“…And the name of the city from that time on will be: THE LORD IS THERE.” (Ezekiel 48:35, NIV)
He is there
The manner of expressing a spiritual meaning by giving a name to a city, a people, or the like, has good reason behind it:
“Jehovah is there”, because Yahweh will never again withdraw from it, as He once withdrew, but will hold it as His everlasting possession.”
The visible presence of God’s glory, once represented in the tabernacle and in the temple, had departed, and should not return in quite the same form.
Yet Ezekiel in “visions of God” sees a temple reconstructed to receive the glory of the divine presence, a prophetic vision fulfilled in Emmanuel (“God with us”), who tabernacled among all of humanity.John 1:14. Compare Rom 9:25; Rev 21:2-3.
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come (Song 2:12)
begin again
No matter what kind of clouds and storms might be in your life, it may be spring-time within. If your hearts have been frost-bound and barren, may they now begin to thaw at the approach of Jesus! Many of us have asked for his company, and believe that he will be here; and when he comes, he will make our souls rejoice. They shall be as watered gardens when the spring returns again.
According to the flowers, it is never too late to begin again.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19 ESV)
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)
For me, flowers are the definition of success
If you have seen the power of the storm
and have had the quiet moment with God
You will hear each sparkling moment telling
of the flower’s life saying under the clouds
Begin again with Jesus
if you have broken dreams. lost hopes
did you fall short for everyone you love
recall flowers in the unexpected storm
folding and closing, even got crushed
But it is already planning to begin again.
The LORD is near to the heartbroken And He saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalms 34:18)
it just takes love
Imagine looking into the mirror every day and not liking who you see. Not knowing where to belong and what to do with your heart of stone.
It has been my lot to be chastened by affliction, which has eventually had a softening and subduing influence, removing enmity from my heart, and filling it with compassion and love.
My life of bereavement, pain, and suffering has not been without precious revealings of the presence of our Savior. My eyes have been attracted to the light in the clouds that shine in their beauty above us; and when all has seemed dark, there has been a rift in the clouds, and sunbeams from the throne have dispersed the gloom. Truly, “there is light in every cloud.” As Christians, we expect it.
God doesn’t really want any of us to remain pressed down by sorrow, with sore and breaking hearts. He would have us look up to catch the rainbow of promise, and reflect THAT light from our clouds, from one heart to another heart.
“The measure of Love is to Love without measure”
I have seen how great anxiety and deep depression are followed by long and happy times of fullness and joy.
Violence and destruction, hopelessness, not being good enough, which, like vandals, carve out and burn us, are replaced by salvation and praise deep in our hearts. The Lord becomes the everlasting light in the thick clouds (Exodus 19:9) of this life, and the days of mourning are ended.
We have no further need to fret or to defend ourselves or to answer false accusations. Let us refrain our lips, hold our peace, as Jesus did, and go on doing whatever it is we do know is right and good. God will see to it that our needs are supplied, and that our soul is redeemed.
Do not think that such an experience is too good to last, or so beautiful that it must be impermanent. When once the dawn of perfect surrender and acceptance breaks, there is no sundown, no shadowed sky, no more sorrow or crying, no more heartbreak or hopelessness. The inheritance is forever! The branch is ever green! Truly, Heaven begins on earth.
I often wish I could escape my many troubles, the pain of grief, loss, sorrow, and failure, or even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear me down. But God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted” and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems.
All who recognized and accepted him—all who valued and accepted the character, methods and principles he revealed—he made them children of God, transforming them into like character, practicing God’s methods and principles.(John 1:12, Remedy New Testament)
All who welcome Jesus Christ as Lord of their lives are reborn spiritually, receiving new life from God. Through faith in Christ, this new birth changes us from the inside out—rearranging our attitudes, desires, and motives. Being born makes you physically alive and places you in your parents’ family (John 1:13). Being born of God makes you spiritually alive and puts you in God’s family (John 1:12). Have you asked Christ to make you a new person? This fresh start in life is available to all who believe in Christ.
