For this week (week of November 8):

• Pray for continued favor and growth of the churches established in UAE.

• Pray for the tribes of Dhaid, specifically the Kitbi tribe, to hear the Gospel and believe.

• Pray for the Lord to continue sending faithful Christians to UAE

• Pray for whole families to hear the Gospel message and believe together

• Pray for churches to be planted in the emirate of Ajman.

• Pray for Emirati youth to seek Jesus.

• Pray for Emiratis to see the power, love, and sufficiency of Jesus for salvation.

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• Pray for Arabic speaking churches in UAE to increase in number and grow in maturity.
• Pray for God to establish Christian witness in the towns of Dibba.
• Pray for unity of the Spirit among God’s people in churches throughout UAE.
• Pray for God to graciously protect Emirati marriages from brokenness
• Pray for God to send Arabic speaking witnesses to the emirate of Fujairah.
• Pray for opportunities for the local church to minister to the needs of elderly Emiratis
• Pray for Emiratis to turn to Jesus Christ, the precious cornerstone, in faith.

• Pray for Arabic speaking churches in UAE to increase in number and grow in maturity.
• Pray for God to establish Christian witness in the towns of Dibba.
• Pray for unity of the Spirit among God’s people in churches throughout UAE.
• Pray for God to graciously protect Emirati marriages from brokenness
• Pray for God to send Arabic speaking witnesses to the emirate of Fujairah.
• Pray for opportunities for the local church to minister to the needs of elderly Emiratis
• Pray for Emiratis to turn to Jesus Christ, the precious cornerstone, in faith.

I have, of course, always known that Jesus was special. I was convinced by the angel who appeared to me so long ago telling me he would be called the Son of God. But that is difficult to think about in the everyday passage of life. I had almost forgotten that he had a special calling when he put James and Joseph in charge of their father's carpentry business and began to teach.

Salome, the daughter of Leah, my closest friend, was married recently. Everyone we knew was invited to the wedding. I'm afraid they overdid it somewhat. Leah asked me to invite our whole family including my grandchildren. That includes two children who have still not been weaned. Simon is not yet married. Jesus had begun gathering disciples around him. Leah said she wanted him to bring them too. Several of them brought their families. The synagogue was stuffed to the gills. They were no better off than anyone else in our little town. And I wondered if Leah’s husband Isaiah could afford to buy everything for the feast. He was never very wise about such things. But many of our closest friends helped with food. The father of Benjamin who was marrying Salome, roasted a goat. But there was no way they could afford wine for everyone who would come. Isaiah assured Leah that he had enough from last year's grapes. The wine was too sour, even after being watered down. Isaiah was evidently not not able to mix it with wine from a better vineyard.

The feast was well underway when Leah came out to where I was working in the kitchen in tears. 

“Mary, Mary, what will we do? We are completely out of wine! We have asked Isaiah's cousin who is a magistrate from Capurniam to be the master of the feast. Isaiah will be ashamed to have to tell him. Salome will never be able to live it down if we have to send everyone home early.”

Of course there was nothing to be done. But then I thought of Jesus. I had never seen him perform a single miracle. I had asked him if he were going to do such things. He said it was not yet time. I thought the need of close friends made this a good time to start. I went and found him. I knew he would be aware of the problem. He always seemed to know things like this.

I said, “They have no more wine.”

He answered roughly. “What does this have to do with me? I have told you, Woman, my time has not yet come.” I didn't know what he would do, but he was our only hope. I turned to the servants who had gathered around us in anticipation. 

“Do whatever he tells you to do.”

There were six stone jars there for the rites of purification. Each held 20 or 30 gallons. He told the servants to fill the jars with water. The well was nearby, and it didn't take them long to fill them to their brims.

Then he said, “Draw out a cup and take it to the master of the feast.” The servants looked doubtfully, but did what he said. They carried the cup to the master of the wedding. He took it and tasted it. Then he frowned. Benjamin and Salome were watching nervously with Leah standing behind them. They cringed when he stood.

