Someone made a comment re my latest blog on "The Proper Posture For Prayer" which prompted this devotional and probably a few more in the days to come.
You see, the Blood (and I'm referring to the Blood of Christ) is my favorite subject. I've even written a 14-lesson Bible study on the subject. I'd love to incorporate that study into these blogs, but that would take forever and a day!
The important thing is that THE BLOOD IS OUR PASSPORT TO HEAVEN!
In my blog I used the term "pleading the Blood." Perhaps you are wondering what I mean by "pleading the Blood." I'll answer that question in another blog, probably my next one.
Some people say that those of us who believe in pleading the Blood are off base as the Bible never commands us to do so. They also argue that the Apostles never pled the Blood. No matter what arguments are used against this practice, there is one argument that cannot be refuted. IT WORKS! PLEADING THE BLOOD WORKS!
H. A. Maxwell Whyte, in his book, "The Power of the Blood" states: "I have never known the active, audible pleading of the Blood to fail." God honors the Blood. So don't be too quick to say we're adding to Scripture by pleading the Blood.
Preacher's Kid
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Thursday, March 26, 2009
PROPER POSTURE FOR PRAYER
What's the proper posture for prayer anyway? Should we kneel? Should we stand? Should we close our eyes? Should we fold or clasp our hands? Etc., etc., etc.
Somewhere in my files, I have a poem about a farmer who was apparently faced with the same question. His answer was, "The prayin'est prayer I ever prayed was standin' on my head!" Seems he had fallen into a well head first and that's when he prayed, desperately prayed! I don't recall how his prayer was answered, but it must have been answered or he wouldn't have been able to tell his story!
For me, one of the prayin'est prayers I ever prayed was sitting in my car, eyes wide open, while sliding down an icy off-ramp! At the bottom of the ramp I needed to make a 180-degree left-hand turn. But the car wasn't responding to my efforts. It was headed for a field straight ahead where another car had already landed! And I was headed for that other car!
I only had time to utter two words as I took my hands completely off the steering wheel and my feet off all foot pedals. "The Blood!" was all I had time to pray -- not even "The Blood of Jesus," or "Help me, Lord," or "I plead the Blood." Just "The Blood!" But that was enough! With my hands and feet off all controls to my vehicle, the moment I voiced "The Blood," that car made the smoothest left-hand turn you could ever hope to see, and I was on a road free of ice and snow!
I think the Scripture we quoted in yesterday's blog says it all and answers the question of proper posture for prayer: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Searching for God with all our heart is the key to effective prayer. Posture has nothing to do with it!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I haven't been able to kneel for more than ten years, thanks to arthritis and osteoporosis! Thank the Lord that doesn't hinder me from praying while in a sitting position and even while lying in bed!
Somewhere in my files, I have a poem about a farmer who was apparently faced with the same question. His answer was, "The prayin'est prayer I ever prayed was standin' on my head!" Seems he had fallen into a well head first and that's when he prayed, desperately prayed! I don't recall how his prayer was answered, but it must have been answered or he wouldn't have been able to tell his story!
For me, one of the prayin'est prayers I ever prayed was sitting in my car, eyes wide open, while sliding down an icy off-ramp! At the bottom of the ramp I needed to make a 180-degree left-hand turn. But the car wasn't responding to my efforts. It was headed for a field straight ahead where another car had already landed! And I was headed for that other car!
I only had time to utter two words as I took my hands completely off the steering wheel and my feet off all foot pedals. "The Blood!" was all I had time to pray -- not even "The Blood of Jesus," or "Help me, Lord," or "I plead the Blood." Just "The Blood!" But that was enough! With my hands and feet off all controls to my vehicle, the moment I voiced "The Blood," that car made the smoothest left-hand turn you could ever hope to see, and I was on a road free of ice and snow!
I think the Scripture we quoted in yesterday's blog says it all and answers the question of proper posture for prayer: "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)
Searching for God with all our heart is the key to effective prayer. Posture has nothing to do with it!
