faith

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THE VALUE OF PRAYER

(2 Corinthians 1:8-12) We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia.  We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself.  Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death.  But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.  He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again.  On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you helped us by your prayers.  Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

Here in the Apostle Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, he shares about the trials he and his fellow workers experienced during their ministry in the province of Asia.  He makes sure to recognize the value of the prayers of the many brothers and sisters who prayed for them through their difficult time.

In my ongoing battle with cancer, I have been blessed with so many brothers and sisters battling with me through the power of their prayers.  Together we have seen the hand of God as he has continually blessed me with miraculous recovery from the chemotherapy, and now radiation therapy.  We have joined together to praise and give thanks to God our Father for his great care.

So, what is the value of prayer?  Praying is an exercise of faith.  In that alone, we see great value for it strengthens our faith.  Prayer has value in that we are communicating with God, and it allows for us to express the love we have for others, as we request God’s intervention on their behalf.  Prayer is an expression of love for our God and love for our neighbors.  Loving God and loving our neighbors fulfills the two greatest commandments. 

My best thought on the value of prayer is that it is a collaboration between God and his children, and, as we pray, we grow closer to God.

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JESUS GIVES US PEACE

(John 14:27) Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you.  I do not give to you as the world gives.  Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

In the early days of walking with the Lord, I believed what Jesus was saying in this scripture, but I didn’t understand how to walk in his peace.  As time went on, and I had to deal with troubles and fear, I discovered that Jesus was always there with me.  I began to trust him with the challenges of life.  I began to experience his peace, and with his help, I was able to put aside fear.

Recently, I had to deal with cancer.  After two months of chemotherapy the cancer is basically gone, but I am now receiving radiation therapy to prevent the cancer from returning.  The cancer was in my head and neck, so the radiation is centered there.  To keep my head still during treatment the technicians make a mask out of a mesh material which is placed over my face and neck and fastened to the table. It is unsettling to have your head fastened tightly to a table.  Fortunately, the sessions only last about fifteen minutes.  

While facing the idea of this preparation, Jesus spoke to me that he would be right there laying beside me.  These words are with me each time they fasten me down for a session.  I am able to put aside the panic that fear might bring, and experience peace because he is with me.

The words, in John 14:7, that Jesus spoke to his disciples two thousand years ago are as alive today as they were then.  He is always with us, granting his supernatural and eternal peace.

(Philippians 4:7) And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

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CONSIDER THE KINDNESS AND STERNNESS OF GOD

(Psalm 91:14-16) “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.  He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.  With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”

(Romans 11:22) Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…

The Apostle Paul challenges us with these words,“Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God…” the verses from Psalm 91 show us that for those who love the Lord and acknowledge his name there is kindness.  The opposite is therefore true that for those who reject the Lord and deny his existence there is sternness.  

Why do Christians talk about a new life in Christ Jesus?  The answer is because we have entered God’s kindness.  God has rescued us, protected us, answered our prayers, been with us in times of trouble, and shown us his salvation.  The writer of Psalm 91 received God’s kindness because he had acknowledged the name of the Lord and had come to love the Lord his God.

The sternness of God is reserved for those who reject God.  His sternness has been demonstrated from the beginning.  The flood is a good example.  In response to rampant evil, God wiped out all but eight of mankind. As we contemplate this, it is good to remember that Creation belongs to God, and he will deal with it according to what is necessary to bring about his final plan for his creation.   

We have each been given the opportunity to receive God’s kindness. First, we come to believe that God exists, and, as we seek him, he builds a relationship with us.  Jesus made the way for all to enter this glorious relationship with our creator.  God’s desire is that we would all come to him.  He would much rather show us his kindness than his sternness.

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WHAT HAS GOD DONE ABOUT MANKIND’S REBELLION? 

(Romans 1:18-21) The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them.  For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.  For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

The Apostle Paul gives a clear description of what has brought about the fallen state of God’s creation.  It is quite simple; mankind has turned their backs to their creator.  We were created to be with God.  God created us to share with him and to live in his righteousness. Without God we now live in a world full of evil. Not only did mankind turn their backs to God, but they created false god substitutes.  And in our current depravity, we have created vast theories to deny God’s existence.

What has God done about mankind’s rebellion?  Well, since the beginning he has called for us to return to him, and out of his great love for us, when the time was right, he sent his Son to show us how to live a righteous life.  As a clear demonstration of his love for us, Jesus, God the Son, having no sin, took upon himself all the sins that mankind has committed throughout the ages, and suffered death on the cross to pay the price for all those sins.  Jesus covered our unrighteous acts so that we could be free to return to a right relationship with our God. 

The rampant evil acts that daily occur here on planet earth are the result of mankind’s rebellion against our creator. Paul explains the results of this rebellion, “but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

To the very end, many of mankind will continue to defy God.  I have been studying the book of Revelation; it is amazing the terrible destruction that God’s judgement will bring upon the earth, yet, in the midst of this destruction, many will refuse to repent.

 God, with great sacrifice, has prepared a way that we can enter the love and wonders that he has always wanted for his created ones.  If we let his light shine in our hearts, the darkness will flee, and our thinking will become clear.  This has always been God’s desire.

