Intercessory Prayer

"Intercessory prayer is a powerful tool in the hands of a righteous people (James 5:16)"
-John MacArthur

Too often we (I) disregard (or simply forget) the power of intercessory prayer, in both asking for it and offering them up for others, forgetting that it's an actual communication with our Heavenly Father. So much can be accomplished through prayer. In a book by John MacArthur I read of a nurse who used her hands like a physical mnemonic to help her remember to pray for people. The thumb being closest, reminds us to pray for those nearest and dearest to us. The index finger points, so it reminds us to pray for those who instruct. The middle being the tallest reminds us to pray for leadership. The ring finger being the weakest is for the weak, distressed and those in pain. And finally the pinky finger, last and least important, reminds us to pray for ourselves.

Pray for others, practice intercessory prayer and be blessed by the joy that comes with seeing God work in the lives of others.

Thank you for reading!
Scott

Holiness

I'm reading an abridged version of a classic, Holiness It's Nature, Hindrances, Difficulties, and Roots. I'm not far into it yet and already it's stretching me considerably. It's format is great, easy to read an understand and it content is really phenomenal. I'm not getting into that too much here, because I will be writing about what I discover while we go. I highly recommend this book, even before reading it.

Thank you for reading!
Scott.

Love, Love Changes Everything

"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you."

The transforming power of choosing to love your enemies is unbelievable. The other day I was listening to a sermon series by John MacArthur and he spoke on what it truly means to love your enemies and what it looks like to bless those who curse you and why. Luke 6:27-38.

And I realized, while listened to him expound upon the words of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, that I hate all my enemies. I hate the guy that cuts me off in traffic. I hate the guy at work that tells me I don't work hard enough to make himself fell better about his own short comings. I hate the guy that's constantly antagonizing me and makes my job harder by being intentionally lazy. All of them, too many to count.

There was a lot in those three sermons and every bit of it was piercing my heart. The Spirit was there with me, speaking to me more clearly than I have heard in a long time. People outside the Kingdom hate their enemies. God loves his enemies, I was his enemy, he loved me to the cross. After realizing that I was actually hating my enemies I was liberated to have the choice, the choice not to. I am free. I am free from hating my enemies. I can still choose to if I want, and I'm sure undoubtedly that I will. But I have been set free. It was for freedom that Christ set me free. I feel like my heart is brand new!

"Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you."

Thank you for reading!
Scott.