First Baptist Church of Diana, Texas

The fifth key to prayers that are powerful given to us in Colossians 4:2-3 is the key labeled, mind on the things of God. The Apostle Paul modeled a life sold out to Jesus Christ and given to His kingdom. Some might say Paul’s life was given as a sacrifice and he did say he was being poured out as a drink sacrifice speaking of his coming end. However, I do not believe Paul considered his life to be a sacrifice. Actually, he considered his life to belong to Christ. That is why he could say, ye are not your own but you are bought with a price. Man’s physical activity list generally follows his mental activity list. There are a few exceptions to that statement such as when a wife hands a husband one of those “honey do” lists or his supervisor at work gives him a list of things to do. Even in these circumstances a man does what has already been conceived in the mind.

When our minds spend themselves lost in the things of God, our prayer life changes and so does the power found in those prayers. Paul asks, in verse 3 of our text, for the prayers of the Colossians to center on the opening of doors so that he might be allowed to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ. His thoughts were truly on the things of God. A lesser man might have asked prayers for his safety or his health. Paul cared more about the Gospel than his own life.

Just how does setting our minds on the things of God add power to our prayers?

1. Setting our minds on the things of God adds power to our prayers by setting aside our foolish pride. The Old Testament reminds us that pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall. In Matthew 18: 1-10, the disciples asked Jesus, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom?” He replied by telling them to let the little children come to him. He showed them that a person comes into the kingdom like a little child, full of humility which is the counter virtue to the vice of pride. He went on to tell them to get the stumbling blocks out of their lives that might keep them from coming to Him in humility. He speaks of members of their own body such as hands and eyes. He is speaking of the things that make us proud. Our pride must go. If we are intent on pursuing God’s agenda, our own takes a back seat. When our agenda has taken a backseat and God’s agenda is driving the conversation, we have made a way for God to enter with power.
2. One of the hindrances to powerful prayers is the desires of the flesh. Such desires drive our thoughts and actions making it difficult to hear the truth of God over the lies of the enemy. It is a little bit like the little boy who desperately wanted to taste the pleasures of a bag of candy. Against the pleadings of his mother he ate an entire bag of candy saturated with sugar. Eventually, the overindulgence of sugar caused the young man to get sick at his stomach. He could not hear the warnings of his mother because the desire of his flesh altered his clear understanding.Colossians 3:2 tells us to set our minds on things above. The verses that follow speak of being hidden in Christ and dead to character traits driven by lusts of the flesh. Since lusts of the flesh are driven to consummation by entertaining thoughts in the mind, redirecting our thoughts serve us well in walking in the power of the spirit.

   Psalms 1 tells us to meditate on the law of the Lord. Meditation in this sense, is to apply one’s mind to thought and meditation. John chapter 15 talks about the words of Christ abiding within the believer. Psalms 119:11 says, “Thy word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against thee.” Thinking on the things of God clears our minds of the lustful thoughts that lead to sin.

   Not only does the word of God clear our minds, it fills us with victory. Jesus said in Mark 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes out of the mouth of God.” Just as bread sustains the physical body, the word of God sustains the spirit and grants power to the believer. When the believer walks in the power of the spirit in this way, he walks in obedience to God and his relationship with God grows more intimate. An intimate relationship with God cultivates a heart intent on serving God, brings clarity to his hearing God, and fills him with confidence resulting a powerful prayer life and a powerful servant of the living God.

3. Finally, keeping a mind set on the things of Christ and praying with a heart set on Christ, brings power to the prayer room because we are praying like Christ commanded us to pray. Jesus said in the model prayer found in Matthew 6:9-13, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” One can only pray this prayer honestly when he has totally surrendered his will to the will of God. He has become selfless. He can also only pray this prayer effectively when he knows what God’s will really is.Some have misunderstood Jesus’ powerful prayer in the Garden. He knew the will of the Father, it was for him to endure the humiliation set before him. He prayed specifically for God’s will knowing it was going to mean great suffering and persecution. The key is that he knew. He had spent time with the Father. He knew his purpose. His mind was clearly set on the things of God. The result of this prayer was a calmness in His humanity to face the strongest terror and persecution ever known to man.

All this talk of powerful praying brings us to a question, “Are we praying wimpy, meaningless prayers? Or, are we praying prayers in perfect agreement with the will of God, filled with the truth of the Word of God, filling our hearts with the kind of confidence in Him that causes our lives to be lived out in powerful faith rather than wishy-washy doubt? May your prayer be filled the power of God because you possess a mind set on the things of God.

