God Will Always Remain Faithful

Have you ever felt as if you were running low on faith? There are times in my own life when it seems I need greater faith to receive an answer from God. Other times, I have faith so great, that it appears it would be possible for me to move a gargantuan mountain like the Matterhorn in Switzerland. I have a genetic connective tissue disorder that requires me to walk with a crutch and a brace. Although I have had a clubfoot for more than two decades, it has never stopped me from literally climbing mountains and crisscrossing cities. My dad and I have gone hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains and we have trekked through dozens of cities all around the world. Our record-breaking days have been eight and a half miles in Vienna, Austria, and nine miles in Bucharest, Romania. No matter the physical challenges I face, I have always been one to forge ahead, no matter what literal or figurative obstacles I may encounter.

On July 25, 2018, I encountered what would become an enormous roadblock on the road of life when I began experiencing an unusual type of pain in my leg. Discounting it as overexertion from our summer vacation, I tried to ignore the severe pain in my leg and foot. However, as I hobbled through pre-planning week at the school where I teach, I could sense the pain was getting worse. By the time classes began, it was all I could do to stand at the bathroom counter in the mornings to brush my teeth. The pain was so great; it caused my blood pressure and heart rate to reach dangerous levels. Just putting my foot on the floor was often so agonizing that it nearly took my breath away. Other times, the muscle cramps in my leg caused tears to flow from my eyes as my hands shook from the intensity of the pain.

On my first trip to the doctor, I received a prescription to treat possible nerve damage. Unfortunately, this medication did not improve my condition at all. As my pain worsened and a small lump on my leg began to enlarge, my family physician referred me to an orthopedic specialist. The orthopedic surgeon ordered a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) test to investigate the problem. As I lay in the futuristic-looking apparatus that took more than three hundred internal pictures of my leg, I prayed continually that God would deliver me from the trial in which I found myself. Although I had complete faith He was with me, even in this sterile, cold environment, I am afraid my human flesh was a bit concerned. Unfortunately, the rest of the day resembled a downward spiral, which did nothing to alleviate my apprehension.

This particular day began when the alarm clock awakened my dad and me at 3:30 a.m. My appointment time was 6:30 a.m., at Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, which is approximately one hundred miles from our home. As we left the hospital, planning to return in the afternoon for the consultation with the doctors concerning the MRI results, I received a call on my cell phone. Imagine my dismay when they told me to return for an impromptu blood test and ultrasound biopsy straight away. My mind was racing, for the only thing I could equate with the word biopsy was the dreaded C word. I silently prayed God would take away these fears and give me peace about this whole ordeal.

The next few hours were a blur of appointments and tests, culminating with the previously scheduled consultation with the doctors. As my dad and I sat in the examination room, waiting for the doctors, I think we both felt as if a dump truck had run us over. The events of the day had drained us both physically and mentally. When three doctors came in, instead of two, my anxiety level increased drastically. Although I cannot tell you all that they said, due to my inner struggle to keep myself together emotionally, I particularly recall the picture on the computer screen, which the orthopedic surgeon described as a soft tissue mass. In that instant, the so-called mass looked enormous. He gave us several possible scenarios, but we would not have confirmation of a diagnosis until the biopsy results were available sometime within the following two weeks. There is something very unnerving when a doctor asks if you want him to call with the results, even if it is something serious. Due to the travel time and distance involved, we opted for a phone call, even though he said one of the possibilities could be a very large cancerous, malignant tumor.

For the next week, my heart skipped a couple of beats every time the phone rang. My dad and I prayed, studied God’s Word, and sought the Lord’s wisdom in all of this. Still, the enemy tried to defeat us, placing all sorts of notions in our vivid imaginations. There were countless sleepless nights for both of us. Even with all of my trepidation, I knew God would be with us. I knew He would give us the strength to make it to the other side of this valley. The following Friday, when the caller ID read Mayo Clinic, my hand visibly shook as I answered the phone. I could hardly find a breath to say hello.

The doctor said the biopsy results were inconclusive. Considering the alternatives, I praised the Lord for this report, even though the doctor continued by saying that a computerized tomography (CT) scan and possibly an open biopsy were necessary. Two weeks went by before the CT scan appointment. Following the CT scan, I received a diagnosis. I had a pseudo aneurysm in my lower right leg, caused by an aneurysm in one of the arteries in my leg. One night following this phone call, I remember purposely looking in the mirror and pulling several strands of hair toward my face and kissing them, relieved to know God had spared me from enduring something much worse.

It was determined that surgery was required, but they were able to offer an interventional radiology procedure as opposed to open vascular surgery. Unfortunately, the first opening for a consultation with the doctor’s choice surgeon was December 3, 2018. As someone who had dealt with this excruciating pain for nearly three months, I could hardly fathom the idea of waiting another month and a half. My dad and I stressed to the doctor how the swelling and pain had increased, even over the course of the previous week. Thanks to my mathematician dad, we had actually been measuring the circumference of my leg and had objective evidence that it was increasing in size as well.

On the way home that afternoon, we received a call from the doctor’s nurse, letting us know they found another surgeon who could perform the procedure exactly one week later. My dad later discovered that this new surgeon was internationally renowned in his field of practice. That is just like God. He always knows best. On October 26, 2018, I found myself sitting in a waiting room, before the nurse escorted me to the preoperative area. I must admit, I was nervous. I diligently read my Bible, I had gone to the throne of grace on more than one occasion, and everything seemed to have fallen in place as if God was the One who had put the puzzle together in the first place.

Yet there I sat, repeatedly reading Psalm 103:3 (NLT), which says, “He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.” Although I knew God would heal me, I was worried. So what did I do? I called my daddy in the waiting room to ask him to pray with me over the phone. After he prayed with me, the nurse came to take me to the preoperative room, so I had to hang up the phone.

Soon I was lying on a hospital bed, complete with wires coming out of both arms, wearing one of those dreaded gowns that seem like a rookie tailor made a horrible mistake by forgoing a zipper in the back. The nurse asked me if I wanted my dad to wait in the preoperative area, which would double as the recovery room. Of course, I said, “Yes!” He walked right alongside me throughout this trial, helping me in so many ways, especially through prayer. I am so grateful to have such a loving father, who will seek the Lord on my behalf. As soon as my daddy sat down by my bedside, my anxiety slowly disappeared. Even at the age of thirty-seven, I still need my daddy.

Similar to the way my dad’s presence calmed some of my fears, my Heavenly Father’s presence is what brought about a complete change to my frame of mind. As I sat there, awaiting my procedure, I finally began directing my thoughts to my Savior instead of my surroundings. All of the sudden, I was completely calm as I began to live out the verse that says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6–7). In the midst of this trying circumstance, knowing I was bound for the operating room, I had peace that passes all understanding. I knew the Great Physician was healing me, even from that very moment.

