14 August 2006

To: Prayer Partners

From: Pastor Lucenay

This year we have been reading through the Bible. Most of my readings have been in the Contemporary English Version. Last week our reading in Psalms warmed my heart with an interesting thought in Psalm 80. Our God, make us strong again! Smile on us and save us. (v. 3) Later this prayer is expressed Lord God All-Powerful, make us strong again! Smile on us and save us. (v. 19)

The first time the Psalmist approaches God with his request. The second time he first recognizes the All Powerful nature of God. I think sometimes my heart is so cluttered with the issues of my concern that I race into God’s presence talking non-stop. When I was a boy many times I raced back to my mother to tell her something and I talked so fast she would say “slow down so I can understand you.” I wonder if the Psalmist slows down and remembers to whom he is speaking. Lord God All-Powerful stretches us beyond our weakness. As for me, I can’t always get the lids off of jars yet I can approach the One who spanned the stars in the skies. I wonder how much our prayers would change if we made our habit one of considering the nature of the All Powerful One we are approaching.

The Psalmist’s prayer continues make us strong again. God possesses the power to make us strong in our weak places. In 1 Corinthians 12:9 our Lord says My kindness is all you need. My power is strongest when you are weak. I don’t know what you are facing today. I do know that my heart is strengthened to know that God exercises His power with kindness toward His children. He catches us in our weakness so His strength can help us find our way again. Sometimes when I read the reminders that God knows all about me (Psalm 139) the concept of God catching me can become one of judgment and correction. At times I need that. However, often I need to know He catches me in my weakness so His strength can be my strength. As you lay your heart before God today is there an area of weakness where you need God to come along beside you and give you His strength?

Smile on us. What a wonderful prayer! What would God’s smile on you look like in your life? Where have you seen His smile in your life? Where would you like to see His smile in your life?

When I think of the smile of God I can’t help but think of His pleasure and joy. So many times in so many places in so many ways, I have found myself smiling on the ways of my children and now, though they haven’t been around but a little while, on my grandchildren. In my heart the smile reflects pleasure and joy and love and gratitude. If I can feel these things for the special ones God has placed in my life, is it not logical to think our Heavenly Father can experience something similar when He shares the cherished moments of His children’s lives? A smile is the window in our face through which the joy in our heart shines.

And save us. Sometimes I need to be saved from myself. Do you know that feeling? Have you overscheduled? Spoken before you knew all the facts? Reacted rather than acted out of who you are in Christ? Been embarrassed by your attitudes or actions? Maybe this is a good time to lay be honest about what God calls to your mind. Let his strength guide you as you consider what needs to be done in you or with others as a result of your weakness.

Sometimes I need to be saved from others. I want to please people and I want people to be happy with me. Though on the surface such a desire sounds good, it is not always the best way to live. The one I need to please the most is the Lord God All Powerful. Some of the things people want are not what He wants. I need His strength to overcome the temptation to be less than what He wants me to be. And sometimes I just need him to save me. Is there anyone in your life with whom you need God’s strength to do right? Talk to God about your relationships. Invite God to speak to you regarding the best way to address them.

Sometimes my prayer for God’s saving work is for others. Together we want to see God save people from their sins. This week we are praying for the salvation of:

Together we want to see God save people from suffering and where it is best, to bring them to health. This week we are praying for:

Together we want to see God save people from themselves. The issues with which people are struggling this week include: family relationships—some are struggling with marriage issues; some with rearing their children; some with caring for their aging parents; some with extended family; and some with finances and major decisions about life, school, and work.

I really believe God smiled on our lives when He brought Nancy and me to KIBC. As we pray for God to smile on our church with His strength I see two seemingly contradictory issues. One, we need to see more people coming to faith in Christ and growing as disciples of the Savior. The other issue is one of space. We need more room. God has given us a wonderful location with a small footprint. Room is needed for babies, children, youth, and university students. And our worship center could use much more space. Let us pray for God’s guidance as we seek His heart on the right way to walk in His strength so He can continue to smile on us.

I’m smiling this week in part because Nancy is back in Hong Kong. She is weary from a long year of surging emotions as the joy of new grandbabies mingles with the sorrow of her mother’s fight with cancer. Her mom remains in Hospice care and her brother continues the daily journey of care for her. Thanks for your prayers for Nancy and her family.

May God bless and guide you in His strength. May you know His smile on your life.