The vigor of youth often breeds self-reliance. The concept of praying for healing is not relative, especially if good health has always been maintained. Thus, many young people will continue to press on without relying on God’s power to survive.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise, Jeremiah 17:14.
Jeremiah is known as the weeping prophet. This nickname comes from the messages Jeremiah often shared with Israel. The majority of the prophecies he receives from God we negative, focused on pending doom and punishment. Yet, there are some rays of hope, illustrating the power of prayer.
Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security, Jeremiah 33:6.
As for me, the older I become the more I need God’s help to get through each day. Over the last week, my vision has faded, unable to see or read letters unless the font is 48 is bigger. While I may need glasses, I still believe and cling to God’s power to deliver miracles. Whatever mountain standing in your way, may you find hope in God’s power to transform your current situation.
With the dawn of each new age, changes are made to adjust so that the world can understand what has happened in the past. In the context of the Bible, 3 distinct stages exist: oratory, letters and publication. The words of the Old Testament were passed on orally from one generation to the next. Hebrew families raised their children by regularly recounting stories of faith to guide their steps into adulthood. The celebration of Bar Mitzvahs for boys and Bat Mitzvah for girls culminates in years of biblical training by memorizing the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ, Romans 10:17.
During the first century, only the wealthy could afford education. Thus, illiteracy among the middle and lower class was high. As the Holy Spirit began to inspire authors to pen individual books of the New Testament, not many could read. Therefore, apostles, disciples and pastors read these letters during gatherings for prayer. This explains why the apostle Paul selects the phrase faith comes from hearing the word of Christ.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.
The next age of faith began in 1450 following Johann Gutenberg’s invention of the printing press. This made the publication of Bibles accessible to common people. However, segments of the church do not embrace this initially. Major denominations like the Roman Catholic Church believed only priests could interpret the Bible correctly. The average Christian could not be trusted to handle the Word of God. This mindset and resistance led to the dark ages tainted by spiritual corruption.
This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success, Joshua 1:8.
Today, we live in an age of over saturation. Multiple translations are available with a click of a mouse, downloading an app or read on a cell phone. This access in great for those who desire to grow their faith. Yet, there is a temptation to change translations until you make the Bible say what you want. Who knows what the next age may bring. Nonetheless, if you want to growth your faith, the best way remains by daily reading, studying and memorizing the Bible. This spiritual discipline often leads to putting faith into action.
Wanting and having are two things in life that young people sometimes have to learn the hard way. Before graduating high school, many children are pampered, given cell phones, maybe a car, food and shelter by generous parents. Yet, college serves as a open book test for life as wanting and actually having are two different things.
But whenever the judge died, they turned back and behaved worse than their fathers, going after other gods, serving them and bowing down to them; they did not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways, Judges 2:19.
Some students gain weight quickly unable to say no to endless all you can eat buffets. Others turn to partying to be the popular person on campus. Temptations lurk around every corner with no guardian or parent to tell you no. Thus, over a short period of time, people change. As poor decisions undo your upbringing, you might reach a point where what’s good for you may not be right for me.
Now these things are warnings for us, not to desire evil as they did, 1 Corinthians 10:6.
One day the apostle Paul noticed that some of the people whom he led to Christ began to repeat the sins of their past. To get everyone’s attention Paul provides a history lesson from the Old Testament. Without using a hell and brimstone message, Paul urges this church to learn from past mistakes. Whether its Adam and Eve in the Garden or the Judges who did what was right in their own eyes, each tarnished their faith. In view of this warning, may you cling to that which is right so that what feels good does not corrupt your soul.
Recently, a public school teacher in Augusta, Maine told a co-worker “I’ll pray for you” at the end of a conversation. While the context is unclear, I’m assuming this individual shared some concerns, issues or trial in life. Despite attending the same church, these words were deemed offensive by the other woman. Subsequently, the political correct “police” are now investigating this matter with some sort of discipline likely to follow. I wish this was a practical joke, but its just another day in America.
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours, Mark 11:24.
After completing my confirmation of faith in the Roman Catholic Church in 8th grade, I began to attend a Methodist youth group in high school. Beside Sunday night, there were other activities offered to get to know people. Initially, I chose a sharing group. Students talked about what was going on weekly with a short prayer at the end of each meeting. This non-threatening environment was a great way to ease into a relationship with God. Shy at the time, I was afraid to ask for prayer as my life wasn’t as bad as those who constantly requested prayers.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words, Romans 8:26.
Today, I have a new appreciation for prayer. Early on I saw how some individuals sought attention, almost as if to elicit a pity party on their behalf. Yet, now I am no longer timid about requesting prayers, especially for my eyes. I’m sure there is a happy medium, but prayer leads to healing. Thus, regardless of how outsiders may respond, don’t ever give up verbally expressing the words “I’ll pray for you.”
In the film Facing the Giants, the head football coach at Shiloh High accidently walks by a private meeting to oust him as coach. Devastated by this revelation, a conversation with the janitor the next day changes his perspective. This wise man recalls a parable of farmers waiting for rain to plant crops. Only one man plowed his fields in expectation of God’s answer to prayers for water. The janitor asked this coach at the end of his story, which one are you?
But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him, 1 John 2:27.
Author Gary Smalley wrote a book entitled the Blessing when I was in college. A friend suggested that I should read this before getting married. During a marriage encounter seminar that Leanne and I attended while engaged, this resource was confirmed as a must read. The book examines the Old Testament practice of Jewish fathers passing on a blessing to their oldest son. However, in the case of Isaac and Jacob, the youngest deceives his brother to receive this special anointing.
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed,” Luke 4:18.
