LENGTH OF DAYS

How long do you plan to live? Of those years, how many of them will be lived and how many will be endured? God intends for each of our days to be full of praise, prayer, love of God and others, and service to Him.

Teenagers often say, "I’m bored." How is that possible? It certainly isn’t because they have nothing to do, with games, sports, studies, internet, cell-phone texting etc. all around them.

Teenagers have always had down times they haven’t learned to fill. Others, like my granddaughter Hannah, can entertain herself by investigating life in her own yard. Most, kids however, lack real-world contacts, friends, and interactions. They live their lives of isolation in cyberspace. Plus, sometimes they lack the more mature organizational skills and focus necessary to entertain themselves. I say "sometime" since teens grow in spirts and abilities.

What is our excuse? Let us make our allotment of days meaningful to ourselves and to all those around us. A child once said, "I hope you live all of your life."

When we live in the presence of God, we live fully, abundantly, grace-filled, miracle-laden and leave blessings wherever we go. Let us pray:

"Dear Lord and father of us all, I bow before your holy name and sing your praises for all you do in my life. May your kingdom come and fill all the spaces of my life that I may be a servant in your world of Light and Love. I ask that I may live as you intend, with days full of your presence so that I may bring your new life to all those around me. I know that I can be prickly sometimes and not a good representative of a life turned over to you. For this I am sorry and seek your forgiveness. I know that I am the only Christian someone knows and when I do not reflect your live, I damage your name and the name of your son Jesus Christ whom I follow. I pray that you will allow your own true love to shine through me to the fullest extent, so that I may not be seen, just you. In the name of Jesus, my redeemer, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit, www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
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FRIDAY BLESSINGS

Thinking of you all this morning. While I only post on Mondays now, you are all in my daily prayers. You have blessed my life with your commitment to following the prayer path of our Lord Jesus. Prayer Therapy follows the prayer pattern of The Lord's Prayer and teaches to pray specifically for healing and other needs. A previous post teaches Prayer Therapy.

Have a blessed weekend and check in on Monday.
Doris

MIRACLES ARE LIKE PEBBLES

A wonderful friend was spared from debilitation disability or even death. She had a ‘"brain bleeder" or aneurism. With much prayer on behalf of many, the bleeding has stopped and she is experiencing no after symptoms. Her healing was a miracle in response to prayer. I am sure.

She called to say she is home now, Praise the Lord! —and miracles like pebbles came to my mind.

1. Dismissed Pebble Miracles—No, I wouldn’t call it a miracle—are like the pebbles we walk on. One part of our Spirit knows a miracle happened but a censor says—Don’t be so presumptuous! Miracles are larger or intended only for others.

2. Over-looked Pebble Miracles—the presence of God’s hand all around us that is not noticed at all. I don’t think it’s because we are not believers. I think there are so many pebbles of blessing that we can not see them all with our human eyes and heart. I like to think our God-connected soul sees each and every one.

3. Treasured Pebble Miracles—are the ones we recognize, gather up like precious gems, Praise the Lord, and treasure them for the rest of our lives.

I encourage you to "own" the Pebble Miracles God meant for you; slow down enough notice the Over-Looked Pebble Miracles; and share the blessings of Treasured Pebble Miracles with those around you. Do not just polish the amazing golden gifts and set them in the curio cabinet for your eyes only. Let everyone know—God has blessed you with a true miracle. Let us pray:

"Dear loving God of life and new life, I praise your precious, holy name. May your Kingdom come into my life today, so that I may recognize each blessing and miracle you so loving give. Forgive me when I disavow a miracle you have given me or another with statements of dismissal. I want you never to be ignored, but lifted up in praise. May I have your grace to forgive those who are afraid to recognize your presence and the blessings you give us. I pray for fresh eyes to recognize you in my life, in the name of Jesus, your son and my redeemer. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit, www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

HOW TO PRAY SPECIFICALLY

Blessings to you all!