Piece by piece Jesus will put us together differently. (2 Cor 5:17)
But all who have received Him, to them–that is, to those who trust in His name–He has given the privilege of becoming children of God; (John 1:12, Weymouth)
I am sure now that I had to break completely so that love could make me new. I heard the Voice of Love speak surely to me. “I will make you new” My love will make you whole, People won’t recognize you anymore. You will rise again. Stronger than ever before.”
For anyone who has joined their heart in unity with Christ receives regeneration of character and is created anew to be like Christ. The old selfish character is replaced with the new Christlike character. (2 Cor 5:17, Remedy New Testament)
I have asked Jesus to make me be a brand new person inside my heart. The Holy Spirit has given me new life, a new heart. I am not reformed. I am not rehabilitated. I am not re-educated. But I am re-created. (2 Cor 5:17) A new creation. I live in vital union with Jesus:
Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ (2 Cor 10:5, KJV)
Sometimes our Lord chooses to be close to us through another person’s hands.
Another person’s heart.
God’s promise is for you:
“I will give thee people for thy life…” (Isa 43:4).
Its wonderful how God wants to be my friend, leading me
as a Father. (John 1:12)
Thank you, for the time you take to give me joy
every day
Thank you for taking me patiently into your space
to say
Just as I am is how you want me in your world, I
am grateful
I have your arms around me when I am feeling
down or sad
I am happy to be your adopted child, held in your arms
as my Father
I thank you for taking my dark and for making me
feel special
Now I look for a tomorrow in the realms of peace
and trust
In faith and love I wait for our next time together
to say again
Thank you my dear friend for the rainbow you leave in
my heart
to be with you and in your arms of love eternal
for me
Like Paul, I am just a weak human, but now I know I don’t need to use human plans and methods to win my life battles. God’s mighty weapons are available to me as I fight against the devil’s “strongholds.”
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2 Cor 10:4)
The Christian must choose whose methods to use—God’s or the world’s. Paul assures us that God’s mighty weapons—prayer, faith, hope, love, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit—are powerful and effective.
“The LORD will be [our] everlasting light, and [our] days of sadness will be over”…”At the right time…the LORD, will make it happen quickly.” (Isa 60:20-21, GW)
In every horrible scar from my past, I see the place where His light tries to get in. There is truly light in every cloud. In the Christian life we battle against rulers and authorities (the powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by the devil, who is a vicious fighter, (see 1 Pet 5:8). To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God’s strength and use every piece of his armor. Paul is not only giving this counsel to the church, the body of Christ, but to all individuals within the church. The whole body needs to be armed.
That is why you need to get God’s full armor. Then on the day of evil, you will be able to stand strong. And when you have finished the whole fight, you will still be standing. So stand strong with the belt of truth tied around your waist, and on your chest wear the protection of right living. On your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong. And also use the shield of faith with which you can stop all the burning arrows that come from the Evil One. Accept God’s salvation as your helmet. And take the sword of the Spirit—that sword is the teaching of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times. Pray with all kinds of prayers, and ask for everything you need. To do this you must always be ready. Never give up. Always pray for all of God’s people. (Eph 6:13-18, ERV)
Finally, stay strong in your connection and devotion to the Lord and his mighty power. (Eph 6:10, Remedy NT)
Prophecy is speaking, Coming alive. Night, dark and portentous, is enclosing the Christian world. (Rev 3:10) Apostasy from God’s commandments is the terrible evidence of this night. Deep, dark, and apparently impenetrable to our human senses. World Systems that make the truth of God of none effect are cherished by so many, even in the churches of our land. People are aggressively teaching for doctrine the commandments of human masters of FEAR. False Evidence Appearing Real. Their assertions are taken as truth.