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I haven't been able to kneel for more than ten years, thanks to arthritis and osteoporosis! Thank the Lord that doesn't hinder me from praying while in a sitting position and even while lying in bed!
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
A LANGUAGE THAT GOD UNDERSTANDS
My husband and I read a most interesting true story the other day. An evangelist was preaching at an Indian reservation. At the end of his message he invited those who wanted to find Christ to kneel at the altar at the front of the church. Many people came forward and the Christians gathered round them to encourage them in prayer.
Suddenly the evangelist heard an unusual sound for a church service. "Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a" it came, again and again. Thinking someone might have left a door or window open and an animal had wandered inside the building, he looked around. All windows and doors were securely closed. Then it came again, "Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a."
This time the evangelist traced the sound to a little boy kneeling at the end of the altar. "Baa-a-a. Baa-a-a," it kept getting louder and louder as the evangelist approached the boy.
"Why are you saying 'Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a?'" asked the evangelist kindly.
The boy lifted his tear-stained face. "I take care of my family's sheep," he said. "And when a little lamb gets lost, it cries 'Baa-a-a' so its mother can find him. I'm a lost lamb, and I'm crying for the Shepherd to come find me."
What did God do? The only thing He could do -- He looked at the heart and saved that little Indian boy.
No where does the Word of God demand that we use certain approved forms of communication when we pray. All God is looking for is an earnest, sincere heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 declares; "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Have you prayed with all your heart recently?
Preacher's Kid
Suddenly the evangelist heard an unusual sound for a church service. "Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a" it came, again and again. Thinking someone might have left a door or window open and an animal had wandered inside the building, he looked around. All windows and doors were securely closed. Then it came again, "Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a."
This time the evangelist traced the sound to a little boy kneeling at the end of the altar. "Baa-a-a. Baa-a-a," it kept getting louder and louder as the evangelist approached the boy.
"Why are you saying 'Baa-a-a, Baa-a-a?'" asked the evangelist kindly.
The boy lifted his tear-stained face. "I take care of my family's sheep," he said. "And when a little lamb gets lost, it cries 'Baa-a-a' so its mother can find him. I'm a lost lamb, and I'm crying for the Shepherd to come find me."
What did God do? The only thing He could do -- He looked at the heart and saved that little Indian boy.
No where does the Word of God demand that we use certain approved forms of communication when we pray. All God is looking for is an earnest, sincere heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 declares; "And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart."
Have you prayed with all your heart recently?
Preacher's Kid
Thursday, March 19, 2009
ARE YOUR SINS COVERED? MINE AREN'T!!!
Yes, you read that title correctly!
My sins are NOT covered, and neither are yours if you're a bona fide born-again Christian!
Did you ever notice that if you cover something, you can remove the cover, and voila, the thing you covered is right there in plain sight for all to see? I sure don't want others to see my sins!
The believer is not covered by the blood of Christ; he is cleansed by it.
The word "remit" means to refrain from exacting a penalty. Ezekiel 18:20 tells us, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." But Christ became our substitute; He died in our place, and our sins were remitted, not covered.
Remit also means to forgive. Our sins were forgiven, not covered.
The word "atonement" means covered, and is an Old Testament word. The only time it appears in the New Testament is in Romans 5:11. The original Greek word used there means "reconciliation," which is what most versions use.
People living in Old Testament times had to make annual sacrifices for their sins. The blood of bulls and goats had to be shed each year as an atonement, a covering for their sins. THEY were covered by the blood from one year to the next. But when Christ gave His life on Calvary, it was a one-time offering. It was more than covering where the sacrifice needed to be renewed every year. It was remission.
Now we can understand that our sins are not covered, but remitted.
I don't want anyone uncovering my sins! No, they're gone -- gone forever!
Praise the Lord.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I found something interesting along this line in Micah 5:18-20. Micah tells his people in verse 19 that God would "cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." That certainly beats covering them! A note in my Scofield Bible says that this Scripture is read in the synagogues once every year on the Day of Atonement. But the interesting thing is that an orthodox Jew will go to a river or stream of water and symbolically empty his pockets of his sins, casting them into the water.
