Help Needed!
Strength, self-sufficiency, and independence are usually admirable traits — especially in our self-help society. However, there are times help is not only needed but should be openly welcomed. It is true that Paul said “…every man shall bear his own burden…” but he also said, “…bear ye one another’s burdens….” (Galatians 6:2-5)
Perhaps it is significant that when the ‘burden’ becomes ‘burdens,’ Paul encouraged sharing the load. Even Jesus did not carry His cross alone. “…Simon a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.” (Luke 23:26)
The WNOP has strong and broad shoulders to help bear the burdens of many. Not only do we share personal burdens , but we are able to impact world events. Often we have missionaries tell us that the very week they were on the request list , they were especially helped and blessed.
Thank you – all of you- who consistently share the load and help bear the burdens of others by agreeing together in prayer for the multiple requests.
We are …”helping together by prayer…” (II Corinthians 1:11)
Published in categories: Thetus Tenney
SO YOU THINK IT’S FOR YOU
Pride is the most subtle of all sins. You may have heard me say before that pride existed in heaven before there was a devil. If it can get in heaven without a devil, it can get anywhere. It can even get into something or someone close to Jesus.
This brings me to one of Dr. Tozer’s allegories. He said, “It’s the first Palm Sunday and here comes Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey. The crowd begins to shout, ‘Hosanna, Hosanna!’ The old donkey picks up his ears. Some in the crowd throw their coats on the road – others spread out palm branches. ‘Well,’ says the donkey, swishing a fly off a mange patch, ‘I had no idea they really appreciated me like this. Listen to those hosannas, would you – I must really be something.’”
Poor donkey! Didn’t he realize it wasn’t for him, it was for Jesus? Anytime people want to lift you up for something you have accomplished in the Spirit, just remember, you are nothing but the donkey Jesus is riding. Don’t think the applause is for you.
How God longs to bless us – but He longs to bless where His reputation is safe. I have seen men who were quite knowledgeable of the Scriptures. That’s a great thing. There’s a difference in having confidence in the Book and confidence in my knowledge and interpretation of the Book. The last time I checked I believe that latter attitude is called pride.
Everything we do is to be to the glory of God. Glory is only safe when deposited at the feet of Jesus. So, often we frustrate because we think our place is too small. “How could I ever have revival here?” Did you ever stop to consider that this all began in a manger? What’s any smaller or more insignificant than that? God glories in taking the insignificant and using it. Then He is assured that we and others will say, “Thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory.” Be satisfied where you are, to the glory of God!
Warren Wiersbe said, “If God wants you to leave, He has a place for you. But if God wants you to stay, He has grace for you.” It may be that the insignificant place you feel you are was designed by God to develop you. Being satisfied, even with little, is an enemy of pride. I want to embrace every enemy of pride. I don’t ever want to be a donkey carrying Jesus thinking the people are lifting me up.
Eddie Rickenbacker was once asked what was the biggest lesson he learned after a crash at sea, and from drifting about with his companions in life rafts for twenty-one days in the Pacific. “The biggest lesson I learned,” he said, “was if you have all the fresh water you want to drink, and all the food you need to eat, you ought never to complain about anything.” What a thought! What a truth!
We are living in pivotal times. God has a place for all of us. May we be satisfied with little or much. If God is in it, that’s all that matters. Someone well observed, “Hang on! Your mess will be your message. Your test will be your testimony. Your trial will be your triumph!”
All glory belongs to Him.
Published in categories: T.F. Tenney
Have You Seen Him?
Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!”So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter, who was behind him, arrived and went into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there,as well as the burial cloth that had been around Jesus’ head. The cloth was folded up by itself, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to their homes, but Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not realize that it was Jesus. “Woman,” he said, “why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means Teacher).Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet returned to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am returning to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’”Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. (John 20:1-18)
Friday was the darkest day anyone had ever lived through. As he cried, “It is finished!” there was darkness at noonday, earthquakes, and tremblings. All hope seemed lost as even though he saved others, Himself He did not save. They hadn’t yet realized that the real message was in that very fact – because He did not save Himself He could save them. Saturday passed in a haze of despair and despondency. What were they to do? Where were they to go? The disciples were scattered. The sick He had healed probably wondered if their illnesses would return. Saturday is the longest day. He was in the tomb and it appeared nothing was happening. If they only knew…
For Mary Magdalene her hope was gone. He had cast seven demons from her, freeing her from indescribable torment and terror. He had given her life back to her. He had accepted her into the circle of followers. He had given her a place in His kingdom. He had restored not just her joy, but her hope. As one writer put it, “Now that hope lies at the bottom of her heart, flat and lifeless.”
There was something else though that was stronger than all the rest. Mary’s love for Jesus Christ was more resilient than any blow that life could deal her. It brought her all the way to the cross with Him. On Sunday morning it brought her to his grave.
Can you imagine for just a moment all of the emotions that must have crowded her mind when she looked – and looked again – and realized the stone was moved from His grave? The tomb had been violated – perhaps robbed – or worse, desecrated. She was probably angry that anyone would do such a thing. She ran to tell the disciples her suppositions…It had to be the scribes and Pharisees. Who else?
Peter and John race to the tomb. Peter gets there first and pauses. He might have been a brave fisherman but there’s still something a little unnerving about an open grave. He looks in and realizes – the grave clothes are there. The body is not. Mary was right. Someone had stolen him away in the night. The men return to their homes. It’s just one more blow against their already broken hearts.
Ken Gire put it this way:
“Mary is left behind; tears, her only companions. She takes those tears with her as she enters the tomb to take a look for herself. And suddenly, the woman who was once possessed with demons finds herself in the presence of angels. One sits at the head of the stone slab; the other, at the foot. Like the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Place of the Tabernacle – cherubim on either end. For this, too, is a most holy place.”