The third key to praying powerfully is to be mindful of others when we pray. In Colossians 4:2-3, the Bible says not only to be devoted to prayer, but to also stay alert with an attitude of gratitude. Next Paul asks the Colossian church to pray for him and his cohort. Paul made no apology for this request but rather, connected the power of their prayers to his opportunity to preach the Gospel. Those of us in the ministry long for the undergirding of people interceding for us while we preach. While asking for prayers on his behalf, the apostle taught the principle of intercessory prayer and its importance in each of our lives. As we think about praying with a mind set on others, we can first think about the way it sets a posture for us to pray for others. Four attitudes can be considered that put us in the correct frame of mind to facilitate an agreement in with heaven in our heart that seems to unleash the power of heaven in our prayers.

1. In Philippians 1:3-7, the Bible says for us to pray joyfully for others. Here the Bible centers on two outcomes. a. He is joyful because they share in participation of the Gospel. b. He is joyful because he is trusting God to do a work in them.
2. In Romans 1:8, the Bible testifies of Paul’s example of thankfulness for others. a. He is thankful for their faith b. He is thankful for what God is doing their lives.
3. In Colossians 4:12-14, we see Epaphras labor in prayer for others. a. Epaphras prayed with a lot of effort – he toiled. b. Epaphras prayed in sincerity or earnestly.
4. In Matthew 9:34-36, we see Jesus’ concern for others. a. Weeping over the lostness of the people.

Praying for others who don’t know Christ opens up a vision of fellowship in the Gospel. When someone is far away from God and then comes near through salvation, the joy of fellowship we share is far and above other menial relationships. As I think back on those I have seen come to Christ over the years, I am reminded of how we rejoice together. If I can keep those memories etched in my mind as I pray for lost souls who are rebellious to God, to the things of God, and maybe even the people of God, I can then pray for them with joy based on faith that God will work in their lives.

Few events in this world bring more joy to the believer than when he sees God do a work in another person. If that person is family or friend the joy climbs even higher. Let us pray joyfully as we think of others.

Being truly thankful for people can especially change our attitudes in prayer. We are challenged to pray for our politicians if they are not the candidate that we voted to win. The test is if we can be thankful for their courage and even the things with which we agree. If I am thankful for my opposition in ideals or purpose, I can pray for them in a more meaningful way. To be ungrateful is a slap in the face of the Lord understanding it takes no more of God’s grace to forgive them than it did for each of us.

We are to labor in prayer as Epaphras labored for the Colossians. To labor surely means to exert energy as in work. It requires our minds, our spirits, and even our physical resources. Part of the labor we use to serve God is used up in praying for others. As I think about most labors, I remember that it requires concentration and most usually a knowledge or skill. Let us labor in prayer for others.

Jesus demonstrated his concern for others as He prayed for them and has he wept for them. His greatest demonstration was his death, burial, and resurrection. Stephen reflected this attribute of the Lord as he preached a martyrs message. Many were saved, but it cost Stephen his life. Paul reflected this same attribute of Christ as he prayed for his fellow Jews to be saved. Let us pray in a way that is concerned about others.

These four attitudes guard us from praying with vengeance against unbelievers and from developing a judgmental attitude. God save us from letting our own prejudice and judging hearts prevent us from praying in power.

Humans are prone to prejudice and judgmental hearts. Sometimes it is difficult for Christians to pray with joy, with thankfulness, with diligence in labor, and with deep concern for those who are caught in the devil’s snare of homosexuality, in pagan religions, or a host of other snares we may see as abomination. We must understand that while God does view some actions as abomination, His grace is sufficient for all sin.

The third key to a powerful prayer life found in Colossians 4:2 is a heart of gratitude. You will notice in the text that Paul says for them to pray “in an attitude of thanksgiving.” Praying with thanksgiving was at the core of Paul’s teachings on prayer and in the center of his practice of prayer. He speaks of always praying with thanksgiving and in everything, give thanks.

E.M. Bounds says, “Thanksgiving is but the expression of an inward, conscious gratitude to God for mercies received. “ Luke 6:45 says that our mouths speaks from that which fills our heart. In order to give thanks with our mouths, we must have gratitude in our hearts. Bounds goes on to say, “gratitude arises from a contemplation of the goodness of God. It is in this way that our gratitude becomes the platform on which we stand that gives glory to God.