You have been on my mind. But, remember, I am posting only on Mondays now, but will post if something is drawn to my attention or if you have a request for me to comment on something.

What comes to mind today, is a prayer for health. I have strep throat and thought you or your loved ones might be experiencing illness too. Again, as in my books Prayer Therapy Primmer and A Magnificat for a New Millennium, we must pray specifically, so God can answer specifically.

To pray for release from illness, one uses a several step prayer.
1. Praise the name of God our Father.
2. Pray for God to touch your body in the specific area that is affected.
3. Also, pray for God to touch some illness in your body of which you are not yet aware, so the doctors can find any additional areas to be treated.
4. Pray for your physician(s) to have wisdom in treating you or God's guiding hands if you are going to have surgery.
5. Pray for a believing spirit, a faithful heart and mind so that your body is prepared for healing.
6. Thank God for healing you the minute you ask, so that your faith will heal you body. As Jesus said, "Your faith has healed her," in reference to healing a child.
7. The healing attitude will develop a spirit of health within you so that you may "live a healed body" all day.
8. Pray that God's true and perfect will may be done.
9. Pray all in the name of, and by the power of Jesus, the Christ.
10. The healing attitude will develop a spirit of heath within you so that you may "live a healed body" all day.
11. Go about your day, thankful that you have already been healed.

If you are praying for the health and healing of another person, pray in the same manner, using their specific name and specific illness. If you know their physician's name, pray specifically for him or her as well, that they may be guided by God.

I pray that your day is a healthy and blessed one!
Doris
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Prayer Therapy Primmer eBook available at www.amazon.com and www.bn.com
A Magnificat for a New Millennium is available in paperback at www.dorisgainesrapp.com and www.bestbuybooks.com

LET NOT SILENCE PREVAIL

I am only posting on Mondays since Easter, so I am posting the blog I just added to www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com because Prayer Therapy is a vital part of this entry.

"He started the whole world singing a song . . ." (1) The beautiful words, written by Gloria Gaither, were singing within me when I woke up this morning. When the Word of God is grounded in your heart and the songs of praise to Him share the same space, they sing in your soul even while you are sleeping.

We are tethered, by an unbreakable golden thread, to the source of all Love, Peace, and song. When we ignore or refuse to accept that connection, it is not God who cuts the cord, we simply let the rescue ship sail on past because will not get in the life boat. We condemn ourselves.

When you were in school, how did you learn a passage of Shakespear? And, how did you memorize your Math Facts in Elementary School? You rehearsed, you practiced, you spoke and wrote them over and over until they were buried deep within you.

That is how we grasp the tether line. First, we ask the Holy Spirit to enter our heart and take up residence there. Then, we flood our mind with His Word and songs of praise. The Holy Spirit will help us understand the meaning of the words and seal their presence in our lives when we have put forth the effort to read, study, pray and sing.

Christiana Applewait, in my futuristic novel Length of Days - The Age of Silence, lives in 2112. In the one-hundred years between then and now, society has managed to forbid the name of God to be spoken or written in any form. All Bibles have been confiscated and all music has been banned. Babies are tagged at birth to determine their Length of Days and the water supply has been laced with drugs that block everyone’s ability to feel emotions. A reverence for life has faded away on the dark wind of fairness, civility and control.

Where can Christiana turn for hope and comfort with no God or Scripture to guide her? Then, a spark is lit that fans the Spirit of God within her. She races through the city in the Central Zone of what had been a United country, in search of a way to over turn the Length of Days policy and save her grandparents, members of the Counsel of Twelve. She is reminded of a spiritual indwelling she had as a child and prays to God, whom she has just come to know, for help in her quest.

Will our God Blessed Land be stripped of everything that makes us American due to our own silence? Perhaps 2112 is not the Age of Silence. Maybe it has already begun and Christiana only lives in a future time when it is fully implemented. Could it be that we are living in the early stages of The Age of Silence?