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HOLD ON TO JESUS

(Hebrews 13:5) Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  These are words that God spoke to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:6) when he was about to lead the Israelites into the promised land.  Here the writer of Hebrews shares these words with people who have received Jesus as their Savior, people like us.  For Joshua and for us, these words are a promise from our God.  Since God is holding on to us, all that this connection requires is that we hold on to him.

I’m picturing a scene where a child has fallen over the edge of cliff and just managed to grab hold of a root sticking out of the ground. She is holding on for dear life, and her hand is beginning to slip.  Then, the hero appears just in time, and he reaches out and says, take my hand.  The frightened victim then needs to decide whether to put her trust in this perfect stranger or not.  Desperately, she reaches out and grabs the offered hand.  She is pulled to safety, and all is well.  Having a hero like Jesus who will never leave us or forsake us presents a great reassurance.

Jesus has promised to always be with us.  Somehow, in the most difficult times, it seems harder to recognize his presence.  We want him to rescue us right away, and we wonder where is he?  That’s when we need to hold on to him and trust in his words.

I have recently suffered through some difficult times, and I found myself feeling more distant from Jesus. I now realize that I was learning to grow in patience, through suffering.  As I look back, I can see that Jesus was right there through it all.  It was time for me to hold on to him, and learn to trust in the fact that, “he will never leave me or forsake me.”

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REMEMBERING THAT GOD CAN DO ALL THINGS

(Psalm 114:1-7) When Israel came out of Egypt, Jacob from a people of foreign tongue, Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.  The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back; the mountains leaped like rams, the hills like lambs.  Why was it, sea, that you fled?  Why, Jordan, did you turn back?  Why, mountains, did you leap like rams, you hills, like lambs?  Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob, who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

Here in Psalm 114, the psalmist is recounting the miraculous deeds God performed as he brought the Israelites out of Egypt and from slavery.  As I read, I became aware that these reminders were as relevant for me as they were for the ancient Israelites.  The God who did these miracles is the same God I serve today.  I was in need of remembering that I serve an all-powerful God who has promised to take care of me.  Even when I face difficult times, he is right there to prepare the way and lead me through.  No obstacle stands a chance against my God.

In my human frailty, when faced with seemingly insurmountable difficulties, I can become fearful and discouraged.  I can even get to the point of surrendering to defeat.  This is when I need to remember who it is that I serve.

 I look back and remember that God has taken care of me throughout my life with unexpected funds when I needed them. I remember a quarter tank of gas that took me back and forth to work for a whole week and remained until payday.  A cloud cover comes to mind; We were about to take a trip to the east one summer in my unairconditioned Pinto station wagon. I was concerned about how our three young children would do as we crossed the southwestern states known for their hot summer sun, so I prayed.  As we left the California desert and entered Arizona, a cloud cover appeared above us.  That cloud cover followed us all the way to Oklahoma.  Some might say it was a coincidence, but I knew it was an answer to prayer.

I could fill numerous pages with the things God has done for our family.  The miracles mentioned above are some of my favorites because they happened in our early day when God was teaching us to trust him.  What wonderful treasure are memories to help us through difficult times.  They remind us that God can do all things.

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THE BEST POSSIBLE ROAD TO TAKE

(John 3:16&17) For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

We have just celebrated the birth of Jesus. This is the beginning of the greatest event that has ever occurred on the earth.  John clarifies for us just what happened on that night when Mary gave birth to a son in the town of Bethlehem.  God gave his one and only Son to save the world.  Why would God do this?  Because he so loved the world.  And who can receive this saving grace?  Whoever believes in Jesus the Son. 

Our creator has offered us an open invitation to reconcile with him and spend eternity with him in a perfectly sin free new world.  What can possibly stand in the way of us jumping at this invitation?  I like to be reminded of these words from Proverbs 3:5&6, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your way submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”  A relationship with God doesn’t depend on our ability to figure out God; it depends on our ability to believe that he exists.  We call this faith. Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”  The writer of Hebrews continues in verse 6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

Jeremiah 29:13, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  God is inviting us to receive the greatest gift ever offered, eternal life. We waste our time seeking everything that in the long run has no eternal significance. In Matthew 6:31-33 Jesus said, So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For the pagans run after these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

The promise found in God’s Son is not only for eternity.  It is even for right now.  When we put our faith in God our Father and believe in Jesus as our savior, we begin a new life.  Considering what is offered and how much can be lost; Think about it, seeking God seems to be the best possible road to take.

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WHEN TROUBLE COMES

(John 16:33) I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.  In this world you will have trouble.  But take heart! I have overcome the world.

(James 1:2-4) Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.  Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

A young man, taking in the wonders of nature, runs along a secluded path through a beautiful forest.  The early morning sun shoots rays of light through the budding new leaves of spring. Ahead there is a bend in the path, and he wonders what delights he will find there.  As he approaches the bend, a stirring in the brush draws his attention to the right just as he starts his turn to the left.  His distraction causes him to miss the large branch across the path, and down he goes.  He reaches out to catch himself with his left arm, and he hears the snap of his bone breaking.  Then his head hits a rock, and it all goes black.  Now imagine as he begins to regain consciousness, feeling the throbbing of his head and the excruciating pain from his left arm, his first thought is “Why did God let this happen to me?”

