review - The Reluctant Healer of Halifax - By Terrie Todd - Publication Date: 1 August 2026

 

Having grown up in the Halifax, Nova Scotia region myself, and knowing some of the street names named in the story and having learned a smidgen or two about the Halifax Explosion years ago, this work of historical fiction made the tragic happening of yore all the more real to me.  It must truly have been a horrific and devastating period of time on top of the chaos and heartache of the ongoing WWI of that timeframe.  Not knowing many of the facts of the explosion and its aftermath, as detailed in this tale, made me appreciate this book all the more for adding to my general knowledge. 

As I read, I liked how the author carried the reader through the story as the before, during and aftermath of the explosion unfolds.  The author, at least in my opinion, brings the reader through as if you'd lived through it all yourself.  You really feel like you are at ground zero.

I believe that potential readers must be prepared to read some graphic word pictures; learn of the pyschological effects, the blindness from glass shards, the loss of family members, homes and be prepared for tears that may come, but also feel the joys.  There were wicked people who took advantage of vulnerable people but also the kind and compassionate ones like Pearline, Daisy, Mrs. Hamilton and soldiers like Oliver and Murphy, who in turn all had substantial losses of their own.

Frustrating romance, and a strong faith and trust in God coupled with prayer were laced through the narrative in good, satisfying quantities, making the whole story an extra special read for me.  The blind got very honorable mention, in fact, a school for the blind and the very newly made blind are highlighted and given good dignity and placement in the story.  

I feel that this is a well-written work and it gets a 5 Star rating from me.

                                        ~  Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger  ~

                                                         July 2026

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent to me by NetGalley and the publisher.

Read review on Goodreads.

Pray Day and Night

 " ... as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith" (1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV).

Looks like this is a very determined and sincere manner of praying.  It was Paul's way of supporting the Thessalonian believers even when he wasn't among them in person.  He prayed for them, not so much for material things but that God would supply whatever was lacking in their faith.

To pray 24/7 sounds like a tall order, however.  How would it even be possible (see 1 Thessalonians 5:17)!  Learning from Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle, it's more like being ever digilent and alert to prayer opportunities as they come along.

There can be earnestness and sincerity in such a stance and in each prayer.  They suggest that whenever and whereever and even during whatever you are doing or undergoing, when you hear news reports for example, pray.  Pray for the general populace of course in natural disaster situations, in places of persecution and so forth.

Then ask yourself, "What about the church in those places?"  And "What are they experiencing?  What do they lack?"  Pray that that lack will be supplied.

Pray for the Lord's mercy to be upon them and the situation they are in.  Pray that God's great name will be honored through it all, that His kingdom will be evident.  How will it affect the church?  Pray there will be church left even if it is a small flicker of light in the surrounding darkness. Above all, pray that any lacking faith will be supplied!  

Pray they will endure.  Pray they will have courage to speak for the Lord and honor Him.

Pray that the "fourth man in the fire" shows up for them (see Daniel 3:24-25).  And that they will come forth as gold.

In the news today, I saw there's major flooding in another part of the country I'm in.  Folks struggling to go to and fro work and home.  There is loss of life, and home and possessions.  There is displacement.  Then there's the re-escalating conflict between the USA and Iran and all that fall out.

Stop and pray.

Or we can pray even as we work in the office, at the job site, or sweeping the floors at home.  No doubt it's good to have a specific 'time out' to pray but we can continue our prayers when we get up from our knees.

There's a song we used to sing as children,

"Whisper a prayer in the morning,

Whisper a prayer at noon,

Whisper a prayer in the evening

To keep your heart in tune."

Keeping our heart in tune with our heavenly Father's will and desires and for the good of His family everywhere - especially for those who live under difficult circumstances where it is very dangerous to have faith in Jesus.

Here's a quote by one Karl Barth made by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen,

"To clasp the hands in prayer is the beginning of an uprising against the disorder of the world."

There's is so much havoc and upheaveal in the world, prayer is a weapon and defence against all the disorder especially as it relates to and affects the church, and missionaries as they go about their Kingdom of God work.

