Have you been praying for something and without success? If you are like me, you have had those times when you have diligently sought the Lord about a particular matter and it seems like He has no idea you have been talking to Him. Often times in my mind I ask tongue in cheek, "Hello, is anybody up there?" only to be met with deafening silence. But for the grace of God, those times can be incredibly frustrating.
I thought about prayers that bounce off the wall, figuratively of course, as I wondered what Abraham must have felt while waiting for his promised son. The Bible said he believed God (Galatians 3:6) yet after ten years of waiting he tried to force God's hand by yielding to Sarah's suggestion that since she was well past child-bearing age, that he get with Hagar to see if she would give him a son (Genesis 16:1-4). That plan backfired when God "rejected" the son of that union (Genesis 17:17-22) and poor Abe had to wait another fourteen years before Issac was born to him and Sarah as God had promised. The fact that God kept on appearing to the couple in the narrative tells us that He was fully aware of what was going on with them. It is some comfort to us to know that even as it seems all heaven is silent and God is nowhere to be found, He knows exactly where we are and what is going on with us. But what changed between God and Abraham? Why after twenty-five years did God finally say "yes" to Abraham & Sarah's efforts at parenthood?
While Scripture sheds no light on the subject, further in the narrative we see something significant. In Genesis 20, Abraham told Abimelech that Sarah was his sister and so Abimelech decided to take Sarah as his wife. A fascinating story unfolded which resulted in God closing up the all the wombs of the household of Abimelech (V.18), however, in verse 17 we read, "So Abraham prayed unto God: and God healed Abimelech, and his wife, and his maidservants; and they bare children" (KJV). The narrative continues, "And the LORD visited Sarah as He had said, and the LORD did unto Sarah as He had spoken. For Sarah conceived, and bare Abraham a son in his old age, at the set time of which God had spoken to him" (Genesis 21:1-2). So what does one have to with the other? God opened Sarah's womb when Abraham prayed for the opening of the wombs of the women of Abimelech's household.
God didn't need Abraham's help of course. He had closed the wombs all by Himself and could just as easily have re-opened them. However, since God doesn't waste words I believe the lesson for us is that when we need something desperately and know of others who need the same thing, if we pray for them first we set in motion the spiritual mechanism necessary for our own answered prayers. We see this principle at work in the story of Job as well. While we remember that God gave Job double for his trouble, we often forget that "The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). Note the time it happened - "when he prayed for his friends."
When our hearts are open to the needs of others, we find God's heart open towards us. Looking out for ourselves and ours is a learned behavior; God intended for us to look out for each other. Why not forget about yourself and your needs and pray earnestly and fervently for someone who has the same needs as you? I believe now is as good a time as any to start. God is watching and I believe He stands ready to release your blessing as He releases the blessings of those you have prayed for.
Saturday, July 31, 2010
His Ability or Ours?
Philip had probably wondered if Jesus had lost His mind. There they were out in the middle of nowhere it seemed, a large crowd captivated by the miracles He was performing harboring around, and the Passover approaching. Writing some years later the Apostle John tells us, "When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward Him, He said to Philip, "Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?" Philip, surveying the crowd, articulated the dilemma, "Eight months' wages would not buy enough bread for each one to have a bite!" (John 6:5,7; NIV). In other words, "Jesus, we've got a problem!"
Isn't it amazing how standing right next to Jesus, who by this time had performed many miracles, Philip immediately focused on the problem? Interestingly, Jesus knowing the situation first hand had purposefully asked the question. In verse 6 we read, "He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do." Undoubtedly, He wanted Philip to recognize and acknowledge His ability to supernaturally feed the multitude. However, the disciple got caught up in problem of the moment and lost sight of the master who transcended all situations. Philip had not yet come to a full realization of who Jesus really was.
Before Philip knew there was a problem, Jesus already had the solution; He already had in mind what He was going to do. What tremendous comfort to the child of God. We are reminded of the promise of our unchangeable God, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24). Like Philip we often times instinctively focus on the problem at hand, but let us remember that our problems are God's opportunities. Just because we are overwhelmed by them doesn't mean that He is. The disciple thought he needed to find a solution, not understanding that the Solution he needed was standing next to him. His ability was no match for the problem, but Christ’s ability far surpassed any problem they could encounter.
