Prayer - Talk to Him

 In our human hearts Lord, we often harbor anger, resentment, disappointments,  hurts and so much more of the like.  Parents, friends, or others we look up to, have let us down.  Then the one in whom we used to confide is no longer at our side, beck and call.  Our confidant is gone.

But You, oh Lord are our Friend who is always with us.   You never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).  "What a friend we have in Jesus" as the familiar hymn line says.  Your ear is always open to our cry - 24/7.

It is best to talk to You of our unhappiness as that way, we do not counter-hurt others.  If only we would remember to seekYou first.  You are always on 'standby' mode, standing by to hear, listen and speak with Your still small voice of comfort and conviction.  You do not disappoint.  Help us to endure until our life's work is ended and You call each of us Home to be with You, forever.

May we find ourselves not "just an extra limb" of not much use in the body of Christ or even in our own family, but may we be found to be good and faithful servants of Yours, fit for Your use.  May the brothers and sisters-in-Christ recognize this too.  

Lord, there are those ready and willing to serve but who are not sure in what capactiy.  Lead and guide each of us to the path and plan You have devised for us and may there be great teamwork among each member of the body of Christ in the churches and/or Christian organizations we have come to shelter in.  Let that unity of Your Holy Spirit be kept in the bond of peace.  Let us throw out all the bitterness.  Let there be forgiveness and reconciliation as the norm.

May all shelter but not in in-activity to bench warm but to pro-actively further the Kingdom of God.

In Jesus' name I give you praise and honor, Father.  Thank you for hearing my prayer..

Amen.

                                                   ~ERC  February 2023~

Based on Deuteronomy 31:8 and Psalm 34:15-20 NIV.

Sing, What a Friend We Have in Jesus, along with the VagleBrothers.

Lord's Day Devotion - Christian or Disciple?

 

I love Lord's Days.  They remind me of all the wonderful things Jesus has done for me - for the whole world of humanity, in fact.  He's done so much.  To name a few, the redemption He procured for us on the cross; His love and care and concern, wanting to heal the cavernous breech sin created between God and man.  He bridged this gap.  He made the way available through the power of  His cleasning blood, for those who by faith accept His offer of salvation.  He has made us righteous in the sight of God.  Due to His grace and mercy, we can partake of the broken bread and drink of that cup of wine in remembrance of all this and more that He has accomplished for us.  

Jesus didn't leave us just to be satisfied with becoming a Christain though.  He wants His children to grow in our knowledge and understanding of Him and develop a relationship with Him, learning to trust and obey Him.  Just like the twelve disciples did with Jesus.  Jesus nurtured and trained them for what was to come and for their mission.

That is, going into all the world and preaching the gospel to the whosoever!

Disciples follow their leader.  They do what He does, go where He goes, behave in certain manner so people would know, he or she has been with Jesus.

God doesn't want "just a Christian".  He wants a determined disciple.  As we remember Jesus in His death and resurrection and His time of ascension, remember too, His last injunction.

It's called "The Great Commission."  Jesus passed the baton on to His disciples like the sprinters of 4 x 100 track and field relay races do.  They pass the baton forward to the next and next sprinters.  The early disciples did this very thing, most at the cost of their lives.  The next and the next generations down throughout the ages, each obedient to the faith and trust in Jesus and their commission mission.  

Nowadays, we too must not slack in our duty.  The Great Commission was, and still is, a divine command.  

Let us not be complacent or lethargic for the end of this age is coming and the harvest is still plentiful and ripe.  Work while it is still 'today'.  Pray for more harvesters.  Be one.

Definitely this is something more to think about this Lord's Day as you reach for the bread and wine.  Pass it on...pass it forward.

Think, ask and answer honestly:  Am I, "just a Christian" or am I a determined, sincere disciple?

Depending on your answer, what are you willing to do about it?

This could be the best Lord's Day of your life.

                                          ~ERC  February 2023~

Based on Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20 NIV.

Sing, The Commission, along with YWAM.

