“I’ll pray for you.” It’s so easy (and important) to say, but how do we go about doing it? Why do we even do it? Does our prayer change God, or does it change us? Prayer is a vital part of our life with God, and this week we are looking at what it means that we advocate, or become advocates, for each other in prayer. We’ll also marvel in the fact that not only do we pray for each other, but Christ himself is praying for us (Romans 8:34). May God kindle our prayers and our lives.
Prayer is much more than words we simply send towards God. Prayer is a vital part of our life and walk with God, so that we can “draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings” (Hebrews 10:22). This week we look at prayer as Talking with Our Father, a unique relationship made possible through the work of Jesus by the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We pray within a relationship of intimacy, belonging, and promise – all made possible by God reaching out to us as his children.
What are we to make of Jesus? He goes out of His way to befriend sinners. He offers hope to the lost. He offers to heal the brokenhearted, true friendship for the lonely, and complete forgiveness to the sinner. The devil accuses us of sin to destroy us, just as the Scribes and Pharisees were doing to the woman caught in adultery. But when the contrite sinner stands before Jesus, just as this woman did, Jesus does not condemn – he forgives. But it does come with a price tag…
James calls us to listen closely and carefully, but after listening we obey and act on what we heard.
This week we’re looking at the final parables in Matthew 13 that point both to the coming of Jesus with the final judgment and our ministry and teaching today. When the final judgment happens, there will be a sharp line between those who belong to Jesus and those who don’t. In light of that, our ministry today must encompass both the old and new treasures of God’s kingdom.