Due to a breakdown in the American family, absentee fathers aren’t around to bless, develop and raise their own children. Meanwhile, the passing of the torch from one generation to the next is being dropped. Subsequently, young men are being robbed of this blessing. These circumstances have created a mood where doubt reigns. Until this atmosphere changes, no one is preparing for the anointing of God due to a lack of hope and faith. May divine intervention reverse this trend.
There are periods in life which seem innocent at first. Initial symptoms are brushed aside as merely a byproduct of age. Yet, if you continue to ignore the obvious, sooner or later conditions will become far worse than you ever imagined.
If my steps have turned from the path, if my heart has been led by my eyes, or if my hands have been defiled, Job 31:7.
Fifteen years ago my eyes began to hurt trying to work full time while attempting to complete my masters. The amount of reading was too much strain on my eyes resulting in arthritis of the eye. In the years that have followed, some of my goals were never fulfilled due to this condition. Now I am just thankful for the ability to see.
“If I have denied the desires of the poor or let the eyes of the widow grow weary,” Job 31:16.
What is most troubling to me is my current spiritual condition. Due to a lack of accountability and a consistent church home, may faith has decayed. The other night a wave of conviction revealed to me how far I have wandered off course. The passages above serve as a standard to see if your faith is in action or dead. Sometimes the truth hurts, far worse than I first thought. When days of conviction come, may the Lord’s grace and mercy fall on those confess their sins.
Sometimes the Bible doesn’t make sense when you read it. Although, the puzzling questions can often be explained by a better understanding of the context in which a passage takes place. If you examine famous anointings in the Old Testament, there are one of two scenarios that take place. Either individuals had to wait an extended period prior to the fulfillment of the anointing or people earned the right to be blessed by God due to years of faithful service.
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, Ephesians 2:8.
Prior to his anointing as the next king of Israel, God prepared David while serving as a shepherd in the fields. Elisha spent a decade as a farmer and servant to Elijah before receiving a double portion of faith. Meanwhile, Ruth endured the pain and poverty of a widow before being rescued by her kinsman redeemer. While salvation can not be earned, faithfulness opens the door to receive a special anointing from God.
But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart,” 1 Samuel 16:7.
Anointings can be like following sports. At the beginning of any season, its hard to tell who will win the championship. Yet, as time goes by dedication, hard work and perseverance separates contenders from pretenders. In the same way, God sees the hearts of individuals. Since appearances can be deceiving, God examines hearts and souls to see who has earned the right to be anointed and or blessed by the Lord. May your faith be rewarded.
I caught an interview on TBN, the Trinity Broadcasting Network over the weekend about Middle East converts to Christianity. To protect their identity, new believers were sharing the hardships following a decision to leave the Muslim faith. One woman opened up about a phone call she had with her mother. This mom believed her daughter had been brain washed, poisoned by zealous disciples of Christ.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him, James 1:12.
In the last decade, Christians have been crucified, persecuted and in some cases forced to leave their homeland. Since the mainstream media is not covering, investigating or reporting this news, the average American does not believe these travesties exist. Subsequently, many who claim to follow or serve God do not know what true faith is. Instead, political correctness is breeding a culture that is spoiling genuine faith.
More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us, Romans 5:3-5.
If there is anyone who is an expert in the field of hardship and persecution, the apostle Paul fits this criteria. Following a life devoted to legalism as a Pharisee, Paul’s unexpected transformation creates a wave of resentment against his decision to become a missionary. The passage above shares the spiritual truths suffering taught Paul. Hardship serves as a spiritual purging, slowly changing your perspective on life. If you never face trials, growth can be stunted. Therefore, the next time suffering comes knocking, don’t let a spoiled faith keep you from becoming the man and woman God wants you to be.
Prior to the passage below, the members of the Hall of faith are introduced. Hebrews chapter 11 serves as a summary of the great men and women of faith who have walked the face of the earth. I guess you can refer to these individuals as spiritual giants. The context of running likely represents those inspired to follow in the footsteps of these godly people.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God, Hebrews 12:1-2.
Meanwhile, the apostle Paul eludes to a sporting event in his letter to the church at Corinth. The Corinthians Games are similar to the modern day Summer Olympics with an emphasis on track and field. Paul is encouraging readers to see the big picture, only one person is victorious per event. Therefore, run in such a way which glorifies God.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it, 1 Corinthians 9:24.
In modern times, there are some who take short cuts to get ahead in life. These decisions shape your character. The only problem is if you get away with cutting corners, you might be tempted to continue living on the edge. Any type of compromise will disqualify you. Therefore, if you want to start running with the giants of the faith, take the advice of God’s Word. If you want it enough, developing a daily spiritual regiment will get you in shape to make running with these giants possible.
History tends to move in cycles, rising and falling as leadership, ideology and worldviews change. There are moments in time for conquest, peace and war. Each major event leaves its imprints on civilizations, cultures and society. At some point, regardless of what you feel, it’s important to come together.
Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water, Hebrews 10:22.
The author of Hebrews encourages individuals to do the same thing with God. This process begins with a sincere heart. Like the guilt, remorse and sorrow Adam and Eve endured following trespassing against God’s lone rule in the Garden of Eden, modern citizens experience a similar feeling. This conviction serves as a sign to get your life right with God.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful, Hebrews 10:23.
The final step to coming together involves hope. One of the ploys the Devil uses is making people feel like God hasn’t forgiven them after publicly confessing sin. Thus, many place their trust in feelings, not faith. Thus, clinging to an unswerving hope is what will get you through periods of darkness. Finally, life isn’t complete unless you begin to spur on others toward love and good deeds. This mindset sets the stage for truly coming together.
ExpressYourself4Him 