How many times, have you or someone close to you, needed a little encouragement, uplifting words, or prayers on your behalf? I HAVE. In moments where exhaustion, sorrow, or feelings of defeat creep into your day the power of a smile, hugs, or words of affirmation can alleviate encroaching weariness and bring a lovely weightlessness to your heart.

It is such an honor and privilege to fulfill a request of prayer from a friend, church family member, neighbor, or even strangers. Paul asked for prayers numerous times and he also prayed for others. I LOVE what he prays for the Philippians, Thessalonians, Corinthians, and many more. Paul prays for God’s children to be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. to walk worthily of the Lord, to please Him, to be fruitful in every good work, to increase in knowledge of God, to be strengthened with all might according to His glorious power, to be patient and longsuffering with joy, and to give thanks to the Father. Colossians 1:9-12

Paul also prays for His children’s love to abound still more, to have more in knowledge and all discernment, to approve the things that are excellent, to be sincere without offense until the day of Christ, and to be filled with the fruits of righteousness through Jesus Christ. Philippians 1:9-11 So that we may be complete. 2 Corinthians 13:7

In 2 Thessalonians 1:11 Paul prays for God’s children to be counted worthy of calling, to fulfill the good pleasure of goodness, to do the work of the faith with power, and for the name of the Lord be glorified in you and in Him.

Jesus prays for Himself, His apostles, and all those who would listen to the Apostles teachings and obey His will. John 17 The entire chapter is a prayer spoken by Jesus.

Jesus and Paul give instructions on how to pray. Ephesians 6:18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints. Colossians 4:2-3 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word… 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing

Why do I write about knowledge you already know? I am persuaded to point out that Jesus prayed for others and asked for others to pray for Him. Paul prayed for others and asked others to pray for him.. Is this a sign of weakness or strength? Is it a measurement of their faith? Are their own prayers not enough? These are all absurd questions!! Asking for prayers, admitting you are tired, worn out, or struggling is not a measurement of your faith or a lack of prayer in your life. Asking for prayers when the next step you take seems heavier than the last one you took is a show of strength!! Asking for prayers is a measurement of trust and confidence in the ones you are requesting them from, knowing they will take your name before our Father in heaven and lift you up before His throne.

Please contemplate what your words will be when a struggling friend, a worn out mom, a devastated father, a confused child, a seeking co-worker, a frustrated clerk, a walker pushing elderly person, a call center representative, a church leader, the preacher’s wife, and so many more who frequently enter our lives on a regular basis request your prayers. They need them with no strings attached. They need them with no expectations. They need them with no judgements. They especially need them when they don’t ask for them. Don’t send them on their way heavier with the burdens they are carrying. Don’t remind them of what they ought to do. Don’t tell them it not that big of a deal. Don’t invalidate their request.

Kinder, more compassionate words might be; I’m sorry you are dealing with so much, let’s pray about this. What can I do for you or your family? Are you going to be okay? Choose words that make them feel hugged and comforted. Encouraging words that convey that EVERYTHING is going to work out and God is going to provide a way for them.

Jesus’s faith never waivered, Paul’s faith never waivered, David’s faith never waivered, and yet each one of them asked for prayers and offered prayers. Mostly likely, the person asking you for prayers has great faith, but just needs a little reminder that God is working in others to help them along when life gets ugly and out of tune.

In our life time we are faced with many choices. Some are momentous and others fleeting, but all required thought, planning, and consideration. Some choices require research and dedication to ensure the favored choice. Some choices have to be made on-the-spot with only your current knowledge of the situation no matter how limited. All of these are imperfect, flawed, and at best, a guess.

Our Father in heaven made choices for His people before the earth was formed, before man was created, and before eternity began.

God chose the Hebrew nation as His people. He chose to redeem them, even if, only a remnant existed who remembered His ways. God chose to send His Son to redeem not only those, but all future faithful followers of His so we could spend eternity in heaven with our Father and His Son. God chose authors who would write His inspired Word. God chose specific languages for His Word to be written in.

God chose for His prophets who reported all the history, travels, struggles, wars, devastation, and the immense love of God wrote in the Hebrew language. It’s makes sense to write in the language of your people. God also chose to write the plan of salvation and instructions for His church in the Koine Greek, which was the common Greek language spoken at the time of the New Testament writings.