What really happens when God’s people pray with an attitude of gratitude?

1. Their heart and minds are protected through the intervention of God by the peace of God. This is the same God of peace who settled the minds of the three Hebrew children in a Babylonian furnace. This was the same protection of the peace of God that protected Daniel from the Lion. This is the same peace of God that can protect you from the furnaces and lions of this age. This is the word that says be still and know that I am God. This is the word that says it is the peace that passes all understanding. This is the peace that Stephen had as he preached before those who would stone him to death.

One of the greatest benefits of a grateful heart is also a peaceful heart. Philippians 4:6-7 proclaims the protection of God on the hearts of those who will pray making requests known with thanksgiving in their hearts. Did you catch hold of the gravity in that statement? Hearts and minds are protected by the intervention of Almighty God when man develops a grateful heart.

2. God gets the glory and it gets contagious.

2 Corinthians 4:15 reminds us that the continual spreading of the grace of God causes thanksgiving to abound which results in glory being given to God. When God receives his place of glory in our daily lives, we are enabled to live in peace. Not only are we able to live in peace, those around us become infected with the continual awareness of the presence, power, and glory of God.

Let us strive for an attitude of Gratitude.

The material printed on this blog flows out of our Wednesday night services.  On Wednesday February 10, 2010, the Wednesday night services at First Baptist Church consisted of a special called business meeting for the purpose of contracting with an architectural firm for the development of a master plan, for designing a renovation of the existing educational building, and for following through with the construction of the designed renovation.  The discussion lasted for close to an hour and was a healthy exchange of questions from the congregation and dissemination of information from our Long Range
Planning team.

 This business meeting will likely go down in the history of FBC as one with a large impact on the future of the church.  It is true that it is only one more step in the journey. It is also true that some steps require more faith and have longer lasting significance than other steps.  It seems to me that decisions made last evening symbolize steps that will have long lasting significance.

 What an exciting time to be involved in God’s work through First Baptist Church.  Keep on praying, expecting, and believing.  The Lord has much to show us and many to touch.

The second key to open the door to a prayer life filled with the power and fullness of God comes in Paul’s second exhortation in Colossians 4:2 when he says “keep alert in it.” This translation is the New American standard and it refers to the first phrase which is “devote yourselves to prayer.”  Literally he is saying, in the middle of your devoted prayer life, keep on being alert.

A logical conclusion immediately comes to mind.  Keeping alert will take a conscious decision and there will be those things which will try to keep us from being alert. Of course anyone who spends time in serious prayer knows of the distractions that come along to divert our attention. Perhaps if the distractions are identified, we will be better equipped to walk in the victory of Christ Jesus.

I believe the enemy trembles when God’s people are serious about their prayer lives. For that reason alone I believe he saves some of his strongest temptations during times of prayer. It seems as though his methods are all so similar, he appeals through our mental capacities, through our physical bodies, and through our flesh or carnality.

The mind. The word used for keeping alert in Col. 4:2 is also used in 1 Thessalonians 5:6 as the opposite of sleep and drunkenness. There the Bible says, “so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.”  We will think of this in two ways. First we must think in terms of a clear mind.  There is often a continual struggle in intense prayer for control of the mind. The solution appears to be in the determination we have to keep our minds focused on spending time with Jesus. The mind can be controlled through discipline just as any other facet of humanity. Be aware and be ready for distractions in the mind – keep alert.

1. Second, 1 Thess. 5:6 reminds us of our physical limitations. The body will grow tired and desire to drift off. Sleep may pull at your eyes. Your body may cry out for rest. Perhaps your senses will take over and tell you of your discomfort due to heat or cold. Your stomach may tell you about your hunger.  This is connected to the mind for it is through the mind that the body alerts you of such things. Again – discipline is the key. Keep alert. You can endure slight discomforts if you concentrate in prayer.
2. The flesh or the carnality of mankind. Praying of the kind we are looking for in this study requires one to walk in the spirit. Paul liked to use the term in the spirit and is probably referring to the same thing John was talking about when he quoted Jesus commanding us to abide in Christ. To walk in the Spirit or to remain in Christ, we must be exercising spiritual disciplines through a personal walk with Christ. We must be in the Scripture, not to seek some knowledge, but to seek Christ. We must be practicing prayer and worship through a desire to be with Christ and in Christ not just to mark it off our good Christian check list. Of course, staying confessed up is also essential. If we are not walking with Christ or if we have known sin for which we have not repented and confessed openly to the Lord, we will be distracted from powerful prayer lives. In such cases, our flesh will be pushing back the Spirit.

