You Won't Find The Answer There

Do you ever start to wonder why, wish, become fearful, feel guilty, worry, struggle with sin, become depressed, feel sick, have dreams broken, feel lonely, and have regrets? Pray. The world will offer other alternatives, but you won't find what you are looking for.

The answer for all our needs is to look to the Lord and His strength, seeking His face always.

"Look to the Lord

and His strength;

seek His face always.

1 Chronicles 16:11 (NIV)

As we seek God's face in prayer, we will find the answer, the peace, the freedom, the love, the care, the strength, the joy, the hope, and the miracle that we long for.

My heart says of you,

'Seek His face!'

Your face,

Lord,

I will seek."

Psalm 27:8 (NIV)

Making The Other Person's Speck Look Like A Log

It is common to see a person who has done wrong to not face responsibility for his/her sinful conduct by placing the blame on someone else. Many times, such a person will tell exaggerated truths and ugly lies about this other person to divert the finger of judgment. You see this often in a spouse wanting the approval of others to divorce, in separated parents fighting for custody or support of their children, in those who want to justify their sins and gain sympathy, and in criminals wanting to be free from the punishment of the law.

The Bible says that we are each responsible for our own conduct.

"For we are each responsible

for our own conduct."

Galatians 6:5 (NLT)

If someone doesn't take responsibility for his/her own actions, then he/she is a hypocrite who tries to make the speck in someone else's eye look like a log so that the log in his/her own eye looks only like a speck.

"Hypocrite!

First get rid of the log

in your own eye;

then you will see well enough

to deal with the speck

in your friend's eyes."

Matthew 7:5 (NLT)

We Can Be Sure Of This

The Lord God sees all and hears all. He also knows our thoughts and the contents of our hearts. And there are seven things which He hates, seven things which are an abomination to Him: pride, lies, murderers, manipulators, evildoers, false witnesses, and troublemakers.

"There are six things which the Lord hates,

Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him:

Haughty eyes, . . .

. . . a lying tongue,

And hands that shed innocent blood,

A heart that devises wicked plans,

Feet that run rapidly to evil,

A false witness who utters lies,

And one who spreads strife among brothers.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (NASB)

We can be certain that even if our world's justice does not prevail, God's justice will.

"Be sure of this:

The wicked will not go unpunished."

Proverbs 11:21a (NIV)

A Time To Weep And A Time To Sing

My remaining budgie grieved for days after the loss of her companion. She wouldn't sing, squawk, or make any noise at all. I felt bad seeing her sit on the large swing that the two of them would often share as they gazed out at the peculiarity of humans in our household. Then I thought how very natural it is for animals and humans to grieve after losing a loved one. It is how God made us and it is how God Himself is. He grieves every time He looses a precious soul to the evil one, and rejoices every time a soul comes to Him.

In the Bible, when Moses, the great leader of God's people died, the Israelites weeped for thirty days. However, after the thirty days, the weeping and mourning ceased.

"So the sons of Israel wept for Moses

in the plains of Moab thirty days;

then the days of weeping and mourning

for Moses came to an end."

Deuteronomy 34:8 (NAS)

So no matter how great our loses are, we must not give ourselves up to sorrow forever. There is a necessary time to weep and mourn, but after that there comes a necessary time to go on with life with laughter and dancing.

"A time to weep

and a time to laugh;

A time to mourn

and a time to dance."

Ecclesiastes 3:4 (NAS)

It is wondrous how God's uses even the tiniest creatures to teach us so much. I am pleased to say my budgie is now happy again, singing, squawking, and peering perplexingly at the craziness of humans in  my household.

So Don't Be Afraid

Tuesday last week, one of our budgies died suddenly at the unripe young age of one and a half years.

His lifeless body was still warm and soft under my touch as I pulled it from his cage. Recalling a verse in Matthew, I realized, as I held this little sweet bird in my hands, that God knows.

"What is the price of two sparrows —

one copper coin?

But not a single sparrow

can fall to the ground

without your Father knowing it."

Matthew 10:29 (NLT)

And if God cares about this one bird who fell to the bottom of his cage, how much more He must care about each one of us.

"So don't be afraid;

you are more valuable to God

than a whole flock of sparrows."

Matthew 10:31 (NLT)

God's Word Must Be Kept Holy And Set Apart

"The words of the Lord

are pure words;

As silver tried

in a furnace on the earth,

refined seven times."

Psalm 12:6 (NASB)

The Word of God is pure. It is perfect. It represents God and all He is. The Word of God is holy and sacred.

