As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, who do you persecute me?” Acts 9:3

I could have chosen any number of passages for today’s devotional. As we ring in the New Year, it’s appropriate for us to look at new beginnings, fresh starts, turning over a new leaf. In the twinkling of an eye, Saul-turned-Paul’s life was changed from persecutor to Believer. Later we see the hesitation of those in the Church who were naturally afraid to trust this persecutor.

But, if there’s anything that God is, He’s the God of the Second Chance. Arguably, He’s the God of the Second-Through-Hundredth Chance (or more). Heaven knows we need those chances regularly. You could just be starting The Journey of the Christian faith or fifty years into it; there’s always another chance.

Always.

Listen to me, my people; hear me, my nation. The law will go out from me; my justice will become a light to the nations. Isaiah 51:4

Without question, there is a ton of injustice in the world. We’ve all been victims of injustice to one degree or another. In fact, we’ve all been able to tell our stories to the authorities and still correct justice wasn’t handed out. That’s because, try as we might, we are imperfect people. Judges and juries are imperfect (which is a reason we can appeal cases). Sports referees are not perfect (hence we have instant replay). Parents are not perfect. With all of this imperfection, how will it all ever be made right?

There will be a Day when the Perfect Judge will mete out perfect justice to an imperfect world. Can you imagine? Wrongs will be righted. Injustices will be taken care of. The Book of Revelations even hints that “the leaves of the tree [of life] will be for the healing of the nations” Revelations 22:2. That speaks of justice and healing. Take a snapshot of the world we live in today. There are some very serious injustices occurring (more than a bad sports call or an overlooked misdemeanor could ever be). And yet, God will make it right.

Rejoice, brothers and sisters, that we’ll be able to witness true and absolute Justice one day. Until then, we can pray against the gross injustices that are taking place every single day.

Voice of the Martyrs

That night God appeared to Solomon and said to him, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you"…Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours? 2 Chronicles 1:7,10

This is truly an amazing passage of Scripture. It gives us great insight into how God thinks. Solomon could have asked for anything at all. Granted, he was king over Israel and he could have commanded any material or societal whim he desired. But he had all of that. He wanted something that was lasting and meaningful. I also find interesting because it's God who is actually asking the question. Solomon chose wisdom and as a result, he was able to ruling an entire nation in wisdom and penned the Book of Proverbs, (probably) the Song of Solomon, and (probably) Ecclesiastes, among other things.

This is a great question for us to answer. We often crave fame, fortune, glamor, and popularity (to name a few) over sound relationships, wisdom, and integrity. Left to our own 'wisdom' we wouldn't choose wisdom as something to be valued. But if the wisest man in the world chooses wisdom when asked what he wanted from God, we would do well to put wisdom in our top one or two things to request from God!

We need wisdom. We need wisdom to make right mundane 'everyday' choices and big picture 'life' choices.

If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault. James 1:5

And this is the testimony; God has given us eternal life,
and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have
the Son of God does not have life. 1 John 5:11-12

I like clarity. Verse twelve is very clear about who has
life and who doesn’t have life. As we prepare for the new year and all it has
for us, it’s eternally important for us to ask whether or not we have the Son
of God in our lives. It’s not a difficult question and most reading this will
know right away if he or she “has” the Son of God.

And yet, it’s a wonderful question to ask and answer. Think
of it. You have the Son of the Living God in your life. You pray to him; you
read His word; you talk to others about Him; and He guides you. If you were to
tell others who are not in the faith this, they might question your sanity, but
those of us who are in this faith know exactly what you are talking about.

Rejoice that he’s considered you worthy to be called a
Child of God; and continue to pray for the opportunities of inviting others
into the Kingdom.

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my
days; let me know how fleeting is my life.” Psalm 39:4

As a new year approaches, it’s important for us to step back
to take a broader look at our lives and see how we’re doing. If you’re like me,
when you’re seeking to know God’s specific will for your life (“what do you
want me to do now, Lord?” would be one of those specific prayers in trying to
discern His specific will), it’s like we’re driving in a dense fog. You may
have traveled down that road a thousand times, but when the fog comes, it’s a
chore just to stay between the lines in the road. We’re often in that fog and
while we know God is all around us, we’re so concentrating on the now that we
miss the bigger picture. True, often we’re not privy to the Big Picture right
now, but we can still get a glimpse at it.

