Sunday, November 6, 2011
On Thanksgiving and Pride
"A proud man seldom is a grateful man, for he never thinks he gets as much as he deserves." Henry Ward Beecher
Sunday, October 30, 2011
Prayer in Action: being salt and light, and possible answers to prayers
Maybe we could say that God answers prayers at two different levels: by human hands and nature (His creation) or through a wonder, supernaturally. Answers by the human hand are for example, a person mails incognito financial support to a needy human being. A wonder would be when God intervenes directly, such as for example the case of a miraculous healing. I am not going to digress on the latter. These are self explanatory. However, it is the former that begs for an explanation in my mind.
When God uses a human for His answers to prayer, a man, woman or even a little child is moved by the Holy Spirit. It is here that the Christian’s prayer, and especially intercessory prayer becomes of paramount importance. God loves to use us, and He wants us to give as freely as He gives air, sun showers, health and, fellow humans. He knows that it is in this giving that real fulfillment lies. As is well stated in this quote:
"The golden apple of selfhood, thrown among the false gods, became an apple of discord because they scrambled for it. They did not know the first rule of the holy game, which is that every player must by all means touch the ball and then immediately pass it on. To be found with it in your hands is a fault: to cling to it, death. But when it flies to and fro among the players too swift for eye to follow, and the great master Himself leads the revelry, giving Himself eternally to His creatures in the generation, and back to Himself in the sacrifice, of the Word, then indeed the eternal dance “makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.” All pains and pleasures we have known on earth are early initiations in the movements of that dance: but the dance itself is strictly incomparable with the sufferings of this present time. As we draw nearer to its uncreated rhythm, pain and pleasure sink almost out of sight. There is joy in the dance, but it does not exist for the sake of joy. It does not even exist for the sake of good, or of love. It is Love Himself, and Good Himself, and therefore happy. It does not exist for us, but we for it." From The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis
For this to be able to happen, the person in need (the requestor), implores to God for help. The one involved in answering it, will need a freely giving heart and hands. But it is God whom provided for answering. The question is: how many times do we really do this? I had a grandmother that was incredibly frustrating in that respect. One could never give her a gift and be sure it would stay with her! At the moment she got a gift, she immediately enjoyed it, and if she did not have immediate use for this, she found somebody she could make happy with it. Now, I understand. She had twice the joy. First she received the gift and then she had the joy of giving it on. I think God loves that! Don’t you think so?
Still there is much humility in receiving and much pride in giving. Now imagine a person receiving it directly from God. It is less humbling and much more faith stimulating and a human sense of dignity can be preserved. For the giver, giving in secret creates less pride and also is faith enhancing when he notices that God gave him what was needed and opened his eyes to a need: it is invigorating.
Let’s say for example individual, let’s call him A, who in prayer feels pressed on his heart he needs to give somebody (person B) a certain amount. Imagine the person B praying for months as he needs this money to go somewhere, and he wants God’s confirmation on the endeavor so he has not told anyone. On the Sunday before his trip, he is discouraged, for nothing has appeared. But that morning A puts this envelope in the collection plate with B’s name. B receives it from the deacon, overjoyed: he can now go! God has answered! He goes. A now hears that B is traveling! A thought B was in need! Instead B is squandering A’s hard earned money. A says: never more! Or does he not? It takes faith to believe that what you did is what God wants. One may never know. Once in a while A, if he does not give up, will hear rumors of what happened. Meanwhile, A is used by God for many people. But all continue to be his friend, do not look up to him, no extra attentions (in some environments otherwise it may mean that he would constantly be assailed by people who know he is generous) – he can live his normal life and enjoy it. He trusts God.
The question is: how many live as A or B? It takes both to be in constant intercessory prayer (as A was praying for B), and a deep commitment to prayer and trust in God for individual B. But B needs to know and be satisfied that if he does not get what he prays for it is good also. God knows what needs to be done! You see, faith grows over time.
Answers to prayer can come in many forms. Such as a DJ sending a song over the radio in prayer at the exact moment that a certain person needs to hear it, or a surgeon, tired wanting to go home but who stays on over duty for that very specific emergency surgery that just came in and he is there and works that five hours overtime (he was the specialist), or, the laying up of hands. All have hands involved: ready hands, loving hands, caring hands, not holding back hands.
Many times I think that God’s Word is not too common in the land, as in the times of Eli. There is no godly presence in our culture. There are so few who really want to be ‘salt and light’ being poured out for their neighbors. There are not too many whose life is dependent in such a form on the Lord. I myself have to ask forgiveness in that. And, when I act, sometimes I feel stupid, other times I thought I should do something and it was totally superfluous. But this is a training ground… One thing is true: God uses people.
