Rev 8:1-5 Prayers Rise Like Incense

Revelation 8:1-5 NIV
Let our prayers rise like incense before thee. For those who do not recognize these words from Vespers, you are really missing out! Attend a Vesper's service.

As I read the lesson this morning I was struck with the thought that immediately following the prayers of God's people going up before God along with the smoke of the incense, the censer was filled with fire from the altar and hurled on earth to cause quite a rumbling. I wonder was the storm and earthquake in John's vision the response to the prayers of God's people that had just come before Him?

We know that God hears our prayers and answers. He is with and for His children whether in heaven or on earth. We give thanks to God for in His mercy, He has heard our prayers and answered.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Mark 9:14-29 If You Can

The disciples could not drive the evil spirit from the boy; so the father asks Jesus to try.

Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?”
“From childhood,” he answered. “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.”
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:21-23 NIV)

How often do we plead with God to help us or our children with something akin to; "if you can do anything;" with unbelief? When we pray; we are speaking with Almighty God; creator of all that is. When we pray; we are speaking with the author of life. How absurd it seems to say to Him "if you can." Yet, in our unbelief, we approach Him, all of the time, thinking that our prayers are like some sort of magical incantation. Our words do not produce results that we want. We merely bring our petitions to the LORD. He hears our prayers of faith and answers according to His will. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” (vs 23)

LORD, we do believe, help us overcome our unbelief! (vs 24)

God's Peace - Pr. J

Proverbs 15 - Gentle Answers

It is very difficult to figure out what to say regarding any of these chapters from Proverbs. They are so filled with words of wisdom. (Please read them!) I could right a few sermons on each and every verse of every chapter! But, I won't; at least not today.

The first verse (NIV) reminds us that "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."

You already know this. I know this. But, still... Sometimes, those harsh words just flow from my lips. Maybe, I am tired. Maybe, I have not spent enough time in prayer or hearing the word, but, for some reason their are times when I cannot help but respond with a harsh word. It all just seems to build up after awhile and there goes my quick tongue crushing spirits.

Yesterday morning, the drain in the bathtub decided to quit working on me. I spent the better part of the morning plunging and hoping it would drain so I could get it down low enough to put some drain cleaner in it. It didn't happen. It drained and as I was about to start on the mess, my husband came home and decided to add water to see if the drain was open - a half a tub full of water, again. I did not speak. I held my tongue. It was very difficult for me, but I did it. We did not end up exchanging any words we would be sorry for, because I held my tongue. Instead we watched a movie together. Of course, we have been married for over forty years, so he could probably tell from the look on my face what my tongue really wanted to say. Twelve hours later the tub has finally drained (again) and I can get to work on it as soon as I've written this blog. The point is, holding back from speaking harsh words sometimes takes some of us more years of persistent prayer and practice than others. But, it is well worth the effort to live in peace.

God's Peace - Pr. J

 

Psalm 138 - The Lord Regards The Lowly

"The LORD regards the lowly." (Psalm 138:6 NIV) He regards those whose hearts are humble before him.

At our Bible study yesterday, as we were discussing Acts 4, the discussion evolved into the fact that those first disciples were uneducated and ordinary men unlike the men who were interrogating them over healing a blind man. Those questioning Peter and John are stumped. How could they heal this blind man? Realizing that they are uneducated men, they also recognized that they were companions of Jesus.  As much as they hated to admit it, they knew of the power of those who called on the name of Jesus. They knew and they were very much worried about it. Trusting in Jesus rather than one's one abilities or status could upset the whole hierarchy of their systems. Big thing could happen and they might fall with that hierarchy that they were entrenched in if this Jesus movement got any more momentum. 

God, it seems, over history, has leaned toward calling, to serve Him, ordinary men and women.  He calls to those who do not think over-highly of themselves and their own knowledge and abilities. He calls to those who are willing to trust that the LORD will hear their prayers and answer. He calls to those who will not try to usurp the praise that belong to Him.

Let us all give thanks to the LORD, before all the false gods let us sing His praise, for He calls to those who are humble in heart.  He hears our prayers and answers, in Jesus' name!

God's Peace - Pr. J