January 12, 2009
Love for the World
But know this, that in
the last days perilous times will come:
For
men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
unloving,
unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
traitors,
headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having
a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:1-5
This description of people in the last days certainly sounds a lot like the world we live in today. It sounds a lot like worldly living. It also sounds very similar to how one might describe the people living in the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. This was the area Lot, Abram’s nephew, chose to live in Genesis 13:10-12. “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other.” Lot chose what looked good. He chose by leaning on his own understanding rather than acknowledging God. Often the world looks good from first glance. It appears fun, free, and pleasing to the soul. However, its future leads to destruction. Fun becomes bondage. Free becomes bondage to sin. Pleasing to the soul becomes a man unstable in all his ways.
Because of Abraham’s intercession for Lot, God rescued Lot from the wickedness of the city of Sodom before it was totally destroyed. Lot was rescued but with great loss. He lost everything he had built. He lost his position, his belongings, his son-in-laws, his wife, and although his daughters were rescued, their character had been corrupted from their upbringing in such a wicked city, for they birthed two great enemies of God’s people, who also brought idol worship to the Israelites through intermarrying. Lot’s own character and faith suffered and remained weak and wavering from befriending the ways of this wicked city. This is exhibited in his offering his own daughters to the wicked men outside his home and his desire to flee somewhere other than where God had first instructed, followed by his fearing his own decision and fleeing to the mountains after all, which was God’s original instruction.
Once Lot chose that which looked good, he was separated from Abram who walked in
the will of God. If we desire to walk in the will of God, we must be separated
from the world for they oppose one another. James 4:4 tells us,
“Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God?”
1 John 2:15-17 explains further:
“Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world,
the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father
but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he
who does the will of God abides forever.
Instead we must concentrate and invest our lives in eternal things and know that we are strangers and aliens in this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. If you feel like you don’t fit in this world then praise the Lord—you’re not supposed to. The Lord is working to set you apart from the world and call you to Himself. Build on the eternal foundation of Christ, so your work will endure the final test of fire. If you have recently lost your worldly work through a fiery trial, allow the disappointment to drive you at last to God’s way which will lead to eternal rewards.
Now if anyone builds on this
foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work
will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by
fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s
work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s
work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as
through fire. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Janet Fairbrother
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January 13, 2009
Hidden Enemy
I sat in the tire store reading one of those picture filled
geographic/nature magazines. Well perhaps reading it is a bit of an
overstatement, I was flipping through, looking at the pictures and reading the
captions. I seldom really read an entire article.
I was "reading" about a parasitic insect, a wasp (I think). It resembles
a bee and enters into a hive. Once in the hive it lays its eggs, and the bees
tend them. As the larvae grow a bit, they feed off the bee larvae.
On the surface, it looks perfectly harmless when it comes in, but over
time it becomes an enemy that devours its host.
Our secret, hidden sins are like that. They seem harmless enough at the
outset, but the longer we harbor them in our hearts the more destructive they
become. We lie about them to ourselves, to others, and to God. Those lies drive
wedges into our relationships.
We need to be vigilant about those sins we harbor in secret and root
them out before they devour us.
Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a
roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV
When we recognize those sins, we need to deal with them.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our
sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9 NIV
Until next time, may Holy Spirit convict you of the hidden sin in your
life and bring you to repentance.
God bless.
Darrel Mason
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January 14, 2009
My Peace I Give To You
Peace I leave with you, My peace I
give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be
troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27
As I sat on the couch the other day, my yellow lab, which is usually very gentle and tolerant, began growling at our other dog that simply walked by, warning him to stay away from that which belonged to her. The Lord began to speak to my heart and said we too, must be aggressive about not letting the enemy or any circumstance steal our peace. It is precious and belongs to us. It was bought for us at the cross, and we must be on guard to protect it when anything comes near and threatens to take it from us.
We have all heard the best defense is a good offense. It is much easier to stop something before it has a chance to gain momentum. What tries to steal your peace: conflict, finances, infirmity, thoughts, fear? The enemy will use these against you. Be prepared. Your best offense is to know the truth of the Word of God. Gather your forces. Make note cards with scriptures printed on them, so when something comes to steal your peace you can begin piercing the lie with the truth. Speaking and hearing the Word of God keeps your mind on those things which are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report (Philippians 4:8-9). It also builds your faith and transforms your old belief system and renews your mind by replacing lies with the truth.
The ultimate truth is that God is trustworthy and those who trust Him are
promised in Isaiah 26:3,
“You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he
trusts in You.”
