Walking With Jesus

The Way to Heaven

“Jesus told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6a NLT)

The quote above from John 14 was spoken to Thomas, one of the twelve disciples, shortly before Jesus was betrayed. Jesus was explaining to His disciples that He was going back to His Father, and in a matter-of-fact manner said in verse 4: “And you know the way to where I am going.” To which Thomas responded in verse 5: “’No, we don’t know, Lord,’ Thomas said, ‘We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?’” The truth is, they DID know the way, they just didn’t realize it.

There are many in our world today in the same boat as Thomas. They’ve heard of Jesus, they may attend church or read the Bible, they may even have a relationship with Him, but they, like Thomas, have never connected the proverbial “dots.” The reality is – to know Jesus IS to know the WAY! He IS “the WAY, the TRUTH and the LIFE! No one can come to the Father except through Me (Jesus).” (John 14:6b NLT) What does that mean?

Jesus, as the Baby in the manger and as the adult who was crucified on the Cross, rose from the dead and ascended back to His Father in heaven, was and is GOD in human flesh/form. What it means that He is the way, the truth, and the life, is He is the embodiment of all of what those terms mean. He, the Person of Jesus, IS the way. That means that if we are IN Christ, we ARE already on our way to heaven.

Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:16-17: “At one time we thought of Christ merely from a human point of view.” In other words, simply as a man, like any other human being. “How differently we know Him now!” Now that we know Him as God in human form. “This means that anyone who belongs to (is IN) Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

Another way to think of it is, as a believer in Jesus we are now a member of His Body (the Body of Christ worldwide), which means, whatever HE is doing, that becomes our mission; wherever HE goes, we go with Him. He IS our WAY to wherever He is going, as His Spirit resides and works in and through our physical body. He IS truth, the embodiment of all that is true. He IS life, the embodiment of all life was intended to be.

We as human beings are made to be loved by God and have an eternal relationship with Him that begins in this life, but never ends. We tend to think of a “relationship with Jesus” as simply being forgiven, going to church, reading the Bible, praying, etc., and all those things are good and important. But He’s so much more than the things we do, even the good, “religious” things. He IS our life! Apart from Him we are dead, we have no life.

We may exist, like Adam and Eve after the Fall, but only Jesus is the Author and giver of life. Only Jesus can become our life and give us an understanding of what life lived to its fullest is intended to look like. The same is true of Jesus being Truth. He alone can lead us into what is true and show us what is not, because He alone is the embodiment of all that is true. It’s not, as I often hear: “Your ‘truth’ or my ‘truth.'” In other words, “truth is relative, what is true for you may not be true for me.” That’s a lie from the pit of hell. Truth is always measured by what Jesus says is true. If it’s not consistent with what Jesus says is true, it’s a lie! Remember who Satan is? The father of lies! Jesus cannot lie. Satan cannot tell the truth.

We don’t have to “search” for the way to heaven or for what is true or for what life is supposed to be. The miracle of God’s grace, His free, unmerited gift of Himself in the Person of His only Son Jesus, is as close as your willingness to believe Jesus is who He claims to be, and to receive Him as your life.

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Key to Heaven

“The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing.” (John 6:3a NLT)

A hymn written in 1956 by Robert Sande and Samuel T. Scott says: “Prayer is the key to heaven; faith unlocks the door.” Prayer, conversation with God, is the avenue that leads to Jesus, and the exercising of faith is responding to God’s invitation to receive Jesus as your life. He doesn’t desire to be part of your life; He desires to be the focus and intent of your whole life. He’s not a “slice” of the proverbial “pie” of your life, He’s the “whole” pie.

There are those whose primary desire in accepting Jesus’ invitation, is to avoid hell and go to heaven, but that is to miss the point of our union with Him. Yes, heaven will be amazing, and hell will be indescribable torment, but to focus on those is to miss the point of our life altogether.

We were created for intimacy with God. Every detail of creation screams life and health and relationship. Jesus said in John 10:10: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them (us – everyone who will come to Him) a rich and satisfying life.” The life Jesus gives, is full, complete, satisfying on every level.