As I lay flat on my back on the operating table for approximately three hours, there were times when I experienced some discomfort and even acute pain. In those difficult moments, God placed six simple words in my mind to bring me consolation: Jesus is my refuge and strength. He was the source of my comfort even in the midst of a very uncomfortable situation. God used the hands of an experienced surgeon to repair the damaged artery in my leg using twenty-five miniature coils. Yet the true healing came from Jesus Christ, for God’s Word says, “By his wounds we are healed” (Isa. 53:5). Divine healing can only come from our Heavenly Father, for He is our Healer. I praise Him for healing my body. God raised me to life when I was born. Once again, He has raised me up for His glory.

For nearly three months, I had mostly sat on our living room sofa, unable to do little more than walk to the kitchen or restroom. After much prayer and rest, there was some very slow, but gradual improvement. I returned to teaching school in early September, even before I was better, knowing my students needed a consistent teacher. The increased level of activity slowed my progress, causing several setbacks. Eventually, the pain, cramps, and swelling increased to the point where I had to stay home on medical leave. Nonetheless, God continued to work on my behalf. Following my surgery, I only experienced a small amount of discomfort. What a blessing not to be writhing in pain after such a long struggle with this battle. Although sitting on my living room sofa for two weeks following the surgery was quite monotonous, it was a joy to know I was on the road to recovery!

Reflecting back on this lengthy health battle, I can see how the enemy sought to harm me, both physically and spiritually. But I echo the words of Joseph, who said to his brothers, “‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done’” (Gen. 50:20). Satan may have attempted to destroy me, but God will always work things together for my good (Rom. 8:28). Even in the darkest days of this trial, I knew no weapon formed against me would prosper (Isa. 54:17). I had full confidence that God would complete the work He started and I would be victorious.

Inevitably, there were times I became discouraged, especially when I saw little progress in my recovery. I wondered if I would ever be able to get back to even doing simple things like sweeping the floor, much less setting out for mission trips with my dad. Still, I held on to the words of Psalm 40:1: “I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.” There are times in life when it will be difficult to wait on God. There will also be times when it will be hard even to have faith. Yet this is when our faith needs to be stronger than ever. We must cling to the hope we have in Jesus Christ, believing He will see us through. Even though my faith may have wavered, I knew God would bring me through this trial, so I could be more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:37). God has brought me out of the most violent valleys and helped me forge raging rivers. He will do the same for you. God will always remain faithful.

Watch my Facebook Live testimony here:
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If this excerpt has been an encouragement to you, I invite you to read a free chapter of my new inspirational autobiography, When You're in the Sunset, There's Sunshine Awaiting You, at www.jennifercampbell.net/sunshine. You can also order your copy of my book on Amazon today!

Best Laid Plans

Have you ever planned an outdoor event just to have it postponed or canceled due to inclement weather?  Or perhaps you have had to change a lunch date with a friend because of an illness in the family or an unexpected work-related appointment.  No matter how meticulous we may be in orchestrating our monthly calendar; our plans often take a backseat to something that was completely unplanned.  But even when our plans change, we can always rest assured that God will work all things together for good (see Romans 8:28), according to His perfect will.

I am reminded of something one of my friends always says when she is making plans.  She prefaces the intended plan with the words, “Lord willing and the Creek don’t rise.”  In the 1800’s, people often used these words instead of responding with an affirmative yes, in accordance with James 4:15.  This scripture states, “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.’”  The second part of the phrase, “the Creek don’t rise,” also originated in the 1800’s.  Back then, there were 19 tribes of Native Americans who formed the Creek Confederacy.  If they were to have another uprising, a person’s plans may have been interrupted.  In the same way, things happen today that are beyond our control.

In fact, our plans sometimes change drastically, without warning.  Recently, a colleague was in a car accident when they hit a deer on the way to work one morning.  One friend of mine is battling breast cancer and another is facing brain cancer surgery.  There are so many similar stories out there of people enduring seemingly insurmountable struggles.  Life is an extraordinarily fragile and precious gift.  There is no guarantee of tomorrow.  But we can take comfort in the truth that lies within the words of the beloved song that says, “Many things about tomorrow, I don't seem to understand.  But I know who holds tomorrow.  And I know who holds my hand.”

From personal experience, I can tell you that life does not always go as we plan.  My mom, three siblings, three grandparents, and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends are in Heaven.  While I am so very happy for them to be rejoicing around God’s throne, I miss them greatly here on earth.  Nevertheless, I trust God’s will completely, as I know His ways are perfect.  When I pray, I have faith that He will work all things out according to His will, not my own.  Sometimes, His answer may be yes, sometimes no, and other times, He may ask me to wait patiently.  If you’re like me, it’s often hard to wait patiently.  We live in a society that wants everything now.  From fast food to high-speed internet, this world has conditioned us to get what we want without delay.  Yet many times the one thing we need is to slow down and watch God’s hand at work in our lives, for His timing is impeccable.

The Bible says the Lord considers a day to be like a thousand years and a thousand years like a day (2 Peter 3:8).  Therefore, we need to try to realize that everything we go through on earth is somewhat temporary.  2 Corinthians 4:17 says it best: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  Although we encounter some very dark days on this journey called life, we can rest assured that something better awaits us.  Whether we are in a state of tears or triumph, we can take comfort in the fact that God has a perfect plan for us.

God loves us more than we could imagine.  God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus Christ, so our sins could be washed away.  Jesus rose again on the third day and is sitting at the right hand of the Father, interceding on our behalf (Romans 8:34).  One glorious day, a trumpet will sound and everyone who has a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will be called up to meet our Lord in the air.  Everyone who believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life in Heaven (John 3:16).  The things on this earth will pass away, but Heaven will be our forever home.

So the next time someone asks you to make plans for lunch or dinner, or a myriad of other engagements, be sure to include God’s will on your calendar.  While you may not comprehend the way things work out, you can find sweet rest in the knowledge that God has everything under control.  He knows where we should be, when we should be there, and who we should be with at all times of the day.  His calendar is not measured in days or months, but in lifetimes throughout eternity.  Put your trust in Him today.  For the best laid plans are not made of times and dates, but of the eternal hope we have through Jesus Christ!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Move That Mountain!

Jesus, Help: My Testimony

Let Go of Your Worries!

Looking Beyond

Ever since I was a little girl, I have had a burning desire to tell others about the love of Jesus Christ.  As an adult, I yearn for God to swing wide the doors of opportunity for me to minister even more to people around the world.  What about you?  Do you long for something more?  Is there a tugging at your heart to accomplish something bigger than yourself?  Beyond our occupation, our family, our friends, we are all here for a greater purpose.  God has placed us on this earth to fulfill a divine calling in our lives.  We are here to tell others about Jesus Christ and his love.  Just as we look beyond a picturesque sunset and anticipate the dawning of a brand new day, we must look beyond our current circumstances and fix our eyes on Jesus Christ.

