You Just Have to Pray

"You just have to pray."

"What?"

"Like I said, sometimes you just have to pray."

"I'm not getting you?"

"Look, you've been tossing and turning for hours, practically all night."

"Yeah, well, maybe it was the ice cream we ate before going to bed." "Surrounding the warm, sweet, chocolatey brownie, drizzled with hot fudge and caramel sauce, and topped with whipped cream and a cherry."

"Maybe you just have to pray."

"And I've got a lot on my mind. Tomorrow's a big day, there's that meeting at school, and my workload keeps increasing, I'm getting behind at work."

"Stop for a moment please. Pause, and listen, intently. Could be you just have to pray."

"First, are any of these things really bothering you? If so, don't be anxious about it, present it to God in prayer, it's what He tells us to do."

"Second, sometimes it's not what's happening in your life. Sometimes your faithfulness is needed to pray for someone else. And you may not even know who it is. When spiritual battle is waged, God's people are called to pray. And that means the Holy Spirit may have to wake you up. Maybe not as dramatic as the angel striking Peter on his side to wake him up in jail. After all, the Holy Spirit is a gentlemen, you know, listen for that still, small voice."

"Okay, okay. You've made you point.'

"Lord Jesus, I praise you for working in our lives and in the lives of your people. Thank you Holy Spirit for waking me up. I'm confused because I don't know who needs our prayer right now. Whoever it is, wrap your arms of love and peace around them. Heal them if needed. Protect them. Calm their pain. Surround them with your angels, armed with flaming swords against Satan's spiritual darkness. Use them mightily as the dawn rises on this new day."

"See, sometimes you just have to pray." "Hey, what are you doing now?"

"Me, I going to sleep.  All of a sudden I feel really calm myself, very much at peace. I could sleep like a newborn baby right now."

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From 1 Thessalonians 5

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.  Do not quench the Spirit. Do not treat prophecies with contempt but test them all; hold on to what is good, reject every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

Running the Race

Running the race. The 400 meters, a half marathon, a full marathon, or a triathlon. Running a race of any distance often begins the same. A carefully planned process with an objective. The goal is envisioned and set, then the work begins.

First, determine your goal, beginning with the end in mind. This is the starting point, knowing what you hope to accomplish.

Then, assess your current situation, your readiness to run, to compete. You must have a clear understanding of where you are today. A realistic view of your strengths, and limitations.

Next, throw off all that hinders you. Are you carrying a few extra pounds? Are you eating a nutrient rich natural diet? Are you living a life of balance, without undo stress?

And then begin your training in earnest. Run with determination, with purpose, and with perseverance. Fix your eyes on your goal. Build up to it gradually. Review and track your progress. Modify your training routine when reality hits too hard. Stay on target.

The Christian walk has often been compared to running a race, with a very clear picture of this race in Hebrews. Take a moment to look at that story, and the whole chapter of Hebrews 12 today.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

Hebrews 12

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Transformation

Transformation. Water freezes becoming ice. Ice forms beautiful crystals.The soft flowing cold water becomes firm and strong. And look at the extreme examples of icebergs and glaciers. Strong enough to sink the Titanic or carve great natural valleys.

Isn't it amazing how the same chemical elements, Hydrogen and Oxygen, combine to become the compound H₂O, and yet, it doesn't stop there. Water is always water, until the temperature changes. Too cold and the water becomes ice. To hot and the water become steam, vapor.

While we are taught these principles as children and young adults growing up, when is the last time you actually thought about this transformation? Have you ever considered this wonder of God's creation? Water is one of the most abundant substances on the planet. Our bodies are made up an abundance of water. And without water, everyone and everything on earth would perish in a week. Sobering thought. Adds a new dimension of respect for water. And for the Creator of water.

Consider again this transformation. Water becomes colder and colder, until turning to ice. When the temperature is changed, the ice is changed, to firm and strong. When you turn your life to Christ, you are transformed. You become firm and strong in the faith when you follow his Word. You grow and mature as a Christian when you choose to live holy and pleasing to God. You are transformed.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Romans 12

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

The Island of Discussion

The Island of Discussion, Glencoe, Scotland. It was a place to settle disputes. A place to resolve differences. Officially named Eilean a' Chomhraidh, the Island of Discussion is small and alone.

Yet, if legend and history are true, this island has served a noble purpose for many, many years.  Over 1,500 years or so. When clansman had a disagreement, this is the place they went to work it out.

