Intercession For Others

"I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving thanks, be made for all men." (1 Timothy 2:1)

"Without God, we cannot. Without us, God will not." St. Augustine's succinct statement sums up the twofold nature of intercession. God empowers us by the Holy Spirit to intercede for others' needs; without that empowerment, our prayers would be empty words.

God also invests us with Christ's authority to restrain evil forces that are blinding and hindering the person for whom we are praying. God could restrain those forces without us if He chose to. But He has equipped us and commissioned us to intercede by pushing back the enemy, thus allowing the Holy Spirit to bring conviction that leads to repentance.

Two Old Testament verses depict the need for an intercessor to do battle for sinful man: "God was appalled that there was no one to intervene" (Isaiah 59:16); "I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none" (Ezekiel 22:30).

Of course, Jesus ultimately filled the gap. He became the mediator between God and man by giving Himself as a sacrifice for sin. But believers should also see themselves as intercessors; standing between God and the person(s) for whom we are praying, pleading for God to intervene.

If God be for us, who can be against us?

God~Made Tree

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bring forth his fruit in his season, his leaf aslo shall not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper. (Psalm 1:3)

The Psalmist compares us to a tree, a God-made tree.We are "planted" trees ~ "he shall be planted." When we plant a tree, we select the spot where we want it and the type of tree best suited for that location and for the purpose we had in mind. God knows where He wants to plant us, and He has a purpose in planting us there.

God provides for His trees ~ He plants them "by the rivers of water."

We are to be "productive" trees ~ "that brings forth his fruit in his season." We must be productive in due season, bringing forth God's fruit in God's season. When our lives take deep rootage in Christ, we will bring forth rich fruitage for Him.

God's trees will be "perpetually alive" ~ "his leaf also shall not wither." We will be ever-living trees of unfading beauty radiating the loveliness of our lovely Lord.

We are "prosperous" trees ~ "whatsoever he does shall prosper." Rooted in Christ, nourished by the Word, and refreshed by the Spirit, our lives become blessings to others.

What's Your Miracle?

First and foremost, my salvation from a life of drugs and alcohol!

In 2003 I went on my very first missions trip to Mindaneo Philippines. It was right after the Burnham's kidnapping. There was a High Red terrorist alert out at that time. Our host family, myself, my traveling partner, and the police took an hour pump boat ride to a village to minister and have a feeding.

When we finished, we got back to our vehicle, a flatbed truck in which we rode in the back of to our destination through the jungle.

A truck load of rebels come up from a hillside. We had no idea we were in danger, but our host pastor did. Later on, the village pastor asked the rebels why they did not attack us? They were told that there was a band of men surrounding the truck so they just took off.

Things like that took place quite often while I was there, yet I did not feel in danger at all. I felt that if I die, I die, and the worst thing that could happen...I would go to heaven.

The hand of God is upon us and He gives His angels charge over us.
Let us not grow weary in well doing. He will never leave us nor forsake us. We will see the great things the Lord will do when we stand fast in the faith.