Many people have received human-made theories. So the gospel is perverted, and the Scripture misapplied. As in the days of Christ, the light of truth is pushed into the back-ground. Human theories and suppositions are honored before the word of the Lord God of hosts. The truth is counteracted by error. The word of God is wrested, divided, and distorted by higher criticism. Jesus is acknowledged, only to be betrayed by a kiss. Apostasy exists, and will enclose the world till the last. Its hideous character and darkening influence will be seen in the maddening draughts dealt out from Babylon and it’s “wine” that many find so tasty. (Jer 51:7, Rev 14:8)
My friends, the cross has spoken. You are forgiven. You are loved. We NOW live in the morning that sealed the promise of redemption. The peace that passes understanding. Our Lord is risen (Mat 1:21) and Jesus wants you to declare your adoption as The Father’s sons and daughters. Sons and daughters of God! You will rise again. Jesus. Our living Hope. The living Hope that has a name. Immanual. Jesus Christ our living hope. He is there. Wherever you sit in darkness. Jesus the light of the world, will be your light.
In order to realize how great a gift salvation is, we need to remember our former natural, unclean condition. Have you ever felt separate, excluded, hopeless? This message is for you. No one is alienated from Christ’s love or from the body of believers. Or atleast they shouldnt be!
But don’t take any of this for granted. It was only yesterday that [we] outsiders to God’s ways had no idea of any of this, we didn’t know the first thing about the way God works, hadn’t the faintest idea of Christ. We knew nothing of that rich history of God’s covenants and promises in Israel, hadn’t a clue about what God was doing in the world at large. Now because of Christ—dying that death, shedding that blood—you who were once out of it altogether are in on everything. (Eph 2:11-13, Message)
My friends, your unexpected storm has not caught Jesus by surprise. Jesus will carry you. (Isa 46:4) He will never leave you nor forsake you. (Heb 13:5) Jesus is watching over you. Jesus will bring you through. The Garden. The jail. The hammer. The nail. The long night. And then the morning. Jesus is not here. He is risen. And you will rise again too as His adopted child. (2 Pet 3:18. John 1:12) Jesus, as your Friend, will take care of you. No matter how horrible you think you are, Jesus will take your case.
Jesus knows that your broken heart just needs love.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. (Eph 2:13, NIV)
There’s a reason God has placed you on this earth.
Find out your divine purpose in this scriptural message from Pastor John Bradshaw.
salted
“You are like salt to humanity: preserving the knowledge of God, providing the flavor of heaven, and increasing the thirst for God. But if salt loses its saltiness, unless it becomes salty again, it is useless and will be thrown out and trampled upon. “You are beacons of light in a world of darkness. A shining city on a hill cannot be hidden, and people don’t light a lantern and hide it under a bucket. No! They display it prominently, so everyone receives its light. (Mat 5:13-15, Remedy New Testament)
If a seasoning has no flavor, it has no value. If Christians make no effort to affect the world around them, they are of little value to God. If we are too much like the world, we are worthless. Christians should not blend in with everyone else. Instead, we should affect others positively, just as seasoning brings out the best flavor in food.
No Self-originated Light.
The light that shines from those who receive Jesus Christ is not self-originated. It is all from the Light and Life of the world. He kindles this light, even as He kindles the fire that all must use in doing His service. Christ is the light, the life, the holiness, the sanctification of all who believe, and His light is to be received and imparted in all good works. In many different ways His grace is also acting as the salt of the earth; whithersoever this salt finds its way, to homes or communities, it becomes a preserving power to save all that is good, and to destroy all that is evil {5BC 1085.2}
I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from your commandments and rules. (Dan 9:4-5)
Daniel learned to pray
By the River of Ulai, the prophet “looked up”
As he was seeking
And when he “lifted up his eyes,” Daniel heard
King Jesus speaking
And down the corridors of time to the beast of
This our troubled day
We see the “Little Horn” is speaking peace as he
Forces church his way.
In the “latter times” of his kingdom when
Transgressions marked are “full.”