Think of the Garden of Eden. Perfect in every respect. Every dimension of existence living in perfect harmony. No fear, no sickness, no guilt, no sin, no shame – nothing but perfect love and acceptance. Then sin entered the picture, and everything changed. No longer was there harmony, but discord, and separation between God and mankind, resulting in sickness, death, wars, and everything else negative that you can imagine.

What we sometimes fail to realize is that there are two kingdoms vying for our attention, the devotion of our life. The kingdom of Satan and the Kingdom of God. Satan offers wealth, prosperity, riches, fame, position, power – in short, everything our human nature craves and will kill to have.

God’s Kingdom requires humility, sacrifice, and devotion to God. Putting God’s will above our own, realizing that we own nothing, and we are nothing, apart from Jesus, who is our everything. Does that mean we have no material possessions or provisions? Of course not, but they’re not the focus and purpose of our existence.

On the surface it seems like a no-brainer. Why should I become a living sacrifice for God when I can have all this world affords? Jesus understood perfectly what He was asking of us, because He alone knows the full value of intimacy with Him compared to intimacy with the world. Hear His words in Matthew 16:24-26: “If any of you wants to be My follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?”

The word Jesus uses that’s translated “soul,” is the word from which comes our English word “psyche.” It’s the seat of our emotions, desires, affections, aversions. The human soul is the only thing in all of creation that when coupled with the Spirit of God, can attain its maximum potential, resulting in a full and meaningful life on earth, then eternal life in heaven with God. So, for me, it’s an absolute “no-brainer.” There is nothing this world could ever offer me that compares with life everlasting with the Master Designer, Creator, Ruler, Sustainer and Lover of my soul.

When our life on earth ends, if our heart is aligned with the heart of God, we’ll awaken into life eternal, just as life was originally planned to be in the Garden of Eden. Our hope is translated into sight and our eyes will behold the majesty of our Savior – FOREVER! Remember: “Prayer is the key; faith unlocks the door.”

Blessings, Ed 😊

Caring for Our Body

“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you.” (Romans 12:1a NLT)

The beginning of a new year gives a perfect opportunity to prayerfully formulate plans and set goals to maximize our physical, mental, and emotional health. For the last few days, we’ve looked at avenues to improving our spiritual and relational health, and today we’ll look at caring for our physical body.

OUR BODY

Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” What does that mean for us as we begin a new year? It means, if we are a Jesus follower, that ANYTHING and EVERYTHING that concerns us, concerns the Lord who bought us and loves us immeasurably. So, how does that translate as we consider goals to maximize, not only the health of our body, but our fruitfulness for the Lord?

The verses above were written in the context of avoiding sexual sin, but God’s concern for us is far more comprehensive than sex, as important as that is to us and Him. The purpose of these posts isn’t to judge or condemn. We answer to the Lord alone at the end of our lives. What you do with your body, life, and health is ultimately between you and the Lord. However, if I can help you better understand God’s desires for you and the rich rewards you will receive in submitting to God’s authority in your life, then so be it. The bottom line is, we are managers of our body, not owners. How we care for our body, as well as other things with which the Lord has entrusted us, is a reflection of our love for and devotion to our Savior. We’re accountable to Him.

If you’re a Jesus follower, your body is the dwelling place of the most-high God, and as such, deserves proper care. What might that look like?