Let's partner with them in earnest prayer that any lack needed, will be supplied, especially in their faith.  One day, we may see them face to face and be glad we supported them.  What's more, that the Lord worked wonders on their behalf.

Set aside daily prayer time but also pray without ceasing as the opportunities occur.  Pray earnestly day and night.

Father in Heaven, You are the God of mercy.  Have mercy on Your children in Iran, especially where the country is being bombed out.  It's a terrible thing happening there.  In all the devastation and rubble, Father, bring good out of it for Your people, Your church.  Keep Your light on there and help them and help them help the helpless and those lost in sins and darkness Satan has them bound and yoked under. 

Additionally, those who are suffering from the current flooding, have mercy on them.  May Your people be on hand to help in whatever way needed.  May Your church grow and You be glorified.

I ask in Jesus' name, Amen.

                                                  ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on 1 Thessalonians 3:10 ESV and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen of Open Doors.

Sing, Whisper A Prayer in the Morning, along with Cedarmont Kids.

Earnest Prayer Needed

 Spiritual warfare is always ongoing, inevitable and sure.  Satan and his minions won't let us Christians rest in peace as we engage in winning back God's Kingdom, and souls to be saved.

As we, or others we support in prayer, like missionaries and/or our pastor, prayer is our weapon against the wiles of the devil.

Have you seen evidence of this in your own life, brothers and sisters-in-Christ?  Don't just stand there with the armor of God donned upon you, you must pray!

This was emphasised by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet PRAYER The Real Battle.  We must pray because prayer is our weapon, they said.  Then they said,

"We have the authority to order Satan and his minions to move off the scene so that the Kingdom of God may capture another section of enemy territory" (p 15.)

Pray for God's Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.

What are the personal wars we fight against; temptations, anger, and more?  Pray and be willing in our heart to fight these with prayer and due diligence.  Listen for Holy Spirit's guidance, as He convicts us or warns us, "Hey, watch out lest you be tempted by this, that or the other thing" as the case arises.

Or maybe the Lord has asked you "to go" and be this light in a place to which you resist going.  You stubbornly resist.  Consequences, if not obedient, could be drastic as Satan rejoices.  You allow him a foothold.

Pray that you are not overcome, but have softened and obedient hearts that our Heavenly Father can use for His glory and claiming back another part of His Kingdom.  Let's be more than conquerors through prayer with God's power working in and through us.

We may also evidence spiritual warfare as we pray for our unsaved relatives.  We do not want them to pass eternally ruined into hell that was only meant for Satan and his minions.  But Satan does NOT wish to give in, even an inch.  He will fight you tooth and nail for every single relative and friend you have!

The community surrounding us may also be kept captive by the evil one.

"Prayer is a means by which we release these hostages" (p. 15).

We must pray for their release.

It reminds me that occasionally, groups of Christians will go on prayer walks around their city or town.  We can go on our own prayer walks through the streets of our own smaller community in which we live.  Walk your dog, and pray.

Similarly, this spiritual warfare grips countries where persecution is rife.  We may not see it, but our Heavenly Father does.  As we participate in the Holy Spirit, we can be their prayer support, fortifying them and upholding them in prayer that they will be ever faithful in proclaiming Christ.  Additionally, that they will have courage and endurance in whatever situation they may be battling.

This spiritual warfare is battled through prayer.  The authors of the booklet PRAYER The Real Battle quote Ronald Dunn on this preparation for battle.

Dunn said,

"The battle for lost souls is won by prayer and intercession.  Prayer is the warfare.  Evangelism is not the attempt to win the battle - it is the mopping up operation.  The physical possessions of the church, the buildings, organization and programs are the trucks we drive onto the field of battle to load up the spoils of the victory won by interecession."

As I read through this booklet, I'm being made more aware of this battle we believers in Jesus Christ fight.  It's being impressed in a more impactful way on my mind:

More earnest prayer is needed!

And that this spiritual warfare is very real and is not going away anytime too soon.