The time “appointed for the vision” on the
Mind of each will pull
“Dark sentences” embraced the King, when
transgressors all “stood up”
For they only “stand” to destroy; to deceive
We dare not, ever, drink the cup
Daniel fainted at this little bit that he could
See while rapt in vision
Saying how “no one understood” it; as they held
Truth in derision
But the prophet understood the vision as the
Angel swiftly flew
For Daniel prayed and “made confession;” nothing
Less could ever do
In this vision of the end Gabriel spoke to Daniel
Past his praying and his tears
For Jeremiah, wrote before him of the long and
“Desolate years”
And gave Daniel understanding from “the books;” all
The “numbers of the days”
And we can have the understanding too; as we walk
These times in God’s sweet ways.
70 Weeks were “determined” for Jerusalem of old so
That everyone could see
How God will send His mighty angel when we need to
Know the prophecy
Daniel knew the secret
of the walk we all must make With Jesus in our day
He truly understood the “numbers of the years”
I have re-written this article to reflect on some recent thoughts I have had.
Little Flowers In The Rain
“…the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose…” (Isa 35:1)
my little flowers
This is a time of year when I think the most of my late wife, Donna. One of the reasons is that autumn was her favorite time of year. We both made it special, because of all the beautiful colors. And then there was always The harvest Moon. She passed away in my arms on the night of the full moon, i can almost feel her beside me when its a full moon. Her sweet laugh, her sparkling eyes, her kiss, and her arms around me. No, it’s not a sad time for me really. Its a time of reflection, gratitude. And desire to move forward with all the love that we had, all the love that remains in my heart. None of that ‘died.”
My sister from another Province texted me a message a while ago. She has lost a husband and a daughter to cancer, is remarried now. Part of the text message read as follows:
“Think of grief as a journey, highs, lows, beautiful refreshing meadows,,,cold, dark paths sometimes; but remember “through the valley..” (re Psalms 23) and “thou art with me…” and one day you will realize with strength for your future…”
I had to agree with my sister, especially the comment about
“beautiful, refreshing meadows.”
Some who know me well will recognize that I like flowers. Of course, many others have said things like “guys are not supposed to like flowers.”
Yet I have felt drawn to them since I was a little boy, picking Dandelions to make my Mom a Dandelion Necklace. I remember “the smile that melted,” [me] that my Mom would have on her face whenever I presented her with some gift that I had made for her out of flowers that I would find while playing outside. Sometimes, I think, I would just make her something out of those little flowers, just to see that smile one more time.
And then came the day when I discovered Hollyhocks. Beautiful bright colors of every kind. Mom really liked those things I made. I even made her a Tiara once. All I knew was the happy look on her face when I gave her my latest creation from all of the little flowers that came out of the rain.
Now, I am older, and I face these poignant memories of Donna’s death. Its autumn, and the colors are beautiful this year. I used to buy her flowers when she was sick all those years that I was her caregiver. They would never fail to cheer her up.
Over the months, some have commented saying things like “who did I really buy those flowers for?”
Whenever I bought some, I would spend some time photographing them. “I need the practice,” I would say with a sheepish grin. We would have these great discussions on how beautiful they looked. I noticed how those flowers would brighten the room and add some cheer to the day for us both. The autumn colors today reflect al this and much more.
That first year or two after, I am told is always “very hard.” By the sounds of it, I am supposed to go into some kind of grief and remorse, have caniption fits, and generally have a big “poor me” session for this kind of thing. I am told that I have “lost her love;” and people say
“sorry for your loss.”
Well, I may have lost the relationship that we had. But how can one “lose” love? I have never understood that. That love she left me in my heart, will always be there. Like the flowers I love, that love in my heart will continue to flourish and grow. And so I find much gratitude in my heart today.
I have used that love from my wife’s heart to mine, as a resource, almost as a mentor if you will, to continue, rather than “lose” our love. I mean, its in my heart. Does it really have anywhere else to go? Except, perhaps to someone else’s broken heart?
