Knowing His Name
March 22, 2011
by HLB
Contributor and author of Knowing His Name
(part 1 of a series)
He’s my Everything, but I forget that. (How can I forget?!?)
He knows me better than I know myself. Of course, (oh, silly bird)…He made me.
He is Creator God.
How can this be? How can I know God for so many years, and yet, not know Him? I met Him as Savior so long ago. Young. Life got to me. You know – men, self-image, my agenda, thinking I knew better. The stuff of life filled the place He wanted in my heart.
He is Patient.
So, I hit rock bottom a few months ago. Was it Him who “pulled the rug out” or was it just a slippery, earthly base I was standing on? Doesn’t matter. Here I am, still, on my knees. Needing to know Him. Know. Because it’s time. Time for me to know Him the way He intended in the first place. In a way that actually brings healing and makes a difference in the mundane Thursdays of my life. To know Him in a way that gives Him glory, (oh, may it be!).
He is Jealous for my heart.
He is so much. And I want to know Him – as much as I can understand. (Give me grace to learn, Father…). And I will share what I learn.
Because He is Worthy.
Do you know Him?
This is the first in a series presented here. You can also follow HLB at Knowing His Name We invite you to comment below:It’s A Miracle!
March 14, 2011
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late This Wednesday my family will celebrate the eighth week since
my bypass. Doctor’s used the procedures that God had helped them discover to save and lengthen the life of this 77 year old would-be Christian writer. I would like to ask you to pause for a moment to praise Him with me for His goodness and mercy.
You see, I sincerely believe that the God of this universe intended for mankind to rule over the earth that He had created (Genesis1:26-28). I believe that the good we enjoy in this life comes from God our Creator (James1:17). I believe that the original laws He established sustain our earth and universe today.
God also provided the way for man to have intimate spiritual fellowship with Him through the death of His Son Jesus Christ (John 3:16-18). I believe it is only our refusal to recognize God as our Creator and our Heavenly Father that keeps us from enjoying that fellowship.
I would be thrilled if, as a result of the miracle He has performed in my life, you would learn to trust Him completely for all He has provided for you.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.comCDs Help Ministry Spread God’s Word
March 3, 2011
by Pam Cloud – Times Recordpcloud@swtimes.com
Pam Cloud • Times Record After leaving sermon audio CDs at area truck stops, the Rev. Tim Adair never knows who might pick up one of his CDs and listen to it as he or she travels down the road.
Through Timothy’s Burden Evangelistic Ministries, the Rev. Tim Adair isn’t waiting for those needing to hear the message of salvation to come to him — he’s reaching out to people wherever they might be, whether it’s a truck stop, a train station, an RV park or at a fitness center.
“I feel like my primary calling is to reach people that are not in church,” said Adair, 37. “We have to go to where the people are.”
The Monticello native answered the call to preach at 14 and went into full-time ministry at 21. Though he pastors the Vista Free Will Baptist Church in Van Buren and serves as chief administrator for its education ministry, Van Buren Christian Academy, he still feels led to reach out to those who might not ever step foot in a church building.
“Timothy’s Burden is a nondenominational ministry, totally separate from our church,” Adair explained of the ministry, which he founded in 2003.
He does, however, record his sermons and distributes the audio CDs to area truck stops and street ministries.
“I try to put out 200-400 CDs a month,” Adair said, going through a stack of sermon CDs he was going to leave in the lounge area of the Cherokee Travel Plaza at Interstate 40 and U.S. 64 in Roland.
Mike and Kathy Young of Van Buren assist Adair in distributing the CDs to more than a dozen businesses and truck stops from Sallisaw and Roland to Fort Smith, Van Buren and Dyer.
As a former truck driver, Mike Young said the road can be a lonely life.
“We hope and pray the CDs will give them hope and maybe change their lives,” said Mike Young.
“And their families,” Kathy Young added.
The Youngs also help Adair with another Timothy’s Burden ministry – an RV camp outreach at Park Ridge RV near Interstate 40.
“We have been doing this ministry for three years,” Adair said. “There are people at the RV park who have never known anything about Christianity. They’re excited just to hear the Word. I’m excited to see the changes in them.”
The Youngs usually visit the RV park on Saturday, handing out fliers and inviting residents there to visit the 9:15 a.m. Bible study on Sundays. They also provide coffee, doughnuts and snacks for the gathering.
“The Lord just really has done some amazing things there,” Adair added, noting that after the Bible study there he makes it back to Vista Free Will to deliver the Sunday morning message.