But is our modern Christian culture defiling His Word? People rarely take their physical Bibles to church anymore. Instead, they leave them at home to collect dust, sometimes in a forgotten location, sometimes displayed righteously on the coffee table for all to see. They seldom pick them up and open them. They go to church, take their cell phones, and leave their Bibles behind.

It is much easier, more convenient, and demonstrates a greater degree of technological sophistication to read God's Word from our laptops, tablets, cell phones, and projector screens. However, we need to decide if we are dishonouring the purity of God's Word for the sake of convenience and display. The Internet is used for so much evil. It tempts many Christians to stray from God's commands. Is it right to combine God's Word with something so impure?

As God-honouring Christians, we need to be very careful that His Word is always kept holy and set apart from worldly things.

Keep Watching And Praying: The Spirit Is Willing, But The Flesh Is Weak

Not only are we to keep praying that we will not enter into temptation, but we are also to keep watching. Why? Because even though the spirit is willing, the flesh is weak.

"Keep watching and praying

that you may not enter into temptation;

the spirit is willing,

but the flesh is weak."

Matthew 26:41 (NASB)

We must never let down our guard. Our eyes must always be alert to the possible snares and traps of the devil so that we will not hesitate to turn around and walk away. It is better to loose popularity, wealth, and even friends than to loose our salvation.

There Is A Unseen War Raging In Our World

God has given us His Word, but the world hates His Word, because His Word glorifies God and not man. And just as God's Word is not of this world, because it was written by God and not man, we, as God's children, are also not of this world. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we belong to God's world — His eternal Kingdom — and are called to be His faithful servants.

But even though we are not of this world, we are in the world, sent by God to sanctify ourselves fully to the service of our King, so that others too may know the truth and be saved. This is what Jesus did, and we are to follow His example. However, since we live in this world where the evil one rules, we are to pray to God regularly to protect us from evil and to deliver us from temptation.

"I have given them Your Word

and the world has hated them,

for they are not of the world

any more than I am of the world.

My prayer is not that you take them

out of the world,

but that you protect them

from the evil one.

They are not of the world,

even as I am not of it.

Sanctify them by truth;

your Word is truth.

As you sent Me into the world,

I have sent them into the world.

For them I sanctify Myself,

that they too may be sanctified."

John 17:14-19 (NIV)

There is a continual spiritual war going on in our world around us, and for us, as God's people, to be victorious, we must pray daily for His protection and deliverance.

Go Look For The Little One Who Wandered Off

"Fathers, do not embitter your children,

or they will become discouraged."

Colossians 3:21 (NIV)

A father's role in raising his children is vital. Yet so many parents today divorce or separate. As a result, it is common to hear of fathers abandoning and mothers neglecting their children. When these things happen, the parents often make victims not only of themselves, but also of their children. These children are innocently caught in the middle, left to suffer alone a pain that is not easily relieved.

As God's people, we need to reach out to these children and tell them that they have a Heavenly Father who loves them very much! In Scripture, our Father in heaven is likened to a shepherd who leaves his large flock of a hundred sheep on a hill just to look for one that wandered off. And when He finds that one sheep, He greatly rejoices, because it is not the will of God that any little one should perish.

"What do you think?

If a man owns a hundred sheep,

and one of them wanders away,

will he not leave the

ninety-nine on the hills

and go to look for

the one that wandered off?

And if he finds it,

truly I tell you,

he is happier about that one sheep

than about the ninety-nine

that did not wander off.

In the same way your Father

in heaven is not willing

that any of these little ones

should perish."

Matthew 18:12-14 (NIV)

God needs His people to search for these little lambs who are all alone, stranded in the thickets, desperate for someone to give them the lasting love and attention they crave, and to tell them that there is a faithful Father in heaven who will always love them, and who yearns insatiably to bring them into His Kingdom.

A Promise Of Long Life

There is a very active and healthy ninety-year-old lady who comes to the weekly Bible study at my home. (She looks about sixty; her mind is sharp, and her walk is confident.) I absolutely love her! She is an inspiration to everyone who meets her. Why? Because she represents a child of God who has lived all her life righteously before Him, and, as a result, God has richly blessed her with long life. When she speaks, I listen, for she is filled with much wisdom from knowing and experiencing God as her heavenly Father for so long.

The Bible says that God will bless His children with long life if they follow Him and obey all His decrees and commands.

"And if you follow Me

and obey My decrees and My commands

as your father, David, did,

I will give you a long life."

1 Kings 13:14 (NLT)

And God does not just say a long life; He says an enjoyable one!