Recently, I read the story of how the song, “Beyond the Sunset,” was written.  Virgil Prentiss Brock penned the words one evening in 1936 after a conversation at the dinner table.  The topic of conversation was an unusually gorgeous sunset at Winona Lake in Indiana, despite the storm clouds looming overhead.  Virgil’s blind cousin, Horace Burr, commented that it was the most beautiful sunset he had ever seen.

Virgil said to his cousin, “People are always amazed when you talk about seeing.”  Horace replied, “I can see.  I see through other people’s eyes, and think I often see more; I see beyond the sunset.”  Virgil said the phrase “beyond the sunset” and the striking inflection of his cousin’s voice struck him profoundly.  He immediately began singing the first few lines of the song.  Before they had even finished their meal, the entire song was written.

I must say that this story left me speechless.  This gentleman who could not see ultimately had greater vision than those with perfect eyesight.  He did not focus on the impending thunderstorm.  Instead, he focused on the true beauty.  He saw more than a lake, a sunset, and storm clouds.  His sight was not limited by the horizon.  He could look beyond the physical limitations of this world in order to catch a glimpse of something that was seemingly Heavenly.  He knew that even in the sunset, there was sunshine awaiting him.

I invite you to listen to my song, "There's Sunshine Awaiting You."

How many times in life do we look at our current situation and begin to succumb to a state of hopelessness and despair?  Perhaps you see your children hanging out with the wrong crowd.  Instead of asking God for help, your mind first goes into a tailspin of all of the possible outcomes.  Will they try drugs, participate in underage drinking, have sex before marriage, or even get arrested?  Once the myriad of possibilities stop running through your mind, that’s when you finally stop to pray about it.  Since when did prayer become the last possible course of action?  Prayer should be our first line of defense, not our last resort.

We should not dwell on the problems of this earth.  Instead, we need to pray and have faith that God is working all things together for our good (see Romans 8:28).  Jesus Christ is the answer to every problem in life.  Hebrews 12:2 says we should fix our eyes on Jesus.  It does not say to look around the world to see if there is a better alternative.  It clearly says to look at Jesus, “the perfecter of faith.”  Even when we do not see a way out and our own vision clouds our view, he will strengthen our faith and help us see the way out.  Every day, we need to stay focused on Jesus.  Only then will we be able to fulfill the calling that the Lord has placed on our lives.

You may be thinking I don’t have a calling.  I’m not a pastor, a Sunday school teacher, a musician, a singer, a choir director, a deacon...  As Christians, we each have a calling on our lives.  This calling may not require us to have a leadership role within the church.  Our mission may be to write notes of encouragement to those who are grieving, to help serve meals at the local homeless shelter, to volunteer to clean the church, or countless other ways we could serve the Lord.  God may be calling you to be a prayer warrior, going to the throne of grace on behalf of people who are sick, battling addictions, or enduring heartache of some kind.  Ask God to show you what he wants you to do.

When we get to Heaven, individuals who have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ will hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23).  What does a servant do?  They work.  In the same way, we should devote our lives to the work of the Lord.  The Bible says we should do everything we do as unto the Lord.  That means everything we do should be done for God, not for man.  So whether you are mowing the lawn for your neighbor, donating clothes to the church clothes closet, or helping collect items for someone who lost their home due to a fire, always complete the task as if you were working for our Heavenly Father.  He gave his only Son to die on a cross for our sins.  He gave his best.  We should strive daily to give our best to him in return.

The Hoppers, a Southern Gospel singing group, sing a song titled, “We’ll Work ‘Till Jesus Comes.”  That is exactly what we are called to do.  We are called to share the Good News with everyone we meet, whether we are standing on the platform at church or standing in the checkout lane at the grocery store.  Looking at the headlines, it is imperative that we tell people about Jesus and how he died to save them from their sins and give them the gift of eternal life.  The return of Jesus Christ is closer than ever before, yet there are so many people who do not have this blessed hope.  We need to be “Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13).  It should be our primary goal in life to share this blessed hope with everyone we meet.

Perhaps you think this is the pastor’s job.  Or maybe you feel an evangelist would be able to explain the Gospel more eloquently.  But what about the people who will not go to church or attend a revival?  How can someone hear about the Lord unless someone tells them?  Will you be the one to answer the call that God has placed on your life?  Will you take time to visit someone, to write to someone, to talk to someone and tell them about the saving grace of Jesus Christ?  You are the only Bible some people will ever read.  If you do not tell them about Jesus, they may never be able to look beyond their circumstances.  They may never know the joy of looking beyond the sunset.  Don’t let the impending storm clouds get in your way.  Set your eyes on Jesus Christ.  Allow him to use you according to his perfect will.  I can guarantee that your life will be forever changed when you start looking beyond the shortcomings of this world and begin focusing on the amazing plan God has for your life!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

The Redwood Tree

Did you know the bark of the average Redwood tree is up to one foot thick?  Due to the extraordinary thick bark, along with their high water content and lack of resin, Redwoods are able to more successfully resist the destruction of forest fires.  Additionally, the tannic acid in the bark helps Redwoods resist disease and insect infestation.  Redwoods are not indestructible, but they do have many characteristics that help them thrive in the environment in which they live, despite the turmoil that may develop around them.

In truth, we are a lot like the Redwood tree.  Just like this towering tree that endures through hardship, we have the tools we need to stand up against all negative influences we encounter.  Just like the Redwood is protected by its bark, we have protection through the armor of God!

Ephesians 6:11 states, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.”  Every day, we are going to face situations that tempt us and cause our faith to waver.  Just like the Redwood that often faces fire or infestation; we encounter illnesses, negative opinions, and other things the devil uses to try to alter our beliefs.

The Bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (I Peter 5:8).  But if we have on the full armor of God, we can stand up against every curveball the devil throws our direction.  God’s armor will protect us in the same way that the Redwood finds protection through its outer covering of bark.

In the book of Ephesians, Paul adds one more aspect of the armor of God.  It isn’t enough to simply have the tools.  You have to have the divine intervention of the Holy Spirit.  He says, “Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18).  I am reminded of the popular t-shirt sold some time ago in Christian bookstores that said: “Seven days without prayer makes one weak.”  How true this is!

Without prayer, our lives become even more susceptible to attacks by the enemy.  We find ourselves losing patience with other people, struggling to get out of bed in the morning, and having an overall negative attitude.  But through prayer, we can see our mountains turn into molehills.  Our storm clouds will turn into rainbows.  And our trials will turn into testimonies.  Prayer is the direct line of communication we have to the throne of grace.