From April to November, Adair takes Timothy’s Burden ministry to the streets at the Van Buren train depot on Saturdays when the excursion train runs back and forth from northwest Arkansas.
“We play Bible trivia and give out $10 or $20,” Adair said. “We share the gospel with them. My message is biblical. There are some that get offended and some walk away while I’m preaching.
“I don’t skip the part about sin, judgment and hell,” he added of the ministry holding to fundamental Christian doctrine. “But I take people through that to get people to the cross, so the cross will make more sense to them.”
Timothy’s Burden also uses traditional evangelism by handing out gospel tracts, New Testament Bibles and food to those in need and conducting revival services at area churches.
Adair said he was excited about a new facet of the ministry that should be coming together soon in which fitness training programs will benefit children, adults and senior citizens.
“This ministry will work like the Upward Program but specializes in training, exercises and nutrition instead of one particular sport,” Adair explained.
Jennifer Bauman, a personal trainer, life coach and owner of Cardio Studio, has already started training children at the church and will begin a program this spring with students at VBCA.
“We want to help underprivileged athletes with speed and agility training,” said Bauman, who said the free training would be for athletes ages 7 and older. “We want to help these … athletes with everything for training they otherwise wouldn’t get.”
Bauman added the training would be for any sport, such as basketball, baseball, football, track, volleyball, tennis or golf.
“We wanted to partner with Tim so he can preach the gospel to these students when they’re being trained,” Bauman added. “It’s kind of a neat program.”
The Youngs are happy to assist Adair with his ministry, adding that they probably get as much out of it as those they are reaching out to.
“It really blesses us to do it,” Mike Young said. “We help with a lot of outreaches, but this outreach is honest … and caring.”
When it’s time to replenish the audio sermon stashes, all the CDs are usually gone.
“I pray that God would actually create curiosity in these truckers to see what (the CDs) are so they will listen to them on the road,” Adair said. “I don’t care what motivates them to take it — just that they take it.”
Adair always includes his address and phone number on the CDs, but has yet to hear from anyone.
“I’d love to hear back from people, but if I don’t, it’s OK,” he said. “I just obey the Lord and try to get them into the hands of as many people as I can.”
To assist or contribute to Timothy’s Burden Evangelistic Ministries, an area nonprofit organization spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, write to Timothy’s Burden, 1613 Valley View, Van Buren, AR 72956; e-mail Tim Adair at timothysburden@cox.net; or call Adair at 459-4049.
Called to Community Worship
February 24, 2011
by Tony JowersTony is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador “One of the benefits of RVing is enjoying the beauty of God’s creation
– a leisurely walk in the woods ,hiking on a mountainside, biking along a river or fishing in a favorite lake, among others. In such moments, captivated by His design, we can easily been drawn to a solitary form of worship and praise God there, alone.
Do we need to worship with and among others? Should there be more in addition to our personal “quiet time” with God?
The author of Hebrews 10:23-25 encourages his readers to come together in community, to worship and encourage one another.
Worshiping together is one of the first things that God instructed us to do. Until King Solomon built the Temple, the Hebrews had the tabernacle, a “tent of meeting,” which traveled with them during their time in the wilderness. Sounds familiar to us RVers, doesn’t it?
The book of Proverbs is often called our instruction manual for interaction with our fellow man, while Psalms is our manual for interaction with God. Psalm 100: 2, 4 gives us good advice on our approach to community worship.
In verse 4 above, “His gates” and “courts” are references to the temple and/or the synagogue, so we are literally commanded to gather in community worship! Please note the terms used to describe the nature of worship: shout, joy, gladness, joyful songs, thanksgiving and praise, among others; all indicating that worship should be a time when we – whether in community or alone – truly enjoy being with God. Can you think of anything better?
It’s interesting to observe the model of our Savior as He taught the community in Luke 4:16-17. The phrase “stood up to read” indicates He preached: an attendant would hand the speaker the proper scroll, the speaker would stand, read, give the scroll back to the attendant, and the speaker would then sit to deliver his message. I have a strong feeling that many preachers today would be in favor of reverting back to this practice!
Obviously, if Jesus traveled to different towns and preached in different synagogues, He expected that people would be there to hear Him. Now, here we are, traveling from place to place in our RVs, enjoying His creation. We should follow His example and worship together, whenever possible.
