The Power of Prayer

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CURRENT RADIO SERIES The Power of Prayer   CURRENT TV SERIES Angels

…in your presence there is fullness of joy…   --Psalm 16:11 Most adults are pretty accomplished when it comes to staying busy. But we need to guard ourselves against getting so busy that we miss out on what’s really important.   In Luke chapter 10, you and I are introduced to a woman who got so busy “doing” that she missed “being” in the presence of Jesus. And he was right there in her home!   On this day, Martha had invited Jesus to come to her home for fellowship. And she began busying herself with preparations for their time together. But somewhere along the way, the focus of her attention became more about the preparations and less about Jesus. Making matters worse, while she slaved away, her sister Mary sat at Jesus feet listening intently to his every word. Martha even asked Jesus to tell Mary to leave him and to help her! But instead, Jesus lovingly told her that while she had grown increasingly anxious, Mary had chosen well in spending time with him. You see, activities done in the name of the Lord can never replace time spent in adoration of him. Work cannot satisfy the place intended for worship. There is nothing more important to a Christ-follower than time spent in his presence! Don’t ask Jesus into your heart only to ignore him. Come and sit at his feet. In his presence is fullness of joy! Activities done in the name of the Lord can never replace time spent in adoration of Him. The Borrowed Tomb by Dr. Paul Chappell “And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.” Luke 23:50–53 According to one report, the most commonly borrowed item among people living in the United States today is a book. The second is jumper cables. Most of us have experience with borrowing something from a neighbor, family member, or friend. But I’m willing to confidently state that neither you nor anyone else you know has ever borrowed a grave. When we borrow a tool, money, or a book, we expect to return it. Yet for our physical bodies, the grave is a destination that will be in use until the Lord returns, and no one expects it to be returned. Jesus was buried in a tomb carved out of rock that belonged to a man named Joseph. And why not? He wasn’t going to be there long! David by inspiration was able to describe the brief period before the resurrection when he wrote, “For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:10). The Lord did indeed die on the cross, but death did not have power over Him. One day, unless the Lord returns first, each of us will make one final trip to a cemetery or other resting place. But because Jesus only borrowed His tomb, that will not be our ultimate destination. Instead, we will live forever with Him. Today’s Growth Principle:  The same power that brought Jesus out of the grave is active and working in your life today.