The battle belongs to the Lord but we are His warriors.  Let's watch and pray and pray without ceasing.  Pray in the mighty name of Jesus (Matthew 24:40 & 41 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17).

                                                ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 24:40-41 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17 ESV).  Also PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen.

Sing, Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) along with Chris Tomlin.  The following is more a reading plus song and is very meaningfully striking.  It takes about 15 minutes but I hope you will take the time to listen/watch.     RISE Prayer Warriors RISE!

Lord's Day Devotion - Remembering Jesus' Name

 What's in a name?  How well will it be remembered?  What will it be remembered for?

These were interesting questions that popped into my head this moring after reading Ephesians chapter one and especially verse 21.  Here's how it reads ...

"Far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come."

People want to be remembered when they are gone from this earth.  Some get honored by having a street, an airport, a building or even a bridge named after them.  Years down the road, the origins of these place names recede into obscurity and folks will ask, "Who's he?' or "What was he so famous for that he'd get a bridge named after him?"

Case in point, there are two bridges that span the Halifax Harbor between Halifax and Dartmouth, the twin cities of Nova Scotia, Canada.  One bridge is named after Angus L. Macdonald and the other is the A. Murray Mackay.

Both men these bridges were named for were valient men, who did much for their niche in the world.  But do you know what?  I may have learned about them in school but for the life of me I cannot remember what their exploits had been.  I had to search the Internet!

What's more, the locals continue to use the less than memorable terms, 'the old bridge' and 'the new bridge' respectively since the A. Murray MacKay (the new bridge) was fixed in place in 1970!

Isn't that a caution!

Yet, praise be, our Lord Jesus Christ's name is the one and only name that will be remembered

 "not only in this age but also in the one to come!?"

His is the name that is above every name and that will be on every person's tongue whether in the present age or the one to come.

In fact, every one will bow to the name of 'Jesus' (see Philippians 2:10-11).  His is the name many curse  and use carelessly now, but many do still revere it and Him because of all He has done for them in bringing us salvation.

This Lord's Day, as we brothers and sisters-in-Christ remember what He has done for us in His death and resurrection, by partaking of the broken bread and drinking of the cup of wine, let the name of Jesus be upon our lips and let's take the name of Jesus with us throughout the ensuing week, and until He comes.

Then, around the throne of God in Heaven, in that 'age to come,' we will still be singing and praising, "Jesus," how sweet the sound!  His name will be remembered for all eternity ahead.

                                          ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Ephesians 1: especially vs 21 ESV.

Sing, Take the Name of Jesus With You, along with joslingrovechoralsociety.

The A. Murray MacKay Bridge picture is downloaded from the wikipeida link.

POEM - For Just One Hour

 "So, could you not watch with me one hour"  (Matthew 26:40)?

This sounds like one of the saddest verses in the Bible.  The loneliness behind the words, of our Savior dreading one of the most difficult hours of His life on earth before experiencing the next horrendous hours of arrest, fake trial and death by crucifixion.

"Watch and pray" (Matthew 26:41 ESV).

But the disciples fell asleep.

Even now, if someone were to ask if you can schedule one hour per week in a quiet place to just watch and pray with Jesus, could you?  Would you?  Try it - and with no agenda or prayer list.  Watch and pray.  Listen.  Write down what God says to you.  This has been recommended by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen in their booklet entitled PRAYER The Real Battle.

It's actually hard to do.  Seek God though.  Pray before it's too late and we get sleepy and fall asleep and don't keep Him company and don't support Him.

Our Father in Heaven, teach us to pray, to commune withYou.  What do You want to say to me?

"Cease the distractions," He says.

"Come silent before Me.

Listen.

In the stillness,

Hear Me,

What I say.

Come apart from everything.

May My Kingdom come.

Knock down Satan's strongholds -

with prayer.

Do you hear My whisper?

My still small voice?

Quiet.

Be alert.

Ready and waiting.

In this stance you may hear 

MY weeping,

MY spiritual battle.

Fierce.