He spoke to Benjamin. “What have you done here? Most people serve the good wine first. And when people have drunk freely, they serve the lesser wine. But you have saved the best wine until now!”

The musicians began to play again. Salome and Benjamin embraced one another in relief. Most of the wedding guests had no idea of what had happened. At first I think only the servants who had drawn the water knew. Among those of us who did know, only his disciples and I had any notion of what Jesus began at this wedding feast.

This story is based on John 2:1-11

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As our countries face many difficult issues, amidst the riots, the uncertainly with the COVID 19 pandemic. It's easy to get discouraged, especially when thinking of the world our grandchildren are living in today. However, we have a big God bigger than the challenges and struggles we experience at this time and our grandchildren's future. In the Bible, we have an excellent example of how Joshua and Caleb handled their challenges.

However, we have a big God bigger than the challenges and struggles we experience at this time and in our grandchildren's future. In the Bible, we have an excellent example of how Joshua and Caleb handled their challenges.

Moses sent Joshua, Caleb, and the ten other men on a scouting exploration to Canaan, as spies to the Promised Land. After exploring the land for forty days, the men returned to Moses to give their reports. Ten of the spies said that it was a magnificent area, but the people are mighty, and their cities are fortified and very large. The people are giants, much stronger than we are; we would not be able to attack them.

However, Joshua and Caleb reported to Moses that the land was right, God would lead them, and they had nothing to fear because their God was bigger than their obstacles. How do you see God? Do you see God big enough to meet your challenges and struggles?

God often allows challenging situations in our lives for a purpose, teaching us to depend more on Him. Although trials and problems are inevitable, they can be our friends. Pray your grandchildren will learn to expect them, submit to them, and learn from them. The challenges and struggles they are facing are not meant to destroy them. They are designed to promote spiritual growth, develop character, and make them capable of fulfilling their God-given assignments. Our adversities may be blessings in disguise.

God sometimes wants to demonstrate to us truth about Himself. Only through trials do we move from academic faith to practical faith. As grandparents, we can pray our grandchildren will see their challenges as exercises designed to become stronger spiritually and mature in their character.

Pray your grandchildren will invite Jesus into their hearts, hide God’s Word in their hearts, and grow in their spiritual lived.

Pray that your grandchildren will see God as a great, big, strong God they can trust at all times, in all circumstances like Joshua and Caleb.

Taken from Numbers 13

Prayer Suggestions:

I have developed “31 Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren” which many grandparents have found helpful. Taken from the book, Revised and Expanded Grandparenting with a Purpose: Effective Ways to Pray for your Grandchildren. The book is available on this website for a discounted price of $15.00 including shipping. The book will encourage you, challenge you, and give you many suggestions to intentionally pray for your dear grandchildren of all ages including “Scripture

s to Pray for Teens and Grandparents’ to pray for themselves” in the book.

By Lillian Penner, Prayer Director Christian Grandparenting Network, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.net

This is the second of the stories in a book I am writing called SIGNS.

Philip and I didn't really have a fight or even a quarrel, but it was certainly a separation of some kind. I suppose he just got tired of my discontent. But I miss seeing him. We both grew up on the south end of the Sea of Galilee. He was from Bethsaida. And I came from a little fishing village near there. We both came to Capurniam to make a living. But things are different here. We were both outsiders to some extent. And we naturally hit it off. Someone who grew up in Jerusalem would probably not see any difference from the south end of the sea to the north. But the differences are real. Here they usually call the sea Tiberius. That was a little hard to get used to. The nearness to Ft. Tiberius is a bigger problem. The whole country is under the thumb of Rome, but this near the fort we are always in danger. Soldiers dominate everything. 

In the South we were surrounded by Syrians. But the two groups pretty much left one another alone. Here we almost have to become Romans. We all speak more Greek more than Hebrew. To operate a stall in the market we have to understand some Latin. In the synagogue I am not sure whether we are Galileans trying to become Greeks or Romans pretending to be Jews. It hardly feels like we are the people of God. Philip of course agrees with all this, but he gets tired of my complaining about everything. And I guess I have been a lot worse lately. What has really been bothering me is wondering where God is. I mean, if we are still chosen by God, why does He seem so far away?