 

The Relay Race

 

Who's your favorite missionary?  I can't really decide for myself but among my favorite are Amy Carmichael, Lottie Moon, and Adoniram and Anne Judson.  The current one uppermost in my mind is Gladys Aylward.  She was a small but hardy woman who did mighty feats for the Lord in harvesting souls for Christ in China.

She grew to be less than 5 feet tall (roughly 152 cm).  God looked forward and knew she was going to devote most of her life to Him among the Chinese who were, generaly speaking, not exceptionally tall people of stature.

Let's start this story with her being back in England.  She was a typical young person who was full of energy to dance and have fun with her friends.  One night though, by God's divine plan, she ended up in a church, of all places!  She'd been on her way to yet another dance, definitely NOT a gospel meeting in a church!

It was God's bombshell on her life,  She got converted body, soul and spirit that night and never went to another dance!  Somewhere, later along the line, she heard about the millions of harassed and helpless souls in China who were perishing.

In great anxiety for this harvest field, Gladys went about seeking those she thought would be "good enough" to go.  That is, men who were well-educated and of some wealth.  She even challenged her own brother.  In the end, her brother got so annoyed by her insistence that he go, that he barked, "If you are so concerned about them, why don't YOU go!?"

Oh, that took her back a peg or two.  Never in all her foggiest or clearest of thoughts did she believe she could go!  She was "only a maid."  She wasn't so good academically and she barely had two coppers to rub together AND she was short!  These are all not in her favor, so she thought.

Nevertheless, she did try to prepare herself to go.  Alas, one missionary society told her she wasn't fit to go.  However, she'd heard the call of Jesus say, "Follow Me!" and, "GO!"  "Go to China", she believed.

The result was, she worked and worked in her maid capactiy, earning enough for a train ticket from England to China (yes, she must have gotten a ship across the English Channel).  Finally, the day arrived and off she went.

Of course, it was not smooth going as her route took her through territory at war.  After some scary and dangerous difficulties, some good Samaritans helped her escape by boat and she eventually got to Yangcheng, China in more or less one piece, albeit somewhat disshevelled.  On top of all that she did not speak Chinese.

In Gladys' heart of gold, though, God was with her and because she had been willing to go He helped her.  She found her way to an older missionary lady, Jenny Lawson and the two operated an inn called, The Inn of Sixth Happiness.  They targeted muleteers on their way to trade in the town.

While the muleteers ate in the Inn, Jenny would tell them Bible Stories.  Gladys did eventually come to speak Chinese but it was rough going at first.  She was well satisfied though that she was helping to save the Chinese millions from perishing.  She was one of the harvesters in God's harvest field in the land of plentiful ready harvest.

I want to interject again, that because Gladys was willing to go, God helped her and she accomplish much for Him and the people of China.  The verse from Zechariah 4:6 comes to mind,

"'Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,' says the LORD almighty" (NIV).

Thinking back to what Jesus did in His walk upon Earth, there was a two-pronged agenda.  One was to address those who

 "had many diseases and every affliction" (Matthew 9:35 ESV). 

 He healed them.  

The other prong was that in every city and town, he also taught in their synagogues,

"proclaiming the gospel of the Kingdom..." (Matthew 9:35 ESV),

to all the 

"harassed and helpless" (Matthew 9:36 ESV).

Physical and spiritual healing took place.  The trailblazing Jesus left a marvelous wake in His path as He forged forward, determind to complete His mission.  As disciples of Jesus Christ, we can do no less.  Have you heard the Savior say, "Come, follow Me!"?  

What is your answer?

Gladys Aylward's was a firm, "Yes!" and she put her talk into walking action.  What beautiful feet she must have had as the number of her footprints chalked up as she too, visited one Chinese town to village after another.

You see, the Mandarin (headman) of Yangcheng got her to enforce the new law which forbade the cruel and painful practice of foot-binding of young girls.  Gladys gladly did the job on one condition - she could preach the message of Jesus as she went place to place with her job.  Oh how joyful this made her and the citizens came to love her, giving her the name 'Ai Wei De'.  It means "The Virtuous One".

