Wednesday Evening, February 28, 2007
Bethel Church of God

Psalms 59
1 To the chief Musician, Al-tas'-chith, Mich'-tam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.



This is a Psalm of David. All the Psalms are powerful. They all “ice the cake” so to speak, adding the feeling to the stories that are found in other spots in the Old Testament. Like many other Psalms, there is a background passage that gives this Psalm its validity…

You’ll find the background 1 Samuel 19, verses 8-17, specifically verse 6, verse 11, and verse 14. These are the key verses.

1 Samuel 19:8-17
8 And there was war again: and David went out, and fought with the Philistines, and slew them with a great slaughter; and they fled from him.
9 And the evil spirit from the LORD was upon Saul, as he sat in his house with his javelin in his hand: and David played with his hand.
10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the javelin; but he slipped away out of Saul's presence, and he smote the javelin into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
11 Saul also sent messengers unto David's house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David's wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to night, to morrow thou shalt be slain.
12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13 And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth.
14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
15 And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
16 And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats' hair for his bolster.
17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?

In this Psalm, David finds himself in a dilemma. Saul has loosed the dogs on him.

The idea of wild dogs; it conjures images of savagery and viciousness. They are ready to eat the flesh of God’s anointed one. You might say, “I think David was overreacting a little bit, maybe.” It’s easy to feel that way, when the dogs aren’t after you. And there are still dogs today.

Paul warned the believers in Acts 20:28-31…

Acts 20:28-31
28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

He warned them about GRIEVOUS WOLVES. Church people have to watch out for wild dogs themselves. Remember, Jesus had Judas. We face them, too; savage, wild dogs; wolves. I think we can learn from David’s experience on how to handle these situations when they come. Look at this first…

David’s Danger

Psalms 59:1-9
1 To the chief Musician, Al-tas'-chith, Mich'-tam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him.
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

David wrote this Psalm during a difficult situation. The old king had turned on the new king. The one God rejected, turned on the one God selected. Isn’t that often the way it is? Those under favor from the Lord experience the consternation of those who aren’t. David had faced lions, bears and even a giant. But it was the dirty, nasty dogs that caused him to cry out to God.

His plea was “DELIVER ME…”

Saul was the master behind the dogs. Their attack was his design and request. David reminded Saul of God’s rejection of him. He bothered Saul. His presence was a thorn in Saul’s flesh. So Saul sent forth simple instructions; “Kill David.” But thanks be to God, He is a VERY PRESENT HELP IN TIMES OF TROUBLE.

Another Psalm expresses what David learned in his many experiences:

Ps 118:5-7
5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.
6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?
7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.

He felt the panic in our passage tonight though.

Psalms 59:3-5
3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.
5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

He said, “They lie wait for my soul…” David is on his knees praying to God. It doesn’t look good. He finds himself in a situation that seems hopeless. Why does God put us in those kinds of situations? So we’ll turn to Him, and realize that His is our only source of help and hope.

David had done nothing wrong at this point. He says it; “not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.” If you read in other Psalms, David is calling out because he DID sin; like Psalm 51. This wasn’t about his sin. Just because hard times come, it doesn’t mean you’re in sin; it doesn’t mean God doesn’t love you any more.

David says, “Wake up God, and help me!” What a HUMAN thing to say! God isn’t asleep. He’s waiting for us to get on our knees. When the dogs are surrounding us, that’s what’s He’s looking for. We’re human. We have faults. But don’t forget. God is awake. He is not surprised by what’s happening in our lives.

David remembers his knowledge of God. He cries out to Jehovah Sabaoth – that is the Lord of Hosts. That title for the Lord says the He hears the cries of His people when they are afflicted. He spares them from destruction. Romans 9 mentions Jehovah Sabaoth

Romans 9:29
29 And as Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.

Jehovah Sabaoth is the LORD WHO HEARS. He is the LORD WHO HEARS US. He is the Lord of Hosts. God is the Commander in Chief. He has all the power. He’s called the God of Israel; that speaks of the COVENANT RELATIONSHIP that David had with the Lord. He had a covenant with God that couldn’t die until it was completed. It was through David’s line that Messiah would be born.

In our times of deepest panic, we need to read and study; and be reminded of who God is. We need to be reminded of His great promises.

David was in peril…

Psalms 59:6-9
6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.
9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

They return and make a noise like a dog. They seem to say, “Who’s going to hear it? Who’s going to stop us?” Let me just tell you, friend; when you’re in distress, God hears you. God HEARS. When the dogs come, God HEARS! God will judge. God will right the wrongs. He’ll clean up the discrepancies, and the inequities. God HEARS! And not only that, God’s recording all of it. He’s writing it all down.

Matthew 12:36-37
36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.

God hears us in our peril. God will take care of it. Not me.

Psalms 59:8
8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

God will turn them on themselves. David’s danger was a real danger, but when you look at it through the Lord’s eyes, it was ridiculous. God could laugh at it.

Well, we’ve looked at David’s Danger. Now let’s look at…

David’s Deliverance

Psalms 59:10-17
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Suddenly after he prays, David knows what to do. He put the pillow in the bed under the covers. He had Michal take a rope and let him down the wall. And after his escape, he’s able to express his zeal for righteousness. He talks about God’s PROTECTION.

Psalms 59:10-15
10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.
13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.
14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.
15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

His confidence was in God going before Him. His conviction was that he wanted his people to be able to recognize God’s judgment. He wanted the persecutors (the dogs) to be able to recognize God’s justice.

When God judges, He wants repentance; and if repentance doesn’t come, then judgment is carried to a further degree. They howled like dogs when they smelled blood; now they whine like dogs, because of their punishment.

