An Encouragment to Continued Prayer

Despair not because you do not get an answer immediately. 

While you are speaking, Jesus is listening. 

If he delays an answer, it is only for wise reasons, 

and to try if you are in earnest. 

The answer will surely come. 

Though it tarry, wait for it. 

It will surely come.

J.C. Ryle--A Call to Prayer

Praying in Jesus' Name

What does it mean to pray in "the name of the Lord?" or in "the name of Jesus?" Sometimes, we treat those statements as if they are just the tag that comes at the end of our prayers just before the amen. We'll pray and then conclude, "We asked these things in Jesus' name." In John 16:23-28, Jesus tells the disciples that a time was coming when they would ask in his name, and the Father would give them what they asked.

Praying in Jesus' name means that we are praying in a way that is in sync with his character and motivation. When we pray this way, we are praying for the same things Jesus wants. It is to pray in a manner worthy of Jesus. How do we do that?

Here are five quick suggestions:

• Approach with humility. We don't approach God in our own righteousness, but the righteousness that comes through Christ.

• Approach with desire for God's glory. In John 17:1, Jesus prays for his glory, that he might glorify the Father. We should want to bring him glory as well.

• Approach with a commitment to do his will. In Matthew 26:39-44, We see Jesus praying, and submitting to the Father's will. He sets the pattern.

• Approach with an expectancy that leads to rejoicing. 1 John 5:14-15, tells us that we can be confident that our prayers are heard when we are praying according to God's will.

• Approach with confidence. We are loved by God because he has made us his children (see Gal. 4:6; Rom. 8:15). Hebrews 4:16 urges us to boldly approach the throne of grace. In Christ, we are free to approach the Father.

Spiritual Songs: "By Your Side" Tenth Avenue North

This is a song that has really been ministering to me this week. Unfortunately, it is far to easy, for me, to forget that God is always with me. Throughout the Scriptures, we see that God is actively for us. If we will trust him, he will lift us up.

It reminds me of the old hymn, "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms." The two songs cover the same issue from different sides. Where "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" is sung from a believer's point-of-view, "By Your Side," is sung from Jesus' point-of-view. "By Your Side" confronts the struggling believer in their pain and strife, and calls them to find rest in Jesus. "Leaning on the Everlasting Arms" is the response of one resting in Christ.

If you find yourself in the midst of a battle, if you feel weary and worn out, if you aren't sure you can keep going, take time to listen to "By Your Side." Let the words sink in. Remind yourself of the truth that they convey--Jesus is with you.  Maybe when your remember he is by your side, you'll lean on his everlasting arms, and find the peace you so desperately need.

Here is the video:




Credits are on the video.

FAQs Mondays: Where Did It All Begin?

Last week, we answered the question, "How do we come to know God?" You can read that post here. Now let us answer the question, "Where did it all begin." Let's look at the catechism to see how to answer the question.

Who were our first parents?

Adam and Eve.

What was the body of Adam made of?

God made Adam out of the ground. Note: This question (and the next) have been altered. Sophia seemed to remember the answers better when I broke the question up. Here is the original question/answer: "Of what were our first parents made? God made the body of Adam our of the ground and formed Eve from the body of Adam"

What was Eve made of?

God made Eve out of the body of Adam.

What did God give Adam and Eve besides bodies?

He gave them souls that could never die.

Do you have a soul?

Yes; the Bible teaches me that I have a soul that can never die.

In what condition did God make Adam and Eve?

He made them holy and happy.

So the human experience began with the creation of Adam and Eve. They were created holy and happy, and given souls that never die. Our existence is directly related to theirs. Through these questions and answers, children learn that humanity had a good beginning.  There was a time in human history, when people were exactly what God meant for them to be.

However, the knowledge that Adam and Eve were created "holy and happy" leads to a question. If Adam and Eve were without sin and content, what went wrong?  We'll answer that question next week.

Sunday Recap 4-3-11

Morning: The sermon, "Who Will You Serve?" explored Romans 6:15-23. In this passage, Paul reminds us that whoever we serve  is our master.

Paul warns us not to fall for sin's faulty logic (See Rom. 6:15-18). Sin would argue that because we are under grace and not under the law, that we are therefore free to do as we please. But Paul counters that with a hard dose of reality. The choice before us is always obedience to sin or obedience to God. One choice leads to death the other leads to life. Paul reminds the reader that although they were formerly slaves to sin, they are now obedient to the word, free from sin, and slaves to righteousness.

In Romans 6:19, Paul warns against misunderstanding his message. When he speaks of service to Christ as slavery, he isn't pushing a point by point comparison. He is using an image familiar to his audience the get his point across.  He reminds them of the similarity of the process: once they gave themselves over to sin, now they must give themselves over to righteousness.  He contrasts the product of the different paths. We only reap death when we serve sin, but when we serve Christ, we reap a harvest of holiness. Finally, he contrasts the payment. Sin pays the wages of death. God gives the gift of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, to those who follow him. We can't earn it, and yet he willingly gives it.

Paul's words should cause us to search our souls. We need to ask, "What fruit is in my life?" Do we have the fruit of righteousness that leads to holiness? Or do we only possess the fruit of sin, which leads to death? Then we need to ask, "Who will we serve?" We will either serve sin, or serve the Lord, but we can't serve both.

Evening: Business Meeting.

Why Wait?

Doubt not

his willingness to save you, 

because you are a sinner.

It is Christ's office to save sinners.

He says of himself,

"I came not to call the righteous,

but sinners to repentance" (Luke 5:32)

J.C. Ryle, A Call to Prayer

Wise Words on Prayer

In biblical times, 

extreme circumstances drove people to their knees 

more often than they do today, 

not because we have fewer extremes today, 

but because we are too arrogant (or ignorant) 

to recognize our helplessness in the face of them.

--Terry C. Muck, Liberating the Leader's Prayer Life