This small but mighty lady was not yet finished with her harvesting.  The Japanese invaded China in 1940.  Their attacks and bombings left many children orphans,  Gladys had already adopted a few children, what was so huge about leading more than 100 children over the treacherous mountains from Yancheng to safety in Xian?

So much for being "unfit"!

We should never be cocky Christians but neither should we underestimate God's powerful help and guidance when we realize we are one of the "helpless" and even if our faith may falter betimes, we need to depend on and cling to God our Rock, Fortress and Deliverer.  We will be able to do many might acts in Jesus' name no matter how big or small we may be - this, all because of a willing heart that says, "Here I am, send me!" or "Yes, I will follow," and then put those words into action.

In the ensuing years, Gladys set up orphanages and continued to do good wherever she was planted.  Can you see why she is one of my favorite missionaries?

These followers of Jesus Christ from ages past have set the compass for those of us from subsequent generations and milleniums.  Jesus started it all, will we continue our leg of the race?

It's somewhat like the track and field relay race, the 4 x 100.  This is where there are four sprinters set at equal distances of 100m apart on the track.  The lead sprinter holds the baton and runs forward to the second runner, which he will pass forward to him.  This second sprinter, goes his 100m to the third, passes the baton forward.  The third grabs it and does his 100m gauntlet and passes it on to the fourth, who takes it the last 100m to the finish line.

Each sprinter has done his part in completing the race.  Some of the atheletes are faster, some are slower but each has the determination and focus on reaching the end line as soon as possible.  In the spiritual realm of gathering God's ripe harvest for the Kingdom of God, every follower of Jesus Christ must do his or her part in fulfilling The Great Commission as Jesus commissioned His disciples to do (Matthew 28:18-20).

This is not only for your own generation.  It is imperative to pass the commission baton forward to the next generation and so on.  We will never know the extent of Gladys Aylward's planting and harvesting sprint but God knows and that's what counts.  It will be the same for us when we are willing to be part of that relay race set out for us.  Willingness is the key.

What will you do when you hear Jesus call you to follow Him?  How about when He commands, "GO!"?

                                                   ~ERC  February 2023~

Based on Matthew 9:35-38; 28:18-20 Isaiah 6:8 ESV?NIV

Sing, Rescue the Perishing, along with, Islington Baptist Church

Reference:  Gladys Aylward.

Book Review - King of Kings - By MJ Porter - Publication Date: 10 February 2023

 

The author MJ Porter chose to stick fairly closely to actual fact with this novel of historical fiction.  Even so, there is some tweaking here and there.  At first, I found it a bit difficult to sort out all the who's who of the various kings from the various places, but thankfully Porter offers a glossary of names and terms to help keep them all straight.

There are Viking, Norsemen kings, Welsh and Scots kings and of course, the English king and so on, from all over Britian.  The time frame of these kings and their men who lived and died, being from 925 to 934.  

War and conflicts are never nice to hear or read about so I didn't much care for that part of the book's drama.  There was plenty of tension just striving for the attempt at a peace accord signing.  Would they all agree, and if so, would they keep their word?  Do read to find out.  

Those with strong hearts, and a fondness for the bickerings and strife among kings, along with an appetite for history will find this book of interest, I believe.   Although I did find some of the tale diverting, it wasn't exactly my cup of tea.

                                          ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                     January 2023

Disclaimer:  This is my honest opinion based on the complimentary review copy sent by NetGalley and the Boldwood Book publishers.

Read review on Goodreads.

Book Review - Double the Lies - By Patricia Raybon - Publication Date: 7 February 2023

 

Annalee Spain, found herself in hot soup once again for all her sleuthing efforts, but she was not one to give up, even if she and her friends were threatened.  This time she rather fell into a mystery murder to solve, or rather, it found her.  Readers will be in for quite a race against time right there along with her.