What can we do to stop the coming Change, the approaching Silence? We must remain silent no more. God does not speak up for Himself. We are His witnesses and when good people remain silent, all manner of evil can overtake the good and drive us into darkness. We must pray for the Holy Spirit to enter our lives so that we can understand the approaching silence and speak out before it engulfs us all in a deafening void

Many people have never prayed with hope and faith that their prayer will be answered. Like Christiana, this may be their first time. Such a prayer might sound like this:

"Father God, you have kept me by your side since I lived near my mother’s heart. Holy are you and I praise your name. I ask in this very moment, that your Holy Spirit will live within me that I may learn the truth of you and feel your comforting presence at all times. Forgive me when I have chosen to remain silent and pretend you are not here. Today, I turn my life toward you and home. I accept your Grace and ask that you teach me how to speak out for you and pass your love and strength on to others. In the name of Jesus, your son and my Savior, I pray. Amen."

Doris Gaines Rapp
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Length of Days - The Age of Silence - Doris Gaines Rapp - hardback is available at:
www.directbuybooks.com
Length of Days - The Age of Silence - Doris Gaines Rapp - eBook, available at: www.amazon.com and www.bn.com.

1. (Copyright 1982 Gaither Music Company)

BORN TO DANCE!

"When those who were carrying the ark of the Lord had taken six steps, he sacrificed a bull and a fattened calf. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, while he and the entire house of Israel brought up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets." 2 Samuel 6: 13-15 (NIV)

What a wonderful worship service we had yesterday with Dane Bailey, the Singing Auctioneer. His deep base rumbled through the hymns we love and some that would be new lovables. He mixed the songs with a little auctioneer prattle. What fun! One favorite hymn was, I’ll Fly Away, that Albert E. Brumley wrote in 1929 and Hartford Music Company published in 1932.

"I’ll fly away, Oh Glory, I’ll fly away! When I get to Heaven by and by, I’ll fly away." Dane invited the congregation to join in the chorus.

The most enthusiastic participant in the sanctuary was our nineteen-month-old granddaughter, Shyloe Knipp. She stood up on the pew and put her entire body into I’ll Fly Away, from her flashing eyes and big grin, to her dancing feet. She waved her arms like she was flying, clapped in rhythm to the music, rocked her entire body in dance, attempted to direct Dane like a chorus leader, and made a hand gesture, that to her, meant thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you, were her little hand praises.

We were born to sing and dance for the Lord God! We were placed on earth to praise His Holy name! Shyloe knows it already but at some point in her life she will learn to be more reserved. Why? Let your heart sing! Let your body dance the dance of faith. Love life, every single minute of it! Let us pray:

"Father God, we praise you unendingly but we have forgotten how to dance for you. We fear that others may not approve. May the only approval we care about and seek, be yours. You are Holy and pure. We love you Lord and we ask for the courage to allow others to see our adoration and praise. The joy of you we share, magnifies the joy we experience, for your living presence is in our words. How amazing you are and how miraculous is your touch. Forgive us when we do not raise your name in song and dance the dance of faith, because others are longing to hear about you. In the name of Jesus, your son, we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

{I was late posting today because we too had a lot to celebrate and give praise to God. Early this morning, we went to Indianapolis to get our son Jim (James to you all in Muncie). He had flown in from Afghanistan for a two-week vacation. Praise the Lord! He even got in thirty minutes early!}

Visit, www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

A NEW LIFE BEGAN

Matthew 28: 16-20

16. Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18. Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20. and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Because of Easter, a new life began for the disciples and followers of Jesus. They were called to so much more. They were to go to all nations, make disciples, baptize them and teach them to obey. They will not be doing it on their own, Jesus will be with them always. That last assignment was the monumental task!

Have you ever taught a child or a wayward adult to obey? In the Matthew passage, however, Jesus does not say he would hold the teacher responsible for the student’s learning. It is our responsibility and privilege to teach about the Kingdom of God and what Jesus revealed to us.

