BEWARE PREDILECTIONS

"One who turns his ear away from listening to the Law, even his prayer is an abomination."  (Proverbs 28:9, NASB)

According to our text, prayer is not the "answer to everything."  His Words must have "equal time."  I once told a very young person that prayer is you and I speaking to God.  The Bible is God speaking to us.  It's a two-way conversation.  We need to "hear" from, "The Word of God," Jesus, what the Living Triune God is saying to us, the best "prayer guide." 

I wonder how many prayers are not "answered" because we have not surrendered to, read, obeyed Jesus' Words, aka, The Scriptures/Bible, "....a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."  Personally, I find more liberating power in praying and listening to Jesus' Words than mine.  

Father, in Jesus' Name, forgive any misplaced predilections.  Amen. 

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

"Remember...."

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead...."  (2 Timothy 2:8a, NASB)

I read this again a few days ago.  One of the greatest "lines" ever penned.  "Remember Jesus Christ...."  Just, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead...," ascended, appearing again.  Jesus is "The Eternal One," revealed in the Flesh for man to see.  The world has said many times through the centuries, "If God exists, why doesn't He show Himself."  That is exactly what He did in Jesus.

E. Stanley Jones once said, "Jesus is called the Bright and Morning Star; He was never called the evening star-- there is always a dawn in every happening in Him."  So, again, "Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead.............."

Father, in Jesus' Name, may I never forget, "....Jesus Christ, risen from the dead...."  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

WE ABIDE FOREVER

"Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but abides forever." (Psalm 125:1)

So there you have it.  Trust in Jesus Christ and you, "....cannot be moved...."  And, we are of those who, "abide[] forever."  Enjoy the rest of your day.

Father, in Jesus' Name, I trust in You.  Amen.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2

THE MISSING LINK TO REVIVAL

"By this will all know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."  (John 13)

Tertullian, a Second and Third Century North African leader in the Church, said that the unbelievers in the Empire were saying, "Look how they love one another, and how they are willing to die for one another." 

If you listen to most talk about revival, renewal, restoration, it is always around prayer.  I wonder, however, that if a very key "ingredient" to revival, as in seeing the lost come to Jesus, should include you and me demonstrating, "Look, how they love one another."  

When one hears of "great churches," the talk goes something like this:  "Oh, they have a great children's ministry, large youth ministry, great worship and preaching."  You never hear, "Wow!  They really do love each other."

Father, in Jesus' Name, I pray the old song be true of me, "And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love...."  Amen.

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Packing of the backpacks and loading of the van, August 14, after the service in the CCE building.

When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"

Hebrews 12:2