This book has been tagged, "mystery thriller" but I'd append, "historical fiction" and "race conflict".  This is because of references to prejudicial acts of ostracism and worse against Jews, Blacks and Catholics in Colorado and elsewhere, giving the reader a small glimpse of what these people groups have had to endure in years gone by at the hands of the Ku Klux Klan and other such people bent upon hate against fellow human beings.

The most curious aspect of this narrative is that Annalee is a praying detective.  I've never come across such before in books, that I can recall, so it's an added positive feature of her character for me.  Readers will also be amused that this is a kind of take-off on the famous and beloved Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, private investigator series.  Just beware of the lies!

I was not disappointed in any part of this story.  Good for you, Patricia Raybon!  Hope there will be as many more to come as you have already written.

                                                  ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                             September 2022

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

Read review on Goodreads.

Anointed Lips

 

One way to 'anoint' ones' lips is by smearing lipstick or some lip balm on them.  However, this is not what I mean here by the title "Anointed Lips."  Ha, ha.

The other day someone sent me a video clip of a young lad of about 10-12 years of age (roughly, I'd say).  He was preaching for all he was worth, as if he was going to be the next 'greatest showman'.  He went on with the great gusto about being anointed for preaching.

Obviously, he must have felt he was anointed.  He didn't seem to think much of other preachers who were not.  Now I don't know exactly what his young definition of being anointed is, and hopefully I'm not taking his spiel from the clip out of context.  Nevertheless, one of the things he did mention, and which I've heard another preacher, whom I do believe is "anointed," say, is that a person, i.e. a preacher, without the anointing, is only imparting information and not giving revelation that helps change peoples' lives.

There's merit to those words.

We often hear Church people praying for the speaker of the day, that the Lord will give him "anointed lips'.  I wonder if this phrase is used without much thinking of what one is actually asking.  It feels rather like a Christian cliche.  I have wondered about it myself.

Perhaps it stems back to Old Testament times when prophets, priests and kings were anointed with oil at the initial outset of their ministry.  Remember back to Moses' anointing Aaron and sons before they began their work of the priesthood in the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:30; Leviticus 8:30).

The process was to pour a special recipe of anointing oil upon their heads.  It would run down the face, no doubt reaching the lips, beard and even the collar of their clothes.  In fact, that is alluded to in Psalm 133:2-3.  It is seen as a blessing and a sanctifying from the Lord.

Samuel the prophet was sent to anoint both Saul and David to be kings of Israel (1 Samuel 9:11-13; 16:1-13).  Then the prophet Elijah was sent to anoint the newbie prophet, Elisha as his successor (1 Kings 19:16-22).

In the book of Isaiah, God told Isaiah to go and do certain things and to preach but he said he was too sinful a man - a man of  'unclean lips'.  A seraphim took a live burning coal and touched Isaiah's lips with it, telling him he was now made holy for his task.  This sounds like a form of anointing to me (Isaiah 6:4-8).

God wants His children to be holy as He is holy (Leviticus 19-20; 1 Peter 1:16).  We cannot go through Sunday motions of preaching, teaching, singing praise and worship and then the rest of the week living unholy lives of swearing, taking the Lord's name in vain, telling dirty jokes, treating people like dirt; exploding in terrible tempers and/or getting involved in sexual sins and so on.  This is NOT becoming of one who professes to belong to Christ.  These are only "Sunday-go-to-meeting Christians."  They do not live holy lives.  They do not live "anointed" lives.  We need what is called 'progressive sanctification,'  daily living in obedience to God and His Word.

When a person accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior they have been made righteous and holy by Him.  This sets each one apart, as sacred for His use and purpose.  They have been personally "anointed" by God our Heavenly Father to do His work as He sees fit.  This is called 'justification and sanctification'.  However, the daily 'progressive sanctification' is imperative as well.

(We won't get into these terms here but I think their meaning can at least be vaguely ascertained from the contexts above.)