And we hear David’s praises…

Psalms 59:16-17
16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

“Night is over. Day is at hand. I will praise the Lord.” The dogs go back to their king and whine about David’s escape. Even though David is probably in a cave somewhere, he could say verse 17

Psalms 59:17
17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

David was in great danger. His plea… his panic… and his peril put him in a hard position. But David had a Great Deliverer just like we do. God was his protection. And He’s ours. We can praise God just like David did even in our darkest trials

# posted by PastorChris @ 5:55 AM 0 Comments

I've decided how I'm going to do it. I've decided. I'm walking to Santa Monica, California from Jacksonville, Florida. Yup! That's how it's going to happen.

Interstate 10 is a stretch of Highway that begins in Jacksonville, Florida and extends through Florida (a very boring stretch of road) Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. It extends 2,460 miles. And I'm limiting myself to three modes of transportation - Walking, Running, or Biking. And I'm letting myself take friends along. Anyone who wants to walk with me, can help me get to Santa Monica. How?

I'm goal-oriented. I need a REASON to do something. I need a reason to BE something. So, I've established an OBTAINABLE GOAL. Some ask, "How is walking to Santa Monica an obtainable goal?" Here are the particulars...

First, I am not leaving Lake Park. I am making a chart, and I'm going to chalk off mileage as I walk here. For example... if I walk two miles on Thursday, then I now only have 2,458 miles to go until I reach Santa Monica.

Second, I'm accepting help. Why? Because no one can be truly successful at what they do or who they are without help. My friend Karen is an avid walker - like 5 or 6 times a week she walks. If she'll help me get to Santa Monica, then I can count her mileage, too. How does that help me? Because anyone being healthier is a positive thing. Especially people I care about.

If my children walk with me, and we walk 2 miles TOGETHER - then that's a total of 6 miles I can chalk off on my trip to Santa Monica. My goal is to REACH SANTA MONICA by March 3, 2008 - My 39th birthday.

Now what happens after that? Well, the earth's equator is only 7,926 miles. If I've walked to Santa Monica... that would only be 5,466 miles left to go, to get all the way around the world, (through the oceans, avoiding the Middle East altogether) back home.

I'm going to let myself do it any way I can. Because the point is not RULES... the point is GOAL. I want to get somewhere. If I walk three times this week, and only get three miles... then praise God, that's three miles off the 2,460 miles. But next week my stamina might be up to 5 miles. Who knows.

I am calling on all of you - especially those who are tired of sitting there. Help me walk to Santa Monica. If you can only muster a half mile each week, that's a help - heck, that would be 26 miles a year. I will keep track of your mileage, too, and will let you know at the end of the year how far YOU carried me on the trip.

You're probably already walking farther than you think. Buy a pedometer - and wear it at WalMart... and the mall. You probably already walk a lot farther than you imagine possible. I probably put in 2 or 3 miles every time I'm in WalMart.

So PLEASE help me walk to Santa Monica. I need your help. If you want to run, that's fine. If you'd rather ride your bike, okay. The only thing I won't count are your frequent flyer miles (no, I don't take those any more than the Airlines do) and your car mileage. No motorized or jet powered vehicles. Nothing by rail... unless your riding one of those pump-cars. Stationary bikes work. Treadmills work. If you're being chased for looting (as long as you're keeping an accurate count of mileage) that works. If the villagers behind you have pitchforks (and that happens to me way too much) okay, but I find it hard to keep up with the pedometer on those days.

Help me walk to Santa Monica. I need your help. I need your feet. I need your support. I've got a little over a year. I'm going to solicit church people. I'm going to solicit Internet Friends. HELP ME WALK TO SANTA MONICA.

See you at the PIER! Race ya!

I came to a startling realization this week. I climbed out of the bed, and went into the bathroom and stood staring at the mountanous form before me in the mirror. I had become Matt Foley.

Matt Foley was a character from Saturday Night Live, back in the late 1980's & early 1990's. He was a Motivational Speaker, who's life was a shambles. His catch phrase was "I live down by the RIVER in a VAN!" In other words, if you think your situation is tough... take a gander at mine.





Well, I've decided that Matt Foley is going to be motivation. I'm going to print his picture, and put it all over my house. I'm going to print him on t-shirts, and put him on my bathroom mirror. I'm going to use it as a visual reminder that there is a skinny person who's been devoured by Matt Foley, (the chubby who's taken over MySpace). And he's climbing out... STARTING NOW.

FRUIT THAT REMAINS

Tonight, a subject that bears on this issue of church growth; BEARING FRUIT. Fruitfulness isn’t a choice. It’s a commandment of the Lord.

From the time Adam and Eve were told to be fruitful and multiply in the NATURAL. From the day when the disciples were told to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, to be spiritually fruitful,

God expects fruit. Tonight, we’re going to discuss fruitfulness, and the implications it has for our church.

John 15:16

Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

We didn’t pick Him. He picked us. “You did not choose me, but I chose you.” We know this is the truth. God picked us. When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we feel like we’ve picked Him. But the truth He picked us. He loved us first.

1 John 4:10
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. We love Him because He first loved us. We are picked by Him for a purpose. You were picked for a purpose. God chose you in Him. He created you for a specific purpose. You’re picked.

Eph 2:10
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

We’re chosen for that very reason. That’s the depth and the premise behind our relationship with Him. We didn’t initiate this relationship with God. He did, and because of that, He’s in the driver’s seat of our hearts and lives. But why did He pick us?

He picked us for an ORDAINED PURPOSE.