Therefore,

"watch and pray that you enter not into temptation" (Matthew 26:41).

Be delivered from evil.

"Mine," continued Jesus, "Mine is the kingdom" - go and claim it back for Me, in My name and with Holy Spirit's power....

Watch for at least one hour."

"Yes, Lord."

                                                 ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Matthew 24:40 & 41 ESV, and PRAYER The Real Battle by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen (Open Doors booklet).

Sing,  Blessed Assurance, along with City Alight.

HAIKU - Solid Ground and Peace Prayer

 Earthquake shakes bring fear,

pain, rubble, lost loved ones; cry!

God, where's solid ground?

Wars, rumors of war,

Produce fear, sorrow, sadness,

God, help us, bring peace!

          ~ ERC November 2023 ~

Jesus wept at death,

for mourners at their loved ones'

wake.  He weeps today.

Oh come, Lord Jesus.

May Your Kingdom come and Your

will be done on earth!

            ~ ERC, added July 2026 ~

Sing, On Christ the Solid Rock I Stand, along with Reawaken Hymns.

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.

In His Service (Galatians 5 ESV/KJV)

 The imagery of slavery and bondage is one Paul often uses in his writings.  Certainly the book of Galatians bears this out.  It's very obvious.  I believe his readers knew and understood well about slavery.

That's why he's so keen to keep them free.  These two verses are linked,

"So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman (or slave), but of the free (woman).  Stand fast therefore in the liberty (or freedom) where with Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage (or slavery)"              (Galatians 4:31 and 5:1 KJV/ESV).

The Judaizers, trying to enforce Jewish ways as 'add-ons' to the pure gospel of Jesus Christ - that is, salvation only in Him alone - were attempting and perhaps making inroads into the Gentiles among the believers in the Galatian assembly, were trying to entangle and entrap them and bring them into slavery and bondage to those laws.

It was described as a "yoke."  It would be a heavy burden to bear.  They all knew it.  The Judaizers knew it too.  After all, their history was riddled with the yoke of slavery.

They'd been slaves for 400 years in Egypt.  Moses had helped them escape.   They'd been captives for 70 years in Babylon and in Persia.  Even then, at the time of Paul's writing, They were 'captives' under Roman rule.

Even the Gentile Galatians themselves lived under a Celtic migrant governance and some sort of tribal rulers and tetrarchs.  Above them was a judge, military commander and subordinate officers if AI Overview is to be believed.  So why, when they came to church where freedom in Christ should reign, would they want to put on another yoke of bondage?!

Some may even have been actual slaves in someones household as Onesimus had been in Philemon's home.  If they'd become free of such yokes, why would they ever went to be re-bound?

They had to "stand firm" and "not submit" to these unnecessary yokes.  Those of us who are followers of Jesus Christ have been "called to freedom" (Galatians 5:13 ESV).

Of course we cannot use our freedom to do just whatever we like.  We must live to please the Lord and honor Him with our thoughts and actions.  We need to serve Him and others with the love we have in Christ.

We walk by His Holy Spirit and not by our own desires.  Let's be led by the Holy Spirit so we will indeed honor our Lord and Savior.   In this way we will be less prone to go back to the yoke of slavery.  It's a choice.  Choose wisely.

When we follow the Lord and are sensitive to the Holy Spirit leading we will not forge ourselves back to those bounds, as individuals nor as a congregation of the Lord's people.

Let's all stand fast in the freedom that cost our Savior His life.  May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the fellowship we have in His Holy Spirit keep us living free from spiritual bondaage of any kind except to be only His servant in His service, until He comes.  

Perhaps today!

                                                    ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Galatians 5 ESV/KJV.

Sing, Glorious Freedom (Once I Was Bound), along with Gaither Music.

Abundant Life (Genesis 9; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 139:13-14; Acts 17:25; Psalm 104:29-30; John 20:22; 1 Samuel 2:6 ESV)

 I still feel very appalled that believers in Jesus Christ will still venerate a person, who although legendary, committed suicide.  The suicide cloaked in sentimental pathos, for sure, and to prove a point but self-murder nevertheless!