I encourage you to worship in the campground or resort where you’re staying, or in the local community if your campground doesn’t yet offer worship services. You can find on-site churches here on RVchurchesUSA’s database for RVers.
You may already have a personal relationship with Jesus and have been experiencing the joy of worshiping our Lord in community or by personal devotions and “time alone” with Him. However, I also would like to encourage those who have not yet accepted Christ’s free gift of Salvation.
In John 14:6, Jesus succinctly tells us that there is only one way we can join Him in Heaven with God. That is what Christians call “the steps to Salvation”.
From the human perspective, it’s quite simple: Romans 10:9,13 outlines the 2-step process for the assurance of being with God in Heaven – for eternity!
If you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, I urge you to do so, today. Let me know if you are taking that step for the first time and I – and others – will rejoice with you in your new joy for the Lord!
In the meantime … let’s all answer the call to community worship!
Tony welcomes your comments belowHelp Locate Campground Churches
February 23, 2011
By Duane Careb
President RVchurchesUSA
in the process of identifying campgrounds across the country (including Alaska) that conduct on-site church services.
Part of our mission is to acknowledge campground owner’s passion to serve Christ known to all RVers via our searchable database- at no cost!
We attempt to personally contact the owners in an effort to verify the existence of services and, when possible, talk to those involved in it’s administration – primarily the speakers. Although time consuming, these interviews have been very encouraging to both the campground owners and our ministry staff, as well.
The best resource for identifying these existing services is YOU!
No doubt, other RVers have told you about campgrounds hosting services or you personally have stayed at a campground that offered them.
Please take a moment and help us identify the campgrounds by simply completing the “Comments” section below. Give us as much information as possible – name, location, website, etc. We’ll do the rest!
You can serve other RVers visiting RVchurchesUSA daily who search our database. Of course, as others share their knowledge, you become the benefactor, as well. In this way, it’s a win-win scenario for all of us – campground owners, RVers and the Kingdom!
Don’t forget to check out our great articles emphasizing spiritual growth and secular RV-lifestyle as well as our resource page for RVers.
Thanks for your participation.
Blessings!
Peace in Times of Trouble
February 3, 2011
by Dountonia S. Slack as appeared on BellaOnlinea contributing author on RVchurchesUSA Why does it seem when we decide to live wholly for Christ that trouble comes? There we are practicing the disciplines – praying, studying, worshipping – yet, enemies are rising against you, finances are collapsing, and relationships are broken beyond repair.
Yet in the midst of it all, we are able to find peace and joy in spite of the problems because we are reminded through His word that God has everything under control. What a testimony!
In 1873, Horatio Spafford whose wife and child drowned in a shipwreck wrote: “When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul.” In other words, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2). Like Spafford, the one who has this kind of joy recognizes who God is and see His hand in and on the circumstance. As a result, we are able to find peace and comfort in some of the most heart-wrenching situations because we have found safety in Him.
The peace that comes is not the false serenity and deceitful tactics of your enemies; not the house of cards we build with our wealth; nor the troubled relationships that we invest so much faith into. However, we are encouraged to press on because of the reality that our Sovereign Lord “is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble” (Psalm 46:1). He takes good care of His children.
Therefore, our automatic response to trouble should be to:
Trust God’s Word
Remember God’s Word
Obey God’s Word
Unleash God’s Word
Believe God’s Word
Live-out God’s Word
Exclaim God’s Word
We do this in order to present an excellent testimony to the world of the Lord Jesus Christ from whom our strength comes so that we will be able to reign victorious in troubled times.
Thus, it is important to note that the biblical promises of peace, strength, and victory in trials are only for Christians. If you are not a Christian, these promises can be yours if you believe and trust Christ as your Lord and Savior. Accept that you are a sinner and unable to save yourself. Believe that our Loving, Merciful God sent His one and only Son, Jesus, to die for ALL of your sins (John 3:16). Confess and repent of your sins and turn to Him then He will make you into a new creation. A creation that has a new mind, new heart, new purpose, and new strength that comes only from Christ. He will change your world into a place of possibilities (Philippians 4:13). Including a place where we endure the seemingly unbearable troubles in life with “the peace of God which surpasses all comprehension” (Philippians 4:7).
Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor
Seeing The End From The Beginning (2)
January 29, 2011
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late Welcome back to my blog. I have been away
for seven weeks due to a surprise summons from my Creator for a special meeting with Him. I invite you to go along with me as I recount this very real encounter at the age of 77.
