Take Time To Actually Pray

"The great people of the earth today are the people who pray!  I do not mean those who talk about prayer; nor those who say they believe in prayer; nor those who explain prayer; but I mean those who actually take the time to pray. They have not time. It must be taken from something else. That something else is important, very important and pressing, but still, less important and pressing than prayer. There are people who put prayer first, and group the other items in life's schedule around and after prayer. These are the people today who are doing the most for God in winning souls, in solving problems, in awakening churches, in supplying both men and money for mission posts, in keeping fresh and strong their lives far off in sacrificial service on the foreign field, where the thickest fighting is going on, and in keeping the old earth sweet a little while longer."  S.D. Gordon

A few years ago I discovered the place where persistent prayer took place and yielded results. I learned to pray Scriptures and to pray based on the word of God. I learned to pray specifically, and to pray about everything. I also learned that my prayer could be as effective on the days I didn't 'feel' like praying or when I was more easily distracted. The deciding factor was my choice to separate myself from the other things I could be doing and go pray anyway. Sometimes it was very difficult to get started but I would ask the Holy Spirit to help me, and He would. In those days I found myself spending as much as three to four hours at a time in prayer and intercession. And that time became precious.

Tremendous changes began taking place in me, and by explicit answers to my prayers. I remember thinking that if I had known it could be like this, I would have spent so many hours (which had been previously wasted) in prayer instead. I was truly filled with regret over all the time I could not get back to pray, and all the times I had worried myself into a frenzy instead of putting that energy towards praying about things. If there is a secret to the overcoming Christian life, my experience taught me that it must be spending time getting to know God by studying His word, and then praying according to it.


Be earnest and unwearied and steadfast in your prayer [life], being [both] alert and intent in [your praying] with thanksgiving. 
Colossians 4: 2 (AMP)


A few years ago I did a blog series on praying effectively. You can find it here (this link is based on the label applied; be sure to start from the bottom when reading because it does follow an order to be most useful to you).

Because You Say So

He [Jesus] said to Simon, “Put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch.”
Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.”
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. So they signaled their partners in the other boat to come and help them, and they came and filled both boats so full that they began to sink.
When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken
Luke 5:4-9

Has God told you to do something that seems to go against obvious indicators for success, or maybe you just don't see how it could ever work?

When God challenges us to trust His word to undertake something, even when it fails a feasibility assessment from a human perspective, He is allowing us to discover more and more of His personality and power. Peter had only recently met Jesus when He had the experience described above. This show of Christ's wisdom and power to pull off the most successful fishing expedition ever, without hardly trying, brought a holy fear upon Peter. He realized he was in the presence of no ordinary man, and saw himself in stark contrast, as he really was. In the same way, God wants us to know Him. In continually acting upon His word we will become increasingly confident that His plan always works. Peter had the opportunity to see an immediate reward in taking Jesus at His word despite the 'facts' that surrounded his situation. In our own lives we may have to wait a little while depending on the situation, but whatever God asks us to do is always for our own good ultimately. As Christians we soon realize that the Lord will continually require us to trust and obey Him; and that our peace, joy, and success depends upon it.

Just like Peter dared to be in the Bible snippet above, let's make a decision to become people who always say to God "because You say so, I will."

“Whatever He says to you, do it.”

~ John 2:5

How Will Deliverance Come?

"Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me." ~ Psalm 50:15
"Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all." ~ Psalm 34:19

We have numerous promises from our God that whenever we call upon Him for help, for rescue, for deliverance in the time of trouble, He will answer. That's an astounding promise if we think about it. The God who always prevails, who is the terror of His enemies, who is mightier than all, guaranteeing us with the bond of His word to show up and deliver us.

I haven't discovered any incident in the entire Bible where someone walking with the LORD ever called upon Him and was not answered. There is the case of the rebellious king Saul seeking God for help near the end of his life, and God was silent to him. But Saul was not walking with God and not at all repentant - just very afraid of the enemy that was coming against him and his armies. On the contrary, even the most vile and evil kings of Israel, such as Manasseh, obtained mercy from the LORD and help against enemies when they called upon Him in true repentance. God's word certainly stands, and how much more for His own children who call upon Him in the day of trouble!

But how does deliverance come? What is our part in a battle that we are facing?
In Scripture there are two main patterns we see: God fights for us and we sit back and watch His work OR God fights for us and we fight. In either case victory is assured.

We have examples of God protecting and defending Daniel in the lion's den - Daniel just waited there (Daniel 6); God leading Israel out of Egypt by terrifying signs and wonders and destroying Pharaoh's armies in the middle of the sea - Israel just kept walking forward (Exodus 14); God defeating Jehoshaphat's enemy by causing the enemy alliance to become so confused that they slaughtered one another till no one was left - Judah just marched out singing praises to the LORD (2 Chronicles 20).

On the other hand, we have numerous examples of God 'giving an enemy into the hand of' the armies of Israel and Judah but they were required to send their men out to battle. In cases where they fully obeyed God, not even a single man of their armies was killed. King David habitually took every battle to God in prayer, whether he should go to war or not, and this is also when he would get strategy from God. There is no biblical record or David ever losing a battle in decades of fighting! Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Gideon and many of the judges and kings of Israel and Judah were given great deliverances from enemies in this way. They conquered entire nations in battle - nations far mightier and greater in number - because God had given them His help, but they were required to face the enemy with their weapons.

Perhaps most of us want our deliverance to come while we watch and wait, not having to make any move of our own, not having to commit to any strategy, not even having to seek God desperately in prayer and fasting. It seems far easier. But I would point out that the biblical instances of deliverance coming in the supernatural-no-humans-involved way are far less than the number of battles that had to actually be fought.

We do not determine which way deliverance will come. But we have many, many promises from God that it will come. He will come. Until we're safely out of harm's way and trouble's surge we have in God Himself a hiding place, a rock of refuge, comfort and a shield. We stay close to Him in prayer, in praise and worship, and by filling ourselves with the wisdom of His word. Our part in the day of trouble is to call upon the Lord, trust Him implicitly, and obey whatever He says to do.

The God of Wonders At Work: Functional and Beautiful

The LORD will perfect that which concerns me;Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.
Psalm 138:8

I watched a documentary video called God of Wonders several months ago that examined various facets of creation, with commentary from intellectuals relating everything directly to the God who made it all, and what it tells us about Himself - His love for us, and His care for all He has made. I was at a place of trial in my life and started to watch this video as mere distraction when I found myself being ministered to by the Holy Spirit. As I watched the vastness and intelligent design of the cosmos being expounded; the detailed mechanics of the skeleton, wing and lungs of birds; the care of God in giving us an innumerable species of plants and herbs for food, medicine, and sheer enjoyment; and the incredible and unmatched design of the human body and DNA, one of the biggest realizations I came away with was that God is not merely about functionality, but He is a God of beauty. He didn't just give us an Earth to live on with the things necessary for our physical sustenance, no, He also added color, fragrance, things for our enjoyment. Functionality and beauty. I serve a God of wonders. I trust a God of wonders. I came away being refreshed and having my faith stoked to continue waiting and trusting God to work out the details of my life.