Do you have difficulties with distractions in prayer? Perhaps it is a need for personal discipline or perhaps you need to deal with known sin. I pray right now for all who may read this blog, that you will overcome the things that distract you from a vibrant and powerful time of prayer with our Lord. If you are new to reading blogs, you may not know that you can register comments.  Just click on the link below that says “No comments” or lists a number beside the word comment such as “1 Comment” and you may write comments that will be seen by all who visit.

A great section from Paul’s teaching on prayer is found here in the book of Colossians. Paul gives us five keys to open the door to a powerful prayer life.

Key # 1 – Devotion
Key # 2 – Alertness
Key # 3 – Thankfulness
Key # 4 – A Mind Set on Others
Key # 5 – A Mind Set on the Things of God

In this section we will deal with devotion. Paul speaks to us in the 2^nd verse of the 4^th chapter of the letter to the church at Colossae saying “devote yourself to prayer.” The word devote is from a Greek compound word using the preposition “from” in the sense of meaning toward and the word kartereho meaning strength. Literally the phrase means to be with an earnestness in prayer.

First it seems as though the idea of giving your strength toward prayer speaks of the seriousness of the matter.  Only those things which are the most serious to us gain the bulk of our strength. This also speaks of the worthiness of the practice of prayer. Conversations with God that seek his heart and his mind are certainly the most serious conversations you and I will ever have with anyone. It was serious when Moses spent time on the mountain to hear the heart of God. It was serious when Jesus spent time in the Garden seeking the heart of the Father. It was serious when that little church gathered in the upper room to pray until the coming of the Spirit. It was serious the day you bowed your heart in prayer asking for your own salvation and the forgiveness of your sins. This idea of devotion speaks of the seriousness of prayer. I am reminded the Bible says you have not because you ask not. When we get serious about the asking, God gets serious about the answering.

Second the idea of devotion is one of giving you strength. This idea alone signals to us that prayer is work. It was work when Jesus prayed in the garden and it was laborious when the church banded together to prayer for Peter’s release.  As Paul speaks of asking three times for the removal of the thorn in the flesh we get the idea that he prayed deliberately and earnestly. Even though Paul received a no for his request, he also received a strong word of encouragement from the Lord. Sometimes when we pray we don’t get our initial desire but God gives us something better and stronger. In this case he received a powerful promise, “My grace is sufficient for you.”  By the grace of God, Paul learned how to experience the sufficiency of God in his own weakness. But much better than that, in every circumstance of life Paul learned to lean on the promise given in that prayer, “My grace is sufficient for you.” That promise, gained in an earnest prayer before God, must have carried him time and time again when the traveling became difficult. “ My Grace is sufficient. While in prison, while persecuted, while beaten and ship wrecked, Paul lived out the promise gained through the labor of prayer. Perhaps our prayers are powerless because there is no labor in prayer. This idea of work in prayer speaks of its intensity.

Third the idea of devotion in prayer reminds us that it is something that captures us. That of which we devote ourselves is that which captures us in several ways. First it captures our attention.  Of course when prayer captures our attention it is not really prayer that has captured us but it is God and the things of God. This is primary in so many ways but especially in powerful prayer. The thought of being captured by the Lord and the things of God suggests that our desires are turned to see the kingdom of God come on earth. It is to desire an experience with God in His fullness right here on this earth in our time. To give attention means to give it thought and interaction. When our attention is captured so are our other resources. That brings us to the second part of being captured which is a portion of our time. Here the Lord deals with our frequency. It was in this vein that Paul could say “pray without ceasing.” When God has our attention, life is a continual prayer. Rick Killian says it this way, “The idea is that life is an open book to the Lord. Every moment of every day is in constant communication with the Lord.  One of the first things that Paul teaches us is that prayer is much more than a spiritual discipline to be entered into during certain times and seasons. It should instead be as close and as regular as your breath, integrated into every fiber of your being. “

Now for a self check. Can you say you are devoted to prayer.  Do you think when striking out that conversation with God of the serious nature of the practice on which you are embarking? Perhaps you have taken prayer lightly or flippantly. Now is the time to change or repent and return to the seriousness in prayer you enjoyed on the day Jesus saved your soul. What about your labors in prayer? Are you one to pray the easy times like the blessing over a meal and skirt the harder things like desperately seeking God for all decisions in life? Even those that may require fasting and days of prayer prior to hearing the voice of God? And then, has God captured you so that your life is captured by prayer?  This is a call to prayer.  Let us learn to pray in power first by learning to be devoted to prayer.