As we think about what is happening in our space, in our ability it is "Jesus, we've got a problem!" However, once we recognize who He is and the awesomeness of His ability, we can face our challenges and say "Jesus, this is something right up your street!" While you ponder, He already has in mind what He's going to do. Do you?
Isn't it amazing how standing right next to Jesus, who by this time had performed many miracles, Philip immediately focused on the problem? Interestingly, Jesus knowing the situation first hand had purposefully asked the question. In verse 6 we read, "He asked this only to test him, for He already had in mind what He was going to do." Undoubtedly, He wanted Philip to recognize and acknowledge His ability to supernaturally feed the multitude. However, the disciple got caught up in problem of the moment and lost sight of the master who transcended all situations. Philip had not yet come to a full realization of who Jesus really was.
Before Philip knew there was a problem, Jesus already had the solution; He already had in mind what He was going to do. What tremendous comfort to the child of God. We are reminded of the promise of our unchangeable God, "Before they call I will answer; while they are still speaking I will hear" (Isaiah 65:24). Like Philip we often times instinctively focus on the problem at hand, but let us remember that our problems are God's opportunities. Just because we are overwhelmed by them doesn't mean that He is. The disciple thought he needed to find a solution, not understanding that the Solution he needed was standing next to him. His ability was no match for the problem, but Christ’s ability far surpassed any problem they could encounter.
As we think about what is happening in our space, in our ability it is "Jesus, we've got a problem!" However, once we recognize who He is and the awesomeness of His ability, we can face our challenges and say "Jesus, this is something right up your street!" While you ponder, He already has in mind what He's going to do. Do you?
A Matter of Perspective
According to Numbers 13, when the twelve spies returned from spying out the land God had promised them, ten of them returned with a negative report. The land was as God said it would be, "neverthless the people be strong that dwell in the land, and the cities are walled, and very great: and moreover we saw the children of Anak there. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the south: and the Hittites, and the Jebusites, and the Amorites, dwell in the mountains: and the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and by the coast of Jordan" (vv. 28-29, KJV). Caleb, one of the two with a different opinion, "stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it. But the men that went up with him said, We be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we" (vv. 30-31).
One would think that after all the miracles God had performed in taking them out of Egypt, the last thing they would do was to doubt whatever He told them. However, they got so wrapped up in what they saw that it affected their perception of themselves. Verse 33 tells us, "We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" and therein lies the problem when we look at our challenges with our natural eyes instead of seeing them as God sees them. There is no doubt that God often takes His people through seemingly impossible situations, but He does so fully expecting His people to trust Him in the journey. It is as the saying goes, "If God takes you to it, He will lead you through it;" something we tend to forget when we stand before what seems like insurmountable challenges.
Yet, God desires to show Himself strong in the lives of His people. If we are constantly faced with situations that we can overcome on our own, we would be totally self-reliant and God would take second place in our lives. However, in order to claim all the things He declares to be ours, we have to have faith in His ability to do all that He says He will do. There are no situations too difficult for Him to handle, none so far gone that is beyond the reach of His power and might.
It is absolutely important that we remember that God can be trusted. He "is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). Because His track record is perfect, His promises are one hundred percent guaranteed. Once we are fully persuaded of this fact it will change the way we think; it will change the way we see ourselves.
Amidst life's challenges, are you believing God for what He has promised you?
One would think that after all the miracles God had performed in taking them out of Egypt, the last thing they would do was to doubt whatever He told them. However, they got so wrapped up in what they saw that it affected their perception of themselves. Verse 33 tells us, "We saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which come of the giants: and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight" and therein lies the problem when we look at our challenges with our natural eyes instead of seeing them as God sees them. There is no doubt that God often takes His people through seemingly impossible situations, but He does so fully expecting His people to trust Him in the journey. It is as the saying goes, "If God takes you to it, He will lead you through it;" something we tend to forget when we stand before what seems like insurmountable challenges.
Yet, God desires to show Himself strong in the lives of His people. If we are constantly faced with situations that we can overcome on our own, we would be totally self-reliant and God would take second place in our lives. However, in order to claim all the things He declares to be ours, we have to have faith in His ability to do all that He says He will do. There are no situations too difficult for Him to handle, none so far gone that is beyond the reach of His power and might.