Both languages were chosen by God to communicate with His people.

There are numerous versions of God’s Word. Several do not accurately represent His Word, (God’s Word), according to the original languages they were written in. Regardless of what version you choose to read, when you are reading scripture that seems difficult to understand, I encourage you to read from a Greek or Hebrew Interlinear Bible to better understand the author’s intended meaning. God chose Greek and Hebrew. He did not choose Latin or English.

Unfortunately, I have witnessed with great heartache, brothers and sisters in Christ who shake their heads in disgust when the original language is presented, elders of the church announce “they don’t care what the original language says”, and those who profess to study God’s Word, cut off or divert any further discussions of the original languages that God chose. Man does not get to override the original language God chose to communicate with us!! This saddens my heart. I can only imagine how God is reacting! The Hebrew and the Greek languages were chosen by God. God is Holy. God is perfect. God provides what we need. God decided we need the Hebrew and the Greek to accurately understand His Word.

You can choose to ignore, fear, and be intimidated by God’s choices for you. Or you can embrace them, face them, and overcome the obstacles that keep you from truly knowing God’s Word as He intended. The Bible is HIS BOOK, HIS WORDS, AND HIS WAYS. God chose, in the beginning, all the necessities His people would need to find their way to Him. God made choices that we don’t have to guess about, just accept and make them a part of our lives. God made all the hard choices so we don’t have to.

2 Timothy 2:15 “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.“

WHAT is that smell?”  I cannot count how many times I have asked that question.  Some times under my breath, some times inaudibly, and other times so the inventor of the smell can hear me.  My question could imply a negative odor or it could indicate I have just experienced an aromatic blessing.  In either case, I want and need to identify what it is, or who it is, and either eradicate it or accept and savor it.

In 2 Corinthians 2:15 Paul states we are a fragrance of Christ to God to those who are striving just like us, the redeemed in Christ, and to those who are in and of the world.  The aroma is the same, but the inhalers smell two distinctively different fragrances.  

Almost every time instructions regarding an offering to God are mentioned, the whole of the sacrifice is required.  Moses writes in Exodus 29:18 “And you shall burn the whole ram on the altar; it is a burnt offering to Jehovah; it is a satisfying fragrance, an offering by fire to Jehovah.”  I believe God wants us to understand the first step in offering our selves as a sacrifice is to offer the whole of who we are to Him.  Anything less is not pleasing to God neither will it produce a satisfying fragrance.  Many other passages written by Moses use the exact same language when referring to offering sacrifices.  Exodus 29: 25, 41; Leviticus 1:9, and 13.  In Numbers 15:2, Ezekiel 20:41 and Ephesians 5:2 God’s Word mentions the sweet savor we are to be toward God.  In fact, God tells the elders in chapter 20 of Ezekiel that He won’t accept them unless they are a sweet savor.

Paul states in Romans 12:1 we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice to God, holy, well pleasing, which is our reasonable service. 

God wants us to emanate a sweet aroma that is associated with His Son.  He wants to inhale a familiar fragrance that causes Him to accept our offering of self.  Our Father wants to receive a sweet savor from His children.  Offering our whole being as a living sacrifice that is kept holy and pleasing to God is a logical and rational service to His kingdom.  This service should feel more like a natural reflex to His love, to His mercy, and to His grace. 

I never want to put off a less than desirable fragrance at work, home, worshipping with my church family, or even grocery shopping.  I am compelled to ask myself, am I diligent and concerned about the fragrance I am sharing with others?  Most importantly, what aroma reaches God?  May God never have to ask of me, “What’s that smell?” May He recognize my aroma as a satisfying fragrance, one that is clean and pure and may my Father accept and savor my whole offering.

We recently moved across town to a small community called Oakland.  It’s a little town inside the big city.  It’s quieter and definitely more relaxed here.  There is a small local grocer, a pizza parlor, gas station, and several church buildings around the town.  There is a simpler atmosphere here. We hadn’t been here but just a few days when I heard from inside our home the strange but distinguished sound of a rooster crowing.  It is the middle of the day and slightly unexpected.  Sure enough, I looked out our kitchen window and our neighbors across the street have chickens and a rooster.  My thoughts quickly went to Jesus’ words to Peter. Maybe because the next Sunday was Easter Sunday.

