As Jesus met with His disciples for the first time after His resurrection, He blessed them, showed them His hands and side, and said: "As the Father has sent me, I am sending you" (John 20:21). Then He breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit" (v. 22). (Google image, A friendly chat, How to keep a conversation going]
Immediately He gave these disciples, and all who would follow them, a most awesome responsibility: "If you forgive anyone his sins, they are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven." (v.23).
But how can this be? you ask. Is not God the only One who can forgive sins? Yes, of course. Did not Christ pay the price so that anyone who calls on Him can be forgiven? Yes, thank God! Then how can it be that the forgiveness of others is in your hands instead of God's hands?
Simply this: Christ has chosen us to bear His message to the world. He has already paid the price for all; but the only voice He will use to tell the world now is yours and mine. If you reach your friend, he can be forgiven. If you don't, he can't.
If you and I reach our world, it can be saved; if we don't , it will be lost forever. Heaven or hell is now in our hands. Christ's part is done; ours is not.
This has a direct relevance to prayer. At present, many people have no chance for any Christian to reach them before they die. This why Jesus commanded you and me to pray the Lord of the harvest to send reapers to them.
Many others will have only one chance in their lifetime to hear, believe, and be saved. Will they miss it? Will they fail to understand? Will prejudice cause them to disregard the message? Your prayer and mine must bridge the gap.
God has made us their only hope of their salvation.
Certain Muslim and communist lands are closed to missions. In these regimented and repressive societies, the gospel witness is almost entirely nonexistent. The only way people in these countries will hear the gospel message is through radio.
But without the joyous witness of openly professing Christians they may not understand its meaning. Since there is no Christian voice on their local radio station, they may never discover a Christian broadcast. Will they? Your prayer may be their only hope. Your prayer can help guide them as they touch the radio dial.
Your prayer can help remove their prejudice. Your prayer can help them understand. Your prayer can help shut out Satan's suggestions of doubt. Your prayer may be the only key to unlock the door to their salvation.
Christ gives to you through prayer the keys to the salvation of more people in your circle of acquaintance and around the world than you realize. One day Christ will ask you what you did with the keys He held out to you.
For how many people will you have unlocked heaven's door? For how many people will you have unlocked heaven's door? For how many will you have shut out and locked the door to Satan's deceptions? Christ's only plan for building His church, for extending His kingdom is to give us the keys to heaven. Will you use them faithfully?
(Chapter 10, pp. 73-75, italics added for emphasis)
Used by permission
of the Duewel Literature Trust, Inc,
Greenwood, Indiana
Available by phone
317-881-6755, ext, 361
Let's pray-
"Father, I acknowledge and take to heart this day that the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. There is no other. Empowered by Your Spirit, I purpose to keep Your decrees and commands, which You have given me, so that it may go well with me and my children after me, and that I may live long in the land the Lord my God gives me for all time. To the glory of God the Father, I acknowledge that Jesus is Lord of my home, ministry, and the workplace. Jesus is Lord of my life! Amen"
Germine Copeland
Prayers that avail much |
Scripture Reading:
Deuteronomy 4:39-40
Deuteronomy 5:29
Philippians 2
Today's Bible verses-
1 Corinthians 15:55 (ESV) "O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?"
Eph. 3:17-19 (AMP) “And may you, having been [deeply] rooted and [securely] grounded in love, be fully capable of comprehending with all the saints (God’s people) the width and length and height and depth of His love [fully experiencing that amazing, endless love]; and [that you may come] to know [practically, through personal experience] the love of Christ which far surpasses [mere] knowledge [without experience], that you may be filled up [throughout your being] to all the fullness of God [so that you may have the richest experience of God’s presence in your lives, completely filled and flooded with God Himself]. (Eph. 3:17-19 AMP)
Psalm 62:1-2 "I am at rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my stronghold; I will never be shaken."
Song: When I Survey the Cross
https://youtu.be/Tkx8WAycYAc
Today's quote-
~ Glenda Shouse- "Anyone can have a prayer closet—or perhaps a prayer chair as I have. One that has been in the family for years. One covered in a lovely rose pattern but with faded and worn places on the arm rests. One used by my mother and grandmother as they took time to be alone with the Lord Jesus.
This chair brings many memories to mind, as does the well-used Bible lying on the table beside the chair and the worn rug where grandmother kneeled.
In our prayer closets, we can pour out our hearts to Jesus, praise Him, sing to Him, read the Word, or just listen for Him to speak to us and give us strength for the challenges of the day.
Take time each day to praise Jesus and share your concerns with Him. He will renew your strength."
Words of wisdom-~ May our ears be attuned to the Lord's directions, even in situations that are not conclusive to voicing our faith in Him. As we pause to get His direction for something we're challenged with, may we listen for what turns out to be where the power is!
Our guest post-
THE BEGINNING OF THE END
Marcellus George
"I looked in the casket and saw my sister who had died of cancer.
I recognized the body I viewed wasn’t really her any longer. She was in the presence of the Lord and of those who had gone before her. Once again, I realized I couldn’t stop death—but death couldn’t stop me either."
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The pastors and elders of the CFC churches in northern NY, will provide a daily devotional:Streams in the Desert
and provide a short Scripture reading and a brief message from one of the pastors or elders every day for the coming season. Past special song presentations are listed.
The home pages of the CFC website: https://www.
[Replay past services, and read past devotionals you missed.
Sign up for them to come to you daily]
Sign up for them to come to you daily]
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Jean's blog (Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
Helpful ways the Lord helped me in my marriage
Upcoming posts
#30 You Can be Part of God's Emergency Network
4th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
You Just Don't Know
6th- Saturday's post by Debbie McEwen
#31 How to Join God's S.O. S. Prayer Network
9th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#32 How to Recognize God's Prayer Assignment
11th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
 |
| Keck Observatory |
"In Exodus 15:11 it states, 'Who is like you among the gods, O LORD—glorious in holiness, awesome in splendor, performing great wonders?' (NLT). His splendor was in the stars. The heavens proclaim his glory and 'the skies display his craftsmanship' (Psalm 19:1, NLT). The sky that night definitely displayed his artistry and left me with an experience I will always remember."
Richard Hara
Richard Hara
No comments:
Post a Comment