A Church with a Heart for our Community

June 21st Thursday

Good morning and greetings to you in the name of the one who makes it possible to access the Throne of Grace, Jesus Christ – THE Risen Saviour! Happy Day One of Summer 2018…and what a beautiful morning to begin a new season. I trust that you are finished with Spring and are looking forwards to what is ahead. I will be praying for you today, asking Father to make you aware of the importance of the season you are in (Proverbs 10:5a TPT) and to release fresh energy.

Last night was our Bible study night and we were continuing to consider  Life Changing Prayer…approaching the Throne of Grace, through video teaching with Pastor Jim Cymbala from the Brooklyn Tabernacle. It was our fifth lesson and we have been, I believe, challenged, taught new perspectives, and therefore equipped in new ways. Our lesson last night was built around the instruction – is anybody in trouble? Let him pray! – James 5:13 and the statement – whatever the trouble is, we have the promise that God is the one who is going to bring the answer. One other key part of the teaching – the number one enemy of prayer and praying is — emotion. It has been a good Bible study thus far and I know that we have all learned something…maybe even many ‘somethings’.

So that the teaching would be firmly implanted in my thoughts, God decided to send me two songs – a new one and a not-so new one. First, the new song uses questions and a declaration…who else commands all the hosts of heaven…who else would offer His only Son…who else invites me to call Him Father — Only a Holy God! – by Michael Farren. Second, the not-so new song…Jesus, Saviour pilot me over life’s tempestuous sea; unknown waves before me roll, Hiding rocks and treacherous shoal; Chart and compass come from thee. Jesus, Saviour, pilot me – Edward Hopper. – translation: I am in trouble! You are the only One who can help…’only a Holy God’!

I want to leave you with a few sentences from our workbook from last night: The truth is that God hears every prayer–even prayers of the most hardened sinner. He hears the whispered and desperate prayers of atheists. He hears the memorized prayers of “religious” people who go through the motions but forget what their memorized prayers really mean. He hears children who pray for food to survive or gt a puppy on their birthday. … If we are going to grow in prayer, we must recognize that God is far more attentive than we realize and that he delights in answering our prayers. – Jim Cynbala, Life Changing Prayer.

Have a wonderful day – blessings!