The Power of Prayer

Exodus 17:12-13
“When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”


Focus on these two verses for a moment.
“When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other- so that his hands remained steady until sunset. So, Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”

Look at the power of prayer! Look at the effect Moses’ belief in the Lord had. Moses raised his hands, lifting up the Lord; exalting him. We do not know what Moses was saying while he was on that hill. While studying this portion on my own, I was more than a little upset that Moses’ words on the mountain were not recorded.
But as I spoke my disappointment to the Lord, He clearly spoke to my heart saying, “It was not the words of Moses that are important, what is important is whom he sought for protection and victory.” And here, my friend, that is indeed recorded.

Look at the portion of the verses above in bold.

1. Moses’ hands grew tired. Moses had his hands raised in prayer for one whole day. From what I assume was sun up to what I know to be sunset. That is a long time! No wonder his arms grew tired. While I have not been asked to climb up a hill and hold a staff in my hands for a day, there have been circumstances in my life where long periods of prayer have been needed to overcome. During some of these times, I have grown tired. With a heart aching to have the ‘amalekite’ I was faced with defeated. But just as Moses, though we are tired, our belief in Christ and our prayer must not cease in times like these!

2. Aaron and Hur held his hands up- one on one side and one on the other. Wow. I love this part. Moses’ brother and his friend held his hands up so that the victory of the Lord would together be theirs. They held his arms up because he was too tired. We, as Christians, need to rally around our fellow believers lifting their arms up in prayer when they are too tired to do so! We need to stand in agreement with them; lifting high the name of the Lord on the hill. What victory we will see then. You’ve heard there is safety in numbers…in prayer there is ‘power in numbers”!

3. …Joshua overcame…with the sword… Joshua overcame the Amalekites because he was covered with the favor of the Lord. He was covered through prayer. Moses sought the Lord because he believed the Lord. The Lord had set him out on a journey and Moses knew that the Lord was going to be faithful and ‘stand there before him’(Exodus 17:6). Oh, how I pray that each one of us will realize this truth in our own lives. The truth that the Lord goes before us; preparing the way.

Do not miss ‘with the sword’ in this chapter. Paul commands us in Ephesians 6: 17 to "take up the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Let’s cut straight to the core of things for a moment: Victory in Christ comes from a relationship cultivated through prayer and through His word! You want to overcome the enemy; you need to get out your sword!
Even as Moses was upon the hill praying for Joshua and his army to prevail that certainly does not mean Joshua wasn’t fighting his hardest! Prayer is not a promise of roses and rainbow combats. Prayer is an instrument of war. Just as reading and speaking the Word is. We need to know Christ and to know Christ we need to know His word!


Verse 14 of Exodus 17 says that the Lord told Moses to write down what had happened on a scroll because it was ‘something to be remembered’. I love that! He also wanted Joshua to hear that it would be remembered because the Lord was going to get rid of Amalek for good – blotting out the memory of them from under heaven.
I wonder what Joshua thought of that? He must have been silenced by the honor of being the Lord’s. I am sure that he was tired, hungry, dirty, blood drenched but I also think he was thankful, empowered, comforted and in awe. The Lord of all creation had just told Moses to relay a message to Joshua that his fighting had not been in vain. The Lord would take care of his battle with Amalek for good.

Exodus 17:15-16
Moses built an altar and called it The LORD is my Banner. He said, "For hands were lifted up to the throne of the LORD. The LORD will be at war against the Amalekites from generation to generation."

How blessed we are to call this very God our own! What a comfort it is to know that we can bring Him our worries; ask Him to defeat the enemy we face daily. What a privilege it is to raise our hands in prayer to him and to join others in this fight. He sees, He hears and He answers! In the beautiful name of Jesus we have been given victory. The Lord is our Banner. Let's meet with Him...hands raised in prayer. Covered by Christ.

(Excerpt taken from The Invitation written by K. Johnston)

Emmanuel's Purpose

Matthew 1:22-24 (Amplified Bible)
All this took place that it might be fulfilled which the Lord had spoken through the prophet, Behold, the virgin shall become pregnant and give birth to a Son, and they shall call His name Emmanuel--which, when translated, means, God with us.

Emmanuel- God with us. Not God against us. Not God in the distance. Not God somewhere in the area. No God angry at us. Not God disappointed in us. Not God without us. Not God on vacation talking about us. Not God passing by us on his way to the party down the block. Not God picketing to rid of us. Simply and stunningly God with us!