It is absolutely important that we remember that God can be trusted. He "is not a man, that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent: hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19). Because His track record is perfect, His promises are one hundred percent guaranteed. Once we are fully persuaded of this fact it will change the way we think; it will change the way we see ourselves.
Amidst life's challenges, are you believing God for what He has promised you?
Faith: Walking the Walk
The story is told of a village that was in the midst of a drought and the local minister called upon his parishioners to come out for a day of prayer; they would pray from rain. On the day designated quite a number of people including the church's officers turned out. Standing out like a sore thumb among them was a little boy. Not because of his physical appearance, or what he was wearing, but because he was the only one who came with an umbrella.
What is the point of praying if one isn't going to believe that the thing being prayed for is going to be received? In Christian circles it is called praying in faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, "FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1, AMP). While most of us are familiar with that portion of text, how many of us have actually walked it out? I recall sometime ago asking someone, "If you have no food to cook and prayed for God to provide some, what do you do next?" The reply was, "I believe God so I would wait for the answer." Now while that sounds fairly reasonable, the fact is that because faith moves a person to action the person standing in faith would not just wait for an answer but actually put the pot on the stove while thanking God for the food that hadn't yet arrived. Remember, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). In our example, to wait until we see the food to put on the pot doesn't require faith. That is an action based on what is in front of us; it takes faith to put on the pot when the food hasn't yet arrived.
Without doubt, that goes against our natural way of being and thinking. Jesus reminds His disciples, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24, KJV). Notice that it was faith coupled with the act of speaking to the mountain that produces the desire result.
Genuine faith in God demands action; we have to do something that demonstrates our conviction that we have those things which we said will come to pass and which are consistent with God's will for us. Just like the little boy with his umbrella. If you were standing in the crowd that day, would you have had yours?
What is the point of praying if one isn't going to believe that the thing being prayed for is going to be received? In Christian circles it is called praying in faith. The writer to the Hebrews reminds us, "FAITH is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses]" (Hebrews 11:1, AMP). While most of us are familiar with that portion of text, how many of us have actually walked it out? I recall sometime ago asking someone, "If you have no food to cook and prayed for God to provide some, what do you do next?" The reply was, "I believe God so I would wait for the answer." Now while that sounds fairly reasonable, the fact is that because faith moves a person to action the person standing in faith would not just wait for an answer but actually put the pot on the stove while thanking God for the food that hadn't yet arrived. Remember, "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" (NIV). In our example, to wait until we see the food to put on the pot doesn't require faith. That is an action based on what is in front of us; it takes faith to put on the pot when the food hasn't yet arrived.
Without doubt, that goes against our natural way of being and thinking. Jesus reminds His disciples, "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them" (Mark 11:22-24, KJV). Notice that it was faith coupled with the act of speaking to the mountain that produces the desire result.
Genuine faith in God demands action; we have to do something that demonstrates our conviction that we have those things which we said will come to pass and which are consistent with God's will for us. Just like the little boy with his umbrella. If you were standing in the crowd that day, would you have had yours?
Watch Your Step
In many parts of the world, landmines continue to be a challenge to the personal security of millions of people. According to one source, a landmine is usually a victim-triggered explosive device which is intended to damage its target via blast and/or fragments. Another source states that landmines "can be triggered by a number of things including pressure, movement, sound, magnetism and vibration. Anti-personnel mines commonly use the pressure of a person's foot as a trigger, but tripwires are also frequently employed." One particular country is reportedly littered with approximately 10 million of these; all lying in wait to be triggered by unsuspecting individuals, usually innocent victims caught in a war.
Seemingly, landmines are not big things. "Many are the size of a coffee cup saucer. Some leap into the air, exploding into a thousand metal splinters and maiming everyone within a 25 meter radius. A few are small enough to hide in a cigarette lighter." Regardless, the results are the same - the loss of limbs and life.
I thought of landmines as I considered Satan's strategy for the children of God. In trying to vigilant in our christian walk, many of us are on guard for the big things - the obvious temptations. However, what about the more subtle temptations - the landmines - that we are not so quick to recognize? It is true that a lot of believers will never be accused of stealing, murder, adultery, and so on, but we may be guilty of the "smaller things" - a bit of gossiping, constantly criticizing, slandering, complaining, and so on, which we often comfortably justify to ourselves to silence our guilty.