My sins are NOT covered, and neither are yours if you're a bona fide born-again Christian!
Did you ever notice that if you cover something, you can remove the cover, and voila, the thing you covered is right there in plain sight for all to see? I sure don't want others to see my sins!
The believer is not covered by the blood of Christ; he is cleansed by it.
The word "remit" means to refrain from exacting a penalty. Ezekiel 18:20 tells us, "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." But Christ became our substitute; He died in our place, and our sins were remitted, not covered.
Remit also means to forgive. Our sins were forgiven, not covered.
The word "atonement" means covered, and is an Old Testament word. The only time it appears in the New Testament is in Romans 5:11. The original Greek word used there means "reconciliation," which is what most versions use.
People living in Old Testament times had to make annual sacrifices for their sins. The blood of bulls and goats had to be shed each year as an atonement, a covering for their sins. THEY were covered by the blood from one year to the next. But when Christ gave His life on Calvary, it was a one-time offering. It was more than covering where the sacrifice needed to be renewed every year. It was remission.
Now we can understand that our sins are not covered, but remitted.
I don't want anyone uncovering my sins! No, they're gone -- gone forever!
Praise the Lord.
Preacher's Kid
P.S. I found something interesting along this line in Micah 5:18-20. Micah tells his people in verse 19 that God would "cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." That certainly beats covering them! A note in my Scofield Bible says that this Scripture is read in the synagogues once every year on the Day of Atonement. But the interesting thing is that an orthodox Jew will go to a river or stream of water and symbolically empty his pockets of his sins, casting them into the water.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
HAVE YOU SEEN JESUS LATELY?
Several versions of a story have been making the rounds on E-mail lately. In fact, I've seen it several times. Maybe you have, too.
Seems a man asked God to show him what He looked like. So God sent a beautiful bird to perch on the man's windowsill. But he shooed it away impatiently.
Next God sent a cooling shower to refresh the parched ground. But the man complained because the rain interfered with his plans for the afternoon.
Then a beautiful rainbow spread its brilliant colors across the sky. But the man was too engrossed in his work to notice this display of God's handiwork.
And so the day progressed with one display after another of God's love and provision. But the man missed them all because he figured that if God was really God, He would show Himself in personal form.
Have YOU seen God lately?
I have. I saw Him just last week. Yep, I really did!
It was one of those days when absolutely everything went wrong, and I fell apart. I was so depressed I considered phoning my son in California who is a psychologist. Anxious to calm me, my husband, standing behind my La-Z-Boy, hugged me and asked me how he could help.
"Nothing can help," I sobbed, "unless maybe the cat would get on my lap." Petting a cat has always had a calming effect on me. But you need to understand that our cat is NOT a lap cat. The only way to get him to snuggle on my lap is to pick him up physically then HOLD HIM TIGHTLY. Keeping him there longer than two minutes is an unheard of feat!
But no sooner were the words out of my mouth than Tippy appeared out of nowhere, vaulted over the arm of my chair, and curled up on my lap of his own free will as though he had been doing that ever since we've had him!
"Did he hear from the Lord?" asked my astonished husband.
Yes, I saw the Lord. When I desperately needed Him, I saw Him in a cat!
After a half hour of petting Tippy, I became calm once more. Tippy jumped down and hasn't attempted to climb on my lap again.
Preacher's Kid
{P.S. We know now that it was a new medication, Roland, that brought on the depression!}
Seems a man asked God to show him what He looked like. So God sent a beautiful bird to perch on the man's windowsill. But he shooed it away impatiently.
Next God sent a cooling shower to refresh the parched ground. But the man complained because the rain interfered with his plans for the afternoon.
Then a beautiful rainbow spread its brilliant colors across the sky. But the man was too engrossed in his work to notice this display of God's handiwork.
And so the day progressed with one display after another of God's love and provision. But the man missed them all because he figured that if God was really God, He would show Himself in personal form.
