My Prayer Partner

The Holy Spirit was given to us when Jesus went back into Heaven. Jesus told His disciples that He would not leave them as orphans, but the Father would send them ‘another’ counselor to be with them forever. (John 14:18) Anne Graham Lotz calls Him "Another Jesus" because He is just like Jesus, only without a human body.

The Holy Spirit is so many things to us. He is our counselor, our comforter; He is our Helper, our advocate, and our strengthener, helping us to grow. The Holy Spirit is the "Spirit of Prayer". In Zech. 12:10 He is called "The Spirit of grace and supplications."

He is our Intercessor, and thereby He is our Prayer Partner. "The Spirit…makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (Romans 8:27).
I personally do not know how to pray, but from this verse I see that I am not alone in my praying. God knew I would be this way, and in His all-wise love He stooped to meet my helplessness by giving me and each of His children the Holy Spirit Himself to pray for us. With the help of our Prayer Partner, this Sweet Holy Spirit, we can with confidence lay our desires and heart-needs before God.

In every prayer we bring before God, we have the Triune God, the whole Trinity, taking part. We have God the Father who hears our prayers; the Son, our Lord Jesus in whose name we pray; and we have the Holy Spirit who prays in us and for us, and presents our prayers to the Father according to His Will. This Holy Spirit, our own special Prayer Partner, will lead us in our prayers to teach us to be intercessors who cry to Him day and night.

Father, Help me to know and reverence my Prayer Partner, this Sweet Holy ‘Spirit of Prayer!’ In Jesus name I pray, Amen

Do You Hear Me?

Do You hear me?
Do You see me?
Have you ever asked this of God? I think David felt this way on occasion. In Psalm 55:1 he pleads with God, "listen to my prayer, O God, and hide not Yourself from my supplications." And in Psalm 61, verse one, it sounds as though he is pleading "Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer."

There was a time when I thought of God’s knowing me about the way a speaker knows the person in the back row of a large auditorium full of people. Yes, I was in the crowd, I was in the door, but I was only one of the masses. Of course this also gave me reason to feel that if I did something not becoming a child of God, no one knew. Wow! Was this ever putting God into a box! I was bringing Him down to our very human level.

When Jesus Christ came to earth some 2000 years ago, and ultimately gave His life on Calvary’s Cross to pay the wages of sin, He tore away the veil separating God and man. We are now one with God if we have accepted Christ as our Savior. He states in John 17:21 "That they all may be one, (just) as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, and they also may be one in Us…" and in verse 23 "I in them and You in Me, in order that they may become one…"

Ephesians 3:17 makes it very clear that Christ dwells within me. From the Amplified version we read "May Christ through your faith (actually) dwell (settle down, abide, make His permanent home) in your hearts!"

And read what it says in Colossians 2:9 & 10 (again from the amplified): "For in Him the whole fullness of diety (the Godhead) continues to dwell in bodily form (giving complete expression of the divine nature). And you are in Him, made full and having come to fullness of life (in Christ you too are filled with the Godhead—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,--and reach full spiritual stature.)"

So I ask again, "do You hear me? Do You see me?" And the answer is "of course

my child, behold, I am with you always, as we are one."

"He knows my name,
He knows my every thought,
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call!"
(Words by Tommy Walker)

Thank You Father, for hearing me, seeing me, and knowing all about me. You are so Good! Amen

Don't Worry, Be Happy!

For the past few years I have been reading the Bible, verse by verse, chapter by chapter; a chapter from the Old Testament along with a chapter from the New Testament each day. I seem to get through the New Testament two times, for each time through the Old Testament. It’s amazing what nuggets I find, even in the Old Testament, that I haven’t seen previously. I also vary my reading by using different versions each time. This time through the New Testament I have decided to use The Message, which is the New Testament in contemporary language, compiled by Eugene H. Peterson. Right away, in Matthew 6, I was thrilled by the plainness, everyday language of Jesus talking about our God-Worship. I have decided that for this week I will just copy verses 25 through 34 as it is written in this very down-to-earth language.

"If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.

"Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.

"Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."