“…and appointed you to go and bear fruit…”

You’ve been ordained to PRODUCE FRUIT. That’s your purpose. That’s my purpose. Fruitfulness ought to be our goal. It ought to be our purpose. What do I mean fruitfulness?

By fruitfulness – I mean being PRODUCTIVE in the kingdom of God. PRODUCING SOMETHING OF VALUE FOR GOD’S PURPOSES. The unfruitful Christian is not fulfilling his or her ordained purposes. We’re ordained for FRUIT. Fruit, winning people to Christ. Fruit, building the local church. With our time, our talent, our tithe. It’s our CALLING, to be fruitful. Unfruitfulness is not in God’s plan, He never designed that for us.

Bethel Church of God has been DESTINED by God to be a fruitful church. That’s what God has ordained that we be. I am destined to be fruitful. That is what God has ordained me to be. We’re ordained to FRUITFULNESS. It’s wrapped up into us, it’s part of the purpose for our creation.

But is that it? Unfortunately, no. Bearing fruit is NOT ENOUGH, we haven’t just been called to fruitfulness. We’ve been called to BEAR FRUIT THAT WILL LAST. “…fruit that will last…” Bearing fruit is not enough, we have to become bearers of LASTING FRUIT. Fruit that will be around for a while. Fruit that isn’t here today, and gone tomorrow. There are plenty of churches that are growing. But growing is not enough. We need to grow, and STAY GROWN.

Flash fire is here today, and gone tomorrow. But we need to be producers of fruit that will last. Fruit that will be here tomorrow. Fruit that, if Jesus tarries, will be here in the next generation. We want a fruit that is enduring. Fruit that can feed people tomorrow. Fruit that will change a generation. Fruit that will change a world. Producing for God is so important.

We know that there is a necessity to bear fruit. If we don’t bear fruit, according to John 15, we’ll be cut off. God help us if we don’t bear fruit. John 15, the first two verses read like this…

John 15:1-2
15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.

God HELP US to be fruitful. But we can’t be bearers of FRAGILE FRUIT. The fruit is no good if it doesn’t last. The fruit is no good if it’s not enduring. You and I have to decide that we’re going to be bearers of LASTING FRUIT. How do we do that? We do that by being faithful. Staying in the church through thick and thin. Being faithful, regardless of what comes. It’s about being in through good times or bad. It’s about finding the place where God has called you to be, and BLOOMING where you are planted.

We bear lasting fruit through investing. Investment means putting your resources of TODAY, into something you might not see a return on until TOMORROW. Christianity is like that. Children’s Ministry doesn’t yield its truest reward until the children are grown. Bus Ministry won’t reap its truest rewards until the kids grow up. Investing – using today’s resources for tomorrow’s blessings.

We bear lasting fruit through prayer. Praying to the Lord of the harvest… Praying that God will give us lasting fruit.

You might not realize this, but there is a secret wrapped up in this verse. Being a bearer of lasting fruit is one of the secrets of getting your prayers answered.

“…Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name…”

Whenever you become a bearer of lasting fruit. Fruit that isn’t fleeting. Fruit that stays around after the work stops. Fruit that is productive and useful. The scripture tells us that, “Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name…” Then, your prayers will be answered. Productiveness, then is a key to getting a hold of the throne of heaven. God answers the producers.

When Bethel Church of God is a productive church, producing LASTING FRUIT, then God will work to answer her prayers. When you and I become productive, producing LASTING FRUIT, then God will work to answer our prayers. But why is that? The answer is in this very chapter.

John 15:2-4
2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

He cuts off those that don’t bear fruit. Those that DO BEAR fruit, He tends to, and nurtures, He refines and prunes, so that it’s more fruitful. He wants the FRUITFUL BRANCHES to be MORE FRUITFUL. So He tends to them; He answers their prayers; He focuses on their needs; I believe that He pays more attention to those who produce for the Kingdom of God. He pays more attention to their needs. The goal is, He wants fruit, but it needs to be lasting fruit. We need to be fruitful, but it must be fruit that remains. Fruit that will be around (if Jesus tarries) beyond us. Fruit for today but also, fruit for tomorrow.

Sunday Morning, January 28, 2007

Colossians 3:1-23:1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.

When I talk about people… I need you to understand that I’m not specifically talking about you necessarily… I’m talking about all of us. So I don’t want anyone to think I’m blasting you, and ignoring me. This isn’t me pointing at you… this is me assessing generalities about PEOPLE. People are my business… and so I have an obligation to sort of size them up.

But people can be soooo stupid sometimes. I’ll use my own self as an example. I know I’m on the heavy side… AND YET I still bend my arms. KNOWING what’s wrong, and yet still doing the WRONG THING. Knowing that it’s taking years off my life… but I still go to the BUFFET. We all know what a BUFFET IS; A BUFFET is a “BUNCH OF UGLY FAT FOLKS EATING TOGETHER.” I look in the mirror… and can see that bulbous belly. And yet, if you say, “RYAN’S,” I’m like “YEAST ROLLS!”

Explain it to me; Why do people wind up DOING what will ultimately hurt them? We are quick to say suicide is a sin. But what about the people that are killing themselves SLOWLY?

Jannise and I know a man who weighed about 350 lbs and he was diabetic. For the diabetic, sugar is POISON. And yet, that’s what this man wanted. Every covered dish dinner he’d send his wife to the serving line for “just a little slice of that coconut cake.” He was constantly sneaking a cookie here and there, and we watched as the cut off toes, and then his feet, and then his legs. We watched him get heavier and heavier and heavier. The sugar killed him but he wouldn’t stop eating it.