·
We can have peace, because He loves us! (John 3:16)
·
We can have peace, because He is for us! (Romans 8:31)
·
We can have peace, because He blesses His people with peace. (Psalms
29:11)
·
We can have peace, because
He has redeemed my soul in peace from the battle that
was against me! (Psalm 55:18)
·
We can have peace, because the LORD will fight for you! (Exodus 14:14)
·
We can have peace, because His thoughts toward us are of peace to give
us a future and a hope! (Jeremiah 29:11)
·
We can have peace, because the chastisement for our peace was upon Him!
(Isaiah 53:5)
·
We can have peace, because He Himself is our peace! (Ephesians 2:14)
Decide today to aggressively protect your peace. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding , will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7 Begin to growl at everything that even threatens your peace. You are warning that you will fight if need be. Sometimes a battle is necessary to maintain peace.
Now may the God of hope fill you with
all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the
Holy Spirit. Rom 15:13
Now may the Lord of
peace Himself give you peace always in every way.
2 Thessalonians 3:16
Peace be with you today and every day.
Janet Fairbrother
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January 15, 2009
Betrayal
For it is not an enemy who reproaches
me;
Then I could bear it.
Nor is it one who hates me who has
exalted himself against me;
Then I could hide from him.
But it was you, a man my equal,
My companion and my acquaintance.
We took sweet counsel together,
And walked to the
house of God in the throng.
Psalm 55:12-14
Betrayal occurs when we trust. We expect our enemies to do us wrong. Betrayal of a friend is difficult to handle and painful. It seems to give us reason to build walls, so we can avoid that kind of pain again. It would like to hinder us from trusting completely. It would like to prevent intimacy with others. It opens the door for bitterness, unforgiveness, self-pity, and isolation.
We have to give these kinds of situations to the Lord. Allow Him to bind up our wounds and heal our emotions. Relationships require trust, forgiveness, and openness. They also require one to risk being hurt. Relationships are important to God, because He cares about people. He said it was not good for man to be alone. He created woman to complete the man in marriage. Relationships help us grow. Whether friends, co-workers, spouses, teacher or student, we are placed in people’s lives to help one another.
Don’t give up on relationships, because you have been betrayed. Jesus, too, was betrayed by Judas who had walked closely with Him three years. Praise God, His love for people and His desire to be in relationship with us kept Him obedient even unto death. Not all whom He died for will return His love. Some will hate Him. Some will reject Him. Some will simply ignore Him. He still loves, and so should we.
If you have been betrayed, run to the Lord. It cannot be denied; betrayal is very painful! Your healing and comfort from the Lord, may be the very thing He uses to help someone else who is hurting. Someone needs your hope and reason for trusting again. Give people a reason to trust again. Show them the way to Jesus, who knows the pain of betrayal, but will never betray. He alone is reason to trust again! His love will make a way to trust others.
Blessed be the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us
in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort those who are in any
trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
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January 16, 2009
Prophecy Given January 18, 2009
Although you have been tossed about by
the enemy in recent days,
you were able to see and experience my
grace and love for
you as you
exercised your faith.
It is your faith that will
continue to usher in
your victory.
I am teaching you how to triumph
over the enemy even in
the midst of the
battle.
Just as David learned to trust me
as he overcame the bear and the lion, so you, beloved, as you build up your most
holy faith, will also conquer the Goliaths in your life.
Hopelessness and helplessness will
flee from you as you apply your
faith in me. You will be delighted in
the discovery of extreme faith in a
measure you have not known heretofore.
Ladonna B. – Austin, Texas
Falling From Grace
Do you ever get caught up in doing for Jesus? If we focus on doing for Him, it soon becomes an obligation. When we feel obligated, we are not serving and giving out of our love for Christ. And we know God loves a cheerful giver! (2 Corinthians 9:7) Feeling obligated is a good indication that we are striving. If we are striving, then we are serving out of our own strength which means we are serving from a place of bondage, and bondage is found when we are living under the law.
Galatians 4:30-31 tells us, “Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.” Paul is using the story of Hagar and Sarah as an allegory to show that when Abraham and Sarah tried, or strived, in their own strength to bring about the promise of God, it produced an Ishmael from the bondwoman--representing the law. Isaac was the heir to God’s promise and he was born from the freewoman—the one born of Spirit and faith.