You might ask, "How do I know what Jesus told his disciples beyond what was written in the Bible?"

Jesus wants us to preach the Gospel and teach what he revealed to you and to me. That is our witness. Obedience to God is the responsibility of the listener, and we are to be obedient in our teaching. Jesus will be with us in our own personal ministry. Easter changed the world for all of us!

Because of Easter, salvation is possible for those who believe and are obedient to God. Eternal Life is given to these who are faithful and live a resurrection life. Let us pray:

"God and father of Easter, I adore you and praise your holy name. I pray, this day after the resurrection of your son, that I may find my home in you and you send your Holy Spirit to live in me. I pray that you find me obedient to your calling, to tell those I meet about what you have done in my life. I know I will not stand alone for Jesus the Christ will be with me. Forgive me when I am weak and may be disobedient. Know that my heart is willing. In the name of Jesus Christ, who knows me better than I know myself, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit, www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

UP FROM THE GRAVE HE AROSE

Matthew 28: 1-10

1. After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2. There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3. His appearance was like of lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5. The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7. Then go quickly and tell his disciples: ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.’ Now I have told you."
8. So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9. Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10. Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me."

Oh how they loved him, then he died and was sealed in a tomb. His disciples, his family, his followers loved the actual creator, the embodiment of Love. Then, suddenly he was gone.

Their only experience of death, the loss of their old ones and those who were sick, had taught them that their beloved teacher was gone and, of course, would not come back. Some even knew he was the Messiah but had no idea what that meant in this tragic situation. Then came the morning!

The Refrain from Christ Arose by Robert Lowry (Copyright 1874 Public Domain) expresses what happened that glorious morning.

[Up from the grave He arose, With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a Victor from the dark domain, And He lives forever, with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!]

Will this be the Easter that you believe him? Will this be the Spring that a fresh life rises up within you and takes over your life? The Messiah has come and he can live within us as the Holy Spirit if we will invite him in. Let us pray:

"Oh Lord my God, I stand in awe in your presence. The Kingdom of God is at hand as Jesus said it was! The angel at the tomb told the women to not be afraid. And, I have decided that I will not fear. I know that doesn’t mean there will be nothing in my life that is dangerous or threatening. I will choose not to fear but to trust in you for I am asking you to enter my life and make your home here, I in you and your Word in me. Forgive me when I have not believed that there was an Easter Morning, when your son, Jesus, conquered death and rose from his grave. Hallelujah! Christ Arose! May every day of my life be a fresh, new Resurrection Sunday! In the name of Jesus Christ the Lord, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp
Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com  

WAITING THE COMING DAY

It is Saturday and the Gospel is silent about the day. The disciples grieved, I’m sure. They were probably confused. They thought Jesus was going to establish his kingdom, but he died on the cross instead. He told the thief on the cross beside him that he would be with him in Paradise that very day. What we think about how Jesus spent the day after Good Friday is reflected in Robert Lowry hymn, Christ Arose (Copyright 1874 Public Domain).

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus my Savior,
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus my Lord!

Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesus my Savior;
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!

There are creative folks who believe that Jesus was in other places on Saturday. That he was here and went there. What I truly believe is that Jesus was a real person who lived in history. He was God incarnate. He was crucified, died, was buried, and tomorrow we will hear how he rose from the dead, braking the chains of death. What he did the day after his death is not recorded in scripture except to say that he was in the borrowed tomb of Joseph of Arimathea.

Jesus Christ does not need me to validate his experience. It is silly arrogance to think that my opinion about where he was at any point in his life would determine the facts of his existence. He was and is and ever more will be. Jesus was exactly where his father, God, wanted him to be because he was obedient. Let us pray:

"Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus, the long awaited Christ, holy is your name and the name of your Messiah. We praise you and long to live in your kingdom like the thief who was promised Paradise. Today is the day Jesus slept, Father, and waited for the day of all days, when death would be defeated. Father, I ask for nothing for myself. I only ask that those who do not yet know you may feel your warm presence so surely this day that they stop and touch the spot of your contact. If I can say or do anything to help them discover you while you are reaching out to them, lay it on my heart. Please, Father, I do not want to know who it is or under what circumstances. It is not about me. It is all about you. In the name of the resurrected Christ I pray. Amen"

Doris "God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp
Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

GOOD FRIDAY

What is good about this particular Friday? Our Lord died on this day; why is that good?

