“Prayer is either the steering wheel of your life or your spare tire.”
– Corrie Ten Boom

Corrie Ten Boom, the author of the Hiding Place, suffered much at the hands of Nazi thugs. Imprisoned in the brutal SS concentration camps she lost her sister Betsy, and the rest of her family. Her Christian faith dictated that she be willing to sacrifice her life for the Jewish people, so she and her family were part of the network that sought to give a “Hiding place” to God’s covenant people. When discovered, they were punished and sent to the brutal camps.

After the war, rather than sulking in obscurity licking her wounds and nursing resentments; Corrie turned instead to traveling the war ravaged nations with a message of God’s forgiveness and grace. Even some of her former captors came to faith and found the forgiveness that only Christ can offer. In Corrie’s case it is obvious that what some meant for evil against her, God turned too good to bring about much salvation.

Corrie’s simple homespun manner connected with people, and her simple message born out of deep personal suffering resonated as truth. God’ used her in a mighty way.

This reminds me, as Corrie once said: “There is no pit so deep that He is not deeper still.” No matter how deep the pit may feel that you have fallen into- God’s grace is there with you in it and has strength to take you through it- Look to Him- Our Rock and our Redeemer!

Because of grace,
Tim

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“First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.”
Romans 1:8

In the Lord, I could not be prouder of a church than I am of EBC. I know I’m a little bit partial, but seriously I thank my God through Jesus Christ for each of you and all of you. You all are my joy and crown!

To be sure we have our problems, sins and failings. There are things we need and can do better. There are areas of growth we need to be stretched into. But your faith is evident and you have been the source of blessing and much good to many people- not only in Star Valley but all over Wyoming, the U.S. and even the world. For the obscure place in which we are planted we have had tremendous fruit for the kingdom.

I don’t say this to blow up your pride and cater to your flesh- I say this to encourage you. Sometimes in the midst of pressing duties and responsibilities we lose track of the big picture. We get discouraged and wonder if the sacrifices we make are worth it. We get weary in doing good. But do not faint, for we shall reap.

Your love for each other is evident. O yeah, we sometimes have our family squabbles and tiffs, but by God’s grace not only have these been rare but they have also been a source of growth for all of us. As a pastor I have grown much through the years- learning what is truly important- what are hills to die on and what aren’t.

You’ve been gracious with me through much. For these things I am truly thankful to my God through Jesus Christ for all of you. I pray you will indulge more grace my direction in the years that lie ahead- and I in turn to you.

Because of grace,
Tim

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Sometimes we think more about what we pray for than what we pray against.

When we pray, Jesus also instructed us to pray against the schemes of the evil one. Of course, the reason we seek God’s Fatherly provision in this regard is because Satan is not an independent power that works against us, but rather he is a subsidiary power that seeks to undermine God but nevertheless is on a leash. This is why we are reminded- “Your’s is the kingdom and power.” However, Satan is a very potent adversary. Although we do not cower before him we nevertheless are wary of him and his schemes.

As I was reading on prayer this week, I read an excellent article on Martin Luther and prayer. His advice to us was that we always be on our guard against the evil one and actively go to war against him in our prayers. He remind us:

“We who would be Christians must surely expect to have the devil with all his angels and the world as our enemies and must expect that they will inflict every possible misfortune and grief upon us. For where God’s Word is preached, accepted or believed, and bears fruit, there the holy and precious cross will also not be far behind.”
He also counsels us:

“We are far too weak against the devil and all his might and forces arrayed against us, trying to trample us underfoot.” And since this is true, “There is nothing for us to do on earth but to pray without ceasing against this archenemy. For if God did not support us, we would not be safe from him for a single hour.”
So, as you pray remember to pray something that the Lord thought so important that He put it in His model prayer to us: “Deliver us from the evil one.”

“and do not lead us into testing, but deliver us from the evil one for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen”
Matthew 6:13

Because of grace,
Tim

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“To move man by God through prayer alone.”
Hudson Taylor
Today we begin to think about prayer. Prayer seems to be the common human desire to commune with God.
Even non-Christians pray. Soldiers in fox holes pray, people pray before they go into surgery or before a final exam.
Prayer is not what distinguishes us as a Christian- but how we pray does.

In Romans 8 we are taught that since we have received the Spirit of God at our conversion we “cry out Abba, Father.” Paul tells us that this inclination to pray to God as our Father is the “Spirit of adoption” within us. Jesus also taught us to pray by saying: “Our Father, who art in Heaven.” In addition, Jesus instructed the disciples to pray “in His name.” Thus the Triune nature of our prayers is one of the distinguishing aspects of prayer for the Christian.

We pray To the Father, in the Spirit, and through the Son. Jesus is our advocate who intercedes our case. His atonement is the ground of our salvation and our acceptance with the Father. The Spirit also intercedes for us “with groaning’s too deep for words”

(Romans 8). The Father then governs our lives according to His Sovereign will as we implore Him that “His will be done” in Jesus name. He knows the things we need before we ask. Our names are engraven on His heart. Our burdens He gladly carries if we cast them upon Him.

Our sorrows, sickness and griefs He has borne. Let us go to Him as a trusting child and with great boldness lay our hearts before Him and commune with our God who loves us dearly.
Because of grace,
Tim

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The early church remained constant in prayer. These prayers were for many things: relief from persecution, boldness to testify, power from on high, the conversion of the lost and the return of the Lord. No doubt, some of these prayers were for their homeland- Israel. The early church saw God move in power because it was a praying church. God is a God who loves to answer prayer.

“And they continued steadfastly in the apostle’s doctrine, and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” ~ Acts 2:42

This Thursday, May 3 is the 67th annual national day of Prayer. Our nation has a long history of setting aside days for national repentance and supplication. Going all the way back to the desperate days of the War for Independence, the Continental congress would call the colonies to prayer.

We have much to pray for. The storm clouds are brewing on the horizon of our nation. Not only are there many foreign enemies that would love to destroy us, but there are national movements that are rotting away our souls. Just this week I read and listened to things that are alarming that are coming against the church like a steam roller. Just consider:

This week the California house passed a bill making it against the law to seek to dissuade someone from homosexual behavior and do ‘reparative therapy’. This bill arguably makes all Biblical preaching against this sin a crime and even outlaws Bible’s and book’s with Biblical teaching on this subject. Also, Mike Pompeo, a Trump appointee for Secretary of State and a bold evangelical believer was attacked viciously for his position on homosexuality.

In addition, a Southern Baptist Chaplain was removed from his position because he would not lead a same-sex marriage retreat. Also, the military has indicated that they are going to look at rescinding southern Baptist credentials as a denomination for candidates for the chaplaincy as a result.

These are perilous days- we need to pray that the Lord sends a Spirit of renewal in our land before His long-suffering mercy runs out.
Because of grace,
Tim

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