Today, I just had to get alone and pray about it. I could not go to our synagogue. I didn't want a rabbi questioning me about my feelings and warning me not to blaspheme. There is a fig tree near where I live that I go to sometimes when I want to be alone. The figs on it are small and dry. No one wants them. But the leaves are thick this time of year. It not only shades me from the sun but hides me from prying eyes. I crawled under its branches and poured out my grievances to God.

I ended by asking, “Do you care about me God? Do you even see me? Have you forgotten Israel? Are we still your chosen people?” I stayed there in my hiding place for about an hour. Then I crawled back out into the hot sun.

I was stretching myself from squatting under the tree when I saw Philip. I thought about going the other way, but he had seen me. 

“Nathaniel,” he called, “I have the answer to everything that has been bothering us. We have found the one Moses and the prophets wrote about! Jesus, the son of Joseph, the carpenter from Nazareth.” I had never been impressed with people in the mountain villages above Capurniam.

I said, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?” Philip simply told me to come and meet him myself. So I went along with him. We came down to the sea and saw a group of men sitting on rocks near the shore. I recognized several of them. Some of the men were from around Bethsaida. Jesus, the man Philip was bringing me to meet was holding the attention of the others. He looked up as we approached.

He looked right at me and said. “Look everyone. Here is an Israelite who is honest in the depths of his soul.”

I asked him, “How do you know me at all?”

Jesus said, “Before Philip called you, Nathaniel, I saw you under the fig tree.” I fell to my knees before him. 

When I was able to speak I said, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the king of Israel!”

"Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree?” Jesus said. “You will see greater things than this. I am telling you the truth. You will see Heaven opened, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the son of man.”

“I don't know what we will yet see, but only the Son of God could see my heart and hear my private prayers.”

This story is based on Nathaniel's encounter with Jesus recorded in John 1:43-51

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My oncologist has not been very positive about how much time I have. I know that is in God's hands. Still, I had made peace that EARS TO HEAR might be my finale. But I now have a new idea for a book. I am calling it, SIGNS. It will be a collection of short stories on events surrounding the miracles of Jesus recorded in The Gospel of John. I want to join the apostle and reflect the Holy Spirit in exploring why people believe in Jesus. And I intend to post condensations of these stories as I write them in my Writing Prayerfully blog. So, here is the first story.

WE SAW!

“John started preaching to a handful of us, mostly laborers, farm hands and fishermen. He called us to repent because the kingdom of God was near. He preached against everything we were guilty of. And he baptized everyone who came in repentance. Before long, everyone was coming to him. In his thundering sermons he called us unrepentant sinners and worse. The harder he preached the more people came.

“Yesterday we who are among his closest disciples were standing around him because a delegation from the priests and Pharisees had come from Jerusalem to examine him.

“‘Who are you?’ they demanded. ‘Who do you claim to be?’ They were probably afraid he was the Messiah. And even though they, along with every rabbi in the country, had taught for hundreds of years that the Messiah had to come, they weren’t sure they were ready for him. All the people were longing for deliverance, but their leaders were going to fight it, no matter what.

“John answered them boldly. ‘I am not the Messiah.’ 

“Then they ask him, ‘Are you Elijah?’

“He answered, ‘No.’

“‘Are you the prophet Moses wrote about?’

“‘I am not,’ he said.

“Finally, they asked, ‘Who are you? What do you say about yourself? We have to give an answer to those who sent us.’

“Loud enough for everyone to hear, John said, ‘I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, “Make straight the way of the Lord! The prophet Isaiah wrote these words about me.’’

“So, they asked, ‘Why are you baptizing if you are not the Messiah or Elijah or the prophet?’

“John answered them, ‘I baptize with water, but among you stands one whose sandal straps I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire!’ 

“We had not seen Jesus there that day, but he must have been in the crowd.

“By the next day the atmosphere around John seemed to relax a little. And John saw Jesus walking in the distance.

