You have the key to the lock

Listen along here: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/3712fcda/you-have-the-k...

ou hold one very powerful key in your hand.

Do you use it?

Or wait--perhaps you do not even know such a thing is in your possession or it may have fallen down next to your console in your car, and you have forgotten about it! Time to find it again, and look at what this valuable key may unlock in your life.

Here's the thing: no one likes to feel powerless in life--as though things are more likely to happen to him than through him. And yet we who revere the name of God are anything but powerless.

For those who just joined us, we are working our way through the New Testament book of Acts--the historical account of what happens after Jesus ascends into Heaven...oh man, it is great! Today’s Morning Briefing comes out of Acts chapter 12. The setting: Jerusalem.  Herod Agrippa is in town and ratchets up the persecution of the believers, going so far as to brutally execute James, one of the two main leaders of the early church and the first apostle to be martyred. This Herod is the grandson of the Herod of Jesus’ time. The Passover observants applaud, so Herod arrests Peter and puts him in prison, planning to execute him after the holy-day.  

Church members gather fervently praying for Peter to be released -

enter the power of God.

Agrippa knows well the story of Jesus disappearing from the tomb, though heavily guarded by Roman guards - so he takes no chances, ordering four watches of four soldiers each to guard Peter. Picture with me--a naked Peter, tethered by right arm to a Roman soldier, tethered by the left arm to another Roman soldier, with two guards at the prison door.  In his state, Peter is sleeping.

But an angel wakes him up, tells him to get his clothes on, and follow him out of the prison…. and out he goes!

The account: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+12.1-19&versi...

Collecting himself, Peter goes to the home where he knows the faithful are gathered, but the young girl who opens the door is so shocked to see him--so shocked that Peter is out of prison, she leaves him standing there (in harm’s way)!

What are we to draw from this?  First, if we truly trust in God, then we can rest, no matter if we are shackled and in prison.

Second, God responds to the fervent prayers of his children and sometimes chooses to do the miraculous on our behalf.  I am testament to that--I have personally seen the hand of God move, heal and restore.  [want examples? just ask me] So, if God wants to use an angel to get Peter out of prison, he can do any ol’ thing he wants! 

Which prompts a question: why do we not pray more?  Prayer is the key we have been given that unlocks blessings we have only imagined. Jesus' brother, James, has this to say to us about that: You do not have because you do not ask God.1

Third, when we pray, we often pray without the faith that God hears and answers us.  We launch a 'Hail Mary' but do not think we will find a receiver.

Friend - when we are praying for the salvation of a loved one, healing for a sick child, let’s go boldly to the throne of grace!2  

This verse holds a very esteemed place in my heart and mind, as I remember cradling a sick-unto-death two year old boy of mine in my left arm and using my right hand to write out, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” in the light of the NICU room.3 I gripped that pen so tightly I surely may have pressed it right through the paper on which I was writing!  

I emphatically and fervently told the Lord, “I am taking you at your word that you will lend your mercy and grace and save my son’s life!’  Do you think I added ‘if it is your will’?  No, no, and Heaven, no!  Of course, it was his will to hear and answer.  Certainly, I know that God sometimes says “no” or “no, not now”, but he always answers our prayers; and we do not have to give him an ‘out’ with adding ‘if it is your will’.

God’s ways are not our ways.4

They are always better, they are always higher.  

And what's more, God is always good.

And one more thing-- perhaps it is time for you to take the key you have in your hand, the key that unlocks all of life--pray to Almighty God, and believe that he hears you….that he will come and rescue you.

What do you say? One thing I can say, He’s always been faithful!

listen: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfllrAHUbxs&list=RDHfllrAHUbxs&a...

Boldly,

Christine - PastorWoman.net

Acts, no. 34

1 - James 4.2

2 - Hebrews 4.16

3 - NICU: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

4 - Isaiah 55.8-9