Wow! Could anyone say it better? That’s Jesus talking in our everyday, simple language. Don’t Worry, be happy! God is in Control!!!
　
　
　
　
　

A Worm to a Butterfly

"Strip yourselves of your former nature (put off and discard your old unrenewed self) which characterized your previous manner of life and becomes corrupt through lusts and desires that spring from delusion: And be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind (having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude), And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God’s image, (Godlike) in true righteousness and holiness."Ephesians 4:22-24 (Amplified)

For years I had the prayer that God would take me, this worm of a human being, and turn me into a butterfly. Make me what Ephesians 4:24 states, "created in God’s image, in true righteousness and holiness." Then as I began studying God’s Word, I realized, I already am a butterfly. The day I accepted Christ as my Savior, I became a new being. Isaiah 61:3 tells me, He took my ashes and gave me beauty. In Isaiah 61:10 it states "(You) clothed me with garments of salvation, (You) have wrapped me in a robe of righteousness…as a bride adorned with her jewels." II Corinthians 5:17 says, "if any person is in Christ he is a new creation." And in Colossians 3:10 (amplified) "And have clothed yourself with the new spiritual self, which is renewed and remolded into...knowledge after the image of Him who created it."

Wow! I already am a beautiful new creation in God’s sight! I have a new spiritual self! And someday I shall even have a new body, a glorified body, and one like Christ’s glorified body. David is one who realized this when he stated in Psalm 17:15 "I shall be satisfied when I wake in thy likeness." Paul tells us in Philippians 3:21 "(Lord Jesus Christ) shall change our lowly body that it may be fashioned like his glorious body…"

You see, I am already a butterfly, what more could I ask for. My soul is a new creation, and soon my body will be also.

"Like developing butterflies,
We are to shed the cocoon
Of our sinful nature that we might
Emerge into the beauty of Christ."
(Unknown)

Thank you, Lord, for taking this worm and making me into a butterfly! Amen

I Do Not Understand

I do not understand why Jesus had to come to earth to die that I might have life. Why couldn’t God have found an easier way to give us salvation? I do not understand why God’s children on earth suffer pain, and persecution. I cannot understand why I must constantly battle with Satan and his helpers. I have often said things like "why did God allow this" or "if God loves me why did such and such happen?" Job 42:3 gives Job’s answer: "Therefore I have rashly uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."


You’ve no doubt seen the quote: "We make plans and Life happens." And here is another one that I just recently heard: "If you want to make God laugh, just tell Him your plans." Proverbs 16:9 states "A man’s mind plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps and makes them sure." And in Proverbs 20:24: "Man’s steps are ordered by the Lord. How then can a man understand his way?" We have no idea what the future holds for us, and God does, so why not trust Him, instead of telling Him we don’t understand so we’d rather do it ourselves.

Here is what God’s Word tells us about understanding the ways of God from Isaiah 55:8,9: "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." "As the heavens are higher than the earth" Wow! That is a big spread. So what makes me think I can know what God’s reasons are? In Psalm 139:6 it says "Your infinite knowledge is too wonderful for me: it is high above me. I cannot reach it."
　
I may not understand the workings of the Lord, but this one thing I do know: "our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of Glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen." 2 Cor. 4:17, 18

My Prayer: No, Lord, I do not understand why You had to suffer and die that I might have life; or why we suffer in this life. You could have put a hedge around all Your children, but we would then become weak; we would not have learned how to use Your armor. You say in I Peter 4:13 that our suffering is working for us and will make us rejoice even more when we see Your glory. David said that before he was afflicted, he went astray. I know that all that comes my way is allowed for my good, and I pray I will not waste the trials You allow for me. I also know that nothing touches me that has not gone through You first. You have a design for me, and though I may not understand it, You will use it for my good. You said in John 13:7 "What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this." Thank you Lord for all You do for me, even if I do not understand it now. Amen

Can We Really Know God?

Can we as mere mortals, really have knowledge of God? Back in ancient times the Children of Israel would not even say His name, Yahweh; they felt it an irreverence to be on such friendly terms as to call Him by name.

