Secure Forever

My hubby received an email today from a former coworker. After updating his news, this man said that he was no longer a Christian. My response went two directions. Either he didn’t fully understand the promises God makes to those who believe in Christ, or this man was not a Christian in the first place.

Jesus said, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) Eternal life is just that — eternal. It cannot be undone once it is done. The Lord makes this unconditional promise to every true believer. It takes into consideration all times, all circumstances, all contingencies, all events and all possibilities. This promise takes in all the flock. Not one of Christ’s sheep will ever perish no, not even one. If anyone is a believer, they will never perish. Christ himself has promised it! Nothing in God’s people or done by them can change that.

God himself says, “They shall never perish.” If one promise of God could be broken, no promise could be believed. Jesus said, “All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out. For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me. And this is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:37–40) The Good Shepherd must save his sheep. His redemptive work cannot be nullified. It is an irreversible act of grace.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:31–34)
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:6)

There are many more Scriptures that verify the keeping power of God. As I read them, I’m also reminded that some hear what their parents or preachers say, but have not heard or believed the life-changing promises of God. I’m not sure if this is the case of the man who says he is no longer a Christian, but it could be that he was not one in the first place.

They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. (1 John 2:19)

PRAY: Lord, You know the heart of all people, Christian or not, and You know what has happened to cause this man to think he is not Your child. If he is, bring him to fuller knowledge. If not, show him what he needs to see and hear so he understands what is needed. Nothing is impossible for You.

But I cannot pray all day . . .

A radio preacher shared that that the prayer needs he sees create a list that would have him praying 24/7 and still not be able pray for everyone. My list is almost like that. Today’s devotional reading offers a suggestion for those in this situation, but before adding that suggestion, a few passages of Scripture help me with the overwhelming part, the part that hits me with, “Don’t pray at all . . . this is too much, go do something else.”

First of all, God notices the needs and issues as we do. His prayer list is much longer than mine. He sees issues all over the world, and at one point in history, His prophet lamented . . .  

Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter. Truth is lacking, and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey. The Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no justice. He saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no one to intercede; then his own arm brought him salvation, and his righteousness upheld him. (Isaiah 59:14–16)

No one to intercede. This is the way of us. We are sinners who so easily think of ourselves. Intercession is about others, and if left to my own ambitions, I might not pray at all. God knows this, and this failure and falling short is the reason He sent Jesus Christ to die for me. As Isaiah said, “His own arm brought salvation.” That points to Jesus and my response is one of awe . . .

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:31–34)

Because Jesus intercedes for me, and because the Spirit of Christ lives in me, intercession is part of the way I think. Needs and issues burden my heart to pray. People ask for prayer and I want to do that for them. Samuel felt the same way and his example offers some instruction . . .

And the people of Israel said to Samuel, “Do not cease to cry out to the Lord our God for us, that he may save us from the hand of the Philistines.” So Samuel took a nursing lamb and offered it as a whole burnt offering to the Lord. And Samuel cried out to the Lord for Israel, and the Lord answered him. As Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to attack Israel. But the Lord thundered with a mighty sound that day against the Philistines and threw them into confusion, and they were defeated before Israel . . . And the hand of the Lord was against the Philistines all the days of Samuel. (1 Samuel 7:8–13)

The lamb offered by him points forward to the Lamb of God in whose name I pray. The enemy that threatened Israel points forward to the evil one, Satan, who threatens me, even as I pray. But the God who thunders and has defeated that enemy is the same God today. His hand is against my enemy all the days of my life – even as that enemy tries to convince me that prayer is too much work.

As I pray for others, I can ask for such things as “the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of hearts enlightened to know the hope to which God has called them, the riches of His glorious inheritance offered them, and the immeasurable greatness of His power toward all who believe.” (Ephesians 1:16–21)

As for the solutions to being overwhelmed by a long list, it is simple: “Whenever a person or issue comes to mind, ask God: ‘Is this for me?’ and listen for the Spirit who says, ‘Yes.’ If there is no response from Him, then trust God to lay that need on the heart of others.”

God is practical. I must pray, but He also knows that 24/7 involves many other responsibilities!

Little prayers, big answers

Some will trust God for the big things, like eternal life and deliverance when in dire straits, but they laugh at those who pray about parking places and help with family spats. Their faith includes “common sense” and a claim that God gave them the ability to handle the ordinary issues of life so they don’t need to pray about small things. Was this what Paul had in mind when he wrote these words?

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died — more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:31–34)

Last night on my way to a secular quilt guild meeting, I prayed for two things. One was that I make a new friend. I sometimes feel alone at these events because so many go to them with their friends. I don’t feel like butting in. Small talk is difficult too. However, my biggest reason for joining is to build relationships with others who do not know the Lord. I need His help with this.

My second request was about involvement in the guild. Someone called me earlier asking if I’d serve on the executive or on a committee. I wasn’t certain, so asked God to show me if He wanted me to offer help, and in what capacity.

Both prayers were answered. I met some people that I knew, but when it came time to be seated, they had a spot together — no space for me. So I kept going down the row and noticed a woman sitting by herself. Almost immediately we were chatting as if we’d known one another for years.

After the meeting, we were told that the main presenter had a family problem so a substitute speaker took the podium. I’d met her before, but had not heard her story of how she started a charitable foundation in Canada that gets quilts to wounded soldiers. As she talked, the Holy Spirit nudged. I knew God wanted me to offer help. It was a bit of a surprise since I was prepared to do that for the meeting sponsors. However, we talked after the event and she told me what she really needed. The job fit my background experience and skills and is something I can do from home. We were both delighted.

As I read these verses this morning, I thought of people who would never pray about such matters. They say, “Use your brains” or something like that, without connecting their independence with the verse that tells us we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16) and that we are supposed to use it.

I’ve been independent much of my life, even as a Christian. I’m learning that any “I’ll do it myself” attitude always works at cross-purposes with the will of God. His thinking is far above mine. When I entered that meeting room, I thought to sit with the few people that I knew. God had other ideas and made sure I couldn’t carry out that plan.

Then I planned to get on board with the larger group sponsoring the meeting. But He had other ideas there too. He knows that me being a treasurer, or a person with a phone list, or doing any of their other volunteer positions would be a bad fit. So He rearranged the speakers and drew me to the one place where the need and the skills He gave me are a great match. He had already given me a passion for the work this speaker is doing too, so I am eager to be involved.

***************

God, You justify me and sent Jesus to die for my sin. These are big issues! However, Jesus also lives forever to pray for me and You graciously hear His prayers and mine. You give me all that I need, even opportunities to serve You. You answer my prayers, big and little. I am overjoyed at Your love for me and eager to share it in ways that You direct. Thank You.