Orange Moon Friday, June 3, 2022 "Prayers and Thoughts"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Prayers and Thoughts" 

 

     

      You've likely heard it, as I did the other day.  A gentleman asked for prayer, and then added, "If you're not religious, send out good thoughts to the universe."

   Obviously, I am all for the prayer.  Good thoughts to the universe, on the other hand?  Not so much.  Not at all, actually.  The universe does not care a whit about anything, including itself or us.  It cannot care.  It has no consciousness, heart, or mind.  It is a thing, a vast and complex wonder made by One who does possess consciousness, heart, and mind.  But it has none of its own.

   This speaks to the absurd notion that an unconscious universe supposedly produced - by mindless processes - a being possessed of conscious and mindful self-awareness.  Moreover, natural processes supposedly resulted in human beings who can think about the universe.  But it cannot think about us.  Little wonder the Psalmist declared, "The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God" (Psalm 14:1).  

   I pray for the gentleman that he will confine his offerings to prayer.  Of course, his comments seem to indicate he might not know the God to whom we can come through the Person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ.  So we pray for him in this regard, that he will come to know the conscious God, possessed of a heart ever seeking to redeem, and a mind perfectly able to communicate the Gospel to our own hearts and minds.  Thoughts to the universe?  Let us not waste our time.  Prayers to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus?  Let us spend much time.  And rejoice that Someone hears, Someone cares, and Someone answers.

"Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me."

(Micah 7:7)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake.

(Psalm 115:1)

  

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Orange Moon Thursday, June 2, 2022 "I Will Not Go Out Free"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"I Will Not Go Out Free" 

 

     

      Old Testament law decreed that a Jewish indentured servant must  serve his master for 6 years (Exodus 21:2-6).  In the seventh year, he could freely leave, with one exception.  If he had married during the time of servitude, he could not take his wife and children with him when leaving his master.  He must go out alone.  However, He could choose to stay with with his master and family, remaining in service for a lifetime.  His master would pierce the ear of the servant, leaving tangible scars to confirm his permanent servitude.  Even more, remaining with his master, wife and children bore witness to his heart's love and devotion.  

   "The servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children.  I will not go out free" (Exodus 21:5).

      The indenture clearly and beautifully foreshadows another Servant who proclaims, "I will not go out free."  The Lord Jesus Christ retains His humanity as our Redeemer, binding Himself unto us forever.  "Behold I and the children which God hath given Me" (Hebrews 2:13).  He bears upon His body tangible evidence of His determination, wounds that bear witness to His love and devotion to us (John 20:27).  Few considerations will more humble us with heart-filling awe, and few will more instill in us the desire to love this One who so loves us.  "I will not go out free."  For you and for me, the Lord Jesus made this sacrifice that abides forevermore.

I Will Not Go Out Free

I will not go out free,

forever I will stay with thee.

Pierce My hands, My feet, and side,

that all may know My sacrifice.

For I will not go out free.

I promise I will never leave,

within your heart I'll always be.

It matters not the sacrifice,

forever I will be your life.

Oh I will not go out free.

Forever with you I will abide,

My Spirit will fill you with My life.

And this know with all certainty,

that I will always be with thee,

For I will not go out free…

I will not go out free!

   

   Never will we know how great the sacrifice for the divine to become and remain human.  We will forever know, however, the tangible evidence of our Savior's abiding love for His bride, the church.  Wounds will bear witness, and far more, the eternally enduring devotion we will know in the presence of One whose love "passeth knowledge" (Ephesians 3:19).  "I will not go out free" declares the Lord Jesus to His Father, and to you and me.  Thus, we serve the greatest of all servants, and the One whose eternally enduring presence within our hearts leads us to our own devotion to God and others.  

"Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. For verily He took not on Him the nature of angels; but He took on Him the seed of Abraham. Wherefore in all things it behooved Him to be made like unto His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."

(Hebrews 2:14-17)

"The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life a ransom for many."

(Matthew 20:28)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake.

(Psalm 115:1)

  

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Orange Moon Wednesday, June 1, 2022 "Gifts Given"

The Special of the Day… From the Orange Moon Cafe…

"Gifts Given" 

 

     

      God does much in our lives for which we do not have to ask.

     "He giveth to all life and breath and all things" (Acts 17:25).

     God also withholds some things until we ask.

    "Ye have not because ye ask not" (James 4:2).

    Our Heavenly Father necessarily provides much without our asking because "we know not what we should pray for as we ought" (Romans 8:26).  However, real relationship with our Heavenly Father though Christ also means that He often awaits our requests before administering His guidance, understanding, provision, and protection.  "Ask and ye shall receive" (John 16:24).  This keeps us coming to Him, which pleases His heart by our fellowship with Him.  "The prayer of the upright is His delight" (Proverbs 15:8).  We also find our hearts filled and fulfilled by conscious acknowledgement of the very Life of our lives.  "In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore" (Psalm 16:11).  Thereby, we grow in the knowledge of our Lord, and subsequently, a life lived for His glory and will.  

    What has God provided for which we did not know to ask?  Doubtless much.  What will He provide today because we asked?  Hopefully, much.  What will He not provide because we failed to ask?  Hopefully, not much.  Our Heavenly Father bears a heart beyond every measure of generosity we can imagine.  He loves to provide, and does so abundantly.  However, He also loves for us to ask, and to trust that He will answer our prayers according to His will, and in our best interests.  Little wonder the Apostle Paul calls us to "pray without ceasing" (I Thessalonians 5:17).  And little wonder that those who do find themselves ever more amazed by the grace of God's giving, whether of gifts given without request, or gifts given because we asked.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

(Philippians 4:-7)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Not unto us, o Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy name give glory for Thy mercy and Thy truth's sake.

(Psalm 115:1)

  

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