Praying for the Ebola Outbreak

     Most likely you've heard about the Ebola outbreak in Africa.  The number of deaths are truly devastating . . . over 900 people have died since March 25th.  Sometimes, even hearing such numbers, my first response is to simply contemplate it.  But shouldn't our first response always be prayer?  Remember to pray for all those affected by this deadly disease.  I'm praising the Lord for all those who have successfully made it back to the U.S.  Pray for those receiving treatment, those who are trying to or have successfully evacuated, and those who continue to spread the love of Jesus by caring for those who are sick.

     Now more than ever is a time for us to pray that God's kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.  In such a devastating time where the solution seems impossible to reach, does it not set the stage for the glory of the God of the impossible to be displayed?  He is Healer (Exodus 15:26).  Also keep those in the U.S. in your prayers.  Reading the following article from Desiring God Foundation I have been reminded that God is working in the hearts of people right here in the U.S.

Ebola

Summer 2014

Donald Trump has sent in recent days a series of panicky tweets. July 31: “Ebola patient will be brought to the U.S. in a few days… KEEP THEM OUT OF HERE!” Aug. 1: “Stop the EBOLA patients from entering the U.S.” Later on Aug. 1: “The U.S. cannot allow EBOLA infected people back. People that go to far away places to help out are great—but must suffer the consequences!”

In the tradition of early British and American journalists who composed news poems that were printed rapidly and sold on streets for a penny, John Piper composed a news poem inspired positively by the Samaritan’s Purse workers and negatively by Donald Trump. –Marvin Olasky, World Magazine

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Today a thousand dead. And more  
   To die. A common ache, like flu,  
Then nausea, a fever-soar,  
   A hopeless clinic interview:  
   “There’s nothing we can do.”

The bleeding has no bias. These:  
   A child, a chief, a friend, a nurse,  
Liberian, and Leonese,  
  From Guinea, Texas, taste the curse —  
  And kindness, from the Purse.

Samaritans, six thousand miles  
   From home and care, subdue their fears,  
And wonder if a sneeze defiles,  
   Or if a healthy fluid clears  
   The curse. Perhaps their tears.

But now two treasured ones, struck down,  
   Contagious still with death — and love —  
Fly back to us, our joy, our crown,  
   A touch of grace, a gentle dove,  
   Yet through a plastic glove.

While in our land we see today  
   Another virus spreading, dumped,  
More deadly, in the soul. They say,  
   “Why bring them home?” Though you be stumped,  
   This grace will not be trumped.

By John Piper. ©2014 Desiring God Foundation. Website: desiringGod.org

"The Church has not yet touched the fringe of the possibilities of intercessory prayer. Her largest victories will be witnessed when individual Christians everywhere come to recognize their priesthood unto God and day by day give themselves unto prayer." -John R. Mott

"God desires to glorify His name by answering prayer." -E.M. Bounds

This Is Who My God Is!

     This morning I went out for a walk, and I started praying through Psalm 103.  You're likely familiar with some if not all of this psalm.  So when I got back I was emailing a friend and sharing some of my treasures from this passage.  I thought I might share it here as well.  One thing I like to keep in mind when reading through passages like this is that "LORD" - capitalized - actually means "He is."

Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and all that is within me,    bless His holy name!Bless the LORD, O my soul,    and forget not all his benefits,who forgives all your iniquity,    who heals all your diseases,who redeems your life from the pit,    who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with good    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.The LORD works righteousness    and justice for all who are oppressed.He made known His ways to Moses,    His acts to the people of Israel.The LORD is merciful and gracious,    slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.He will not always chide,    nor will He keep His anger forever.He does not deal with us according to our sins,    nor repay us according to our iniquities.-Psalm 103:1-8

     Isn't that incredible?!  He is Holy and our Holiness.  He is forgiving.  He is our Healer.  He is our Redeemer.  He is steadfast.  He is Love.  He is steadfast Love.  He is merciful.  He is good.  He is Life (He renews us).  He works righteousness, for He is our Righteousness.  He justifies us.  He is a relational God, delighting to show us His ways.  He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger (by the way, doesn't He call us to be slow to anger too?  James 1:19  I never thought about it in comparison with this verse).  He is ABOUNDING in steadfast love!  He will not tolerate that which is evil in His eyes.  He is compassionate.

