Reflections: July 18, 2010
Attachment: Insert071810.doc
This week’s “Reflection” by Russ
Parker, Pastor of Administration & Leadership Development
In Acts 12, we can wonder about
James' death, as Herod Agrippa stretched out
his hand to vex the
church. We can wonder why James was saved and Peter was released. Ultimately, God is sovereign.
1 Chronicles 29:11-13:
Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens
and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and
you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and
honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and
might, and in your hand it is to make great
and to give strength to
all. And now we thank you, our God, and praise your glorious
name.
Even as God is
sovereign, we are called and taught to pray. Luke, the book of Acts’ author, makes it clear in verse 5 that prayer was a catalyst in Peter's release. It was a fervent, "stretched out" type of
prayer. It's one of passion, compassion, and
authenticity. It's prayer that realizes the stakes are high. Their
prayers were answered as Peter was released from bondage.
Thousands of years
later, their story depicted in their faithfulness to pray stretched out is still an encouragement, testimony, and model to believers today.
It makes me wonder
about the areas in our lives where we feel caught up and imprisoned. In some of these areas, only God will see us through. And as
we stretch out and pray, God is writing new stories for the
generations to come.
Published on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 @ 8:37 AM PDT
2 comments
Angie Autrey
Russ, I just had the opportunity to hear your sermon online, since I wasn't able to attend the service a week ago. Today, a number of people said that your message was outstanding, and I have to agree! Your description of prayer being the catalyst for Peter's release, and using his type of fervent, stretched-out prayer as a model, really brought to light the necessity to pray faithfully & fervently to God. You bring up an interesting point about being imprisoned in past sins, even though we may no longer engage in those particular sins. It brings to my mind the stronghold of guilt which can hinder one's walk with God, in the sense that we can become stuck in the past and, little by little, lose our ability to fervently pray to God. That in turn can hinder our faithfulness to pray, causing us to question whether God will really answer our prayers. By asking God to release us from guilt and other strongholds of the past, I think we can once again stretch out and pray, believing that all things are possible through God. You're right - God sees us through everything. He'll release us from the areas of our lives in which we still feel trapped and imprisoned. He has done that for me by liberating me from many strongholds over the years. Liberation is what creates that flavor of fervent, faithful prayer. Thanks so much for expounding on the subject of prayer which really helped put things in perspective for me!
Posted on Sun, Jul 25, 2010 @ 11:26 PM CST
Russ Parker
Angie: Thanks for your encouragement, feedback, and perspective! You've certainly added to the message!
There are so many ways we can be tripped up and ensnared... and held back from what God wants us to be. The enemy is tricky and can exploit virtually any situation.
Posted on Mon, Jul 26, 2010 @ 11:33 AM CST