Intercession

Some of my journals 

Random Journal Day March 2013

3/26/1997, (I had been ill for four days.)

 “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 (NIV)

I ran across this today in the Bible reading I am trying to get caught up on. I have studied Hebrews several times. But today, this verse speaks to my heart.

“Jesus is able to save COMPLETELY those who come to GOD through Him.”

Completely is an awesome word; it means in every way. It means that a person is saved from all sin, the sins of omission as well as the sins of commission, those things God calls sin that we aren’t aware of as sin.

“. . . because He always lives to intercede for them”. God always hears from Jesus what we are going through. Jesus is sitting there at God’s right hand saying, “Father, there is this daughter/son of yours who needs your guidance through this day.” Or “Father, your children down there in central Indiana need your protection during the tornado.” Or “Father, that daughter of yours has asked you to come into his or her heart.” Or “Father, that daughter or son of yours has expressed a ‘thank you’ for guiding them through this day.”

Any one of these times of interceding is glorious.

UPDATE:

As I enter this Random Journal Day entry into my computer (2/23/2013) I am interceding for the leadership of our church.


Linking up to:http://beneaththesurface-dawn.blogspot.com

A Quote on Faith

aplacetolayyourhead.blogspot.com

“So I live, knowing that I am in God’s hands, to be used to bring others to Him, if He wills by a long life full of work, or to die tomorrow if He so wills, having nothing worth mentioning. . . . We must do what we can and leave the rest to Him. . . . My trust is in God, so that it matters not what I do or where I go.” Edward Wilson*

What faith this man had. This was written just before he died.

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*From The Faith of Edward Wilson by George Seaver (John Murray, 1948); page 44. Cited in Adult Bible Studies-fall 2012 (Cokesbury) page 76.

When Religion Isn't Enough By Mary Detweiler

Mary Detweiler discovered there was something more to Christianity than what she had been taught by her ‘works oriented’ background. She learned that God was not a distant being who watched from afar. Mary discovered God wants to have a vital relationship with His people.

This book interested me because of its subject and its content. I came to more fully understand the desire of God to adopt us into His family.

Mrs. Detweiler explains the facets of God as a friend and as a parent. She reviews the ‘roller coaster’ relationship between Judah and the Father and how God sent judges (leaders) to speak for Him. The people wander back and forth between God and the pagan ways of their neighbors.

Mary explores the avenues of prayer and worship. She calls them the sun and water of our relationship. These two elements of faith cause people’s belief in God to grow.

She had trouble-to the point of guilt- believing that prayer moves the hand of God. She cites the story of Peter’s release from prison. People gathered at John Mark’s mother’s home to pray for Peter’s release. When Peter arrived there and knocked on the door. Rhoda went to the door. She heard his voice and ran to tell the others. They didn't know what to think and disbelieved her. Finally they went to the door and opened it. There stood Peter; they were amazed. Mrs. Detweiler found comfort that she was not alone in her amazement of prayer working to cause God to change outcomes.

Mrs. Detweiler explores scripture throughout the book to convey her message-that Christianity is a relationship between God and His children.

I would recommend this book to anyone searching for a deeper understanding of God. It would make a good small-group study.

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I received this book free from the author; all she asked me to do was for me to give an impartial, unbiased, and fair review.

Faith and Actions

goodmenproject.com

            

   “Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what He did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did.” James 2:21-22

The story of Abraham taking Isaac up to a mountain and preparing his son with Sarah for sacrifice is known by believers. We read where Isaac asks why they didn't have the sacrificial animal with them. Abraham responded with words of faith, “The Lord will provide.”

 James tells us Abraham’s faith was “made complete” by his deeds. When we get into the issue of works, we look at works being the starting point in our journey of faith. If Abraham hadn't believed in God’s providing, I don’t believe he could have done as God told him.

The work a person does is the result of the faith he or she has. I once heard a children’s moments’ lesson sum up this issue very well.

“When we are new in the Lord we look at work as what we do in order to develop or faith. Actually our work is as a result of our faith.”

Click this for a special hymn  My Faith Looks Up to Thee

Live by Faith

iwww.simplyheavenlyfood.com 

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes; first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘the righteous will live by faith’” Romans 1:16-17 (NIV)

“I am not ashamed of the gospel. . .” Paul states this very firmly. He was transformed from one who terrorized those who believed to one who evangelized for Christ. Today we should not be ashamed of our relationship with God. We had an experience recently where a neighbor told us that he explained that Hubby and I had always tried to help those in need. They had a serious need and, after praying about that circumstance in their lives, we were able to make an offer to get them through this time.

“. . . the power of God. . . ” This is a faith statement. Paul, who down played his credentials speaks here of the awesomeness of God’s Word.

” . . . for the salvation of everyone who believes . . .” Did you catch the wording here? of everyone who believes. Let’s see, if a wealthy man invites God into his heart in one part of town and a homeless man asks God into his heart in another end of town, did God accept these invitations equally? Yes, He did. God makes Himself available to each of His children, rich or poor alike.

“. . . righteousness from God is revealed . . .” God shows what He expects from us through His word and His actions. As His children, we don’t have to guess.

“. . . a righteousness that is by faith from first to last . . .” Because we believe in God, He deems us righteous. We live for Him and He chooses to call us His children. He loves us even when we haven’t acknowledged Him. When we do ask Him into our hearts, we find out how sweet a relationship with God is.

“‘. . . the righteous will live by faith’” God deems His children to be worthy of living with Him in heaven. Until He calls us there we are to live out our lives trusting Him and believing in Him as we walk on this earth, our temporary homes.

Click to hear a hymn of faith: Christ the Solid Rock

Faith Overcomes

“. . . for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” 1 John 5:4-5 (NIV)

As we mature in Christ, we more easily accept what He tells us and we grow closer to Him. For me, this has a special meaning. For me, things of this world are just that, things. Now, please, don’t misunderstand me. I know we have certain possessions that are basic to living safely. I know we aren't to get attached to them. These products serve a purpose and break down. But we shouldn't act defeated when this happens; our faith is not in that equipment but in the LORD.

Faith Statement My life is not my own. I belong to Christ.

Our Faith Needs To Grow

               “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7 (NIV)

Do we remember how we felt when we first accepted Jesus into our hearts? Paul tells the Colossians and us how to become rooted, built up, and strengthened in our faith.

“. . . continue to live in him . . .” When we ask Jesus into our hearts, we intend to have that relationship forever. Following Jesus is not something we do part-time. He went to the cross in order for us to become acceptable for entry into heaven.

“. . . strengthened in the faith . . .” We learn as we read His Word. God gives us instructions about how to live, giving us power to overcome the trials and circumstances the world throws at us.

“ . . overflowing with thankfulness. . .” As children of God, we should be giving thanks to Him each time we pray, every time we see a sunrise or sunset, and each time we hear of a miracle.

I have heard it said that “If we do not grow in our faith (move forward), we stagnate in it and then regress (go backwards). Given the tenor of the times, I believe it’s safe to say that no Christian would want to not grow in faith. With all the Bible studies, devotional books, and translations of God’s Word, we have advantages over the Colossian believers to facilitate our growth in the faith.

My Faith Has Found a Resting Place