So for this moment of memories, I am planting flowers in my little cabin. Lots of them. I will use them to bring cheer to the people in my life, and to add a dimension of brightness and colors to my own home. When I think of these flowers and how they flourish and grow inspite of the storms of grief and loss, I look forward to seeing them all come to life over the coming winter, and adding growth, and uplifting thoughts to anyone who sees them.
Little Flowers In The rain.
These seem a fitting tribute to the love I have experienced in my life, and to whatever future love that awaits my reception.
I share all of the love that I have had, and add it to what I experience today. I have not “lost” her love. I simply continue with it. I have a photograph on my wall that I took. And the caption I put on it says:
“all of me, loves all of you.”
Its how I lived my life with Donna, and developed new growth, with the people now set in my path. I continue with all those good things from my past, into all of the love I experience now.
Yes, there are things to celebrate today!
And all because of little flowers.
I give all the credit to God. He has made me glad. By His power; I live in love with others today. And I think its certainly, in part, because of many little flowers. By the grace of God, I am living in faith and love today.
Perhaps, I will soon have the most colorful cabin in the mountains this winter? Perhaps someone will be a little happier when they see their growth and beauty? I hope and pray that someone’s day will be a little brighter, as they grow into full bloom.
Memories of our loved ones don’t have to be an “ending.” It doesn’t need to be a mountain of inconsolable grief. I don’t need to fall apart. Pictured above is Donna and I when we first met, and again, just before she died. We enjoyed all the little flowers as long as she could. And the picture of her sitting in my lap by all those beautiful flowers, was the last time she was able to go outside.
But for today, she is inside.
My heart.
Remember, amidst all the craziness today, to love those placed in your path.. Love them actively, not passively, for we do not know when that last day will come for anyone we love. Love now, not later, when its “more convenient.”
Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people, (Luke 1:68)
redeemed!
In the City of God “there shall be no night.” None will need or desire repose. There will be no weariness in doing the will of God and offering praise to His name. We shall ever feel the freshness of the morning and shall ever be far from its close. “And they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light.” Revelation 22:5. The light of the sun will be superseded by a radiance which is not painfully dazzling, yet which immeasurably surpasses the brightness of our noontide. The glory of God and the Lamb floods the Holy City with unfading light. The redeemed walk in the sunless glory of perpetual day.—GC 676.
Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the adversary, (Psalms 107:2)
Don’t be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. (Mat 6:8, GW)
light in the clouds
Many have questioned the meaning of the statement your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. “Then why should we pray?” they ask. Prayer is not man’s attempt to change the will of God. God’s method of changing our will is to bring it into conformity with His will. More than changing things, prayer changes people. Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctance to answer, but laying hold of His willingness to help! Prayer, in the life of the true believer, is an act of total confidence and assurance in the plan and purpose of God.
Christ seldom gathered His disciples alone to receive His words. Here in Mat 6, Jesus did not choose for His audience those only who knew the way of life. It was His work to reach the multitudes who were in ignorance and error. He gave His lessons of truth where they could reach the darkened understanding. He Himself was the Truth, standing with girded loins and hands ever outstretched to bless, and in words of warning, entreaty, and encouragement, seeking to uplift all who would come unto Him. {DA 298.1}
JESUS: Befriends the Sinner in Us
Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. He has brought us by faith into this experience of God’s grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God’s glory! We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, endurance brings God’s approval, and his approval creates hope. This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God’s gift to us. For when we were still helpless, Christ died for the wicked at the time that God chose. (Rom 5:1-6, GNB)
The hope that believers have of their future glory with God will not disappoint them by being unfulfilled. They will not be put to shame or humiliated because of their hope. The reason the believer can be so confident is that the love of God has been poured out.
