The Paralysis of Not Praying

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

I heard an evangelist make this statement: "Prayer is the slender sinew that moves the muscles of omnipotence." If this is true--and I think to a great extent it is--then if we don't pray, we are paralyzed!

I have a little firsthand knowledge of paralysis. In 1987, when my oldest son was fourteen, he was stricken with a stroke. The entire right side of his body was paralyzed, and to this day his right arm and hand are partially paralyzed.

Paralysis does at least three things to the body that a paralysis of prayer will do to the soul. One, it results in no feeling. When an individual is paralyzed in his prayer life, he ceases to feel. The love of Christ flowing through him is hindered by his unfeeling lack of constraint to pray.

Also, in a paralyzed condition there is no movement. One is crippled in his ability to go forward, to "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." The crippling concrete of lethargy and no progress is a visible penalty of a paralyzed prayer life.

Last, a paralysis causes a situation of no balance. That which is weakened is overcome by the stronger side, and sin begins to dominate. God help us to override our paralyzed prayer life with this therapy: "Pray without ceasing" (I Thess. 5:17).

The Source of the Well

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

The promise of the Spirit's life-giving flow in the life of the believer is one of victory and spiritual success. However, today it seems that many are devoid of this artesian well of blessing and are like deserts themselves. I don't presume to have all the answers, but here are a few suggestions for your consideration today.

Maybe when you stop to measure the flow and compare your "spring" with others or brag about your flow, it ceases. Perhaps when you lose touch with the Source, you are in serious trouble of being "stopped up." I don't think we are to become overly enamored with the results of the flow; we are just to be thankful we have a right relationship with the Source of blessing (Luke 10:20). Sometimes it seems that the effect becomes the cause, or we get caught up in the excitement of the effect and are not mindful of the true Cause as we ought to be. John 7:39 tells us that the Source is the Spirit of God, the Holy Ghost, who has been given to indwell us.

Is your life a well of living water, fit to help slack the thirst of struggling saints and sin-sotted sinners, or are you grieving and quenching this life-giving flow in your Christian walk?

Cozy Purple Legwarmers

I finished knitting these cute leg warmers about a month ago and finally got around to taking some photos yesterday. The pattern came out of Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson. I combined two different-colored strands of yarn for these -- lavender and a very light pink. I'm really pleased by how well they blended together! I had fun learning a new technique, knitting in the round, as I started. I figured they were a bit snug for my size as they began to take shape, so I decided to make them for my little sister. It seemed an eternity before I finally finished them; creating thousands of stitches, though enjoyable, can at times be monotonous. =)

PATTERN DETAILS

Last-Minute Knitted Gifts by Joelle Hoverson: Super Easy Leg Warmers
Yarn: Lion Brand "Cupcake" and Red Heart "Soft Baby"
Colors: Sugarplum and Powder Pink

The Princess Adelina

Book written by Julie Sutter

I found this book extremely enjoyable and encouraging--but to an extent. While the old English style of language was interesting and helped transport me into the book's time setting, at times I found it difficult to discern the message the author wished to convey. Often I found the story did not flow due to choice of writing style. I also believed a few instances in the book were too detailed and detracted from the Godliness and purity of this precious story.

A huge problem I had with this book was concerning Bible doctrine. The missionaries in this book were said historically to be from the church of Iona in Ireland. This church trained believers in the Word and sent them out as missionaries. This church was Baptist and firm in Bible doctrine. I recognized all of the Baptist distinctives in practice by the people within the book, although of their baptism by immersion I am unsure. Also, there were a few strange and unbiblical customs these people held to. It is my assumption that either the historical account of these missionaries was thwarted, or the record was indeed accurate and they had departed from sound Bible doctrine.

Aside from these important points, the book was excellent. I wish the book would have been true to the Word of God. If so, I have no doubt this book would be one of my favorites. It was not blatantly unscriptural so, overall, I rate it fairly high. That aside, I shall now begin my narrative of the book's lovely and heartening story.