How is it that we have ALL the facts but WE STILL DO STUPID THINGS? We know cigarettes will kill us. We know they have the same ingredients as rat poison. We know that they will give us cancer, and emphysema. We know that they can spur on heart problems… angina… even cause strokes. And yet, with all the facts, there are still people that puff away. And if you smoke, please know that I’m not sitting there faulting you. Addiction to nicotine has been PROVEN to be more addictive and harder to quit than heroine.

We know drinking alcohol will lead to addiction. We all know addiction leads to stupid behavior. And yet people DRINK LIKE A FISH and then decide, “I’m gonna DRIVE HOME.” Drinking, and driving a vehicle. Or drinking, and waking up with the Lord knows who…

What’s your point, preacher? People have this intense ability to love people and things. And I’m not telling you for a minute that it’s not good to love. It’s good to love people. It’s not good to love the wrong people. All the girls are looking for “Mr. Right.” Too many girls settle for “Mr. Right Now.”

Love is great. Loving the wrong things is detrimental. And yet we have a WHOLE WORLD of people who love the wrong things. People who love their drugs and their alcohol and their pills. People who are so desperate to BE LOVED they love too many people and wind up with some disease or with a baby before they’re ready to have one. People who love food so much they are killing their bodies by gorging them until they look like ticks ready to pop. People who love to be thin so much that they starve themselves, until they look like skin stretched over a skeleton. Some who are so spiritually hungry, they’ll pursue the devil or witchcraft or fortune tellers just to get an answer. THEY HAVE THIS INCREDIBLE LOVE but they LOVE THE WRONG THINGS. Some are saying under their breath right now, “Well, that’s the world, preacher. That’s not us… that’s not where WE LIVE.”

I guarantee you this, there is a lot more self-destructive behavior going on in this church than you can imagine. “Why, has somebody told you something?” Nobody has to tell me anything. I can tell you that it’s happening because there are HUMAN BEINGS in this room. Human beings have issues; and if you say, “I don’t have any issues…” Honey, that’s the worst issue of all.

1 John 1:88 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Romans 3:2323 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Rom 3:10There is none righteous , no, not one:

Titus 3:3-53 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

And even Jesus said when they called HIM “GOOD MASTER…”

Mark 10:18“…there is none good but one, that is, God.”

Isa 64:66 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.

We have to get to that place of honesty where we all admit that we’re human beings; Where we all admit, “I’m not there yet…” Where we all admit… “I’m sanctified… but there’s a process going on in me…” “He’s taking me someplace, but I’m not there yet.” “I’m a work in progress.” “I’m a lump of clay on a wheel.” “I’m still in the molding process.” “I’m still in the forming process.” “I’m being worked on.”

And we have to get to that place where we acknowledge “We’re a bunch of MESSED UP PEOPLE going after MESSED UP PEOPLE.”

It can change our perspective a little bit. “They aren’t going to mess up our little church. We’re ALREADY real people, with real problems.” They need the Lord. They need us. This pursuit of Christianity… more specifically, this pursuit of Jesus Christ ought to transform the seeker. It ought to change us. It ought to move us. It ought to be obvious. There should be no question about it.

Paul poses the question; “If ye then be risen with Christ…” If. If. If. If. If. That’s a challenge. It demands a proof. If you’re really risen with Christ, put your money where you mouth is.

Folks, in this WICKED and PERVERSE generation it’s time for us to put up, or shut up. It’s time for us to put our money where our mouth is. It’s time to demonstrate our FAITH. If you’re really risen with Christ SEEK THOSE THINGS WHICH ARE ABOVE.

Paul was saying to the Colossians, “If you’re really a believer, the things you seek ought to be HEAVEN’S MATTERS; HEAVEN’S BUSINESS; HEAVEN’S HEART.” You ought to be seeking those things which are heavenly. Not a new concept for the believer. Jesus established it over and over again.

Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Go after God’s business first. Bethel Church, we have a burden of proof on us. If we’re really believers, if we’re really risen with Christ we’ll seek those things which are above. We’ll seek the plan of God, the will of God, the purpose of God. The burden of proof is on us.

When are we going to start DEMONSTRATING this faith? And let me tell you, DEMONSTRATION OF OUR FAITH is more than token worship attendance once a week. It involves a lifestyle of living for the Master. Not just Sunday… not just Wednesday… but EVERY DAY! If we’re really RISEN WITH CHRIST, Jesus ought to be an every moment of every day thing for us. We ought to eat Christianity, drink Christianity, sleep it, and live it. Because in these last days, recreational Christianity isn’t going to cut it. This faith isn’t for the hobbyist. It isn’t for the part-timer. It isn’t for the amateur enthusiast.

“How can you say that preacher?” Have you read the same Bible I’ve read?

1 Peter 4:17-18
17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?

If the righteous are only BARELY going to get in, where will the PART-TIMER appear?

Friends, we have to get serious about this Christianity. We have to get SERIOUS. We’ve got to have a READJUSTED LOVE. Paul says, “ Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”

Set your affection. That word for “Set your affection…” is the Greek word PHRONEO. It literally means “EXERCISE THE MIND.” Exercise your mind ON THINGS ABOVE. Exercise; that implies PRACTICE… REHEARSAL. EXERCISE YOUR MIND on things above. PRACTICE THINKING ABOUT THE HEAVENLY… THE DIVINE.

