Good morning, everyone:
Would you give up your cell phone? Never! At least not willingly, right? It’s probably one of the first things you pick up in the morning. You may use it more times than you care to count during the day. Plugging it in to recharge may be the last thing you do before bed. It’s an amazing device. It allows us to stay in touch with almost anyone we care to contact. It’s so convenient. We can carry the phone with us wherever we go. Whether it’s just a quick impulse to say, “Hi” to a friend or the need to let a family member know of an emergency, the phone is right there.
Would you give up prayer? It is far more amazing than any technological breakthrough. It makes the latest smartphone look two tin cans connected by a piece of string. With prayer God gives us a direct line to Himself. No equipment is required. There are no limits on minutes used and no danger of out-of-network loss of service. The Lord of all things in heaven and on earth simply gives us an open invitation to talk with Him at any time or place about anything, big or small. Isn’t that incredible? How do you wrap your mind around something so far beyond human comprehension? God simply says, “Believe it. It’s true!”
Are you happy about a free weekend? You can pray and thank Him for it. Worried about a doctor’s appointment next week, the chaotic state of the world, or a car payment? The Lord is ready to listen to it all. Even the greatest fear and problem we will ever face, our sin and its punishment, is something we can take to the Lord with the confidence that He has already rescued us through Jesus. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9). Nothing is too small for the Lord’s attention. Nothing is too big for Him to take care of. “He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).
Give up prayer? Never! May we instead begin each morning by talking with the Lord, carry on the conversation throughout the ups and downs of the day, and drift off to sleep thanking Him for listening and answering in His grace.
Tomorrow’s sermon text (Gen. 18:20-32) continues the account we began last week of the Lord’s visit with Abraham. It is a powerful encouragement to humble, yet bold and persistent prayer.
The annual voters meeting will be held after second service. If you are a voter or eligible to become one, please keep the meeting in your prayers and if possible, attend and help plan the work the Lord would have us do as a congregation. Non-voters, too, remember the kingdom work in prayer. You are always welcome to sit in on the meeting and observe the work firsthand.
Yours in Christ,
Pastor
