SWEET HOUR OF PRAYER...

SCRIPTURE

Hebrews 4:14 5:4 (NRSV)
Jesus' priesthood surpasses Aaron's

Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Every high priest chosen from among mortals is put in charge of things pertaining to God on their behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is subject to weakness; and because of this he must offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. And one does not presume to take this honor, but takes it only when called by God, just as Aaron was.

DEVOTION

I love the definition of a high priest given in Hebrews today. It says a high priest is, “put in charge of things pertaining to God on [our] behalf, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins.” Aren’t you glad that JESUS is our great high priest?!

Jesus is fully God and yet also fully man; he is able to sympathize with our weaknesses because he “walked a mile in our shoes.” Although he experienced temptation, he did not sin, thus making him the perfect high priest to go before GOD on our behalf!

Since we have this awesome high priest, scripture teaches us that we can “approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” WOW!

Isn’t this fantastic?! We don’t have to come before God cowering, afraid, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst, or afraid that God will toss us out of the throne room for daring to approach! No! No, my friends!

We are invited by The Most High God to approach with confidence, sure in our spirits that God will meet our every need according to God’s riches in glory (Philippians 4:19) ! So, let’s get radical in our prayers!

Our loving and compassionate God cares about those things we care about. If we are worried, wounded and sad, God cares. If we are lost, afraid, and hungry, God cares. If we don’t know how we’re going to pay the bills, our marriages are falling apart, or we’ve just been laid off of the job, God cares.

God cares.

God cares.

God cares for us!

Now for some of us this will be a radical new notion. Some of us have lived our whole lives fearful of God and not wanting to “bother” God with our petty little problems. Others of us have been too ashamed to approach God because we were sure that our sins were too big to be forgiven. Be at peace my friends!

God assuredly loves you with an everlasting, never say die, never give up, totally unconditional love that you can’t out run, out fox, or out sin.

God proved this great love for us when JESUS died on the cross, making it possible for God to forgive our sins and to welcome us into an eternal home in the Heavens.

Whatever you are worried about today, God cares, because God loves you. God is inviting you to pray today. Tell God all about your cares, concerns, hopes, and dreams. God wants you to share!

Now, ain’ta that GOOD NEWS?!

Holy God, how I love the sweet hour of prayer! Thank you that you are a burden bearer and a burden sharer. I love to talk to you about all of the affairs of my life! You are an awesome God and my very best friend! I love you and I want to share that love with others. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.




ANNOUNCEMENTS

Yesterday, GOOD NEWS celebrated its 3,000th reader! To GOD be the glory, great things GOD has done!

TOMORROW: Saturday, 3/28, from 9:00-10:00am CST, the Good News Living Book Club will be discussing the book Hinds Feet On High Places by Hannah Hurnard. Even if you have not read the book, please join us for fun and fellowship! You can access the chat room at
http://www.chatzy.com/932083555322

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Good News has now added a Prayer Ministry.
http://www.kindlejoy.com/groups/goodnews

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From Pastor Yolanda’s blog http://aintathatgoodnews.blogspot.com/