DROPPIN' THE BUCKET

 

"...So that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being..."
– Acts 17:27-28a (NKJV)

 

“Water!! For the love of God, PLEASE, do you have any WATER!?”

As the legend goes, a 16th-century Spanish sailing ship had lain becalmed far off the coast of South America for many days, with all hands near death of thirst.  When a small craft with a group of native Brazilians passed within hailing distance, the crew bellowed and made frantic gestures, begging them to share some drinking water.

The Brazilians -- after recovering from a fit of laughter -- just pointed to the water below.

"No, no!  Sea water will kill us all.  Please ... FRESH water!"

But, as their new acquaintances persisted with the same reply, the Spaniards finally dropped a bucket and hauled it back up with ... miracle of miracles! ... FRESH WATER.

What these explorers didn't know, nearly killed them!  First, that they had reached the vast mouth of the Amazon, and furthermore, that mighty river is so powerful that it projects its freshwater flow nearly 100 miles out to sea.

What’s this got to do with us five centuries later??

In his Mars Hill sermon of Acts 17, the Apostle Paul speaks of groping to find a God Who "is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being."  

Of course, finding and meeting this "Unknown God" was essential to the question of where these Athenians would spend eternity.  That is, what -- or WHO -- they didn't know ... would deprive them of eternal life.

But, Paul's "groping and finding" message is just as vital to us believers today, as we seek God's presence and power, both in the prayer closet and beyond -- becoming salt and light in an age when the storms of darkness are closing around us, when make-believe prayer and make-believe spirituality will no longer keep us afloat.

Quoting from my book When We Pipe, God Shall Dance (2011):
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"Surely, the sprout of hypocrisy emerges from the honest soil of man’s desire for substance.  And when he discovers that substance has vaporized, or that it’s never quite been there in the first place, that’s when the games of make-believe begin.  

"At first, these may resemble a rain dance—a zealous, if misguided, outpouring of human enterprise in the hopes of divine response.  And as the days pass into years without a drop of rain, eventually, the dance itself becomes an acceptable end, so long as all the dancers keep up the scrupulous delusion of great downpours which are visible only to those who have attained their rarified level of consciousness.

"In Jesus’ words, 'The men of this generation … are like unto children sitting in the marketplace, and calling one to another, and saying, "We have piped unto you, and ye have not danced; we have mourned to you, and ye have not wept."’  Why, it was essential that the whole generation keep step with all the piping and the mourning and the weeping and the dancing, for in so doing, they should carry on the fantasy that God himself was dancing to their ditty."
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You see, the Spanish sailors in our legend could have performed a rain dance in their time of need.  Maybe they did.  Maybe they drank deeply in their fevered dreams, only to wake and find themselves still dying of thirst in the doldrums.  But, they were saved in the end when they finally tasted the fresh water in which they had lived, moved, and had their being all along!

What does this look like, as it relates to my prayer life?

Think of it!  MOST of us spend MOST of our prayer time "seeking God." (As if He were lost!)  And, when we tire of "seeking God" ... and not FEELING like we're "finding Him" ... well, that's when the games of make-believe begin, as described above.

No!! STOP AND DROP!  Drop the bucket into God's infinite presence, Who is WITHIN US!  

"Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?"
- I Corinthians 3:16 (NKJV)

And, what was the very nerve center of the Jewish temple, to which Jesus compared our bodies, if not the Holy of Holies, that inner sanctum where God Himself met with man -- listening, speaking, ANSWERING PRAYER?

Why not pray ... daily! ... 

"Dear Father, thank You that I needn't 'grope' to find you, that I needn't do a rain dance and 'cry out to the vast unknown' in hopes that You're somewhere out there listening. Now I realize that You're right here inside -- the presence of Your own Holy Spirit, within the Holy of Holies, within Your temple, which is my body.  So, I'm dropping my bucket at last ... entering boldly beyond the veil of Your temple within my heart, through the precious blood of Jesus, with a quiet voice and unwavering faith, uttering my prayers into Your loving ear ...
In Jesus’ name. Amen"

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Originally published as a “Bradstix” devotional on the National Minute of Prayer Facebook page 7/19/2020. 

Copyright © Brad Fenichel 2020 All Rights Reserved

ANCHORS AWEIGH!

 

"When a gentle south wind began to blow, they saw their opportunity; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore of Crete."
– Acts 27:13 (NIV)

 

“Ne'er a sweeter south wind blew!  Anchors aweigh, boys, ANCHORS AWEIGH!” 