Our God is a God who defines beauty, who creates beauty, who enjoys beauty. He really does all things well. As my mind turned to the awesome works of the Creator, a truth sank down into my heart: How God works in the things that are seen is not more awesome than how he works in the abstract, unseen, or intangible issues of life. He will take a bleak situation and not only work it out your survival, but give you joy and gladness. Functionality and beauty. I see this principle in the lives of the Old Testament saints that we get glimpses of such as Ruth and Joseph. Functionality and beauty are interwoven in the outcome God worked for their lives.

Ruth turned her back on the grief of the death of a spouse. She was childless and penniless and in a strange land.  She trusted the God of Israel as her refuge and at the appointed time didn't just get a place to live, or a husband for practical purposes. Instead, she got a God-planned outcome, an honorable, kind husband, a child in the lineage of the Messiah, a good reputation among an entire town, and no doubt, much gladness that her history could not predict.

Similarly, Joseph's dark years of betrayal, false accusation, and imprisonment ended with not just a deliverance for Israel from famine by his gifts of wisdom and interpreting dreams; but God also granted him personal wealth and honor; a family of his own and a dramatic reunion with his beloved father followed by gladness and peace.

These two lives display what we may say are storybook endings but this is just how our God works. He loves us and He does all things well! Trials will come, great storms will assail, but the life that is built on the Rock - the life that turns to be obedient to God's word and to believe Him in every season of life - will always be triumphant. I have no doubt that, in Eternity, if those who have so trusted God should review the lives they lived on the earth in this age, they will see not just functional deliverances and provisions accomplished by the LORD on their behalf, but also the God-kind of beauty in the way He worked things out because they steadfastly clung to Him.

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
Ecclesiastes 3:11

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Waiting It Out

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

Isaiah 55:10-11, ESV

This is a popular scripture, particularly verse 11, but many of us are missing the big picture that God wants us to grasp from His comparison in verse 10. Believing God's word, doing God's word, praying God's word, confessing/declaring God's word, waiting on God's word are all critical. Yet these do not change the fact that, sometimes, seeing God's word come to pass in a particular situation entails a season of seeing nothing visibly happening, or of seeing what seems to be stops and starts, and really slow growth.

I recall viewing an interview with Germaine Copeland, the author of the popular Prayers That Avail Much series of books (they are good aids to effectual prayer because the prayers are paraphrased from Scripture and therefore based upon God's will). When asked how the books began to be written, Germaine Copeland shared how she started to write these prayers when her son began the downward slide into drugs and crime at the age of 15. She started to write these prayers out as a mother desperately seeking God's deliverance for him. She spoke of times of emotional distress but testified that her faith grew increasingly stronger as the years passed. It was 28 years before her son finally got off drugs, and this year marks 12 years that he has been sober, saved, and growing in Christ. During those 'praying years' she learned to let go and let God - by continuing to pray and wait for Him. Many of her prayer books were written within that time which also transformed her life, and produced a ministry of global prayer and intercession.

Verse 10, "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater," shows a process that God's word undergoes. The process over an extended period of time means that:

•     something is being watered
•     something is being brought forth
•     something is budding
•     something is being brought to fullness so that it goes on to provide 'bread' for the NOW
•     something is growing to the point of maturity to enable it to produce 'seed' for the FUTURE

We thank God for the instant and quick manifestations of promises, help, and deliverance - but not all will come in that way. We can be encouraged though. Don't give up. Don't stop. Don't let what has already been accomplished in the earth, under the cover of soil and moonlight be aborted now. Keep on watering it with the word of God. Mix the seed with faith. To faith, add patient endurance. Faith and patient endurance will inherit what God has promised. Continue to trust and obey Him. Cultivate a heart of praise and thanksgiving.

When we are in agreement with God's will on a matter about which He has spoken, God says to us that His word will never return to Him without accomplishing His purpose. That settles it.

Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who has fulfilled with His hands what He spoke with His mouth

2 Chronicles 6:4

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"Therefore I Felt Compelled"

When a decision needs to be made and circumstances are such that it needs to be made now, we find ourselves under incredible pressure. Human reasoning often gets the best of us at these times. We know we really should pray about it, but we don't have time. We know we have prayed for God's leading, but His answer hasn't come at our deadline. We know we should find out what God would want us to do at that moment, but we feel compelled to meet the expectations of people who are demanding a response. We've all been there. However, now as Christians, we need to break away, violently, from this need to respond now, without waiting and diligently following God's leading.

Acting when we feel compelled without waiting upon the LORD is one trait which will cause us not only to detour widely from God's will for our lives, but also to fall into His great disfavor. At the heart of acting because we feel compelled, is a lack of fear of the LORD and instead, the fear of man; as well as a lack of dependence upon God and a presumptuous, rebellious heart. It can lead to nothing but disobedience and irreverence towards God. King Saul, who started out well with the LORD, soon came to a pathetic end because He disobeyed God, for this very reason, on more than one occasion. I would ask you to take the time to study 1 Samuel Chapters 9 to 14 about his appointment to the throne of Israel as it's first king, and his downfall - a case study God has provided us as both an example and warning. Here is a snippet of just one such instance in Saul's life, taken from 1 Samuel 13:

Then he waited seven days, according to the time set by Samuel. But Samuel did not come to Gilgal; and the people were scattered from him. So Saul said, “Bring a burnt offering and peace offerings here to me.” And he offered the burnt offering. Now it happened, as soon as he had finished presenting the burnt offering, that Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might greet him.
And Samuel said, “What have you done?”
Saul said, “When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the LORD.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.”
And Samuel said to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD your God, which He commanded you. For now the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought for Himself a man after His own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be commander over His people, because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”
1 Samuel 13:8-14

Not long after Saul was strongly rebuked as you read above, his hasty decision-making again proved that he was more driven by a fear of man (that is, a regard for pleasing people and meeting the expectations of what others wanted and expected) and that he did not know his great need for the LORD. He was too self-dependent. The situation I am referring to from 1 Samuel 14 is even more telling of the true state of his heart.

And Saul said to Ahijah, “Bring the ark of God here” (for at that time the ark of God was with the children of Israel). Now it happened, while Saul talked to the priest, that the noise which was in the camp of the Philistines continued to increase; so Saul said to the priest, “Withdraw your hand.” Then Saul and all the people who were with him assembled, and they went to the battle; and indeed every man’s sword was against his neighbor, and there was very great confusion.
1 Samuel 14:18-20

Notice that on this occasion he went so far as to command the priest to bring the ark of the LORD for inquiring of the LORD, however as the noise of the approaching Philistines increased, he commanded the priest to halt and instead went out with his own battle strategy. At a critical moment he stopped a priest from getting God's wisdom and instruction because he felt compelled. Is it any wonder that "there was very great confusion"?

Many times when our actions imitate what Saul did, we think of it too lightly, reasoning and excusing, deceiving ourselves that God will understand and accommodate our haste. However, the biblical records prove that this is not so. We cannot please God without faith in Him. It is simply impossible (Hebrews 11:6). At these moments when pressure mounts and we feel compelled to take action, we must have our faith in God alone and cast care of needing to act upon Him. Your present circumstances can be no more dire than Saul's was, with a vast murderous enemy army ("people as the sand which is on the seashore in multitude") mounting against him and his people, and all awaiting his orders.

