ETERNAL LIFE: The secret is written above!

The new teacher was given the combination to the school’s safe verbally. She then repeated it over and over as she hurried to the safe. As it would be, she forgot the correct numbers and their order; try as she would she could not get it open.

Seeing a fellow faculty member walk by, she quickly asked him to help. “I think I can!” He responded.

Walking into the supply room he let his hands fall to his sides and raised his face toward heaven, silently his lips moved.

Being a Christian woman the new teacher was impressed. “It is so good to see a professional like yourself stop and pray when he is in need.” She said.

“Oh, I’m not praying, the number’s written on the ceiling.”

It's a foolish person who labors on the door of the safe holding the secret of eternal life … pounding and pulling, grunting and groaning ... when the owner of the safe will provide it for free to all comers. All one needs to do is look to heaven and move one’s lips.

Christianity, Eternal life,
Illustrations, Religion

CHRISTMAS: OK, I'll hurry just don't push!

"You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near."

James 5:8

A young girl, dressed for the children’s Christmas program, was running as fast as she could to get to the church on time. As she ran, she prayed, “Dear Jesus, please don't let me be late! Dear Jesus, please don't let me be late!”.

In her rush she caught her toe on the hem of her costume, tripped and fell. Her shepherd’s costume got quite a nasty grass stain when her knee hit the church lawn. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again, praying, “Dear Jesus, please don't let me be late! Dear Jesus, please don't let me be late! Only, DON’T PUSH!”

The prayers of children have much to teach us.

"The effective prayer of a [child] can accomplish much."

James 5:16b [my personal translation]

Needless to say, most of the prayers saved in golden bowls in heaven [Revelation 5:8b; 8:3] will be those of kids (the remainder will be from little old ladies).

Christianity, Christmas,
Illustrations, Prayer, Religion

CONFESSION: If We Confess Sin He's Faithful to Forgive

SPICY SUPPLICATIONS: [Ezra 10:1]

I love hot and spicy food. Give me a Mexican breakfast with a bowl of hot, spicy salsa and I’m a happy camper. Let me splatter the feast with Tabasco Sauce and my spirits lift to the heavens.

I began this journey years ago when I read a Reader’s Digest article which said people who ate spicy foods or used hot sauce liberally were less prone to upper respiratory ailments. I don’t know if that’s true, but I had a cold at the time and wanted it to be true. Shortly thereafter I was hooked.

Spicy dishes often have the annoying effect of clearing the sinuses. If experienced at an opportune time, this can be a beneficial event. On the other hand it can also be a nuisance.

Prayer is like a spicy dish … especially when sprinkled generously with confession. People who pray and confess are less prone to spiritual ailments.

It clears the conscience like nothing else known to mankind. We often don’t realize our heads are stuffy until the spice begins to do its work. Similarly, we don’t often know our hearts are burdened until prayerful confession begins to do its work.

Prayer

Final Quarter of the Game

One of my seminary professors was fond of reminding us prayer “wasn’t intended to be a fourth down punting situation.”

I’d add that its better suited to the pre-game process, or even Spring training. Unfortunately, we and our nation are in the last minute of the fourth quarter, with no time outs remaining.