House of Prayer

In Mark 11:17 Jesus says: "Is it not written, my house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer..." In this verse Jesus is speaking to the people in the temple at Jerusalem, who had turned the place of worship from prayer to a "den of thieves". But while Jesus was telling this to the Jewish people, I believe that the verse is still highly applicable today--maybe more than some people realize.

What a sad cry the church is from being known amongst nations as a "house of prayer"! At one time we may have been recognized as such-- during Great Revivals or in the Early Church Age. But if you asked the general population of the word nowadays to tell us what their thoughts on the church and us as Christians are it is almost certain they wouldn't link us with being a "house of prayer". Whatever other words might cross their lips (deserved or not) I'm sure we would be disappointed in the way the world views us. And while we should never try to succumb to pleasing the world and their view, how great it would be to be recognized as a "house of prayer" even by nonbelievers!

A fire starts with one spark, but it can grow to a huge blaze across miles. Will you be the spark?

Victoria M.

Not Ashamed

Can you truly say you are "not ashamed of the gospel of Christ?" Sometimes in this War it can be difficult to speak up for God, and sometimes we can feel embarrassed or unsure of how to tell others about Him. But this really should not be the case for us! Not only are we soldiers whose mission is to tell the Gospel no matter what the cost, here are a few more reasons why we should never be ashamed of the gospel of Christ.

• It is the power of God unto Salvation to everyone that believes. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
• The righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith.  For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)
• It can bring glory to God. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. (1st Peter 4:16)
• God is able to keep us for eternity. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day. (2 Timothy 1:12)
• God has given us a spirit of power, love, and a sound mind. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; (2 Timothy 1:7-8) 

So be bold, fellow Christian! There may not be much time left, and "woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel" (1 Corinthians 9:16). 

Victoria M. 

Attention or Carelessness

As I was reading my Bible the other day I started doing a comparison of showing attention to God vs. showing carelessness to God. What I found really convicted me and made me wonder which side of the spectrum I fell on! It's important in this War to be attentive towards our Leader-- carelessness will always only reap trouble!

Let's take a look at the two lists I penned down:

Carelessness towards God: 

• Are you giving God the leftovers (of your time, energy, money, etc)?
• Are you complaining about your service to God? Or doing it only out of duty? 
• Are you irreverent, not caring about the important things of God?
• Are you trying to defend yourself, justify your life, or keep comfortable with lazy service?
• Are you exchanging first place in your life for money, family, friends, job, hobbies or other "idols" instead of putting God ahead of everything?
• Are you looking only for outward profit for your service to God? 

Attention to God: 

• Are you giving God your first fruits, putting time for Him aside first?
• Are you eager to do all you can for God, going above and beyond what is "expected" of you?
• Are you reverent, understanding that things of God are of the utmost importance?
• Are you willing to take corrections and God's guidance?
• Are you willing to go out of your comfort zone for Christ?
• Are you placing God above all other parts of your life?
• Are you doing your service wanting nothing in return? Are you thankful for all blessings you receive-- large, small, outward and inward?

Take some time to think about the things listed. Sometimes we can convince ourselves that we are doing things "good enough", but is our human "good enough" really our best for the Lord? Are you really caring about what He wants you to care about? 

Victoria M. 

A Tale That is Told

   
    A while ago when I was reading my Bible, I came across the verse in Psalms 90 where it says "We spend our years as a tale that is told". (Psalms 90:9 b)
    I understand that in the passage here it is using the analogy of 'a tale that is told' to show how short our lives are--how soon it is over. However, as a writer, I couldn't help but be struck by it in a little different light. I began thinking about how on the Judgement day when God is going to look at our lives, he's going to see in each of us a separate history--a unique story of our life. At that point when everything is brought before our Judge, will we find that our 'tale' is honouring God?
     It made me wonder how much I actually thought about how I spent my years. So many times we go through with daily routines, getting in the grind of "normal". We get used to the way things are and are complacent. We take things for granted. Our light for Jesus grows dim--not because we don't want to shine for Him, but because we just get so wrapped up in all the little unimportant things that we don't spend sufficient time working for the Lord or letting our flame grow. Unless we're constantly stoking that fire, it will go out.
     In stories, there's always the inciting incident to kick the whole thing off. Even if you aren't a writer, you will understand this just from reading books. Then there're various struggles, setbacks, smaller victories etc along the way until you reach the main climax--after which point the story will usually wind down into a conclusion. That's just a very basic plot structure, but I think it's quite applicable to life. Our inciting incident as Christians is when we turn to Jesus and ask Him to save us and forgive us. During our walk as a Believer, we'll run into difficult times, but we'll also have wonderful triumphs when we let God work through us. The climax is obviously in the future, as is the conclusion, so let's focus now on the main part of the story--the part after the inciting incident.
    As a writer, I know that people don't like to read books where the character is doing nothing, or lives in complacency. Now I'm not saying that we should worry what people think about how we live, but we have an even greater and all-knowing audience--and that is God. It made me wonder--is my life really being spent as a tale that is told? Is God happy with the story of my life? Or is He disappointed in the poor choices, bland living, and disregard for sinners in need of a Saviour?
    Your life is writing a story. Are you spending your years as a tale that is told?

--Victoria M.