FORGIVENESS

One of the most powerful prayers in the midst of suffering I have read was uncovered from the horrors of Ravensbruck concentration camp. Ravensbruck was a concentration camp built in 1939 for women. Over 90,000 women and children perished in Ravensbruck, murdered by the Nazis. Corrie Ten Boom, who wrote The Hiding Place, was imprisoned there too. The prayer, found in the clothing of a dead child, says:
O Lord, remember not only the men and woman of good will, but also those of ill will. But do not remember all of the suffering they have inflicted upon us: Instead remember the fruits we have borne because of this suffering, our fellowship, our loyalty to one another, our humility, our courage, our generosity, the greatness of heart that has grown from this trouble. When our persecutors come to be judged by you, let all of these fruits that we have borne be their forgiveness.

A LITTLE HUMOR

One summer night during a severe thunderstorm a mother was tucking her small son into bed. She was about to turn the light off when he asked in a trembling voice, "Mommy, will you stay with me all night?" Smiling, the mother gave him a warm, reassuring hug and said tenderly, "I can’t dear. I have to sleep in Daddy’s room." A long silence followed. At last it was broken by a shaky voice saying, "The big sissy!"

Golden Gems

An elderly Christian lady, who was crippled with arthritis, used to
hobble to the services of the church on crutches. It was a great ordeal and
required of her a considerable amount of toil and pain. A friend of hers observed
her regular and faithful attendance and asked, "How do you manage to be at
every service?" Her answer was, "My heart gets there first, and my old legs
just follow after."

DON’T LET FEAR CONTROL YOUR LIFE

A few years ago the Birmingham, Alabama, paper had a headline on the sports page: "The Most Exciting Moment of My Life." It showed a picture of Jack Nicklaus writing out a $5,000 check for charity. As a matter of fact, it was second $5,000 check that day. It happened because of a game of golf he lost.
A man by the name of Charley Boswell lives in Birmingham, Alabama. In 1937, he was the captain of the Alabama football team that played in the 1938 Rose Bowl. In World War II he was a captain in the infantry. He stepped on a land mine and blew his eyes out. Charley Boswell is stone cold blind! But for nine holes of golf he can shoot par golf. He hits a ball he can’t even see. The caddy rattles the pin in the cup, and the noise tells him where to putt. How does he do that? He said, "Holding mental pictures."
Jack Nicklaus went to Birmingham to help raise money for a Boys’ Ranch and gave $5,000. They had a banquet to honor Nicklaus for helping the fund-raiser and for his $5,000 check. Halfway through the meal, Charley Boswell stood at a table in the back of the room. "Mr. Nicklaus, they tell me you play a little golf." There was silence. "Yes, I’ve been known to play a round or two." "So do I and I think I can beat you? I’ll play you nine holes of golf. If you can beat me, I’ll give $5,000 to the Boys’ Club. And, if I beat you, you give another $5,000. And to make the contest fun, exciting, and fair, you choose the course where we play, and I’ll choose the time we play -- day or night."
Guess what time Charley chose? Night, of course. The Birmingham paper had a full length picture of Nicklaus writing out his second $5,000 check. The headline said "The Most Exciting Moment of My Life." Someone asked him about that headline. Why had he made that statement? "You have won every trophy, award, honor, and accolade. Why would this be so exciting?" Nicklaus replied "I met a person today who refuses to let fear control his life."

EVANGELISM ~ Humor

A Pastor friend shared the humorous story of a guy who prayed this prayer every morning: "Lord, if you want me to witness to someone today, please give me a sign to show me who it is." One day he found himself on a bus when a big, burly man sat next to him. The bus was nearly empty but this guy sat next to our praying friend. The timid Christian anxiously waited for his stop so he could exit the bus. But before he could get very nervous about the man next to him, the big guy burst into tears and began to weep. He then cried out with a loud voice, "I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner and I need the Lord. Won’t somebody tell me how to be saved?" He turned to the Christian and pleaded, "Can you show me how to be saved?" The believer immediately bowed his head and prayed, "Lord, is this a sign?" Are you looking for a "sign" to start witnessing?

HE IS

He is the first and the last, the beginning and the end. He is the keeper of creation and the creator of all. He's the architect of the universe and the manager of all time. He always was, always is and always will be. He is unmoved, unchanged, undefeated yet never undone. He was bruised, but brought healing. He was pierced, but eased pain. He was persecuted, but brought freedom. He was dead but brings life. He has risen to bring power and reigns to bring peace

The world can't understand Him, armies can't defeat Him, schools can't explain Him and leaders can't ignore Him. Herod couldn't kill Him, Nero couldn't crush Him, the New Age cannot replace Him and Oprah cannot explain Him away.