Paul then goes on to say in chapter five verses 1 and 4, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage...You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” I sometimes find that I’m trying to do, do, do for God and along the way, I begin to lose my joy and my burden becomes heavy and tiresome. It is not a conscience decision. It subtly creeps in. It is then, I remind myself that to do anything out of obligation is pointless, because I have slipped from the grace that Christ died for me to have and have been entangled with a heavy yoke of bondage.
I’m not saying that when we do this we have lost our salvation, just that our works are unfruitful, because we are working under a legalistic mindset rather than grace. As long as we are on earth, there will be areas in our soul that are still under bondage and need to be restored. We are to cast out the bondwoman and her son. According to 1 Corinthians 3:12-13, everything done in my own strength will be burned up. I want my work to endure. Therefore, I must depart from operating under the law and return to operating in the Spirit under grace and liberty. “But how?” you might ask.
If we find ourselves in this situation, we can be restored by following any and all of the following:
·
Take a break. That may mean an a few minutes, an hour, a day, a week, or
whatever is needed for the Lord to refresh you.
·
Rest in His presence. Psalms 16:11 assures us,
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; At
Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
·
Pray. Be honest with the Lord about where your heart is. Ask Him change
your heart. Repent for walking out from under His grace. Notice that all of
these suggestions turn you towards the Lord instead of running away from Him.
We
all know John 3:16 by heart.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Do we connect though, John 17:3 which tells us what
eternal life is:
“And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus
Christ whom You have sent.”
We are to focus on knowing Him not doing for Him. Knowing Him will bring the fruit of good works prepared for us to do. Then it will be a joy and not an obligation. If you find yourself lacking the joy of the Lord, examine yourself to see if you have fallen from grace in your doing for Him. If so, rise up again and return to grace so your joy may be made full and your works will be rewarded.
God Bless,
Janet Fairbrother
Prophesy To The Bones
Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them,
'O
dry bones, hear the word of the LORD!
So I prophesied as I was commanded; and as I prophesied, there was a
noise, and suddenly a rattling; and the bones came together, bone to bone.
Also He said to me, "Prophesy to the breath, prophesy, son of man
So I prophesied as He commanded me, and breath came
into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, an exceedingly great army.
Ezekiel
37:4, 7,9,10
The
Israelites were far from home and had no home to return to at this point. They
had disobeyed God and were scattered and separated from anyone and everything
they knew with little hope and a lot of despair.
They
felt their circumstances were irrevocable. However, God had not left them. He
went with them into exile to bring them back to Himself. God showed Ezekiel the
valley of dry bones representing the Israelite nation and commanded him to
prophesy to the bones and the breath. Ezekiel obeyed and saw the dead, dry,
scattered bones come to life to form a live, breathing, flesh covered army!
That is
what God did for us too.
“But
God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”
Ephesians 2:4-5
And that is what He is still willing to do.
“Yes, we had
the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in
God who raises the dead , who delivered us from so great a death, and does
deliver us; in whom we trust that He will still deliver us.” 2 Corinthians
1:9-11
That means
He delivered us through salvation, but He will continue to deliver us and bring
the dead things in our lives back to life when we trust Him! Abraham believed
God to bring his body and Sarah’s womb back to life, because God had made him a
promise. He believed God’s word and did not waver in faith which gave God the
glory!
Abraham… believed God, who gives life to the dead
and calls those things which do not exist as though they did; who, contrary to
hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations, according
to what was spoken, "So shall your descendants be."
And not being weak in faith, he did
not consider his own body, already dead (since he was about a hundred years
old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. He did not waver at the promise of God
through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being
fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. Romans
4:16-21
God’s word
is full of promises that He made to us as believers. Are you convinced that what
He has promised He is also able to perform? Just as God asked Ezekiel to
participate in the resurrection of the dead, He asks us to participate. We need
to prophesy His words.
By your
stripes, I am healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
All of my
household will be saved! (Acts 16:31)
I owe no
man anything but to love him in Christ. (Romans 13:8)
No weapon
formed against me shall prosper! (Isaiah 54:17)
Is there
anything dead or dying in your life? Can anything be brought back to life? Only
You, God, know; but we will prophesy your words to that which needs life,
because you, alone, have the words of eternal life!
Dem bones,
dem bones gonna walk aroun',
Dem
bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun',
Dem bones, dem bones gonna walk aroun',
Oh hear the
word of the Lord!
God bless you today!
Janet Fairbrother
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January 23, 2009
Shepherds
The shepherd of Bible times was a nomad. He traveled with his flocks
leading them through valleys and over mountains. At night the sheep would be
corralled in a pen of stone, or brush or put into a cave for protection. Where
there was no pen or cave, shepherds took turns watching over the flocks to keep
them safe from predators.