"And you and your children and grandchildren

must fear the Lord your God

as long as you live.

If you obey all His decrees and commands,

you will enjoy a long life."

Deuteronomy 6:2 (NLT)

This beautiful woman is not afraid to speak her mind about the things of God. She is honest and straight-forward, but at the same time, sweet and humble. In the spring, she will be living in her own apartment, as her husband recently died. There she will be starting up a Bible study so that others in the complex may come to the saving knowledge of God, or come to know Him better. This woman's life is what I call a great testimony of living for God!

So That You Will Have The Right Response For Everyone

How are we to proclaim God to others?

First, the Bible says we are to live wisely among those who are not believers. In other words, our minds are to be transformed by God's Word and His Holy Spirit, because only then will we have the discernment to properly judge what is true and right.

Second, we are to make the most of every opportunity God gives us to share His love with others. Our eyes are to be opened to see others' needs, and our ears are to be tuned to hear God's voice.

Third, our conversations with others are to always be gracious and attractive so that we will have the right responses for everyone. Our tongues are to be used to represent God's character.

"Live wisely among those

who are not believers,

and make the most of

every opportunity.

Let your conversation

be gracious and attractive

so that you will have

the right response for everyone."

Colossians 4:5-6 (NLT)

We need to live wisely, make the most of every opportunity, and converse graciously, because only then can we be productive in reaching the lost souls in this world for the Lord Jesus Christ.

If You Have To Ask, You Already Know The Answer

A pastor I respect and love made a profound statement years ago in one of his sermons that I remember to this day. He said that when people come to him and ask him if it is right or wrong to do this or that, he often replies, "If you have to ask, you already know the answer." This is so true. If we truly know God and His Word, then, in our hearts, we know the correct answer. Sometimes, however, we like to reason against that answer, or we like to search people out in the hopes that they will give us the answer we want to hear.

The Bible warns us that we must be very careful to not be carried away with the error of lawless people and lose our own stability. Rather, we must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

"You therefore, beloved,

knowing this beforehand,

take care that you are not carried away

with the error of lawless people

and lose your own stability.

But grow in the grace and knowledge

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

To Him be the glory both now

and to the day of eternity.

Amen."

2 Peter 3:17-18 (ESV)

As God's children, we are blessed to have His Word and His Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us. There should be no need to question what we should already know the answer to by searching His Word and seeking His voice. If we have to ask someone else, it is usually because we desire a different answer than the one we know is correct.

Get Rid Of, Crave, And Cry Out!

Here are some indicators of a spiritually mature Christian.

• He/she never claims (through direct statements or implications) to have reached spiritual maturity.
• He/she never forgets he/she is weak and needs God to be strong.
• He/she stays away from things of this world Satan uses to ensnare people, and never thinks he/she has reached a stage of spiritual growth where he/she is no longer vulnerable.
• He/she does not degrade or embarrass other people for their spiritual failings.
• He/she does not get agitated or angry with other people who disagree with him/her on spiritual matters, but at the same time, he/she is not afraid to speak the truth of God's Word.
• He/she does not boast about anything, except God.
• He/she desires to please God above all else.
• He/she is more concerned about others than him/herself.

As God's children we must always crave the pure spiritual milk of God's Word so that we will grow into a full experience of His salvation. We must continually cry out for the nourishment we receive from God and His Word. If we stop relying on God to feed and strengthen us, evil behaviour will result. We will begin to be deceitful, hypocritical, jealous, and unkind.

"So get rid of all evil behaviour.

Be done with all deceit,

hypocrisy, jealousy,

and all unkind speech.

Like newborn babies,

you must crave pure spiritual milk

so that you will grow

into a full experience of salvation.

Cry out for this nourishment,

now that you have had

a taste of the Lord's kindness."
1 Peter 2:1-3 (NLT)

Until we reach heaven's gates, we are to get rid of, crave, and cry out!

Church Kill

For the past few weeks, I have been studying the Scriptures on prayer. When I first read this passage of Scripture in the book of James explaining unanswered prayer, I thought the author was referring to people in the world who call themselves "spiritual," or "God-believers," or even "Christians," but who never go to church regularly, never read the Bible, and certainly never try to live in obedience to God's Word.

However, as I read theses verses again, I realized my misinterpretation, because the book of James is a letter written to the Jerusalem church. James was describing regular church-goers! Shockingly, this is how he characterizes them: quarrelsome, hostile, evil, envious, lustful, devious, murderous, jealous, asking God with wrong motives, and selfish. He calls them adulterers, lovers of the world, and enemies of God.