Jesus tells us, “In this world you will have trouble.”  It is part of living in this world.  This world is what we humans have caused by our sinfulness.  Death and decay are a part of our life.  Decay probably caused the fallen branch that tripped our young man.

Now James reminds us that the troubles we face test our faith and help us mature in faith.  This leads me to believe that there is genuine value in our struggles.  The counting it all joy probably comes toward the end of trouble, for then is when we can see the value more clearly.

I am saying these things to myself because I am facing trouble.  I have had cancer in the past, and I was about to celebrate seven years of being cancer free when a new type of cancer invaded my body.  It is curable, but a series of what has turned out to be rather torturous chemotherapy is required.

 Facing this again has caused me to be on my knees and in the Bible looking for strength to endure the process.  Looking for answers has led me to this conclusion.  God has not forsaken me.  He is right here with me.  I have been reminded to take it one day at a time and to not fret about the future.  I am very grateful for all my family, friends, and prayer warriors supporting me through this.  I am very blessed.  Gratitude goes a long way in enduring the struggles.  I spend a lot of time remembering God’s continual blessings throughout my life.  Troubles come, but we never have to face them alone.  I feel encouraged to carry on.

I will close with Jesus’ enduring reminder, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

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LIVING IN THE PEACE OF GOD

(Philippians 4:4-7) Rejoice in the Lord always.  I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near.  Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

I love the challenge of these words that the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians.  Over the years, I have found an ever-increasing understanding of what he was saying.

Paul starts with the word rejoice; then he emphatically repeats the word, rejoice!  Our rejoicing is in the Lord, how often, always.  Our Lord has forgiven our sins and provided us with eternal life.  This is worth always rejoicing in the Lord.  As we walk with the Lord, he continually blesses us with reasons for rejoicing.

Paul next tells us, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.”  What I gain from these words is that we don’t have to get riled up when circumstances aren’t going our way.  Why, because: “The Lord is near.”  Now this could mean because God is watching our every move, and we don’t want to mess up, but what I think it means, is knowing The Lord is near provides us with comfort and peace in all situations.  We never have to face difficult times alone.

Paul adds the instruction, “Don’t be anxious about anything.”  Well, being anxious and worried seems to be inherent to us humans.  How can we learn to be calm in the storm?  Paul tells us, “but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”  We mature in Christ Jesus as we surrender ourselves to him.  Walking with him opens the door for God to increase our faith.  As our faith increases, our trust in God grows.  The more we put out trust in him, Our peace increases, and our hearts and minds are content, guarded in Christ Jesus.

 Eventually, we find ourselves at peace during a time when we could have been scared, worried or deeply distressed.  Ah, that’s when we are experiencing the peace that goes beyond understanding.  Within God’s peace, we don’t respond to situations as those who don’t know Jesus might respond.  That makes us a light shining brightly to those around us.  Being content, especially in times of trouble, is quite appealing.

When we rejoice in what God has given us, give thanks to him, and call out to him in all circumstances, that is when we find the peace of God that transcends all understanding.

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JESUS IS GOD

One of the main premises of Christianity is that Jesus is fully man and fully God. People seldom deny that Jesus was a man, yet his deity is often the point of controversy.  Jesus was born to a woman, but he was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and his father is God.  In his time among us, he did much to demonstrate that he is God the Son.

The first supernatural event that Jesus presented, when he was about to begin his ministry here on earth, was to turn water into wine (see John 2:1-11).  He was at a wedding banquet, and the wine was running out.  He ordered servants to fill 6 stone jars with water.  Each jar held twenty to thirty gallons.  When they were full, he instructed them to take some to the master of the banquet. The water had become fine wine.

Water is as you know H2O.  Its elemental make up is two hydrogen and one oxygen atom.  Wine is about 84% water, and 13% ethanol.  The other 3% is a complex combination of glycerol, organic acids, amino acids, sugars, other alcohols, phenols, minerals, aromatics, and sulfur.  Not only did Jesus turn water into wine, but he made the best wine. 

Other supernatural events occurred frequently during his ministry proving that he is not just a man, but also God.  The gospels are full of miraculous stories of Jesus’ miracles.

For example:

He fed five thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fish.

He walked on the water of a stormy lake.

He commanded the waves and wind to be still and they obeyed.

He healed multitudes of people with various infirmities.

He raised people who had died back to life.

He commanded demons to leave inflicted people, and they had to obey.

Jesus demonstrated his supernatural authority over the basic elements and over all other aspects of creation. Only God has this kind of authority over creation.  And then came the final demonstration. His Godly love for us.  Jesus did not use his power to protect himself but humbled himself and allowed men to take his life so that he could pay for our sins.  Then his Father raised him from the dead and gave him all authority over heaven and earth.

The evidence is clear.  Jesus is God!  No other can claim this truth.