I cannot read that poor, deluded captain’s words without a shiver.  Relying on the first century Roman Weather Service forecast, he blithely departed the safe harbor – ignoring the Apostle Paul’s heavenly forecast – right into the jaws of a ruthless cyclone.

By verse 29, nothing could save the ship from catastrophe … no matter how many anchors the crew dropped.  And they dropped four!

Moral of the story:  An anchor provides security through a storm, but only if it’s dropped in a secure place.  (Like the harbor, where they should have waited out hurricane season, as Paul had warned them.)

What’s this got to do with us, two millennia later??

In his 1834 hymn, My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less, Edward Mote included this timeless phrase: “In every high and stormy gale / My anchor holds within the veil.”

So … what’s this “veil”?  Nineteenth-century spelling of “vale”—a peaceful valley?  Nope. 

Oh, I get it.  An archaic word for harbor!?  Wrong again.

Mr. Mote dug deep into the book of Hebrews to come up with this metaphorical gem:

“That … we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.  This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil...” - Hebrews 6:18-19 (NKJV)

The full sixth chapter of Hebrews deals with our place in prayer, in God’s covenant relationship … everything.  And it’s all anchored sure and steadfast – no matter the “high and stormy gale” that seeks to wrench it loose – to God Himself, the “Presence behind the veil.”  

To prevent any confusion, the writer of Hebrews goes on to say that it’s the veil where Jesus himself entered first as High Priest.  That is, before the mercy seat of the Presence of God.  With His atoning blood.  Remember the veil that was “rent from top to bottom” as He shed that blood?  Yes, and amen!  

So, I can enter anytime, through prayer, and set my anchor in His presence.  Then, as I walk out of the prayer closet and face a chaotic world … disease, riots in the streets, hatred, hopelessness … my anchor HOLDS sure and steadfast back there WITHIN THE VEIL!

On the other hand, I can whoop, “Anchors aweigh!” and charge into yet another prayerless morning.  Then, by lunchtime, I’m frantically tossing anchors astern … gripping nothing but starfish on the sandy bottom, as my day hurtles toward shipwreck.

Why not pray --- daily! ...  

"Father, thank You for the blood of Jesus Christ that ushers me within the veil.  Please set my anchor today to the one truly IMMOVABLE OBJECT, Yourself!
In Jesus’ name.  Amen"

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Originally published as a “Bradstix” devotional on the National Minute of Prayer Facebook page 6/28/2020. 

Copyright © Brad Fenichel 2020 All Rights Reserved

Are These 5 KRYPTONITES Sapping Your Power and Will to Pray for America?

Kryptonite #5: "GOD IS THROUGH WITH THE U.S."

If God were through with our nation, He could rapture us all today, and then turn America into a really, really wide Panama Canal. Fact is, Noah preached right up till it started raining. Jonah, on the other hand, had it all figured out: "God is through with Nineveh!" So, which model shall we choose? It all comes down to obedience -- doing our part, and letting God be God.

Kryptonite #4: "BUT I DON'T SEE AMERICA IN END-TIME PROPHECY."

Anyone who feels qualified to unlock every detail of Biblical end-time prophecy is under a delusion. Christ Himself explained (John 16:4) that certain prophecies are given so, WHEN THEY'RE FULFILLED [and not generally before], we'll finally understand what God meant, and be at peace knowing that all is happening per His plan. Besides, God's prophetic language doesn't always speak in terms of Man's political boundaries, but rather He speaks of Tribes, Tongues, and Nations -- i.e., people groups. And most importantly, the Glorious Bride that He is sovereignly preparing. Are we, the American Church, not part of that Bride?? Indeed we are, Hallelujah!

Kryptonite #3: "LIKE, I'M GONNA MAKE A DIFFERENCE? WHO AM I KIDDING?"

God is not impressed by numbers as we are. In fact, He's chosen to work through the faithful few. Remember how Gideon had to send all those strapping volunteers home so God could prevail against the enemy host with just the ragtag few -- the guys armed with bean pots, sparklers, and noisemakers? Furthermore, New Testament Arithmetic is clear: "Two or three." That's all of us it takes, for Him to show up. And when He does ... THAT'S what makes the Difference!

Kryptonite #2: "YEAH, BUT NO ONE ELSE CARES."

You are in good company if you feel that way. It's Elijah's Disease, a.k.a. LMSS ("Last Man Standing Syndrome"). See I Kings 19:10. But in fact, there is a groundswell of Christians with a heart to pray for America. Countless thousands support the National Day of Prayer each May. And, throughout the year, ministries like Capitol Hill Prayer Partners, Intercessors for America, and National Minute of Prayer partner with myriad believers crying out to God for national repentance and revival. And again... "Two or three" is a majority, because He is with us.