Have YOU seen God lately?
I have. I saw Him just last week. Yep, I really did!
It was one of those days when absolutely everything went wrong, and I fell apart. I was so depressed I considered phoning my son in California who is a psychologist. Anxious to calm me, my husband, standing behind my La-Z-Boy, hugged me and asked me how he could help.
"Nothing can help," I sobbed, "unless maybe the cat would get on my lap." Petting a cat has always had a calming effect on me. But you need to understand that our cat is NOT a lap cat. The only way to get him to snuggle on my lap is to pick him up physically then HOLD HIM TIGHTLY. Keeping him there longer than two minutes is an unheard of feat!
But no sooner were the words out of my mouth than Tippy appeared out of nowhere, vaulted over the arm of my chair, and curled up on my lap of his own free will as though he had been doing that ever since we've had him!
"Did he hear from the Lord?" asked my astonished husband.
Yes, I saw the Lord. When I desperately needed Him, I saw Him in a cat!
After a half hour of petting Tippy, I became calm once more. Tippy jumped down and hasn't attempted to climb on my lap again.
Preacher's Kid
{P.S. We know now that it was a new medication, Roland, that brought on the depression!}
Monday, March 9, 2009
SUGGESTIONS FOR CELEBRATING LENT
Fasting has always been a large part of Lent.
I once read of a man who urged his children to do more than give up candy (their idea of fasting) and give up some habit of sin in their lives instead. About halfway through the Lenten season, he asked the children how they were doing. One of his sons who had promised to give up fighting with his siblings during Lent said, "I'm doing OK, Dad -- but boy, I can hardly wait until Easter!"
Although Christ had not been born when Isaiah lived, let alone been crucified and resurrected, Isaiah had a good grip on the type of fast that was pleasing to God. Read Isaiah 58:3-7. Although it's too lengthy to quote in its entirety, let me point out verses 6 and 7. "Is this not the fast I have chosen--to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
If you really want to celebrate Lent, ask yourself the following questions, answer them honestly, then act accordingly.
Do I share gladly what I have with others, including strangers and the poor?
Is my attitude toward others gracious and patient, especially with those who irritate me?
Do I sense God's presence in my personal life as well as in corporate worship?
Are my devotional life and my prayer life progressing?
Do I listen to God more and complain less?
Am I dealing with any sin problems that still plague me?
Am I thoughtful and forgiving of others, including family, or do I take my frustrations out on them?
Do I speak up for the oppressed or keep quiet in order to remain popular?
And with that, I'll get off my soapbox re Lent.
Preacher's Kid
I once read of a man who urged his children to do more than give up candy (their idea of fasting) and give up some habit of sin in their lives instead. About halfway through the Lenten season, he asked the children how they were doing. One of his sons who had promised to give up fighting with his siblings during Lent said, "I'm doing OK, Dad -- but boy, I can hardly wait until Easter!"
Although Christ had not been born when Isaiah lived, let alone been crucified and resurrected, Isaiah had a good grip on the type of fast that was pleasing to God. Read Isaiah 58:3-7. Although it's too lengthy to quote in its entirety, let me point out verses 6 and 7. "Is this not the fast I have chosen--to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?"
If you really want to celebrate Lent, ask yourself the following questions, answer them honestly, then act accordingly.
Do I share gladly what I have with others, including strangers and the poor?
Is my attitude toward others gracious and patient, especially with those who irritate me?
Do I sense God's presence in my personal life as well as in corporate worship?
Are my devotional life and my prayer life progressing?
Do I listen to God more and complain less?
Am I dealing with any sin problems that still plague me?
Am I thoughtful and forgiving of others, including family, or do I take my frustrations out on them?
Do I speak up for the oppressed or keep quiet in order to remain popular?
And with that, I'll get off my soapbox re Lent.
