Persevering in Prayer

Let us not lose heart in doing good,

for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary.

Galatians 6:9

But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good.

II Thessalonians 3:13

These verses came to mind this morning as I saw a lady, for which the salvation of her and her family, I have been praying for almost two years; and it brought to mind the other people and families whose salvation I regularly lift up to the Lord. I started thinking about the mystery of prayer, especially the prayer for salvation of those for whom we feel burdened to pray. Some are saved, others not yet; and yet in the midst of praying for the salvation of some, we see others for whom we have not prayed come to saving faith. A great mystery, yes, and sometimes a great frustration. We know that it is not up to the person who wills or who runs, but up to God to show mercy; and that the wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from  and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit. God saves whom He chooses, and chooses whom He saves. 

Additionally, we know that all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him; and surely prayer is one of the all things. Will those whom we have been touched with the burden to pray for ever be saved? If not, why pray, why the burden? But then, we don't know if and when they will be saved. But since all things are from Him, through Him, and to Him, we know that somehow there is a purpose and usefulness to our prayers, even if those whom we are burdened to pray for are never saved. 

These two verses are a great encouragement when we are faced with great frustration in continuing on with an activity that God has called us to. Prayer in general, and praying for the lost specifically, are certainly those types of activities. So let us be encouraged to keep engaging in doing good, for those whom we are burdened for their salvation. Let us not grow weary in doing good for them, in taking them before the throne of God; for in due time, His time, we will reap (accomplish His work) if we do not grow weary. 

Gospel Effect

A good word from Scotty Smith on the effect of the Gospel in one's life.

www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/genuine-life/

The Graciousness of Grace

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him,

he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

John 15:5

The graciousness of grace...always sufficient, incredibly magnificent, totally beneficent. It enables us to be more than we are in ourselves by being all that we are in Him.  It enables us to be more like Him, for apart from Him we cannot be like Him.

A Day of Love

Valentines Day is a coming.  What are you going to do to show your spouse, your significant other, your love for them?  What will be the token of your love?  Will it be jewelry, candy, flowers, a quiet dinner out, or some personal item?  Of course it will have to include the appropriate card.  But is any gift, token, or event really adequate to express love?

In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propiation for our sins.  (I John 4:10) Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends. (John 15:3) Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. (Ephesians 5:1-2)

How has God expressed His love for us?  By giving us His Son, His beloved Son, as the sacrifice for our sins.  How has Christ expressed His love for us?  By the offering and sacrifice of Himself to God for our sins. 

Wives be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord.  But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything.  (Ephesians 5:22,24)  Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her.  (Ephesians 5:25)

The context of this section of Scripture is walking in love as Paul is following up the command and example in Ephesians 5:1-2 with how walking in love looks in a Christian's life.  So the question is, "What are we sacrificing, what are we giving up of ourselves, for our spouses?"  Wives love their husbands by taking the initiative in submitting to them.  Husbands love their wives by giving up themselves for them (notice the phrase gave Himself up in vs 5:25 is the same as in vs 5:2) It is in the sacrifice of ourselves that love is most profoundly and most vividly expressed. And the good thing about this is we can do it every day without waiting for an appointed time.  And just as Christ's sacrifice was a fragrant aroma, so our sacrifice of ourselves becomes a fragrant aroma, not only to our Lord, but also to our spouse.  If we make this the habit of our life (walking in love), then we will create an aroma of love that will pervade our homes and our relationship with our spouse.  It will be a potpourri in our relationship that will never have to be replenished, and others will be able to smell its bouquet.

How do we do this?  Glad you asked.  We most effectively do this by being patient, kind, not being jealous, not bragging or being arrogant, not acting unbecomingly, not seeking our own (not being selfish or self-seeking), not being provoked, not taking into account a wrong suffered, not rejoicing in unrighteousness, but rejoicing with the truth; by bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, and enduring all things. (I Corinthians 13:4-7)  Notice the giving of self, the self-sacrifice, that is involved in living out (walking in) love.  This is the best way to love your spouse; and when we walk in love, then every day is a day of love, and Valentines Day becomes the cherry on top.