It was 11:30 PM Saturday, December 11, 2010. There was a fire raging in my chest as I stumbled through the Emergency entrance of the hospital as Ruth parked the car. I blurted out “I think I’m having a heart attack!” An orderly pushed a wheelchair under me and off I went. Most of the next four days are only a series of snapshots of the events that took place.
One thing that stands out to me is that I seemed to be on this journey by myself—but I was not. Could it be that I was at the end of my life? Was it time for me to give an accounting to my Creator (Heb. 9:27)? Was this that meeting I just wrote about in my blog the previous Sunday beseeching all of us to keep the end clearly in view as we travel our journey from the beginning?
There are no snapshots of my wife Ruth or of my son and daughter and no recording of their voices. I seemed to be all alone. I recall the doctors telling of the severity of this summons from my Creator. After the final test the cardiologist told my family that they had found blockage at the three main arteries entering my heart. She said “It is a miracle he is still with us! His only option is a bypass.”
But it is I who must OK this procedure. Since all things of faith are personal, it was I who must determine if I would trust God for this procedure. For over 20 years I had maintained that I would not undergo surgery of any kind due to a history of strokes that require a daily dosage of blood thinners. My fear of being left an invalid and a burden to my family from another stroke was greater than my fear of death (at least up until now).
Since my return to faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior on March 18, 2008, it seems God has constantly asked me to trust Him more and more (www.faithrescued.com). Since that day I watched my consulting business disappear and then experienced bankruptcy.
In Matthew 6:19-21 the Master admonishes us not to store up for ourselves treasures on earth but treasures in heaven. In Matthew 6:28-34 He further instructs us to trust Him for everything. I was now at the time when I must trust Him for everything—including my very life—as the doctor indicated that I would not survive without the bypass. I responded with these words: “If I can trust God for the stint and the angioplasty, then I can trust Him for the bypass. Give me the paper to sign.”
I had also committed to trust Him no matter what was ahead. After I was transported to one of the leading heart surgery hospitals in the nation, the surgeon expressed his concern. They do not normally do bypass surgeries until the patient has been off blood thinners for at least five days. It had only been two days since my last dosage. However, sensing the urgency, he decided to proceed with an extra supply of blood available.
On Wednesday morning at 6:30 I was taken into surgery. After a delay of over four hours as they searched for viable veins to use for the bypasses, the surgery began and lasted until 4:00 PM. I ended up needing five bypasses.
Our Creator asks each of us to trust Him fully—not partially. I was not alone; my Master was with me every moment of the way. Sometimes it may be, as in my case, through the very valley and shadow of death. But He will reward our trust as He did mine when that trust becomes complete. The hymn declares: Simply trusting everyday, Trusting thru a stormy way, Even when my faith is small, Trusting Jesus that is all.
John welcomes your comments either below or email him directly at john@faithrescued.comWar Memorial Cross Unconstitutional
January 13, 2011
By Stephanie SamuelChristian Post Reporter
(Photo: AP Images / Gregory Bull) Rev. John Fredericksen of Orlando, Fla., takes a picture in front of the war memorial cross on Mount Soledad Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2011, in San Diego, alongside Burdette Streeter of San Diego.
Judges for U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit decided 3-0 in the case of Trunk v. City of San Diego that the Mt. Soledad cross paying homage to fallen soldiers is unconstitutional.
Alliance Defense Fund Senior Counsel Joe Infranco labeled the ruling a tragedy.
“It’s tragic that the court chose a twisted and tired interpretation of the First Amendment over the common-sense idea that the families of fallen American troops should be allowed to honor these heroes as they choose,” he expressed in a statement following yesterday’s ruling.
The California war memorial was erected in 1954. The memorial includes a Latin cross and six concentric walls holding black granite plaques engraved with the names and photos of war veterans. It was originally dedicated as a Korean War Veterans Memorial but now also honors U.S. veterans of World War I and World War II.
The memorial’s cross has been at the heart of a two-decade-long dispute. The cross is 29-foot tall and stands in La Jolla, Calif.
The American Civil Liberties Union sued the city of San Diego in 1989 to remove the cross. The group’s plaintiff, atheist war veteran Philip Paulson, argued that the cross was a religious symbol and that its display on public land was unconstitutional. The Jewish War Veterans has also found fault with the cross’s presence and is also suing for its removal.
Prior to this ruling, U.S. District Judge Larry Alan Burns ruled in 2008 that the cross does not violate the separation of Church and State.