After standing for centuries guarding the Mercy Seat , their work is finally done. Mercy is freed for all the world to access. The guardians can now rest.
It’s the story of resurrection. It’s the message that it’s not really over yet. Jesus could have burst forth from the grave triumphant and victorious and proclaiming Himself in the streets of the city and from the high places of the palace. Instead, he chose for his first appearance to come to a tearful woman whose hope is gone. His question to her is simple, “Why are you crying?” “In his hour of greatest triumph …he comes quietly to a woman who grieves…who desperately needs to hear his voice…see his face…and feel his embrace.”
So it is today as we celebrate the Resurrected Christ. He still doesn’t come amidst pomp and circumstance, flair and fanfare. Instead, He comes to the Ones who need Him most. He appears in unlikely places to ordinary people and says, “Why are you crying?” Hope is restored. Tears are wiped away. Mercy has been loosed. Friday is tragic; Saturday is almost unbearable; but Sunday in all its glory is coming!
The message of the resurrected Christ is two-fold. If you’re in a situation than needs resurrection – hang on! – Sunday’s coming. Don’t let the tragedy of Friday, or the numbness of Saturday rob you of Sunday’s glorious resurrection! Don’t forget, too, the words of the angels who proclaimed, “…This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.” Sunday’s coming!
Published in categories: T.F. Tenney
Perilous Times & Prayer
As I sit safely and comfortablely in my home this morning, I am fully aware that the situation could change at any moment. Danger lurks in our schools, our streets, office buildings, air planes—even in the air we breathe. Reading the daily newspaper proves the point. The old song, No Hiding Place Down Here, could well be a theme-song for our time.
In a recent conversation, Brother Tom Barnes said, “If ever we needed to tune into prayer, it is now. Terrorism could make the sanctification through prayer of our food a necessity. The operation of the gifts of the Spirit may become a necessity to even know where to go and when to go, because of the danger of terrorism around us. God revealed the position of the enemy to the prophet. Prayer will become a necessity as we face what the future will bring. Even if our need becomes personally great, God is able to multiply bread by the miraculous gifts of the Spirit. Even if we are scattered and alone, God will work through us. Prayer is the access into the supernatural power of God and we need it now more than ever before.” (Scriptural references: I Timothy 4:5; II Kings 2: 14; II Kings 4:38-44; II Kings 6:8-12; Romans 1:11-12)
We are instructed not to be terrified when we hear of wars and commotions, but to take heed to ourselves, be alert not unaware of pending dangers that stealthily come as a hidden snare.
Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass (Luke 21: 9, 34-36).
Living in times of high alert can have negative and positive effects. Too long on high alert can numb us to surrounding danger. It can also dull our senses to the awesome possibilities of spiritual intervention. High alert can be a time of bringing people to their spiritual senses causing them to go to God in prayer.
These are stressful times with a lot of uncertainty, but II Chronicles 7:14-15 is still true:
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place.
Danger intervened by prayer—who knows how many times.
Watch, therefore, and pray always.
Published in categories: Thetus Tenney
Lifestyle Praying
There are two building blocks of the Christian life, the Word and prayer. Theses are the source of all spiritual sustenance, guidance, and help. Prayer and the study and use of God’s Word are not simply spiritual activities; they are the skeletal structure of spiritual living.
Prayer, in its many forms, has been explored for us by outstanding teachers. It is explored by us as we diligently apply ourselves to the noble art of praying. Intercessions, supplications, thanksgivings, forms and patterns of all prayers fit into the life of prayer, but prayer as a lifestyle is what we need the most.
There should be special and consistent times set apart for praying. The daily time dedicated to conversing with God, the weekly prayer meeting, and the other designated times of prayer should furnish us with the structure of prayer. But we are missing something when we do not “pray without ceasing,” are not “instant in prayer,” “praying always,” “at every remembrance.”
The Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, is dwelling in us as a constant companion; therefore, we should be conscious always of our communication with the abiding presence of God. Lifestyle praying—making all the day, every day, a running conversation with God—helps us bring “every thought into captivity.”
Lifestyle praying embraces intercessions as we give vent to deep felt burdens. An awareness of personal needs such as guidance and patience brings us into supplication. Recognition of all the blessings in daily life fills our heart, mouth and days with thanksgiving. Lifestyle praying—making prayer our spiritual breath—sensitizes our response to His ability until praise lifts Him high, ruling over all the time and events of our everyday living.
Personal devotion time is enriched by mixing prayer, the Word and meditation. This way you talk to God, learn from His word, and listen with your spiritual ears for Him to share His mind with you. Scripture teaches us that faith comes by hearing the Word of God. A marvelous and amazing thing happens in our spirits as we mix the Word with praying. It is powerful to quote verses of Scripture in prayers. The Apostles did this in Acts 4.
Practicing the presence of God releases the power gained in private devotions.
“Even when we are not making actual addresses to God, we must have habitual inclination towards him” (Matthew Henry).
When I consciously live aware of God in me, prayer is the attitude of my heart, not just a proper Christian exercise.
“This is the day the Lord hath make; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).
“My tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long” (Psalm 35:28).
“Seek the Lord and His strength; seek His presence perpetually” (Psalm 105:4 Berk.).
Living with Kingdom consciousness erases the line of secular and sacred. Your life is a ministry; where you are is a mission. “Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end…” (Isaiah 9:7).
With lifestyle praying, consistent Bible study and meditation, you will be able to relate God’ s Word, will and provision to all of life as you discipline yourself to the consciousness of His indwelling presence. “Christ in you…”
Published in categories: Thetus Tenney