Faith Laughs at Impossibilities

Written by Leonard Ravenhill

Peter in prison! What a jolt!

We are too far removed from the actual scene to catch the atmosphere of dismay the Christians of that day felt.

Peter had moved from Pentecost to prison, from jeers to spears. He was guarded by sixteen soldiers. One wonders why such a defenseless man needed such a group to watch him. Could it be that Herod feared the supernatural, seeing he knew that Jesus escaped such a group that guarded Him?

Had Peter been hedged in by sixteen hundred soldiers, the problem would not have been increased nor the escape less sure. Peter was bound not only by two chains, but also by the thick walls of the prison, by the three wards of the prison, and finally by an iron gate.

When Peter is in prison, does the church organize a plan to get him released? No. When Peter is jailed, do the believers offer a plea to Herod or suggest a price to offer the lawmakers for his freedom? No. Peter had released others at the hour of prayer; now others must believe for his release.

Right through the book of Acts, which might be called The Acts of Prayer, we find prayer and more prayer. Dig into the book and discover this power that motivated the early church. In the twelfth chapter of Acts we find a group that prayed. Though a host encamped against Peter, in this were these believers confident: there was a God who could and would deliver. The one never-failing rescue operation was prayer. There was no hedging about in the prayers of those who made intercession for Peter. Prayer was made without ceasing by the church unto God for him. They did not seem to be concerned whether Herod should die or not. They did not pray that they might escape Peter's fate. They were not asking that they have another exodus to a more hospitable country. They prayed for one person: Peter. They prayed for one thing: his release. The answer proves the point: "Whatsoever ye shall ask,... that will I do"

Some shabby interpreters of this story have said that when the pray-ers heard that Peter was at the door, they were unbelieving. I cannot accept this assumption. I am sure that they prayed with expectation. I like to think that they were for the moment staggered by the immediacy of the answer. They could be excused if they raised their eyebrows when Peter said, "I got out quite easily with an angel escort " (Next time you pass through the magic self-opening door at your supermarket, remember that the first door to open of its own accord was operated from above!)

Angel deliverances seem to find no place in our modern theology. Perhaps we would like the Lord to answer our prayers with the least embarrassment to us. After all, who expects that the angelic ranks should be disturbed just to bring deliverance to a praying soul? But supernatural results came for many of the praying saints of apostolic days. The Lord geared a property-damaging earthquake to get deliverance for an apostle. Prayer is dynamite.

There is no weapon formed against prayer that can neutralize it. Some things can delay answers to prayer, but nothing can stop the full purpose of God. "Though it tarry, wait for it."

The first requirement in prayer is to believe.

-Believe that God is and that "he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

-Believe that God is alive and therefore has power-not only for Peter's deliverance, but for ours.

-Believe that God is love and that He cares for His own.

-Believe that God is power and therefore no power can stand against Him.

-Believe that God is truth and therefore cannot lie. 

-Believe that God is kind and that He will never abdicate His throne or fail in His promise.

Reflecting on the story of Peter, I am rebuked, humiliated, chagrined, stung. Why? Because there are some great modern saints, Watchman Nee for one, who for years have suffered and been held captive by communists and others. Many of the saints today are shut up in prison. The same fate has befallen some of God's choice witnesses in Vietnam and in the Congo.

Such perils to other members of the Body demand concern, concentration, and consecration to a committed plan of prayer on their behalf. I fear that prayer has not been made to God without ceasing for these suffering kinsmen.

Mr. Bunyan shows us his Christian held captive by the Giant Despair in Doubting Castle. The key to his deliverance was Promise. We Christians are in captivity on many levels today personal, domestic, church, and missionary enterprise. But fetters break and dungeons fall when prayer is made by the church unto God-

-Prayer without ceasing;

-Prayer that might shatter our status quo;

-Prayer that drains us of every other interest;

-Prayer that excites us by its immense possibilities;

-Prayer that sees God as the One that rules on high, almighty to save;

-Prayer that laughs at impossibilities and cries, "It shall be done";

-Prayer that sees all things beneath His feet; 

-Prayer that is motivated with desire for God's glory.

The praying of the believer can become a ritual. The place of prayer is more than a dumping ground for all our anxieties, frets, and fears. The place of prayer is not a place to drop a shopping list before the throne of a God with endless supplies and limitless power.

I believe the place of prayer is not only a place where I lose my burdens, but also a place where I get a burden. He shares my burden and I share His burden. "My yoke is easy and my burden is light." To know that burden, we must hear the voice of the Spirit. To hear that voice, we must be still and know that He is God.

This calamitous hour in the affairs of men demands a church healthier than the one we have. This blatant manifestation of evil in the youth and in the violation of God's commandments throughout the world calls for a faith that will not shrink.

Can we let our prayer swords rust in the scabbards of doubt? Shall our prayer harps hang tuneless on the willows of unbelief

-If God is a god of matchless power and incredible might,

-If the Bible is the unchangeable Word of the living God,

-If the virtue of Christ is as fresh today as when He first made the offering of Himself to God after His resurrection,

-If He is the one and only mediator today,

-If the Holy Spirit can quicken us as He did our spiritual fathers, Then all things are possible today.

The seas were boiling, the winds were howling, the sails were tearing, the spars were flying, the stars were hiding, Euroclydon was blasting. The people were cringing and crying, sobbing and sighing. One man alone was praising. All were expecting death save Paul. Amidst a scene of hopelessness, if ever there was one, Paul cries, "Sirs, I believe God" (Acts 27).

As things seem to fall apart these days, I am going to join Paul. I am going to say in faith, "Sirs, I believe God." Will you join me?

What's That to You?

