by Connie Sorrell
Have you ever seen the picture of the upright, clasped, praying hands? There is an inspiring story behind this masterpiece of art known around the world as the "Praying Hands." Please allow me to tell you how this masterpiece came to be.
During the 1490's, two young friends, who were very poor, lived together and worked to support themselves while they studied art. Advancement in the school of art was very slow because they spent most of their time working to keep food on the table, a roof over their heads and supplies for both of their art pursuits.
One day the two friends made an agreement together. They would draw lots and one of them would work to support both of them while the other would study art. Then when the accomplished artist became wealthy, he would relieve the other friend so that the working man could also study art.
The lots were drawn. Albrecht Durer won. He soon went off to the big cities of Europe to study art while Franz Knigstein labored to support them both. In time Albrecht became famous for his talented, creative work. His paintings and sculptures found important places in many big art galleries in several countries.
Then Albrecht remembered the promise he had made to his friend who had faithfully sent him money during these years. So Albrecht went back to the tiny apartment where his friend still lived and there he discovered the enormous price his friend had paid for his success. Franz's slender, sensitive fingers had become so stiff and twisted that he could no longer hold a small paint brush nor make the delicate brush strokes necessary to fine painting.
Franz Knigstein would never have inspiring paintings in art galleries but he was not embittered about this fact. Instead he rejoiced over his friend's success and wanted Albrecht to tell him all about his studies. This touched Albrecht's heart and he did all he could to lighten Franz's work load.
One day Albrecht found his friend quietly kneeling in prayer with his gnarled hands clasped upright before him. Quickly, Albrecht took a pencil and paper and sketched the hard-working hands of his praying friend. In time he developed this sketch into a truly great masterpiece known world-wide as the Praying Hands.
Today Praying Hands still remind people that there is strength and comfort in helping and praying for a friend Jesus taught us to do so. He prayed for us and this beautiful prayer is recorded in the seventeenth chapter of the book of John. He prayed, "Father, ...I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world... Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me..."
After Jesus had prayed for us, He entered the Garden of Gethsemane where in "...agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground." Luke 22:44. He felt the weight of your sins and of mine and He knew the cross was before Him. He laid aside His will and freely gave Himself a supreme sacrifice that none of us should perish but that all of us might have eternal life. (John 3:16.)
Jesus did all of this for us, his friends. He said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you...These things I command you, that ye love one another." John 15:13-17.
Are we keeping this commandment? Are we "...kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another?" Romans 12:10. It is not human nature to prefer someone else above our own desires but it is divine to do so. In prayer we can find the power to love divinely. We were shown how to love others by the greatest Friend any of us will ever know.
by Marsha Corterway
"Once again we come to the House of God to unite in songs of praise!" Oh, what rejoicing we should feel as God directs our footsteps towards God's House. What sadness we should feel when we are not able to attend.
Are we stirring ourselves enough toward public worship? "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the House of the Lord." Psalm 122:1. Some of the most cherished memories I have had was when I worshipped with God's people. The sweet songs of Zion, stirring messages, saints rejoicing and testifying. How wonderful it is to be at our appointed place to receive God's blessings.
Matthew henry's Commentary says, "When they [people] grow careless and remiss in the duties of God's worship, neglect them, or are negligent in them, they become an easy prey to the tempter."
When did you attend service last? how important is God's House on Sunday and Wednesday nights? A lot of people seem to feel stirred on Sunday mornings as if they feel it is a duty to attend, but what about the Sunday evening service? It seems as if the attendance drops considerably. May God stir all of our precious souls.
We realize that some of God's people are living in isolated places where they are unable to attend services. God is a loving Savior and takes every circumstance into consideration, but those who are able to attend service should be dutiful and responsible before God. The attendance of service could determine our destination for all eternity.