“Them that are afar off are made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph 2:13)
There are no exceptions. The love of God has been poured out. For the gays, for the adulterers, for the liars, for the thieves, the Catholics, the Protestants, and everyone in between, and especially for the self-righteous professors of Christendom who act as though they are better than “all those others.”
The moment a person receives Jesus, trusts in Him, that person receives the Holy Spirit (Rom 8:9), who constantly encourages them in their hope in God. (see also John 1:12)
There is no one you could name who needs to miss out on this hope.
While We Were Yet Sinners
Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. “With His stripes we are healed.” {DA 25.2}
In the year 1874, William Gladstone was competing in the election for prime minister of the United Kingdom. Well known among his contemporaries for being a highly capable man by virtue of his sharp wit, expansive knowledge, and decorated track record, Gladstone was a formidable candidate for the role. Yet it was his opponent, Benjamin Disraeli, who seemed to have the endearing edge. What made Disraeli more attractive to some was his widely known and celebrated ability to help people see their own value. While Gladstone had no problem helping people see how important important he was as an accomplished man, Disraeli helped people see how important they were.
One evening, a woman named Jennie Jerome, famously known as the mother of Sir Winston Churchill, had an opportunity to converse with each of the candidates at a dinner party. When asked by a reporter about the experience and her impression of each of the candidates, she replied, “When I left the dining room after sitting next to Gladstone, I thought he was the cleverest man in England. But when I sat next to Disraeli, I left feeling that I was the cleverest woman.” [Sauls, Scott. A Gentle Answer (pp. 3-4). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition].
In His ministry, Jesus often turned his attention to those accustomed to being ignored, mistreated, discarded, and despised by the general public.
If you were sick, poor, sexually damaged, or paralyzed by guilt and shame, for just a few examples, Jesus would move toward you and tell you what nobody else would:
YOU MATTER. YOU ARE LOVED.
One of the most remarkable things about Jesus is his affection for and gentleness toward not the righteous, but towards sinners; not the healthy, but the sick; not those who have their act together, but those who are falling apart; not those who are clean, but those who are damaged and dirty. “This man welcomes sinners,” the scribes and Pharisees charged, “and eats with them” (Luke 15:2 NIV). [Sauls, Scott. A Gentle Answer (p. 5). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition].
I Only Know I’m Loved
’When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not shouting, “I’ve been saved!”
I’m whispering, “I get lost sometimes
That’s why I chose this way”
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t speak with human pride
I’m confessing that I stumble –
needing God to be my guide
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not trying to be strong
I’m professing that I’m weak
and pray for strength to carry on
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not bragging of success
I’m admitting that I’ve failed
and cannot ever pay the debt
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I don’t think I know it all
I submit to my confusion
asking humbly to be taught
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I’m not claiming to be perfect
My flaws are far too visible
but God believes I’m worth it
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartache
which is why I seek God’s name
When I say, “I am a Christian”
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I’m loved’
by Carol Wimmer 1988
Some Find Disappointment In Jesus
Christ disappointed the hope of worldly greatness. In the Sermon on the Mount He sought to undo the work that had been wrought by false education, and to give His hearers a right conception of His kingdom and of His own character. Yet He did not make a direct attack on the errors of the people. He saw the misery of the world on account of sin, yet He did not present before them a vivid delineation of their wretchedness. He taught them of something infinitely better than they had known. Without combating their ideas of the kingdom of God, He told them the conditions of entrance therein, leaving them to draw their own conclusions as to its nature. The truths He taught are no less important to us than to the multitude that followed Him. We no less than they need to learn the foundation principles of the kingdom of God. {DA 299.3}
Christ’s first words to the people on the mount were words of blessing. Happy are they, He said, who recognize their spiritual poverty, and feel their need of redemption. The gospel is to be preached to the poor. Not to the spiritually proud, those who claim to be rich and in need of nothing, is it revealed, but to those who are humble and contrite. One fountain only has been opened for sin, a fountain for the poor in spirit. {DA 299.4}
The proud heart strives to earn salvation; but both our title to heaven and our fitness for it are found in the righteousness of Christ. The Lord can do nothing toward the recovery of man until, convinced of his own weakness, and stripped of all self-sufficiency, he yields himself to the control of God. Then he can receive the gift that God is waiting to bestow. From the soul that feels his need, nothing is withheld. He has unrestricted access to Him in whom all fullness dwells. “For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.” Isa 57:15. {DA 300.1}
Then Jesus taught the followers that they should always pray and never lose hope… (Luke 18:1, ERV)
stand on promises
To persist in prayer and not give up does not mean endless repetition. Meaningless or painfully long prayer sessions. Is there a specific pathway to prayer? How does prayer work to God’s glory?
