Daily Reading: Revelation 8, 9, 10
Revelation 8:3-5 (NIV)
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Good morning!
There are rumblings all over the earth today. Do you realize that the prayers of all the saints can cause such a stir? Last night, I watched one of my favorite Christmas special reruns, filmed by the Billy Graham Association. In this program, we visit a Children’s hospital, a prison ministry, and a poor community in South Africa. There, we see the Gospel message being gift-wrapped and delivered in a variety of ways. To see a child’s face light up with pure joy as they unwrap a gift of unconditional love, is truly an indescribable moment. That same look appeared upon the faces of many of the prison inmates, as they experienced their first real Christmas, when they gave their hearts to Jesus. My favorite segment is when Joni Eareckson Tada visits a hospital wing and sings a song of hope to the children who suffer day after day with physical limitations and infirmities. She gently reminds all who hear, that the greatest gift of all is the gift of adversity, which forces us to depend completely upon the Lord.
The prayers of all the saints continue to rise up to the golden altar before the throne of God. They become as sweet incense to the Lord. The Scripture says that when the prayers and smoke are mixed with the holy fire from God’s hand and hurled upon the earth, great rumblings occur everywhere. Are you experiencing His holy rumbling today?
Many people gave their hearts to God this Christmas. In the twinkling of the starlight, shadowed underneath the light of beautiful luminary candles lining the parking lot of Faith Church, several hundred souls came to worship and glorify the Lord of life. There is no greater gift than the welcome Jesus brings to all who whisper prayers of adoration, confession, thanksgiving and supplication. He hears and answers every one. Think about it. Your prayers rise up to the golden altar, where they are mixed with the smoke of holy fire, and become incense to the Father. He can taste your pain. He hears your every word. God understands. He sends His Son to earth to answer the prayers of the saints, who cry out for mercy and peace. Come, Lord Jesus, come and bring your harvest home this day!
There is a holy rumbling occurring throughout every nation in the world. People are praying with expectation and great longing. There is no doubt that our prayers are not only heard but answered. We see it in the manifestation of thunder, lightning, earthquakes, and rumblings. A new era is about to be birthed. Can you feel it?
No matter who you are, or where you live, God is not so far away that He cannot hear your quiet whispers. He knows your heart’s desire. Do you desire more of God in your life? Are you looking forward to the brand new year with expectation and hope? Is it your heart’s desire to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others? How many prayers have you prayed for the ones who do not yet know the Savior of the world? God hears and knows the desires of every heart. He answers every prayer. What prayer will you lay upon His golden altar this morning?
Grace and peace,
Deb Spaulding
Faith UMC - St. Charles, MO
Pray for: God’s plan and purpose to come full circle, as we wait for the fulfillment of all He has promised to do in the days ahead.
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© Copyright 2007, Deb Spaulding
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