Monthly Archives: October 2013

A Prayer Table

31 Thursday Oct 2013

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At a women’s conference some years back, we were taught the value of having a prayer table, giving a focused way to draw into communion with God.  On the table we were to place things that reminded us of our spiritual journey, the concept coming from the book of Joshua where God told the Israelites to place rocks in certain places as acts of remembrance (see Joshua 4:6-7).

The things I chose for my prayer table were these: an old hymnal that I had sung and played from so many times it was falling apart; a few small stones to remind me that just as God had been faithful to His Israelite children, He had been faithful to me; a candle whose flame would help me move into a quiet time; a small wooden angel, a reminder of the angels God has watching over me; a cross, the cost of my salvation; a favorite devotional book that has provided more insight than any other, “My Utmost for His Highest” by Oswald Chambers; a small plaque with the words of Jeremiah 29:11, words that encouraged me though an especially tough time in my life. And last, but the first thing chosen for my prayer table, a Bible given me at the time of high school graduation in 1961. This beautiful white Bible with a zipped cover was particularly special to me because it came from a neighboring church pastor and his wife and not my own; I had been remembered with the same gift he and his wife had given to the graduates of their church.

A prayer table is only one way of establishing a focused place for prayer. Some have a rug or mat that they spread and lie face down on to pray. Others choose a closet or room without windows to remove all distractions. I find the music of a certain artist, Terry MacAlmon, a tremendous drawing power to the throne of God and his songs of praise are the first sounds that fills my house every morning. Whatever the mode, anything that helps us move deeper into God’s presence is a good thing. Jesus Himself taught us that.

JesusPraying 1“Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer” (NET).

I Believe in Heaven

20 Sunday Oct 2013

Posted by in Christian service

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I am reading a book of near-death experiences, I Believe in Heaven: Real Stories from the Bible, History and Today. Written by Cecil Murphey and Twila Belk, it is a compilation of many people’s stories of going to heaven and returning to tell about it. In each case the individual did not want to return, but did so because there was work still to do.

This is a captivating book and gratitude is due the authors for skillfully summarizing numerous stories on what heaven is like. The similarities are there: the glorious and indescribable beauty of heaven, the sounds of music like we have never heard, the appearances of Jesus, being greeted by family or friends now living in eternity, the total, embracing love of God and joy in being with Him. But it is the reasons for return that give pause to ponder—that work left undone.

One person’s story says the sins he believed most grievous were not what was of concern in heaven; rather, it was the things he should have done and didn’t, the missed opportunities for service. And therein lies something for we who remain earthbound to think about.  Not to discount any sin, but to consider what we are passing by and leaving undone and the potential value of those deeds.

It is a normal thing for individuals to want great things to accomplish. It gives a sense of knowing one’s purpose in living, provides a marker for their existence once gone. However it is important to remember man cannot see great things the way the Lord does, for God sees the beginning and the end of things and all the blessed offshoots along the way. An incident we may see as insignificant could lead to a trickle down effect of tremendous greatness for the kingdom of God.

Colossians 3:17 says Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are admonished to regard every action we take as opportunity to touch someone’s life in a positive way, to sow for the harvest of God, and build up personal treasures in heaven. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; for there is no activity or planning or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol where you are going (Ecclesiastes 9:10). In other words, a time comes when the door of opportunity is soundly closed.

Holy Spirit, Counselor of God, we implore You to remind us moment by moment that we are the instruments of God. Press upon us the things You would have us do that we might not miss opportunities to do the work of the kingdom before us. Reform our hearts to submission and obedience and remove from us our attempts to determine what is valuable. In the name of the One who alone is worthy, amen.

Faith versus Fear

02 Wednesday Oct 2013

Posted by in faith

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It is in fear that faith is lost, confusion reigns and miracles are denied.

When we close the door on God’s abilities because our own are inadequate, we hamper not just His love but the fullness of it.  He would provide so much, but we keep refusing Him in our little faith.

David, the psalmist, declared the intention for those who revere God:  that He allows friendship “and reveals the secrets of His promises.”

We long to be included in such a friendship, but while it is available, we refuse the secrets, crying out instead that there is no logic – and so we deny the whispers of the One who would befriend us.

In self-induced pain, we toss and turn, we weep pitifully.  We say, “How could a loving God allow me to be so deceived?”  In fact, we should be thanking Him for the revelation and watching eagerly for its fulfillment.

Oswald Chambers writes, “We have to live in the gray day according to what we saw on the mount.”  When God reveals a certain matter to us, we should live in faith until it happens.  We should trust His whispers in friendship.  Surely we stop a lot of miracles with our reluctance to trust wonderfully in our God.

How carefully we tiptoe about, demonstrating more fear than faith, forgetting the power of our God.  His joy is in giving; His word declares that He is able.  “My purpose will be established . . . .  I have planned it; surely I will do it.”

But we must hold onto the knowledge that without faith it is impossible to please God.  When we refuse Him our faith, we fail to activate all that our Lord would do for us.  J. Oswald Sanders said that “when sight brings no helpful vision and comfortable emotions are largely absent, the prayer of faith finds its greatest opportunity.”

The words of Martin Luther enhanced such a statement when he wrote, “not the merits of my prayer but the certainty of Thy truth.”

Just how many miracles do we deny when we stare dead center into the face of our problems and not into the face of the Problem Solver instead?  If we would but lift our chins upward and rest them in the palm of His waiting hand, we would unleash all the glory and truth of heaven.