So what are these Big Picture things? Even though we may not
realize it now, we won’t be around in sixty or seventy years. Once we’ve lived this
life, it’s gone, over, finished. Big Picture things are things that will last:
relationships, family, friends, character, integrity. Obviously there are more. If we can view that verse in light of these Big Picture things, how are we doing? Could we be doing better? Do you think God is pleased with your progress thus far?

And just as dense fog gives way to blazing sunshine, we’ll
wake up one day and realize exactly what God was trying to do while you were in
the fog of life. Keep at it; keep doing what you’re doing. You’re doing fine.

There was also a prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel of the tribe of Asher. She was very old; she had lived with her husband seven years after her marriage and then was a widow until she was eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshiped night and day, fasting and praying. Coming up to them at that very moment, she gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem. Luke 2:36-38

Have you ever wondered why these three verses were included in Scripture? In keeping with the overall theme of this week’s devotions, we might conclude that Anna the prophetess was insignificant. She was up in years, had no husband, and spent all of her time in the temple. But that’s the best part. Because she had spent so much time worshiping God, she was attuned to the Spirit of God. Even though she was in her mid-eighties, she blessed the Messiah up close, something God-fearing Jews wait all their lives to do but never get the chance.

I have talked to men and women over the age of seventy who truly believe they are too old to be useful in the Kingdom of God. I think that mission groups do a great disservice to these seasoned veterans (and to the young people who would be blessed as a result of rubbing shoulders with them) by placing age restrictions on who can and who can’t go on missions trips. Look at the experience and depth of insight these Godly men and women bring to anything they do! And in many cultures, having that “gray head of hair” on your team brings maturity and authority that no enthusiastic high school teen could convey.

Nobody is insignificant in God’s eyes. Somehow we need to do better in showing this to the elderly among us. They still have a lot to offer and we still have a lot to learn.

She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

He was an obscure baby born to obscure parents in an obscure Middle Eastern town witnessed by obscure shepherds, foreigners, and animals. And yet He was and is the single-most central figure in all of history. He had no money to speak of, no wealth, no significant fame, no degrees, no fanfare. He had no home, no wife, no children. He walked with sinners, and rebuked the religious leaders of his day. He taught, and people hung on his every word. He healed the sick, raised the dead, rebuked demons, and walked alongside his Disciples. Religious leaders wanted to stone him; his followers wanted to crown Him king. He exposed hypocrisy, but had compassion on those who sought forgiveness.

Entire libraries of books have been written about this son of a carpenter; many more libraries have yet to be written. His message brought unity among his followers, but division among those who didn't. He still divides, and unifies. He was extremely clear about how to approach the Father: through Him and Him alone.

The obscure boy born in a cow's trough invites us to be His followers every day we're on this Earth.

Now there was a man in Jerusalem called Simeon, who was righteous and devout…then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary his mother, "This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed." Luke 2:25, 34-35

Simeon had waited all his life to say these things. The Lord had revealed to him that he would see the Lord's Messiah. He knew what was going to happen and spoke it over the boy and his parents. Again, we find a rather obscure man doing and saying something puzzling. I believe his proclamation benefited Mary and Joseph the greatest. Perhaps they just needed to be reaffirmed that what they had just gone through was a righteous act of God.

Having a gentleman approach you out of the blue to tell you your son would cause the falling and subsequent rising of Israel is enough for you to sit up and take notice, especially after you've had shepherd boys and Wise Men visit you. They needed to hear that message and Simeon needed to say it. And that's all we hear from Simeon.

I think one of the takeaways from these verses is simple: we really don't know how God is working in the hearts and minds of other people. We think we know but we really don't (we barely know how He's working in our own lives). And I believe that when more mature Believers reveal things to us that they could not know on their own, we probably should pay close attention.

“Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star in the east, and have come to worship him.” Luke 2:2

Have you ever wondered why God had anyone at all show up for the birth of Jesus? First we had the insignificant shepherds, now the “Wise Men” who were not even from the same region. I think the Wise Men played at least two important roles when they came to find the baby.

First, in one short chapter in the New Testament, the Wise Men exposed the selfish and arrogant leader named Herod. He didn’t want to compete with Jesus as a ruler so he ordered all babies under the age of two to be killed. He was willing to sacrifice thousands of children so that he could destroy this newborn called Jesus. How many did he actually kill and still not find who he was looking for? There’s bad and there’s evil. That is evil.