You may be going through a battle of your own right now.  It may be that a loved one is knocking at death’s door.  You may be trying to figure out how to make ends meet, with only enough money to cover the electric bill or the mortgage.  Your car may be on its last leg, your job may be in jeopardy, or your children may be engaging in illegal activity.  I want to encourage you today.  Pray about your situation.  Ask other people to pray with you.  God’s Word says that where two or three are gathered together in His name, there will He be in the midst of them.

Through prayer, hearts can be mended, lives can be transformed, and miracles can happen.  No matter what you are going through, there is nothing too big for God.  No place on this planet is out of the reach of the almighty God.  He is watching over you.  Have faith that He will see you through.

Every morning when you get out of bed, put on the armor of God.  Buckle the belt of truth around your waist, put the breastplate of righteousness on your chest, and place your feet inside the readiness from the gospel of peace.  When the flaming arrows of the enemy come to harm you, let the shield of faith be your extinguisher, just like the Redwood bark dissuades fire in a forest.  Finally, place the helmet of salvation on top of your head and grasp on to the “sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:17).

God does not expect you to go into battle alone.  Just as He has given the Redwoods the ability to survive undesirable conditions, He has given you everything you need to reign victorious, whether you are in the sunshine or the rain.  So stand firm in every situation, allowing the armor of God to protect you from all harm.  Then you, too, can stand tall like the Redwoods, knowing that God is on your side!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Jesus, Help

Have you ever asked someone for a little help?  Maybe you needed your husband to move a heavy piece of furniture, or perhaps you were looking for someone to repair the leaky faucet in your kitchen.  Whether or not we like to admit it or not, we all need some help at one point or another.  Other times, the word help is not just used as a way to gain a favor, but instead, it is used during a time of crisis.  Think of a pilot who uses the “Mayday!” signal.  There are times in our lives when we feel as if we are on a plane that is running low on fuel, heading straight for the ground.  Life may seem to be spiraling out of control.  It is in these moments that we need more than a helping hand.  We need divine intervention.  In these moments of desperation, we need to cry out, “Jesus, help.”

On January 2, 1982, a premature baby girl entered this world in the midst of what seemed like a hopeless situation.  The doctors had given up hope for the little girl’s survival, since she was essentially lifeless.  Instead, they focused on doing what they could for her mother, who was also having complications from the labor and delivery.  This little girl had no chance of living a happy, normal life.  But her parents knew that God was faithful.  Struggling to cope with the situation, they didn’t rely on some eloquent prayer written with formal language.  They simply prayed, “Jesus, help.”

At that moment, the little girl began to cough, like a little kitten.  The doctors were amazed, yet some of them said that she would be no more than a vegetable even if she did survive.  Forget going to college or doing anything productive with her life.  But her parents didn’t care.  They only wanted her to live.  After spending several weeks in the neonatal center, the parents of this little girl finally were able to bring her home.  Now, at the age of 32 years old, she has since completed six years of college with honors, earning a 4.0 GPA on her Master of Science degree in English.  Obviously, the doctors were wrong.  God had other plans for this little baby.  Jesus heard her parent’s cries for help and He answered them.

That little baby was me.  I was born lifeless.  God raised me up and gave me life.  I am living proof that the same God who performed miracles in Bible times still performs miracles today.  Nothing has changed.  All of God’s promises are true, even in the year 2014.  The Bible says if we have faith as small as a mustard seed, we can move mountains.  My parents had great faith.  The medical world said that I would not live.  But through faith, my parents asked Jesus to help.  They sent up a “Mayday” call, if you will, to the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.  He heard their desperate cry for help.  Because of the miraculous power of Jesus Christ, I am here today.

There was no ceremonious prayer offered up.  It didn’t take an army of deacons or church elders.  No music was even played.  Two people prayed, “Jesus, help.”  Jesus doesn’t require pomp and circumstance.  He only requires faith.  Whatever you are going through, Jesus Christ wants to help you.  There is no situation beyond the reach of Jesus.  He can heal the sick, mend broken hearts, and restore lives.  Jesus loves you more than you could ever imagine.  Call on the name of Jesus Christ.  Ask Him for help.  He will help you, just like He helped me the very day I was born and continues to help me every day of my life.  He will hear your cry for help.  All it takes is a little faith and a simple prayer.  Your life will be changed forever.  Don’t delay.  Stop what you’re doing right now and ask Jesus to help you today.

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Keep Your Fork!

As a young teenager, I remember hearing my dad share a story he once heard that simply reminds us to keep our fork.  Even in recent years, I have heard my dad tell this story on more than one occasion.  The message in it is so simple, yet the meaning behind the message is so profound.  The story tells of a man who was told to “keep his fork,” while attending a dinner on the grounds at church one Sunday.  When he asked why, another church member responded, “For dessert.  The best is yet to come!”

What would the world be like if Christians everywhere held on to this attitude in our everyday existence?  Instead of griping and complaining about every twist and turn our lives may take, what if we simply held on to the promise in God’s Word that the best truly is yet to come?  Just as the man was instructed to keep his fork, we should keep our faith.  The Bible tells us to stand firm in our faith.  Yet we often find ourselves floundering, uncertain of our future, wondering if God can even hear our prayers.

We get caught up in whether or not the new flowers on the communion table match the sanctuary.  We grapple over the choir director’s choices of songs each Sunday and we debate over which deacon should lead the offertory prayer.  From paint colors to upholstery and cleaning products to hymn books, individuals in churches tend to focus on the things that are insignificant.  More important focal points would be whether or not the people of the church were seeking God’s will in every decision they make, not only in the life of the church, but in their own lives as well.

God’s Word says that without faith, it is impossible to please God.  If we micromanage every aspect of the church and never consult the true Head of the church, then it is certain that all efforts to succeed spiritually will fail.  We must put our lives and our ministries in God’s hands.  We must pray and seek His direction.  We cannot throw our fork on the tray every single time, expecting that a new one will be at our disposal.  We also cannot assume that dessert will be served with every meal.  Sometimes, we must delve deeper into the main course first.  In this case, we are talking about spending more time in prayer and less time waiting for the next blessing to ascend.

There will be many times in our lives when God says, wait.  He may not answer our prayers the first or second time we seek His will for our lives.  He may be preparing us in advance for a greater work beyond our imagination.  But whether we see the hand of God move in our lives instantly or years down the road, we must have faith that He is working on our behalf.  Just like the man who was told to keep his fork, he sat in expectation that dessert would be served.  He didn’t complain about the slow service or the fact he would have to eat it with a fork that he had used to eat his main course.  He just sat and waited patiently, with the knowledge that the best truly was on its way.