God means virtuous, moral, wise and Holy means infinitely good. Therefore we have "The Good Book" and "Good Friday." In the Church we know that Christ’s death on the cross on Good Friday which marks the beginning of salvation for us all.

Among the many meanings of "good" are virtuous, moral, and wise. One of the meanings of the word holy is "infinitely good." From such meanings come the expressions "the Good Book" and "Good Friday."

While we call this Friday Good, we sometimes struggle with the contradiction. "Good Friday" seems a little perverse, until we put it all in Biblical perspective. The long awaited Messiah had been promised down through the ages as recorded in the Old Testament. Along with that promise, came the prophesy—what will happen to the Messiah and what will be happening in history. "Good Friday" is part of the prophesy that came with the promise.

We often want the blessings without the responsibility and sometimes, the suffering that comes with it. Jesus was willing to take on himself all that had to happen because he knew his role in God’s plan.

I have selected a passage from the Gospel of Mark to allow us the privilege of experiencing his day. Please read the entire selection as I have lifted out most but not all verses. Our prayer of thanksgiving for the life and death and resurrection will follow.

Mark 14:53-15:47

53 They took Jesus to the high priest, and all the chief priests, elders and teachers of the law came together. 54 Peter followed Him at a distance, right into the courtyard of the high priest. There he sat with the guards and warmed himself at the fire.

55 The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidence against Jesus so that they could put Him to death, but they did not find any.

61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"

62 "I am," said Jesus, "And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven."

65b And the guards took Him and beat Him.

66 While Peter was below in the courtyard, one of the servant girls of the high priest came by. 67 When she saw Peter warming himself, she looked closely at him. "You also were with that Nazarene, Jesus," she said. 68 But he denied it. "I don’t know or understand what you’re talking about," he said, and went out the entryway. 69 When the servant girl saw him there, she said again to those standing around, "This fellow is one of them." 70 Again he denied it. After a little while, those standing near to Peter said to Peter, "Surely you are one of them, for you are a Galilean." 71 He began to call down curses on himself, and he swore to them, "I don’t know this man you’re talking about."

72 Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him, "Before the rooster crows twice, you will disown Me three times." And he broke down and wept.

Mark 15: 1-47

1 Very early in the morning, the chief priests, with the elders, the teachers of the law and the whole Sanhedrin, reached a decision. They bound Jesus, led Him away and handed Him over to Pilate. 2 "Are You the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate. "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied.

6 Now it was the custom at the Feast to release a prisoner whom the people requested. 7 A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising. 8 The crowd came up and asked Pilate to do for them what he usually did.

9 "Do you want me to release to you the king of the Jews?" asked Pilate, 10 knowing it was out of envy that the chief priests had handed Jesus over to him. 11 But the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas instead.12 "What shall I do, then, with the one you call the king of the Jews?" Pilate asked them.

13 "Crucify him!" they shouted. 14 "Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate. But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify Him!" 15 Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed Him over to be crucified.

16 The soldiers led Jesus away into the palace (that is, the Praetorium) and called together the whole company of soldiers. 17 They put a purple robe on Him, then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on Him. 18 And they began to call out to Him, "Hail, king of the Jews!" 19 Again and again they struck Him on the head with a staff and spit on Him. Falling to their knees, they paid homage to Him. 20 And when they had mocked Him, they took off the purple robe and put His own clothes on Him. Then they led Him out to crucify Him.