The answer is easy because the gospel is simply wonderful and wonderfully simple. The path to prayer is by the promises of God.
Constant prayer means keeping our requests continually before God by the way that we live for Jesus day by day, believing he will answer. When we live by faith, we are not to give up. Thats why Hebrews 11:1 calls faith “substance of things hoped for” “evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1)
God’s promises are the only thing in Scripture that fits this definition of the substance of things hoped for. Evidence of things not seen. A promise is made for every forseeable and unforseeable circumstance we encounter in life. But as we know all too well, we often do not see how it will be done. The promise is always there for every need.
We have everything we need to live a life that pleases God. It was all given to us by God’s own power, when we learned that he had invited us to share in his wonderful goodness. God made great and marvelous promises, so that his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world. (2 Pet 1:3-4, CEV)
The power to lead a godly life comes from God. (John 1:12) Because we don’t personally have the resources to be truly godly, God allows us to “share his divine nature” in order to keep us from sin and help us live for him. When we are born again, God by his Spirit empowers us with his own goodness. The beginning point of faith is believing in God’s character: He is who He says in His Word that He is. The end point is believing in God’s promises: He will do what he says. When we believe that God will fulfill his promises even though we don’t see those promises materializing yet, we demonstrate true faith
We pray. And yes. God may delay answering. His delays always have good reasons. As we persist in prayer, we grow in character, faith, and hope. As we persist in prayer, God’s character, faith, and hope will grow in us. The power to lead a godly life comes from God. Because we don’t have the resources to be truly godly, God allows us to “share his divine nature” in order to keep us from sin and help us live for him. When we are born again, God by his Spirit empowers us with his own goodness. See John 3:6;John 14:17-23; 2 Cor 5:21; and 1 Pet 1:22-23.
No temptation in the life of intercessory prayer is more common than the failure to persevere.
We begin to pray for a certain thing; we put up our petitions for a day, a week, a month; and then, receiving as yet no definite answer, straightway we faint, and cease altogether from prayer concerning it. This is a deadly fault. Deadly to the spiritual life. It is the snare of many beginnings with no completions. It will ruin all areas of our life if we let it.
The one who forms the habit of beginning without finishing has simply formed the habit of failure. The one who begins to pray about a thing and does not pray it through to a successful issue of answer has formed the same habit in prayer. To faint is to fail; then defeat begets disheartenment, and unfaithfulness in the reality of prayer, which is fatal to all successful spiritual life.
But someone says, “How long shall we pray? Do we not come to a place where we may cease from our petitions and rest the matter in God’s hands?” There is only one answer to that. Pray until the thing you pray for has actually been granted, or until you have the assurance in your heart that it is turning out the way that God would have it.
Prayer is not only a calling upon God, but also a conflict with Satan. And inasmuch as God is using our intercession as a mighty factor of victory in that conflict, He alone, and not we, must decide when we dare cease from our petitioning. So we dare not stay our prayer until the answer itself has come, or until we receive the assurance that it is being answered in the way that Jesus feels is best. But we would be remiss to think that all prayer have to have a yes answer all the time. Often the answer is yes, bot also it can be “no” “maybe” “if” because most times God’s answers to our prayers are geared to what we need the most.
