The Privilege of Intercessory Prayer

James 5:16New King James Version (NKJV)
16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.

Today I was blessed with an opportunity to offer prayer for a friend.

When I realized how very honored I felt that she would ask me to pray for her situation I felt a need to look more into the history of intercessory prayer in the lives of Christians.

I found a wonderful article on intercessory prayer at http://www.allaboutprayer.org/intercessory-prayer.htm. I say wonderful because it was, first of all scripturally based, second clear and easy to read and third, brief.

This article describes intercessory prayer as:
Intercessory Prayer - What is it?Intercessory prayer is prayer for others. An intercessor is one who takes the place of another or pleads another's case. One study Bible defines intercession as "holy, believing, persevering prayer whereby someone pleads with God on behalf of another or others who desperately need God's “Intervention."

Hebrews 9:7 New International Version (©1984)But only the high priest entered the inner room, and that only once a year, and never without blood, which he offered for himself and for the sins the people had committed in ignorance.

Intercessory prayer was once the primary function of the priesthood. God, Himself, established the power of bringing the needs of others before Him and set aside an entire tribe to fill this function.

But we all have the privilege and responsibility of interceding on behalf of others and are encouraged to do so many times in scripture.

We have wonderful examples of intercessory prayer. Abraham prayed fervently for the people of Sodom and God heard his plea. (Genesis 18:20-33)In the book of Exodus, especially Exodus 32:11-13 and Exodus 32:31-32 we see Moses interceding on behalf of the children of Israel.

But what about us ordinary folks? Can we be as effective in our petitions to God?

1 John 5:14 New King James Version (NKJV)14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.

And with this confidence comes an obligation to others.

1 Timothy 2:1-5 New King James Version (NKJV)1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,

I thank God for every opportunity to be in His will. I praise God that He graciously adopted me into His Royal Family and encourages me to come to Him in prayer.

Hebrews 4:14-16 New International Version (NIV)
Jesus the Great High Priest 14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. 16 Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

One of the Three Thousand Souls

Gratitude of One of the Three Thousand Souls

Acts 2:41-42 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Every group has it's core group and it's inner core.
But what about those who work and live on the fringes?
Is their work valuable to the group.
Do they value themselves.

Matthew 28:16-20 New International Version (NIV)
The Great Commission
 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go.
17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted.
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

There is much in scripture to encourage those in the three thousand. The Great Commission itself is impossible without the work and support of those in the outer circle. How difficult, even in this age of mass media, for a few to accomplish the great work Our Father has set for us to do.

1 Corinthians 12:4-14 New King James Version (NKJV)
4 There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all.

So here, then, is the validation for those in the three thousands. Here is the encouragement to prayerfully seek that which is ours to do and to do it in the fulness of joy in the Lord!

7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues.

11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

God has given each of us a work to do in the kingdom but sometimes we get so scattered, trying to do all and be all, that we cannot effectively accomplish that which God has appointed us to do. Sometimes we get so immobilized by looking at what others are doing that we can't focus on the job at hand.

Unity and Diversity in One Body
12 For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ. 13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. 14 For in fact the body is not one member but many.

We diminish the effectiveness of the body when we abandon the work that is uniquely ours. There is no diversity if everyone is the same. Try to picture a body which is just one part, any one part, even the all important brain. How very limited that organism would be.

15 If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body? 17 If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?

I am so in awe at the symmetry and order of our Creator!

18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.

And He pleased with an unsurpassed majesty!!!

24b But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it, 25 that there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. 26 And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

Acts 6:7 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
 7 The word of God kept on spreading; and the number of the disciples continued to increase greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were becoming obedient to the faith.

It is my joy to be a member of the Body of Christ. I pray He uses me in the fullest in the building of His Kingdom.

Acts 2:41-42 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

Thank You, Lord from one of the three thousand.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

Mark 1:35
New King James Version (NKJV)
   
35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.