And what about the sins of omission - the things we should do but don't? One of Satan's strategy is to keep us from doing the things we ought to do for the kingdom of God while keeping us busy with the things that pertains to ourselves. For example, we forget that we are our brother's keeper and so become negligent in sharing good works, or words, or thoughts with them. When was the last time you recognized someone in need of encouragement and took the time to provide it?
We cannot afford to be ignorant of how the enemy works. His mandate remains the same - to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). God didn't intend for us to be victims but victors. Let us commit to walking in the Spirit so we recognize and be equipped to avoid the landmines laid by the enemy.
Seemingly, landmines are not big things. "Many are the size of a coffee cup saucer. Some leap into the air, exploding into a thousand metal splinters and maiming everyone within a 25 meter radius. A few are small enough to hide in a cigarette lighter." Regardless, the results are the same - the loss of limbs and life.
I thought of landmines as I considered Satan's strategy for the children of God. In trying to vigilant in our christian walk, many of us are on guard for the big things - the obvious temptations. However, what about the more subtle temptations - the landmines - that we are not so quick to recognize? It is true that a lot of believers will never be accused of stealing, murder, adultery, and so on, but we may be guilty of the "smaller things" - a bit of gossiping, constantly criticizing, slandering, complaining, and so on, which we often comfortably justify to ourselves to silence our guilty.
And what about the sins of omission - the things we should do but don't? One of Satan's strategy is to keep us from doing the things we ought to do for the kingdom of God while keeping us busy with the things that pertains to ourselves. For example, we forget that we are our brother's keeper and so become negligent in sharing good works, or words, or thoughts with them. When was the last time you recognized someone in need of encouragement and took the time to provide it?
We cannot afford to be ignorant of how the enemy works. His mandate remains the same - to steal, to kill, and to destroy (John 10:10). God didn't intend for us to be victims but victors. Let us commit to walking in the Spirit so we recognize and be equipped to avoid the landmines laid by the enemy.
According to the Power
People love to talk about what God can do and quite rightly so. Serving a God to whom all things are possible is wonderfully exciting as it reaffirms biblical truths that we can take all things to Him, and trust Him to work them out on our behalf and for His glory.
However, one thing that is consistent throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is the fact that God's promises to His people are usually conditional. Nowhere is this more clearly enunciated than in John 15:7 where we read Jesus' words to His disciples, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (KJV). Interestingly in verse 14 we also read, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Our relationship with our heavenly Father is not a passive one, but one that demands our active engagement. Don't we have the same expectations of our own children? What kind of relationship would it be if they did nothing and the parents did everything to make them comfortable and to meet every need?
I thought of this active engagement as I read Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Most of us are intimately acquainted with the first clause but what about the second? I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases it in The Message: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
After meditating on this for a while, it occurred to me that just maybe we are the hindrance to our blessings. There is no doubt that God is more than ready, willing, and able to do His part but are we doing our part? Are we allowing His Spirit to work deeply and gently within us? See, both go hand in hand; we cannot have one without the other.
Today is as good a time as any to stop and consider the following: What power is at work in your life? Who is in control? Who are you listening to? Yes, our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think BUT only according to the power that worketh in us. We get to decide.
However, one thing that is consistent throughout the Scriptures, from Genesis to Revelation, is the fact that God's promises to His people are usually conditional. Nowhere is this more clearly enunciated than in John 15:7 where we read Jesus' words to His disciples, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you" (KJV). Interestingly in verse 14 we also read, "Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you." Our relationship with our heavenly Father is not a passive one, but one that demands our active engagement. Don't we have the same expectations of our own children? What kind of relationship would it be if they did nothing and the parents did everything to make them comfortable and to meet every need?
I thought of this active engagement as I read Ephesians 3:20, "Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us." Most of us are intimately acquainted with the first clause but what about the second? I like the way Eugene Peterson paraphrases it in The Message: "God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us."
After meditating on this for a while, it occurred to me that just maybe we are the hindrance to our blessings. There is no doubt that God is more than ready, willing, and able to do His part but are we doing our part? Are we allowing His Spirit to work deeply and gently within us? See, both go hand in hand; we cannot have one without the other.
Today is as good a time as any to stop and consider the following: What power is at work in your life? Who is in control? Who are you listening to? Yes, our God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think BUT only according to the power that worketh in us. We get to decide.
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