I think one of the biggest problems with the church today is that we are thinking about ANYTHING but Him. Anything BUT the Kingdom. But you and I have to do this thing differently. We have to BECOME different. We have to be different. We can’t just PLAY church; we have to be the church. This can’t just be an exercise in futility; this has to be FAITH EMPOWERED; FAITH INACTED; FAITH GIVEN LEGS; FAITH BOUND UP WITH WORKS.

If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above. LOVE THE RIGHT THINGS. Don’t love those things which can harm the cause. Don’t love those things which ROB YOUR LIFE OF FAITH AND HOPE. Don’t show an affinity for things that wind up damaging you. We’ll fuss at the diabetic that loves sugar. We’ll fuss at the two pack- a-dayer, with a hole in his throat that talks with a synthetic vocal box. “Why doesn’t he just quit smoking?!” And yet we sabotage our faith. We ignore the Bible day in and day out, and wonder why we can’t understand it.

We only pray when there’s a problem. If we took care of our cars like we take care of our faith, we’d throw a rod within a year, bust a block. Forget that; we’d be on the side of the road with no gas, wondering why the car won’t go. If your car won’t go without gas, why in the world would you expect your faith to move without prayer? If your car won’t go without clean oil, why in the world would you expect your life to function without the HOLY GHOST? If your car has to have tires, why would you expect your life to move without the support of the Word of God?

Tell me this; if your electric goes out, what do you do? Let me tell you what I do. My first thought is, “I need to call and see what’s going on. I wonder if it’s just us or is it everyone else.” “Maybe someone had an accident and hit a transformer.” But there’s always that thought in the back of my head. “Did I forget to pay the bill?”

When our lights go off, we’ll ask questions. But when our lives are in darkness, why don’t we start asking questions? “Have I missed God someplace? Have I grieved the Holy Ghost? Have I missed the mark? Is God trying to tell me something? Have I been to the altar?”

Why do we ask questions about the natural, but we’ll ignore the spiritual? Why? Why? Church, we have to start LOVING the right things. We can’t keep our affections on the world, and expect this church to go to where God wants it to go to. We need prayer meeting on a regular basis. Fasting doesn’t need to be a once in a while thing; it needs to be a regular thing. We need to stop thinking of the Bible as a space-filler in the Sunday School Quarterly. We need to start thinking of it as a LAMP unto our feet and a LIGHT unto our path.

“Well, what are you suggesting, preacher?” Give him fifteen minutes a day in a devotional time. Give him 15 minutes a day in prayer. “I can’t find 15 minutes alone.” Then leave your honey with the kids and DRIVE TO Lake Park; buy a loaf of bread and drive home. It will take you 15 minutes to get there, and 15 minutes to get home, that’s 30 minutes you can pray by yourself in the car. Leave the radio off, leave the kids at home (not alone) and drive for that loaf of bread and PRAY.

Some say, “I don’t need no bread…” You’re missing the point. Get your 15 minutes with God NO MATTER WHAT.

We’ve got to set our affections on things above, and not on the earth. We’re in a country full of spiritual diabetics because they can’t process the sweetness of the things of God. And yet they are constantly gorging themselves on the fat of televangelism and they are wondering why they are spiritual shutting down. There are spiritual anorexics, who are starving themselves of the things of God, and they wonder why they don’t have the strength to walk across the floor for God, let alone do anything of value. Those who introduce the toxins of the world into their faith watching the demonic television and movies; listening to the music that drains the spirit. And then we wonder why we have spiritual cancer; spiritual disease; we wonder why our lives are falling apart.

“Well, that’s different preacher.” Is it? We know what we’re supposed to love and yet we love what’s bad for us. We know what we’re supposed to be, and yet we become something else. We have to get serious about this thing.

I just want to know what your week will look like this week? You’ll work. You’ll do your grocery shopping. You’ll go to school. You’ll do your laundry. You’ll do some of that yard work you’ve been neglecting. You’ll cook some collard greens. You’ll fuss at your youngins’. What will your week look like? What? Tell me?

What if SOMEHOW, we DID KNOW when Jesus was coming back? What if we somehow found out that Jesus would return NEXT SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 2007 at 11:45 a.m.? What if we were able to find this out; ONE WEEK FROM TODAY? You now have that information. Now, tell me, what would your week look like?

I can guarantee you, you’d be up here asking me after this service “Preacher, can we have a prayer meeting tonight through till tomorrow morning; all-night prayer.” I’d say, “Well, how are you going to eat?” You’d say, “Oh, I won’t need to eat. I’m fasting. Jesus is coming. I have to make sure my heart is right.” You wouldn’t care a thing about work, because your job wouldn’t matter in 7 days. You’d forget about the grocery shopping. “We’ll make it on what we have; we don’t need to waste one minute walking around a store. We need to be praying.” You’d say, “Forget about school; my kids need to be in the presence of God.” You’d go over the plan of salvation with them about a dozen times in those next few days. You’d say, “What’s a little dirty laundry? I’ll leave it for the heathen to wash once I’m gone. I’m going to heaven.” You wouldn’t care if your yard work got done. You wouldn’t even think about the collard greens. You’d do a lot less fussin’ and a lot more loving.

Jesus coming would change the course of your week. Why? Because your mind wouldn’t be on things of this earth; your affection would be on heavenly things. I wouldn’t have to beg you to sing. God wouldn’t have to drag tears out of your eyes. You’d weep spontaneously thinking about heaven and the loved ones you’ve lost. You’d spontaneously break into songs like “Amazing Grace” and “Blessed Assurance” I can’ promise you, you’d become the most passionate powerful Christian in the world. You’d pray without ceasing. You would. Trust me.

