Prayer is an interesting proposition. On one hand, we believe that God is complete control and we can not demand that the Lord bow to our wishes. We do not manipulate the plans and purposes of God by coming to Him with our requests. On the other hand, prayer works! God hears the prayers of His people and responds to the needs of those He loves. So which is it? A study of the book of Psalms (the theology of the Old Testament) reveals that what prayer does is aligns us up with the plans and purposes of God. Coming to the Lord in prayer often gives us eyes to better see the plan of God revealed in the lives of people. It enables us to come to grips with His plan and then see how that plan is working out in history. At the same time, as we pray effectively, we see that God chooses to respond to our prayers, to remind us that He hears us and responds to us. Prayer then prepares our hearts to accept and follow the plan of God, and enables us to see His mighty hand at work. May we find peace in … READ MORE

Romans 5 reminds us that the source of our hope is that we have “peace with God” and “Access to God. This means that we are promised to be joint-heirs together with Christ. Although our security rests entirely in the finished work of Christ and the sustaining power of Christ’s Spirit, a Christian’s outward living will testify to their inward spiritual life. Obedience to the Lord does not preserve salvation, but it is an evidence of it. Verses 2-5 give us a little reminder of the road to Christian maturity and growth. Perseverance carries the idea of endurance, and the ability to continue working in the face of strong opposition and great obstacles. To endure patiently for example, means to be calm in circumstances which normally cause impatience. Character, is better translated Proof, as this work was used of testing precious metals such as silver and gold to demonstrate their purity. When Christians experience difficulties that demand perseverance, it produces in them proven spiritual character. The more we pursue holiness, the more we are trouble, the greater our hope will be as we are sustained through it all by God’s powerful grace.” Our victory over daily tribulation comes from the … READ MORE

The story is told of a Southern soldier, who had been freed from prison camp because he was wounded to sorely to return to active duty, and he was seeking access to the President in order to intercede for his brother, the sole support of their mother, who was in a prison camp. The soldiers on guard at the White House would not let him in. One day a little boy was walking near the White House, and he observed the crippled veteran seated on a bench, crying. The boy asked what the problem was. The man explained that he wanted to see Mr. Lincoln to tell him about his brother but the soldiers would not let him past. The boy looked at the soldier compassionately, and held out his hand and said come with me. They walked past the soldiers who were guarding the White House, and through the halls to President Lincoln’s oval office. He walked into the office and introduced the soldier to the President and ask him to listen to the crippled soldiers request. How could one little boy make the difference, he cut through the red tape, and took the soldier directly to the President. … READ MORE