Secondly, we see that the Wise Men are focused. From the time they had a vision from the angel of the Lord until they knelt before the baby. they had a singleness of mind. They worshiped, they presented gifts, and they returned home. They had traveled a great distance using only a star to guide them, and now their “mission” was finished.

Or was it? Of course not. As Wise Men, they were probably influential in their region. They would talk about their experiences because they had a fantastic reason to talk. These men knew that Jesus was special (how else could a dream and a star compel them to travel hundreds of miles?), but I don’t think they quite realized how special He was.

The Wise Men and the shepherds were both playing an important role in history: they were witnesses to the greatest birth of all time. They would never forget the experience.

And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. Luke 2:8-9

Shepherds. They were young and impressionable. You might even say they were insignificant in the overall scheme of things. An angel appeared to them in the middle of the night. They paid attention and did what they were told. They probably left their flocks unattended while they went to see this baby.

But they were still shepherds. They had nothing to offer this newborn and his parents. So what did God have to gain by giving a few lowly shepherd boys a message about a baby being born in a cow’s trough? After the shepherds saw the family, told of their angelic vision, and glorified God (Luke 2:19-20), they returned to their fields.

But now, did they ever have a story to tell! And you’d better believe that they didn’t keep this story a secret.

Two thousand years later we still tell the story of a few insignificant shepherd boys who were given a brief glimpse into the heavenly realms. In God’s view, they were far from insignificant. And I guess that’s one of the points of the Christmas story: God was using insignificant people, events, surroundings, and venues to announce to the world about the birth of His Son. It’s certainly not the way we would have done it.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: “May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.” For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, “Peace be within you.” For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity. Psalms 122:6-9

There’s no earthly reason that the national of Israel should be in existence today. An entire religion of one billion people plus half that many leftists hate Jews and Israel. The only logical explanation for Israel’s survival is that God has His hand on that nation, and people are actively praying for it. You can say that it’s the American might and money behind the protection but that would be misleading because Israel itself has had to defend herself against the Arab World in 1967 and 1973. Israel fought the battle; Israel won the battle. God obviously confused the minds of Israel’s enemies then, and He still does today.

I don’t quite understand the logic or theology of it (and I’m sure several readers will enlighten me), but I do sense there has been a supernatural protection over that nation since its existence these last 4000 years (and something we’ve been able to witness for 60 years).

As the maniacal leader in Iran openly threatens to obliterate Israel and its people, we need to pray that Israel will experience peace. The following is the blessing nations get for doing just that:

“May those who love you be secure. May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels.”

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Philemon 6

We don’t talk about this verse often but perhaps we should. I was reluctant to pull it out because I know that as a writer and a teacher, I must also be a doer. Unless you’re outspoken and naturally bold, this verse will be one of the hardest things to do. Please notice, however, that the verse does not say that you need to go on a street corner or in a subway platform to proclaim the Gospel (more power to those who can do that) loudly and boldly.

Paul is praying for Philemon to be active in sharing his faith. That’s it. It’s obviously open for interpretation what “active” actually means. Twice a day, twenty times a week? I think if we play the numbers game we’re missing a critical point.

You see, sharing our faith helps us grow. Why? As the rest of the verse states, we are able to get a good handle of the good things we have in Christ. If we don’t know answers to objections, we get to go back and explore to find answers. We hone our theology and our arguments. We get to explore the mystery of Christ more closely.

The only downside to sharing our faith is the fear of rejection that many of us have. Fear and rejection exist. So does God. Now, given those two basic statements, which do you think is more powerful?

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Colossians 4:3

Most Believers throughout history have pondered what the ‘mystery of Christ’ actually means. Obviously there are as many interpretations of what it means as there are Followers. Here are a few possible meanings of the phrase:

• Why would the perfect Son of God come to live on earth with sinful, detestable man only to be ridiculed, beaten, then killed?
• How could an omnipotent God send his Son to live in such squalor conditions?
• Why did Jesus choose twelve ordinary men to change the world? Even more so, why did He choose Judas as one of the original twelve?
• Why did He feel the need to forgive the people who were killing him? Why didn’t He call for those twelve legions of angels to protect Him?
• Why did He have to be born to a Virgin, born in a cow’s trough, raised as a carpenter in a remote little town in the Middle East, and die in relative obscurity?
• Why does He still entrust the redeeming and world-changing message of the Gospel to frail, reluctant, and sinful Followers?