Do you know how I know? Because on 9/11, I was pastoring a church in New Orleans. And when those planes hit the towers I had a whole church full of people that were convinced that the end of the world was on us. They all wanted to pray then. They all wanted to sing. They all wanted to worship. They all wanted to get serious about God then.

A lot of folks have let Christianity become like a big game of Russian Roulette. Everyday they gamble that THIS won’t be the day that Jesus comes back. They forget their Bible for most of the week. They don’t utter a prayer unless someone is looking. They don’t ever share their faith. They don’t ever get serious about the things of God. You’d have to beg them to sing in a choir or share a solo or read a scripture or pray in public. And they are banking that Jesus won’t come today.

But one day the Rapture gun is going to go off. All our “woulda, shoulda, couldas” aren’t going to matter one bit. The only thing that’s going to matter is WHERE YOUR AFFECTION is.

If you have to, PRETEND. Pretend you only have ONE WEEK till the Rapture. Pretend you only have ONE WEEK to make full proof of your faith before God. Pretend you have to justify the claim that you are RISEN WITH CHRIST. ONLY ONE WEEK to seek those things which are above; that place where Christ is seated at the right hand of God the Father making intercession for His own. ONLY ONE WEEK to set your AFFECTION on the things which are above. ONLY ONE WEEK to clear your mind of the things on this earth. Don’t waste the final moments of time worrying about STUPID THINGS. Don’t waste time’s final glimmers worrying about TEMPORAL THINGS. SET YOUR MIND on things above. “What preacher?” SOULS. PRAYER. THE BIBLE. BEING FILLED WITH THE HOLY GHOST. EXPRESSING LOVE. Don’t waste a minute of this life on things that don’t matter. Get yourself a readjusted love before a bad love winds up killing you.

John 4:35
Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

Jesus says “Say ye not…” "Don’t you say this? Can you not discern the appropriate times to harvest in the natural. Can't you tell when it's time to bring in the crops in the natural world. Then take a spiritual look at the harvest field before you - it's white. It's ready to harvest."

Jesus is saying, “Don’t put off the HARVEST…” Don’t wait to harvest, or the harvest will go to waste. We can’t allow the harvest to die in the field. We must harvest it while we still have the time. What could put us off? Why would we ever put the brakes on the harvest?

Sometimes we hesitate because we’re afraid of uncharted territory. “We’ve never done it that way before…” New territory… new methods… new programs… new directions… It’s easy to get uneasy when you’re sailing through uncharted waters; places you’ve never been to before; reaching new people with new ways of reaching them. But if we are going to be successful in the Lord’s harvest field, we’re going to have to get down to business and try some new things.

There are a lot of folks that are holding on to the idea that church should never change. And yet, the world changes.

I grew up in Sunday School, where my teacher would use the flannel board to tell me about Moses, and Elijah, Joseph and especially Jesus. I would sit spell-bound for the whole hour while she positioned those cardboard cutouts on the flannel board. I remember my teacher building the story of the children of Israel and their 40 years in the desert with a sandbox, and figures made of pipe cleaners, and scraps of fabric. But friend, this is the video generation. My children can do more with my cell phone than I can do. They are computer gurus at 11 and almost 9 years old.

I remember the time BEFORE the microwave, and they can’t understand the value of a home-cooked meal because it TAKES TOO LONG. I can remember when we would TYPE bulletins on a typewriter, and run them off on an old mimeograph machine. And today we can download graphics for our bulletin by DSL, and print directly from the computer to the printer/copier/fax machine

And the kids can probably put it together better than we can. We can’t hesitate in making that transition. We have to be a church body that not only grows in physical numbers, But also spiritually growing, financially growing; inside our walls and outside of our walls as well.

We have to present facilities and equipment that grow with this community. We have to expand when we need to expand; build when we need to build; buy when we need to buy. And why? Why do we have to change? Because we have to become effective partners with God in His business.

We have to become a source for people of all ages; for children; for youth; for young adults; for adults; for senior adults. We have to endeavor to love the hopeless and the helpless. We have to make a choice to become a community resource. All the while we have to work to take our adherents to a higher spiritual level. We have to develop an effective prayer, healing and deliverance ministry. Our services should be alive with the power of the Holy Ghost. We need to get a hold of the revival sweeping this nation. And we have to change to a position of EVANGELISM for the sake of our community.

And it’s going to take a paradigm shift.

I have a very good friend from the Orlando Area, named Rick. Rick is a Shaklee salesman. The thing that is amazing about Rick, that he can find a way to interject Shaklee into ANY LIFE PROBLEM from two perspectives: (1.) He BELIEVES in the product, and (2.) He wants to make that sale.

Well, I’m marketing a product that is guaranteed to cure and heal, help and repair. And it becomes my pleasure to interject Him into every conversation I have with anyone. I believe in Bethel Church of God, and what God’s doing here. It becomes a pleasure to interject information about our church into every conversation I have with anyone. We have to become makers of disciples and teachers of the gospel message and faith. We have to become edifiers of these new converts; training them to observe Christ’s commands. We have to WANT to see people saved, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. We have to desire it.

This isn’t just about us; this is about HIS KINGDOM, HIS POWER and HIS GLORY FOREVER.

Sometimes we hesitate because of today’s lack. “Pastor, we don’t have the financial means to do what we need to do…” “We’d like to save the whole city… but we don’t have the room to accommodate them…” “We’d like to see many come to Christ here… but we are sort of like the dog chasing the car… If we caught it, what would we do with it?” “If we get them in here… what are we going to do with them?” “We need more teachers… more workers… more leaders… more givers… we need more than what we have…”

And so we hesitate. But I’m here to tell you today, that the just STILL live by faith: If we hesitate, or draw back… God’s not going to have any pleasure in us. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. Hebrews 10:38-39

Jesus said it like this…

Luke 9:62
62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.