22 They brought Jesus to the place called Golgotha (which means The Place of the Skull). 23 Then they offered Him wine mixed with myrrh, but He did not take it. 24 And they crucified Him. Dividing up his clothes, they cast lots to see what each would get.

27 They crucified two robbers with Him, one on His right and one of His left. Those who passed by hurled insults at Him, shaking their heads and saying, 31 In the same way the chief priests and the teachers of the law mocked Him among themselves. "He saved others," they said, "but He can’t save Himself! 32 Let this Christ, this King of Israel, come down now from the cross, that we may see and believe. Those crucified with Him also heaped insults on Him.

33 At the sixth hour darkness came over the whole land until the ninth hour. 34 And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabach-thani?"—which means, "My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?"

35 When some of those standing near heard this, they said, "Listen, He’s calling Elijah." 36 One man ran, filled a sponge with wine vinegar, put in on a stick, and offered it to Jesus to drink. "Now leave Him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to take Him down," he said.

37 With a loud cry, Jesus breathed His last.

38 The curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. 39 And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard His cry and saw how He died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!"

40 Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. 41 In Galilee these women had followed Him and cared for His needs. Many other women who had come up with Him to Jerusalem were also there.

42 It was Preparation Day (that is, the day before the Sabbath). So as evening approached, 43 Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent member of the Council, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, went boldly to Pilate and asked for Jesus’ body. 44 Pilate was surprised to hear that He was already dead. Summoning the centurion, he asked him if Jesus had already died. 45 When he learned from the centurion that it was so, he gave the body to Joseph. 46 So Joseph bought some linen cloth, took down the body (think of what that must have entailed), wrapped it in the linen, and placed it in a tomb cut out of rock. Then he rolled a stone against the entrance of the tomb. 47 Mary Magdalene and Mary the mother of Joses saw where He was laid.

"God our father, holy are you, good to the most extreme. We bow before you and sing our song of love all the long day. We ask for your love to enter and fill us, that we may do your will and live within your kingdom. We thank your precious son Jesus Christ and all he did to fulfill your plan for us all. Because of Jesus, we all can live since he found the door to Heaven, walked through and left it open for all of us to follow. Forgive me when I have seen Holy Week as a beautiful myth or a nice story told and retold until it loses it real significance. To God be the glory and Jesus Christ the king of my heart, in whose name we pray. Amen"

Doris "God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp
Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also:  www.directbuybooks.com  

HIS LAST DAY

Mark 14:12-51   (Please read the entire passage. I have lifted up selected verses here.)
[12 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, when it was customary to sacrifice the Passover lamb, Jesus’ disciples asked him, "Where do you want us to go and make preparations for you to eat the Passover?"
13 So he sent two of his disciples, telling them, "Go into the city, and a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him. 14 Say to the owner of the house he enters, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is my guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ 15 He will show you a large upper room, furnished and ready. Make preparations for us there."

17 When evening came, Jesus arrived with the Twelve. 18 While they were reclining at the table eating, he said, "I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me—one who is eating with me."

19 They were saddened, and one by one they said to him, "Surely not I?"

22 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take it; this is my body." 23Then he took the cup, gave thanks and offered it to them, and they all drank from it. 24"This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many," he said to them. 25"I tell you the truth, I will not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it anew in the kingdom of God."

26 When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

27 "You will all fall away," Jesus told them, "for it is written: "‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’c 28 But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee."

29 Peter declared, "Even if all fall away, I will not." 30 "I tell you the truth," Jesus answered, "today—yes, tonight—before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times."

32 They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33 He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch."

35 Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will."

37 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak." 42 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" 43 Just as he was speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared.]

His Last Day

We have taken a brief glimpse into the last hours of Jesus’ life before he was arrested. His last precious day with his beloved disciples. They shared a wonderful celebration meal - The Feast of Unleavened Later. They also drank of the first communion. Then, that same night, he asked his friends to wait while he prayed to be released from the torture that he knew was to come. Even big, fisherman-strong Peter fell asleep and later denied that he even knew Jesus.