I’ve only touched the surface. I’m certain there are dozens of additional meanings of that phrase. Asking the question actually highlights the wonder of the phrase. We’ll never know the full meaning but there is considerable value in asking the questions and then pondering the answers.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

One story comes to mind that best illustrates this verse (some say the story actually happened; others say it’s urban legend). While waiting for the Maestro to come out to play, a little boy slipped away from his parents and jumped on stage and sat at the piano. He began playing the only thing he knew: Chopsticks. The crowd started murmuring, and many were getting vocal about taking the kid off the stage.

Out from behind the curtains, the Maestro appeared; the murmuring died down. The boy continued to play. The Maestro leaned over the boy and spread out his arms and helped to jazz up Chopsticks. Over and over again the Maestro whispered into the boy’s ear, “Keep going, keep going, you’re doing fine. Don’t worry about them. You’re doing fine. Keep going.”

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father…encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

This is what The Maestro is saying to us: Keep going. Keep at it. Don’t worry about them. You’re doing great! Keep it up. It’s sounding great. Don’t give up. Don’t give up.

Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you. 2 Thessalonians 2:13

Again, we come to the theme and prayer for peace. Now more than ever we need peace. One definition is the absence-of-war kind of peace. That’s good and any time countries can sit down and talk things through, it’s a good peace. I’m referring to the conscience-is-clear, the world-may-crumble-before-my-eyes-but-it’s-okay peace. That’s an inner peace that the world can’t give nor can the world take away.

I say we’re in for hard times and it will come on a number of fronts. Economically, the world is in chaos. One clear example of that is the Stock Market. It’s never fluctuated this wildly. Currencies are devaluing and on the verge of collapse. Look at the banking industry; people are very very worried.

Secondly, as Christians in a once free nation, we’ve had it easy for too long. We’ve enjoyed liberties and luxuries our forefathers only dreamed about. But there is a hostility, too, among non-believers. As economies collapse, watch for the political class to find scapegoats and people to blame. I believe we’ll see persecution in the West on the level that we’ve seen it in Asia and Africa these last 100 years.

But again, we have peace and no one can snatch it from us. Continue to pray for that peace as we enter this upcoming era of uncertainty and heartache.

Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Ephesians 6:19-20

If you’ve ever wondered what to pray for when you pray for missionaries, this is the perfect start to a prayer. Boldness. Courage. Fearlessness. Clarity. Wisdom.

We too need clarity and boldness when we open our mouths to speak. We need boldness because we often worry about what others think more than what God thinks. We’re products of our own culture. We’re taught to be tolerant and non-discriminatory. We’re taught to be multicultural. Ironically, we’re taught to “think outside the box.” But “the world” doesn’t want us to think outside the box because they think they have us right where they want us: all cooped up inside the box.

But there are some "box breakers” out there already. And as these times become more and more troubled, these box breakers will enjoy being turned loose on an unsuspecting and confused world. They will need others to hold them up in prayer and join them on the battle field, so to speak.

May we be the answer to our own prayer. May we have the boldness and courage to boldly proclaim the Salvation that Jesus Christ offers.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…this incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. Ephesians 1:18-20

Yesterday we touched upon the power we have as Believers. Today I will elaborate on that power, just as Scripture does. God has given his children power; that much should be obvious. If we realized Who was giving us that power, our lives would be radically different. I think it’s very difficult to grasp God and his infinite power, else why do we still sin, and harbor bitterness and strife?

If we realized the God who raised Jesus from the dead was giving us mighty power, for example, would we:

• Gossip about a co-worker?
• Be greedy?
• Tell people what we “really think of them?”
• Curse a fellow driver?
• Covet what isn’t ours (people, things, titles, power)?
• Get angry at little things?
• Be impatient with our family members?

So I would encourage you today to pray for God’s incomparably great power in your life. God wants us to have that power, not so that we would lord it over others but to be able to live a holy and just life. With that power we can love more, be more just in our dealings with others, overcome weaknesses and sin, and encourage and strengthen others more, etc. That’s the kind of power that the world just doesn’t understand.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know…this incomparably great power for us who believe. Ephesians 1:18c

Power. You don’t have to go far today to see what the world’s power can produce. It’s the power to control lives, power to distribute millions of dollars with a signature, power to command a hundred thousand soldiers to take out the bad guys, power to put a United States Senate seat up for the highest bidder. There are also positive examples of power: power to raise millions for worthy causes, power to mobilize and deploy medical and disaster personnel to a hurricane-stricken area, or the power to lead a university in the right direction.