"What is causing the quarrels and fights among you?

Don't they come from the evil desires at war within you?

You want what you don't have,

so you scheme and kill to get it.

You are jealous of what others have,

but you can't have what you want

because you don't ask God for it.

And even when you ask,

you don't get it

because your motives are all wrong —

you want only what will give you pleasure.

You adulterers!

Don't you realize that friendship with the world

makes you an enemy of God

I say it again:

If you want to be a friend of the world,

you make yourself an enemy of God."

James 4:1-4 (NLT)

Hmm . . . the phrase "kill to get it" got me. Is James alluding to times when church people brutally and critically wound other church people with evil words and actions, causing the wounded to leave the church, abandon their faith, and exit God's Kingdom of eternal life?

Well, churches today are really no different! I mean, how many people do you know who are no longer going to Church or even acknowledging God in their lives because of church kill?

As part of God's church, we need to all constantly check our motives, actions, and words. We need to become separate from the world and lovers only of God.

You Can Pray For Anything

My cat Hunter developed large mats in her fur this winter. They were so hard and close to her skin I couldn't cut them out without risk of cutting her skin. Therefore, I prayed to God to help me find a pet salon that grooms cats. The problem was that most pet salons are dog salons that refuse to take cats — for sane reasons. I was just hoping I would find one with an insane owner.

As I looked through a list of pet salons, I felt compelled to phone the one nearest where I live, not noticing at first the name of the salon had two other words which followed: "Dog Grooming." (It was first thing in the morning, what I can say?)

When I talked with the friendly lady on the phone and told her my predicament, she was very understanding because she once had a cat that had to have stitches after she tried to cut her mats out. This, of course, was before she had her own business with the proper grooming tools on hand. However, the fact still remained that it was a dog parlour, so she politely refused. A bit of silence followed as I thought about the horror of cutting my cat's mats myself. Aren't cats suppose to groom themselves?!

As the shock of the nightmarish task that lay ahead of me wore off, I was able to finally speak and say, "Goodbye." But at that moment, the lady suddenly had a change of heart! With eager willingness, she told me to bring my cat in that morning and she would shave her fur where the mats were located. Of course, I had to first promise to hold the cat and suffer the probable consequences of flesh wounds.

Well, I am pleased to say (and thankful to God) that my cat behaved well and her mats are now gone! Not only that, the lady didn't even charge me, so later that day I went to the store and bought her a present to thank her.

As God's children, we are free to ask God for anything as long as it doesn't go against His character.

"You can pray for anything,

and if you have faith,

you will receive it."

Matthew 21:22 (NLT)

Persevere in Prayer, Don't Give Up

In the first chapter of Luke, Jesus tells a story about a person going to a friend at midnight to ask for three loaves of bread to feed another friend who has journeyed a long ways to visit him. The person asking for help has no food in his house to feed his weary and hungry friend, so he brazenly knocks on the door in the sleep of the night to ask for some bread. At first the man behind the locked door refuses, but because of his friend's persistence, he eventually gives in to his request.

After telling this story, Jesus explains, in verses nine and ten, the lesson on prayer he was trying to teach his disciples.

"So I say to you:

Ask and it will be given to you;

seek and you will find;

knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks receives;

the one who seeks finds;

and to the one who knocks,

the door will be opened."

Luke 1:9-10 (NIV)

If we don't ask God, we won't receive. If we don't seek, we won't find. And if we don't knock, the door won't be opened unto us. We must ask, seek, and knock, and keep asking, seeking, and knocking until we have what we desire, if what we desire is in accordance to God's goodness and will.

I Will Boast Only In The Lord

Last Sunday night, one of my sons went to the weekly young adult Bible study at our church. At the last minute, the scheduled speaker, for whom my son has great respect, was called away to perform a surgery. In his place, a professor at a local Christian university college was asked speak.

The professor's topic was the permissibility of drinking alcohol. During the hour-long Bible study, he gave his approval for the young adults, and Christians in general, to drink alcohol, provided that it was done in moderation, at a level to be determined by self. He used Scriptures to back up his approval. He even confessed that his father is an alcoholic, but argued that his own spiritual maturity (with a PhD in whatever) prevents him from becoming one himself.

This professor's so-called Bible study was nothing more than a boast in himself. He revealed just how foolish and spiritually blind he was.

The Bible tells us that we are to boast only in the Lord, so that all who are helpless will take heart. That night, I don't think any hearts of the helpless were directed to look to God.

"I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart."