Written by Curt Klingerman

If people overly focus on others, they can actually find themselves in unhealthy places. In some instances, they can move into the realm of doubt and unbelief. In others, they may find themselves struggling with jealousy and envy. They may even find themselves holding onto a religious attitude coupled with a condemning spirit. Each realm has its own dynamics, but all lead to crippled relationships, and that includes with the Lord. 

As it stands, access is easy to doubt and unbelief. Sometimes, circumstances can nudge someone in that direction. If you require affirmation from others and that spills into your spiritual life, and if you need someone else’s permission to believe, you can be shoved through the doorway of unbelief. Do you suppose Jesus asked his brothers if they thought He was the Son of God? Do you think He would have performed the many miracles if He needed permission from His friends and family to listen to the Father? Nowhere do we find Jesus encouraging Himself in man. It is one thing to get wise counsel from others; it is quite another to rely on them for personal validation. The moment we need approval from others before we believe, we will doubt everything pertaining to the Faith. If a person has a difficult time admitting he is a follower of Jesus Christ because of the fear of rejection from others, then he is weak in the faith. Your identity has to be in Christ Jesus, you cannot find it in man. Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe (KJV). 

It is good to have those who can mentor us, as it is good to fellowship with other believers to help exhort one another (see Hebrews 10:24-25). However, we must strike a balance in standing in our individual identity and following others. It is easy to mimic those for whom we have great respect, even to the point where a person takes on the mannerisms of another. All believers have their own relationship with the Father, as well as their own callings. Someone may instruct in you in the ways of the Lord, but his or her calling differs from yours. That means you cannot copy his or her life and make it your own. You need to be who God called you to be and do what He called you do; no matter what your mentor does. If he or she stops serving the Lord, will you stop as well? 1 Peter 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to Whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (KJV). 

There must be great care in not placing someone on the proverbial pedestal where he or she can “do no wrong” and follow wherever he or she may lead. The goal of anyone who disciples others is to get them to follow Jesus, regardless of what another may or may not do. Everyone must come to a place where the Holy Spirit is able to teach him or her the Word of God. The idea is everyone is dependent on God and not man. That is not to say you have no further need for teachers. That is dangerous doctrine. The point is that there is only One Holy Spirit, which means you do not ask, “What do we believe now?” It means you have to study Scripture for yourself, so that you have something to contribute, as the Lord reveals things to you. Teachers can be great clarifiers for what we learn along the way. When people put their trust in those they respect or even someone famous, and that person falls, it can be very devastating. In some instances, where someone of great renown failed in his personal life, there had been individuals so rocked by the incident that they left the church, and even departed from the faith. Those considered as mature in the faith are still human. They face struggles just as anyone else does. That is why it is vital to keep our foundation Christ, and not someone we respect as a spiritual leader. 1 Corinthians 3:9-11 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ (KJV). 

In the days of His earthly ministry, the religious leaders found fault with Jesus; even though, the fault was with them. What was their fault? Mark 15:9-10 But Pilate answered them, saying, Will ye that I release unto you the King of the Jews? For he knew that the chief priests had delivered Him for envy (KJV, see also Matthew 27:11-18). They were envious of Jesus, and therefore looked for ways to accuse and destroy Him. It is important to guard our hearts and our identity in Christ Jesus, so that envy does not gain a foothold in our lives. When we understand that we are well loved of the Father, and that everyone’s relationship is unique with Him, we will have plenty of room in our hearts to cheer our brothers and sisters on when our Father uses and blesses them. If we allow envy and jealousy to have their way, we can take on a religious spirit that seeks to condemn others. We can take on a false piety that rails against anyone who does not believe the way we believe. 

At the same time, we must be aware that it would be easy to rail against someone who has a religious attitude. We have to come to that place where we will follow Jesus no matter what others may or may not do. Our relationship with God should never be predicated on another person’s walk with the Lord. John 21:20-22 Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth Thee? Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou Me (KJV). Regardless of what Jesus may do with another person, we are to follow Him. Should you begin to be concerned about another in an unhealthy way, remember the words of Jesus, “What is that to you? You follow me!”

Story: A Soldier with a Mission

When Timothy first joined the army, he was so excited. He knew he was fighting an important war. Above all, his heart thrilled at the thought of serving underneath his captain–the one who had saved his life and enlisted him in his army.

His enthusiasm bubbled over into everything he did and to everyone he met. Whatever task he was assigned–whether big or small–Timothy had attacked with joy and enthusiasm. He might not see how, but he knew the drills and tasks before him were all part of an important war. Otherwise, the captain wouldn’t have assigned them. And he knew that after the war ended, the captain would take them all to live in the new kingdom together. When other soldiers annoyed him, Timothy let their words fall off his shoulders. His enemy would like nothing more than to get them to waste their energies in anger at each other!

You could say Timothy was a soldier with a mission. He knew why he was there, whom he was serving, and where he was going. And he let that knowledge put a joy and delight into everything he did.

But as the weeks went by, Timothy gradually lost sight of the big picture. He, like so many of his fellow soldiers, got caught up in just making it from day to day. He still did his drills and tasks, but he did them as a man checking a box. He began allowing other soldiers’ comments irritate him. Worse still, he began being critical of others. Timothy was no longer a soldier with a mission.

One day, Timothy bumped into another soldier named Zach. Zach was struggling with a lack of joy and asked Timothy for advice. Timothy tried to help, but his words sounded hollow to himself. Where was his own joy?

His conversation with Zach caused Timothy to remember the big picture–to remember why he’d enlisted in the first place. He remembered what the captain had done and promised to do for them. He began praising in his heart again instead of complaining. Slowly but surely, he remembered why he was there, whom he was serving, and where he was going. And as he did, his zeal and joy returned. There was no need to just make it through the day. Once again, he was a soldier with a mission.

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:14

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2

Source: Christian Perspective