So what is the “incomparably great power” Paul is referring to? In short, it’s the power of the Holy Spirit in the lives of Believers. It’s the power to resist sin.It’s the power to make incredibly wise life decisions. It’s the power to love your enemies (and your friends). It's the power to pray for those who are persecuting you. It’s the power to forgive.

It’s the power to live a holy life.

I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened
in order that you may know …the riches of his glorious inheritance in the
saints…Ephesians 1:18b

Two things strike me about this portion: saints and
inheritance. First, if you are a Believer you’re a saint. You don’t need
special

Vatican

blessings or pronouncements. The
word saint means “consecrated to God, holy" (Acts 9:13; Acts 9:32; Acts
26:10; Philippians 4:21; Romans 16:2; Ephesians 4:12; Ephesians 5:3, to name a
few instances of the word in the New Testament).It’s not only a term but a way
of life, consecrated, set apart.

Secondly is our inheritance. The Apostle wants us to realize
our extraordinary inheritance we have as Believers, as Saints. We are sons and
daughters of God. Think of it. He has given us this inheritance through his
Son. Our inheritance is adoption into the

Kingdom

of

God

.

Now, how can this change our thinking? Again, it’s what Paul’s
praying: that we would realize all of this. We don’t need to go around living
as though we’ve just eaten pickles. We don’t need to beat ourselves up over
every little thing that we mess up. We are children of the King. We’re saints
in God’s eyes. When we’re finally able to wrap our minds around that notion, it
will transform the image we have of ourselves and how we are to relate to “the
world.”

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in
order that you may know the hope to which he has called you…Ephesians 1:18

We have a hope! We don’t have to worry about what’s going to
happen to us after we perish. Our hope is secured. It was secured 2000 years ago
on the cross. Glory be to God!

Think about this in these very uncertain economic and
political times. Think about this Hope when others are trying to coerce you to
go farther and farther than you want to go. Think about this when you’re trying
to stretch out your paycheck month after month. You may not be wealthy or have
fame or even be admired by the world, but you have a Hope!

That’s cause for celebration. Every day.

Paul’s prayer is that we would realize that we have this
Hope because we forget. We shouldn’t, but in the nitty gritty of life, we
forget. No one can take that Hope away, try as they might.

Glory be to God!

I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. Ephesians 1:17

This is part of a prayer that every one of us can benefit from. Obviously there are things about our Savior that are only revealed through the Spirit of God. Or there are things written in Scripture that are illuminated when we ask for wisdom and revelation. In any event, it is possible to know Jesus better.

When I was a new Believer, I met a simple man of God who was very wise and a prayer warrior. I heard his prayer once that he would “get a glimpse” of God’s glory. I asked him about why he didn’t pray for more than a glimpse. “Son, I do get a glimpse of His glory on occasion, and let me tell you I am on the ground shielding my face because I can’t take it, it’s so powerful. I have to plead for him to go away because I can’t take it. I can’t even imagine what a double dose of that looks like, let alone his full glory.”

For my friend, getting to know Jesus better caused him to revise his prayers and really consider what he was praying. It also gave him a new understanding of the Glory of God and just how sinful he was in the shadow of that Glory. Getting to know Him better doesn’t have be as dramatic but it could be. Or it could be as simple as the “aha” moment you experience when you finally understand a passage you’ve read a hundred times. You get a glimpse of his illuminating power.

…remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:16b

I recall speaking with an elderly woman about my faith. She said she would watch me from her third floor window as I tossed my Drum Major baton into the air over and over as a High School Senior (we’re talking Dark Ages here!). I’m certain she prayed for my safety as that 4-foot chrome baton often acted like a missile on its way down into my hands, but she never said that. Instead these were her words, “I prayed that you would come to know Christ.” Just wow.

Needless to say, I really really like it when someone tells me he or she is praying for me. First, it’s moving because we are limited beings. We can only do so much in a day and to think that someone would off my name in prayer to God is humbling. Second, it lets me know that we’re not alone in the life. There are others who want to go alongside you and utter your name to God. Lastly, it proves that God isn’t finished working on my (and the person praying) yet. If he was, why would He bother to remind that person of me.

