Frankly Speaking- “Idea from a Prayer”

And they said to one another,
“Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road,
and while He opened the Scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:32

I must admit that I get ideas from the most unusual places. These thoughts today came from another man’s prayer! At a men’s prayer time for our church, one of the men, Dr. Byron “Dad” Tippey, a retired college professor, made reference to the two men on the road to Emmaus. During his prayer he mentioned what they did and did not have as they were returning to Emmaus. When I got home, I tried to put down some of what he said. It goes something like this:

What did they have?
1. Doubts—was He the promised Messiah or not?
2. Disappointments—He died! How could this have happened?
3. Despair—they were leaving for another place. The Kingdom of
Heaven didn’t come!
4. Discouragement—they had worked so hard for and with Him.
They had failed.
5. Dejection (i.e.—downcast)— What’s the use of going on?
6. Depression—they were running away. Their ‘old’ life was
better!

Then Jesus shows up and starts walking with them. Believe it or not, they almost missed Him! Here’s what they almost missed:
1. His Presence—He was there but they didn’t see Him!
2. His Promises—His Word holds truth and life and light!
Regardless of the circumstances!
3. His Purpose—to be the salvation for ALL men as it was written
in the Scriptures.
4. His Power—the scars in His hands revealed He indeed had
come back!
5. His Prayer—we don’t know what He prayed but it opened their
eyes!

“Dad” Tippey that day finished his prayer by saying, “they almost missed the BLESSING of Him being there!” WOW! Powerful thoughts, huh?

I don’t know what you are going through at the moment, but let me encourage you to think through the 6 D’s above and add your own situation.

Then lay hold of and don’t ever let go of the 5 P’s! HE IS ALIVE! And He is still here! (Via His Holy Spirit!)

Oh, there’s one more thing. When those two disciples from Emmaus realized it was Jesus who was with them, they returned to Jerusalem to tell the others. There’s a principle here for you: when you see Jesus in your situation and how He has helped you and prayed for you, then return, meaning—tell others, what He has done for you!

Blessings!

Advertisement

Peace, Peace, Wonderful Peace

I will both lie down in peace, and sleep;
For You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

What picture does the word Peace paint in your mind?

For some it is a beautiful ocean scene with emerald blue water and rolling waves that softly glide onto white sandy beaches. Yet, for others it means a rustic log cabin set back in the piney woods with a creek gently flowing out front. Maybe for you it is a grand mountain range with deep, vast canyons and majestic mountains that seem to reach the sky.

No matter what picture comes to mind when you think of peace, it can never compare to that moment when God’s peace sweeps over your weary soul. The most beautiful landscape you could imagine could not compare to the peace that passes all understanding, the peace that only Jesus can bring.

Have you experienced that peace? I surely have many times.

Oftentimes when we think of peace, our minds tend to also picture a worry-free setting. We are quick to assume that peace means a lack of trouble. However, as I was reading in Acts 12 this morning, I came across a verse that caught my attention. In my mind it painted a rather unusual picture of peace. Acts 12:16 tells us, “And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison.”  

In order to fully grasp this picture of peace, let us go back just a moment and examine what is going on in this passage. Prior to Peter being imprisoned, he has had to endure seeing his fellow disciple, James, put to death at the hand of Herod. Now Peter finds himself imprisoned,no doubt facing the same fate that he has just watched James meet.

Now, we can continue our discussion on peace. Does the word peace come to mind when you read this story? Understandably not. So, how is it possible that we find Peter sleeping in this passage? Peace, Friend. It is because of that peace that passes all understanding that Peter can find himself chained between two guards, seemingly facing death, yet he sleeps.

I dare not say that I would handle such a situation the same way. Recently I have been going through some trials much less than imprisonment and death, and still I find myself worrying. Complaining. Fretting over things of which I have no control. I forgot to choose peace. I chose to place my focus on my problems rather than giving them to God and resting in His Peace.

Friend, I am reminded this morning that peace is a choice. Peace should not rely on our circumstances. Peace can not and should not be measured by our surroundings. We, like Peter, should choose peace in the middle of even the most dire situations. Peace can only be found in Jesus. You see, when we take our focus off of our problems and put it on Jesus, then and only then can He give us the Peace that we see in Peter. We can rest, right in the middle of our trial, knowing that God is working for us.

Will you choose peace today? Will you choose to stop looking at all that is wrong around you and focus on the One who holds you in His hand? It is a choice. Today, I choose peace. I choose the peace that passes all understanding. I choose to rest in Jesus today. I pray you will do the same.