A pen might hold the sheep from several flocks, but come morning each
shepherd would call his flocks by name and they would come to him. Often he had
them pass under his rod so that he could count them and make certain all were
there.
Having the sheep pass under the rod had a double purpose. Not only did
it help count, but at a whistle or command the sheep would come to the rod. That
made it ideal to protect them from harm. In the hands of a skilled shepherd the
rod and staff could protect them the flock.
While they sheep gathered by the rod, the shepherd could also use his
sling to keep danger at bay. The slings were handmade and practiced with from
early childhood. I'm certain the average shepherd could deliver his rock on
target with considerable force a long ways off.
Goats and sheep were generally kept together, unless the area for
grazing the goats was too steep for the sheep.
If a shepherd had no sons to help tend the flocks he often hired an
assistant to help with the flock. The assistant was often paid in sheep, or even
in some cases married to the shepherd's daughter after serving some time as a
dowry. That built strong family ties amongst the shepherds and gave the
beginning shepherd a good start on having flocks of his own.
Being a shepherd was a hard life, but it had its rewards. A wise
shepherd could accumulate a good sized flock over time and be quite wealthy.
While a shepherd could be quite wealthy, it was an occupation that was
looked down on. Everyone appreciated the sheep, but shepherds often stunk and
were coarse in language and behavior. The closest comparison I can think of in
today's world is the garbage man. Everyone likes to have their garbage collected
but there is a social stigma associated with doing the work. We like to believe
that such "menial" tasks are beneath us. It is of course a wrong way of thinking
but it is prevalent none the less.
Yet it was to these same, unclean and coarse shepherds that God chose to
reveal the coming of the Christ.
Luke 2:8-20 NET
Now there were shepherds nearby living
out in the field, keeping guard over their flock at night. An angel of the Lord
appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were
absolutely terrified. But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid! Listen
carefully, for I proclaim to you good news that brings great joy to all the
people: Today your Savior is born in the city of David. He is Christ the Lord.
This will be a sign for you: You will find a baby wrapped in strips of cloth and
lying in a manger.”
Suddenly a vast, heavenly army appeared with the angel, praising God and
saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among people with whom
he is pleased!”
When the angels left them and went back to heaven, the shepherds said to
one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken
place, that the Lord has made known to us.” So they hurried off and located Mary
and Joseph, and found the baby lying in a manger. When they saw him, they
related what they had been told about this child, and all who heard it were
astonished at what the shepherds said. But Mary treasured up all these words,
pondering in her heart what they might mean. So the shepherds returned,
glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen; everything was just
as they had been told.
It wasn't to the outwardly rich and successful that Christ was revealed.
It wasn't to the "beautiful people" that the angles sang. It was to ordinary
every day working folk. God chooses to reveal Himself in the least likely of
ways to the least likely of people. That's so that we cannot take credit for it.
Using the poor shames the rich. Using the foolish shames the wise. God
has a special place in his heart for the lowly, the ordinary, the outcast and
the hurting. That's a wonderful thing because most people fit at least one or
more of thus very categories.
Until next time rejoice that the God who revealed Himself to the lowly
shepherd loves you too! His purpose and plan for you is to use you to also
spread the good news of Jesus to the hurting and lowly!
Darrel Mason
January 26, 2009
God’s Providence
For whatever things were written
before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort
of the Scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
The book of Esther has no mention of God’s name. No miracles. Does that mean that God wasn’t involved in the life and story of Esther? Why was the book of Esther included in the Bible? Esther is a book that we can identify with, because of the way God works in our life most of the time. His providence in our lives is always at work.
Just like the book of Esther, God is not missing just because there is no occurrence of supernatural miracles, but instead, His presence is found through the ordinary events of our life. When no miracle comes, know that God is still working in and through our lives.
God’s providence assures us that nothing in our lives is a surprise to Him. He
knows our past and our future, and He leads us accordingly. Providence is the
foreseeing care and guidance of God over the creatures of the earth. Jesus
reminds us of this in Matt 10:29-31and Luke 12:6-7:
“Are not two sparrows sold
for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your
Father's will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear
therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”
The Luke version of this scripture says,
“And not one of them is forgotten before God.”
Jesus also
reminds us in Matthew 6:8-9,
“For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him.”