So, have you told someone lately that you’re praying for that person by name? Someone once told me, “please pray for me because you need the practice and I need the prayer.” It was blunt but it was probably true.

I have not stopped giving thanks for you… Ephesians 1:16a

The next few days I will be discussing this passage in Ephesians because it contains a lot of practical material for the Believer.

A general (though not the main one) theme in the Bible is thankfulness. We see it clearly in the Old Testament in the Psalms and Proverbs. Kings made it a point to publicly thank God. Many prophets urged men and women to give thanks and to repent. Often the people did neither and their societies suffered because of it. Obviously I’m painting this subject with a very broad brush but there are just so many verses in the Bible that burst with thanksgiving. The subject of thankfulness is even stronger in the life of Jesus and the apostle Paul.

For us, though, it’s important to give thanks to God and for others. Period. I’ve said it before but we often get whiny. If everything doesn’t go our way, sometimes others never hear the end of it. We even whine about being thankful! But when we’re thankful to God for others, we (briefly) divert the focus from us and our “plight”, and we shine a spotlight on what others have done. Let’s face it, we like to be thanked when we do something well or have been available for others. Sometimes that thanks is given publicly; sometimes it’s private. The true reward comes, though, when we give thanks for others before the Audience of One.

The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. Romans 16:20

Keeping with the current theme of prayers in the New Testament, this may not be a prayer, per se, but it could be! We all are looking for peace in one form or another. Many of our Brothers and Sisters in other nations are constantly under attack. Whether it’s horrendous physical attack or more subtle spiritual attack, the end result is the same: they get worn down and weary. They feel like giving up because no one seems to take note of their plight. I suspect that this was penned for that reason.

Unfortunately, there are a treat number of countries that are under persecution right now. Iran, North Korea, India, Cuba, Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, Vietnam, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Syria, and a large number of others. Pray that “the God of peace will soon crush Satan under their feet.” They need us to prop them up with our prayers.

Choose from one of those countries above and pray. If you don’t know a lot about that country, go to Christian Freedom International's "Where are Christians Persecuted?" for detailed articles.

Here are a few of the organizations that focus on the Persecuted Church:
Voice of the Martyrs
Open Doors
Christians in Crisis
Persecution Project Foundation

[Epaphras] is always wrestling in prayer for you… Colossians 4:12a

Paul’s choice of words in Colossians is fitting. Prayer is not easy. Praying consistently for someone is even harder. I think it goes deeper than that. It’s not merely the natural (often supernatural) internal struggle we have about praying for others. Recall the story of Jacob “wrestling with God” in Genesis 32:25-29. God right then and there gave him the name Israel, which means “struggle with God.” In the end, Jacob/Israel got the blessing he so desperately sought. We know that it was an intense struggle but we don’t know the nature of the issues. 

To wrestle with God over someone else requires us to know the person well. That takes time and intention. When we get to know that person is when we’re able to intercede on that person’s behalf. And that person may not even know that we are praying that way.

Can you think of someone you are willing to wrestle with God over? I am sure family members come to mind because we normally know them better but they are possibly the toughest BECAUSE we know them better! There is a person or persons out that that need your prayer, and you may very well be the only person praying on their behalf.

May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. 1 Thessalonians 3:12

I am thinking of the once popular Christian camp tune “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love.” Sadly in many churches and communities that is not the case at all. When I first became a Christian, someone said this about another Believer, ”I know I have to love him but I don’t have to like him.” I stopped short of asking for Chapter and Verse on that one!

I also think of the many denominations we have in the West that just do not get along. Often the theological differences are small and probably insignificant. It’s not that we don’t love the Presbyterians or Baptists or Pentecostals down the street, we just don’t talk to them regularly. I know it can be done because I’ve seen it. Where? Overseas on the foreign field, Southern Baptists and Assembly of God folks worked side by side to build the Kingdom of God (and probably unbeknownst to their superiors Stateside).

My point is this, I think we all benefit by praying this prayer for ourselves as often as we can. Then we can ask God to examine us to see where there might be obstacles in our love towards other Believers..

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. Philippians 1:9-10

This is the second prayer from the New Testament in as many days. It too should be memorized and prayed over people. How desperately we need discernment and purity in the present age. There are just so many moral, financial, social, and ethical decisions we need to make. We need the wisdom that brings discernment. It’s a prayer we can plead with God over our own lives.