“He pointed him out and said, ‘Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is he of whom I said, “After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me. I didn't know him then, but I came baptizing with water that he might be revealed to Israel.”

“A little later John said, ‘Even though I did not know who he was at the time, the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, “He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit. And you who were there remember the day I baptized Jesus.”

“We could never forget that day. Jesus himself asked John to baptize him. And as Jesus came up out of the water, something that looked like a dove descended from heaven and stayed there. That was unusual enough. None of the rest of us understood what was happening until a voice came from above saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’

“Frankly, I was not surprised when John concluded, ‘I have seen and borne witness that this is the Son of God.’”

The roots of this story come from John 1:19-34 in the Bible.

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During this autumn season, I am reminded of my childhood, growing up on a wheat farm in Oklahoma. In the summer after the wheat harvest, my father would prepare the soil for the next year’s crop, and in the autumn, he would sow the wheat seed. We would wait for the rains to water the seed, fertilizer, and wait for it to come up and watch it grow throughout the winter months. We would see the wheat heads form and ripen to a golden color for the harvest in early June in the spring. We had faith that once the seed was in the ground, rains would come, nature would take its course, and the golden heads of wheat would be ready to be harvested next summer.  

Our prayers can be like a seed.

It reminds me of when we pray for our grandchildren; we are sowing seed, asking God in faith to draw our grandchildren to him with gentle cords of love. Once we have asked, things start happening behind the scenes; whether we are asleep or awake, God is at work, preparing an answer to our prayers. In God’s timing, the answer will be evident, and we will “reap” the results of our seed (prayer) sown.

However, we must have faith; trusting God is at work even when it seems like nothing is happening while waiting for the seed (prayers) to sprout, grow, and bring forth a harvest.

One little seed has many potentials, it seems so small, but under the right conditions, this one seed can grow into a plant that will yield a great harvest! Spiritual multiplication is the same. The seed (prayers) that we sow in our grandchildren's lives will produce a harvest of blessing in the future, even into future generations.

This week we were talking with one of our grandsons he was telling us of his desire to grow in his relationship with Jesus. He was spending more time in God’s Word and was involved in a Bible study. It reminded me that we had sowed the seed with our prayers, and the seed sprouted and was being watered with God’s Word for growth. What a blessing for us to hear our prayers are being answered.

Questions:

• What are you asking God in faith for your grandchildren today?
• Are you able to fully trust God with the prayers that you are sowing to bring forth a harvest in the lives of your grandchildren?

“And let us not grow weary while doing good,

for in due season, we shall reap if we do not lose heart”

(Galatians 6:9, NKJV).

Additional prayer helps:

I have developed “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for Grandchildren.” Many grandparents using these Scriptures to pray for their grandchildren have found them helpful. Just by joining the mailing list on the right side of this page you will receive grandparenting blogs and prayer suggestions to pray for your grandchildren regularly. I will send you a free downloadable copy of “Thirty-one Scriptures to Pray for your Grandchildren.”

By Lillian Penner, Christian Grandparenting Staff, lpenner@christiangrandparenting.com

This is Pastor Appreciation Month. I will take my Pastor to lunch this week. It is a small, but meaningful gift. We will talk as we eat – about the church, about sports, about theology, about families, about common friends (and a few uncommon friends). Mostly, I will come away from the time together with more specific ways to pray for him. It is the best gift I can offer to him during this pastor appreciation month. After Jesus ascended back to heaven, He gave spiritual gifts to the church. One of those gifts was the gift of pastor. Ephesians 4:11 states, “He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers.” My Pastor is a gift from God to my family, my church and my community. The best gift I can offer to him during this appreciation month, is “effective, fervent prayer” (James 5:16). Max Lucado wrote, “Prayer pushes us through life’s slumps, propels us over the humps, and pulls us out of the dumps.” As my Pastor and I have our table talk, I become aware of the specifics of his humps, slumps, and dumps, and I pray for him. How do you pray for your Pastor? This is a good time to intensify and clarify your gift of pastoral prayer support, but hurry – appreciation month is almost over.

"I have been all over the world.

I have seen many religions 

and heard many philosophies.

