Recently I have been struggling with pain in one knee. Then the second knee decided to get in agreement with the first knee and hurt also.  It has been very trying in that I would find myself mapping out my trip in the grocery store so I did not have to walk any further than necessary. I went to the doctor who pronounced the dreaded word arthritis.  He gave me medicine that seemed to cause problems with my esophagus. In addition I started on supplements which were guaranteed to rebuild cartilage.

Often I was awakened with my legs radiating pain and I would limp along in the day time. The situation gave me great pause for considering how important it is to have a firm foundation. This lead me to compare the physical foundation of my knees and legs with the firm foundation we have in Jesus. That foundation is built up by time with Him and in His word as well as in prayer. If we do not have this firm spiritual foundation, we will limp along in our daily lives trying to cope with pain of various sorts.

A young minister noted my condition and said he wanted to pray for me as he had had a torn ligament, and the Lord had healed his injury. He knew I was going on a very challenging mission trip to a third world country where part of my assignment will be to talk about healing.

I have determined that my experience is not the test of God’s power or faithfulness, but I knew it would not be a great witness if I had to “crawl” up on the stage to speak about the power of God to heal. Many of us have struggle with the mystery of healing although we know by Scripture it was very much a part of Jesus’ ministry.

The anointing was present, the minister prayed along with another believer.  They locked their faith together (an expression I really love) and God moved. I could hardly believe it the next morning when I had slept all night without them hurting.  No longer did I limp around in the day time. They are healed and I am one thankful woman.

My bout with weak knees really determined how important it is to have a firm, healthy foundation to support our walk.  Likewise we need that firm foundation spiritually to support our walk with the Lord. I praise Him for healing me and I know we are to give testimony for His works.

Copyright © 2010, Peggy Park

Did you ever notice how we tend to “take on” that to which we expose ourselves?

I am specifically thinking of sun bathing or using tanning booths.  In spite of cautions about the harmful rays of sunlight, or those emitted in the artificial light, some of us still like that “tanned” look.  We may disregard cautions in favor of the healthy glow we feel sun bathing or booth tanning gives.

Compare sitting in the natural rays of sunlight with sitting in the light of the Son, Jesus.  As we daily come to Him in our prayer time we start to “take on” His light.  The pores of our being absorb the rays that come off of Him as we sit in His presence.  We start to “take on” more of Him and His light starts to shine on and through us.

I remember a friend of mine had a glow on her face after she had spent a long time in the presence of Jesus following the death of her father. She received comfort and peace. Her countenance reflected the light of Jesus.

Personally I want to reflect His light back to the world.  The only way any of us can do this is by being with Him enough to “take on” His presence so that we are glowing with Him.

Let us resolve to be diligent to sit with Him enough so that we get a “Son” bath, absorb His light, and the world around us witnesses that light shining through us.

© 2010 Peggy Park

In the spring some of us celebrated the Biblical feast called Passover. We all know well the story of Passover where the children of Israel were delivered out of the bondage of Egypt.  The excitement of the multitude mounted as they heard the devastation across the land of Egypt. Every first born not protected by the blood marking on the doorpost fell victim to the death angel.  Screams of anguish rose up everywhere.

In haste the children of Israel fled the hardships and tyranny of Egypt.  They were heading toward the promised land. Then they came to the Red Sea.  Imagine the terror the cascading waves provoked. They felt trapped!  The Egyptian soldiers pressing in from behind and the impassable sea lay ahead.  What to do?

They began to murmur and question the faithfulness of God. They looked back on the old life. They lamented that Egypt would have been better than dying in the wilderness.

When we hear these very familiar accounts from the Bible we sometimes just take them for granted. I asked the Lord to show me a new insight in this account that we could relate to personally.

Have you ever faced a red sea in your life?  It could be health, financial, relational or any one of a number of things that seemed impossible.  You could not see any answer. Did the old life you came from suddenly look better?

I have been there. Sometimes when I think the path ahead is too impossible, or challenging, a fleeting thought comes through my head. Lord, we are supposed to be retired?  Couldn’t I just take it easy, relax more, read some recreational material, prop my feet up or go over and play more with my new granddaughter?  I know to take that thought captive and cast it out of my head. It is coming form the soulish realm or from Satan.

James 1:8 speaks of a double minded man and that he is unstable in all his ways.

II Timothy 4:7 admonishes us to fight the good fight of faith

Phil. 3:14 tell us to press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.

We all have a call on our lives marked by the season we are in.  Some may be home schooling, others are involved with nursing home visitation, or visiting shut ins, volunteer work, church ministry, or a multiple of other callings. What ever the Lord has called and designed you for do it with all your might in spite of the Red Sea that seems to block your path.

The water did not part until they stepped into it and then they saw the Lord’s glorious provision.  Often when we face our red sea we are too near sighted. We only see the immediate in front of us not the big picture. Whatever the difficulty you face take a step of faith and watch for God’s provision in His time.

Robert Morgan in his book The Red Sea rules gives the following 10 suggestions for dealing with the red sea in your life.

