LET’s KEEP PRAYING!

Ephesians 6:12-20

Praying always. . . with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Ephesians 6:18

Irina Ratushinskaya’s childhood quest for God, even while she was hearing school lectures promoting atheism and mocking Christianity, led her to a deep and unflinching faith. Her poetry expressed that faith and brought inspiration and hope to believers all over Russia.

It also brought her to the attention of the KGB. At age 28, Irina was arrested and sentenced to 7 years hard labor in the Bareshevo labor camp. There she was subjected to relentless interrogations, chilling cold, starvation, hard labor, and months of solitary confinement.

Irina’s faith did not break. During the lonely nights, huddled against the cold wall of her cell, she composed poetry in her head about God. When Irina was finally released, she credited the prayers of believers for sustaining her. In one of her poems, she wrote:

Believe me, it was often thus: in solitary cells, on winter nights a sudden sense of joy and warmth and a resounding note of love. And then, unsleeping, I would know a-huddle by an icy wall: someone is thinking of me now, petitioning the Lord for me.

I wonder, have we been faithful in praying for people who are going through difficult situations? Our prayers can make a difference! —dce

You can expect God to intervene if you’re willing to intercede.

INSTANT ACCESS

Hebrews 10:19-23

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith. Hebrews 10:22

Pastor Rich McCarrell explained to his young son how his secretary screened his phone calls at the church office. He said, “If your mom calls me and I’m busy, the church secretary will tell her what I’m doing, and then Mom will decide if I should be interrupted or if she should leave a message.”

Then he said to his son, “If you call me, you’ll be put right through. I want you to know that you can call me anytime, because you’re my son.”

A few days later, the church secretary put a call through to the pastor from his son. He said hello and asked what he could do for his son. He replied, “Nothing, Dad. I just wanted to make sure I could actually get through to you that easily.”

We too always have instant access to our Father in heaven. There’s no secretary to screen His calls. No need for a decision on whether or not we should bother Him. No need to leave a message so that He can get back to us later. The psalmist reminds us, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their cry” (Psalm 34:15).

Because Jesus has provided the way by His death and resurrection, you can have boldness and confidence as you draw near to your Father (Hebrews 4:16). —anne cetas

Dear Father, thank You that we can talk with You at any time for any reason. We are grateful for that privilege, which was made possible by Your Son Jesus through His death and resurrection.

Through prayer, we have instant access to our Father.

WHAT NOW?

2 Chronicles 20:1-17

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

During the years that I taught junior high students in an over-crowded school, I used to say (only slightly in jest) that my morning prayer was in 2 Chronicles 20:12 — “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.”

When Judah’s King Jehoshaphat spoke those words, it was a matter of life and death. As a coalition of armies marched against Jerusalem, the people of Judah gathered to seek God’s guidance and help (verse 13).

During threatening times of disruption and change, we need to ask, “Lord, what do You want to do with this moment?” And like King Jehoshaphat, we should begin our prayer with praise to our sovereign and powerful Father in heaven (verses 5-9).

God told the king and his people: “Do not be afraid nor dismayed . . . , for the battle is not yours, but God’s. Tomorrow go down against them. . . . The Lord is with you” (verses 15-17).

In stressful, confusing situations, we might ask a worried “What now?” But if we look to the Lord and trust in His care, our fear will be replaced with peace. —david mccasland

O Lord, whenever we’re afraid, we’ll put our trust in You to lead, protect, and guide our way, and help us make it through. —sper

Faith ends where worry begins, and worry ends where faith begins.

BE AN EXAMPLE

1 Timothy 4:12-16

Be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12

A high school senior honored as one of the “Best & Brightest” in our community has provided a forceful demonstration of integrity. When his school team was given the word auditorium in a regional spelling bee, Brady Davis glanced down to ponder his response and noticed that the word was printed on the microphone stand. He called this to the attention of the judges who responded with a more difficult word. Brady did what he knew was right whether others noticed or not.