How can I know that this is the truth?"

Years ago several of us visited an army captain whose wife attended our church. He welcomed us into his home and allowed us to talk with him about Jesus. When we asked if he would like to accept the forgiveness of Jesus and devote his life to Him, he politely asked a difficult question.

He said, “I have been all over the world. I have seen many religions and heard many philosophies. How can I know that what you say about Jesus is the truth?”

I said, “If God sent his son to die for you, that is surely important. I suggest that you ask God Himself to show you if this is true or not.”

In chapter 5 of The Gospel of John in the New Testament, Jesus dealt with this very question. Beginning with verse 31 He said if He alone bore witness about Himself His testimony could not be deemed to be true. But He said, “There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that his testimony is true.”

Jesus first mentioned John the Baptist. John said Jesus was the son of God. John the Baptist may have been the most impressive man to walk the earth in those days. Jesus called him a burning and shining light. He noted that they rejoiced for a time in his light. There are many today who will tell you that you can personally experience Jesus in your life. Some of them are impressive people. Astrophysicist/astronomer, Hugh Ross of the University of California is one who comes to mind. I also think of preachers like Tim Keller, and Ravi Zacharias who died earlier this year. Billy Graham also died this year. Years ago the church that I served was starting home-churches in a mountain valley that did not have a church. In house after house where we were invited to lead Bible studies people brought up Billy Graham. Everyone seemed to be impressed with Billy. He indeed bore witness to the truth. But people, no matter how impressive, are not the great witness Jesus spoke of. Jesus said He did not accept human testimony. He mentioned John so that the people might be saved, but He said there was a greater witness yet.

Jesus next spoke about the works that he was doing. His miracles were a powerful witness about him. God continues to show us his mighty works today. The more we know about the Earth, and life, and the universe the more astounded we become. Is it rational to believe that the most complex things we know anything about, including life, eyesight, human consciousness, and intelligence, and even the universe itself happened by accident? 

Of course, admitting that there had to be a Creator, does not make Christianity true. But the miracles of Jesus can still be seen to this day. I have heard people accuse Christianity of perpetuating slavery. And they are right. In the 19th Century some people actually used the Bible to justify slavery. God forgive us. However, it should be noted that slavery has been prevalent in every part of the world. We do not know of a time in history when human bondage did not exist. And no other philosophy, no other influence besides Christianity ever abolished slavery from whole nations or from human approval and law.

Angola prison in Louisiana was once one of the most dangerous prisons in the United States. Because of a Christian witness, that whole prison has been turned around. Despite the fact that some of the most violent criminals in our country have been incarcerated there, almost all violence has been eliminated within its walls. Is there any example in the entire world of anything else turning a prison around like that? 

A large hospital in the city where I used to live is dedicated to scientifically curing people of alcohol and drug addiction. They saturated the city with advertisements about their treatment plan. According to their own statistics, only 20% of their patients were still alcohol or drug-free three years after their treatment. 20% is certainly better than nothing. And I will admit that the statistics this hospital provides are better than many other treatment centers. However, Christian treatment programs are much more effective. I have a friend who began an outpatient treatment program in the same city. After 20 years more than 60% of those who have gone through his program are still alcohol and drug-free. Nothing else changes people like the message of Jesus Christ.

But Jesus does not quite say that the works that He accomplishes are the testimony about which He referred. He says that by those miracles which still take place God himself to testifies about Jesus. If you are considering these things I would encourage you to ask God to show you if this is the truth. You might pray something like, “God, if there really is a God and if you really care about me, show me if this is the truth, and help me understand what you show me."

Early on a Sunday morning several weeks after we visited the Army officer that I began by telling you about, he came to our church dressed in fatigues. He had duty that day and could not come to the service. But he told me he had not been able to forget the prayer that I had suggested to him. In the next 10 years God did a number of stunning things in that man’s life. And he eventually gave his life to Christ. I am still in regular contact with him even though I live in a different state. For nearly 30 years now he has been one of the strongest leaders in the church that he joined.

My new novel, EARS TO HEAR , 

will soon be released! 

