Why Worry When You Can Pray

I got up this morning and I began reading my email. I get alerts from some conservative blogs and was reading about the affects of terrorism on the military written by Colonel Oliver North. His evalution of the situation was pretty grim. He was talking about our president and the upcoming trials for the World Trade Center terrorist Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other terrorists in New York City. As I was reading I thought how much fear people in this country have over the things that are happening in the world right now.  Suddenly a voice from my childhood rang out in my head and I heard Sister Chloe Lott singing an old song. Why worry when you can pray? Trust Jesus...let him be your stay. Don't be a doubting Thomas! Rest fully on His promise! Why worry...worry...worry...worry...when you can pray!

There are two important points to this story.

1. What are you worried about? Pray...Pray...Pray!
2. Our children need teaching songs. They learn from their music values they never forget!

Luke 21: 25-28

²⁵And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring;
 ²⁶Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.
 ²⁷And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.
 ²⁸And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. 
Don't Worry...Pray!

Faith

Faith is at the core of the belief system for every follower of Jesus Christ. So what is faith? Hebrews 11: 1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. ²For by it the elders obtained a good report.
The New International Version makes this even more plain: ¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for.

Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

Romans 1:17
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.

Hebrews chapter 11 is a wonderful recounting of the patriarchs and early believers who followed God without reservation. These ancients demonstrated the value of living and walking by faith. Their lives were blessed and they received miracles of astounding greatness.

Hebrews 12: 1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

²Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Our world is at a crossroad that may lead to the end of the age. But...we are not there yet! At this moment in time it is important to stand firm on your faith. Keep up your prayer life! Review your attitudes daily. Ask yourself what God is looking for in you? What can I do that will be pleasing to God?

To you older believers who have stood firm for your whole life...thank you. However, you must remember that the race is not run...the battle is not over...and the end has not come. While you may wonder what God can do with you at your time of life, you must make yourself available to the Lord. God is looking for prayer warriors. Prayer is the greatest thing you can do for yourself, your family, your church family, and your community! God will take your prayers and turn your church into a powerhouse and a soul winning station! It is up to you to take up the challenge and stand on the faith that you have carried with you through the long years of your life.

Be a PRAYER WARRIOR! Nothing you choose to do will compare with the battles you will win in the heavenlies!

Ephesians 6:16
In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

I challenge you today! Take up the shield of faith and go forth to do battle on behalf of the church of God! Claim your lost children, your friends, and give spiritual covering to your church family in the Name of Jesus Christ!

Image Credits
Retrieved from Creative Commons Google and Yahoo Images May 19, 2009

Lay Hold on Eternal Life

1. 1 Timothy 6:12
   Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
2. 1 Timothy 6:19
   Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

I have been thinking a lot about laying hold on eternal life. I have lived for the Lord by choice almost as long as I have been alive. It seems to me many of us become accustomed to living for God and the lifestyle that it becomes a way of life. Now, this can be a good thing or a bad thing.

If we become so used to living for God that we lose sight of the intensity, the passion, and the need to pray more effectively, we may find ourselves in trouble during the perilous times in which we now live. It is time for the believers to forget about superficial values and get to the core of the issue. The hard questions must be asked. Do you or do you not believe we are living in the End Times? If you do believe we are in the end times, it is beyond foolish to live in a manner that does not acknowledge that fact.

Jesus gave us specific instructions about living in the last days.

Luke 21

The Coming of the Son of Man
25 “And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring; 26 men’s hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near.”

The Parable of the Fig Tree
29 Then He spoke to them a parable: “Look at the fig tree, and all the trees. 30 When they are already budding, you see and know for yourselves that summer is now near. 31 So you also, when you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. 32 Assuredly, I say to you, this generation will by no means pass away till all things take place. 33 Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

The Importance of Watching
34 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. ³⁵ For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. ³⁶ Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”

Friends, I feel in my soul that something has changed. I can't quite put my finger on it. I have been looking for the Rapture of the Church every day of my life as long as I can remember. One thing I know is that He is coming for a people who are looking for Him. Today there are more people who are haters of Christianity. In fact many people hate anyone who represents God...any god! Purpose in your heart today that you will make your calling and election sure!

Blessings!