“The court finds the memorial at Mt. Soledad, including its Latin cross, communicates the primarily non-religious messages of military service, death, and sacrifice,” Burns wrote in his decision. “As such, despite its location on public land, the memorial is constitutional.”
However, on appeal, the judges overturned Burns’ ruling. Still, Infranco contends that the cross does not violate the Establishment Clause maintaining a separation between church and state. The cross has the right to stay where it is, he says.
“War heroes have earned the right to be remembered. The memory of those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom shouldn’t be dishonored because the ACLU finds a small number of people who are merely offended,” he stated.
Pastors Take Church On The Road
January 11, 2011
Amelia Hadley Special to The Desert Sun • January 9, 2011
Rev. Don Marienthal of Sky Valley Ministries begins Bible study at Sky Valley Resort mobile home park in Sky Valley with about 40 members on Jan. 5. Sky Valley Ministries serves residents who have second homes in the Coachella Valley or come to the desert in winter in their Recreational Vehicles. During winter Sunday services attendance can be as high as 600 members. (Wade Byars, The Desert Sun)
Out of the estimated 27,000 campgrounds in the United States, about 125 have embraced the trend.
Two are in the Coachella Valley.
“They love not having to leave their campground to go into town for a church service,” said Duane Careb, who created RVchurchesUSA.org in 2008. “Plus, people really enjoy learning about God in the setting of nature.”
More RVs are owned by Baby Boomers than any other group, according to a 2001 University of Michigan study commissioned by the Recreation Vehicle Industry Association. The generation also makes up the fastest-growing segment of the RV market.
Robert Ruesch, who founded Christian Resort Ministries in 2002, said RV’ers want “the peace of mind knowing they have a church-based support system waiting for them at their destination.”
Force Hall at at Sky Valley Resorts serves as a chapel for Rev. Don Marienthal and Sky Valley Ministries which serve as many as 600 residents on Sundays during winter. (Wade Byars, The Desert Sun)
Both men started their organizations to help out Baby Boomers who take to the road and want religion to come with them. They hook up RV resorts with pastors and musicians for church services.
“We’re a networking RV ministry,” said Careb.
At Sky Valley and Caliente Springs Resorts in Desert Hot Springs, attendance at Sunday services can be as high as 600 during winter months. Both have chapels, which is rare, Careb said.
Reverend Don Marienthal, 64, of Indio, is the senior chaplain of Sky Valley Ministry and oversees church services at both locations.
“My call to ministry is seniors; it’s where my heart is. They could be at the bottom of a coal mine or at an RV park, I just want to minister to seniors. It just so happens, there are a lot at RV parks,” Marienthal said.
Bible studies are on Wednesdays, hymn sings are regularly scheduled and Marienthal — along with three chaplains under his leadership — plan and conduct weddings and memorials.
Both chapels are nondenominational.
“In a park, you have a whole range of denominations, a blending of different positive influences in people’s lives,” said Roger Weber, who along with his wife, Wanda, lives at Sky Valley Resort six months a year.
“Having a nondenominational service every Sunday meets the needs of all the campers,” Weber said.
In 1997, the Webers bought an RV and began traveling throughout the United States.
They reserved space at the resort for one week.
They stayed for five months.
A retired accountant, Roger Weber now is treasurer of the Sky Valley Ministries board.
“The atmosphere is wonderful,” said Roger Weber, 78. “Having a church here is important to us.”
I Resolve To Magnify Christ
January 7, 2011
by Dountonia S. Slack as appeared on BellaOnlinea contributing author on RVchurchesUSA Last year was challenging to say the least. It was littered with division, misunderstandings, unfulfilled tasks, heartache, disappointments, and attempts at “Christ-less, grace-less change” (David Powlison). As a result, my attitude was rank. My passion for Truth was viewed as anger/intolerance/impatience which made it difficult for others to see Christ magnified but me undignified.
The message and love of Christ is too important to be muffled by an instrument that does not resonate with the harmonious sounds of the truth in love, kindness, tenderheartedness, and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:15, 32). Therefore, Christians have a responsibility to play the music of the Gospel the way God composed it to be played – in unison with the entire Body of Christ so that the world may hear only Him. Changing the melody to conform to our preferences only leads to frustration, bitterness, and an obsession to be “right.”