We don’t know when our actions might become an example to others. But if we live each day to honor Jesus, our behavior will model His righteousness, no matter who is watching.

Idealism and enthusiasm are often best expressed by the young. But uprightness and  honor should be goals for Christians of every age. Paul told his young protege Timothy: “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity” (1 Timothy 4:12).

Brady Davis says his goal in life is to change the world around him while never compromising himself. We would do well to join him in that pursuit of life, integrity, and exemplary behavior. —david mccasland

I would be true, for there are those who trust me; I would  be pure, for there are those who care. I would be strong, for there is much to suffer; I would be brave, for there is much to dare. —walter

A good example always makes a good sermon.

PERSECUTION

Matthew 10:16-26

You will be hated by all for My name’s sake. Matthew 10:22

Jesus warned those who believed in Him that trouble would come. And it did!

In AD 303, for example, the Roman emperor Diocletian began a reign of terror that his successor Galerius continued until 311. Christians who loved and worshiped the Lord throughout the Roman Empire suffered almost unspeakable atrocities. Those who dared pledge allegiance to Jesus Christ were tortured, maimed, or killed. Horrible persecutions carried out by the State brought death to thousands of Christians.

Not all opposition begins at the high levels of government, however. Even today, if we let others know that we are followers of Jesus, we may face various forms of mistreatment and rejection. But our Lord’s words to His disciples can help us to stand. First, He told them to “be wise as serpents and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16). They were to respond with wisdom without malice. And second, He told His disciples that when they would stand before persecutors, the Holy Spirit would help them to know what to say (Matthew 10:19-20).

We surely don’t want to face people who are hostile to our faith, but when we do we can count on help from the One whose name we represent. —jdb

In our daily life and service let us be disciples true; being meek when others hurt us, Lord, in us may they see You! —hgb

Those who live for God can expect trouble in the world.

TRY GRATITUDE

Romans 1:18-25

They did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful. Romans 1:21

In a counseling session with a rebellious teenager and his parents, I was struck by his lack of gratitude. His parents, school teachers, and people from church had gone far beyond the call of duty to show the boy love, but to no avail. He has never said thank you to any of them.

In contrast, I recently heard about three missionary children who lived among tribespeople in Mexico without running water, electricity, or other conveniences. But they were happy. Why?  Because they said they were thankful to God for their parents, their Indian friends, and one another.

According to Romans 1:21, thankfulness is important to God, even from people who know very little about Him. The apostle Paul said that the pagan world stands guilty before God because the people receive His blessings without honoring Him or giving Him thanks. They stifle the sense of gratitude that arises naturally when one feels the warmth of the sun, the freshness of a gentle rain, the inner glow of loving relationships. Anyone who does what his innermost sense tells him to do and gives thanks to God, will receive more revelation.

Do you want to please God? Do you want to know Him better? Then try having an attitude of gratitude. —hvl

We thank You, Lord, for blessings You give us on our way; may we for these be grateful, and praise You every day. —roworth

Faith flourishes in the garden of gratitude.

WE’VE BEEN ADOPTED

Ephesians 1:1-10

[God] predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself. Ephesians 1:5

On a flight to California,  Penelope Duckworth, a chaplain at Stanford University, talked with a Christian woman who had adopted a Jewish daughter. She explained that after Hitler had annexed Poland, the Nazis came to her village to round up Jews. She had been shopping near the train station where German soldiers were loading Jews into rail cars. Those helpless victims were destined to die in a concentration camp.

That woman saw a soldier pushing a Jewess toward the station, and she had a little girl toddling behind. He stopped her and demanded, “Is she your daughter?” The terrified mother looked straight into the Christian woman’s eyes, who then was standing nearby and said, “No, the child is hers.” From that moment the Christian woman took that Jewish girl as her own daughter.

By grace God has claimed us for His own. We were condemned, not as innocent victims, but justly as sinners. We were powerless to save ourselves. We were headed for the second death, which is eternal exile from heaven’s life and light and love. But the very God we rebelled against has redeemed us through Jesus’ death on the cross.