Eat as healthy as your budget will allow. I’ve literally been penniless, so I understand “cheap.” At times a meal might consist of a candy bar or a bag of chips. I didn’t have the luxury of eating “healthy.” My concern wasn’t health, it was survival. Now, my wife was a nurse for 40 years, so she guides me in what is healthy. If you don’t know what to look for or what kind of food would be best for your situation (i.e. – overweight, diabetic, etc.) ask your doctor (and take notes 😊).
Exercise to the best of your ability. This, too, is a very personal issue. Depending on your age and general physical condition you may be limited, but, very likely, you can do something. Stretch, do sit ups or push-ups, or walk. I know a lady who lost more than a hundred pounds walking. She was walking 10 miles a day when I met her. Maybe you could start with ¼ mile, then add as you’re able. Exercise is critical and when combined with healthy, moderately sized portions, can do wonders for how you feel and look.
Sleep eight hours a night. I suspect some will read that and think, “Yeh, in my dreams!” Demands on your schedule may dictate a lesser amount of sleep, but as you are able, rest. Lack of sleep is a factor in a lot of negative things in our bodies and lives.
The common denominator of each of these areas is discipline. Learn to tell yourself “NO!” Whether it’s spiritual, physical, emotional, mental, relational, or otherwise, developing discipline to do what’s right and not do what is wrong will help you develop health in virtually every area of your life. The Lord will give you strength to do what He places on your heart to do or not do.

Jeremiah wrote: “’For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.’” (Jeremiah 29:11 NLT) By God’s grace and with His guidance and help, you can do anything. Seek to be your best self in this new year to the Lord’s honor and fame.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Developing God-Honoring Relationships

“…our goal is to please Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:9b NLT)

Yesterday we focused on the most important area of our lives, our walk with the Lord Jesus. We looked at setting realistic, attainable goals in the development of the basic disciplines of our journey with Jesus. Today we’ll look at another category of our lives where goals are needed.

MY RELATIONSHIPS

Think of a target with concentric circles. Focus on the “Bullseye” (the smallest circle) as being most important. Begin there with your relationship with God (see yesterday’s post for ideas). Then, in the next circle, your family, close friends, school, or work-related relationships, then neighbors and others with whom you have casual contact, would be in the outer circles.

If you are blessed to have a family, honor God by loving them well. Your mom and dad, spouse, children, etc. Do you need to seek healing of a relationship with a member of your family? Is there tension or discord in your relationship with a friend? Let the Lord lead you in determining the steps you need to take to allow Him to love your family and friends more effectively through you, and to receive love from them.

Next, consider relationships you have through work or school. These are often areas that Satan works the hardest to disrupt. Inappropriate relationships with co-workers or classmates can lead to disruption and/or ineffectiveness in your walk with the Lord. Pray and listen carefully to how the Lord would have you to nurture or back away from relationships you have at work or school that aren’t healthy. Your goal it to please the Lord, not bring delight to the devil.

Christ has commissioned us to reach the lost in our spheres of influence. Be the kind of example that will draw people to Jesus, not push them further away. That includes family, neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and others with whom you have contact from day to day.

Establish goals that will be Christ-honoring and promote purity of speech and conduct. What do you “hear” when you read the word purity? I’m prompted to clarify a few things before we continue. Purity of speech isn’t just using four letter words. Gossip, lying, saying anything that is slanderous or hurtful to or about another person, that could hurt them and/or damage their reputation are the kinds of things that corrupt us and kill our witness for the Lord.

Also, virginity and purity are not one and the same. You can be a virgin and still not be living pure before the Lord. True purity ONLY comes from the Lord. Does that mean virginity until marriage isn’t God’s plan and desire for you? Yes, of course it is. But there are circumstances in life where someone may have been “robbed” of their virginity, but they can still be pure before the Lord. Purity is a heart issue, not strictly a physical reality. Think of the “woman caught in the very act of adultery” in John 8:3. She was a prostitute, certainly not a virgin, but after her encounter with Jesus, she was pure of heart. It’s Jesus living in and through us that defines our purity, not our history.

So, as you walk in forgiveness and new life in Jesus, could you begin a prayer group or Bible study with co-workers or classmates? Perhaps you could organize a community service project that would help those in your community, while at the same time give you an avenue of drawing closer to your co-workers or with those you know from school. I hope this is helpful to you.

Blessings, Ed 😊

As A New Year Begins

“Let love be your highest goal!” (1 Corinthians 14:1 NLT)

With the new year often comes thoughts of “New Year’s Resolutions.” The work-out centers will be full for a few weeks, the frig will be stocked with healthy choices that will end up being given away or thrown out. Yes, you guessed it. I’m not much for resolutions; however, there are always areas of our lives that need improvement. So, how do we address those much-needed changes in our lives?

