"The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much." (James 5:16)
James was the half brother of Jesus and he earned the nickname "Camel Knees" because of the callouses on his knees from praying. He goes on in the next verse to cite Elijah as example of a man who was effective in praying. Elijah stood before the wicked King Ahab, and said, "As surely as the Lord lives, it will not rain by my word," and it did not rain for 3 1/2 years. That is pretty effective praying.
How would Elijah have the audacity to pray like that? He had found a promise in Deuteronomy where God said if his people turned away from him, He would withhold the rain. So Elijah prayed the promise of God.
You and I have the same available resources that Elijah had. What does it take to be effective in our prayer life? It means coming in the name of Jesus, trusting the promises of God's Word, and exercising faith. Heb. 11 tells us that without faith we can never please God. What is your prayer life like? Is it effective? Seek God with all your heart.
Monday, August 17, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
In God's Will
"You meant it for evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result." (Gen. 50:20)
These were the words of Joseph to his brothers when they were reunited in Egypt. You remember, out of jealousy while tending their father's sheep they had sold Joseph into slavery. But he had earned the favor of Pharaoh and become prime minister of Egypt. God had allowed Joseph to interpret the Pharaoh's dream about the coming famine and lead Egypt to prepare for lean years by storing food. His brothers had come to buy food, and now they were afraid. Joseph notes that even though the intention of others was evil, because he was in God's will, God used the evil to accomplish His ultimate purpose for Israel.
It is not necessarily safe to be in the center of God's will. Some people have been martyred and others suffered severely in the center of God's will. But when you are in God's will nothing can happen to you that God does not ultimately use to accomplish His greater purposes. The most rewarding and satisfying life is the life lived in the will of God. One day all will stand before God and give an accounting of the stewardship of their lives. Some will hear God say, "Well, done, good and faithful servant."
Today, decide to trust in God with all your heart. Stay focused on Him and surrender yourself to His purpose and will in your life. It will be an awesome adventure as He allows you to be a part of His Story as you continue to faithfully do what He desires.
These were the words of Joseph to his brothers when they were reunited in Egypt. You remember, out of jealousy while tending their father's sheep they had sold Joseph into slavery. But he had earned the favor of Pharaoh and become prime minister of Egypt. God had allowed Joseph to interpret the Pharaoh's dream about the coming famine and lead Egypt to prepare for lean years by storing food. His brothers had come to buy food, and now they were afraid. Joseph notes that even though the intention of others was evil, because he was in God's will, God used the evil to accomplish His ultimate purpose for Israel.
It is not necessarily safe to be in the center of God's will. Some people have been martyred and others suffered severely in the center of God's will. But when you are in God's will nothing can happen to you that God does not ultimately use to accomplish His greater purposes. The most rewarding and satisfying life is the life lived in the will of God. One day all will stand before God and give an accounting of the stewardship of their lives. Some will hear God say, "Well, done, good and faithful servant."
Today, decide to trust in God with all your heart. Stay focused on Him and surrender yourself to His purpose and will in your life. It will be an awesome adventure as He allows you to be a part of His Story as you continue to faithfully do what He desires.
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