There is another young man in Scripture who also proves that true, trusting, humble dependence upon God is all the more earnest when we find ourselves at these critical moments of decision-making. David the young fugitive, unjustly hunted and accused of treason by king Saul, was the one anointed to fill Saul's place on the throne and he was tested by severe trials. He made his home with the Philistines for a length of time and in one instance, upon returning to his city Ziklag with his relatively small group of men, they found that all their possessions, wives and children had been taken captive by an Amalekite army. David's men turned their anger against David for what had befallen them while they were away, willing to fight with the Philistine army on his behalf. After they had "lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep", they were soon speaking of stoning him! Pressure was at an all time high for David. All were tired, hungry, and had lost their families and all their earthly possessions. His own life was on the line by those who had fought alongside him. What would David do? David "encouraged himself in the LORD", and then he called for the priest to bring the ephod that he might inquire of the LORD if they should pursue the army and if He would give them success (1 Samuel 30:6-8).

David's response is in stark contrast to that of king Saul. David did not assume he had God's mind on the matter. He did not reason with human reasoning. He did not even respond in haste to protect his own life. David needed God. And he knew it. He depended on God, feared God, loved God, and trusted God. And that's why He always inquired of the LORD. Note well: In all the records of Scripture, David never lost a battle to any army. I am convinced that His constant humility and dependence upon God has everything to do with His might as a warrior. It is now up to us to learn from the lives of these two men, King Saul and King David. Will we continue to be compelled, or will we trust and obey?


You may like to read these past posts related to today's blog entry:
Passing or Failing God's Tests
Forgetting God and Forging Ahead
Waiting On God Well

How Far is Too Far: Sexual Integrity for Singles

In my last post just a few days ago I shared a short article I'd found called Eight Great Traits of Future Mates by Lee Warren and Julie Ferwerda. It was full of incredibly wise guidelines for recognizing a person with the qualities to be a truly godly mate. The article would have been helpful to everyone in some way, but it was most relevant to singles. Today I would like to share another article which I believe is a 'must-read' for any single and those already in a dating relationship. This article was published by Every Man's Battle [a great site ministering to single and married men] but every unmarried man AND woman needs to read this article, especially if there are questions, concerns, or conflicts about managing affection and desire in a pre-marital relationship. Because there are points in this short article which will shed more light on certain principles shared in the one I posted previously, they are helpful to consider together. I especially encourage you to read this article slowly, prayerfully, and to go to the Scripture to read the verses referenced by the author.


Via EMB by Bob Parkins on May 6 2011.

Not many Christians debate God’s instructions against premarital sex. However, there is still not a consensus or a shared understanding regarding what constitutes acceptable physical affection and what is sinful. The Bible uses words like adultery, fornication, lust, and purity, all words that have very clear meanings. Yet many Christian singles, teens, and even parents remain confused. Many Christian singles and teens struggle to maintain sexual purity while abstaining from sexual intercourse, yet many are engaging in sexual acts. They deceive themselves by legalistically reasoning they haven’t violated God’s boundaries because they haven’t technically had sex.

While the Bible does not appear to clarify exactly what other acts for singles are and are not acceptable in God’s eyes, it is very clear about the guidelines we are meant to judge these acts by. When asked by young couples, “how far is too far?” I generally ask them to search their hearts and examine what their intention and motivation in asking is. Usually a couple who asks “how far,” is also struggling to maintain sexual purity. Those struggling with sexual purity or addictions are in the habit of pushing limits and boundaries. They want to know what is the maximum they can get away with. They look for loopholes in attempts to satisfy the desire for immediate self gratification.

The Bible warns us about being deceived and worshiping idols (Deut 11:16; Exo 20:14), and sex can be an idol to those who struggle to maintain purity. Scripture also tells us that God sees what truly is in our hearts and we will sow what we reap (Gal 6:7). If you have ever asked “how far,” and have patterns of pushing limits, it is likely you are not truly interested in purity and really want to get away with as much physical affection as possible. When you put it that way it seems silly to consider the technicality of sin. If you discover your motive is to selfishly seek your own physical gratification, instead refocus on what is pure (Php 4:8).

When you flirt with sin, you put yourself in a position to sin. To answer the question more directly, anything that causes you to sin is “too far.” This is probably the best litmus test for determining limits since the Bible doesn’t tell couples specifically how they can show physical affection, at least not in the manner many look for. There are several scriptural examples of expressing affection through treasuring chastity and virtue and abstaining from sexual immorality (Isa 62:5; 2 Cor 11:2), a counter-cultural perspective in most increasingly permissive/promiscuous societies. Jesus models surrendering personal desires to the Father (Luk 22:42), and encourages us to ask for God’s intervention in maintaining victory over sin in The Lord’s Prayer (Luk 11:4). If you are willfully sustaining a desire that cannot be righteously met, you are deceiving yourself (1Thess 4:3-8).

Determining limits may be a little different for different couples, but be cautioned against any propensity to justify pushing limits. If you get excited to the point that you struggle with lustful thoughts or fantasies from kissing, or if you have difficulty respecting boundaries (yours or hers), you may not be able to handle more. Consider then abstaining from kissing or other applicable acts. Some may not struggle with kissing and will need to set limits accordingly. I suggest also abstaining from any physical activity or show of affection that you are not comfortable doing in front of her father. There are several genuine and appropriate displays of affection that pass this test.

It is important that couples talk about setting physical limits early in their relationship. We live in a backwards culture where single men often push women to/beyond their sexual limit. This is not what God intends or requires of us in marriage, so it certainly cannot be condoned in dating. Men are to cherish and protect their wives, not take advantage of them for their own pleasure (Eph 5:25-28; Col 3:19). Just as a father is to protect the innocence of his daughter, so are we to protect and respect any woman we are dating. Sexual desire for her is not bad, but respecting her virtue means protecting her from these desires (yours or hers).

Men, it is up to you to initiate this conversation and establish boundaries. This may be the very first act you exhibit of spiritual leadership in a budding relationship. Any potential spouse who is worth spending your life with will respect your integrity because they will feel safe and cherished. Two scripture verses that are helpful in maintaining focus on purity are:

- (2Ti 2:22) Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

- (Php 4:8) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Be encouraged by the peace God promises those that live pure and virtuous lives.  Facebook
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Eight Great Traits of Future Mates

I was going through some older archived email recently and found a great short article on recognizing traits that make for a godly future mate. I thought this article was so good that rather than only deleting it as an old email, I needed to share it where it could benefit others for a long time. This article is obviously most pertinent to singles, but I also think that married followers of Jesus Christ can assess their own growth in relationship by measuring against the guidelines given.

Via Single Purpose by Lee Warren and Julie Ferwerda on 3/4/09

Determining if the guy or gal you’ve been dating is the kind of person you want to marry can be confusing. Maybe you wonder at what point you’re either being too picky or too accommodating. Maybe you have trouble recognizing the habits and traits that should be present in a God-honoring mate. Consider the following questions to help determine the spiritual vitality of any potential mates.

Growing. Does this person seek out God willingly and eagerly on their own (without relying on you) by reading the Bible, praying, engaging in ministry at some level, and fellowshipping with other believers? God's best will have a growing relationship with Him that is genuine, fresh, and intimate in a way that is noticeably and consistently affecting their life.