In Ecclesiastes 7:10, we read that the best is yet to come.  It simply says that it is not wise to ask if the old days were better.  We must focus on the days ahead.  You may be going through a trial that seems insurmountable.  Recently, I learned of an entire family who perished in an accident.  I cannot imagine the grief that their loved ones must be going through.  But even for these individuals, who are overcome with sorrow, I can tell them with a calm assurance that I know the best is yet to come.

God’s will is greater than our own will.  He always knows what is best.  While many things in life cannot be explained in this life, you can rest assured that God works all things together for good, to those who love God and are called according to His purpose.  One day, we will reach our Heavenly home.  The trials of this life will be a distant memory.  Everything will become as clear as day.  So keep your fork; the best is yet to come!

In Christ’s Love,

Jennifer

Pray Continually

“God is great. God is good. Let us thank Him for our food...” As a child, I have fond memories of reciting this mealtime prayer with my Grandparents. I am so thankful that I had parents and grandparents who always prayed over our meals and parents who always prayed with me before I went to bed. Even to this day, my dad and I thank God for the delicious food that He provides and we pray together before we turn in for the evening. But as an adult, I have found that prayer is an even greater necessity than ever before.

Some days, prayer is the only thing that gets me through challenging circumstances or life’s tragic disappointments. Whether I am having an awesome day or a not-so-perfect day, I have come to realize that each day only gets better the more I pray. Because the more I talk to Jesus, the more my mind is focused on things above as opposed to things on this earth. The Bible says to set our sights on Heavenly things. When I pray, my mind is fixed on Jesus, our Lord and Savior. When I am not praying, my mind is scattered among the many tasks that must be completed each day. This is the reason why we need to not only pray before we sit down to eat, or before we go to bed at night, but throughout every minute of every day. I want to challenge you today to make it a daily priority to pray continually!

Paul gives sound advice when he writes to the church at Thessalonica. He writes, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (I Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV). Paul doesn’t say that we should pray once in a while. He doesn’t say we should pray when we get up or before we go to bed. He says that we should pray continually. Once again, he writes, “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2 NIV). Paul is encouraging us to pray throughout our day, without stopping.

If you’re like me, your mind is suddenly aflutter with all of the things you have to get done. You’re thinking, how in the world can I possibly pray continually if I have to go to work, make dinner, wash the dishes, do the laundry, take your son or daughter to soccer practice, visit someone in the hospital, make cookies for your child’s class party tomorrow, take the cat to the vet, and shop for groceries. Not to mention the dentist appointment you forgot to reschedule because of the conflict with your other appointment to have your tires balanced and rotated on your new car, compounded by the fact that you desperately needed a haircut over a month ago. Needless to say, life is hectic and schedules are inevitably going to be busy.

Nonetheless, we can still pray continually. While it is wonderful to have time to kneel at the altar at church and cry out to God, or to spend time alone with God at home, we can still talk to Him throughout our day. I often find myself praying while washing dishes, driving down the road, or taking a shower. That’s the beauty of prayer. There is no set way to pray. Jesus gives us the Lord’s Prayer as a guideline, but we can talk to Him just like we would talk to our best friend. You know why? Because Jesus Christ is the best friend you will ever have. He loves you with a love that is unchanging, unconditional, and everlasting. He wants to hear your voice, whether you are asking Him to intervene in a particular situation or if you are praising Him for the good things He has done in your life. He longs to hear from you.

I want to introduce you to a man named Epaphras. Paul vouched for Epaphras, saying that he was a hard worker. But the most important thing Paul said about this man is that he knew how to pray. He writes, “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Epaphras didn’t just pray. He wrestled in prayer. And he didn’t just do it whenever it struck his fancy. He did it always. Epaphras knew the value in praying continually and he was faithful in prayer, despite his busy work schedule and in spite of those who may have persecuted him for the time he spent in prayer. Why? Because he knew that prayer was the key to living a life in God’s perfect and divine will. Epaphras knew that the only way to be truly happy and content with his life was to be in tune with what God had called him to do.

What about you? Is there something in your life that is preventing you from praying continually? Perhaps you are facing a difficult time in your life with the loss of a loved one, a diagnosis of cancer in your family, or a son or daughter who has gone astray. I want to encourage you today. Jesus cares about you. Tell Him all of your cares. Pour out to Him all of your fears. Jesus told His disciples that they should always pray and never give up (Luke 18:1 NIV). He is telling you the same thing today. Do not give up. No matter what is going on in your life, there is hope in Christ. Take hold of Jesus’ hand and never let go. Talk to Him today, whether out loud or silently. Every day will seem brighter if you give your burdens to Jesus. So be sure to cast your worries aside, talk to Jesus daily, and stand amazed as He transforms your life! From sunrise to sunset, don’t let a minute slip by without praying continually!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: "Always Faithful"

This article originally appeared in the December 2013 issue of SGN Scoops Digital Magazine (www.sgnscoops.com).  It was a joy to write the cover story on the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  I pray it is a blessing to you, just as it was a blessing to me to write it.  May God use the testimonies given below to encourage your heart and lift your spirits!  No matter what circumstances surround you, remember that God is always faithful!

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir

"Always Faithful"

by Jennifer Campbell

From the iconic Brooklyn Bridge to the Coney Island Boardwalk, Brooklyn, New York seems to have it all.  But, for thousands who visit or reside in Brooklyn, the most iconic location is not a bridge or pizzeria.  It is a house of worship, a lighthouse shining with remarkable brilliance in a vast sea of humanity.

The anointing of the Holy Spirit and the overwhelming love of Jesus Christ can be felt before you even walk through the doors of The Brooklyn Tabernacle.  The presence of God permeates the exterior of this historic building and spills out onto the sidewalks.  Whether Pastor Cymbala is delivering an anointed message or the choir is joyfully raising their voices in song, you will be reminded that you’ve been redeemed.  You will know that you are loved.  And you will be reassured that Jesus Christ will always be faithful to the end.

The Brooklyn Tabernacle has over 16,000 members and receives an astounding number of visitors from around the world each year as well.  The 280-voice Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has won six Grammy Awards and five Dove Awards.  They have performed at renowned venues in New York City such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall, and the Madison Square Garden Theater.  Most recently, they had the opportunity to sing at the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, D.C.

“Senator Schumer called me and asked if the choir could sing at the Presidential Inauguration,” said Carol Cymbala, director of the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.  “This was an opportunity to get up and sing before a billion people and sing the ‘Battle Hymn of the Republic.’  It talks about ‘mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord.  In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea...’  To be able to sing those lyrics to the world just meant so much to us.  It was an amazing experience, probably one that we’ll never forget.  And the intensity that the choir gave that day, that’s the intensity that they give every Sunday because they realize every Sunday, there’s new people coming through those doors that are so broken that need the answer, they need hope, they need peace, so that same intensity is what they sing with week after week here at The Brooklyn Tabernacle.”