When I fall, He lifts me up. When I fail, He forgives. When I'm weak, He is strong. When I'm lost, He's my way. When I'm afraid, He's my courage. When I stumble, He steadies me. When I hurt, He heals me.

He is light, He is love, He is longevity.... He is the Lord. He is goodness, kindness and faithfulness... He is God. He is holy and righteous, powerful and pure. His ways are right, His Word eternal. His will unchanging and His mind is on us. He is our savior, our guide, our peace, our joy, our comfort and our Lord.

His bond is love, His yoke is easy, His burden is light and His goal for us is abundant life. He is the wisdom of the wise, power of the powerful, the ancient of days, the ruler of rulers and the leader of all leaders. He will never leave me, never forsake me, never mislead me and never forget me.

He is Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father and the Prince of Peace.

He is everything for everybody, everywhere, every time in every way and THAT is who I go to in PRAYER.

Keepers of the Lighthouse!

The Bible declares that "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much" James 5:16b. The word "fervent" indicates something aflame. Where there is a fire, there is usually light being emitted. Psalm 105:39 relays that God led His people by "spreading a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night." Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12). As God's people today, we are to let His light shine through us as it radiates outward to touch a lost world in this mid-night hour, as His coming draws nigh (Acts 26:18). Fervent prayer releases light. We are as a spiritual temple that houses the Light of God, or rather, as "Keepers of the Lighthouse."

Some definitions of "Light" include electromagnetic radiation than can be perceived by the human eye that brings visibility; exposure that suppresses darkness; illumination to enlighten understanding; etc. What is the purpose of light? Light dispels darkness. Biblically speaking, light helps people, whom the god of this world (Satan) has blinded, to see spiritual things that before could never be seen when in darkness. A "Lighthouse" is a tower, beacon, or building with a powerful light at the top, erected at the entrance of a port or main point on a coast to guide or navigate mariners at night. Sailors largely depend on it in stormy weather or darkness to get to shore safely. A "Lighthouse Keeper" is the keeper or custodian of the Lighthouse.

Matthew 5:14 says "Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." As we pray the Word of God for lost souls, the light of God can reach out to guide them in the storms of life and rescue them from the sea of destruction (Psalm 119:105, Luke 1:79). Surely, "The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" Psalm 119:130.

God is our Guiding Light in all affairs of life. As you fervently pray for those at the crossroads of life or at a point of intersection on their journey, they may look up, and a lighted arrow can lead the way, or the lit circle may bring complete direction as it flashes "green," or "yellow" or "red."

Thomas Edison, inventor of the light bulb, said "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time. I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work." If he believed this much in a natural principle, as he labored persistently in his hope to see light manifest, then how much more should we believe God as we give ourselves to Him in prayer to see His Light manifest to the lost, and a vast harvest reaped?

He appeared to be a "Believing Thomas," and now many can enjoy the benefits of natural light!

Likewise, spiritually, let us not give up, but let's believe God that His light will manifest as we pray for souls to be impacted. Let us not be as "Doubting Thomas" and rely on our five senses, for "We walk by faith and not by sight." It was he who said "Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe" (John 20:25). After doing so, in John 20:29 Jesus said unto Thomas, "because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." So spiritually, turn up your faith, and let God shine through your prayer life. Will you be a 40 watt, 60 watt, or 100 watt light bulb? Be all that God has called you to be in prayer!

Give yourselves to fervent prayer, for "God is the LORD, which hath showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar" Psalm 118:27. God is more than just a Lighthouse in a world of darkness...so you stand as an intercessor and pray for those who are:

.......on the road of life Broken down: God can be their Flashlight.

.......the Head of the House: God can be their Headlight.

.......unsaved and Lost on the Streets: God can be their Streetlight.

.......are reaching Souls Everywhere: God can be their Searchlight.

.......trying to keep their Bowed Heads Up: God can be their Skylight.

.......tired of the Devil "Raining on their Parade": God can be their Sunlight.

.......sure All Hope is Gone: God can be their Light at the End of the Tunnel.

Remember, Jesus is the Light Source as you stand in the gap as "Keepers of the Lighthouse!"