This is the ministry of Christ while He walked on earth. Personal. What was once distant (see Exodus 33 and Moses asking for just a glimpse of our God) is now accessible with astounding intimacy. A mother tracing the outline of her heavenly baby’s face. An earthly father teaching Him carpentry. Disciples knowing the sound of His laughter. Friends knowing the depth of His love. The crippled knowing His healing touch. The blind seeing Him first. The deaf hearing His voice and recognizing it as sound. Christ coming to earth means a new day for us. One that tore down the wall of separation and made available to us what was lacking: Relationship!

There is a distinct difference between knowing of someone and being with someone. I know of Johnny Depp. I’ve watched his movies, daydreamed about being lost out on a ship somewhere and having Jack Sparrow rescue me…but could you imagine me being with Johnny Depp? As in same room, same dinner, same conversation? Oh yeah, the difference between knowing of Mr. Depp and being with him is major!

This is what the birth of Christ is for us. It causes us to take a turn from the Old Testament living and focus our lives around a new truth: We can have intimate friendship with the King. Of course before I go on here I am sure most of you are thinking that while it is all nice and dandy that Jesus was with the people in his age; he is not with us in person today. And you would be most certainly right. But I’ve got something even better for you…so thanks for pointing that fact out.

Colossians 1:25-28 is an amazing scripture set. Actually I strongly recommend the book of Colossians as a personal study. It is jam-packed with only Christ truths. Leaves me astounded every time I read it! Colossians 1:27 points us to an interesting promise: “To them (the saints) God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ IN you, the hope of glory. Wow.

As we celebrate the birth of our Savior these next few days let us continually keep our minds wrapped around this amazing truth: He came as Emmanuel (God with us) so that through grace He could be our hope of glory. Christ in us. We can know Him intimately. The laughter. The love. The passion. The promise. Ask Him to reveal to your heart the depth of this hope of glory. Christ lives in you! And with Him comes radical relationship. Embrace it. Unwrap it. Enjoy the gift of it this Christmas.

Merry New York Christmas!

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Rocky Roads & Tumbling Trees

Isaiah 26:1
“We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.”



It’s a rocky road. And not the kind of rocky road that is a mix of marshmallow, nuts and chocolate. I’m talking about the everyday, ordinary lives we are living. The messes we have to clean up. The people depending on us. The horrible midnight phone calls. The let downs. The dreams long lost. The sacrifices made for others. Being the shoulder for someone to lean on even when you need a shoulder yourself. The bills that need to be paid. The fights that catch you off guard. Believe me, we’ve all been there…hiking on the rocky road.
Our Christmas tree has been decorated three separate times this year. Yes, we are Christmas fanatics in my home. By October Christmas music makes it debut into our weekend lineup; by November the Christmas lists are thought up, written, alphabetized and printed out. By early December the shopping is done and the gingerbread house stands erect. We indeed are the epitome of Christmas spirit. But decorating our tree three times just for the fun of it is even a bit much for us!
Actually, the tree keeps falling over. Blame it on our princess cat, Serafina (Sera for short), and a faulty tree stand. The first time Sera inched her way up into the tree we thought it was kind of cute. Two days later the tree was looking a little crooked and as my Dad crawled under it to straighten the base out, the whole thing toppled over on top of him!
Bulbs broke; all the ornaments fell off, the lights needed to be restrung as well as the garland. Candy canes were left homeless. The angel topper was without a place to perch. Yeah, Sera did a number. Funny how cute flies out the window when there is a mess to clean up! Laughing about it my Mom and I re-decorated the tree. “Second time of the year,” we chuckled. “Get the video camera out and tape this time too, “my Dad joked.
Last night’s tree topple was not nearly as funny. It happened after a long day. A crazy crashing sound rushed through the house close to midnight. A broken tree base, more smashed ornaments and a cat hiding in the corner of the living room was really not how we envisioned the night ending.
Today we re-decorated once more. This time ornaments that we have had for years because of their cute homemade- third- grade- art -charm were tossed into the garbage. Candy canes were cracked open and sucked on. Garland was left for my dad to handle tomorrow. The lights look like they are more strung out on crack then on a tree. It’s sad but it is the truth. The tree garnishing has lost its charm.
This tree crashing dilemma struck a cord within me. It’s not so much the tree itself falling and smashing to the ground twice now that has me so captured but more what it represents. I’ve been mulling over the symbolism I just know Christ has for our hearts among the tinsel and blinking lights. And I hear Him whispering, “It’s a rocky road, daughter, isn’t it?” Honestly in tears all I can do is nod my head in silent agreement and ask in my heart how much longer we will have to trek down this broken boulevard called life.
Sure we have our good days. Funny moments. Hysterical laughter in the company of friends. But what about all of the in between stuff? Reality tells me that some of us are barely getting by. I know within my own personal inner circle of friends, right now, every single one of us is struggling with a major life issue. Not small ‘what should I wear out on my dinner date’ conundrums – but full on, life altering situations that need serious answers; decisions that have the potential to affect our futures. We are in need of something concrete.
Christ is saying to us tonight through His astoundingly powerful and fully active Word that with Him is foundation and fortification. A laid base and a promising strength. Check out Isaiah 26:1, “We have a strong city; God makes salvation its walls and ramparts.” There are no toppling trees in our future with Christ. Oh, but there is a strong city that is built upon the salvation He offers.
Rocky road? You bet. Worth the trip? I hope so. Final destination? One of foundation and fortification. One of certain security.
Let us honor the Lord on this journey. Let us reach out and follow His lead. He is enlarging His heavenly nation and He is gaining glory for Himself! Watch as He extends all the borders of the land. (Isaiah 26:15) I believe for each of us this is a time of testing and urging. Christ is longing for us to grow and flourish. Wait on Him as the stakes are raised in your own life. Even amidst tumbling trees and broken glass let us bring praise. Rest today in the assurance of this strong city we have. Rest in His foundation and fortification.
I stand ready. Backpack in hand as we continue down this rocky road, as we trek out on the journey. Lord,” blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you. Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca (which is translated ‘weeping’), they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains also cover it with pools.”
Hold on, after our valleys of weeping is coming places of springs and solid ground!