Praying. Does this person pray regularly? Do they easily pray with you or in front of others? Do they talk about their prayer concerns and answered prayers? A marriage without prayer is like a light that hasn't been switched on — dark and powerless. A great mate will be someone who is conversing with God on a regular basis for direction in life, developing prayerful intimacy with God, and investing in the lives of others.

Pure. No matter what mistakes have been made in the past, is this person determined – now – to wait until marriage to have sex, refusing to use your body for their own sinful pleasure? Do they honor their word to preserve purity, not trying to entice you into a physical relationship? Does this person work hard to avoid “pushing the limits?" A great barometer of a person's current spiritual life is how they control their sexual urges. If they truly love God (and you) and want to be obediently set apart for Him, there won't be any excuses, playing with fire, or compromises. Trust me, this is possible. It’s called delayed gratification.

Teachable. Does this person ask for help? Do they admit when they’re wrong and say they're sorry? Do they respect God-given authority? Do they seek out godly counsel? Someone who invites wise counsel into their lives is a very trustworthy person. Plus, if a person is teachable with others, they will likely be teachable with God. There’s no greater trust and security in marriage than a mate who’s teachable before God, seeking His will above his/her own.

Honest. Does this person tell you the truth even when it's hard? Do they communicate openly about their feelings, struggles, past, and failures? Do they take responsibility for their actions when they do something wrong or hurtful? Do they frequently twist the truth or minimize to get out of trouble or make themselves look better? Counting on your partner's word in marriage is vital so there should be all the signs of honesty and openness, even when discussing hard issues or admitting to wrongs.

Whole. Does this person place their hopes, expectations, and emotional needs in God alone or do they try to fill up emptiness with the emotional support of others (you), or overindulgence in things like alcohol, food, drugs including prescriptions, spending money, T.V., sports, etc.? Does this relationship feel more like a drain or does it create positive energy? In a healthy marriage, both individuals must know where to get “filled up,” not depending on the other for happiness or constant fulfillment. They do not avoid pain or boredom, and are not afraid to be quiet and still. They must each be secure in their relationship with God alone. Only then can you have a content joy in being together without dashed expectations and hopes.

Surrendered. Is this person independently pursuing their own plans and goals, or do they frequently offer up their lives to God and His plans? If the person you marry is living for their own plans, you are not going to have the marriage God intends for you. Two people who are surrendered to God’s plans open up doors for a great marriage adventure!

Forgiving. Does this person forgive and get over things easily? Does he/she treat people kindly who have hurt them? Is there any area of bitterness or unforgiveness from their past that shows on the surface? A person who can't forgive usually hasn't really connected with God's forgiveness toward them. This person’s bitterness will make your life bitter, too. People who are forgiving recognize that God is ultimately in control and they can let go of offenses. This will work in your favor when you have marital conflict!

The most important thing to remember is that, whatever traits or habits you’re looking for in a future mate, you must also exemplify them yourself. If you want a godly mate, you will only attract that kind of person if you are that sort of person.  Facebook
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The End Intended By The Lord

We don't often understand God's timing when we are crying out for help, healing, or deliverance from some situation and nothing seems to change quickly. It is just one more area where His ways are higher than our way and His thoughts higher than our thoughts (see Isaiah 55:9). While there are many times when prayer is manifestly answered in a short space of time, and even times when God's answer comes while we're still speaking and making that request, many more times it seems that waiting is required. I have found that it makes all the difference in the midst of trials and uncertainty to know that God is good, and to be convinced by His word that in the life of those whose hearts are set upon Him nothing is sent or permitted without His redeeming purpose. Indeed He has promised to cause all things to work together for good for those who love Him (see Romans 8:28). Nothing could be more sure.

Below are some snippets to encourage you to continue to call upon the Lord and to wait on Him, eagerly expecting His promise to be fulfilled in your life.

Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive."
Genesis 50:19-20

Joseph was cruelly betrayed by his brothers, separated from his father as a teenager, sold into slavery, falsely accused by an adulterous woman, imprisoned in a dungeon, forgotten by those he helped - until God's time arrived to place Joseph in a position of great power and authority that was the means of preserving the entire nation of Israel. His godly love forgiveness, and tenderness of heart towards his brothers upon the revelation of his true identity many years later only served to prove that his heart and emotions had also been healed from all he had suffered. His recorded life after that point showed how God had recompensed him for enduring years of trial with reunion with his father and family, a household of his own, and great authority, wealth, and favor with God and with man for all the remainder of his days.

Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
James 5:11

Job was an upright man who diligently obeyed the Lord and revered Him in His holiness, even making sacrifices for the atonement of his children's sins 'just in case' they had sinned in their house parties. He was generous to the poor and to his friends, and full of wisdom. Then satan was granted permission to tempt him, bringing staggering disaster, death, and sickness to Job's life. Yet Job did not sin against God. He wrestled with understanding the ways of God but when God did answer, Job was awed by a fuller understanding of the greatness of His God. And God used him as a vessel for mercy to his friends who had not spoken what was right about the Lord. The remainder of Job's days were days of restored happiness, family, and even greater wealth than he had ever had before. God's intended end for Job certainly touched more lives than ever before by his testimony in the land of Ur among strangers, his friends and family, and to all who gain comfort from this portion of the Scriptures all these thousands of years later.

Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him."
John 9:1-3

All sin has consequences, and sometimes that includes physical afflictions (see John 5:13-15), yet not all afflictions are the result of sin. This man born blind from birth was marvelously healed (and saved from sin!) by his encounter with Jesus at the point of his need, and became an undeniable example of the power and grace of God to the people and Pharisees. In the same way, God will allow or prepare situations through which He will display Himself to you and others in ways that bring Him glory, and accomplish good for you.

Therefore the sisters sent to Him, saying, “Lord, behold, he whom You love is sick.”
When Jesus heard that, He said, “This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God may be glorified through it.”
Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was. Then after this He said to the disciples, “Let us go to Judea again.”
John 11:3-7,14

Bad things do happen to good people. But just as in this case with Lazarus' illness and subsequent death, which Jesus even wept over openly, having to endure suffering does not mean that God does not love us. When God's power was displayed in raising Lazarus from the dead after four days of burial, He became an irrefutable witness that Jesus Christ had power and authority from God even over death, to give life. This act not only caused many other lives to be saved, but would have sealed the truths about resurrection and hope that Jesus had taught to many of his disciples up to that point - comfort which would have been needed during this time which was only shortly before His own death and resurrection.

Be encouraged! If you love God and have set your heart and hope upon Him, every trial which you have not been quickly rescued from will also serve a higher purpose for God's glory and your good. Remain steadfast and immovable upon His word. When your help, deliverance, and restoration comes, the pain of the present days will no more be felt - only remembered in such a way that your heart rejoices with gratitude and awe towards the LORD.  Facebook
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God Does All Things Well

'Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.' ~ Jeremiah 32:17

On the third day there was a wedding in Cana of Galilee, and the mother of Jesus was there. Now both Jesus and His disciples were invited to the wedding. And when they ran out of wine, the mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.” Jesus said to her, “Woman, what does your concern have to do with Me? My hour has not yet come.” His mother said to the servants, “Whatever He says to you, do it.”
Now there were set there six waterpots of stone, according to the manner of purification of the Jews, containing twenty or thirty gallons apiece. Jesus said to them, “Fill the waterpots with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. And He said to them, “Draw some out now, and take it to the master of the feast.” And they took it. When the master of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and did not know where it came from (but the servants who had drawn the water knew), the master of the feast called the bridegroom. And he said to him, “Every man at the beginning sets out the good wine, and when the guests have well drunk, then the inferior. You have kept the good wine until now!”
John 2:1-10

I have struggled with many fundamental truths about God's nature, particularly having to do with God's specific, individual, love and care for me. It doesn't make any sense to me right now that I ever doubted that His intentions towards me were for good and not for evil (even after I knew the popular Bible verse recorded in Jeremiah 29:11-13), but because I didn't know Him much at all, it all boiled down to a lack of trust in Him. From this single deficit, almost every other aspect of my life has at some time been negatively influenced because of poor decisions I made while trying to figure out what was best for myself. And this was despite some prayers, and despite some knowledge of Scripture. Until I really came to believe that God was for me and not against me; that God wanted the best for me and cared about the details of my life; and that God really is a good God, I continued to say I trusted God with many things but never totally released them to Him or accepted His will.

