WHY CHRISTIANS MUST PRAY

          A praying man as well as a reformer of the church, Martin Luther expressed God’s expectation of prayer this way: “As it is the business of tailors to make clothes and cobblers to mend shoes, so it the business of Christians to pray” (Quoted in, Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life).

          Prayer at its highest is a two-way conversation—and for me, the most important is listening to God’s replies (Frank C. Laubach).

          Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint on his knees (William Cowper).

          We have not yet learned that a man is more powerful when he is at prayer than when he is in control of the most powerful military weapons we have ever developed (Billy Graham).

          The phone of a church in Washington rang and an eager voice inquired, “Do you expect the President to be in church tomorrow?” The answer, “Not sure.” “But we expect Christ to be here and that is a reasonable incentive to bring a large congregation of people.” Only when the presence of Christ is realized and He is truly the Head, do we have, in actuality, the true church (Anonymous).

GOD HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN

          When assailed by trouble and trial, it is good to remember that we do have an all-knowing, all-powerful, all-present, and all-loving God. Though infinite, God is not unapproachable, unknowable, aloof, unconcerned about us and our needs.

          The incarnation and Calvary forever settled that question. The infinite stooped to become the Intimate in the miracle of the manger. Divine love had its supreme articulation on the cross (Henry Gariepy, Portraits of Perseverance).

LONELINESS

          A student in one university carved a pathetic question on his desk: “Why am I lonely when there are two thousand here?” He was learning the painful lesson that there can be close physical contact without a meaningful relationship.

THE POWER THAT WORKS (EPHESIANS 3:14-21)

          When circumstances overwhelm

          And seem too much to bear,

          Depend upon the Lord for strength

          And trust His tender care.

          Our needs can never exhaust God’s supply.

HOSPITALITY

          The good we do is never lost, each kindly act takes root and every bit of love we sow in time will bear its fruit.

          Christian hospitality is the bridge between an open heart an open home.

HEAVEN

          Isaac Watt’s description of heaven. “There everlasting springs abides, and never-withering flowers.” In that delightful environment, we shall dwell with Christ in perfect harmony and happiness (Till Armageddon).