While they have been greatly blessed to walk through doors that only God could have opened unto them, it is evident that they do not sing for the glory of it all.  Instead, their sole purpose when they step on stage is to give all of the glory, honor, and praise to Jesus Christ.

Carol stated she does not want the choir to simply be putting on a performance, but she wants them to be able to minister to people who are listening to the songs they sing.  Carol talked of her musical background and spoke of how the choir began during our recent conversation: “Honestly, I’ve never been trained in music,” Carol said.  “I started [the choir] in the 1970’s.  We made our first album in 1981.  We’ve made 27 albums.  I was a high school graduate, but I hadn’t gone to college or been trained in music, but I had an ear for music as a young child and I had an awareness of music when I was very young and started to play the keyboards, and I would listen to songs and harmonies.  I would be mesmerized by them.  I did come from a musical family.”

“My family has always supported me,” Carol continued.  “My husband and I work together.  I’ve been so blessed because I’ve been given carte blanche and I’ve been able to do whatever I want to do and my husband supports me when it comes to the music ministry because he knows that God has entrusted me with it through the years and he believes that when God entrusts you with something, He will lead you.  I’ve always had wonderful support from both of my children and my husband.”

“My husband and I began the church with very humble circumstances.  We had a little run down building here in downtown Brooklyn that seated 150 people to 200 at the most.  When I started the choir,” Carol recalled.  “I had nine voices.  The church was so small.  We had about 15 people in the church.  Most of those people were tone deaf, so you could imagine!  I would play the piano, I would sing solos, and I would direct from the piano.  I was doing everything, but I knew at that point that if we didn’t pray and if we didn’t depend on the Holy Spirit and cry out to God, I knew what we would do would be just mere performance.  That’s something that I’ve never wanted.  I want to be able to have the choir minister to the people through the power of the Holy Spirit.  So from the very beginning there’s been dependence on the Lord and His help.  That’s how it began and that’s how it remains.  Today, when we come in for choir practice on Wednesday nights, the first thing we do is go to prayer.”

There are times when this prayer time is extended, due to the Lord’s leading.  Marcia Frazier, choir member, shared, “I’ve experienced in the choir over the years where that 30-45 minutes would become the whole rehearsal, where God would just come and minister to our hearts.  On Sunday, the Holy Spirit would just come and bless the people because He knew what He needed to do in that particular rehearsal, where He would come and minister to our hearts and take us to that place of worship.  And that’s the best part of the choir, actually worshipping God with the gifts that He has given me and the ability that He’s given me all these years to sing for Him.”

Marcia told how she got into the choir.  Having been involved in music in many different capacities throughout her life, she auditioned for the choir two times unsuccessfully.  She was accepted in to the choir on her third time trying out, a year and a half after the first time she auditioned.  “As I was waiting for my time to sing for Carol,” Marcia recalled, “her older daughter Chrissy came up to me and said, ‘Don’t try to impress my mom, just sing.’  I just said, Okay, Lord, I’m just gonna sing.  I sang and I was accepted in.  More importantly, it was the right time for me to join the choir.  Two months later, they produced an album, “How Jesus Loved,” which is the third album the choir recorded.  That’s the first album I sang on and the rest has been pretty much history.”

One of Marcia’s most memorable performances was in Jamaica.  She gives a recount of the choir’s performance there: “This was the most memorable choir trip to date because of the reception of the people.  We sang in this open field in Kingston, Jamaica.  There had to be more than 10,000 people there.  We looked out to see a sea of people just like a wave of the sea with their Bibles up in the air and just singing the song “We Are United in Jesus Christ” with us.  They were just so on fire and relentless for the Lord.  That was a very, very special trip.”

Dr. Scott Pilgrim also shared how he became involved with the choir: “I came to New York to finish up medical school, and my clinical rotations were in Brooklyn.  I knew about the church prior, so I decided to check it out.  I’ve been in music my whole life, through various symphony orchestras and marching bands.  I had sung choir music at my local church in Oregon where I grew up.  So that’s one of the reasons I decided to start attending the church, just because I knew of the choir, I knew their music, some of their music anyway, and that’s how I got involved in the choir.  I just wanted to try out.  Six months after I joined the church, I tried out and that’s almost thirteen years ago.”

Scott said the best part of singing in the choir is the fellowship with its members.  “A lot of them become friends and even prayer warriors when you’re going through struggles,” Scott said.  “I’ve met a lot of lifelong friends in the group.  In fact, I met my wife in the group about a year after I joined.  It’ll be eleven years this month that we’ve been married.  The choir’s always held a special place in my heart just because of all the people you meet there and certainly the one that I met that is the most important person in my life.”

The diverse congregation and choir definitely make the church special and unique.  “What thrills me is our diverse congregation,” said Carol.  “We have people from all over the world in the church.  I think almost every country is represented.  They’re from different cultures, but because of the love of God, we’re all able to come together and worship Him.  You know, Heaven’s going to be like that.  From what I read in the Bible, people will be there from every nation, every tongue, every tribe, so that’s what thrills my heart because we have people from everywhere and it’s exciting.”

“The choir is an interesting group of people,” Scott commented.  “They’re from all walks of life.  I’m a physician, but it has less to do with who we are than what we are there for.  If I could just impress on people, it’s not about ‘the ministry,’ it’s not about ‘the choir.’  Because that’s not we’re trying to address people to.  It’s through our music, the songs, the words, the lyrics, everything that gets published through Carol is really meant to draw people to God.”

 “When my husband and I came to The Brooklyn Tabernacle,” added Carol, “we both saw early on the value of music and how it was so important to lead the people into the presence of God through music and through worship and praise.  It prepares him to minister the word.  Through the years, I’ve been in charge of music and he’s the pastor, so by ushering the people into the presence of God through the music ministry, it opens their hearts and when he preaches, their hearts are open to receive the Word of God.  So the music is very important.”

For Marcia, the presence of God spoke to her the first night she entered the sanctuary.  Her mom invited her to church.  She stated, “I rejected her [invitations] a number of times and this one particular Sunday, I thought to myself, let me just go to church with her this one time and she’ll leave me alone.  That was the night I went forward with my 10 month old son and gave my heart to Jesus Christ.  He took this rebellious teenager that was cursing Him, fighting against Him in every way, with low self-esteem who had a young baby at 19 years old and just wrapped His loving arms around her, cleansed her with His blood and gave her a reason to live.  I’m so grateful for Him, for my pastor, for my mom, for Jesus for dying for me.”

In addition to her mom being an influence in her life, Marcia says Pastor Cymbala has also influenced her greatly.  Marcia said, “He’s been someone I could glean wisdom from personally and from the pulpit.”  She added, “Carol, of course, is my biggest role model of a Godly woman.  Someone once told me that I act like Carol and I told them thank you because that was a big compliment for me.  She’s funny and she’s amazing.  When it comes to loving God and being sold out, she’s all of that and more.”