The popular story of Jesus' first miracle of turning water into wine at the wedding in Cana of Galilee took on whole new meaning for me recently when the Holy Spirit illuminated a single simple truth as a reminder that God can be trusted to act on our behalf. So perfect are His works, and so high above our ways are His ways, that the wine He makes from only water makes man's best appear to be nothing more than inferior, cheap wine!

This marvelous truth reminded me of another Scripture verse which says that "The foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men" (1 Corinthians 1:25).

Is it any wonder then that those who wait for God don't ever wind up ashamed (see Psalms 25:3; Isaiah 49:23; Psalm 37)?

What are you hoping in God for? What are you waiting on God for? Let God be the One who determines the path you should take and trust His timing. Just like Mary exhorted the servants, and just as they also did, only be diligent to do whatever the Lord says to you. His heart is for you, He does all things well, and His ways are perfect (Psalm 18:30; Deut. 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:31)!

He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?

Romans 8:32

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When You Have To Start Over

Many who will read this are in the process of having to start over right now. Not the kind of fresh start where you step out toward dreams bright eyed and full of wonder, but you are starting over because life has taken an unexpected turn and you must start over. Things haven't turned out as you planned. The ending was wrong, or it was too soon. A life-changing diagnosis or disability, the death of a spouse or child, the loss of a career; the end of a friendship or relationship. The things that provoke "Why?" and "Why me?" questions, and almost never have answers. Starting over is necessary in these cases, but it is left up to each person how they will start over. Your responses, reactions, and your trust in God make all the difference at this point. You can become bitter and disillusioned, or you can decide to trust God one step at a time, grieving, healing, and hoping in Him.

Every Christian will encounter a lot of hardship and trials in this life. Your actions and attitudes must be deeply rooted upon the commands and promises of the word of God so as not to be overcome by the storms that will beat against you. Jesus said,

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.”
Luke 6:47-49

The Christian who has experienced the sudden, the unthinkable, the crushing of hopes and plans and dreams, is in a position to grasp that there is nothing lasting outside of a relationship with God. The failure of our best plans can move us to radically surrender our lives with total abandon to whatever the will of God will decide next. It is for times like these that the promises of God are given to you as a life buoy:

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Romans 8:28

Can anything ever separate us from Christ’s love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death?...No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:35,37-39, NLT

The promises are given, and they are sure. But we must believe them if we are to start over well, and see God do what is impossible for us, bringing victory out of trial. Even in hardships permitted, there is an end intended by the Lord. He has a plan to turn that thing for His glory and your good. If you will trust Him and continue to obey, He will make the whole of your life bring praise to the glory of His grace. Job's excruciating trial detailed in 42 chapters let us know that God is not unfeeling towards the suffering of His servants. This trial was not the end of his story but brought a new start. It brought renown to God, a witness to others from Job's life more than ever before, and deepened Job's knowledge, fear, and love of God.

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
James 5:10-11

The Scriptures record outlines of various lives that were thrust into a whirlwind of the unplanned and unexpected. Take courage from the word of God as you read these stories including that of Noah, Job, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Ruth, David, Esther, Daniel and others.

All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come. If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.
1 Corinthians 10:11-13,GNT

God is not finished with you. Go to His word and get new strength and vision. Trust in Him who loves you.

Why are you cast down, O my soul?

And why are you disquieted within me? 

Hope in God, for I shall yet praise Him 

For the help of His countenance.

O my God, my soul is cast down within me;

Therefore I will remember You from the land of the Jordan, 

And from the heights of Hermon, 

From the Hill Mizar.

Deep calls unto deep at the noise of Your waterfalls;

All Your waves and billows have gone over me.

The LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime,

And in the night His song shall be with me— 

A prayer to the God of my life.

Psalm 42:5-8

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Far Above Rubies

‎"Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, But a prudent wife is from the LORD...Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies." (Proverbs 19:4; 31:10)

Scripture is clear that a man cannot truly 'find' a virtuous or prudent wife on his own. When his paths cross with such a woman and he obtains her, he has 'found' her because God has done it - whether he was aware of God's working or not. She is a gift of God's favor to him, a helper so that he can accomplish all the plans that God has for his own life, and will do him good and not evil all the days of his life (Prov. 31:12).

Married Women:
Make knowing God and being conformed to Christ your highest priority.
You will bring great glory to God directly and through your husband. Your godly virtue continually sends the message that your entrance into your husband's life was no chance meeting, but a gift of God's favor to him.

Single Women:
Make knowing God and being conformed to Christ your highest priority.
Your worth is far above that of precious stones in a culture that promotes superficiality and cheap thrills. As you walk with God you will be a blessing to many. And according to the wisdom of God's will, and the desires of your heart, you will be a prepared helper and companion for a truly godly man, not given lightly by the Lord, at the appointed time.  Facebook
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Jesus Is (Still) Willing

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.
Mark 1:40-42

In the times of the Bible being pronounced as a leper was a life changing event, for the worse. Apart from the physical affliction, degeneration, and handicap that could result, one would be cut off immediately from one's family and friends, from making a living in society, from attending public worship gatherings and any other vestige of a once-normal life [see here for a synopsis of this topic in the bible; see here for a few pictures - may be graphic]. One was even required to cry out, 'Unclean, unclean' when approached by anyone (Lev. 13:45). Many scholars now believe that biblical leprosy comprised a variety of contagious infections, but whatever the case, it is clear that at that time no cure could be provided by man. The lot of the leper was generally that of perpetual rejection, ostracism, and shame.

The plight of this leper recorded in the gospel of Mark was dire. He was afflicted with something that no man could cure. He had heard of a man who preached and taught with authority, commanded demons, and healed various diseases. And perhaps he had even heard of the disposition of this Man, that He was humble, compassionate, patient, upright, not reproaching the sinner or scornful. And the leper put his faith in Jesus Christ of Nazareth.

The leper came with humility (imploring, kneeling, saying if You are willing) and faith (You can make me clean). Jesus was moved with compassion. How often in the gospels we see (and read) that Jesus was moved with compassion at the need and weakness of man. I imagine Christ's heart was broken by this man's plight. Jesus who perceived the heart and thoughts of the wicked Scribes and Pharisees, must have also perceived the record of rejection, abandonment, pain and loss in this leper's life, and the near hopelessness of being bound by an infirmity for which he could not obtain a cure.

