July 3rd 2016
Prayer Or Me Do It!
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NIV)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Have you grown in your prayer life or are you still somewhat childish in this area of your salvation? Those who are parents, or have been around small children will identify with the term, “Me do it.” When young children come into possession of things, they often become very possessive of the toys they have, and they may use the term “mine” even though they just grabbed it from another child who had it first, or to whom the toy actually belonged. Have you changed much in this area of your life since advancing on in years? Now back to the “Me do it” term it occurs when you attempt to correct a toddler and ask them to follow an order. They do not want your help to do some task, and tell you they can handle it on their own!
Just to repeat, have you grown in your prayer life or are you still somewhat childish in this area of your salvation? Do you try everything you can think of to fix the problem you are facing, and then, when all else fails, do you then pray for God’s assistance? Is God the last item on your list of remedies for what ails you? Does pride get in your way to the point that you believe you can handle it, so you do not need to involve Jesus yet? Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7) Peter wrote for us this reason to involve Jesus even before you start to worry, so we should, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Did you get that part, Jesus “cares for you?”
Do you remember that Jesus is working for the good of those who love Him? Do you believe that He is interceding on your behalf when Satan brings accusations against you? Remember you are chosen by God to receive your salvation through the grace granted by His Son’s perfect sacrifice for you! Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:33-34) Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Even though we are still sinners, Jesus is interceding for us in heaven.
Our sinful nature born into us because of Adam’s sin remains to have a hold on us, even after we have accepted the grace of God, as a covering for our sins. Paul wrote to us about this fact and the need to be careful about making any judgement about other members of mankind. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Romans 2:1) Remember too, that Jesus Christ is able to save anyone who repents of their sins, and asked for Jesus to come into their lives, no matter what age they may be, and how much they may have sinned. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Note in this verse from Hebrews again this writer is emphasizing the complete salvation, and then, Jesus’ intercession on the behalf of the saved person. As is writes, “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Complete salvation is possible for anyone who accepts the perfect sacrifice Jesus made on their behalf. Likely we all know the story of Zacchaeus, who wanted to meet Jesus, and he was too short to see him if he were in the crowd clamoring to see Jesus. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree, and when Jesus saw him He called to him. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." (Luke 19:5) This sinner was accepted immediately by Jesus, and Jesus invited Himself over to this man’s house for dinner.
The point here is that salvation is offered immediately, as God/Jesus is capable of immediate acceptance of any sinner, knowing their intention of repenting of their sins, thus starting a new life, as they are immediately born again, and they (we) are changed forever, and thus, made acceptable as a future resident of heaven. When Jesus returns to this earth to rapture His followers, He will be accompanied by those who have already left this life, and He will then gather those who remain on this earth, and take them with Him. Paul wrote about this event. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The moral of this story is, and so we will be with the Lord for ever.” Are you ready to fly? No you do not need wings, and there is no cost for this flight, as Jesus already paid the price!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Corinthians 13:11-12 (NIV)
When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.
Have you grown in your prayer life or are you still somewhat childish in this area of your salvation? Those who are parents, or have been around small children will identify with the term, “Me do it.” When young children come into possession of things, they often become very possessive of the toys they have, and they may use the term “mine” even though they just grabbed it from another child who had it first, or to whom the toy actually belonged. Have you changed much in this area of your life since advancing on in years? Now back to the “Me do it” term it occurs when you attempt to correct a toddler and ask them to follow an order. They do not want your help to do some task, and tell you they can handle it on their own!
Just to repeat, have you grown in your prayer life or are you still somewhat childish in this area of your salvation? Do you try everything you can think of to fix the problem you are facing, and then, when all else fails, do you then pray for God’s assistance? Is God the last item on your list of remedies for what ails you? Does pride get in your way to the point that you believe you can handle it, so you do not need to involve Jesus yet? Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7) Peter wrote for us this reason to involve Jesus even before you start to worry, so we should, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” Did you get that part, Jesus “cares for you?”
Do you remember that Jesus is working for the good of those who love Him? Do you believe that He is interceding on your behalf when Satan brings accusations against you? Remember you are chosen by God to receive your salvation through the grace granted by His Son’s perfect sacrifice for you! Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. (Romans 8:33-34) Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.” Even though we are still sinners, Jesus is interceding for us in heaven.
Our sinful nature born into us because of Adam’s sin remains to have a hold on us, even after we have accepted the grace of God, as a covering for our sins. Paul wrote to us about this fact and the need to be careful about making any judgement about other members of mankind. You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. (Romans 2:1) Remember too, that Jesus Christ is able to save anyone who repents of their sins, and asked for Jesus to come into their lives, no matter what age they may be, and how much they may have sinned. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. (Hebrews 7:25)
Note in this verse from Hebrews again this writer is emphasizing the complete salvation, and then, Jesus’ intercession on the behalf of the saved person. As is writes, “he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Complete salvation is possible for anyone who accepts the perfect sacrifice Jesus made on their behalf. Likely we all know the story of Zacchaeus, who wanted to meet Jesus, and he was too short to see him if he were in the crowd clamoring to see Jesus. So he ran ahead and climbed a tree, and when Jesus saw him He called to him. When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today." (Luke 19:5) This sinner was accepted immediately by Jesus, and Jesus invited Himself over to this man’s house for dinner.
The point here is that salvation is offered immediately, as God/Jesus is capable of immediate acceptance of any sinner, knowing their intention of repenting of their sins, thus starting a new life, as they are immediately born again, and they (we) are changed forever, and thus, made acceptable as a future resident of heaven. When Jesus returns to this earth to rapture His followers, He will be accompanied by those who have already left this life, and He will then gather those who remain on this earth, and take them with Him. Paul wrote about this event. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17)
The moral of this story is, and so we will be with the Lord for ever.” Are you ready to fly? No you do not need wings, and there is no cost for this flight, as Jesus already paid the price!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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