Scott says his influences span from Abraham Lincoln to his parents, wife, and Pastor.  “I’m a history buff, so I like drawing from historical context, particularly about our U.S. presidents.  My father and my mother both have been a very strong influence in my life, encouraging me on in music as a hobby, but also in medicine as my career.  Certainly, my wife has been a very strong influence on my life.  Pastor Cymbala has been an incredible inspiration for my wife and me as our spiritual leader and teaching me personally how to be a better man, how to be a better husband, how to be a better father, how to be a better Christian.”

Recently, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir released a digital single titled, “Redeemed.”  Carol heard the song on the radio while driving through Nashville and immediately knew that the choir needed to sing this song.  “I was moved in my heart through that song,” remembered Carol.  “And I said to the people who were with us, when I get home, I’m making a choir arrangement of that song because it’s so special because it sums up the Gospel.  It talks about God’s love and Christ dying on the cross, your sins being forgiven and new life in Him.  It sums it all up.”

Scott talks about how we’ve been redeemed: “Being redeemed means that you are covered by His blood.   It doesn’t matter what you’ve done, it doesn’t matter what background you come from, and it doesn’t matter what race you are or what gender you are.  When you put your faith and trust in God, He’s redeemed you and He’s called you to be His child.  Some of the words of that song probably fit every single one of us, that you’re my child, no matter what you’ve done, you’ve been redeemed.   You can shake off those chains, lift your hands, and praise God, because He’s redeemed you from the past.”

Marcia shares her personal story of how she has been redeemed from her past: “I grew up in a home where my mom loved God and my dad was an alcoholic.  He verbally, physically, mentally abused her and all of us.  I hated my dad.  I hated him, but my mom would tell us that we didn’t have to hate them, but that we had to love him as it states in Exodus 20:12.  That made me even more resentful of God because I couldn’t understand why I had to love him.  My dad didn’t come to my wedding when I got married because he wanted to have alcohol and I told him I was having a Christian wedding, so he withdrew helping me financially with the wedding and refused to walk me down the aisle.  I resented my dad for a lot of that and God has brought me to a place of healing, forgiveness, and love.  My dad is now 77 years old and has some physical ailments.  God chose me to be the one to take him to the doctor.  Now I’m able to present Jesus to him, not just through my words, but through my actions and being there for him.  Now, I can love my dad and I can actually say the words, ‘I love you’ and he says it back.  When I was growing up, he could only say it when he was drunk.  When he was sober, he was so mean; love was not even in his vocabulary.  That’s my personal testimony of God’s faithfulness and His love and the ability for Him to work in our hearts to love someone that at one point you thought it was impossible to do.”

Scott has also had his share of struggles, even though he grew up in a Christian home.  He shared, “I knew about God from a very early age and I knew all of the right things to say.  Sometimes you’re able to put up a façade, and not necessarily live the life that you’re painting.  You paint a very false picture of what’s going on inside.  When I went away to college, I was away from everybody that I knew, so I didn’t have to have that façade up.  My life took on a very different flavor.  I got involved in some things I definitely should not have been involved in.  It wasn’t until medical school that God really got ahold of me.  The Bible says, ‘those who put their trust in God, He will make their paths straight.’  Mine haven’t always been straight.  When you live 100% devoted to God, He’s going to take you places and He’s going to take care of you.  He’s going to make sure you have food on the table and your bills are paid and your kids are protected when they go to school.  It’s not just for the things He does for you, but it’s for the love that He shares with you.  The love that He has for us is so overwhelming that just to sit down and think about it almost brings us to tears.”

While the church and choir have both been supportive of Pastor Cymbala and his wife Carol, there have been times when their faith was tested as well.  The song “He’s Been Faithful” was born through one of these trials.  “It was during a time when my daughter was away from the Lord,” Carol reflected.  “She was a teenager and she had actually gotten involved with some young people that were in the church that had a very bad effect on her.  To make a long story short, she got into trouble and became very rebellious and for a period of time, left our home.  It was a very difficult time for my husband and me because we’ve ministered here in the inner city for many, many years and now our oldest daughter was out there and I can’t tell you how difficult that was for us.  Then, at the same time, I went to the doctor and the doctor let me know that I had the beginnings of cancer, so I ended up in the hospital and I had an operation, so during this time, my daughter away, going through this operation, my world was falling apart.  Right there, in the hospital room, lying in the bed, I was feeling really sorry for myself.  I just needed the Lord to come and comfort me, which He did and He gave me that song, ‘He’s been faithful, faithful to me.  Looking back, His love and mercy I see.  Though in my heart I have questioned, even failed to believe, yet He’s been faithful to me.’  That’s my testimony, because He continues to be faithful today.”

Marcia said God has been faithful to her because He has healed her body from a disease the doctors told her she would have to live with.  “That’s His ultimate faithfulness in my life.  He’s just all around faithful in my life.  Everything that you could place under the heading of faithfulness, God has been to me,” she said.

“He’s been faithful to me because I have no idea why.  But He is,” Scott added.  “He’s been faithful to me every single time.  He has unconditional love for us and He calls us His children.  He’s faithful because He’s an all-powerful God who cares for His children.”

To anyone reading this article that may be going through a battle of their very own, Carol offers the following advice: “Don’t give up.  Continue to pray and believe because God will definitely see you through.  Sometimes we look at everything through time and sometimes the answer doesn’t come exactly when we want it to come, but the answer will come.  God will bring you through.  He’s done that so many times in my life, when I’ve had adversity and challenges, and I’m like, what am I going to do now, but I’ve had nothing else to do but trust Him and through trusting Him, I’ve seen Him come through every time.”

The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir has earned much respect in the music industry and garnered many accolades.  When asked about their achievements, Carol said that winning souls for Christ is their greatest overall achievement.  “We have thousands of people that walk by our doors every day in downtown Brooklyn,” said Carol.  “Brooklyn is a borough of New York City and it’s the fourth largest city in America.   We have so many people passing by our doors.  Just to see the people come in to the church from all different walks of life.  We have people who come in who are homeless, we have people come in who are doctors and lawyers, professional people, then we have people who come in who have very difficult circumstances, so seeing them come in, ministering the Word of God, ministering salvation through Jesus Christ and seeing them stand and come forward and receive Jesus Christ probably is the most exciting thing.  And I feel that’s a great achievement because that’s lasting and that’s eternal.  That’s what’s so beautiful.  Everything’s going to pass away, but what we do for Christ lasts forever.  So seeing people week after week receiving Christ is probably our greatest achievement.”

