Eternal Approach

“And whiles I was speaking, and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy mountain of my God; Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly ,touched me about the time of the evening oblation. And he informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding. At the beginning of thy supplications the commandment came forth, and I am come to shew thee; for thou art greatly beloved: therefore understand the matter, and consider the vision. (Daniel 9:20-23)

This biblical passage says that Gabriel started out toward Daniel at the moment God commanded him to go. God commanded him as Daniel first began to pray for Israel and himself. So let’s just say Daniel was praying for about an hour. Maybe more. Maybe less.

And that it took the angel about an hour to get to Daniel.

That is a bit surprising. I thought that the travel-time for angels would be instantaneous. I have no real basis for thinking that. I just did.

Continue reading “Of Angels and the Speed of Light” →

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” (I Thessalonians 5:18)

This is the season that serves as a special reminder of all that God has provided for us.

But this simple truth is not always easy to see. Our “storehouse” mentality does not allow us to  “rest” in Christ and follow this command of scripture.

Yes, it is a command. We are to be thankful in EVERY thing.

We want a big store of money that we can draw from at any time. A storage that we can see physically. That is obvious to us when we go to our online checking account to see our balance.

Or we need a big pile of strength, or self confidence or a clear path that can take us a good distance down the road.

Continue reading “In Everything Give Thanks” →

Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)

And He also said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings and not one of them is forgotten before God?  But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore:  ye are of more value than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6,7)

What we have here looks like a kind of biblical-times “sparrow coupon day”.

A farthing was the lowest valued coin that was consistently minted by the Romans. It was equal to about 1/4 of a penny at the time the King James Bible was printed. So, today you could figure we might get 5 sparrows for about 2 cents. Unless you want to factor in inflation and shipping. Unless you buy $35.00 worth of them on Amazon.com and get free shipping? But then you would probably get about 8,750 of them for 35 bucks.

But what are you going to do with all of them? What do you do with even 5 of them? Eat dinner or start a zoo, I suppose.

Continue reading “No Sparrow Left Behind” →

We are told to “Pray without ceasing.” And to cast “all your care upon him; for he careth for you.” (I Thessalonians 5:17; I Peter 5: 7)

So, I have discovered, over the years, the great benefit of giving my problems to the Lord. Even the little ones. This is a work in progress. I am learning every day of things I try to handle myself which need to be in His hands rather than my own.

And sometimes, the pain and confusion of life becomes too much to express in words. We groan within ourselves feeling as if we are “hedged in” or unable to break through God’s silence toward us relating to some issue. This can go on for months, years and even decades.

Continue reading “The Mind of Christ” →

The fruit that God produces in us is not for our own use. He is the vine and we are the branches used to produce fruit that others can use.

They will pick what they need. Sometimes sweet. Sometimes sour. Or maybe just kind of in between. Maybe even bitter fruit at times.

The point being, that people will find what they need from us. At different times, we may be useful to one type of person. At another time, someone else may find a thing from us they can use. We just don’t know.

Continue reading “The Fruit is Not for Us” →

As Christians, we tend to avoid the hard stuff. We are mostly engaged in pain management. I confess to this. Life is hard. And there comes a time when it can be hard on a regular basis. And this pain is not easily managed. Sometimes not at all.

Most Christians live in a romanticized fantasy of what the Christian life should be. When I first became a Christian, I saw this new life portrayed in Christian films, magazines, radio and books. It was all very beautiful, fashionable, bright and comfortable.

There was a time that I thought about going to seminary. To a very beautiful place that I saw in the Christian magazines that would allow me to grow in Biblical truth and become a pastor or whatever God had for me. That future was so bright I had to wear shades.

But life takes funny turns.

“Practical Tips” on How to Rise from the Dead

Continue reading “Finding God in Dark Places” →

One of the problems I often face in prayer is that I am concerned with saying the right thing. That I am providing all the information God needs to know. Not forgetting any crucial point. And being careful not to mess up in the way and manner I ask for stuff.

I worry that I will not cover all the details properly. That something vital will be left out.

Recently, I was watching an old episode from the X-Files. Actually one of my favorite ones. It was about a genie, like the one from Aladdin’s lamp. The genie would grant 3 wishes. But you had to be careful. The manifestation of a wish could be disastrous. It was about not providing enough information, not asking in a very specific way. You needed to be really careful or things could go very badly. REALLY BAD.

Continue reading “Regarding Genies and Prayer” →

“For who hath despised the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10)

Whoa! That really does not fit the modern goal-setting mentality of Evangelical and Fundamental churches today. We are goal obsessed. We are results oriented.

Christian leaders have been seduced by the dream of large ministries. Bible churches today, seem to have no resistance to the Church Growth movement’s emphasis on secular-marketing philosophy and strategy. We have become moths drawn to the light.

Where are we told to build big things? To go for big goals? To build a big church or outreach? To build huge arenas and call them churches?

Please, call them something else; just not a church.

Continue reading “The Day of Small Things” →