We’ve put our hand to this plough at Bethel Church of God, and now’s not the time for us to reconsider or look back or draw back. Now is the time for us to advance… forcefully advance! Matt 11:12 tells us that “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

We have to become that ardent in our passion and enthusiastic in our message. We have to keep our hand on the plough and HOLD ON until we get this. We have to become like Eleazar smiting the enemies of God until our hand literally becomes joined to the sword of the Lord. Sometimes, we hesitate because we’re apathetic. It’s too easy to tell a dying world, “Be warmed, and filled, and clothed and fed…” And yet their need is still there. They are still cold, and naked, and hungry and thirsty.

There’s an absolute apathy today to the need of people. Every person we see, we ought to view him, view her as God views them. “THIS IS A PRECIOUS SOUL… something so precious that the Only-Begotten son of God was offered in their stead…” Nothing was more valuable to God, so nothing can be more valuable to me.

“Lord, lay some soul upon my heart…” If it’s my waitress, my hair dresser, my doctor, whoever. Let me become a purveyor of the gospel message. Let me be a lighthouse for the wayward, and a hope for the hopeless.

Sometimes we hesitate because we’re disobedient to Him. He said go, but we don’t. He said share the message, but we don’t. He said make disciples, but we don’t. But if we have the knowledge of this impending judgment that is coming upon the face of the whole earth; if we know there is a heaven, and a hell and that there is a way out of the latter; and if we don’t say to the wicked, “Thou shalt surely die…” and warn him in the error of his ways, then his blood will be required at OUR HAND according to Ezekiel 3.

We can’t hesitate. There isn’t time for that. We have to preach the Word without hesitation and without doubt. For the Christian, there isn’t some set period of time until the Second Coming or until the end of the harvest; the HARVEST is NOW. No man knows the day or the hour. But the wise virgin is awaiting with Bridegroom with a lamp full of oil, and a trimmed wick, and prepared unto the wedding supper of the Lamb.

No one knows the day or the hour. It’s going to take people by surprise. If we knew what time the thief was coming we’d have the alarm on; but NO MAN KNOWETH. That’s why He tells us to take heed, watch and pray.

1 Peter tells us that “…the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.” (1 Peter 4:7)

Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame. (Revelation 16:15)

Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door. (James 5:9)

HARVEST IS HERE. HARVEST IS NOW. He says it’s all around us if we’ve got eyes to see it. A lot of times we can’t see the forest for the trees. That harvest is all around us. It’s all around us. Now the harvest field is NOT going to be filled up with picture-perfect, spiritually prepared Christians. No, honey; we catch ‘em and then we let the Holy Ghost clean ‘em. Guess what the harvest field is full of? People who cuss like sailors and drink like fish; people who can’t hold down jobs, and who have anger problems; people with emotional disorders and people with baggage. The harvest field is full of people with dysfunctions and morality issues. It’s full of people with drug problems and perversions. It’s full of FISH that WE are to catch. It’s not our job to clean them up; we just catch.

We just go out into the highways and the hedges and compel them to come in, so that the house will be full. Then the HOLY GHOST cleans them; the HOLY GHOST gets them ready for service. The Holy Ghost cleans their tongues, and prepares their hearts. Now the thing we’re going to have the most trouble with, is resisting that urge to try to clean people up; that’s not our job. That’s God’s job. We just get them in here; let the Holy Ghost clean them. Let the Holy Ghost clean them.

Jesus says, “BEHOLD…” In other words, “This is something important I want you to see it.” Sometimes we have to OPEN OUR EYES, so that we can see what God’s trying to show us. There are things we might not be getting.

I earnestly believe that Bethel is NOT YET LIVING her highest purpose for the Kingdom of God. We’re not yet living our HIGHEST PURPOSE for winning this city. But if we’re ever going to reach our potential we’re going to have to open our eyes and see it the way God’s seeing it. “I say unto YOU…”

“Hey! I’m talking to you here… PAY ATTENTION!!” He casts aside ANY DOUBTS that this is a message for anyone else. I think it’s a message for us. “I’m saying unto you… Lift up your eyes!”

I think of how many times my Mom tried to talk to me. I think of how many times my wife has tried to talk to me… Both of them have had to work at it a few times, just to get my attention. Occasionally each has had to get me to stop what I was doing so I’d pay attention to what they were saying. I’m a multi-tasker, so I do a lot of things at the same time. And it is frustrating for the person who tries to talk to me. But sometimes, we have to be INTERRUPTED in our plans, paths and purposes to hear from Jesus.

“I want you to LOOK UP FROM WHAT YOU’RE CURRENTLY DOING. Take a minute, and view things my way.”

This is Jesus’ business. Don’t you think we could take a few business tips from Him? “LOOK UP! Stop! Focus on what I’m saying. LOOK on the fields!” He’s saying, “LOOK AT THE POTENTIAL. Don’t you see what’s possible?” Of course, we have to get our attention on His plans.

I believe that there are fields in Echols County that have never been harvested. I believe that there are souls that are just ripe for the picking. I believe that there might be hurting people that need this message that we’re preaching. There might be someone that needs what we’re doing here. There might be someone who needs to hear…

“NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE… NO MATTER WHAT YOU’VE DONE… NO MATTER WHERE YOU’VE BEEN… WHEN YOU COME TO BETHEL CHURCH OF GOD, WE’RE GOING TO LOVE YOU.” Without question; without hesitation; without a doubt; no matter what you look like. No matter, we’re going to love you.