Psalm 34:2 (NLT)

We are further told to boast in God all day long.

"In God we make our boast all day long,

and we will praise your Name forever.

Selah."

Psalm 44:8 (NIV)

Since we are never to boast in ourselves, it isn't right for Christians to boast that they don't drink alcohol, just as it isn't right for Christians to boast that they can control their booze. We are simply to boast always about God and think about others.

The Youth Pastor of our church, who was present at the Bible Study, humbly spoke up in disagreement, but chose not to argue with the professor. He simply told the young adults that he has chosen not to drink alcohol for the sake of God, himself, and others. He said nothing more. He didn't need to. His few words spoke volumes, for he is deeply loved and respected by everyone who knows him. He is that kind of a man. Now I ask, can any Christian who drinks alcohol say that they drink for the sake of God and for others?

Take Up Your Cross, Deny Yourselves, And Follow Jesus

In the New Testament era, a man condemned to be crucified was forced to carry his cross to the place of his own execution. This was an arduous and humiliating task. Yet five verses in the Bible record Jesus saying that His followers must take up their crosses and follow Him. In fact, anyone who does not He considers unworthy of Him.

"'And anyone who does not take his cross

and follow Me

is not worthy of Me.'"

Matthew 10:38 (NIV)

In three of five verses, Jesus also says that His followers must deny themselves. In other words, if Jesus is to be their Master, then they are to be His servants, and to be His servants, they have to let go of their own wills and submit their hearts, souls, and minds to God's will.

Then Jesus said to His disciples,

'If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross

and follow Me.'"

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

"Then He called the crowd to Him

along with His disciples and said:

'If anyone would come after me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross

and follow me.'"

Mark 8:34 (NIV)

In this fourth verse, Jesus says that His followers must do this daily. Serving God is a full-time decision. Following Him should be the desire of a heart with every beat it makes.

"Then He said to them all:

'If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross daily

and follow Me.'"

Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Lastly, Jesus states that anyone who refuses to carry his/her cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple.

"'And anyone who does not carry his cross

and follow Me 

cannot be My disciple.'"

Luke 14:27 (NIV)

Are you rejected because you say "no" to things or desires that you know displease God? Are you unpopular, viewed negatively, or mocked because you stand up for what is right in God's eyes? Do you feel like a foreigner in this world, even in today's modern churches? Then don't be discouraged, because you are fulfilling the requirements of being a disciple of Jesus.

Hold Firmly To The Traditions That Jesus Set By Example

As babies, my twin brother and I were baptized by an Anglican priest. At this baptismal ceremony, the priest sprinkled water over our heads and prayed a special prayer.

Anglicans believe that when a baby is baptized, he/she immediately becomes part of God's family. Infant baptism is a decision made by parents who believe that such a decision saves the child from the damnation of hell.

After I became a Christian at the age of five, I began to grow in the knowledge of God's Holy Scriptures. In my teen years, I realized that my infant baptism was not Scriptural. I obviously had not been old enough make the personal decision to publicly commit to following Jesus.

When I was sixteen, I had, during my summer vacation, an opportunity to be baptized in the Shuswap Lake. I eagerly took it! My twin brother and my cousin twins who were close to us in age were also baptized. This baptism is such a special memory to me because it occurred outdoors with such beautiful surroundings. It was a day I will never forget. I am so blessed to have had my water baptism like those in Bible times.

My first baptism was a man's tradition, for how could a baby repent of her sins and turn to God? The Bible says that baptism follows the repenting of our sins and the turning of our hearts to God.

"Peter replied,

'Each of you must

repent of your sins

and turn to God,

and be baptized

in the Name of Jesus Christ

for the forgiveness of your sins.

Then you will receive

the gift of the Holy Spirit.'"

Acts 2:38 (NLT)

My second baptism was an ordinance established by God and set as an example for us to follow by His Son, Jesus Christ, when He was baptized by John in the Jordan River.

"Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River

to be baptized by John.

But John tried to talk Him out of it.

'I am the one who needs to be baptized by you,'

he said, 'so why are you coming to me?'

But Jesus said, 'It should be done,

for we must carry out all that God requires.'

So John agreed to baptize Him."

Matthew 3:13-15 (NLT)

As God's children, we are commanded by God to imitate Christ and to hold firmly to His traditions

"Be imitators of me,

just as I also am of Christ.

Now I praise you

because you remember me in everything

and hold firmly to the traditions,

just as I delivered them to you."

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 (NAS)

As God's children we need to be very careful with man's traditions because they can have negative effects when they conflict with God's teachings. They can blind people from knowing the truth and cause them to believe a falsehood.