In the Bible, the book of Luke, in the 22^nd chapter, Jesus is preparing His disciples for the next few days of events.  Jesus explains His Body and His Cup, His betrayer, and His position.  Jesus conveys in order to be great; one must serve as He does.  Jesus seems to commend them for remaining with Him throughout His trials thus far.  There were many at this point who did not count the costs to follow Jesus and left Him.  Then Jesus informs His apostles He is appointing or ”put apart” for them a kingdom/realm.  

Suddenly in verse 28, Jesus seems to shift gears and inform Peter that Satan has demanded to sift or riddle him like grain.  That had to be a harsh blow and somewhat fearful.  I   envision before this statement, Peter felt pretty comfortable and safe in Jesus’ company and now it is all ripped away.  Peter must feel threatened, confused, and bewildered. Before Peter can react Jesus softens the impact of His words with an assurance that He has petitioned “begged” on his behalf that his faith, his reliance upon Christ for salvation would not fail, cease, or die. Then Jesus lets Peter know he will be redeemed, “once you have turned again”, when you revert back to fully being Mine.  With this renewed relationship Peter is to establish, set fast, turn his brothers resolutely in a certain direction.  Peter is to set fast or establish the brotherhood, which is the church. (Acts 2)

Peters emotions come back in defense and makes his stance with Jesus in verse 33 as if to say,” Jesus You are wrong about me!  I will prove it to You!  I will not only go with You to prison, but I will die with You!  I will not be one of those who leave You even if it cost me my life!” 

I can see our loving Savior’s face ever so gently smile and utter with a soft compassionate voice to Peter, you will deny Me, “deny utterly and disown” Me.  You, Peter, will speak as if you never knew Me.  In fact, you will disown me three times.  Upon the third time Peter, a rooster will crow.

Jesus’ petition for Peter also makes another statement, one of confidence in Peter by letting him know he will make it through this.  Peter I know you’re going to mess up, but I also know you are going to be better, stronger, and deeper in faith when you return to Me. 

Peter’s quick denial causes me to think about the inadvertent denying of Jesus we are in danger of.  Do I always defend Him?  Do I always reflect Him?  Do I always share Him?  When I am backed into a corner at work or in opposition territory, do I refer to a passage of scripture as the reason I don’t participate in office banter or worldly activities?  When I’m at the grocery store do I offer His Words when confronted by a stranger?  When I’m driving, do I act and sound like the world or do I extend compassion and mercy or do I offer the swift sword of my horn?  Do I play inappropriate video games and pretend Jesus doesn’t know or care what things I think on?  Do I speak ill of a church family member thinking it will never get back to them?  Do I act like the world but defend it in the name of Jesus?  Do I read inappropriate novels that contain language and situations God clearly speaks against?  Do I sell Jesus for a quarter when I receive more change back than owed? 

My dear friends, when we follow in any other footsteps than Jesus, whose sandals are we trying to fill?  If we are not reflecting Jesus to all others, then who are we reflecting? If we are not joyously proclaiming our faith, our reliance upon Christ for salvation, then are we following Jesus?

It only took 3 denials for Peter to hear his rooster crow.  Can you imagine the total disbelief in Peter’s heart when he locked eyes with Jesus after the rooster crowed? Peter truly believed he was different than the others, stronger than the others, committed more than the others, and loved more than the others.  Luke says Peter wept a violent, sobbing, and loud wail when he measured the depth and severity of his sin.  Are we in Peter’s comfort zone? 

How many times do we need to hear the rooster crow before we realize we are denying Jesus?

Paul writes repeatedly about speaking boldly in the name of Jesus.  I see no where in God’s Word where Paul states to speak boldly unless…

…you are at work    …you are at the store     …you are at a funeral  …you are at a salon  …you are in a doctor’s office                …you are at the gym, etc.

We know that rooster’s crow at different intervals of time during the day; early morning, noon, early evening, and late night.  They have different but purposeful reasons to crow each time.  Don’t let a rooster crow in your life, at any time of the day.  Denying Jesus isn’t as hard as you might think.