     By the way, the reason I didn't capitalize all of them is because some of them appear in the Bible more like a name of the LORD, while others are more like an adjective describing the LORD.

     If you are reading this post then what is your response to these truths?  Why don't you take a few minutes to pray through these truths in Scripture.  Praise the Him for who He is!

     Here are some cross references that come to mind on that topic:

• Revelation 4:8 (He is Holy)
• Exodus 15:26 (He is our Healer)
• Hebrews 13:8 (He is steadfast
• 1 John 4:8 (He is Love)
• John 14:6 (He is Life)
• Isaiah 61:10 (He is our Righteousness)
• Romans 3:23-24 (He justifies us)
• Genesis 1:26; 2:18 (He is a relational God)
• Jeremiah 33:3; Matthew 7:11 (He delights to show us His ways)
• Exodus 34:5-6 (Psalm 103:7-8)
• John 15:9 (He is abounding in steadfast love)
• Psalm 103:13 (He is compassionate)

     Don't stop there!  Claim these truths about who our God is.  Go through this day rejoicing, not because of your circumstances, but because of who He is!

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.  -Philippians 4:4

My Rain Collection (Why I Love Rain)

Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you.-Hosea 10:12

     I was searching for some Bible verses today and I came across the verse above.  Isn't that verse exciting?  It makes me think of that story that was told in the movie "Facing the Giants."  You can view that scene in the movie here.  If you've watched the movie before you may recall that Mr. Bridges tells the story of two farmers who prayed for God to send rain, but only one of those farmers went out to prepare his fields to receive the rain.  Mr. Bridges then asks Coach Taylor which one he thinks received the rain, to which the coach replies, "The one who prepared his fields for it."  Mr. Bridges continues by challenging him with the question, "Which one are you?"  He goes on to point out that God will send the rain when He's ready but we need to prepare to receive it.

     Doesn't that fit the verse from Hosea?  ". . .Break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, that He may come and rain righteousness upon you" (emphasis mine).  Isaiah 55:10-11 also gives a wonderful picture through rain (or snow):

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven    and do not return there but water the earth,making it bring forth and sprout,    giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall My word be that goes out from My mouth;    it shall not return to Me empty,but it shall accomplish that which I purpose,    and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.-Isaiah 55:10-11

     Isn't that an incredible promise?  Every single time that I read/speak/hear/memorize God's Word He promises that it will serve His purpose for shaping and molding me to be more like Jesus.  I'm often challenged . . . am I preparing my heart for rain?  When I go to church, or youth group, or when I just open my Bible every morning out of "habit" am I praying and begging God to break up my "ground," or in other words, give me a broken and contrite heart?

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;    a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.-Psalm 51:1

     Another Scripture that I love is Psalm 72:6:

May he be like rain that falls on the mown grass,    like showers that water the earth!

     Isn't the LORD ("He is") like rain on mown grass?  Jesus Christ is the Truth (which sets us free!).  He is Life.  When we enter into His presence He relieves us of our burdens and sins, and He refreshes us . . . like refreshing rain on mown grass!  I love that picture.

     I love rain.  It's refreshing and cleansing.  Every time it rains it reminds me of these verses . . . and every time it rains I want to sing "Word of God Speak" or the chorus to "Blessings."  Rain makes me happy, and it brings me closer to God because it reminds me to pray and thank God for these promises, and ask Him soften my heart so that I may be saturated, soaked, and overflowing with His grace and love.

     P.S.  If you really want to hear rain right now, go to: rainymood.com (If it slows your computer down considerably try clicking the tiny pause button at the bottom of the page.  That should help some.)

"He Is"

     This video on http://bravehearted.com/ is incredible.  It's eleven minutes of who God is (all the names of God) with ever single Scripture reference included.  Don't stop watching the video until it's finished! :)