Don’t you think Jesus will forgive us our limitations, we who did not break bread with him or walk the dusty roads by his side? After his followers were later filled with the Holy Spirit they became the disciples who built Christ’s church.

We too can become filled with the Holy Spirit when we ask the Lord to come into our lives. Think of the paths along which Christ will lead us, the people he will touch with our hands, the words of love and grace some will hear because we will give our voices over to the Lord. Let today be the day when we open our hearts to the Spirit of the living God. Let us pray:

"Father God, you are the all-in-all, the life we live, the Life there is. We praise your holy name. We ask you, Father, to fill us with your Holy Spirit and we thank you that our filling has already been complete as it is written in Mark 11 ‘whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.’ We will live each day, knowing we are redeemed and anointed by your Holy Spirit. Use us to participate in the completion of your will, for it is your will that we seek. In the name of Jesus, your son and our redeemer we pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine." 
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.Also: www.directbuybooks.com

ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST HIM?

Mark 14:1-11

Now the Passover and the Feast of the Unleavened Bread were only two days away, and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus and kill Him. "But not during the Feast," they said, "or the people may riot."

While He was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of a man know as Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head.

Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, "Why this waste of your perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor." And they rebuked her harshly.

"Leave her alone," said Jesus. "Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have Me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on My body beforehand to prepare for My burial. I tell you the truth, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her."

Then Judas Iscariot, one of the twelve, went to the chief priests to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted to hear this and promised to give him money. So he watched for an opportunity to hand Him over.

On this day, two days before Good Friday, let us ponder one question. Are you completely for Jesus? If just a little bit, then you are against him. Let us pray:

"Father of us all, you are the God of the Universe. For this we praise your holy name. We pray that we may be wholly for you and we want to follow your son completely. Fill us with your Holy Spirit so that following will be our very nature. We prayer to be an extension of Jesus, his hands, his feet, his heart. Forgive us when we forget who w are. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen"

Doris "God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

FIRST BELIEVE

Mark 11: 20-25                 • The eBook, Prayer Therapy Primer is available at www.amazon.com
                                         •  and the original paperback book at www.directbuybooks.com
 
In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

There are two important points in this scripture. The first is that we are to forgive others SO THAT our heaven Father can forgive us our sins. "So that" is the difference between being forgiven and not being forgiven.

The second point: "Believe that you have received it," Mark’s Gospel says, "and it will be yours."

This is the core concept of Prayer Therapy, the prayer form we use on this blog. We pray specifically so God can answer specifically and then live our day knowing that our prayer has been heard. [Training information is above]

This event described in Mark tells us that Jesus was still teaching his beloved disciples, and us through the faithfulness of people like Mark, even as the time neared for him to go home to his father, God. And what he taught them was the essence of answered prayer - belief. We are to believe even before we receive the "proof" that our prayer has been heard, some tangible evidence that he answered our prayer. Believe first, and those prayers will be answered that are in keeping with the will of God. Let us pray:

"God of us all and creator of all there is, we do praise your name for it is holy. May your kingdom come to my life and let me dwell within it. I ask this day for the faith of the Saints that I may pray with a believer’s heart. I will live each day, knowing that you have heard my prayer and that you will answer my prayer in a way that will fulfill your plan for me and for your children. Forgive me when I have prayed to you and then did not believe that you would answer my prayer. I choose this day to believe before I see. In the name of and by the power of your precious son, Jesus, I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

DIAMONDS IN THE GRASS

Mark 11:12-19
The next day as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to find out if it had any fruit. When He reached it, He found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs. Then He said to the tree, "May no one ever eat fruit from you again." And His disciples heard Him say it.
On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area & began driving out those who were buying & selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers & the benches of those selling doves, & would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. And as He taught them, He said, "Is it not written: ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it ‘a den of robbers.’"
The chief priests & the teachers of the law heard this & began looking for a way to kill Him, for they feared Him, because the whole crowd was amazed at His teaching. When evening came, they went out of the city.