But Jesus changed all of that when He died on the Cross in our place, and rose from the grave so that we might have life everlasting. He wants us to know God. Here is what He told His disciples: "No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing, but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you." (John 15:15)

With the thought I am writing of today, I am not thinking of finding out what God is like (we covered that a few months ago when I discussed some of God’s attributes). My concern today is that we have some knowledge of thinking rightly about God in our personal association. Jesus says that the Father is in Him and He is in the Father, and we are in Him. If we are so close to God as being one with Him, we should not be afraid of Him. In John 17 verses 20 through 26 Jesus is praying for each of us to know we are loved by God.

In I Corinthians 2 it is made clear that we have been given the Holy Spirit to reveal Himself (God) to us. I like the way verse 10 is written in "The Message" translation: "But you’ve seen and heard it because God by His Spirit has brought it all out into the open for you."

To get to know God, however, we must spend time with Him. You don’t get to know someone if you never speak to him or her. This only comes by being often and long with Him, reading the Word, praying. By doing this we learn to trust His dealings with us. Prayer is not coming to God to ask for favors, it is fellowship with Him until He actually has possession of us. When we actually ‘know’ our God, we will not even ask why, or ask about dark days, or ask for petty material things. We will just know God will bring all out according to His will. In John 14:1 Jesus says "Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe and adhere to and trust in and rely on God;"

My Prayer: O Lord, I know of no greater pleasure than to be called Your friend, and to know that I have the Spirit within me to make known to me the things of the Father. May I be open to the Spirit, eager to learn, ready to receive all there is for me. With Paul, "I bow my knees"; yea, I even fall on my face before the Father, asking for an anointing of knowledge from the Spirit, and to know the love of Christ as a fire in my soul. Amen

A quote: "the Christian life is knowing God in a personal love-relationship"

CROWNS

Man makes a lifetime of running around, trying to lay up for himself riches. Psalm 39:6 states: "…every man walks about like a shadow, he heaps up riches, and does not know who will gather them."

In Proverbs 27:24 it states "Riches are not forever, nor does a crown endure to all generations." Wow! That is a truism. I have just been reading II Kings and very seldom did a kingdom go from father to son, to son. Someone, maybe a Captain of the Guard, or an outside villain would have a ‘coup’ and kill the king, then take over the throne.

We may never receive a crown while here on earth. Some of us may never receive any kind of reward or medal for accomplishments or great leadership; but the Bible says there is a ‘crown’ waiting for each of God’s children when we get to Heaven. Paul states in II Timothy 4:8 "Henceforth there is laid up for me the "Crown of Righteousness" which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing." So here we have a "Crown of Righteousness".

Another Crown we will receive is the "Crown of Life". James 1:12 says "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he is tried, he shall receive the "Crown of Life" which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."

In I Thess. 2:19 we hear about the "Crown of Rejoicing." In the KJV it is Crown of Rejoicing, and in the Amplified Version from which I have been studying lately, it is called "a Victor’s wreath of excellent triumph when we stand in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming."

Here is one I am really looking forward to, found in I Peter 5:4 (KJV): "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a "Crown of Glory" that fadeth not away…"

The only reason we are able to even claim such crowns is because of the crown our Savior wore while here on earth, namely, the "Crown of Thorns". Matthew 27:29 states: "they plaited a ‘crown of thorns’, they put it on His head."
When I was in Israel we were shown the kind of thorny bush from which they took the branches to make the crown. The thorns were an inch, to an inch and a half long. These they twisted together and put on His head, no doubt forcing it down so the thorns pierced his skin.

When I think of the crown Jesus wore, knowing it was part of the curse He took for me, so that someday I can stand before Him wearing my "Crown of Righteousness", I feel so humbled, so very unworthy. How can anyone refuse to accept Him, knowing what He did for each of us.

My Prayer: The Crowns You give Your children, Lord, are incorruptible, they will last forever and ever. And these Crowns are mine only because of what you did on Calvary. I have done nothing to deserve them. You are so good! You are the Life in me! You are my All and my Salvation. Holy Lord, You are my treasure and it is at Your feet where I will lay down my heart and my crown! Amen