Preacher's Kid
Sunday, March 8, 2009
THE BIBLICAL ACCOUNT OF LENT
Hope you're not getting too tired of my blogging about Lent. Just two more items and I'll change the subject. Bet you gave a sigh of relief on that one, didn't you?
Lent did not begin until the second century and originated in the religion of ancient Babylonia. It was a forty-day time of fasting and abstinence directly borrowed from worshippers of the Babylonian goddess Tammuz imposed by the priests AFTER the days of the Apostles. It was not observed by the first-century Church.
Who was this Tammuz? She was a false Babylonian Messiah referred to in Ezekiel 8:13-15, which describes an annual festival celebrating her death and resurrection. In fact, ancient Judah worshipped this false Messiah which was an abomination in God's eyes. Before giving up personal sins and vices during this festival, the pagans held an "anything goes" celebration to be sure they got in their share of debaucheries and perversities prior to the celebration. This is what the world celebrates today as Mardi Gras just prior to Lent. I just don't see where God instituted Lent, which is nothing more than a pagan observance of debauchery in honor of the so-called resurrection of a false Messiah.
The 18th chapter of Revelation describes the fall of Babylon and says that God commands Christians to flee from the pagan traditions and customs of this world. God commands His people to follow Him rather than the traditions of men. Other Scriptures (Jer. 10:2-3; Lev. 18:3-4,30; Deut. 7:1-5,16) reveal that God hates ALL pagan observances. For me, that includes Lent, even though it may seem like a sincere, heartfelt religious observance. But as you can see from the above, it is deeply rooted in pagan ideas that are contrary to God's plan.
Consequently I have no inclination or desire to celebrate Lent. My spirit is grieved every time I see the seven candles my Church has lit in honor of the season, with one candle being extinguished each week prior to Lent.
Preacher's Kid
Lent did not begin until the second century and originated in the religion of ancient Babylonia. It was a forty-day time of fasting and abstinence directly borrowed from worshippers of the Babylonian goddess Tammuz imposed by the priests AFTER the days of the Apostles. It was not observed by the first-century Church.
Who was this Tammuz? She was a false Babylonian Messiah referred to in Ezekiel 8:13-15, which describes an annual festival celebrating her death and resurrection. In fact, ancient Judah worshipped this false Messiah which was an abomination in God's eyes. Before giving up personal sins and vices during this festival, the pagans held an "anything goes" celebration to be sure they got in their share of debaucheries and perversities prior to the celebration. This is what the world celebrates today as Mardi Gras just prior to Lent. I just don't see where God instituted Lent, which is nothing more than a pagan observance of debauchery in honor of the so-called resurrection of a false Messiah.
The 18th chapter of Revelation describes the fall of Babylon and says that God commands Christians to flee from the pagan traditions and customs of this world. God commands His people to follow Him rather than the traditions of men. Other Scriptures (Jer. 10:2-3; Lev. 18:3-4,30; Deut. 7:1-5,16) reveal that God hates ALL pagan observances. For me, that includes Lent, even though it may seem like a sincere, heartfelt religious observance. But as you can see from the above, it is deeply rooted in pagan ideas that are contrary to God's plan.
Consequently I have no inclination or desire to celebrate Lent. My spirit is grieved every time I see the seven candles my Church has lit in honor of the season, with one candle being extinguished each week prior to Lent.
Preacher's Kid
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
SHROVETIDE
How I wish I would have started this series of devotions re traditions surrounding Lent earlier. I'm learning a lot myself. Although Shrovetide is past, I found it most interesting to look into these holidays, or, more particularly, these Holy Days of Easter.
Shrovetide is the lst four days prior to Ash Wednesday -- that's Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. "To shrive" means to hear confession of sins. But I see no evidence of such confession in any of the practices of these holy days unless it might be on Shrove Sunday.
Shrove Saturday was originally known as Egg Saturday. Pasch eggs, symbolic of creation or springtime, were given to friends. This practice originated with the Persians, but was also practiced among the Jews, Egyptians, and Hindus. Christians eventually adopted the custom to symbolize the resurrection. There is also a tradition that the world was created, or "hatched" at Easter-tide.