Finaly, our anger due to unanswered prayer does not bring on God’s Righteousness and Presence (James 1:20). It is our confession of understanding in part, and a living by faith and action that in the end will make us able to see where God is at work. We should not be upset at unanswered prayer. Instead, in humility let us say “Lord, let Your will be done. We know Your’s is the Universe! If You feel we really need it, we know You can give it! Help us meanwhile to live trusting as small children that haven’t learned to do ‘the prayer without faith tantrum’ yet (and hopefully will never learn). Thanks for all You give us!” The real contentment comes by being thankful through all. When we cry, we may be sure that He cries with us. But, He knows the consequences of every requested gift and He may know (not ‘feel’) this one is not good for the giving! We need to understand that God sometimes literally says a big clear ‘no’. These are the hardest to take. I can guarantee you that! I had a few of those. But, meanwhile, we should find out where the ‘yes’s’ are and use those to the fullest. Totally forgetting the ‘no’ areas. He knows what is best. On suffering, I can only say: I just know God cries with me, death is NOT the end, I should cry with those who cry, and attempt to ease suffering wherever possible.
Some good quotes from Corrie Ten Boom:
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."
"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
When God uses a human for His answers to prayer, a man, woman or even a little child is moved by the Holy Spirit. It is here that the Christian’s prayer, and especially intercessory prayer becomes of paramount importance. God loves to use us, and He wants us to give as freely as He gives air, sun showers, health and, fellow humans. He knows that it is in this giving that real fulfillment lies. As is well stated in this quote:
"The golden apple of selfhood, thrown among the false gods, became an apple of discord because they scrambled for it. They did not know the first rule of the holy game, which is that every player must by all means touch the ball and then immediately pass it on. To be found with it in your hands is a fault: to cling to it, death. But when it flies to and fro among the players too swift for eye to follow, and the great master Himself leads the revelry, giving Himself eternally to His creatures in the generation, and back to Himself in the sacrifice, of the Word, then indeed the eternal dance “makes heaven drowsy with the harmony.” All pains and pleasures we have known on earth are early initiations in the movements of that dance: but the dance itself is strictly incomparable with the sufferings of this present time. As we draw nearer to its uncreated rhythm, pain and pleasure sink almost out of sight. There is joy in the dance, but it does not exist for the sake of joy. It does not even exist for the sake of good, or of love. It is Love Himself, and Good Himself, and therefore happy. It does not exist for us, but we for it." From The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis
For this to be able to happen, the person in need (the requestor), implores to God for help. The one involved in answering it, will need a freely giving heart and hands. But it is God whom provided for answering. The question is: how many times do we really do this? I had a grandmother that was incredibly frustrating in that respect. One could never give her a gift and be sure it would stay with her! At the moment she got a gift, she immediately enjoyed it, and if she did not have immediate use for this, she found somebody she could make happy with it. Now, I understand. She had twice the joy. First she received the gift and then she had the joy of giving it on. I think God loves that! Don’t you think so?
Still there is much humility in receiving and much pride in giving. Now imagine a person receiving it directly from God. It is less humbling and much more faith stimulating and a human sense of dignity can be preserved. For the giver, giving in secret creates less pride and also is faith enhancing when he notices that God gave him what was needed and opened his eyes to a need: it is invigorating.
Let’s say for example individual, let’s call him A, who in prayer feels pressed on his heart he needs to give somebody (person B) a certain amount. Imagine the person B praying for months as he needs this money to go somewhere, and he wants God’s confirmation on the endeavor so he has not told anyone. On the Sunday before his trip, he is discouraged, for nothing has appeared. But that morning A puts this envelope in the collection plate with B’s name. B receives it from the deacon, overjoyed: he can now go! God has answered! He goes. A now hears that B is traveling! A thought B was in need! Instead B is squandering A’s hard earned money. A says: never more! Or does he not? It takes faith to believe that what you did is what God wants. One may never know. Once in a while A, if he does not give up, will hear rumors of what happened. Meanwhile, A is used by God for many people. But all continue to be his friend, do not look up to him, no extra attentions (in some environments otherwise it may mean that he would constantly be assailed by people who know he is generous) – he can live his normal life and enjoy it. He trusts God.
The question is: how many live as A or B? It takes both to be in constant intercessory prayer (as A was praying for B), and a deep commitment to prayer and trust in God for individual B. But B needs to know and be satisfied that if he does not get what he prays for it is good also. God knows what needs to be done! You see, faith grows over time.
Answers to prayer can come in many forms. Such as a DJ sending a song over the radio in prayer at the exact moment that a certain person needs to hear it, or a surgeon, tired wanting to go home but who stays on over duty for that very specific emergency surgery that just came in and he is there and works that five hours overtime (he was the specialist), or, the laying up of hands. All have hands involved: ready hands, loving hands, caring hands, not holding back hands.
Many times I think that God’s Word is not too common in the land, as in the times of Eli. There is no godly presence in our culture. There are so few who really want to be ‘salt and light’ being poured out for their neighbors. There are not too many whose life is dependent in such a form on the Lord. I myself have to ask forgiveness in that. And, when I act, sometimes I feel stupid, other times I thought I should do something and it was totally superfluous. But this is a training ground… One thing is true: God uses people.