The Lord Is Our Rock And Our Salvation

When my twin brother and I were five years old, my mother became a Christian. Before that time, she was Anglican. When she became a Christian, she decided to send my brother and I on the Sunday School bus to an Evangelical Free Church every week. It was there that my brother and I learned about God and His Word.

However, our mother didn't become totally free from the traditions of the Anglican Church. When my brother and I were thirteen, she made us attend weekly classes so that we could be confirmed. I had never heard of the word "confirmation" before, so I was curious. I wanted to know why our mother thought it was of the utmost importance that we go.

My brother and I attended these confirmation classes faithfully, but I did it begrudgingly because I found myself constantly questioning the Anglican traditions and beliefs. (I am outspoken when it comes to God's Word. I don't think the teachers liked me very much because of it, but they didn't kick me out.) Now as I look back, I am glad I went. It opened my eyes to the foolishness of man's rituals and traditions. Every day we were there, we had to read large portions from a black book called the "Book of Common Prayer." Let me clarify: this black book was not the Bible, and the words in it were not the Scriptures. I was very uncomfortable reading from a book that was written by man and not God. Don't get me wrong, the words sounded quite spiritual, and I have to admit, reading them out loud made me feel, well . . . pious, especially compared to saying my own personal prayers. In fact, my prayers sounded rather pathetic in comparison. However, the Holy Spirit inside me would convict me of this deception and remind me of the truths I had already learned in God's Word.

There were many things that disturbed me about the Anglican traditions, but I won't go through them all. When I talked to my mother about them, she still insisted I had to be confirmed. Finally, during one of the classes, I asked the Anglican teacher why confirmation was so important. I was horrified when he told me I needed to be confirmed in order to be saved. I was so angry at this un-Biblical belief that I obstinately refused to attend any more class . . . except I was only thirteen and commanded by God to obey my parents. Therefore, I was confirmed.

Here is a picture of my brother and I just before our confirmation ceremony.

For prayer to be pleasing to God, prayer needs to be spoken from the heart, not heartlessly read like a robot from a book or repeated from words spoken by someone else.

"May the words of my mouth

and the meditation of my heart

be pleasing in your sight,

O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."

Psalm 19:14 (NIV)

A few words spoken to God from the heart is more pleasing to Him than many words spoken in ritual or vain. It is God who is our Rock and our Redeemer, not any of man's traditions.

Rejoice, Be Patient, And Keep On Praying

As I have been studying the Bible on prayer, paying close attention to how David prayed to God, I came across this verse in the New Testament which perfectly summarized up David's life in the Old Testament.

"Rejoice in our confident hope.

Be patient in trouble,

and keep on praying."

Romans 12:12 (NLT)

Even though we may be facing trouble, we can rejoice because we have our confident hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. If we keep our minds focused on this hope and not on our troubles, we will have the peace and the assurance to trust in God. As our prayers focus on the majestic characteristics of God, and as we begin to worship, praise, and give thanks to our Heavenly Father, our fears, worries, and doubts will turn to joy.

A Cry Turns To Praise When It Reaches The Lips

As I have been studying the Scriptures on prayer, I came across this verse by Psalmist David. Even though the verse is short, it spoke volumes to me. David in his great distress cried out to God for help, but when he spoke, it was actually words of praise that came forth. Wow! I thought. If I was facing a life-and-death situation, would the cry in my heart turn to praise as soon as it reached my lips?

"For I cried out to Him for help,

praising Him as I spoke."

Psalm 66:17 (NIV)

God knows all and sees all. He knows our needs. Praising Him is obviously more effective than begging and pleading.

Many — Everyone Who Is Not A Doer Of The Word

God clearly tells us in His Word that many people who are in the ministry will not be able to enter Heaven because they do not do God's will. Even though their external lives may produce good fruit in Jesus' Name, their private and internal lives are full of evil and produce bad fruit.

"Many will say to Me on that day,

'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your Name

and in Your Name drive out demons

and in Your Name perform many miracles?'

Then I will tell them plainly,

'I never knew you.

Away from Me you evildoers!'"

Matthew 7:22-23 (NIV)

Further in the same chapter of Matthew, God then refers to church-goers — those who hear His words but do not put them into practise. He calls these people foolish, because their lives will one day shatter with a great crash!

"But everyone who hears

 these words of Mine

and does not put them into practise

is like a foolish man

 who built His house on sand.

The rain came down,

the streams rose,

and the winds blew

and beat against that house,

and it fell with a great crash."