Begin by thinking categorically. What does that mean? Look at the different areas of your life that need to be addressed, then prioritize and build a workable plan. Over the next few days, I will offer some suggestions.

MY SPIRITUAL LIFE

If you haven’t yet committed your life to the Lord Jesus, make that a priority. Jesus lived, died, and rose again to provide you, not only a way to heaven, but an opportunity to understand what real life is and how it should be lived. Following Jesus begins with your response to His invitation to “Come to ME.” He’s not inviting you to a religion, He’s inviting you into a relationship with the living God. Acknowledge that you’ve sinned and need His forgiveness. Invite Him to cleanse you and make you whole by filling you with His Holy Spirit. Ask Him to guide you to a Bible-teaching, loving, and accepting group of His followers who will walk with you in your new faith. You’ll need to be baptized, which is an outward, visible symbol of what has happened in you in a spiritual way. Baptism illustrates our death to ourselves and our old way of life, and our rising to new life in Christ Jesus. If you have no one else who can walk with you in your new faith, write me at walkingwithjesus09@gmail.com and I will guide you as best I can. You can begin by following the steps below.

For those who are following Christ, where are you weak? Set realistic, attainable goals related to areas that will help you grow in the basic disciplines of a Christ-focused life. The basic disciplines are reading and studying the Bible (see below), prayer, which is simply speaking with God. God speaks to us primarily through the Bible, but we speak to Him through prayer. Speak to Him regarding strength to live for Him; making godly decisions; how to be pure in thought and life; attending and serving in a church that is Bible-centered and Christ-honoring in their focus; ways to serve and honor Him through volunteering at church or through local service organizations that are helpful to others. There are other areas below from which you can choose. You can’t do everything at once, so prioritize based on where your greatest areas of weakness are.

For example: spending time reading and studying the Bible every day. If you haven’t developed a daily strategy, begin with setting aside 15 minutes a day. Read one chapter, beginning in the Gospel of John. Read through John, then go back to Matthew (the first book in the New Testament) and read straight through the New Testament, including reading John again. It will be helpful to have a pen and paper close by to make note of things you don’t understand, words that aren’t clear, ideas that are confusing, or anything you DO understand that you want to apply to your life. Then speak with the Lord about what He’s teaching you, as well as throughout your day with what I refer to as “sentence prayers.” As your day unfolds, be grateful for the things that are good (“Thank you, Lord, for this delicious meal; this beautiful day; Your Spirit with me, etc.”) and share with Him the things that are not so good (“Lord, give me strength to change my negative attitude; Please enable me to stop worrying, etc.”). Speak with Him as you would your best friend because that’s exactly what He is, but a LOT more powerful.

That’s a start. Let’s pick it up with our other relationships tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

Blessings of a New Year

“For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?” (Isaiah 43:19a NLT)

These lines are from “The Gate of the Year,” a poem written in 1908 by Minnie Louise Haskins:

“I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year
‘Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.’
And he replied, ‘Go into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God
That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!’”

What are your expectations for the new year? For a few days, beginning tomorrow, I plan to share some ideas related to goals to consider, but ultimately, putting our hand into God’s hand is the most vital first step in walking into the unknown of a new year.

David Jeremiah shared a story in one of his devotionals that struck a responsive chord in my heart. He wrote: “When D. L. Moody preached in Brooklyn in 1875, thousands were converted. Pastor Henry Ward Beecher struggled to understand this phenomenon until he met Moody personally. ‘I saw the secret of his working and plans,’ wrote Beecher. ‘He is a believer in the second advent of Christ, and in our own time…. He thinks that Christ may come even to-morrow.’”

The climate of today’s world is aligning perfectly with what God wrote through His Prophets hundreds of years ago. The stage is being set for God’s final act in history. Jesus is coming again! Peter, one of Jesus’ original disciples, wrote: “The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:7-8 NLT)

If Peter felt such a strong sense of urgency, how much greater should ours be as we prepare for our Lord’s soon coming! What does that mean? Foremost, are you ready for His return? Have you yielded your life and allegiance to Him? Are you living daily as if He could come any second? And if not, why not? What are you waiting for?