Some of you know that I recently published the collection of short stories, THE GATHERING OF OUTCASTS

It may be easiest to access my books from my Amazon Author Central page,

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I am grieved over the reality of abortion in our midst. In America alone we have put to death nearly 60 million unborn babies since the Roe v. Wade supreme Court ruling in 1973. It is a little encouraging that the number of abortions each year has decreased significantly. I am sure that is largely because of protests of this insidious evil primarily by Christians. 

However, I think it is important to note that simply making abortion illegal will not, in and of itself, solve the problem. That is because the seeds of abortion are much deeper than law. I believe one of the things that has helped to reduce the number of abortions in these later years has been the efforts made to help women deal with the crises that they face when they discover that they are pregnant. I also think we need to do more to help care for the needs of single mothers and others in difficult situations.

But none of these efforts will deal effectively with the root of the problem. Abortion arose en mass because of attitudes that have swept over us in the sexual revolution. We have lost all sense of the purpose and joy of sexual relations. In and out of marriage we have come to think of sexual relations as recreational activity. However, the primary purpose of sex is procreation. And children are the joy of sex. Of course, the immediate pleasure of sexual activity is a wonderful thing, but it is reduced tremendously as it is severed from its purpose.

We face a number of problems in dealing with this reality. What are our chances of making such a change in the thinking of our whole society? The realization of this overwhelms me. However, there are certainly things that we can do. We must continue to oppose abortion. And we can seek to reason with individuals in a world that may not wish to hear about our values. It may be more important to redouble our efforts to teach a more godly mindset to our children and those who come to Christ in our midst. Compassion calls us to increase our efforts to minister particularly to women and children in crisis. 

And consistent prayer for our society and our world is essential to bring about transformation on a wholesale basis. This problem goes back further than the sexual revolution. Its seeds go back to the sin of man in the Garden of Eden. Its terrible fruit can be seen in every generation from the beginning of the world. Without extraordinary prayer our efforts will be futile in trying to stop the title wave of public opinion. Nothing short of radical revival or a new heaven and a new earth will change what we face.

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I haven’t been sleeping well lately. I wake up in the night and am unable to get back to sleep. I’m sure it is partly due to the physical, since I am facing major surgery in the next few days. I am also sure it is partly spiritual, since this was happening, to a lesser extent, long before the need for surgery. Sometimes, when I wake up, I do so with scripture on my mind. Often the scripture comes in the form of a song or hymn. I remember many years ago, confessing this rather unusual habit to my mother, who replied, “My prayers have been answered. God has given you my song.” Then she confessed to likewise awakening with music on her mind. Both of us felt OK with this, since we were in good company – with each other, as well as with the Psalmist, who said, “My eyes are awake through the night watches, that I may meditate on Your word” (Psalm 119:148). Other times I awake with people on my mind. Since this is frequently former students or friends who are serving as missionaries on foreign fields, I assume they are in need of prayer in the middle of their day, even though it is the middle of my night. Even when the image is not of missionaries, I begin to pray for members of my family and then on to friends as they come to mind. Even though I eventually go back to sleep, I guess for a time, I become somewhat of a watchman of the night (Isaiah 21:11). I share this to challenge you – when you awake in the night, consider that it might be in order to pray for someone in need.

“Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.”

Our visit to Sychar was as amazing us as it was to the Samaritans. We had always been taught that they were unclean. And at least James and I had reason to fear them. I won't go into that now. But Jesus marched us into Samaria as bold as you please. We stopped at the ancient well of Jacob. Jesus rested by the well and sent the rest of us to the nearby town of Sychar to buy food. I wondered if it was safe to leave Jesus alone, but no one would come to the well in the hottest part of the day. And, to be honest, we felt that it would be safer if we went with a larger group into town.

When we returned Jesus was talking with a woman. But none of us dared ask him what he needed or why he was talking to a Samaritan woman. Whatever they were talking about seemed to upset her. She left her water jar and ran off toward town. 

When she was gone, we started urging Jesus to eat, but he refused. We were wondering how he could have found anything to eat. He said his food was to do his father's will.