This is why it is so very important to live holy lives, remembering that as children of God, we are 

"all chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that we may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light" (1 Peter 2:9 NIV).

Anyone who is put into the position to help "feed" the flock of God must humbly keep this in mind.  Otherwise, pride may spring up in the heart.  A true believer in Jesus, who came to faith in Christ for his or her salvation, is anointed for doing good deeds and to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, just like any other believer who continues to fear God and live a holy life, fulfilling their God-given purpose.

If someone is up there on stage as a worship leader or in the pulpit preaching but does not seek the Lord every day of the week, then it is a sham for sure and is NOT speaking with 'anointed lips'.  The presence and power of God will indeed be missing.  It could well be entertaining and a gleaning of information but there may not be much changing of lives.

When fire and dynamic empowerment of "the Spirit of the Lord" comes upon a person, it's like the remarkable occurance during the naming of John the Baptizer.  Zechariah, his father, had been mute for nine months because of his unbelief.  However, when he did obediently declare his son was to be named "John," his tongue was loosed.

Zechariah

 "was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied (Luke 1:57-79).

The people were totally amazed.

There are other such biblical examples such as Peter who had been a bumbling disciple of Jesus, but when filled with the Holy Spirit he became a positively powerful preacher-apostle.  Thousands had their lives changed because of it (Acts 2:41; 4:4).

Of course our dear Jesus of Nazareth is always our Perfect Example.  He was anointed by God Himself, with the Holy Spirit.  I love seeing the results...

"... God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power and how He went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil for God was with Him" (Acts 10:38).

He was the 'Anointed One' referred to even in the Old Testament, and which Jesus read about, referring indirectly to Himself for the benefit of the people in the synagogue,

"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anoined Me to proclaim good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor" (Acts4:18-19; Isaiah 61:1-4).

How riveting for His audience.  They were stunned.  Some were even angered as they knew exactly that Jesus was saying He was the fulfilment of this prophesy - He was the Anointed One.

Brothers and sisters-in-Christ, when we seek first the Kingdom of God, faithfully read and obey God's word, engage in His interests, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead, guide and direct our lives in pleasing manner to the Lord, our life and therefore, our lips, will be anointed.  We will preach it and we will go about doing good as Jesus did.  We have been anointed by the Holy Spirit to do so.

Pray for one another for this to be so, not just a last minute cliche before a brother or sister gets up to preach but for every single day of our lives, until Jesus comes or death doth us part.  Create waves of change in peoples' lives as did Jesus.

Pray it in Jesus' name.

                                                ~ERC  January 2023~

Based on Exodus 30:30; Leviticus 8:30; 1 Samuel 9:11-13; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 Kings 9:16-21; Isaiah 6:4-8; Leviticus 19-20; 1 Peter 1:16; 1 Peter 2:9: Luke 1:57-79; Acts 2:41; 4:4.

Sing, Take My Life and Let it Be by Frances Ridley Havergal, along with Islington Baptist Church and Holy And Anointed On along with Brian Doerksen.

Book Review - 100 Things to Know About Architecture - By Louise O'Brien - Publication Date: 31 January 2023

 

A young academically-minded reader will be enthused and easily engrossed in this wonderful compilation of things that spell 'architecture,' I believe.  Various aspects such as the history of buildings; world-famous architects, symmetry; light; Lego; pyramids and environmentally congruent edifices that blend into their surrounds with finesse, can be learned about. 

There is so much more, that can be discovered within the pages of this educational children's book.  Each entry is short and to the point and accompanied by lovely pictures to illustrate.  Each aspect is well contained so a reader can stop and start to consider without feeling rushed.  It's something like Lego pieces themselves.  The interested reader can take his or her time to build one bit of knowledge one piece at a time, constructing and grasping in their minds, the individual subject matter that will fit together with the next and the next, pieces.  I believe this would be a great gift for any child who yearns for scientific input.

                                                   ~Eunice C.,  Reviewer/Blogger~

                                                              December 2022

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

Read review on Goodreads.

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