Check out Psalm 84:
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm%2084&version=31

Deflating the Pool Floats

I remember sitting on a pool float, ironically not in the pool at the time, one hot August day. I had awoken to devastating news, that had taken my family by storm and well…I had ventured out into the deep backyard that my grandfather calls his own. I needed a few moments to gather my thoughts and hold the little broken pieces of my heart in my shaking hands.
By the time I had gotten situated on the pool float that held so many childhood memories for me - one thing was obvious: This could not be happening to me. This was not happening to me. This had not happened.
It was in those inner announcements, those silent hidden moments where I chose not to listen to the still voice in my heart. To the voice beckoning me forward. To the voice that desired something very specific for me to hear. I did not choose to hear the voice.
Instead, I chose to take matters into my own hands. I chose to sit alone and convince myself I was not sitting among the ruins of my former life. I was not smack dab in the middle of a full-fledged loss. I was not about to walk into a funeral home and watch as my family mourned. I was not.
Denial. Oh, what a friend she was. Denial and I. Denial swept into my life quicker than a tornado in Kansas and spoke her truth to me, “This is not happening to you!”
If only I could have listened to the tender voice. If only I could have stilled for a moment and walked to the foot of the cave and listened. Because my Father, who loves me, was whispering: “Dear child, this is happening. This has happened. But yet the story is not over.”
Hard to hear. But so necessary. My Father desires truth for me. He does not want me to make my home in the isolation of pool floats and disillusion. He desires certainty for this heart of mine.
It was not until years later that I heard His declaration to my heart. Yes, he was still speaking it to me: “It has happened but the story is not over.” It was not until years later where I desired His truth to be my guide.
In the words of the Psalmist, “Send forth your light and your truth, let them guide me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell.” (Psalm 43:3)
The Lord has not completed his story for me even though I have asked for Him to end my book. I know what it is to get on your knees and ask to be taken away from this place. No, he has not finished with me residing on earth but as I remain he has not left me alone. He has sent forth his light and truth to guide me - and I have found myself at the feet of his holy mountain. I have rested where He dwells.
Truth is desired for you today. Will you listen to the still, small voice? Will you arise from your pool float and venture to the foot of the cave? Will you allow yourself to be brought to his holy mountain? Will you find yourself where he dwells? Will you accept the rest his truth brings? Truth is desired for you today!
Kindhearted truth. Not an in-your-face-get-over-it calloused truth but an embracing truth: “Dear child of mine, yes, this has indeed happened to you - oh but even more so, I have happened for you. My life given so that you may rest in righteousness. Come to my holy mountain and be comforted…”

When Christmas Becomes ?????mas

Jude 1:3-4 (The Message)
Fight With Everything In You
Dear friends, I've dropped everything to write you about this life of salvation that we have in common. I have to write insisting—begging!—that you fight with everything you have in you for this faith entrusted to us as a gift to guard and cherish. What has happened is that some people have infiltrated our ranks (our Scriptures warned us this would happen), who beneath their pious skin are shameless scoundrels. Their design is to replace the sheer grace of our God with sheer license—which means doing away with Jesus Christ, our one and only Master.


