Closer Than the Air We Breathe
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Floyd has had a good week. He's been calm and contented - and cooperative with the therapists.
He had a visit from special friends from the US. They shared testimonies, read scriptures, and prayed for him. It was a sweet visit. I'm always grateful for the friends who have come to see him during this long journey. It means a lot to me, and I'm sure it must be so special to Floyd.
I had a sweet time of prayer and worship with him. At one point I asked him if he loved Jesus (which he is known for asking when he speaks). I got a very big smile in response to that!
Before he became ill, he had given permission for "The Father Heart of God" to be translated into Farsi, which is spoken in Afghanistan and Iran. I was able to give him the news this week that the translation is finished, and the book is being distributed. That brought a big smile too.
I had my quarterly cancer check up this week. Things seem to be going well. I'm doing everything I can to keep the cancer away, and praying for full healing! It's always encouraging to "pass" a check up!
I've watched news reports recently about heads of state visiting the White House in Washington, D.C. It's interesting to read of all the red tape and protocol that goes into those visits. So much work - so many details! It seems overwhelming.
There have also been reports of the commonwealth leaders meeting in London. As they meet with the Queen, there are lots of standards and protocols that must be followed - what you say, what you do, how you bow/curtsy/shake hands. I'd be so nervous that I'd be worried I'd forget things!
In various cultures around the world, there are also guidelines of how you greet people. Things in one culture that may be very innocent, can be horribly offensive in other cultures. It's so important to be aware of cultural protocol.
As I thought about this, and as I watched the news reports - I found myself being so thankful that God doesn't require a long list of things to come into His presence. I don't have a list of rules and regulations to obey. I can go straight to Him. I can say I need you! I can cry out in difficult moments - and He's right there.
The King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Almighty One is available to us 24/7. He's "closer than the air we breathe." He welcomes us with open arms anytime we call. We can call upon Him from our sickbed, from our car, from our office, from school, from an airplane, from anywhere we are. Many rulers and dignitaries have "layers" of security to keep people from getting through to them. Jesus says simply "come."
Our Lord and Savior is totally and completely accessible to us. He never leaves us. He never forsakes us. Nothing and no one can separate us from Him. He is with us continually. We can cry out to Him in a loud voice, or we can whisper "Jesus I need you" - and He'll be right there to help us. I don't have to pray a formal prayer. I don't need to go through a list of procedures. I can simply call upon His name! Thank you Lord!
I can call upon Him any time of the day or night - 365 days of the year. He doesn't keep office hours. He doesn't take holidays. He doesn't go away on vacation. He is always, always, always available to us.
This gives me such comfort and assurance. I'm alone right now - but I'm never alone! Jesus never leaves my side. I am so grateful that He is constantly available to me. What a gift that is.
"This is my command - be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9
"The Lord is near to all who call on Him, to all who call on Him in truth." Psalm 145:18
"Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:20
"The Lord your God is with you; His power gives you victory. The Lord will take delight in you, and in His love He will give you new life. He will sing and be joyful over you." Zephaniah 3:17
Thank you, Lord, for being available and accessible to us. Thank you that we can freely enter into your presence. Thank you that you welcome us, and receive us with tenderness and love. Thank you that no one is turned away. Thank you that you hear my cry and warmly receive me. I couldn't make it without you!
When I'm praying for things - especially over a long period of time, it really helps build my faith to hear answers to prayers! We know God hears, but just finding out about a few answers really helps motivate me to keep pressing in.
A couple months ago there was a call to prayer for Cape Town - "It's Time" - that was led by Angus Buchan. I have heared some testimonies from the days following that meeting that have blessed my heart!
One of the prayers was for rain for Cape Town. That's still an ongoing prayer! But in April we had a "normal" year's amount of rain. That is amazing as the last few years April has been dry. And we've already started off with several rainy days in May. May is usually a dry month. The dams that hold our drinking water are still very low, but this rain is making a difference. God is answering prayer!
Angus shared a report that happened right after the day of prayer. One of the major gangs went to a church. The spirit of the Lord moved on them, and they came forward during the service. They laid their guns on the altar, started to weep, and repented.
Someone heard about it, and sent word to the opposing gang. They reported that the gang at the church was now unarmed and vulnerable. The 2nd gang came to the church with the idea of shooting them all. I'm sure many innocent bystanders would have been killed too.
The 2nd gang walked into the church, and the same thing happened. The spirit of the Lord moved on them. They walked to the front, laid their guns on the altar, started to weep, and repented. Then the 2 gangs embraced each other. It was a modern day "book of Acts" miracle! Thank you Jesus for your saving grace. One of the gang leaders now wants to go to Bible college.
Angus also shared about 2 men whose "profession" is to steal cell phones and sell them. They heard about the "It's Time" prayer gathering with 160,000 people in the crowd. They thought this would be a prime target! When they walked onto the field, their feet started burning like fire. They couldn't stand still, and had to run off the field.
They tried it twice, and realized they were standing on holy ground. The third time they broke down and wept, and repented before the Lord. Their feet were fine this time.
There is power in prayer!!!
"If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14
"The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results." James 5:16
"Then He said to His disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest." Matthew 9:37,38
"Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9
"Do not say, 'There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest.' Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest. Already he who reaps is receiving wages and is gathering fruit for life eternal; so that he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together." John 4:35,36
Be encouraged! God is at work. Prayers are being answered on so many levels. We must keep pressing in to Him in the place of prayer - for healings, for miracles, for our friends and family to come to know Him. God is answering prayers!