Read that Scripture again and notice the order of events. Jesus met the leper's humility and faith with a heart of compassion. Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him. Then Jesus spoke a word of reassurance (I am willing), and a word of command (be cleansed). And "as soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed" (vs. 42).

Jesus Christ, "the same yesterday, and today, and for ever", has not changed (Heb. 13:8). Jesus' heart is still filled with compassion towards the person who is suffering under the bondage of sin, or its effects. And He is not afraid to touch you whatever the disease or fallout looks like. He is still willing. And he will still heal those who come with humility and faith.

Many give up or stop short if their miracle is not immediate. We do not often consider how many prayers this leper must have prayed before today...The same can be said of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve long years, who only worsened. Or the man in the synagogue with the withered hand. Or the man born blind. Or the paralytic on the mat who had already been that way a long time. Or the daughter of Abraham who had been bound by a spirit by infirmity that caused her body to be doubled over for many years. Or the deaf and dumb mutes and the many demon-possessed...The disciples' gospels hint at their stories. These all suffered for various lengths of time. I am certain that prayer would have been offered to God on their behalf by family members, and some would have made supplications to God many times for themselves - long before Jesus of Nazareth appeared, teaching, preaching, and healing.

What is the lesson for us? If you are afflicted by a disease of the body, soul, or spirit; if you need transformation from the inside out; and if you still have a will to be free, a desire to be cleansed, Jesus is still willing. He is the only One who can cure your condition and make you free indeed (John 8:36). Do not cease to "cry out all the more" as blind Bartimaeus did, (although many rebuked him and warned him to be quiet [Mark 10:46-52]). Jesus Christ still has a heart of compassion for you. Remain humble, persistent, and nurture your faith in Him.

Walk In Step With Your Prayer Requests

God expects us to be very practical. There is no way to be authentic in our faith if we are not also practical. We are to read God's word and do it. God's will for our lives unfolds, and answers to prayer requests (in agreement with God's will) are granted, as we remain on a course of obedience and faith. In the previous post I talked about the danger of praying from a hypocritical heart that will not obey or accept God's leading. In this instance I want to point out something that even sincere believers may need to be reminded about, particularly when asking God for help with various issues in life: Move past merely praying good intentions, to making wise decisions and being obedient. I like to think of this as walking in step with the prayer requests we bring to God. A few illustrations are below.

If you are praying for God's help, deliverance, intervention etc. because:

• you are struggling with unnecessary shopping/overspending - THEN you must resist window/online shopping, shop with a list, ditch your credit cards for a while, purposefully give more to spreading the gospel or helping others
• you need a closer walk with Him - THEN you must also set aside time for earnest prayer and reading and meditating in Scripture (there is NO other way)
• you need to overcome struggles with making an idol out of the desire for a relationship, unhealthy emotional attachments, sinful fantasy/lust etc. - THEN you cannot spend time filling yourself with the content of romance novels, watching romance movies, listening to 'love songs'; you must diligently flee sexually explicit materials, participating in improper interactions or communication with others that will wear down your defenses
• you have prayed in faith and you are waiting on God to act in some issue - THEN wait patiently and do not try to 'help' Him; become preoccupied with God Himself and not your requests by spending more time nurturing your relationship with Him

Those were just a few examples of what I mean by walking in step with your prayer requests. This is not a formula, and success will only come as you receive God's enabling grace. And yes, you will receive grace to submit, grace to resist, grace to flee, grace to wait quietly - but you must be an obedient doer of what you know to do. Commit to cooperating with the Holy Spirit because God will supply you with the grace, for obedience and walking in wisdom, with regard to the matter you are earnestly bringing before Him.

Prayer From A Hypocrite's Heart

It's possible for people to make requests of God for direction, to even ask others to pray for them, and yet have no intention of obeying the Lord when His answers come. This is a frightening reality with one such example recorded in Jeremiah chapters 42-43. You really should read it! One would think that the dire straits that these captains and leaders found themselves in, as well the solemnity with which they approached the prophet to request he interceded for them, would indicate sincerity. In fact, read their great proclamation:

So they said to Jeremiah, “Let the LORD be a true and faithful witness between us, if we do not do according to everything which the LORD your God sends us by you. Whether it is pleasing or displeasing, we will obey the voice of the LORD our God to whom we send you, that it may be well with us when we obey the voice of the LORD our God.”
Jeremiah 42:5-6

Jeremiah interceded and God (who had known what Jeremiah did not know) answered their petition after ten days. You see, these men had just made an impressive show with no willingness to obey in their heart. In fact, if you have read the chapters indicated, you would have seen that they merely hoped that they would get God to approve their own plan. When Jeremiah responded with a contrary answer from the Lord they quickly became violent and accused him of plotting their downfall. God revealed their hearts to Jeremiah, and when he spoke of the disobedience of these leaders, notice that he used the past tense knowing full well that they would not accept the guidance of the Lord - despite the earnestness with which their request had been presented:

"For you were hypocrites in your hearts when you sent me to the LORD your God, saying, ‘Pray for us to the LORD our God, and according to all that the LORD your God says, so declare to us and we will do it.’ And I have this day declared it to you, but you have not obeyed the voice of the LORD your God, or anything which He has sent you by me.
Jeremiah 42:20-21

What is the lesson here for us? When seeking God for direction on any matter, we must be sure that we are willing to obey His leading. In this way, God will never have reason to say to us, "You were hypocrites in your hearts." It is best that we first ask Him to work in our hearts, so that our own will or natural reasoning loses it's strength over us. Ask the Lord to give us greater sight of how trustworthy He is, and a desire, and heart committed to doing His will. When we understand that God is a Good Shepherd who loves to lead us in the right way, with the wisdom and power to also keep us while we travel His path, we will more easily submit to His plan, and even long for it.

This is what the LORD says:

“Stand at the crossroads and look; 

ask for the ancient paths, 

ask where the good way is, and walk in it, 

and you will find rest for your souls..."

Jeremiah 6:16

The Way He Looks At Me

I've been to a few weddings now, and an unforgettable one very recently. I think most people will agree that the highlight of the ceremony is the bride's entrance and walk down the aisle to meet the groom. But as in the last weddings I attended, I find myself anticipating almost as much, the groom's expression as his soon-to-be-wife approaches...Actually I miss much of the bride's march down the aisle because I find myself staying tuned to the groom's expression. It thrills my heart...the range of dumbfounded, overwhelmed, even teary-eyed or solemn-in-awe expressions as he sees his bride-to-be headed straight for a lifetime covenant with him, before God.

I have been listening to More Than Ashes sung by by Tim Reimherr of Merchant Band and it makes me think of this captivating scenario, especially when I get to the middle marker (you've got to listen if you don't already know it!)

I have yet to become someone's bride but I'm looking forward to that God-ordained moment, even as I grasp the significance of what that groom's look means to his bride. She puts her all into presenting herself to him, and for him, in that moment. Her reward begins at seeing the approval and pleasure in her groom's eyes. 

Jesus Christ is the Lamb and His blood-bought Saints are His chosen bride. His heart is full for us even now but there is going to be a wedding.  I guarantee you that no earthly wedding, no earthly love, no earthly groom will have ever looked at His bride with more pleasure and awe as He will look at us on that Day. Now that's something worth getting ready for and the Day is fast approaching!

"Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.”

Revelation 19:7

All An Intercessor Can Do...

An intercessor stands before God to make requests, petitions, and to speak good for another (Jer. 18:20). The intercessor's ministry is a powerful and fruitful one because of the mercy and compassion of the Lord, but the intercessor soon learns that in themselves they are powerless and unable to 'save' another person.

Before I continue with my little thought for today, I cannot help but share some eye-opening Hebrew word study that will make the importance and intensity of intercession stand out to you in a profound way. Please note that the study below includes some key picture images of the ancient Hebrew letters which I am not able to paste here. If you would like to receive the orginal Word doc. file please email me and request it at caribbean[dot]shulamite[at]yahoo[dot]com.

By: Kathy Nichols
Ancient Hebrew Research Center
Biblical Hebrew E-Magazine
December, 2005, Issue #022

The second word usually translated intercession is the child root “paga”. You will recognise the (peh) which is the picture of a mouth from last months article. The first new picture form in this word is the picture of a foot which means to walk, gather, carry etc. It has the “g” sound. Paga means a chance meeting or encounter, or to place as a meeting. This could be an impingement, which figuratively means to attack with persistent requests. It can be persistently, even to the point of annoyance! When we read this, we are immediately drawn to the parables and sayings of Jesus concerning asking, seeking and knocking. No doubt God loves us to impinge on His wonderful grace to enable those we pray for to fulfill the role they were intended for. An unripe fig becoming ripe! In actual fact the parent root of “paga” the word pag means “Unable to fulfill the role intended for. An unripe fig!” The third picture added to this parent root is the picture of an eye which means experience, to see, to know and understand. In prayer we desire to ask for those who are living unfulfilled lives without the Lord, or lives with affliction and inability, because we have experienced and know what God can do for them. Having received this experience from such a benevolent and kind creator should challenge us to walk as close to Him as we can. This will enable God to touch our hearts in prayer to experience at times how other people feel and also how He Himself feels. This is an immense honour.

Is 53:12 “ while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders.”

Is 59:15b,16a “..Adonai saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice; He saw there was no one, and was amazed that that no one interceded. Therefore His own arm brought him salvation…”

Here the words for intercession are “paga”.

So what Isaiah is pointing out is that God desired to bring about justice, but there was no intercessor – no-one willing to impinge on Him and because of the terrible state of the land, and no-one praying, God was appalled and disappointed.

A fascinating use of “paga” is found in Isaiah 53:6 ..the Lord laid (paga) on him the iniquity of us all.” The word is meaning our sins “fell” on Jesus, (so we could become what He intended). If one reads through all the verses using “paga” a good number of them are about “falling on” someone and the person dying, so there is great intensity in this word.

Intercession is a critical task and God seeks for intercessors that He may show His mercy and compassion to those who are headed for destruction or being spiritually attacked. Many more lives than we know have been changed and impacted by the personal intercession of family and friends, church prayer groups and the like. Many times the intercessor may not see the changes prayed for take place but they receive the answer by faith and lay the burden of a matter down.

When praying for the souls of people we are praying for hearts and wills that may resist but this is a difficult area to understand. God has given man free will to make choices between life and death; and He can also turn the hearts of men. Most certainly He is able to orchestrate circumstances to deal with the hindering blindness or pride of a person that may be resisting His mercy.

Needless to say, intercessors soon learn that to pray is all they can really do for they are not able to bring the change they are hopeful about. Some people we pray for are deluded and deceived by their sins, believing they are in right standing with God or that He will overlook their disobedience under their 'special' circumstances. They hear God's call to repentance and believe it is for someone else (see Jer. 2:35).

Other people will not turn to God and do not want to change even when they hear God's call to repentance and His promise of forgiveness. These are usually hardened hearts who have often been rebuked and invited to turn to God. No one can know of the instance in which God will give them over to the sins that they love. Having forfeited and scoffed at the patient mercy of the Lord, these will eventually come to the place where God may say as He did to Jeremiah concerning the people of Israel and Judah, "Do not pray for them because I will not hear"[See Jeremiah 5:1-3;18:11-12; 7:16].

All an intercessor can do in those difficult cases is to:
~ obey the heart cry of the Spirit of God that compels them to pray for another
"And I sought a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Therefore have I poured out mine indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath: their own way have I recompensed upon their heads, saith the Lord." Ezekiel 22:30-31

~ weep for the unrepentant
"If you do not listen, I will weep in secret because of your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly, overflowing with tears, because the LORD’s flock will be taken captive." Jeremiah 13:17

~ move on in God's plan
"And Samuel went no more to see Saul until the day of his death. Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and the LORD regretted that He had made Saul king over Israel. Now the LORD said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? Fill your horn with oil, and go; I am sending you to Jesse the Bethlehemite. For I have provided Myself a king among his sons.” 1 Samuel 15:35,16:1

Only God Can Change Man

Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots?

Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil.

Jeremiah 13:23

Perhaps parents learn before anyone else just how impossible it is to change their children and to rid them of their rebelliousness or disobedience. Maybe wives struggling with difficult marriages because of their husband's disconnectedness or addictions know best that they cannot be good enough in their own roles to change the men they married. Or just maybe if we've gotten honest insight enough to look at ourselves, we've faced the hidden things of our heart - desires and attitudes that should have no place in ourselves - and know that we cannot make permanent change only some successful periods of white-knuckling.

You meet him who rejoices and does righteousness,

Who remembers You in Your ways.

You are indeed angry, for we have sinned—

In these ways we continue;

And we need to be saved.

Isaiah 64:5

Maybe as you read this you are thinking of sin issues that need to be annihilated, maybe you are just facing some things you'd like to change or improve. The key is settling it with yourself that you cannot change any heart (your own or someone else's) and therefore setting your face steadfastly towards the LORD. If you really believe that you have no power to change the heart of man, then you must cry out, give God no rest and wait until He acts on your behalf. What this will look like in your individual case will differ. Maybe, as I needed to do for a period of time in my earlier walk, you will need to spend extended periods of time reading the word of God, praying desperate prayers and fasting like there was no tomorrow. Or maybe you will need to spend some time in deep intercession for someone else, making supplication based on the will of God and letting that person go to Him. God can change the heart and He delights to do it to the praise of His glorious grace (Isa. 61:3; Eph. 1:6). Call upon Him, pour yourself out before Him, and put all your trust in Him.

But now, O LORD,

You are our Father;

We are the clay, and You our potter;

And all we are the work of Your hand.

Isaiah 64:8

Navigating Trials

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-7

For a long time I read the popular passage from the book of James (shown above) as two separate thoughts that just happened to be written close together: one about trials, and the other about wisdom. Recently I've come to see that they are related because, in fact, we need the wisdom of God when we are undergoing trials. To begin with, we will need the wisdom of God to understand what the source of our trial is and to choose the correct response. Without the wisdom of God we may expend energy and time fighting the wrong battle, or using the wrong strategy and simply allowing ourselves to become weary with little to no progress.

In this new year, you and I are sure to fall into new trials - and we are perhaps still going through ongoing trials. Go through the trials with the knowledge that God uses them to test and build an increasingly resilient faith in Him. This faith will make you bold on the Day of Christ's appearing and will not be regretted. Only remember this open invitation to ask and receive God's wisdom. It may make all the difference.

