Presence of Prayer

‘Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.’ 

Luke 18:1 NIV

The presence of prayer - 

I had a discussion the other day

A dear friend was talking about his relationship;

He was noting how important communication was and how he and his girlfriend talk openly about everything - even difficult conversations. He noted how they made an agreement to be completely honest with one another - even if it might be hurtful at first glance.

Scripture notes that, ‘wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.’ Proverbs 27:6

It is all about relationship - 

Direct communication can be difficult 

Yet, those challenging discussion are eased when you are able to focus on trusting the intention of the one you are in relationship with.

Prayer is that simple

The presence of prayer is vital

It is vital in maintaining an open, honest and meaningful relationship with the LORD

And when you have a relationship like that, you will be surprised what you can endure - and what you can accomplish together.

‘Men ought always to pray and not to faint.’

Luke 18:1 KJB

it's personal ...

Good Morning Friends

Happy Sunday!

Week two of no gathered services for church –

However, how many of you know we are the church;

                And church is wherever we are

I fully appreciate these intimate personal times with the LORD

It’s personal … it is a personal preference for each individual

Even so – I still miss gathering together as a corporate body of believers

But this too shall pass …

I heard an interesting news notification yesterday –

The actual instance occurred a couple of days ago;

In light of the numerous restrictions imposed by COVID-19, the Pope issued this statement:

‘If you don’t find a priest to go to confession, speak to God. He’s your Father. Tell Him the truth. ‘Lord. I did this and this and this. Pardon me.’ Ask His forgiveness with all your hear, with an act of contrition, and promise Him, ‘Afterward I will go to confession.’ You will return to God’s grace immediately.’

Now – for the record, let me state that I am not Catholic

Therefore – I do not have a personal understanding of some of the traditions and practices

The best that I can ascertain is that the practice of going to a priest would be an attempt to replicate Old Testament practices [where a priest had to represent the people] or an action to honor the New Testament directive to, ‘confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed’ (James 5:16)

HOWEVER – Let us make no mistake

It is essential for us to understand that Jesus is our High Priest

CHRIST is our priest forever – without beginning or end [Hebrews 5:5-6]

We may approach our LORD and GOD, our FATHER and FRIEND directly

Because of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus,

We are able to go directly to God – at any time

                It’s personal ….

It is about a personal relationship – something He desires to have with each of us

At the death of Jesus, the veil was torn –

It was torn, indicating the introduction of personal relationship with the LORD

When that veil was torn it removed the separation which existed between God and man

The tearing of that veil from top to bottom –

It was indicative of a work which could only be performed … by the LORD Himself

TO BE CLEAR –

These are unprecedented times …

In our nation and around the world, this health crisis is removing standard protocols

Churches are having to resort to online services

Individuals are coming face-to-face with the realities of their faith

A  few days ago, I wrote about my grandmother, my Nana

                And I acknowledged the tremendous impact that she had on my faith

She had an impact on my faith – but she was not and is not the source of my faith

You see, relationship with the LORD … it’s personal

It must be received – and then cultivated and developed through personal interaction

                Through personal times of prayer, study, reflections, worship and transparency

In these challenging times, go to the LORD

At all times, go the LORD God Almighty – seek His heart

It’s personal … it’s personal to Him

                He desires a personal relationship at all times

And I believe, just as the verse notes above, many who have died [in our case spiritually],

They are being raised to life.

Have a Blessed Day & Stay Safe

lost seeking found ...

Where I live on the East Coast of the United States, we have spent much of the week preparing for a massive hurricane. As a result, countless prayers have been voiced that are looking for God’s hand to move, for Him to speak into the situation. 

There have been so many hearts – lost in a sea of worry – seeking to find comfort and protection in the One who the winds and waves obey. They are seeking to connect – perhaps the first time in a long time – in relationship with God of heaven.

In my book ‘When Storms Rage’, I address twenty-one principles to keep you anchored through life’s toughest moments. In principle four ‘Talk to Jesus’, we discuss the all-important need of maintaining regular/daily communication with Jesus – understanding that if solid relationships are part of the framework of a happy and healthy life, then communication is one of the glues that helps hold things together. Without regular and effective communication, there can be great losses experienced in the way of time, energy and resources.

If one is searching for a perfect example, they need look no further than the account in the book of Luke to find the fascinating account of an instance where Mary and Joseph lost Jesus.

“But supposing Him to have been in the company, they went a day’s journey, and sought Him among their relatives and acquaintances.” Luke 2:44

Now, we all know that Mary was something special to be chosen to assume the role of mother to Jesus on earth. However, Joseph had to be quite an individual himself for the LORD to entrust the raising of His only Son into the care of Joseph. Therefore, it becomes quite puzzling how two individuals – hand selected by the Creator of the Universe – came to lose Jesus in such a way that they had to backtrack several days in order to find Him.

One can only imagine the whispers among the crowd …

• Aren’t those the same two with the ‘creative conception story’?
• How does someone lose their own child?
• I heard they haven’t talked to Him since the journey began. He's only twelve ... what were they thinking?

It had to be very difficult for Mary and Joseph … to even ask that first person, “Have you seen Jesus?” Surely they struggled with the embarrassment of having become so preoccupied with life that they had not realized that they had not spoken to Him in a full day. They were likely guilt-ridden, wondering ‘What must God be thinking of us?’ Yet – they did not allow any of those thoughts to stop them from turning back to seek out the most precious of all relationships – not between parent and child but between Savior and sinner.

We will never know how their friends and relatives actually responded. However, we can hope that they would celebrate the repentant turn to go back and capture what was lost rather than to ostracize them for having lost focus in the first place.

Know that nothing has changed in thousands of years –

Today, if you have lost your way and find yourself turning back and crying out in a moment of desperation –

 Do not fear and do not be ashamed. He loves you and ALWAYS stands ready to welcome you with open arms.

Today, if you are one of the fortunate and disciplined who have not lost your way and stand as a witness to one who has had to make that most difficult step back –

Be compassionate!

After traveling a full day back to Jerusalem, searching a total of three days back … I cannot imagine the sense of joy that overtook Mary and Joseph when – after many failed attempts – they at last they cried out, ‘Jesus! Jesus!’ and they heard His voice respond, ‘I AM here’.

Is there anything sweeter than one who cries out to the LORD and KING – no matter how long or how far they have gone – and they receive the response they were seeking?

I cannot not think of anything more precious …

Whatever has been lost – may we never stop seeking until it is found.

And may we never become so saved – that we forget what it was like to be lost.

Have a Blessed Evening!