I am so happy for the habit, formed many years ago when my daughter was a toddler, of getting up very early in the morning.

There is great joy in starting my day with the Holy Spirit in the quiet and peace of early morning.

Today I am sitting in a valley, totally surrounded by mountains and giving thanks to Almighty God for His many blessings.

I am here because I was told that one of my oldest friends was dying. The report was that she had days only, at best a couple of weeks.

Before I left home in Florida I engaged the prayers of my church family. We had been told that there was nothing left for my friend, Charlotte, except a miracle; therefore, we boldly asked God for just that.

September 2
Morning by Charles Spurgeon
"But Simon's wife's mother lay sick of a fever, and anon they tell him of her."
Mark 1:30
Very interesting is this little peep into the house of the Apostolic Fisherman. We see at once that household joys and cares are no hindrance to the full exercise of ministry, nay, that since they furnish an opportunity for personally witnessing the Lord's gracious work upon one's own flesh and blood, they may even instruct the teacher better than any other earthly discipline.
Papists and other sectaries may decry marriage, but true Christianity and household life agree well together. Peter's house was probably a poor fisherman's hut, but the Lord of Glory entered it, lodged in it, and wrought a miracle in it.
Should our little book be read this morning in some very humble cottage, let this fact encourage the inmates to seek the company of King Jesus. God is oftener in little huts than in rich palaces. Jesus is looking round your room now, and is waiting to be gracious to you.
Into Simon's house sickness had entered, fever in a deadly form had prostrated his mother-in-law, and as soon as Jesus came they told him of the sad affliction, and he hastened to the patient's bed. Have you any sickness in the house this morning? You will find Jesus by far the best physician, go to him at once and tell him all about the matter. Immediately lay the case before him. It concerns one of his people, and therefore will not be trivial to him.
Observe, that at once the Saviour restored the sick woman; none can heal as he does. We may not make sure that the Lord will at once remove all disease from those we love, but we may know that believing prayer for the sick is far more likely to be followed by restoration than anything else in the world; and where this avails not, we must meekly bow to his will by whom life and death are determined.
The tender heart of Jesus waits to hear our griefs, let us pour them into his patient ear.

I come boldly to my God in intercessory prayer for my friend. I find this morning's “Daily Word” an affirmation and a comfort as I pray.
I thank God for all of those who have joined me in keeping her blanketed in the warmth of sincere prayer.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

On Life and Conduct

Proverbs 22
On Life and Conduct
 1 A good name is to be more desired than great wealth,
Favor is better than silver and gold. (New American Standard Bible)

Today, in my less than productive attempt at a cleaning spree, I ran across an old book “Freedom From Financial Bondage”, by Dwight Nichols. (FREEDOM FROM FINANCIAL BONDAGE How To Overcome Financial Frustration and Walk in God's Supernatural Provisions, A Biblical Guide for Managing Money & Possessions. Harrison House, Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1995.)

As was my habit when dollar bills were more abundant, I found one as a page marker.

The marked chapter was Chapter 6, Honesty and Integrity, THE FOUNDATION FOR ALL GOD'S BLESSINGS and Proverbs 22:1 was one of the heading scriptures!!!

This past Sunday our Pastor spoke on the use of “justification” and “rationalization” to lessen our guilt for doing those things which we inherently know are wrong.

Today, I’m reading. “God wants you to be honest in your business and work affairs. Even the smallest dishonesty displeases God and is a sin (emphasis mine). In examining the stewardship principle in the Bible we read: Whosoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with very much. Luke 16:10 (NIV)."

Another of God's gentle reprimands!!!

I meet the secular world's guidelines for integrity; I don't steal, I don't lie, I provide service to my fellow man through my church, and when allowed, in my personal life. But as I glance through just one chapter of this book, I feel a calling to a higher standard.

The scriptures quoted, mostly from Proverbs and The Psalms, inspire me to do better.