Finaly, our anger due to unanswered prayer does not bring on God’s Righteousness and Presence (James 1:20). It is our confession of understanding in part, and a living by faith and action that in the end will make us able to see where God is at work. We should not be upset at unanswered prayer. Instead, in humility let us say “Lord, let Your will be done. We know Your’s is the Universe! If You feel we really need it, we know You can give it! Help us meanwhile to live trusting as small children that haven’t learned to do ‘the prayer without faith tantrum’ yet (and hopefully will never learn). Thanks for all You give us!” The real contentment comes by being thankful through all. When we cry, we may be sure that He cries with us. But, He knows the consequences of every requested gift and He may know (not ‘feel’) this one is not good for the giving! We need to understand that God sometimes literally says a big clear ‘no’. These are the hardest to take. I can guarantee you that! I had a few of those. But, meanwhile, we should find out where the ‘yes’s’ are and use those to the fullest. Totally forgetting the ‘no’ areas. He knows what is best. On suffering, I can only say: I just know God cries with me, death is NOT the end, I should cry with those who cry, and attempt to ease suffering wherever possible.
Some good quotes from Corrie Ten Boom:
"Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow; it empties today of its strength."
"Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.”
Saturday, October 29, 2011
Some thoughts on prayer
Our prayers for justice viewed from Eternity
Our prayers are represented as incense, burned in the Holy (Exodus 30:7-9, Malachi 1: 11, Psalm 141:2). It could only burn pure incense. It represented the pure and forgiven perfectly holy prayers (the ones that are done according to God’s will). No sin or other offer could be burned on it. These where done on the altar in the fore atrium, the altar of burnt offerings - before the Holy and the basin, where the priest washed himself before entering the Holy. In that room,the Holy, he would tend to the lamps every morning and evening and change the bread once a week. It is here that only the priest could enter. In the New Testament we are all priests (1 Peter 2:9).
Then in Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4, again God's Word refers to the bowl of incense as the representation of the prayer of the saints. However, now in chapter 15:6-8,these bowls now are ‘carried out of the sanctuary’. Incense is now pouring over in wrath. The justice of God being poured out on the nations. It is here, in the consummation of time - when Eternity will ‘kick in’ also for earth is that God’s final response to our cries for justice happens. Our requests for justice are rooted in Eternity. Not all of our cries; not the ones that we ask for in our sinful, egoistic nature, but the purified and righteous ones. The prayers send as pure incense (through the Holy Spirit) up to the throne of God. God here has sifted our requests, after forgiveness through the blood of the lamb (Matt25:34; 1Cor6:2; Rev2:26; 20:4). Now His full wrath is against evil.
What majesty! And what a view of Godly justice from Eternity (Daniel 7:18, 22,27)!
What is beautiful is that the justice and the wrath of God is only on all who continued in the wrong. The ones that became forgiven under the Lamb (even the murderer!) is now protected by Jesus’ blood! This is God’s justice in mercy. So, sometimes I may be asking for justice, especially for myself (egoistically). Or, I only see in part and do not understand the whole, the Holy Spirit praying for me knows what is really an eternal prayer, a rich and pure incense. God is just and He will defend us and act on our behalf – only after He has measured out all the sides of the issue, as a good and righteous judge. What a consolation also for me!
Our prayers are represented as incense, burned in the Holy (Exodus 30:7-9, Malachi 1: 11, Psalm 141:2). It could only burn pure incense. It represented the pure and forgiven perfectly holy prayers (the ones that are done according to God’s will). No sin or other offer could be burned on it. These where done on the altar in the fore atrium, the altar of burnt offerings - before the Holy and the basin, where the priest washed himself before entering the Holy. In that room,the Holy, he would tend to the lamps every morning and evening and change the bread once a week. It is here that only the priest could enter. In the New Testament we are all priests (1 Peter 2:9).
Then in Revelation 5:8, 8:3-4, again God's Word refers to the bowl of incense as the representation of the prayer of the saints. However, now in chapter 15:6-8,these bowls now are ‘carried out of the sanctuary’. Incense is now pouring over in wrath. The justice of God being poured out on the nations. It is here, in the consummation of time - when Eternity will ‘kick in’ also for earth is that God’s final response to our cries for justice happens. Our requests for justice are rooted in Eternity. Not all of our cries; not the ones that we ask for in our sinful, egoistic nature, but the purified and righteous ones. The prayers send as pure incense (through the Holy Spirit) up to the throne of God. God here has sifted our requests, after forgiveness through the blood of the lamb (Matt25:34; 1Cor6:2; Rev2:26; 20:4). Now His full wrath is against evil.
What majesty! And what a view of Godly justice from Eternity (Daniel 7:18, 22,27)!
What is beautiful is that the justice and the wrath of God is only on all who continued in the wrong. The ones that became forgiven under the Lamb (even the murderer!) is now protected by Jesus’ blood! This is God’s justice in mercy. So, sometimes I may be asking for justice, especially for myself (egoistically). Or, I only see in part and do not understand the whole, the Holy Spirit praying for me knows what is really an eternal prayer, a rich and pure incense. God is just and He will defend us and act on our behalf – only after He has measured out all the sides of the issue, as a good and righteous judge. What a consolation also for me!
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