We must build on a solid foundation of salvation and sanctification, as well as responsibility and reverence toward God. We then can recognize how we must follow the Savior to help our souls on the way to heaven. We must obey God's Word and recognize His presence in public worship. "for where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but EXHORTING ONE ANOTHER, and so much more, as ye see the day approaching." Hebrews 10:25.
by Vest-Nadine Severs
"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance; it is laying ahold of His highest willingness." -Richard Chenevix Trench (1807-1866)
Examples of Intercession:
Abraham-means "Father of Many Nations: or "Father of the Faithful"-interceded for the righteous in Sodom, changed the mind of God to save those few he could. (Genesis 18:23-32.)
Jacob-interceded with the angel, obtaining the willingness of God to preserve him and family from the wrath of his brother (Genesis 32:9-11); one prayer showing his humility before God (appears to be prayed in the morning) and verse 24 shows him wrestling that night with a man from God and in verse 28 the man says: "You have prevailed and have power with God and man." Jacob had singleness of purpose; humility; by having power with God he changed his brother's mind.
Moses-means "Drew out from the water"-or "Deliverance" or "Deliverer." (Exodus 32:11-14; 32:31-32; Numbers 14:13-20.) Moses had total selflessness by offering himself that the people might be spared; wanted the Glory of God to be maintained; with his power with God, got God to change his mind and attitude from anger to willingness to spare the people from destruction, thereby paving the way for the Messiah to come from Israel. God even said He would be willing to do away with these people and bring the Messiah through the seed of Moses.
Elijah-Known as the "Prophet of Fire"-there were at least three recorded times of intercessory prayer: raised widow's son to life rain after three year drought; to turn an idolatrous nation back to God. (I Kings 17 and 18.)
Elisha-interceded for his friends' only son, but the Bible doesn't report his prayer. He performed a greater number of miracles than any other prophet except Moses. Each miracle takes a certain amount of interceding.
Isaiah-Isaiah 20:2-5; Isaiah 59:12-17. "...and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment. And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor." Isaiah 53:12. "...He hath poured out his soul unto death; and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors." This prophecy, probably brought about by Isaiah's intercessory prayer, when asking God what His plan consisted of for mankind.
Jeremiah-Known as the "Weeping Prophet." (Jeremiah 14;19-22.) This covers one of Jeremiah's intercessory prayers. God answers in Jeremiah 15:1, "Though Moses and Samuel stood before me, yet my mind could not be toward this people, cast them out of my sight and let them go forth." Sometimes the answers to our intercessory prayers may not be what we want to hear! Jeremiah says that in verse 10; verse 11 is God's promise to him. "Verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time...of affliction."
Ezekiel-(Ezekiel 4:4-8; 22:23-31.) These scriptures carry a judgment because there are no intercessors in the land. How we need to intercede for our country!
Daniel-(Daniel 2:18-19; 27-28, 30.) This intercession was for the interpretation of the king's dream. What his prayers were like in order to have his visions is not stated. Visions such as he had are not obtained through unfocused prayer.
Stephen-Interceded with man for God-Acts 7, and in the last two verses he intercedes for himself and begs for forgiveness of those who are stoning him. Saul (Paul) was in that crowd.
Early Saints-(Acts 8:1.) Great persecution against the church had to bring about great prayers and although not mentioned, we know that this was the method of the early morning church. United, they prayed-Peter was miraculously delivered; numerous souls saved, including Saul of Tarsus. (Acts 9:1-2, 27-28, 31.) All were achieved through intercessory prayer.
Paul-Every missionary field benefited from Paul's intercessory prayers for them. (II Thessalonians 1:11-12; Philemon 1:4, II Corinthians 11:28.)
Romans 8:16-27, 34-we find here that the Spirit makes intercession for us; also Christ makes intercession for us (verse 34) because he is at the right hand of the Father. Now look at verse 27 again-"he that searches the hearts" must be God the Father Himself. (See I Chronicles 28:9, Jeremiah 17:10. These and others lead me to believe the Lord God Jehovah is the Searcher of the hearts and He knows the mind of the [Holy] Spirit who, as one of the Trinity, has an individual personality of His own.) Christ and the Holy Spirit work together to intercede with the Father for that which we pray. But going a step further, it is the Holy Spirit who must dwell in the human body, and burden the soul with the prayer which the Holy Spirit wants prayed. What a mystery of mysteries!