Yes, of course, people across the ages, like D. L. Moody, have had an urgency to see people saved, but Jesus hasn’t yet returned. What we often fail to realize, worldwide, on average, more than 40,000 people die every day. We have no guarantee of the next second. The only time we have in which to receive Christ and/or to obey Him, to do our part in the fulfillment of His eternal purposes on earth, is in this second!

Isaiah, hundreds of years before Christ’s first advent, wrote: “For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland…so my chosen people can be refreshed.” (Isaiah 43:19-20 NLT) In the original context Isaiah was speaking of Israel, but by extension, he’s speaking of the Body of Christ, the Family of God worldwide.

Jesus IS the water of life! Jesus IS the refreshment for our parched souls and thirsty spirts! What are you waiting for? Take God’s hand and walk into this new year in confidence, knowing if you draw your last breath or He chooses to return today, you’re ready! Think of lost loved ones and friends who need to know Him before it’s eternally too late. Please, don’t let anything stand between you and getting the good news of who Jesus is and what He’s done, into the hands and hearts of those you love.

Jesus said: “Yes, I am coming soon!” (Revelation 22:20b NLT)

Blessings, Ed 😊

The Peace of Prayer

“God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” (Matthew 5:9 NLT)

Peace is a familiar theme in this season of the year. When the angel came to the shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth, the Bible says: “Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others – praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in highest heaven, and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.’” (Luke 2:13-14 NLT) This raises some questions in my mind.

How do we “work for peace?” Who are “those with whom God is pleased?” What is the source of peace? Is this peace more than the absence of conflict? How do we tap into this peace?

The avenue of peace is prayer. Prayer and peace are inextricably interwoven, so much so it’s hard to tell where one stops and the other starts. Prayer ushers us into the presence of the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus Christ. Wherever Jesus is, there is peace.

Has it become clear to you that Jesus equals peace, thus no Jesus equals chaos and unrest, individually and globally? There will be no world peace until the Prince of Peace, the title used by Isaiah in reference to Jesus, returns. Does that mean we sit idly by and watch Satan usher the world into conflict and turmoil? Absolutely not! We work for peace, but how?

The first step toward working for peace is understanding the opposite of peace isn’t conflict, it’s lostness. Solomon, speaking of wisdom, said in Proverbs 1:33: “But all who listen to me (God’s wisdom) will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm.” When we lose our way, the result is often fear. Fear of harm, fear of the unknown, fear of trouble we’re not equipped to handle.

The road to peace and wisdom begins at the feet of Jesus. Worshipping and seeking the Prince of Peace through prayer, meditation and study of God’s Word, the Bible, are the antidotes to lostness, loneliness, fear, conflict of spirit, and lack of peace through whatever source it may come.

Working for peace is essentially allowing the Holy Spirit, who indwells every person who is a follower of Jesus, to demonstrate the peace only God can give, in our interactions with those whose lives our life intersects from day to day. Peace isn’t simply the absence of conflict, it’s the manifest presence of the living God.

A believer in Jesus will have peace in the midst of whatever storm comes, in direct proportion to the amount of trust in and dependence upon Jesus, they’ve allowed Him to give them. Working for peace isn’t what we do, it’s who we are in Jesus. He IS the source of peace! Jesus said shortly before His death: “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27 NLT)

Have you received this gift of peace only Jesus can give? It’s yours for the asking. Open your heart and mind to Jesus, allowing Him to do in, through and on your behalf what you will never be able to accomplish on your own. Click the link below to watch a brief video that will help you understand more clearly how a relationship with Jesus can enable you to be a brand-new creation in Christ Jesus.