O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.

2 Chronicles 20:12

Lessons from a Wedding Ceremony and Sermonette

I attended the wedding of a long time friend yesterday. We've known each other for 18 years already. I had the privilege of being the one who 'took' her to church with me about 9 years ago, and was seated next to her at church just a short 9 months later or so, when she nudged me and told me she felt she needed to accept the invitation to enter a relationship with God through Christ. She wanted to know what I thought she should do. I let her know that she would be entering into a relationship, not a religion, and that she needed to be personally convinced. She was. And she did. And the rest as they say is history. It's been a long time since then now. A few months after she was saved I moved on from that church so, yesterday, it was such a joy to see the person who once felt awkward raising her hands in praise, now boldly praying among family and friends, at her own wedding nonetheless!

My friend met the man she married at that same church too! I remember meeting him when we were all just a bunch of friends. My first impression of him was just as good as it remains today so it is a joy to see this God thing that God has unfolded between them in a totally God kind of way. Their friendship and enjoyment of one another's company is solid and evident. And not many people can boast of having saved themselves for marital intimacy and even kissing, especially after a 6 year relationship.

The wedding was beautiful, the weather was perfect, the music was a unique and lovely jazz and oldies blend. There was no cliche 'wedding march', in fact, everyone danced down the aisle liltingly. The last wedding I've been to was also a gorgeous wedding with more 'trimmings' even (and for another friend I've known just as long), but in stark contrast, the other wedding which was between non-Christians lacked what permeated the atmosphere at this wedding: God.

Everything about this simple ceremony was heavy with meaning and worship. Above all, the 10 minute sermonette given by one of her church elders was absolutely incredible and it left even non-Christians pondering and talking about it afterwards. If I'd had pen and paper I would have honestly made written notes right then and there I think. The message was built upon a popular 'wedding scripture reading' from Genesis, but I've never heard it like I did yesterday and I am sure I wasn't the only one. It probably was the kind of thing you had to be there to get, and I am merely going to jot some notes down from memory in my own way, but may the Holy Spirit open it up to you with the same flood of illumination and understanding that washed over us.

Genesis 2:18-24
The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”
Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals.
But for Adam no suitable helper was found. So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The man said,
“This is now bone of my bones
and flesh of my flesh;
she shall be called ‘woman,’
for she was taken out of man.”
That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united to his wife, and they become one flesh.

The LORD God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone...”
Marriage is God's idea. Because it was God's idea and not Adam or man's idea, it has more than temporary ramifications and purposes. Marriage, like all else that God does, has eternal purposes attached, above and beyond having someone to live with and all the most obvious lifestyle changes. For persons walking in God's will and in covenant with Him, there are works and purposes ordained by God for an individual's life which cannot come forth until the union with the *God-ordained partner - because He has ordained it so.

"I will make a helper suitable for him."
The word used to describe the type of helper the man needed is the same word used to describe the help of God towards man. God's help to the man, comes in various ways, through the woman God has provided him with. This is the very help of God, therefore the man ought to honor and esteem her input, her counsel, her wisdom, and her perspective. In the maturing, healthy female personality of a woman of God in particular, this input will most definitely be more than emotional commentary. This will provide the very help of God to that man, as she stays in intimacy with God in her own life.

So the LORD God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the LORD God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.
The woman comes out of the man, in a figurative sense, in marriage. As time passes during the course of a marriage, the wife a man ends up with has much to do with what is on the inside of himself. His God-ordained leadership role and responsibility in marriage means she will be a reflection of what is on the inside of him, spiritually, in particular.

During the wedding ceremony this exhortation was made in the clearly defined context of covenant. The bride and groom were required to confirm that they understood that they were there to join their lives in covenant and that it would be a lifelong union before God whom they both served. There was nothing frivolous or merely fashionable about it and they were called to note that all they said would be recorded in Heaven before God. Their vows were carefully framed and predicated on Scripture. Their vows included of first priority and necessity that they vow to be a man and woman of God, faithful to ordering their lives by the word of God. They shared vows to be faithful to each other, to love, to cherish, and to support one another. Then there were some specifics:

The Groom vowed that in Christ and upon the foundation of His word, he would lead and protect his family, he vowed that he would use his strength to protect his bride physically and spiritually, and to include her in his whole life. He also vowed to love her as Christ loves the Church and that he would sacrifice himself for her wellbeing. He vowed by the grace of God, and living by the word of God, he would order his life before his wife as a man of God.

The Bride vowed that in Christ and upon the foundation of His word, she would submit to her husband. She vowed to intercede for him, and to respect him. She vowed to support him in all the way God lead him as he walked in obedience to the word of God; and she vowed to walk before and with her husband as a woman of God.

After the vows and exchange of rings, a pronouncement was made that before God and man they had been joined together and would from that point forward, in the spiritual realm, be regarded not as two, but as one before God. The two attending elders of the church laid hands on them and asked God to impart to them in that moment, spiritual resources that they would need to fulfill the vows and to walk uprightly long after the wedding, and to accomplish the eternal purposes of God through their union, for His glory. The official ceremony came to its end and a lovely dinner and reception flowed. The Bride was even serenaded by the Groom who sang Stevie Wonder's Ribbon In The Sky, which was a total hit. There was something heartwarming about his tears as several points during the ceremony and then after his song too. And even though the Bride successfully choked back her tears, several other guests were moved to tears by the whole thing. It was such a wonderful experience to be a part of something so amazing. I thought of the Old Testament prophecies of various judgments on Gentile nations or rebellious Israel, and noticed that often the calamity coming upon them was emphasized by the fact that the "voice of the Bridegroom and of the Bride would cease" in the land. How wonderful it is to remember that this 'God idea' called Marriage is before God such a reason for mirth, celebration and rejoicing, that it can serve to represent a picture of His favor and prosperity upon a nation.

Many of you reading this are already married but I hope this will inspire you to draw ever closer to God and walk with Him in such a way that you and your spouse fulfill the things prepared by God beforehand for you to walk in as a couple (see Eph. 2:10). For many relationships, repairs need to be done before paths can smoothen out again but God is able. Call upon Him and trust Him.
If you are not yet married, (whether courting, engaged, or single), I hope your heart so thrills with expectation for God's plan to be worked out in your life as only He can do it, that you set your heart upon Him above all else and diligently do things in agreement with His word. No one has ever truly trusted God and was made to be ashamed. He is a faithful God. All anyone needs to do is make loving Him the first priority.


* Without entering into a lengthy discussion, I feel it is important to state that it is also my view that God alone can best choose a mate for His own children. Many agree that important decisions should not be entered into with God's specific leading and will to be made clear (where to live, career, finances and other life altering ventures). Far above all those other reasons, the covenant entered into in marriage is of priority with earthly and eternal spiritual consequences. I do not believe that (with human inability to perfectly know the heart, the future, or even understand all present circumstances) God intends for us to use our limited understanding to choose our own mate without consulting Him and getting specific leading. In fact, I believe that for His own people God is, and should be, the only match maker - even though this specific leading is not to be thought to necessarily depend upon  'signs' or mystical occurrences. The key is to stay submitted to God, seeking His will from the heart, and nurturing relationship with Him so that one knows His leading. This leading will always be in agreement with His word, His ways, His Spirit, and His peace.