We played on Rosa Parks Blvd. in Paterson NJ this past Saturday. Apparently it’s a pretty gnarly place… It was for an outreach Block Party to the community in that area of Paterson. Above is a picture of us playing one of our original songs “Come Away”. The song is based on the text of Hebrews 11:1, where the writer of Hebrews explains that “Faith is being sure of what we hope for, and certain of what we do not see…”.

We’re praying that the people of Paterson were blessed, and that those who were listening on the streets would know that they’ve been forgiven because of Jesus sacrifice for us on the cross. We’re also praying they’ll give up on trying “make it” on their own and come away from the drug-slingin’, prostitution and  violence that is plaguing that area and walk into an eternity of real life with Christ. So yea, be praying for the people of Paterson. God bless.

Genesis 24:1-4

The chapter to come is probably one of the greatest love stories in the Bible. It speaks of a Father’s concern for his son, a servants loving obedience to his master, and the love and commitment of a husband and wife. 

This account of relationship and marriage is painted by a couple key elements: Providence, Persistence, and Prayer. 

The same is true in the account of God honoring and successful relationships today!

God providentially brings them to be and orchestrates the process properly.  Then we as servants must serve each other persistently.  And at all times we must continue to sort through the journey prayerfully obeying and abiding in God’s truth and will.  As we do we see the molding and meshing of beautiful relationships that speak great depth of the character, intimacy, and blessing of our Lord.

Genesis 22:14

Jehova Jireh, or literally “The-Lord-Will-Provide” is a just another of many different and wonderful names for the One true God.  This particular name was formed from the proclamation of faith Abraham made to Isaac in verse eight.  This particular dub is similar to when Hagar referred to God as “The-God-Who-Sees” (16:13), both were in a tight spot between life and death, and Jesus draws near, sees the need (Jehova Elroi), and provides for the need (Jehova Jireh).  As I reflect on the names and the character of God; I’m often reminded of times in life where I’ve wondered if God was paying any attention to my predicament, if He saw my need, and whether or not He would provide.  As I came to find out, the answer to all of these questions is found at the cross.

Whenever I question God’s instructions, or perhaps I feel as though I’m only being led to the slaughter in my personal situation, the cross always speaks a reminder of peace and hope into my life.  For it was there that the Lord provided, and “as it is said to this day” God has never let us down. 

“But God has let me down, Dan!” you say.

“I’ve been robbed, cheated, and shorthanded plenty of times in my life!” you might think.

The fact of the matter is “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said and shall he not do it? Or hath he spoken and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19) so that makes me wonder what it was that you didn’t receive. 

Perhaps what you thought was your need was simply a want, and God knowing best knew that it wasn’t best for you.  You see, that is the amazing truth about God!  He loves you and will always lead you to the blessing regardless of what you think to be best. 

So the next time you pray and begin to think, “Man! God didn’t answer my prayer!”

Remember that He has!  

It may be that God has simply delayed or developed your answer in a different way than what you had expected.  (James 4:2-3)

Genesis 21:16-21

Hagar lifted her voice and wept.  It seems as though she was captive to her circumstances and the cruel reality was that she and her boy were done for.  She was completely desperate and crying out, and who shows up…Jesus.  Who is the angel of God, or the angel of the Lord?  It’s the preincarnate Christ…its Jesus.  That’s the way it is, when we in desperation cry out to God, when we lift our voices, when we passionately make known our case before the Lord, no matter your background or past, He hears and responds. 

How do I know?

Take a look at a guy named Jeremiah.  He was what some might consider a model of failure and futility.  He was God’s prophet for over forty years, yet not one convert, not even a re-dedication, all he got from the people he tried to help was mockery and beatings.  He was put in prison, thrown into a well, and taken captive to Egypt against his will.  He was no stranger to crying out to God; in fact his nickname is the “weeping prophet” for penning the book of Lamentations.  But even a guy like Jeremiah heard from God, in some of his hardest most troubling moments God spoke to Jeremiah and said:

“…I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.  For I know the thoughts I have toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.  Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.  And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.  I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity…”

Jeremiah 29:10-14

You see, it doesn’t matter if you’re the head of a seemingly failing ministry, or the cast away that is hopelessly bound for death.  Jesus is there, He hears your cry, and He’s responded.  He desires that all would be saved and none would perish.  He says He desires to bring good towards you, that when you seek Him with all your heart…then you will find Him and He’ll bring you out of your gnarly situation.

Where are you today? 

Do you feel as though you’re wandering through the wilderness of life, things are dry and you’re getting nowhere fast? 

Perhaps you’re like Jeremiah who thought you were called and anointed but all you seem to receive is boos and hiss’ from your friends and your ministry has no apparent fruit?

Cry out to Jesus!  Call to Him!  Seek Him with all your heart, and God will “Open your eyes” to find the  hope, peace, and joy that will never go dry, leave you hanging, or forsake you.

Count on it!