God knows how to use our life experiences to prepare us for our destiny. That’s why He can work all things for our good according to His purpose. Our messes become messages for others. Our sufferings become comfort and hope for others. Our victories become blessings to others. Whatever you are going through today, God knows and is working to guide and care for you. Don’t fret over unexpected circumstances; you have a heavenly Father who saw it coming. Don’t always look for the miracle. Watch and see how God is constantly working in your life and give Him the praise and glory.
“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6-7
Janet Fairbrother
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January 27, 2009
Abide in me. Rest in me. I
know you have been assaulted by the enemy, as he wants to topple your faith and
to undermine your confidence in me. But I am your God, and I will see you all
the way through. Is my arm shortened that it cannot save? Is
anything too hard for me? Take up your sword in the Spirit, for I have
given you authority over him. Come into the secret place, and abide under the
shadow of the Almighty.
Ladonna B.—Austin, Texas
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January 29, 2009
Waves, Ripples and Reflections
While in the Philippines I had many a chance to watch the ocean and see
it in various stages from smooth to billowing. One particular night while
watching the ocean, I became aware of an interesting occurrence.
There was the slightest hint of a breeze blowing across the ocean
causing it to seem to ripple. I also noticed that each place around the ocean
where there was a light source, there was a reflection of that light. The
reflections carried out on the ripples well beyond where the illumination ended.
At the crest of each ripple the reflection of the light danced for just a
moment. As the ripple moved, the light seemed to move with it. In some cases you
could see the lighted reflection dance across the ripples for a couple of
hundred yards.
My eyes were invariably drawn along the wave of rippling light back to
the source. Where there was no lighted ripple, there was nothing of visual
interest
That's the way we're called to live out our lives as Christians. There
should be something about us that even from a distance people's eyes are drawn
towards the light of Jesus living in us.
Jesus understood this concept clearly. That's why He told us:
"You are the light of the
world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put
it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to
everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that
they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16 NIV
In the same way the lights were carried great distances by the ripples,
the light of our lives is carried by the way we live our lives.
If you're walking the talk, there is something different about you.
People might not be able to explain what it is, but they can see it.
Love, integrity, peace, hope and joy carry a long way in a dark and
hurting world. Do you let yours speak for you or do you hide it and only let it
out on Sunday mornings? We're called to let our love light shine for other to
see.
"A new command I give you:
Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all
men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
John 13:34-35 NIV
Until next time, may the wonder of your personal relationship carry over
the ripples in the darkness and draw others in the direction of the love of
Jesus.
Be Blessed
Darrel Mason
The Problem
Someone asked me recently in the Philippines what
I thought the biggest problem in the church today is. Is it a lack of committed
believers? Is it that people are too busy with other things? Is it a shortage of
finances; a lack of missionary zeal; poorly equipped pastors; lay people who
refuse to get involved; divisions in the church; too much dogma and doctrine or
perhaps not enough; too traditional or not traditional enough?
I think all of these and more could be identified
as being problems within the church body as a whole. I also think that they are
more symptoms than problems. You can attack all the symptoms that you want to,
but until you identify the real problems you can’t solve them.
I’m going to identify two of the biggest problems
in the Christian church today, and I’m sure some won’t agree, but here we go
–(1) the people don’t know the Bible and (2) is a lack of prayer. I will address
number two for today the lack of prayer.
I’m not talking about quick, ritualistic prayer,
like simply repeating a grace at meal or saying the Lord’s Prayer (which is
really the disciple’s prayer, but that is a topic for another day). I’m talking
of a deep fervent prayer for God to move in our hearts, our homes, our
congregations and our communities.
We say we believe on God to work mighty miracles
in the physical, spiritual and heavenly realm.
Do we really?
The Apostle Paul did.
I urge you, brothers, by
our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle
by praying to God for me. Pray that I may be rescued from the unbelievers in
Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to the saints there, so
that by God's will I may come to you with joy and together with you be
refreshed. The God of peace be with you all. Amen. Romans 15:30-33 (NIV)
The word translated here in the NIV as "join me"
is an unusual one. Some translations have used "strive together" which is closer
and means to fight along with or to combat in the company of someone. This
join me in prayer is a very active term, it implies serious committed
involvement.
Paul didn’t want formal lukewarm prayer, he needed
prayer partners who would join him in fervent prayer and trust God for the
answers. He knew the power of prayer and the power of having other people join
him. His example is one that we can all emulate.
Until next time, will you "join me" in prayer for
a mighty move of His Spirit to bring about the healing of hearts, bodies,
emotions, relationships, congregations, communities and nations?
God bless.
Darrel Mason
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