The Princess Adelina is a retold account of true people and events, taking place in Thuringia, Germany during the eight century. Adelina is a missionary's daughter faced with a crucial choice, one which will affect the liberty of the believer's to worship God. So they may freely serve the Lord, Adelina chooses to marry the young pagan herzog (king or ruler), Hedan. A true Esther of her day, Adelina accepts the position in which God chooses to place her and use her life, at peace despite her impending danger and distress. God rewards her courage to obey and blesses many through her steadfastness.

Adelina finds the Hedan's mother Geila to be a fierce enemy. Geila is determined to drive Christianity out of Thurgania and wastes no time in harassing Adelina. She cruelly plots against Adelina and slanders her virtuous name, humiliating her at every turn. Adelina looks to God for strength in her persecution, certainly afraid but not enslaved by terror. Her life shines brightly as a beacon in the darkness of evil. Humble and caring, Adelina reaches out to the servants beneath her, sharing the Gospel with all those around her, and is a loving and faithful wife to her husband. She leads many to the Savior and is used greatly of God.

In time, Hedan's love for Adelina wans and unrestrained jealousy takes its place. Hedan must enter battle, so he restores his mother Geila to her prior position as queen. With Hedan gone, there is nothing to restrain Geila from attacking Adelina even more fiercely. In danger of her very life, Adelina flees with the aid of faithful servants who are believers.

While in battle, Hedan is gravely wounded and left for dead. A peasant man who is a Christian finds him, takes him to his home, and restores him back to health. Hedan receives Christ as his Savior and is made a new creature in Him.

Not knowing to whence Adelina has fled, Hedan searches desperately for his bride. After many months the two are reunited, and Adelina rejoices that Hedan has been gloriously saved from his sin. Peace is at last restored to the kingdom and they lived happily ever after.

Adelina's life of virtue and faith is a shining example in this day of disdain upon Godly meekness, modesty, and femininity with true strength. This ancient, actual tale of a brave and beautiful princess who lived centuries ago is thrilling and inspiring even today, proclaiming salvation and liberty in glory to the Savior of ruined mankind.

Read more reviews of this book at PrincessAdelina.com.

Building Times

Devotional by Pastor Tim Luchon; from Baptist Bread

Psalm 27:13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.

When a believer decides to live only for God, they enter into a place where fellowship with the Creator is sweet; but that closeness is not without a price. To live near to God is to see this world from a different realm of conscienceness; and many cannot handle what comes into view.

When first confronted with the cost of a close walk with the Lord, many believers faint. Spiritually speaking, they pass out. It seems that only a few dare to step up in such a manner that allows God to really build them and mold them into separated servants and strong soldiers of the cross.

Fainting should have no place in the life of a truly surrendered saint. You may feel that a trial has conquered you today, but if you are still in the fray, what you have deemed as defeat is only a temporary setback, designed by the Creator to build you for tomorrow! To avoid fainting, a dedicated disciple in training will constantly look for "...the goodness of the Lord..." in tough times.

Those who will pay the price must determine to keep a spiritually balanced attitude while living among the deadness and defeat of others.

There will be a blessed place here and in Heaven for those who stay in the fight and refuse to faint.

Good News

Devotional by Evangelist Tim Green

Proverbs 25:25 As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.

He labored in the hot, searing sun. It's unforgiving rays beat a relentless tattoo on his bare head and broad shoulders. Pausing momentarily, he saw is young wife coming across the field with two glasses and a tall pitcher of ice-cold water, drawn from the spring. The farmer's slumping frame elevated as if by some force of levitation, and his spirits revived.

A cold glass of water on a hot day and good news are presented in this proverb as having a synonymous effect on the recipient. As we begin another year and look with unbridled anticipation upon the coming allotment of 365 more deposits in the bank of our lives, I trust that some good news will be heard from day to day. Perhaps a letter from a wayward child who has wandered to the far country will warm the hearts of burdened parents. Perchance some young serviceman fighting for his country and his family's freedoms will have time to send some comforting news to his loved ones. There are missionaries serving our Lord in far-flung corners of the world who would be truly overjoyed to have their thirst for friendly communication slaked by an encouraging letter from you with a love offering included. Maybe today you could give the great Good News of the Gospel to some benighted soul so that his eternal thirst could be satisfied at the fountain that will never run dry! Happy New Year and Good News to you!