We divided what we had purchased among ourselves and sat down to eat. As we were finishing, Jesus said, "Don't you have a saying, 'Four more months, and then the harvest?' Lift up your eyes and see. The fields are white for harvest." We automatically looked up and saw hundreds of people were coming from the town. Their robes were the color of a ripe wheat field. 

Evidently on the word of the woman he had been talking to, many of them believed Jesus was the Christ. They asked him to stay for a while. We stayed there two more days, and in that short time, hundreds of Samaritans came to believe that Jesus was the Savior of the world.

As we went on from there Jesus reminded us of something He had said earlier. "A prophet has no honor in his own country." But as we came back into Galilee, the people received him after all. They had been to the Passover in Jerusalem and had seen the amazing signs that he did there. We went first to Cana where he had turned the water into wine at the wedding feast.

One morning when he rose early to go out and pray, we roused ourselves and went out with him. It was getting light in the east when he rose from prayer and began to talk to us.

"Why do you think I have been received here in Galilee where they tried to stone me earlier?" We talked about it among ourselves. It seemed obvious to us that it was because they had seen him perform signs and wonders at the Passover. 

Then he asked us, "Why then did the Samaritans put their faith in me? Had they been to Jerusalem as well?" Several of us chuckled at this. There is no way Samaritans had been to the Passover. He continued, "There is danger for people to only believe because they see miracles." Simon argued a little with this. 

"Master I believed because I saw you fill our nets with an impossibly large catch of fish."

Jesus said, "Was that your only reason, Simon? Had your heart not already been convicted by some of my teaching?" Simon ducked his head. "I knew that you would believe, Simon, when you saw the miracle. But there is a danger of people who see signs and wonders believing against their will. They are not repenting. They don't want to follow me. But they know that I have to be the Christ to have done such signs."

My brother James said, "Then why do you perform signs and wonders?"

"My father gives these signs so people will know that I am indeed the Christ. I have given you authority to do some of the same works that I do. And as the gospel spreads to the ends of the earth, he will often do such miracles so people who will come to me will know that I am the Savior of the world. But those who only believe because they see signs, will search hard for some explanation that will not require them to continue to believe in me. Some will only continue to believe if they see a miracle every day."

Just then the sun peaked over the mountains and shown down on us. We could not help but turn and look at the glorious sunrise. 

Jesus said, "Is that not a wonderful sign? Only my father could set the sun in the sky or create the stars you see at night."

Thomas said, "That's not a miracle. It happens every day."

Jesus answered, "And if people saw signs and wonders everyday, they would begin to say, that's not a miracle. It happens all the time."

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People of THE CHURCH are attentive to God’s Direction, His Will and His Word, many, many times falling short in their efforts.  Organized religion is often about looking for stuff from God, asking Him to Change His Will and adjusting His Word to fit its needs.  The sad Truth is organized religion is the image of THE CHURCH in America.

It may not have been made clear in other blog posts on this Web site, but the root cause of white supremacy and racism is organized religion.  Until organized religion in America publicly confesses and repents the following perversions of Christ’s teachings:  Prayers for Justice.  Don’t Bother!

Papal Bull Dum Diverersas - 18 June 1452

Pope Nicholas V issued the papal bull Dum Diversas on 18 June, 1452. It authorized Alfonso V of Portugal to reduce any “Saracens (Muslims) and pagans and any other unbelievers” to perpetual slavery. This facilitated the Portuguese slave trade from West Africa.

The Bull Romanus Pontiflex (Nicholas V) - 5 January 1455

The same pope wrote the bull Romanus Pontifex on January 5, 1455 to the same Alfonso. As a follow-up to the Dum Diversas, it extended to the Catholic nations of Europe dominion over discovered lands during the Age of Discovery.

The Bull Inter Caetera (Alexander VI) - 4 May 1493

In 1493 Alexander VI issued the bull Inter Caetera stating one Christian nation did not have the right to establish dominion over lands previously dominated by another Christian nation, thus establishing the Law of Nations.