I Timothy 2:1-2-"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men...for kings and for all that are in authority. Then read verses 3-5.
Hebrews 7:25-27: "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens; who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for all for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this he did once, when he offered up himself."
Intercession is not a substitution for sin. There has only ever been one substitute for a world of sinners, Jesus Christ the Son of God. But intercession so identifies the intercessor with the sufferer that it gives him a prevailing place with God. He moves God. With Jeremiah we see God accepting him as an intercessor, but rejecting the intercessory petition, yet was moved to give Jeremiah a place of acceptance with the nation's conqueror.
I find it very interesting to see how frequently the position of intercession is taken by the prophets of old for the nations around Israel as well as for Israel itself. Brother Ostis Wilson said that things have happened in our nation which should not have happened because the saints quits praying for their nation. Our vision has tended to go inward and not outward as previous generations.
by Joe Fine
As we begin, let us first see exactly what the revelation was which was entrusted to the apostle John in the book of Revelation. In the very first verse of the book, we see that it was a revelation of Jesus Christ. In many Bibles, the book is entitled the Revelation of Saint John. Yet, we see here that it is the Revelation of the Lord Jesus.
Now, what is a revelation? In the original, the word is apokalupsis, which means something which is revealed or disclosed that was previously hidden. It carries the meaning of uncover or unveil. It conveys the idea of God's presenting a new view of reality to otherwise veiled eyes.
Since we see that this is a revelation of Jesus Christ, whom should we see revealed in it? As Jesus Himself told John, the content would be involved with things which would shortly come to pass. Now, John was commissioned to write about three things. (Rev. 1:19.)
1. The things which thou hast seen. (1:1-20)
2. The things which are. (chapters 2, 3)
3. The thing which shall be hereafter. (chapters 4-22)
It is my burden to cover the first two categories. Much has been written on the symbolism of the book of the Revelation, and little on the first three chapters. Many years ago, I studied these chapters, and the things I learned have enriched my life. I would like to share them with you by way of the printed page.
First of all, let us remember that there is a reward for studying the things contained in this wonderful book. Jesus told us that we would be blessed if we read and heeded the things written therein (Rev. 1:3.) Blessed are those who read. This involves study. In those days, only a privileged few could read and books were extremely expensive. Therefore, they retained much of the information they received.
Blessed are they that hear. This has to do with the spoken word. We should give attention to the preached word; not just from this book, but to the whole counsel of God.
Finally, blessed are those who keep that which is written therein. Yes, we must put feet to our study and hearing; this obedience to God's will as revealed in His word. In the original, the words are in a tense which indicates a continual action. Thus, blessed are those who are reading, hearing and keeping the word of God.
There was a certain urgency to this revelation of the Lord Jesus to His servant. Most scholars believe that the book was written about A. D. 96. John was an old man by then, and the Roman government had exiled him to Patmos because they wearied of his preaching the Gospel. (Rev. 1:9.) Domitian was the Roman emperor at the time, and a persecution was about to break forth on the infant church. Already there was strife and sect division, as well as serious heresy. An historical incident will illustrate.
One day, as John and some of his disciples were about to enter a public bath, they saw Cerinthus, an avowed heretic, entering the same building. As soon as he saw him, John hastened to leave, fearing to enter lest God should strike the heretic and demolish the building around them! Persecution, although sporadic at first, soon became official Roman government policy. The church was under tremendous pressure for the next 200 years, until the devil changed tactics. Instead of persecution, he tried accommodation. But that is another story. The Lord could see the future, and He wanted his church to be prepared. Words of encouragement and comfort would be in order.
Do we not face similar circumstances in these evening times? Is there not a trickle of persecution rearing its ugly head? Who knows how much longer we will enjoy the freedoms we have? What do we need in troublous times? A revelation of Jesus Himself! The situations we face are the same that our morning light brethren faced. Note what John said about Christ.