Proverbs20 On Life and Conduct
7 A righteous man who walks in his integrity—
How blessed are his sons after him.

I truly believe that our actions can have an effect on the blessings available for those we love. This gives me the greatest reason to walk in honesty and integrity and to stand firmly on the Foundation for all God's Blessings!

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

God's Chosen Ones

Colossians 3: 12 - 17
12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,
13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive.
14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

How different our actions are when we truly do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus. What a wonderful, simple way to “clean up our act”.
I do thank You, Lord, for Your Word. I thank You for my nine year old grandson through whom You chose to show me this scripture this morning. I thank You because this is exactly the word I needed in my life this morning as I try to be more and more as You would have me to be.
It is truly a blessing to have the way so clearly laid out for us.

12 Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience,

First, acknowledging that I am one of God’s chosen ones and therefore called upon to demonstrate the qualities of compassion, kindness, lowliness, meekness, and patience. I know that I am elevated to a special place as a child of God, as one of his beloved. I know that I partake of His kindness and mercy every day and that there is nothing that I do which earns this freely given love.

How can I do less than to be kind and patient with my brothers and sisters in the Lord when I remember that they, too, are God’s chosen ones?

13 forbearing one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you,
so you also must forgive.

I looked back this morning at all of the little things that I had allowed to bother me over just the last few months and neither one of them individually or all of them collectively was worth the time it took to get upset about them. It is not a matter of forgiving someone; it is truly a matter of not having anything worth getting riled up about in the first place.

How sad I would be if God was as quick to get upset with me as I have been with my fellow believers.

14 And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

We are blessed to have two Great Commandments, love of God and love of our brothers and sisters and these two commandments truly do bind everything together in perfect harmony. When we base all of our actions on these two commandments there is very little room for error.

15 And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.

I close my eyes and enjoy the fullness that comes with the peace of Christ. I understand that I don’t leave room for that peace when I allow foolishness to fill my heart.

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach and admonish one another in all wisdom, and sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

It makes perfect sense that we are encouraged to be in fellowship with one another. It is in fellowship that we can grow in the Word. It is in fellowship that we can enjoy the spiritual uplifting of psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. It is in fellowship that we can rejoice with thankful hearts to God.

17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Father, God, my prayer is that You bring me closer to these simple truths every day. I ask the guidance and support of the Holy Spirit as I strive to do everything in the name of our Lord and Savior.

I do give thanks for all You are in my life and for the continued stirring in my spirit to be more and more what You would have me to be.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

One of His Chosen Ones

I’ve been off the waves for a while because I’m in the hospital. My prayer was “Please let them find what is wrong and how to fix it.” My Prayer has been answered. I just got the” what’s wrong and what we’re going to do” message a few minutes ago. I say thanks to my God.

I was completing the book of Judges last week and admit that I will have to have help with the last two chapters. Alone I could find no real rhyme or reason and especially no life application, but I say this, I was amazed at all the rhyme, reason and life applications I found in the previous chapters, so I wait.

Now, for this adventure… I noticed her first because she literally bounced when she walked. I was in the midst of one of many not so pleasant tests when I saw her.

I was not in the best of spirits and beginning to fuss at myself for letting this whole hospital thing get me down. No matter how much I know better, there is still a little residual guilt when I let the trials of the world get me down.

I tried to comfort myself with reminders of all my blessings but it just wasn’t working. She started taking my medical history and I said my usual “I’m basically healthy as a horse.” She replied “Yes, but it’s rough when you turn into a mule,” and turned my day around.

Psalm 105:1-6 (New King James Version)
The Eternal Faithfulness of the LORD
1 Oh, give thanks to the LORD!
Call upon His name;
Make known His deeds among the peoples!
2 Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him;
Talk of all His wondrous works!
3 Glory in His holy name;
Let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the LORD!
4 Seek the LORD and His strength;
Seek His face evermore!
5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done,
His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
6 O seed of Abraham His servant,
You children of Jacob, His chosen ones!