Together, the Dum Diversas, the Romanus Pontifex and the Inter Caetera came to serve as the basis and justification for the Doctrine of Discovery, the global slave trade of the 15th and 16th centuries, and the Age of Imperialism.

information taken from www.doctrineofdiscovery.org.

“Prayer begins where human capacity ends.”— Marian Anderson

Oh Lord!  If only the American people would realize they have reached their end.

Received this emessage from an international prayer champion:

"Thanking God for you and your leadership in prayer. I think it was at a prayer conference when you were leading a time of prayer and offhandedly mentioned how you prefer praying with others rather than alone. (I don't remember the exact wording!) God used that comment to expand my understanding of what it means to grow in prayer."

Of course, I was blessed to read how something the Spirit prompted me to say was a seed planted into the life of a Christ-focused prayer leader...

But, I was also reminded that prayer is never a spectator sport and, sometimes, best played-out with others.

I enjoy swimming in a pool. When I am the only person in the water, I can relax and focus my thoughts. The quiet or stillness inspires me to think, meditate, pray. Once in a while, it becomes a workout; an act of discipline.

I also enjoy, for very different reasons, swimming with others (especially grandkids!). Joyful noise. Teamwork. Challenge. Surprises.

Closet-prayer is an invitation to intimate conversation, experiencing private fellowship with the Lord.

Corporate prayer with cohorts (small groups) or with the congregation (larger gatherings) is an invitation to a multi-voice conversation. Listen to the Spirit speaking to you through others who are speaking to the Spirit...but not from a pool chair - Jump in and add your perspective or passion to the praises or petitions.

When you are prompted to pray ... ask if the invitation is to you alone or if you re meant to partner with others?

Lord God, please forgive us...

1. You said:

I AM GOD, no one else is God.

But:

We turned away from You, our God.

Please forgive us.

2. You said:

Don't make idols.

But:

We create our own gods - as many as we want.

Please forgive us.

3. You said:

Honor My Holy Name.

But:

We say God and Jesus, but it is not You we are talking to. We even use Your Name to curse others.

Please forgive us.

4. You said:

Use the Sabbath to spend time with Me and to rest.

But:

We spend the Sabbath any way we want.

Please forgive us.

5. You said:

Honor your father and mother.

But:

We don't.

Please forgive us.

6. You said:

Don't murder.

But:

We do. We even kill babies - millions of them.

Please forgive us.

7. You said:

Be faithful to your spouse in thought, word and deed.

But:

We do what we feel like.

Please forgive us.

8. You said:

Don't take what belongs to others.

But:

We do. We even steal other people's reputations.

Please forgive us.

9. You said:

Don't lie.

But:

We lie and deceive in many ways. Slander is a way of life.

Please forgive us.

10. You said:

Be satisfied with what you have.

But:

We never have enough. We even want what others have.

Please forgive us.

You gave us Your laws and told us to teach our children.

But:

We don't.

Please forgive us.

Jesus said:

Let the children come to Me. Don't hinder them.

But:

We do.

Please forgive us.

Jesus said:

Love God with all that you have. Love other people as you love yourself.

But:

I love myself more than anyone else.

Please forgive me.

Heavenly Father, in the Name of Your Son Jesus Christ

who died to save us and our children,

we beg Your forgiveness

for all our sins.

Please forgive our pride, our selfishness and our unbelief.

Our hearts and minds and ways need to change. But we can't do it.

Please come, Holy Spirit.

Only You can help us.

Amen.

I am an unpaid, non-pastoral layperson… and a sinner.  So why do I post on Phil’s blogs?

While I make no claim to prophecy, one of my life Bible verses is Ezekiel 2:1-3:11.  But having been an accountant for my entire career, I have a difficult time proceeding until I’ve been held Accountable.

This may be best understood by listening to the first part only of an original song.  Then reading the re-imagined words.

Listen only from 0:00 to 1:05 then read the words below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOgTVJOdFVU

I'm not Jesus
My name is Ricky
I don’t know the Mind of God
I get ideas
That might not be His
So I ask some Christian friends

I'm not Jesus