Category Archives: SPIRITUAL INTEREST

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A Prayer & A Remembrance

A Prayer for the Persecuted & In Remembrance of a Martyr

Stephen’s Strength Still Speaks To Us Today

Dear Father God in Heaven, You stretch my faith, over and over again. Thank you for teaching me, for ministering to my spirit, for loving and redeeming me. I love Your holiness and faithfulness. Your grace sets me free to live in ways I never thought possible. Yet sadness accompanies my thoughts.

Father, I am deeply troubled by the persecuting of my brethren. But You see the fallen, the martyrs for Your cause, as victors for the crown of Jesus Christ. I read of how Stephen was full of faith and full of Your Holy Spirit. He did not deserve death, and You were present with him in Spirit. He was not abandoned. Stephen gazed into heaven and saw Your glory even when men were doing their worst to him. I love his words, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Do not hold this sin against them.” Stephen’s strength was in Christ and in his Christ-likeness. So should mine be, Father God. I desire to be faithful like those whom have gone on before me, like Stephen in the book of Acts. His life is a testament to me. What a scene to envision. . .

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep (Acts 7:54-59 ESV).

Stephen was victor because Jesus is Victor. No one can take away the victory of a saint upon their entry into God’s presence and eternal glory. Such an absolute amazing truth that I can rest in no matter what happens. Thank you, dear Father. I’m so grateful. My heart praises You. My thoughts raise. . .

“Christ the Lord is risen today; Alleluia! Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia! Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia! Sing, ye heav’ns, and earth reply, Alleluia!”* True awesomeness!

Father God, be with those suffering because they identify with Your Son. Their humanity is being bruised, but their humility is great. Their suffering is horrific, but their faith is strong. Surround them with Your love. Comfort them in all things–with Your anointing, with Your grace, and with Your Being.

I pray this in Jesus’ holy and precious name,

Amen

. . .

*Charles Wesley, 1707-1789

Photo by Nature Uninterrupted Photography, Unsplash

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That Secret Place, Part 3 of 3

God is in this.

Spending time with God while meditating in His presence enriches our faith journey by developing a closeness with God. During meditation, God informs the mind, enters the heart, and transforms the soul in ways that only He can do. God had a living relationship with Adam and Eve. We, too, can have a living relationship with God. One that is life-giving real and authentic to the max.

God tells us to follow the Shepherd, to rest beside still waters, to partake of His life, and to participate in the fellowship of a Christ-following community. We as God’s beloved children are instructed to eat at His table of grace and to meditate on His Holy Word.

Spiritual muscle is strengthened through closeness with our heavenly Father. Enlivening vitality comes as we center in Him. The old hymn lyrics, All to Jesus, I surrender, All to Him I freely give, capture what that looks like. We can’t take credit for the good that God is doing. God gets all the glory.

The closer we walk with Him, the stronger we become.

We live in perilous times. Circumstances squeeze some of the joy out of us. I’ve had to re-adjust some aspects of my life when discouragement and elements of fear trip me up. God is greater than my feelings and fears. I know where my Source of help is found.

Help is in my best friend, Father God.

I spend time alone with Him. I open His Word to passages that speak to the need. This week the political scene was disheartening. I chose to open my bible to the story of the prophet Elijah at Mount Carmel. His prayer was clear in its purpose. He wanted everyone to see that God is alive, powerful, and able. The prophet Elijah wanted the people to turn their hearts to believe and follow God.

“The prophet Elijah stepped forward and prayed: ‘O Lord, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, let it be known today that you are God in Israel . . . Answer me, so these people will know that you, O Lord, are God, and that you are turning their hearts back again.'” 1 Kings 18:36-37. Then the fire came down from heaven to consume the sacrifice, “When the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, he is God.” I desire this very thing, that people in my country and elsewhere will turn to God.

I prayed Psalm 37 this week. I prayed it for my country, for my friends, for those whom have lost their way, for those who are wrapped up in themselves. I prayed that we as a people will–

  • Trust in the Lord and do good. (I pray that America will trust in the Lord.)
  • Delight in the Lord. (I pray that America will delight in the Lord.)
  • Commit our way to the Lord. (I pray that America will commit its way to the Lord.)

I’m reading a book written in 2012 about African Muslims coming to faith in Jesus Christ. The author says, fasting and prayer is facilitating this spiritual awakening that is freeing Muslim brothers and sisters to living relationship with Christ. These new believers fast whole days in intercessory prayer. Many churches are being planted.

Much prayer, much power.

Seeking God by spending time with Him is what happens in “that secret place,” alone with God. The most important part of your day is your time alone with God. Seek God with your heart, mind and soul. Be still with God. Listen. Praise. Worship.

God will come close, and you will be strengthened.

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Photo by Nathan Mullet, Unsplash