Because God makes the whole body fit together perfectly (Ephesians 4:16 NLT), I long to be an instrument of praise that plays the notes gifted to me which magnify the Lord and overflow with love. I yearn to be in an environment where brothers and sisters in Christ live joy-filled lives that are pleasing to Him. And, I pray for authentic fellowship that disciplines for unconfessed sin, nurtures the community, and unapologetically shares the truth of Christ.
Accordingly, when I meditate on how God empowers us to accomplish more than we imagine (Ephesians 3:20), I am convicted by how much more I need to surrender to Him and submit to the Holy Spirit. The divine power of a Christian whose life is immersed in the spirit of peace with the brethren through humility, gentleness, patience, and grace (Ephesians 4:2-3) does more for the advancement of the Kingdom than a disconnected, anthrop-powered Christian armed with good intentions.
Our Sovereign Lord has every thing under control. His plan will be executed and His Will will be done. Therefore, there is no need for any of us to get discouraged or behave unseemingly when what we see (or hear) does not line-up with what God ordained. Our job is to worship Him in spirit and in truth no matter where we are and to be connected to a spirit-filled Body of Believers that preach and teach the Gospel in a God-honoring way.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for another chance to fulfill what you called me to do. Thank you for the truth of your Word and the help and comfort of the Holy Spirit. Father, I pray that “more of you and less of me” be more than the empty words of a New Year’s Resolution, but the lifestyle of a renewed attitude that unifies and is inviting. Transform the cacophony of my words, both written and spoken, into a symphony of love conducted by you and built-up by the Body. It’s in the name of your precious Son, Jesus Christ, that I pray. Amen.
Dountonia is BellaOnline’s Baptist Editor
Seeing The End From The Beginning (1)
December 30, 2010
by John ImlerJohn is an RVchurchesUSA Ambassador and author of It’s Never Too Late In Isaiah 46:9-10
we find these words: “I am God, and there is none like me, I make known the end from the beginning.”
For years the late Paul Harvey broadcast The Rest of the Story giving interesting details of events and peoples’ lives. The end of the stories was often more important than the beginning. That would seem to be true of our lives–of our own stories.
As human beings, we know our beginning: God created our inmost being in our mothers’ wombs (Psalm 139:13). We also know our end: “man is destined to die once and, after that to face judgment” (Heb. 9:27).
Foolishly, we may gamble with God, thinking that we will cross that bridge when we come to it. However, we must remember that that time, that hour, is one over which we have no control. So, to journey through this life without keeping an eye on the end—that time when we will leave this life and enter into eternity—seems unwise, no matter what we believe about that place or time.
God has been faithful in giving us an abundance of warning signs about that day throughout the Bible. Even if we ignore those in His Guidebook for our daily living, He reminds us through the deaths of our friends, family, and associates. He does not remind us as a harsh Judge who we all must some day face but as our loving Creator and Heavenly Father.
Jesus Christ told us this about his Father: “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:17).
So, as we journey through this life, let us live with our eyes on its ending, keeping in mind that God has not only posted reminders along the way but also has provided a way to live that will bring us peace when that time comes (1 Cor.15:45-55).
Intercessory Prayer
December 28, 2010
Originally published at Gospel.com.Reprinted with permission “. . . men always ought to pray and not lose heart” — Luke 18:1 You cannot truly intercede through prayer if you do not believe in the reality of redemption. Instead, you will simply be turning intercession into useless sympathy for others, which will serve only to increase the contentment they have for remaining out of touch with God.
True intercession involves bringing the person, or the circumstance that seems to be crashing in on you, before God, until you are changed by His attitude toward that person or circumstance. Intercession means to “fill up . . . [with] what is lacking in the afflictions of Christ” (Colossians 1:24), and this is precisely why there are so few intercessors. People describe intercession by saying, “It is putting yourself in someone else’s place.” That is not true! Intercession is putting yourself in God’s place; it is having His mind and His perspective.
As an intercessor, be careful not to seek too much information from God regarding the situation you are praying about, because you may be overwhelmed. If you know too much, more than God has ordained for you to know, you can’t pray; the circumstances of the people become so overpowering that you are no longer able to get to the underlying truth.
Our work is to be in such close contact with God that we may have His mind about everything, but we shirk that responsibility by substituting doing for interceding. And yet intercession is the only thing that has no drawbacks, because it keeps our relationship completely open with God.
What we must avoid in intercession is praying for someone to be simply “patched up.” We must pray that person completely through into contact with the very life of God. Think of the number of people God has brought across our path, only to see us drop them! When we pray on the basis of redemption, God creates something He can create in no other way than through intercessory prayer.
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