“You don’t know who’s putting a CD of yours in their car, or in their home,” stated Scott, “or whose father or mother just died or whose child was in the hospital, or whatever’s going on in their life.  Music draws them closer to God and that’s the purpose of why we do what we do.”

Carol added, “In the past eight months we’ve been able to baptize almost 500 people here at The Brooklyn Tabernacle.  They’ve received Christ and that has been amazing and that means that the Gospel is touching hearts and changing lives, so that’s been a great victory and we’re very thankful for that.”

The idea of drawing people toward Christ is the number one driving force behind this Grammy Award-winning choir.  For the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir, the goal and aim of all music is to draw people closer to God and to lead them into His presence.  Their hearts are on fire for God and they are devoted to spreading the love of Jesus through song.  God’s Word says, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation” (Mark 16:15 NIV).  Through their songs, their testimonies, and their lives, the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir is answering this call, faithful to continue the ministry that God has entrusted to them.  Carol Cymbala and the members of the choir are living proof that Jesus Christ is as close as the mention of His name.  He will deliver us from all harm.  He will redeem us.  And He will always be faithful!

            I want to personally encourage you to visit The Brooklyn Tabernacle this month for their special Christmas musical production, “Christmas in the City.”  The dates and times for the production are December 15 (3:00 p.m.), 17 & 19 (7:00 p.m.), and 22 (12:00 & 3:00 p.m.).  “It’s a totally new production with new songs and everything, so we’re really excited about that,” Carol added.  Having personally enjoyed Christmas production last year, I can assure you that it will be a life-changing experience that will remind you of the joy of Jesus this Christmas season!  Visit www.brooklyntabernacle.org for more information.

Pray Now!

When was the last time you told someone that you would keep them in your prayers? If you’re like me, you may do this very often. But when was the last time you actually stopped for a moment, amid your busy schedule, and prayed for them right then and there? Recently I spoke to someone on the telephone who asked to pray for me and I also prayed for them. We both stopped, took the time to pray that God would bless each other’s families and ministries. It only took a moment of our time, but what a blessing it was to join together in prayer to our Heavenly Father. The Bible says where two or three gather together in His name, there He will be in the midst. I know for certain that He was in our midst as we prayed that day. We didn’t just make a promise to pray later. We determined in our hearts to pray now.

Have you heard of Epaphras? While he is only mentioned three times in the Bible, he is truly what we would deem a prayer warrior. For his ministry was one of truly gigantic proportions because he knew the secret to touching God with his prayers. We don’t know much about him, other than the fact that we know he traveled with Paul as a fellow servant of Christ. Paul wrote concerning Epaphras, “He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Epaphras didn’t just tell someone he would pray for them. And he didn’t just pray once in a while. He prayed always. He was “always wrestling in prayer” (Colossians 4:12 NIV). Paul compares Epaphras’ prayer time to that of a wrestling match. Epaphras struggled and fought, making sure that every word uttered to Heaven counted. He knew the power of prayer and he knew that it required concentration, stamina, and strength, just as a wrestler would need inside the ring.

Sadly, it’s hard to find any Epaphras’ in the world today. For there are not many people who will set aside time every day for uninterrupted prayer time. While I certainly pray every day, I am also guilty of not setting aside enough time to pray each and every day. There are work and school schedules, church functions, meal times, and so many other things that must be attended to in our daily lives. But even in the midst of the hectic rat race we find ourselves in, one thing is clear: there is always time to pray. Through prayer, we can see our lives change for the better. Through prayer, our grief turns to joy, our tears turn to smiles, and our wayward loved ones can find their way home. You may have seen it on a bumper sticker, a bookmark, or a t-shirt, but I know firsthand that this motto rings true: Prayer truly does change things.

My parents prayed for me when I was born. The doctors gave up on me. My parents did not utter some complicated prayer out of a prayer book. They prayed, “Jesus help.” Jesus used these two words to change my life. He answered their prayer when they heard what sounded like a small kitten coughing. While it was a long road in the neonatal center, baby Jennifer finally got to come home. The doctors may have given up on me, but my mom and dad joined together in prayer. Two people were praying on my behalf, with Jesus Christ in their midst. And He heard their cries. I thank Him every day for giving me the opportunity to live. I know that I have a purpose on this earth and I take every chance I get to tell others about the saving grace and love and mercy of Jesus Christ. He is the reason I am alive today. And I am living proof that He answers prayers!

But even though we know that He answers prayer, it seems it’s hard to find time to follow the advice given in the book of Hebrews that tells us to “approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need” (Hebrews 4:16 NIV). We may spend hours at ball games, watch numerous television shows, and ride in our cars for long periods of time, yet the majority of us cannot give even 15 minutes, half an hour, or an hour to Jesus Christ, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Even Jesus had a difficult time convincing His disciples to pray for an hour with Him shortly before He was to be crucified. The Bible says, Jesus “returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?’” (Matthew 26:40 NIV). He went away to pray two more times and each time, came back to find that their eyes were heavy and that they had fallen asleep. Jesus tells His disciples, “‘“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’” (Matthew 26:41 NIV).

When I read this passage, I am reminded of the exercise bike that I purchased a while back. I thought it would motivate me to exercise, having it sit in my living room. I always plan to ride it in the evening while watching television. I have “good” intentions. While I plan to ride it, I always find an excuse: I’m too tired; I’ll ride it tomorrow, and many others. My spirit is willing, but my flesh is weak. In the meantime, I am gaining no benefit from the exercise bike other than the effort it takes to dust it off, since it rarely gets used. In a similar way, Jesus is telling us that we may have good intentions to pray, but “life” gets in the way. Our earthly bodies become tired, too stressed, or complacent. Yet a life without prayer is one that can lead to temptation, as Jesus warns us. Prayer is the key that keeps us closer to Jesus and further away from evil.

No matter where you are in your life right now, Jesus loves you. He wants you to talk to Him, just like you talk to your family and friends. There is no need for an eloquent prayer. Just share your heart with Him today. Don’t be afraid to ask Him for help. Whether you are driving down the road, standing in the shower, running on the treadmill, cooking dinner for your family, going to work, or an infinite number of other things you may be doing, you can always pray. Maybe you’re sitting there, thinking, “I’m not good enough to pray. Jennifer just doesn’t understand. I’m a sinner and I know that Jesus would never want to hear from me.” Let me assure you, friends, Jesus Christ loves you and me unconditionally. It doesn’t matter where we’ve been or what we’ve done. Jesus Christ died on a cross so that we could have our sins forgiven and receive eternal life through Him. We are all sinners, but through the grace of God, our sins have been washed away. Don’t wait to pray to Jesus tomorrow or the next day, for it may be too late. Stop what you’re doing, call on Jesus Christ and pray now!

In Christ’s Love,
Jennifer