1. Realize that God means for you to be where you are.

2. Be more concerned for God’s glory than your relief

3. Acknowledge your enemy, but keep your eyes on the Lord.

4. Pray

5. Stay calm and confident and give God time to work

6. When unsure just take the next logical step in faith

7. Envision God’s enveloping presence

8.  Trust God to deliver in His own unique way

9.  View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future

10. Don’t forget to praise Him

© 2010 Peggy Park.

An invitation was first issued to all mankind at the cross as Jesus’ death provided the blood sacrifice which God requires as payment for an individual’s sins.  We are in the season of focusing on that sacrifice and the provision for salvation it provided to those who would accept His invitation. The day is often referred to as Good Friday with the Savior’s glorious resurrection following as He came up out of that grave.

When we receive an invitation to an earthly event it is “time sensitive” and sometimes requires an RSVP (response).  If you fail to attend at the appointed time you miss your chance to participate in what is usually a happy gathering of people with lots of food and fellowship.

Jesus’ invitation for salvation ultimately culminates in a glorious party referred to in Scripture as the marriage supper of the Lamb where the heavenly bridegroom (Jesus) and His bride ( the true believers from all the ages) celebrate.  “Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory!  For the marriage of the Lamb has come and his wife has made herself ready.”  Revelation 19:7 niv

We, as believers, are the bride of Christ because we responded to His salvation invitation with a resounding “Yes!” His invitation is not time sensitive as long as an individual has breath.  It stays open for years; however, Scripture does caution that He will not strive with a person forever.

Just as a period of intense preparation usually precedes an earthly wedding it takes time to prepare a bride for the marriage to the Lamb of God. Let us check to be sure we have responded to Jesus’ invitation according to Scriptural guidelines.  (Believe, repent, confess, and be baptized).  Then be eager to get rid of any filth (sin) that would stain our wedding garment.  We yield to the purification process as he convicts us of wrong doing.  The wedding supper of the Lamb will be an occasion of great rejoicing as we worship and give Him glory.

© Peggy Park 2010.

I endeavor to come to the communion table with complete focus on the Lord’s sacrifice in order to be sure I never take this remembrance in a causal way or without the respect it should be given. I Corinthians 11:27 “Therefore whoever eats this bread or drinks this cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

I like the fact that communion is offered every week in the church I attend; however, this can lead one to take it without the thought we are cautioned to use. It is important to avoid the frequent taking of communion becoming a rote event. When I come to this time I am constantly looking for new depths and meanings that I have not seen before.

One day recently when pondering communion I felt impressed with three statements that helped me better understand what we are doing.  They are:

1.      Remember covenant
2.      Celebrate covenant
3.      Draw on covenant

Many words have been written regarding the covenant we have with God when we accept the blood sacrifice of the Lamb of God, Jesus, as He shed His blood on the cross.  Covenant is defined in the dictionary as a “formal, solemn, and binding agreement.”  It may be written or verbal.  We are blessed to be heirs to the covenant of salvation with all of the many wonderful provisions available to us as born again children of God.

When we pause and with great reverence remember His sacrifice, then we do have great cause to celebrate as we take communion. We then, by faith, may draw on what the blood sacrifice made possible for each of us.  The beautiful passage in Isaiah 53:4-5 is a great reminder of what Jesus’ sacrifice made available to us who have received Him.

Let us always be alert to the deep meaning of communion, as then we in some mysterious way commune with our Savior.

© Peggy Park 2010.

It is fascinating to contemplate the power we, as Christians, have over the forces of evil when we call on the blood that Jesus, the Lamb of God, shed on the cross. The blood dripped down His head, His hands, His body, and His feet forming a pool of blood at the base of the cross. That blood had the divine life of Jesus contained within it and it is as alive today as it was on the day He hung on the cross.

I used to wonder what people meant when they “pleaded” the blood in prayer.  I read an explanation by Jack Hayford which cleared it up for me.  He compared it to one standing in a court of law when the judge asked, “How do you plead.  Guilty or not guilty?”  Anyone of us would have to plead guilty of numerous charges of transgression against God’s holy, righteous standards; yet, because Jesus took those sins on Himself we can plead, “not guilty.”  Is that not an awesome thought?  All our sins nailed to the cross!  All of our sins heaped on Jesus, the Christ and redeemer of those who would accept His blood sacrifice.  He took what should have been charged to me and paid the price for my transgressions.

It has taken me years to begin to grasp the magnitude of what Jesus did for you, as well as me, and for anyone who would accept Him as a substitute for their sins.

Jesus, the Christ, provided the eternal conquest of Satan whose accusing voice of condemnation and guilt is swallowed up in the triumph of Calvary.  We over come by

declaring our faith in that holy blood sacrifice.  We can rejoice that according to Col. 1:13 we are delivered from the power of darkness and into the kingdom of the Son He loves.  Our constant heart cry should be to stay fully motivated and equipped to walk in this provision and to be bold to avail ourselves of the anointing He passed on when He said, “Greater works will you do than I have done.” (John 14:12).   My mind can not comprehend this statement.