Fields that have never been harvested; whole neighborhoods that have never been evangelized. Fields… FIELDS… that’s large, open spaces full of fruit.

For generations this church has cried out and wept before the Lord. And cried out and carried the seed of the Gospel into the fields. But I have an assurance from the Word today; your years of service are not going to be null and void.

If God will allow me, I’ll be sitting here in 2010. The pictures out there on the back wall begin in 1910… is that our year of inception? Is that the year it all started? If it is, you just wait and see! 2010 will be a barn-burner. We’ll have tent service, put up the brush arbor… we’ll have special guests from far and wide, and dinner on the grounds that will make Jenny Craig spontaneously start calling people in this church to try to help us out.

But friends, the years since the building of this building are not for nothing.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him. (Psalm 126:6)

We’ve got some reaping to do today for the planting you did yesterday. And God’s got a crop READY for a harvest. That phrase “white unto harvest…” that meant the EARS were ready to be picked. I believe that there are FIELDS OF PEOPLE out in these streets that are just RIPE for the pickin’. But do we have the vision to see it come to pass? We’ve got to step into this harvest field

We’ve got to get the VISION. We have to BEHOLD. We have to LIFT UP OUR EYES, or look up from what we’re doing. We have to SEE THE HARVEST.

I've been off the internet for 10 days! Did you miss me? Yeah, I still posted a few times, but had a hard time via cell phone. Now, my WildBlue is back. (Yeah!!)

I'll try to get some stuff up tomorrow.

:o)~

Thursday Morning, January 11, 2007

Luke 22:32
But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

There is nothing more important to me than the prayers of God’s people. How in a moment of weakness, I can call upon the people of God, and they will put up a prayer to heaven, and shake the foundations of hell with the prayer of faith.

In Jannise’s recent time of infirmity, the first thought that came to my mind was, “I must have the people of God pray for her.” So I began to make phone calls… I sent forth emails on the internet. Before too long… hundreds of people were lifting Jannise up to the throne. It wasn’t too long before her condition began to improve. I attribute her healing to the people of God. I minister in a praying church, and the people of Bethel know how to pray for those who are sick. They pray the prayer of faith… and they recover. I’ve seen it over and over again even in the three months I’ve been here. We are in a praying church.

And I trust my internet friends and their prayers. So many times I have forwarded requests to those all over this country… Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina… as far North as New Jersey; as far west as California; several in Missouri… and even some as far North as Canada. I even have a friend in London who prays with us during times of trouble. (Hey, Ems!) I thank God for EVERY prayer. Every single one. I’ve seen things turn around within just a few minutes of the people of God praying, and believing.

But do you know the prayer that moves me the most? The prayer that has the most profound impact on my life? The prayer that really has the most powerful effect? The fact that the Lord Jesus Christ HIMSELF is praying unceasingly for ME; constantly making intercession for His own. From the minute the weight and burden of life hits my heart… when I begin to pray, He makes intercession for us… Even when I’m not praying, He becomes the Champion of our cause. He protects me from dangers unseen, and dispatches angels to my side. His own Spirit comforts and guides. These are the prayers which most profoundly impact me. These are the prayers which humble me to the core. Not that man might say a word to God on my behalf, but that the Savior would whisper a prayer to the Father for me.

Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

What a comfort! “Simon, Satan wants you so that he can sift you like wheat… now go pray for your own self. Lift your own name up to God. Ask God for help ALL BY YOURSELF!” Nope. That’s not what it says. The Lord would be completely justified to tell us to go and pray for ourselves. But He didn’t do that. What did He say?
I’VE PRAYED FOR YOU. I’ve prayed for you, so that your faith won’t fail.

Only God knows how many times Jesus’ own prayers for me have kept me out of a mess of trouble. Only GOD knows how many times I’ve been pulled out of the tempest because of Jesus’ concern for my soul. Only GOD knows the miracles that came about because of His prayers for me.

When I stand victorious in the face of troubles, it would do me good not to get the “big head” or think it’s because of my own strength; in all likelihood, when I AM victorious, it is because Jesus prayed for me; because He made intercession for His own; because He called out my name to the Father. How many times did Jesus unseat the devil, before He even had the time to attack me? How many times was satan’s assignment cancelled because of those sacred prayers? Only God knows.

I’m telling you, Jesus never STOPS praying… not during the daytime when we run here and there… or by night, while we lay on our bed and sleep. He PRAYS FOR US.

Thank you Jesus, because you never stopped praying for me. You never stopped, day or night. He reminds the throne of heaven, “These stripes on my back are for Chris’ healing. These wounds in my hands and feet were for his sins. He is mine, and I am his.”

I like the fact, too, that the prayer started… even before the devil did. Jesus anticipated the coming attack against Peter, and had ALREADY PRAYED. “I see it coming, so I’ve already prayed.” Thank God that His MERCY can still outrun the devil.

He didn’t say, “Satan wants you, and when he gets here, I’m going to pray for you. Before Satan could even start the fight, Jesus finished it. It’s already done. Before the prosecuting attorney, the devil, can even step into the courtroom of heaven, Jesus says, “I’ve already entered your not-guilty verdict, and I’ve settled it with the Judge. I’ve paid for it with my own blood. You’re PRAYED FOR.”

I love your prayers… called out to heaven for me. PLEASE don’t stop praying them. I need every single one. But I am so grateful for the prayers of my precious Savior. They turn the devil upside down… and keep me alive day by day.

“But I have prayed for thee…”

And He’s praying for YOU, TOO!