I believe we’re entering an extremely difficult time financially as a nation (actually throughout the world) and it may become very very tempting to fudge a bit, to cut corners just to scrimp and save all you can. I suspect that even our moral and ethical foundations will be challenged and tested. People will be watching us. Our lives will be an example for those who are watching. People are hungry for truth, for someone who actually “walks the talk.”

Begin to make a list of prayers in the Bible. I will be discussing them in the days to come. Then one by one, memorize them. Recite them over and over and over again. Then begin praying them over people. They will absolutely love you for it. 

And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Colossians 1:9-12

If you’re like me, you can get “stuck” when you pray. The words won’t come easily or you don’t know how to pray in a given situation. These few verses are powerful when you have someone in mind and pray for that person by name with these verses. Even if you were to dissect it and pray for the person “from comma to comma”, it would be an incredibly strong blessing on that person.

For instance, how I would have loved to have someone praying that I would “grow in the knowledge of God” as a new Believer. Or how about that I would “bear fruit in every good work?” Being able to “please God in every way” seems like a laudable goal to pray for someone.

So, why is this more powerful than merely praying your own words? First, it helps you to focus. As you’re praying through this, you are picturing in your mind’s eye what it would look like if this person “grew in the knowledge of God” for example. Second, it’s the Word of God. What can be more potent than praying the Word of God over someone?

He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers. Proverbs 19:8

The older I get the more I find that wisdom is an extremely valuable thing to have.  When we’re young and impressionable, wisdom is a boring and tedious subject. We do foolish things when we’re young. But we’re also more daring and not afraid to try new and risky things (if you find yourself saying “I’m too old to do that,” you’re not young anymore!). Then as life happens to us, we are more reserved and cautious.

Wisdom in life is different. Making wise choices is difficult when we’re faced with hundreds of choices every day. Some are small and uncomplicated (what to wear in the morning), while others take more thought (what school to go to, what person to marry, etc). You rarely have ALL of the facts but are expected to make an educated choice. It takes wisdom! In fact, if you think about it, where you are today is a result of hundreds of choices you’ve made in your life. Some were great; some were good; others you’d like a “do-over” because they were so poor.

Even if you’ve made a wrong choice, you can correct course and get back on track. Every single time you can do that! One part of wisdom, then, is knowing (and acknowledging) that you’ve made a wrong choice and having the humility to correct it.

So when you’re faced with a difficult decision, “he should ask God, who gives [wisdom] generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. 1 Corinthians 1:18

Is it any wonder “they” don’t believe!

This man:

• Claimed to be God, the Son of God, and Messiah
• Was born of a virgin
• Turned water into wine and walked on water
• Raised the lame and dead
• Cast out demons
• Healed the sick
• Lived a sinless life for 33 years
• Preached for three years
• Foretold of his impending death on a cross
• Predicted that he would be raised to life and ascend to the Throne of God
• Taught that if you believed in Him, your sins would be forgiven and you would have eternal life.

Foolishness or power of God? If you get annoyed or disgusted with that list, it’s probably foolishness to you. If, however, you feel energized after reading the list, it’s as the Scripture states, the power of God.

Our task as Believers is to help “them” make the transition from thinking the message of the cross is foolishness to believing it to be the power of God. Impossible task? Not really. The Man described above will show us how.

Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” John 10:22-24

Throughout Jesus’ ministry we see regular people approach Jesus and talk to him. They saw him preach somewhere and they just want a better vantage point to observe and evaluate. Certainly other teachers had come through before and played a good game, but this Jesus man, he was different.

When He spoke, He spoke with authority.
He cast out demons with authority.
He healed the sick with authority.
He taught with authority.
He chose 12 followers who weren’t teachers or leaders; they were unusual but interesting choices.
And he could converse with everyday Joes and Jills.

Not much has changed in 2000 years. People of all stripes and kinds seek Him, some skeptical, some truly seeking. They follow Him from a distance just to be sure he’s the real deal. They notice His followers and how they act.

Look around some time and observe some of the seemingly irrational behavior of others (e.g., the spiked green hair on the teen or the fling that the middle-aged man is having is considered irrational behavior. They are seekers in the truest sense of the word. They are searching. They may even lie awake at night hoping to find the truth soon, before it’s too late.