In the first case we stop praying because we see. In the others, we stop because we believe, and the faith of our heart is just as sure as the sight of our eyes; for it is faith from,yes,the faith of God, within us.
More and more, as we live the prayer life, shall we come to experience and recognize this God-given assurance, and know when to rest quietly in it, or when to continue our petitioning until we receive it.
What we need most to do is to wait in quietness and trust with each promise until Jesus meets us there. Jesus will always return to us by way of His promises:
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. (2 Pet 1:3-4,KJV)
We must NOW acquaint ourselves with God by proving His promises…” (GC 622)
We must learn of Christ. We must know what He is to those He has ransomed from the grave. (John 17:3) We must realize that through belief in Him it is our privilege to be partakers of the divine nature, at the foot of the cross; and through His promises, and so escape the corruption that is in the world through wrongful desires. Then we are cleansed from all sin, and the blood of The Lamb becomes the gospel by which we are saved.
In the past you were dead because you sinned and fought against God. You followed the ways of this world and obeyed the devil. He rules the world, and his spirit has power over everyone who doesn’t obey God. Once we were also ruled by the selfish desires of our bodies and minds. We had made God angry, and we were going to be punished like everyone else. But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much that he made us alive with Christ, and God’s wonderful kindness is what saves you. (SEE 2:4) God raised us from death to life with Christ Jesus, and he has given us a place beside Christ in heaven. (Eph 2:1-6, CEV)
It is a knowledge of the perfection of the divine character, manifested to us in Jesus Christ, through His promises that opens up to us communion with God. It is by appropriating the great and precious promises that we are to become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through wrongful desires.
Recently a lady stood up in church and asked us to pray for her son who was struggling with addiction. I asked her after the sermon if I could come to visit her son, who is staying at her house during his recovery. They were so shocked that anyone would want to sit and visit with him. He was unable to get out of his bed during that visit, and when I took his hand and prayed with him, I felt the Moms hands on one side, and the Dad’s hands on the other side, taking my hands, and their sons, and The Holy Spirit really spoke to us during that season of prayer. I just claimed the promise of Eph 2:13 how that
“those who are far off are made near by the blood of Christ.”
There were lots of tears. Now that was actually two weeks ago, and PTL that young man was cutting grass the other day! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Truly, the path of prayer is by His own “precious promises.”
Who does Jesus want you to sit and pray with today? What “precious promise” will you “prove” in His service by the way you live your everyday life with all that our Lord puts in your path?
We live in a world of constant turmoil and trials. But, it has been my personal experience that God will give us the strength we need; and He will look after all those things that we are unable to do ourselves:
The Garden Alone
Based on Luke 22:39-46
“And there appeared an angel unto Him from heaven, strengthening Him.”
Jesus In The garden Alone
God was with Him in the Garden alone
And Jesus conquered by strength divine
But the separation went deeper than bone
As the battle began; God drew the line.
The Father didn’t want to remove the cup
The disciples slept from sorrow and fear
And while Gabriel came to lift Jesus up
His sweat poured out as blood and tear.
As crises supreme did heart and soul break
Jesus came alone, to fight by petition there
The angel assured Him He made no mistake
For now He might answer the sinners prayer.
We all have to go to the Garden alone
We have to bring our worry and care
And when we go, we glimpse the throne
For in the Garden; our Lord is there.
Jesus conquered by strength not his own
And we can have this encounter today
As we go by faith to our garden alone
To walk with Him the blood-stained way.
by David T Battler, all rights reserved
“Christ conquered in divine strength, and so must every tempted soul overcome. God was with Christ in the Garden of Gesthemane; and by this experience of Christ, we are to learn to trust our heavenly Father; at all times, and in all places, , we are to believe that he is tender, true, and faithful – able to keep that which is committed to His care. In the agonizing struggle of Christ, our Substitute and Surety; the Father was beside His Son, and He is beside every soul that struggles with discouragement and difficulty.”