Matthew 7:26-27 (NIV)

This is evident in the news today. The lives of many pastors, elders, and church-goers are coming down with a great crash. These people are being made into fools as their private evil lives are exposed. All of them portrayed a totally different image in public, particularly in church. Other church people once thought these fools were god-fearing, living in obedience to God, and, for certain, sexually pure. (In reality, this is the one area where they are almost always the most immoral.)

Why are we shocked when this happens? Why do we not look beyond outward appearances and words spoken and see people's private lives before we give our allegiance to them? We need to ask ourselves these questions: Does the person love and respect all people? Does he/she tell the truth even on seemingly insignificant matters? If married, does he/she truly love and respect his/her wife/husband? If a father/mother, does he/she give the necessary time and sacrifice to raise his/her children?

The Bible says that many — everyone who is not a doer of the Word — are nothing more than fools, because they will be rejected by God for their hypocrisy and evil doings. Their perfect public self-image will one day come crashing down and their lives will lay in ruins before a holy and just God. However, those whose evil doings are exposed before their deaths or the second coming of Jesus are better off, because they could still be saved if, in their wrecked state, they finally turn to God, repent, and sincerely give their hearts to Him. In other words, the great crash could lead to their great salvation.

Worthless Idols Leads To Worthlessness

As my husband and I sit in church Sunday after Sunday, we can't help but notice the married couples all around us. Most of them sit a foot apart with no communication, no shared words, facial expressions, or touches. They may come to church together, but their hearts are far from each other. At one time in their lives they made a covenant before God to love and cherish each other always, but over time, that love has diminished. The legal papers may say they are still married, but God sees through to the heart, and in His eyes, He sees differently.

Last Sunday, as my heart was deeply saddened over lost and forgotten loves between married couples, I heard God speak. It is no different for Him when His eyes searches the church and sees many of His people who once made commitments to Him to love and serve Him with all their hearts, souls, and minds, but over time have fallen out of love and desire for Him. They may come to church, sit, bow their heads, sing, and stand before God, but their hearts are far from Him. They have forgotten their first Love. They have forgotten their Vow. Other worthless things have taken His place. They have imitated the nations around them and now do the things God has forbidden them to do.

"They rejected His decrees

and the covenant He had made

with their fathers

and the warnings He had given them.

They followed worthless idols

and themselves became worthless.

They imitated the nations around them

although the Lord had ordered them,

'Do not do as they do,'

and they did the things the Lord

had forbidden them to do."

2 Kings 17:15 (NIV)

How God must grieve over His lost loves! How God must agonize over the unfaithfulness of His children! May we all get back to the love we once had for God and the wondrous joy in knowing and serving Him.

"I Will Ever Praise You."

Presenting our requests to God is only a small part of prayer. God's children are to also show their devotion to Him in prayer by being watchful and thankful.

"Devote yourselves to prayer,

being watchful and thankful."

Colossians 4:2 (NIV)

It is God's will for us to give thanks to Him in all circumstances. No matter what hardships we are facing, we are still not to neglect thanking God for who He is and what He has done for us.

"Give thanks in all circumstances,

for this is God's will for you

in Christ Jesus."

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NIV)

At all times, we are to glorify the Lord and His praise should always be on our lips.

"I will extol the Lord at all times;

His praise will always be on my lips."

Psalm 34:1 (NIV)

Here are two examples from godly men in the Bible who offered up prayers of praise to their Heavenly Father. One is from David, and the other is from Daniel.

"From birth I have relied on You;

You brought me forth

from my mother's womb.

I will ever praise You."

Psalm 71:6 (NIV)

"Praise be the the Name of God

for ever and ever;

wisdom and power are His."

Daniel 2:20 (NIV)

The Only Signature I Want Is God's

Three of my sons and I went to the West Edmonton Mall yesterday. While we were there, we browsed through Chapters, a popular bookstore. As I was looking at some books near the front of the store, a man in his fifties approached me. He told me that he had a table set up in the store for his new book, and if I would buy his book now, he could personally sign it for me.

I looked at his table and saw two very thin paperbacks. Obviously the man wasn't a fiction writer, so my first question to him was, "Who are you?" Although I expected to hear the name of some famous person, which would explain why I'd want his signature, he told me a name I'd never heard of.

Because I was curious and not in a hurry, I asked the man what his book was about. His answer was vague: "Faith."

"Oh brother!" I thought. "It must be some self-help book about faith in yourself to give you the confidence to ask strangers if I they want your signature."