Christmas is rather in your face right about now. No one can deny that the season is in full swing and with it comes hot cider, carolers, tons of shopping and much debate over its meaning. I love cider, carolers and of course tons of shopping. I am not so fond of debating the meaning of Christmas. Last year was such a year for me and I feel I failed miserably.
What could have been an opportunity to intelligently speak from the heart about the meaning of CHRISTmas soon became for me a heated debate with someone who infuriated me beyond words. There have been few times in my life where I have actually needed to leave a room, get a glass of water and take a few deep breaths to calm down. Last Christmas season presented me with one of those such times.
This year again I see on the news situations where Christ is slowly being erased from the purpose of Christmas. Don’t get me wrong: I am all for gifts, mistletoe and kids taking pictures with Santa. I get it. As a matter of fact, you might see me sitting on Santa’s lap at the mall if the guy has a minute. Things like that make me laugh and there is nothing that I enjoy more than participating in the festivities of the season.
But on the horizon I see a recipe for danger. As Christmas nears, and the fight in many states to keep Christ a part of the celebration heats up, I have to wonder about our future as Christians. I fear we are nearing a serious battle to not only keep Christ in Christmas but to keep Him alive in our everyday lives.
Do you know how many times I have heard the word or felt the insinuation that as a Christian I am part of a ‘cult’? Take a look at the following definitions.

Cult:
1. A religion or sect considered to be false, unorthodox, or extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society under the direction of a charismatic leader.



Occult:
Of or pertaining to magic, astrology, or any system claiming use or knowledge of secret or supernatural powers or agencies.

2.
Beyond the range of ordinary knowledge or understanding; mysterious.

3.
Secret; disclosed or communicated only to the initiated.

4.
Hidden from view.


How do we combat such an accusation? A cult? Honestly, the idea of it makes me laugh. And maybe it shouldn’t considering such an allegation is very serious but the notion that Christ would call us forward into a dangerous place literally leaves me astounded. I’ve been thinking about this, in between all of the ironic laughter, and have stumbled across a few scriptures that have given me some much needed relief.

Two things stand out about cults:
1. The leaders/members views are extreme in nature and more than likely do not support community with ‘outsiders’.
2. The leaders/members believe and live out their religion in a secretive or mysterious way.

Now, I have studied the Bible from the time I was a little girl. If you were to ask me what I love the most about the Bible and why I read it when I probably should be out clubbing, I will answer you, “I love learning.” I love learning. So, I do not claim to be a scholar here but I do take the title of student and as a student of the Word two things seem clear.

Two things that stand out about Christ:
1. Christ was born into a world of sinners when the time was right. And because of this those who believe in Him are now adopted as children of God, with complete access to the Father. (Galatians 4:4-6)
2. Christ tabernacled Himself among us and we have eyewitnesses. (John 1:14, 1 John 1:1-2)

Based on these two biblically supported points I think it is fair to say that Christ does not nor has he ever shied away from community. As a matter of fact one of the last words spoken from His mouth while He walked on this earth was, “Go!” We have been asked to tell others about His love and grace and mercy. Why? Because Christ desires relationship with everyone not just the select few.
The second fact here is that nothing about Christ has ever been hidden. No secret doorways we need to find. No special potions we need to buy. No rain dances we need to learn. Christ tabernacled Himself among us – in simple terms He was born and lived among us for His 30 years of earth life! Christ has never claimed to be found in the dark; He is all about light. Day time. In your face. Confrontation. You want to find Jesus? All you need to do is ask. No treasure maps that lead to treasure we need to dig up. Acts 2:21 tells us that it is written, “It shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
So, I encourage you this season as our Christ is up for debate to hold onto the truth and not back down. I do warn you not to knock anyone out as I almost did last year…lol…but invite you to search the Word and rely on Him to give us the answers we need. I know it is such a joy for me to know that not only is Christ all about relationship with anyone willing but that He is easily found and straightforwardly accessible.
Hope your Christmas season is wonderful…merry and bright!

You may want to check out:
Galatians 4:4-6 (The Message)
But when the time arrived that was set by God the Father, God sent his Son, born among us of a woman, born under the conditions of the law so that he might redeem those of us who have been kidnapped by the law. Thus we have been set free to experience our rightful heritage. You can tell for sure that you are now fully adopted as his own children because God sent the Spirit of his Son into our lives crying out, "Papa! Father!" Doesn't that privilege of intimate conversation with God make it plain that you are not a slave, but a child? And if you are a child, you're also an heir, with complete access to the inheritance.

John 1:14 (Amplified)

And the Word (Christ) became flesh (human, incarnate) and tabernacled (fixed His tent of flesh, lived awhile) among us; and we [actually] saw His glory (His honor, His majesty), such glory as an only begotten son receives from his father, full of grace (favor, loving-kindness) and truth.