Kryptonite #1: "I'D LOVE TO, BUT I JUST DON'T HAVE TIME."

The Number One thing that hinders us from consistently praying for our nation is just that: TIME. But, the good news is that it's also the easiest problem to solve. Because Jesus made it clear that the NUMBER OF WORDS we pray is of no consequence (Matthew 6:7), while the New Testament Arithmetic -- "Two (or three) -- IN AGREEMENT" (Matthew 18:19) -- makes all the difference. Here's where the National Minute of Prayer comes in. It's the SAME simple "Big Ben Minute" prayer strategy that defeated Hitler 70 years ago.
To find out more, visit: www.MinuteOfPrayer.org

by Brad Fenichel, Founder of the National Minute of Prayer

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Copyright © Brad Fenichel 2015 All Rights Reserved

"If My People...?" What People?

"When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time."
– 2 Chronicles 7:13-16 (ESV)


Have we taken II Chronicles 7:14 out of context?

Shortly after Solomon had completed the first Temple in Jerusalem, God appeared to him in the night and personally delivered a message that contains, among other things, those words that have become the rally cry of all great revivals: "If My people, who are called by My name..."

Surely, this passage stands as one of the most colossal promises made by Him Whose mercies endure to all generations and eternity beyond.

But, have we taken it out of its context?

Let's have a closer look at the full Scripture....

God's Heart Is Too Big

Since the The Big Ben Minute (see below) was released this spring, a number of media folks have asked me about the Minute of Prayer movement.  What's the bottom line ... what's the angle?  Is this about praying to end abortion?  Our loss of freedoms?  The upcoming election?  The war on terror? 

The answer is YES.  And a thousand thousand other things we Christians should be caring about and fervently praying for.

But, how do we cover all that ground in 60 seconds?  Why, it would be absurd to think we could effectively do such a thing.  Think about it....

Just as our Father God keeps countless worlds in motion, while His eye is on the fallen sparrow, likewise, His heart swells with compassion for each of the seven billion humans on this planet -- including the three hundred million of us who live in the United States of America.

- Each time a young person is cut down in the prime of life by a bullet or a bomb on the battlefield, He is right there, feeling the pain that mankind's sin has brought on our world.      
- Each time a tender baby is savagely poisoned or torn limb from limb by an abortion procedure, God is there feeling the agony and bearing the infant away in His everlasting arms.
- Each time a young lady sits alone, cutting her body with razors to express the pang of loneliness in her soul, or a young man pumps destructive chemicals into his veins in an attempt to soothe the misery of his existence for just an hour ...
- When the hopeless newborn gasps for air in a dumpster ...
- Or the carefree girl is dragged into an alley at gunpoint ...
- Or the young couple loads that last cardboard box into the car and drives away from their home in despair, because the bank has taken possession ...
- Or doctor calls, and yes, it's malignant ...

Our Father God's heart weeps for the pain of all who are oppressed by the devil, and He desires to saturate us with His compassion so we may intercede for their release.  But His heart is too big.  If He were to saddle any one of us, even for a moment, with the sorrow He feels for lost humanity, it would crush us!

What, then?  There's an old hymn that opens with the words:
Lord, lay some soul upon my heart
And love that soul through me ...

You see, God will take one splinter of that massive cross of mankind's suffering, and He'll lay it on you or me.  And, we always know what splinter He's placed in our heart, because it pinches deeply each time we think about it!  Your splinter might be the vacuum of godly leadership in our nation.  Mine might be the 3000+ babies cruelly slaughtered each day in the U.S. alone -- or maybe it's the countless young ladies who can never seem to wash their hands of the guilt over ending a child's life.  Another's splinter might be the homeless young families sheltering in the old condemned post office building down the street. 

So, when my alarm buzzes at 9:00 p.m., calling me to join my voice with the invisible throng across our nation who are praying at this same moment, I hold up my splinter to the One who gave it.  And, as each of us holds up his or her splinter, the cross of God's compassion takes shape in our corporate prayer.  That's when Heaven and Earth touch, and the infinite heart of our loving Father connects with His people's supplication.  And that's when He can start to move across America, an every broken heart, and broken home, and broken church, and broken state, to bring hope and deliverance.

What, then, is the "bottom line"?  What's the purpose of our Minute of Prayer?  It's to pray for whatever splinter of burden God has laid on each of us.  That, ultimately, He may forgive our sin and heal our land.

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"Brother, Can You Spare a Minute?"
 
For more information on the National Minute of Prayer movement, visit the web site:
Minute of Prayer

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Copyright © Brad Fenichel 2012 All Rights Reserved