May 24th 2015
The Prayer Of A Righteous Person Is Powerful And Effective!
Acts 10:3-5 (NIV)
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
The selected verses also commemorate a special memorial for most of us reading this commentary! The angel’s message to Cornelius put into action a meeting between him and the Apostle Peter, and resulted in Peter’s and thus, the early Christian churches, acceptance of Gentiles (those people not born into the Jewish race), to have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling recognized as being a true event. In other words, God made it obvious to Peter and the early Christian movement that Jesus had died for all of mankind, not just for the Jewish people. And Jesus had left behind on this earth the Holy Spirit to indwell all those who claim the salvation available through the grace of God, bought with the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Since the Savior had come and then, returned to heaven, now all of mankind was put into a direct contact with our Father in heaven, and therefore, we no longer needed an earthly intermediary to convey our offering and/or sacrifices through in order to have our sins forgiven. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain separating the Most Holy Place was now open to all who have accepted salvation. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:37-39)
On this Memorial Day celebrate first the freedom that comes from God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, as it offers freedom forever! Then celebrate all those people who have died to defend the freedom we may continue to experience during our earthly lifetime. Remember too, that when Jesus departed this earth, this event set into motion a time many refer to as the End Times. During this timeframe we who remain in this lifetime can pray for good things and good times, and rely on this Holy Spirit to help us communicate with Jesus in heaven. The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:7-8)
Notice what Peter wrote for us to remember, first to “be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Then Peter reiterates for us to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” On this Memorial Day please remember those who have gone on before us with a loving memory of their sacrifice in our stead, so we may continue to have earthly freedom. Most of all though, remember what Jesus did for you to guarantee you freedom forever! Note, there is no “may” connected with this eternal freedom, it is guaranteed.
Being a Christian is the only way any member of mankind can be absolutely sure you are going to heaven, because Jesus bought your ticket to heaven when He died for your sins. All you have to do is accept this gift of grace by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Then to be sure you need to be baptized into this earthly body of Christ, also known as the church of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28) Are you a shepherd or at least a sheep in a church of your choice? If not, you may be missing many blessings, as you could be outside, when the love there covers over a multitude of sins!
In the USA today we seem to be missing out on any true collaboration, as many decisions seem to be made through a singular view of issues facing our country. There is this two party system and it seems on most important issues each party speaks as one, and this certainly seems impossible to believe such unity, and complete opposition the other party’s views. Thus, the people suffer, because of indecision and stalemate. It seems neither political party ever consults with each other, or certainly never with God or even a god! Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. (Proverbs 11:4, NLT)
Please on this Memorial Day pray for our nation, as the president says, “this is no longer a Christian nation.” It certainly is also no longer a nation under God, as our diplomats do not appear to ever collaborate with God, and it seems doubtful there are many who ever seek God’s advice on any decision they make for us the people! Please do as Peter suggested, “be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
My hope is you feel called by Jesus as Paul wrote in a letter to the church in Rome. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) The purpose of Jesus coming to this earth seems to be to unite us all into the body of Christ, but then Jesus once said His coming was not expected to unite us. Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. (Luke 12:51)
On this Memorial Day our country continues to kill potential US citizens at an alarming rate, as we abort unwanted babies every day. We are about to vote for allowing harmful drugs to be purchased legally, so we can gain revenue by taxing these sales, and we have given up on being able to stop the illegal sale of these drugs. We are doing this even though we know that these so called harmless drugs, often lead to the use of very harmful more insidious drugs. Pray for our sick nation, as James wrote about the power of prayer. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. (James 5:16-17)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Acts 10:3-5 (NIV)
One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, "Cornelius!" Cornelius stared at him in fear. "What is it, Lord?" he asked. The angel answered, "Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter.
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. The holiday, which is observed every year on the last Monday of May, was formerly known as Decoration Day and originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the Union and Confederate soldiers who died in the war. By the 20th century, Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who died while in the military service. It typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.
The selected verses also commemorate a special memorial for most of us reading this commentary! The angel’s message to Cornelius put into action a meeting between him and the Apostle Peter, and resulted in Peter’s and thus, the early Christian churches, acceptance of Gentiles (those people not born into the Jewish race), to have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling recognized as being a true event. In other words, God made it obvious to Peter and the early Christian movement that Jesus had died for all of mankind, not just for the Jewish people. And Jesus had left behind on this earth the Holy Spirit to indwell all those who claim the salvation available through the grace of God, bought with the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Since the Savior had come and then, returned to heaven, now all of mankind was put into a direct contact with our Father in heaven, and therefore, we no longer needed an earthly intermediary to convey our offering and/or sacrifices through in order to have our sins forgiven. When Jesus died on the cross, the curtain separating the Most Holy Place was now open to all who have accepted salvation. With a loud cry, Jesus breathed his last. The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" (Mark 15:37-39)
On this Memorial Day celebrate first the freedom that comes from God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ, as it offers freedom forever! Then celebrate all those people who have died to defend the freedom we may continue to experience during our earthly lifetime. Remember too, that when Jesus departed this earth, this event set into motion a time many refer to as the End Times. During this timeframe we who remain in this lifetime can pray for good things and good times, and rely on this Holy Spirit to help us communicate with Jesus in heaven. The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (1 Peter 4:7-8)
Notice what Peter wrote for us to remember, first to “be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.” Then Peter reiterates for us to “love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” On this Memorial Day please remember those who have gone on before us with a loving memory of their sacrifice in our stead, so we may continue to have earthly freedom. Most of all though, remember what Jesus did for you to guarantee you freedom forever! Note, there is no “may” connected with this eternal freedom, it is guaranteed.
Being a Christian is the only way any member of mankind can be absolutely sure you are going to heaven, because Jesus bought your ticket to heaven when He died for your sins. All you have to do is accept this gift of grace by accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior! Then to be sure you need to be baptized into this earthly body of Christ, also known as the church of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. (Acts 20:28) Are you a shepherd or at least a sheep in a church of your choice? If not, you may be missing many blessings, as you could be outside, when the love there covers over a multitude of sins!
In the USA today we seem to be missing out on any true collaboration, as many decisions seem to be made through a singular view of issues facing our country. There is this two party system and it seems on most important issues each party speaks as one, and this certainly seems impossible to believe such unity, and complete opposition the other party’s views. Thus, the people suffer, because of indecision and stalemate. It seems neither political party ever consults with each other, or certainly never with God or even a god! Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. (Proverbs 11:4, NLT)
Please on this Memorial Day pray for our nation, as the president says, “this is no longer a Christian nation.” It certainly is also no longer a nation under God, as our diplomats do not appear to ever collaborate with God, and it seems doubtful there are many who ever seek God’s advice on any decision they make for us the people! Please do as Peter suggested, “be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.”
My hope is you feel called by Jesus as Paul wrote in a letter to the church in Rome. We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28) The purpose of Jesus coming to this earth seems to be to unite us all into the body of Christ, but then Jesus once said His coming was not expected to unite us. Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division. (Luke 12:51)
On this Memorial Day our country continues to kill potential US citizens at an alarming rate, as we abort unwanted babies every day. We are about to vote for allowing harmful drugs to be purchased legally, so we can gain revenue by taxing these sales, and we have given up on being able to stop the illegal sale of these drugs. We are doing this even though we know that these so called harmless drugs, often lead to the use of very harmful more insidious drugs. Pray for our sick nation, as James wrote about the power of prayer. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. (James 5:16-17)
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
|
|
|