1. He loves us.(verse 5) The verb is in the present tense, indicating His ongoing and ever-present love for His saints.
2. He washed us from our sins in His own blood. Here is what He did for us in the past. He washed us; a definite, one-time act which removed the stain of sin.
3. He made us a kingdom. (verse 6) This represents a real threat to all who think that they are in control of affairs. The Romans thought that they were the masters of the world. The emperor could have no rivals. Remember what Herod did when he heard of a new king? (Matt. 2:16.) Who is the real ruler of the world-Caesar or Christ?
4. He made us priests. In Ex. 19:6, we see that God's original intent was for the entire nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests. There was no priestly class. But after the apostasy of the golden calf and Levi's stand for the Lord, God made the Levites priests. Priests are responsible for the public worship of God. As priests we are individually responsible to worship God at all times. We all have equal access to the Lord. (Heb. 10:19-22.)
5. He is coming glory. (verse 7) His coming is always near, always present. "Behold he comes...." This should be a warning to the churches.
Notice what God said about Himself. In verse 8, He is the eternal, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. He exists above time and rules over it. He sees the end from the beginning. Doesn't it bring comfort to your heart to know that the Lord knows and watches and controls all things? When we were on a trip one time, I observed the children in a maze laid out on the ground. The walls were about 4 feet high, so they couldn't see over them. I could, however, and I could observe the direction they were headed. I could tell them to turn this way or that, and thus they attained their goal. That's how God treats us as we look to Him for guidance in the seeming maze of life's experiences. Our God is also the Almighty. In ancient Greece, the term almighty was reserved for the most powerful rulers. How much more this title applies to our omnipotent God, who upholds all things by the word of His power. (Heb. 1:3.)
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Let's look for a moment at the apostle John. He was on Patmos, a penal island established by the Roman government for the worst offenders. Not just anybody went there. Important people were merely banished there, with no further punishment than to be in exile. The humbler criminals exiled there faced constant scourging, fetters, starvation, lack of sufficient clothing, and constant work. They usually slept wherever they could, on the ground or in caves. This was no vacation resort!
Let us now outline the reasons for God's revelation of Himself:
1. Destination: His servants. (Rev. 1:1.)
2. Revelation of Jesus Christ to His Church.
3. Need of a fresh revelation for today. We face the same problems.
4. What does a church with its back to the wall, confusion over what is true, and facing open rebellion need? A REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST!
by Wayne Murphey
We wish to udate the list of Church of God congregations on our internet Web Page. If you would like your church included, please send e-mail.
Progress is continuing on the new Print Shop. The building is now completely enclosed. Still to be completed on the building's exterior is a porch, glass foyer and brick of the front.
We express our warm appreciation to all who make it possible for us to keep the printing presses running, and ask also that you keep us continually in your prayers.
by the readers
TX-Dear saints: Greetings in the name of the Lord. I thank the Lord for the grace and mercy by which He has seen fit that I see another day. I realize that if when justice called, if mercy had not answered I would not be here. But God allowed mercy to plead my case.
I am writing for prayer. I am not well in my body. I know God is able to help. Pray that I will walk by faith. Also pray for my daughter, Latasha, that the Lord will take care of her. She is seventeen years old. Pray that as she goes to school the Lord watch over her; lead, guide and protect her.
Pray for my parents who live in Green Pasture, OK. They have some badly needed repair work on their home. Pray that the Lord will work something out for them. They are both up in age.
May God bless each and every one of you is my prayer. -Roy L. Tillman
LA-Dear ones in Christ: Greetings in the lovely name of Jesus. I am so glad to still be able to report victory in my soul. The Lord is faithful!
Max has been in a battle for some while with a terrible itching on his body, but thanks be unto God, He has wonderfully touched him. He has been gradually improving for a couple of weeks now, and this week he has improved remarkably. He gives God all the glory.
We do thank each one that has offered a prayer on our behalf, and are thankful that we have the saints to call on in time of need, and to know that we are not in the battle alone.
Thanks for the many calls of encouragement sent to us. They meant so much.