Shrove Sunday was known as Quinquagesima Sunday -- if you can pronounce it! The name came from the fact that it was fifty days before Easter Sunday, and was also called Greasy Sunday. For many early Christians it was the beginning of the fast before Easter. For others it marked the time after which meat was forbidden. It is no longer observed by the Catholic Church, however.
Shrove Monday is known as Collop Monday, and is named after the traditional dish of the day -- collops of bacon served with eggs. (A collop is a chunk or slice of meat or fat.) The collops were also the source of the fat for the next day's pancakes.
Shrove Tuesday is known as Pancake Day, the day on which all eggs, fats, butter and milk had to be used up as Lent meant abstaining from all eggs and dairy products. Shrovetide was celebrated with games, sports, dancing and other revelries. This included feasts to use up food that could not be eaten during the Lenten fast. It's interesting to note that in some cultures Shrove Tuesday night was a time of revelry where the boys would indulge in mischief of all kinds such as hidng gates, taking off door knockers, and making off with anything that homeowners had forgotten to fasten down. (Wonder how much that practice has influenced our modern-day Hallowe'ens?)
On Pancake Tuesday, the pancakes, of course, would use up the last of the eggs and bacon fat. Sometimes villages would hold a pancake race where the housewives would each carry a skillet containing a very large, very thin pancake. The women would race for the finish line tossing their pancakes as they ran! Points were given for the number and height of the flips as well as the number of times the pancake turned over. There were penalties, of course, for dropping the pancake! Pancake Tuesday is also known as Fat Tuesday!
Although Shrovetide is past for 2009, you now have this information for future years. Whether you follow any of these holiays, including Ash Wednesday, is your decision.
Preacher's Kid
Shrovetide is the lst four days prior to Ash Wednesday -- that's Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. "To shrive" means to hear confession of sins. But I see no evidence of such confession in any of the practices of these holy days unless it might be on Shrove Sunday.
Shrove Saturday was originally known as Egg Saturday. Pasch eggs, symbolic of creation or springtime, were given to friends. This practice originated with the Persians, but was also practiced among the Jews, Egyptians, and Hindus. Christians eventually adopted the custom to symbolize the resurrection. There is also a tradition that the world was created, or "hatched" at Easter-tide.
Shrove Sunday was known as Quinquagesima Sunday -- if you can pronounce it! The name came from the fact that it was fifty days before Easter Sunday, and was also called Greasy Sunday. For many early Christians it was the beginning of the fast before Easter. For others it marked the time after which meat was forbidden. It is no longer observed by the Catholic Church, however.
Shrove Monday is known as Collop Monday, and is named after the traditional dish of the day -- collops of bacon served with eggs. (A collop is a chunk or slice of meat or fat.) The collops were also the source of the fat for the next day's pancakes.
Shrove Tuesday is known as Pancake Day, the day on which all eggs, fats, butter and milk had to be used up as Lent meant abstaining from all eggs and dairy products. Shrovetide was celebrated with games, sports, dancing and other revelries. This included feasts to use up food that could not be eaten during the Lenten fast. It's interesting to note that in some cultures Shrove Tuesday night was a time of revelry where the boys would indulge in mischief of all kinds such as hidng gates, taking off door knockers, and making off with anything that homeowners had forgotten to fasten down. (Wonder how much that practice has influenced our modern-day Hallowe'ens?)
On Pancake Tuesday, the pancakes, of course, would use up the last of the eggs and bacon fat. Sometimes villages would hold a pancake race where the housewives would each carry a skillet containing a very large, very thin pancake. The women would race for the finish line tossing their pancakes as they ran! Points were given for the number and height of the flips as well as the number of times the pancake turned over. There were penalties, of course, for dropping the pancake! Pancake Tuesday is also known as Fat Tuesday!
Although Shrovetide is past for 2009, you now have this information for future years. Whether you follow any of these holiays, including Ash Wednesday, is your decision.
Preacher's Kid
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