Genesis 19:27-29

Abraham gets up early and goes out to where God had made the promise of sparing the lives of the righteous.  I’m sure the sight wasn’t pretty, after some serious judgment the rubble and rising smoke could be seen for miles around; perhaps Abraham’s heart sunk as the evidence seemed to show that there weren’t enough righteous people for mercy to be given. 

We know, however, this wasn’t the case.  Although the standard of righteousness wasn’t met, God still sought a way to spare the lives of those who believed and committed themselves, never once compromising His judgment on sin.  This is a perfect picture of God’s heart towards all of us, “for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”, “None are righteous, no not one.”  Although we didn’t meet the standard of righteousness we see that God still sought a way to give mercy through the death of His son Jesus, carrying out perfectly an uncompromised judgment through Jesus and at the same time accomplishing a rescue of those who would believe and commit themselves to Him.

There are a couple more interesting truths that are present here.  We see that the deliverance of Lot was partly due to the prayers of another.  Perhaps, like Abraham, your heart sinks when you see the outworking of destruction. 

You watch as he ruins his life with those habits. 

She’s returned to her old crowd and heads down the wrong road. 

The truth is God hears our cries on behalf of others and He is faithful to seek and to save those who are lost in sin. 

As easy as it is to pass judgment on Lot and see him as a backsliding screw up, a lost cause who continues to make poor decisions and just keeps drifting farther from what’s right, the Bible in fact calls him righteous.

“…turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah into ashes, condemned them to destruction, making them an example to those who afterward would live ungodly, and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)-then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations…”

2 Peter 2:6-9

Through the Lord’s eyes Lot was a righteous man, this sobers me up quite a bit because often I’m quick to write off this person due to the outward appearances and actions, on the other hand we aren’t the Lord.  God sees the heart, the righteous Judge knows exactly where that person is at inside and He is mighty to save them out of the oppressive temptations and atmosphere that is tormenting them. 

In the same way we have the responsibility to pray for those who are tormented in their soul by the life that they live, whether they have chosen that route or not, God is the one who discerns the heart, our job is to pray and desire that God grace and mercy be poured out on them.

Abraham chose to pray instead of pass judgment

God chose to seek and to save that which was lost

And Lot escaped through the flames

It’s a beautiful picture.

Genesis 18:22-23

Here we see the heart of Abraham in a wonderful way, not only committed to loving God with all His heart, soul, mind, and strength, but also loving His neighbor as Himself.  His nephew Lot is again in a compromised situation and Abraham is talking to God on His behalf.  It’s important to note that this time the action done on behalf of Lot isn’t Intervention but Intercession.  And thus we have our example, for all of us have a “Lot” or two in our lives.  Guys and gals who have chosen their own city to dwell in, their own crew to hang with, and their own culture and lifestyle to enjoy in spite of knowing the “Way, Truth, and Life” that satisfies.  Sadly we understand the truth just as Abraham did, that these choices only lead to destruction.

So what can we do when we see friends or family members choosing the wrong path and desiring to dwell in a place that is doomed to disappoint, depress, and destroy?

We talk to God about it… We pray for them.

In the past Abraham got involved and saved Lot from being taken hostage (Genesis 14:16), only to see Lot return to the old hang-outs, old friends, and old habits.  Unfortunately when we get involved and help friends or family members to get redirected on the right path they don’t always listen, and sometimes our best efforts aren’t enough.  Here we see an awesome example of the power of prayer versus the power of a person. 

Notice instead of judging the place himself and telling God to “send em’ all to hell” that Abraham left the final judgment up to God and at the same time prayed for those who were in danger of damage.  We too need to spend more time in prayer…when tempted to put in the final say and judge others we should take Abe’s example and Intercede for those people. 

What happened when Abraham prayed?

God got personally involved and rescued Lot from destruction.   Of course there were still consequences to pay, and some of the results were rough as they always are when we make decisions apart from God’s will, but we see that Lot is saved. 

We too will see as we commit to pray for that brother, friend, neighbor, or prodigal parent, that we won’t need to rely on our capabilities, we can rest as Abraham did, knowing that God is personally seeing into the situation and “working it together for His good purpose”. (Romans 8:28)

Genesis 14:16

Earlier in Genesis we saw Abram head in the wrong direction and get into some trouble in Egypt, now we see Lot make the same mistake. Sometimes when we see others making mistakes we tend to hammer down on them, or write them off as a lost cause, but we see here in Abram’s case that when the news came about Lot’s situation, his goal was restoration. And so it goes for you and I, when we see someone overcome by sin, we’re not to condemn “for there is no condemnation in Christ Jesus”, Instead we’re to fix our eyes on seeing that person restored. Attack the problem, find where the sin is encamped and destroy it, so that we might see the good returned to those lives that have been captive.

“Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

James 5:19, 20

That’s great Dan, but how do we work towards restoration?

Our weapons to fight for those we love is in the “Sword of the Spirit” or God’s word. The truth of the Bible is a powerful tool to save others from the destruction they might unwittingly be heading towards. While reminding others through the truth of God’s word, we can take it a step further by taking the offensive on their behalf through the power of prayer.

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.”

2 Corinthians 10:3-6

We are our brother’s keeper.