Praise God — once alienated; now by faith adopted! —vcg

Redeemed — how I love to proclaim it! Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb; redeemed through His infinite mercy — His child, and forever, I am. —crosby

God claims by grace those who have no claim to grace.

A WINNER EITHER WAY

Philippians 1:15-26

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21

Lois had just undergone cancer surgery and was alone with her thoughts. She had faced death before, or so she thought, but it had always been the death of people she had loved — not her own.

Suddenly she realized that losing someone she loved was more threatening to her than the possibility of losing her own life. She wondered why. She remembered what she had asked herself before her operation, “Am I ready to die?” Her immediate answer had been, and still was, “Yes, I am. Christ is my Lord and Savior.”

With her readiness for death secure, she now needed to concentrate on living. Would it be in fear or in faith? Then God seemed to say, “I have saved you from eternal death. I want to save you from living in fear.” Isaiah 43:1 came to mind: “I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine.”

Now Lois testifies, “Yes, I am His! That’s the reality that is more important than doctors telling me I have cancer.” And then she adds, “I win either way!”

Lois’ insight is a convinced echo Paul’s words in today’s text, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Let’s pray that those words may resonate in our hearts. That confidence makes us winners either way. —jey

Safe in the Lord, without a doubt, by virtue of the blood; for nothing can destroy the life that’s hid with Christ in God. —anon

We can really live when we’re ready to die.

STILL CLIMBING

Joshua 24:22-33

Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1

Few experiences match the challenge and exhilarationo of mountain climbing. Those who participate in this exercise of endurance and skill like to compare peaks and share experiences. When European climbers get together to swap stories, they often tell of passing a certain grave along the trail to a famous peak. On the marker is a man’s name and this inscription: HE DIED CLIMBING.

To me, mountain cllimbing is a picture of the life of faith. Throughout our lives we are to continue moving upward — learning more about God, growing in our relationship with Christ, becoming stronger in our battle with temptation, pushing ahead in tellng the lost about Christ.

The author of Hebrews put it this way: “Let us run with endurance.” The words with endurance may be translated “with perseverance,” or more commonly, “to the end.”

Joshua was just such a man of God. His “climb” began in Egypt and ended in the Promised Land. He won great battles. We are told that “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua” (Joshua 24:31). At the close of his life, Joshua was still urging Israel to serve God faithfully (verse 23).

Lord Jesus, help us to serve You faithfully. May we still be climbing to the very end. —dce

I want to scale the utmost height and catch a glimpse of glory bright; but still I’ll pray till heaven I’ve found, “Lord, lead me on to higher ground.” —oatman

Faith grows stronger as we climb higher.

REAL CHRISTIANS

1 Corinthians 12:12-26

There are many members, yet one body. 1 Corinthians 12:20

What does the word Yankee mean to you? Robert W. Mayer, in a Wall Street Journal article, writes, “To people in other parts of the world it simply means someone from the United States; to people in the United States it means someone from north of the Mason-Dixon Line; to use Northerners it means someone from New England; to New Englanders it means someone from Vermont; to Vermonters it means someone from the Green Mountains.”

The term “Christian” has taken on a wide range of meaning too. Some have even equated being a Christian with being an American. That’s far too wide! But we who belive in Jesus Christ often make the definition too narrow. We describe as “real Christians” only those men and women who believe and worship exactly as we do.

Certainly sound doctrine is vital! There is no room for disagreement over the fundamentals of the faith. But a “real Christian” is anyone who relies on God’s grace and puts his trust in Christ alone as his only hope of salvation.

Believers share an enormous common ground with each other because they belong to an uncommon Christ. Don’t reject real Christians—brothers and sisters who have accepted Jesus’ once-for-all sacrifice for sin. —hwr

Since God receives repentant souls who’ve trust in His Son, we too must love and welcome them because in Christ we’re one. —hess

Don’t reject anyone whom God has accepted.