Praying Church
March 4, 2013 by admin | Leave a Comment
(TO TRULY SEE IS TO PRAY) Do you pray? Do you really understand what it means to pray? When you […]
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History notes of an incredible prayer written in a diary by he who is called as perhaps the greatest missionary of the last 500 years – Dr. David Livingstone – while he was yet a very young man, before God sent him to the then never-ever-yet-explored Africa: “Lord, send me anywhere, only go with me. Lay any burden on me, only sustain me. Sever any ties but the tie that binds me to Thy service and to Thy heart.” Many, many years later, Dr. Livingstone was invited to speak at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, his native land. According to accounts, Livingstone looked, well… He walked tiredly; he had walked 11,000 miles. His arm hung useless for being crushed by a huge lion. He was very thin from constant lack of food. His skin had been burned by the African sun. His face and body had been ravaged by numerous African fevers. He was half-deaf and half-blind. The stunned students had heard about him. At the sight of him, they just knew that here was a life that was literally being burned out for God and for fellow man. He said to them, “Shall I tell you what sustained me in the midst of all those toils, hardships and incredible loneliness? It was the promise of a Gentleman of the most sacred honor – ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20) – Source: www.mwtb.org and en.wikipedia.org As a young man, Dr. Livingstone had no idea where God was sending him, but he trusted Him so much he didn’t care. He had later been sent to Africa and it seemed every day was going to be his last… still he trusted God. Have you that same absolute trust? ABSOLUTE TRUST Absolute trust in God only seems to have its place among the famed and much mythicized saints and martyrs of the Bible and of history. Today, everyone – from the street beggar to the most celebrated religious leaders - struggle with giving God their absolute trust. But the God of the Bible and of history is the same God today… and we can trust Him because of: 1. WHO He is - There are many attributes, characteristics and qualities ascribed to God. A few of those that give us reasons to give Him absolute trust are: a. He is a personal God. (see Jeremiah 29:11; 31:31-34; James 4:8) b. He is love. (see 1 John 4:8,16) c. He is faithful. (see 1 Corinthians 10:13) d. He is good. (see Romans 2:4) e. His promises are sure. (Jeremiah 1:12; 2 Corinthians 1:20) - God is the embodiment of love. It is precisely because of this love that we can lean on His faithfulness and goodness. Who God is is reason enough for us to give Him absolute trust.
When someone asks you, “What is life?” what do you answer? Most people, when asked about what life is, respond with the usual answers – that Life is · a challenge · a struggle · a survival-of-the-fittest game Why? Because to so many of us, life is a battering affair with never-ending needs and wants that can’t always be satisfied… and trials and temptations that can’t always be mastered. One way or another, we find ourselves unsatisfied… and then, defeated. As Christians, we should know better. Life for us is a present, a wonderful gift from the God of grace. The same God who wants the best of life for us (Jeremiah 29:11). We aren’t supposed to live lifeall on our own because He is always with us (Hebrews 13:5). Life isn’t supposed to leave us feeling unsatisfied and defeated. All we have to do is to TRUST Him with every bit of our being. THE ANATOMY OF FAITH Faith requires our whole being. It demands: 1. Ears that listen that we listen to the foundation of faith – the Word of God - Romans 10:17 – Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. - Matthew 13:16 – But blessed are … your ears because they hear.
February 12, 2013 by admin | Leave a Comment