May God bless, -Lula and Max Williamson
FL-Dear saints: I would like to praise the dear lord for the mercy and blessings He has so graciously bestowed upon me. I am thankful to say that I am saved today and endeavoring to please God with my life. I wanted to relay some thoughts I have had of late. I have been thinking of all that Christ did, and tried to do, for mankind here on earth. he left heaven to be born into a lowly family, and grew up in a carpenter's home. We have no record of Him ever having any luxuries in life. He grew into manhood, and all he ever did was for the good of those around Him, never thinking of Himself. He healed many and changed the lives of multitudes. yet, how quickly those same people turned on Him and rejected him. How quickly they completely forgot all he had done for them. They made up blatant lies about Him. Rumors floated around, demeaning His reputation. He was openly scorned. And to think, it was done to Him by the very ones he had tried to heal and save. How could this be? How could people be so cold and so easily forget the good and happiness He had brought into their empty lives? don't you know this must have hurt Him in a tremendous way? He must have found it hard to believe. Recently, I have been going through a very trying and hurtful time. Some people (unbelievers) that I have "bent over backwards" to try to help in many ways, have openly and defiantly hurt me and made remarks to the effect that I haven't done anything for them! I have been so hurt by the attitude of ungratefulness, and at how quickly people forget, that I asked the Lord, "What should I do?" Before asking Jesus what I should do, my first thought was to retaliate in some way. I felt like sitting down and writing out a list of the many, many things my husband and I have done for them and dropping it in the mail with a note that said, "How could you say these thing and how could you feel this way?" But, I looked up with an anguished heart and asked Jesus what to do. And, oh, these many thoughts began to fill my heart and mind. He came to save the very ones who treated Him so terribly. He gave up everything for them and lived a life of complete and total self-sacrifice and how quickly these very people, the ones He loved and tried to help, betrayed Him. This was the Son of God who took upon Himself humanity to bring salvation to a Godless and doomed world. His humanity was very real-He felt the hurt just as keenly as we feel it. As I listened to Him speak to me, He gently whispered, "Don't you think it hurt, when I healed the ten lepers and only one turned around to day 'Thanks'?" These were ten human lives who had been utterly miserable and had been shunned from society. Jesus healed their problem and changed their lives so that they could be normal and fit into society. Wouldn't you think they would have been delighted and so overwhelmingly grateful to the One who had brought about this wonderful change? But, no, only one had the decency and thanksgiving to turn around and say, "Thank You." And the saddest part was, these ten were possibly in the crowded multitude later, screaming, "Crucify Him?! I began to ponder upon the many, many things Jesus did and how quickly it was forgotten and taken so lightly. Jesus whispered these dear words to me, "I didn't have time to sit and cry about it, because I had a world to save!" Oh, when I heard this, the tears began to flow down my cheeks and all of the hurt and pain began to melt away! How little and insignificant was my pain! How minute the hurt-when compared to the feelings of Christ's pain and agony. Why, it made my wounds seem ridiculously small!
And the comfort didn't stop there. He went on to whisper, "Child, I know it all. I have seen it all. All the sacrifices you have made are not unknown to Me. I will reward you accordingly. Just because people say these things, that doesn't change the fact that you did what you did." I began to see that this is all that really matters. God knows-He knows our hearts and our innermost selves. People and words cannot change who we are. What started out to be so hurtful, has surely turned out to bring a real blessing to me. And the best part is, it has drawn me yet closer to my precious Lord. I love Him dearly and want to please him so desperately. I am learning that real peace is not the absence of a storm. It is sitting in the middle of a storm and not being affected by it. Pray for me.
Your sister in Christ, -Cheryl Smith
LA-Greetings in the name of Jesus: may God bless every one at the Publishing House. I enjoy reading the Faith and Victory paper, and look forward to getting it each month. It has so much good reading in it each time....
Pray for me. -Sis. Velma Mancil
I hope the third edition of the Cyberspace F&V has been usful. all input is appreciated. In the future this section will be used for articles from other recent Faith Publishing publications. Thank you for your intrest.
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