The Gospel of Mark is telling us that Jesus rebuked the fig tree for not bearing fruit out of season. Then, he went into the temple and chased out the money changers for "being fruitful," earning money off the sacrifices to God within the Temple wall. He knew that those who changed money into the local currency and those who overcharged for sacrificial birds, were dishonest. It reminds me of the hole-in-the-wall sanctuary, a haven for Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.

Is that descriptive of our personal sanctuary? Do we praise the Lord with one hand and cheat our neighbor, or turn them away when in need, with the other?

And, what about the fig tree? Jesus punished the tree for not providing figs for his nourishment even though it was not the season for harvesting figs. Think about that one. What if Jesus asked if you had witnessed to the blessings God has given you and you said, "Well no, not yet. It isn’t Sunday and my co-workers and members of my bridge club wouldn’t want to hear religious messages. I don’t force my religion on others. I am going to read the scripture in the Easter Sunrise Service though. People seem to like my inflection and delivery."

We are to bear fruit in all seasons and, we will not produce food for the Lord if we are dishonest in our dealings with others. The sanctuary of our heart, if full of the Spirit, has no room for the world’s trappings. The Spirit-filled soul has room for everyone, but only the truth of them. But then, that is what we are called to do, to seek the Truth of God and the Truth that abides in those around us.

Do not dwell on the deceitful ways that those around us pass off to themselves and others as something to be believed. Seek the Truth that resides at their core and they will say, you are the first person who has heard them, who has known them, who has truly loved them. Let us pray:

"Holy Father, God of all, we stand in awe of you. Your name is wonderful and precious, name above all names. As we walk with you toward the cross, I ask that you give me the courage to wholly live in you, so that your Word may live in me. May I see every opportunity to share the miracles you have placed all around me, like diamonds in the grass. Forgive me when I am afraid to speak out for the cause of Christ because I do not deem the time appropriate. May I be brave enough to be a fool for you and never experience my own foolishness. May your Spirit within me seek your Spirit in others and call them unto you. In the name of Jesus, your son and our Savior I pray. Amen"

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit, www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com

DID YOU WAVE PALMS?

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, ‘Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the king of Israel.’

Jesus found a young donkey and sat upon it, as it is written, ‘Do not be afraid, O Daughter of Zion; see, your king is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’" John 12: 12-15 (NIV)

Today is Palm Sunday when scripture tells us that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey while the crowds waved palm branches and laid them in his path. Would you have applauded his coming to the City of David? Would you have waved palms? What about a few days later? Would you have called for his execution?

People are fickle. They worship a great leader, the Son of God, one day and they devalue him the next. One reason is because we don’t know who we are. How can we know whom we serve? And, how can we possibly understand the Son of God and God’s plan for His people when we follow the current passing crowd?

Let Palm Sunday be the day we led God do the leading. We are not going to understand why he is going here or there. We follow him each day because he is the only one who is worthy of leading. We celebrate him on Sunday because of who he is and for the love and grace he gives to all of us. Then, the next day, let us fix our eyes like flint on the God of the ages and His son, the Redeemer, and never waver from our gaze. Let us wave palm branches every day of our lives. Let us pray:

"God of all there was and is and will be, we bow before your precious name. We ask for a line in your procession that leads us home. May the palm branches we wave today, still be fresh and green tomorrow and each day that follows. Forgive us when we allow ourselves to be swayed like willows or branches from a palm tree. We ask for strength to stand firm, to bend to your every call but not to break. For these things, we owe you all praise and glory. In the name of your son, "Jesus, who rode into our hearts this day, we pray. Amen

Doris
"God gives us stories that testify to His love. Let me tell you mine."
Copyright 2012 Doris Gaines Rapp

Visit: www.lengthofdays2112.blogspot.com for fun stories.
Also: www.directbuybooks.com