Instead of saying this out loud, I immediately demanded, "Faith in what?"

The man hesitated, so I helped him along, "Are you talking about God?"

He surprised me by saying, "Yes."

His information seemed limited to one word answers, so I continued to ask more questions. As I did, we started to gain an audience of shoppers. "Are you talking about God in a Biblical sense, or are your ideas way out there?"

Ah ha! I finally got a reaction from him. A smirk crossed his face as he responded, "No, I am not way out there. I wrote this book to intellectually persuade non-believers that there is a God."

Well, that answered another question I had: why was he trying to sell his book here instead of at the Christian bookstore. The word "intellectually" solved it for me.

I tried to inconspicuously put his book back down of the table, hoping he wouldn't notice. I didn't want to offend him. I figured his ego must be fragile if he feels compelled to offer his signature freely to others.

After talking with the man some more, I ironically discovered he has his PhD in Bible Theology. Moreover, he hopes to use his mind and his words (not God's Spirit and God's Word) to save souls. When I read the front and back cover of his book, there was no mention of God or any Scripture verse in the Bible. The book was more humanistic then Biblical in theology.

I couldn't understand this man's reasoning. God's Word is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword. It cuts between soul and spirit, joint and marrow. God's Word exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. How does a man think he can outdo God's intellect and God's Word? Is he really trying to attract people to God or is he trying to attract people to him?

"For the Word of God

is alive and powerful.

It is sharper than the sharpest

two-edged sword,

cutting between soul and spirit,

between joint and marrow.

It exposes our innermost

thoughts and desires."

Hebrew 4:12 (NLT)

 After talking with this man, I came to the conclusion, the only signature I want is God's!

He Guided Them To Their Desired Haven

When we cry out to the Lord in our time of trouble, He brings us out of our distress, stills the violent storm around us, and calms the ragging sea. In the midst of our turmoil and calamity, God gives us peace and then guides us to our desired haven where we feel safe and secure in His love.

"Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,

and He brought them out of their distress.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;

the waves of the sea were hushed.

They were glad when it grew calm,

and He guided them to their desired haven."

Psalm 107:28-30 (NIV)

I Am The Lord Who Heals You

In my heart and mind, I have dreams of God miraculously healing the sick. I have had these dreams since I was a little girl. These dreams reveal the absolute impossible even to the minds of most Christians, so I have kept quiet about them in fear of being mocked or treated as if I was crazy. But no matter how much I try to ignore these dreams, they never go away. The stirrings in my heart are never stilled. In my dreams I see limbs appear where they were once amputated. I see severely physically and mentally challenged people become completely normal. I see the disfigured and wrinkled skin of burn victims become smooth. I see the near death rise back to health and vitality.

The Bible says that when Jesus traveled throughout the land, teaching the Word of God, He healed every kind of disease and illness.

'Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee,

teaching in then synagogues

and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom.

And He healed every kind of disease

and illness."

Matthew 4:23 (NLT)

The Bible also says the if we listen carefully to God's voice, do what is right in His sight (not the world's), obey His commands, and keep all His decrees (which means we can't pick and choose), He will heal us.

"He said, 'If you will listen carefully

to the voice of the Lord your God

and do what is right in His sight,

obeying His commands

and keeping all His decrees,

then I will not make you suffer

any of the diseases

I sent on the Egyptians;

for I am the Lord who heals you.'

Exodus 15:26 (NLT)

But today most churches are revising the Word of God to be more acceptable in our society. What in His Word God says is wrong we now say is right, and we justify our new standards and beliefs on our changing culture. However, God does not change and neither does His Word.

"He never changes

or casts a shifting shadow."

James 1:17b (NLT)

Men and women have a tendency to change their mind, but God is not human. Therefore, He will never change His mind. Why then I ask are Christians changing His Word?

"And He who is the Glory of Israel

will not lie,

nor will He change His mind,

for He is not human

that He should change His mind!"

1 Samuel 1:29 (NLT)

I believe strongly that if the churches get back to God's Word, do what is right in His sight, obey His commands, and keep all His decrees, they will begin to see miracles and healings from God like they have never seen or dreamed of before. In this world and in the world to come, the Lord our God is far above any ruler, authority, power, leader, or anything else. This includes sickness, disease, physical and mental disablities, and death.

"Now He is far above any ruler

or authority

or power

or leader

or anything else —

not only in this world

but also in the world to come."

Ephesians 1:21 (NLT)

I pray that we will all give honour and respect to God's unchanging Word, and live to please Him, so that His mighty power can flow to heal the sick among us.