The prayer of peace begins with a willingness to yield your life and allegiance to the Prince of Peace, the Lord Jesus. Please click on the link below to learn more how to do that. https://hutchcraft.com/the-bridge-to-god

Blessings, Ed 😊

When Prayer Becomes Pleasure

“As the deer longs for streams of water, so I long for You, O God.” (Psalm 42:1 NLT)

My wife and I have two dogs – a Pug and a mixed-breed we rescued. We love them, but they’re a lot of work. They both love attention and affection, but our Pug’s greatest delight is . . . FOOD! Eating is her greatest pleasure.

What is your greatest pleasure? There are many things that bring me pleasure, but my greatest satisfaction is derived from my intimacy with God. When I was younger, I would marvel at stories I heard about how closely people walked with the Lord. How God would speak and guide and bless in ways that were very foreign to me then.

In this season of my life, I stand in awe of God. His majesty and glory, especially as they’re displayed through His creation, become platforms of praise and worship for me. His love, demonstrated in such practical ways – through His provision, His protection, His willingness to allow me to be involved in the work of His eternal Kingdom; the way He continues to speak to me and teach me through His Word, the Bible; as well as the relationships He’s given me across the years that continue to feed my soul and bless me in ways I couldn’t have imagined as a younger man. Especially my relationship with my wife.

Yet, as I take stock of my life and the way God has loved me, the most profound and awe-inspiring avenue in my walk with the Lord Jesus, is His willingness to be Emmanuel, which means, God with me. The privilege and pleasure of prayer, the gift of communication with Almighty God continues to challenge me and humble me as I realize just how incomprehensible He is, yet how approachable.

In Matthew 12:28-29 we read these words of Jesus: “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let Me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

If you’re employed by a large company or even attend a large church, it’s highly unusual for a new employee or someone new to the church to have an audience with the Owner/CEO of a company or Senior Pastor of a large church. Yet, here is the Son of God, God in human flesh, Creator, Sustainer, Ruler of everything that is, and He says to me (and you): “Come to Me.”

That is an invitation I can’t resist. My greatest pleasure is to have the honor of bowing my heart, mind, soul, and strength in the presence of my King, sensing His strong, loving arms surround me, and just resting in His loving, safe presence. Please understand, I’m not special. God doesn’t love me more than anyone else. How He feels about me is exactly how He feels about you.

His loving invitation is open and being extended to you in this moment. If you’re able, kneel before Him. Close your eyes and feel His gentle presence envelope you. You are the apple of His eye, the joy of His heart. Hear His soft whisper in these sacred moments as He says to you: “I love you. It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, how many times you’ve failed, how often you’ve fallen short, feeling you’ll never measure up. Trust Me to forgive you, cleanse you of all unrighteousness, enable you by My powerful Spirit abiding in you, to walk faithfully with Me in the joy of new life. Stop running and just find rest in Me.”

Blessings, Ed 😊

Why Do We Neglect Prayer?

“Hear my prayer, O Lord! Listen to my cries for help! Don’t ignore my tears.” (Psalm 39:12a NLT)

Sometimes we get so busy with the work of the Lord, we forget the Lord of the work, until there’s a crisis! Then He’s all we can think about. Why is it prayer is often our last resort when it should be our natural first line of defense against the attacks of the enemy?

Could it be we’re viewing prayer in the wrong way? How do you perceive prayer? Does it come easy, or is it hard for you? Why do you think that is?

There are people I love with whom it’s very hard for me to carry on a conversation, not because we don’t love one another, but largely because we have very little in common. Could that be an issue when it comes to prayer? Could it be it seems that you and God don’t have much in common? My guess is, you have a lot more in common than you realize.

Do you work? God cares about how you earn a living, after all, He provided the opportunity for you. Do you have a family? God cares greatly about your family, after all, He gave them to you. What about hobbies? Do you volunteer? However you spend your time, unless it’s doing something that’s clearly out of the perimeters of God’s will, the desire you have to pursue it very likely comes from God.

We tend to think things that aren’t related to our “spiritual life” don’t need prayer, but the reality is, there’s nothing in our lives that escapes God’s notice or desire to partner with us in bringing it under the canopy of His concern. The fact is, it’s not what we do that determines if something is secular or sacred. It’s why we do it.