Now, I am one of those folks who know that God is good. I know that I have spent most of my life a living witness to His grace and mercy. And I know that He is here now as he always has been.

I remember today my impatience with those old folks who had had lives free of medical problems who were just totally put out when they finally had issues, and I smile because I am now one of them.

I have decided to spend the rest of my time here spreading joy in the Lord. I will take every opportunity that comes my way to sing His praises!!!

Psalm 106:1-2 (New King James Version)
1 Praise the LORD!
Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good!
For His mercy endures forever.
2 Who can utter the mighty acts of the LORD?
Who can declare all His praise?

I plan to try. I plan to be one of those who declare His praise. I know that I am one of His chosen ones even when I am operating in “mule mode” and I thank Him for another opportunity to give praise for the people He puts in my path who remind me of the joy available to those who love Him.

Thank you, Betsy Shecter, for your kindness and words of encouragement and comfort.


May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!

The Book of Judges – Life Application – 4

My study today, Judges Chapters 15 – 19 is a study of a people in chaos. We see the result of Samson’s insistence on “sleeping with the enemy” in his choice of Deliah, another Philistine woman, after his dismal failure with the un-named concubine.

In order to better understand the utter foolishness of his choices, I sought to understand a little better the life that God had set aside for Samson in contrast to the life he chose to live.

I read the requirements for being a Nazarite as found in Numbers 6:2-21 and still I struggled to anything in Samson’s life outside of his poor choice of women to explain his fall from grace. This was one I had to put down and walk away from for a while because sometimes the truth is too clear to see.

I encourage you to re-read the scripture describing Samson’s life and discover (at least for me) new understanding of his fall.

The Nazarite was not allowed to:
Eat or drink of the fruit of the vine (Judges 13:4,7).
Be contaminated by any unclean thing {nothing dead under any circumstances} (Judges 13:4,7).
Cut his hair (Judges 13:5,7).

My focus of study of the life of Samson before this point had been his very poor choice of women. This is what I had heard in sermons and seen in movies and this helped me miss some very simple truths which were right before my eyes.
a) Samson was to be dedicated as a Nazarite from birth (Judges 13:5).

b) The Nazarite was not allowed to:
i) Eat or drink of the fruit of the vine (Judges 13:4,7).
ii) Be contaminated by any unclean thing (Judges 13:4,7).
iii) Cut his hair (Judges 13:5,7).
c) The first two items of the Nazarite vow was also to apply to Samson's mother (Judges 13:14).

d) The regulations for a Nazarite are given in Numbers 6:2-21.
Now, lets look again at the life and actions of Samson.
e) On one occasion on his visit to his prospective wife at Timnah, Samson stopped at the carcass of the lion which he had killed with his bare hands (Judges 14:5-9) and ate honey from it. This was in direct opposition to Numbers 6:6 and in this he failed to keep from being contaminated.

Not only did he eat honey from a carcass, a dead thing which he was not to touch, but he took the honey to his parents, thus contaminating them.
f) On Samson's fourth visit to Timnah (Judges 14:10-20), threw a big party as was “customary for young men to do”.
I wonder if this feast involved fruit of the vine, another thing forbidden for Samson. (this is not expressesly said in the scripture).

The other thing I had missed, or not focused on, was the reason for becoming a Nazarite in the first place.
Whether one became a Nazarite for a month, which was common in Samson’s day, or for a lifetime, the purpose was to dedicate one’s self to Almighty God.

Numbers 6:2-21 (Amplified Bible)
2Say to the Israelites, When either a man or a woman shall make a special vow, the vow of a Nazirite, that is, one separated and consecrated to the Lord,

Samson was supposed to be separated and consecrated to the Lord. His actions just don’t support a consecrated life.

My life application for today was to look beyond the obvious, that which had been told and retold in lessons, sermons and even movies and see other messages from the Holy Spirit.

May God Forever Be a Blessing in Your Life!!!