Who was this person?

It was the ancient Chinese poet, also considered the father of Chinese poetry, the one and only Qu Yuan.  He was once a trusted aristocrate, minister to King Huai sometime around the late 340's BC.  He died 278 BC but had been banished from his post by corrupt and wicked officials and jealous colleagues.

Lies that became false truth in the ears of  the King of Chu.  False advisors that when the State of Chu fell into the hands of the State of Qin, proved Qu Yuan had been correct in his battle plan strategy.

He apparently had given his utmost loyalty to King Huai and served with integrity.  He was very patriotic and couldn't bear to see his state and king overtaken.  But he was betrayed by the rival nobles and banished to nether regions of China during the Warring States Period.

When the Qin took over the Chu state, these remote areas were left to 'rot'.  More and more this poet, who did show it in lengthy poems, as a sort of whistleblower of his day, hung on to his devotion to king and the Chu State.

And to prove it and his stance against corruption he walked into the Miluo River and never walked out.  I'm wondering, that if even despite his stances of patriotism and his anti-corruption bureau of one, if he was deeply depressed and could this have been the true reason he committed suicide?

After all, this aristocrat lost everything, stripped of all his privileges.  He was sent off to be forgotten and kept quiet.  Then his predictions of the Qin take-over proved correct and the Chu plight became worse.  All things combined, it would definitely be cause for depression.

Anyway, we cannot confirm nor deny this but it is interesting history.  From this, stems the Duan Wu Festival, or some may know it as The Dragon Boat Festival.

As the story goes, the villagers who had come to know and respect Qu Yuan were devoted enough to be concerned about him.  So that the fish would be deterred from eating his body, the villagers put rice in the water.  They used boats and paddled frantically to distribute the rice before the fish could nibble at Qu Yuan instead.

So incase you are wondering, this is what that festival is all about.  It overlooks the heineousness of the suicide itself.  It is not a festival I want to celebrate.

God is the giver of life.  He breathed into Adam's nostrils the breath of life and Adam became a living soul (see Genesis 2:7).  Furthermore, we read from Deuteronomy 32:39 NIV,

"See now that I myself am He!  There is no god beside me, I put to death and I bring to life ... and no one can deliver out of my hand."

The sanctity of life is seen in Exodus 20:13.

"You shall not murder."

I believe it refers to any type of murder, even self-murder.  Furthermore, 

"The LORD gives both death and life ..." (1 Samuel 2:6 NLT).

There are several Bible characters who pleaded with God to take their lives.  Elijah was one of them.  He was in great despair and exhaustion.  God gave him food, rest, gentle correction and then a further mission (see 1 Kings 19).

Others, such as King Saul and Judas Iscariot, took their own lives.  Despair, guilt, and betrayal of others got to them.  They may have had remorse but not repentance.  If they'd cried out to the Lord, He'd have heard them.  But they hastened their own demise instead.

These were not looked upon favorably.

Jesus came to give us life and to have it more abundantly as we trust Him and grow in our spiritual life and relationship with Him.

"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly" (John 10:10 ESV).

This was said by Jesus way back when.  This offer is still on offer.  All our distresses of life, all our despair, banishments, betrayals and the like can find solace in Jesus Christ who continues to give life.  I do not minimize anyones' agonies but offer this as hope we can have in Jesus Christ.

Let's remember to go to God in prayer.  Beseech Him in the agonies of life.  Hold tightly on to Him to help you through your valleys and shadows of death.

Suicide, as much as we may wish to leave this world early, is not what our Heavenly Father, who is GOOD and kind and compassionate, no matter how venerated and worthy you may be, wants for you.

And it is certainly nothing to celebrate!

                                                   ~  ERC  July 2026  ~

Based on Genesis 9; Exodus 20:11; Psalm 139:13-14; Acts 17:25; Psalm 104:29-30; John 20:22; 1 Samuel 2:6 ESV.

Sing, Because He Lives, along with Faith and Grace.