We have a blood covering that we can proclaim and declare when the arrows of Satan start to fly in our direction.  I personally am just now learning to pray that God will manifest the power of the blood over the needs I bring to Him in the way that will bring Him the most glory.  I have to admit that previously I often prayed what would make me the most comfortable.

© Peggy Park 2010.

The old year has passed away.  2009 is but a memory to us as we several months ago we discarded the old calendar and put up a fresh new one full of unwritten days.  What have we been writing on those days as we scurry to fulfill our “to do” list?  Has time for our Lord Jesus Christ been a top priority? Have we penciled in quiet time to be with Him, or has that time given way to the tyranny of the urgent? Let us do a check up to see how we are doing now that we are well into the new year.

Contemplating new beginnings can be intriguing.  So many days and hours to deepen our relationship and fulfillment in Him OR to simply let time pass with no plan to know Him better. Will we allow old habits and challenging life circumstances to derail our time with Him, or will we crave out time to know our Savior in a deeper way?

Our world is in turmoil with mankind confounded by many circumstances and the uncertainties of life. Many do not know where to turn for answers. The believer in Jesus has a refuge as we draw on the peace found in our relationship with the Son of God.  What an awesome thought that He actually wants to fellowship with us and show us His compassions. We are truly a blessed people to have an audience with Him.

He is faithful to His children.  His compassions (mercy) never fail.  We can find rest in that no matter what circumstances we face.

© Peggy Park 2010.

The meaning of the term “pleading the blood” was a mystery to me until I read Jack Hayford’s explanation.  He said it is as if we are in a court of law and the judge asks us, “How do you plead, guilty or not guilty?”  We are well aware that we have transgressed God’s laws, and without His provision for our sins we would have to hang our head and declare,” I am guilty,” but praise God our guilt was taken care of by the blood of Jesus, the Lamb of God.

This just celebrated the season in the calendar of Biblical events when we are most focused on the event that made this possible. As Jesus, our Lord and Savior, hung on the cross every sin committed up to that time was put on Him as well as every sin yet to be committed in the ages following.  What a horrible thought as we picture Jesus covered with every atrocity man could think of to commit as well as the ones we tend to overlook or excuse in ourselves as they are not so “big.”

I am so happy that I can plead the blood when my enemy, Satan, comes at me with guilt over confessed sins.  I can joyfully and thankfully proclaim, ‘I plead the blood.” With that plea I am also free of the guilt if I have confessed as His word tells us in I John 1: 9 “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all sin.”

It is so freeing to have a Savior who loved us so much He would give His life for us and take all of our sins on Himself.  That my friends is what I call a great gift and a supreme sacrifice. Let us rejoice and be glad that we can plead the blood.

© Peggy Park 2010.

I think the circle of faith is self explanatory but will comment on it anyway. As you can see god gives each of us a measure of faith. (I believe it is the same measure and comes at the salvation experience.)

We are given the wonderful privilege of adding to that faith by hearing the word as described in the previous blog.  We return the word of God to Him by speaking His promises aloud (the scriptures that apply to the situation we are dealing with at the time).  This gives Him His own word to work with and to honor. According to Isaiah 55:11 His word will not return void.

I compare speaking His word back to Him to the joy a parent feels when their child quotes back something the parent has struggled to get them to understand.  It is if to say, “They finally listened and got it.”  God wants us to be diligent to study and believe His word.  When we quote it back to Him it is as if, “We got it”.

The gift of faith is also mentioned in I Corth. 12:9 as a gift. I believe this is in addition to the measure given to each believer but I will rest on this as I have not studied it enough to understand this aspect of faith.

© 2010 Peggy Park.

As stated earlier we are each given a measure of faith when we accept Jesus as Lord and Savior.  In addition we are told that faith comes by hearing the word.  God gives us faith, we believe His word, offer His word back to Him, consider not the circumstance, and remember to praise.  Faith starts with God, comes to the heart of the believer who then returns God’s word to Him by speaking.  God declares His word will not return void but will accomplish what he pleases and prosper in the thing for which He sent it (Isaiah 55:11).

We have established the fact that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word.  We are challenged to be diligent to build on the measure He gave us.  Scripture also tells us that faith expresses itself through love.  We can not be in unresolved conflict with others and expect our faith to operate.

James 2:17 tells us that faith without works is a dead faith.

Let us resolve to be full of the word of God and return His promises to Him to fulfill.    That puts a demand on the word.  It pleases Him to know His children have taken the time to seek out His promises and return them to Him.  Yes, faith is circular.  It starts with God, then passes through man who builds it by hearing and believing the word.  Then man returns the faith words to God who then moves to fulfill His promises.  His faithfulness feeds our faith.  Our inner man is built up and our faith increases as we recall His faithfulness in our lives.

Let us remember to offer up praise for He is worthy of all praise.

1. Hagin, Kenneth What Faith Is. Rhema Bible Church, 1983

© 2010 Peggy Park.