It’s certainly not wrong to work or participate in many other activities, but we need to see them as a sacred trust. View them as gifts from God, not drawing you away from the Lord, but motivating you to seek His guidance and blessing, even while doing them.

We don’t neglect prayer because we don’t have time. We neglect prayer because it’s not a priority in our heart and mind. I’m praying even as I type these words. I pray when I walk the dogs, work around the house, clean the car or volunteer at church. Whatever occupies my time gives rise to an opportunity to speak with my Savior. Why? Because He is always with me and for me.

What’s the point? Whatever you do, however you use your time, God can be at the heart of it, if you want Him to be. Not enough time is never a valid excuse for neglecting prayer. Regardless of how you use your time, there is still ALWAYS time to pray, if that’s your heart’s desire. How do I know that?

Perhaps you’ve noticed the many opportunities the Lord had to perform miracles and accomplish significant Kingdom work while He was just “passing by” or “on His way to a certain city.” Some of the best opportunities the Lord gives me to bless someone is when I’m on my way to do something else. Why is that? Because that’s what we talk about in the morning while I’m on my walk. “Lord, by Your grace and by the guidance of Your Spirit, enable me to be alert to the person who needs a kind word or who needs to be lifted to you in prayer.”

It might be in the grocery store, at work, getting a haircut, in the doctor’s office, in a conversation with a telemarketer, anytime the Lord puts you in contact with another human being, He’s setting the stage for a divine appointment where He can be honored, and you can be a blessing. Prayer prepares us for those appointments.

We’ll pick this up tomorrow.

Blessings, Ed 😊

When Prayer is Hard

“And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness.” (Romans 8:26a NLT)

Has this Christmas season been hard? Perhaps a severe loss has you grieving. I get it. Pain is a tremendous deterrent to celebration. It’s as though life has been sucked out of us. Even as Jesus followers, we’re not exempt from the anguish of suffering and loss.

Grief, in whatever form it may come, can rob us of energy, desire, motivation. It’s almost like the seasonal “blow-ups” you see in people’s lawns before the power is turned on and they’re just sort of lying in a pile, waiting to be filled again.

My daughter and I were preparing to leave for a mission’s trip, when my wife announced to me, she would let me know when I returned whether or not she was leaving. That was the beginning of a deep sense of loss that continued through our divorce and into subsequent years of battling depression and all that entails.

I understand what it’s like to not have energy, even to pray. That’s when it’s important to know that others are praying for us, the most important Person among them being, the Holy Spirit. Paul wrote in Romans 8:26-27: And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will.”

Even though I felt I didn’t deserve love. Even when I had no energy and little desire even to pray, wondering if God was walking out with my wife and kids. Even when I had nothing to offer anyone. Even then God was praying for me, ushering in healing, wholeness and help I couldn’t have known how to ask for myself.

Whatever your loss. Whatever is causing your deep sadness and self-deprecating thoughts, know this – God loves you! He’s with you (Emmanuel)! He’s for you! And He’s working in and through even this painful season to bring you good. That’s what He promises in the very next verse – Romans 8:28 says: “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them.”

It may not mean much now, but on the basis of my own experience and the authority and truthfulness of God’s Word, while God hasn’t caused this loss in your life, He saw it coming before the foundation of the earth was laid, and He’s working to bring you good that is literally unimaginable to you in this moment. Be assured of two things: You are not alone, and God will walk with you into a future that is better than anything you can currently imagine.

He loves you! He’s with you! He’s working even this tragic loss for your good. Trust Him. Let Him surround you with His compassionate, caring, strong arms. Let Him cradle you and protect you in the safety and security of His holy Presence.

I am praying for you, believing now what you can’t believe for yourself, that better days are ahead. You WILL get through this, by the grace of God and with the help of loving friends and family. PLEASE, I know you don’t feel like it, but please click this link and listen to a song that will bless and encourage you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUHRDCYnFfg

Blessings, Ed 😊