The rules were simple. When there were quarrels or arguments, the feuding parties where taken out to the island and left alone. Left there. With whiskey, cheese, and oat cakes. And they didn't leave the island until the dispute was settled. The result, in over 1,500 years, only 1 murder in the area.

Islands in Loch Leven for NN0859
The largest island is Eilean Munde, and the one to the far left is Eilean a' Chomhraidh, The Island of Discussion.
© Copyright Richard Dorrell and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

How do you handle anger? When you are frustrated with someone, what do you do? Does your frustration grow? Does it make you mad? Does it lead to action? Outbursts? Strong words? Threats? Bitterness? Alienation?

What about stopping it before it grows? The Island of Discussion. It's a simple concept. When you have a conflict with a brother, go and talk with him about it. Don't let the sun go down on your anger, do something about it today. Start with a discussion. Alone. In privacy, an island of your choosing.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Romans 12

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:  "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Give Me Rest

"Hey Dad, check your email. I shared a file with you on your Google Drive."

I had talked with my daughter earlier that evening already. She and her husband live out of state, yet we get a chance to talk regularly. In that conversation she learned I had been battling a severe case of the flu. You know, the ugly kind. That keeps you up all night, drains your energy, and makes it hard to do anything normal.

So I headed to the computer to check my email for her message. Upon opening the note, I was welcomed to a quiet, beautiful, classical music sonata. I'd love to tell you it was Mozart, Schubert, or Chopin, yet it really doesn't matter.

What I heard and saw was my daughter playing this piece of music with great feeling and a lovely touch. It was a gentle piece, soft, melodious, and very calming. After a weary, draining day of sickness, it was a very thoughtful, and very welcome message to end the day and calm my soul before retiring for the night.

Her action, taking the time to select such a peaceful song, to play it so well, and to capture it with her iPhone then send it to me as a video, wow. That was the power of love in action that made it special beyond words.

And you:  What do you battle? What makes you weary? What burdens you?

In Mathew, Jesus welcomes and invites us to come to Him. And he promises to give you rest. Take a moment in prayer today, to talk with Him. And listen quietly for that still, small voice of comfort.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Mathew 11

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

Unexpected Trials

6:45 am. Rise and shine. "The weather today will be cloudy, turning to partly sunny this afternoon. It's 9 degrees now, with a high of 27 degrees." "And off to our East . . . blah blah blah . . .

7:40 am. Got what I wanted, the forecast for a bright sunny day. Sure it's the dead of winter in the Midwest. That means it's cold. And cold's okay, you get used to it. Now the gray sky, that's another story. Makes it hard to have a spring in your step and a song on your lips. (well, frozen lips).

8:22 am. Arrived at work, it's still cloudy and gray, and the wind's a bit brisk too. That's okay, the sun will be out this afternoon, spreading a bright, warm glow over the barren ground.

12:34 pm. "Hey John, check this out"

"What?"

"Look out the window. Check out those big, fluffy, snowflakes falling like a blizzard on the Ice Planet Hoth!" "Hope you wore your Wookiee suit today."

Well, so much for a bright, sunny afternoon. This is completely unexpected. And boy will the drive home be fun.  NOT.  Another unexpected trial. Traffic will be crawling all the way home.


How about you? How do you feel when faced with an unexpected trial. And how do you react when faced with the unexpected? Now, who do you turn to? Who do you trust? The Psalmist turned to the Shepherd, to refresh his soul when facing the unexpected.


Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

I overslept

"Wow, what time is it!"

No! I overslept! I'll be late for work! I've got an important meeting to start the day, and then two more appointments back-to-back. And what about traffic! With the holiday over a lot of people will be going back to work and the roads will be crowded, and slow!

What a minute? What time is it? Whew, I've got time. Hey, I must of dreamed it? But it was so real. I would have been in big trouble. When Bernie was late last week he was read the riot act. And I get it. People are counting on us to be there for them. They depend on us and we need to be on time.

I guess that's what Jesus was talking about when He told the story of the ten virgins who overslept. Of course, that was a story of Himself. And not just disappointing a few people, it was all about eternity. And being ready. Being ready for His return.

Be encouraged by the Word of God:

From Mathew 25

“At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’

“Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’

“‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.’

“But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

“Later the others also came. ‘Lord, Lord,’ they said, ‘open the door for us!’

“But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.’

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.