Introduction.

James 5:16b says the prayers of a righteous man can accomplish much. The reference is to the prayers of Elijah in his battle with Jezebel and the prophets of Baal found in 1 Kings 17-18. The invitation is striking.  Someone who has welcomed the righteousness of Christ into their life can accomplish much through praying.  I believe that simple statement in James 5 begs us to come closer to the biblical teaching on prayer to see what it is that unlocks this heavenly power on earth and when is a man righteous in a way that causes heaven to act when he speaks toward the Lord. Surely there is a relationship to the model prayer where Jesus prayed, “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10 NASB). There is a connection between the man who can pray with requests on earth that match the will of God in Heaven. Some have prayed in that way.

The passage in 1 Kings speaks of Elijah who according to James 5:17 was a common man just as each of us are common men.  But this brother prayed in earnest that it would not rain and so it was for three years and six months it did not rain. Elijah endured the drought just as all the men on the earth at that time endured the drought.  He suffered along with them.  For a period of time the brook of Cherith where he was camped dried up and God provided his needs through a widow. In due time he prayed again and heaven opened up with a mighty rain. Elijah prayed powerful prayers.

Moses was also a man of great prayer. His discussions with God are recorded in the book of Exodus and show us a man who talked openly with the Lord.  Moses communion with God was sometimes private as when he prayed on the mountain. At other times it was continual as when God gave him the rod and he used the rod as though it were an extension of the power of God. I believe Moses was a powerful man of prayer.

Few have walked in the kind of prayer life of King David. A picture of his prayer life is found in 2 Samuel 24:25 where it says, “David built there an altar to the LORD and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. Thus the LORD was moved by prayer for the land, and the plague was held back from Israel.” The prayers of David caused the Lord to hold back his hand.  David was  great man of praise writing numerous psalms and hymns.

Prayer seems to be an ingredient in the New Testament when God would move His hand. The disciples went to the Upper Room after the ascension to wait for the Holy Spirit. After they had prayed together for a time, the Holy Spirit invaded the room and their spirits were given to the control of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-4) Peter was moved to preach his first sermon and you might say that Pentecost was ushered in on the breath of the prayers of the disciples. In some way heaven is moved by the prayers of the saints.

One could say that all those who asked blessings from Jesus were praying. When the centurion asked for the healing of his servant, he and Jesus had a conversation and heaven moved with a healing. The key was the faith of the centurion. Faith is definitely in the mix of what it takes to pray with power.

Another great story about answered prayer centers around Peter’s imprisonment. Herod has Peter arrested in the first part of Acts 12. Verse 5 says Peter was in jail but fervent prayers were being offered for him by the church.  In the night, an angel appeared striking Peter’s side. His chains fell off and he escaped.  A great part of the story is when he went to the place where the prayer meeting was happening, the servant girl reported to the larger congregation that Peter was with them, they refused to believe. Not all prayers must have faith in the immediate for an immediate answer.  God works mightily when people pray.

Not all prayers were answered in the affirmative and one of Paul’s prayers is no exception.  According to his own words, Paul asked God three times to remove a thorn from his flesh but God refused instead saying, my grace is sufficient for you (1 Corinthians 12:7-9). At other times it was as though Paul’s prayers touched heaven. While Paul was preaching one day Eutychus fell out of the window and was picked up dead. Paul hovered over him and soon Eutychus was alive. I believe Paul’s prayers moved heaven and the boy was raised (Acts 20:9-11). In Acts 19 the power of God is manifest through Paul in the working of many miracles. Paul was truly walking in the Spirit and surely we would make a connection between his teaching and example of prayer and the power of God on his life.

Perhaps as you read this thought today, you should look back over your years of communion with God and reflect upon the answers He has delivered to your prayers. If you keep a prayer journal, now would be an excellent time to praise Him for His greatness and divine intervention through your prayer life. If you haven’t experienced God’s mighty hand through your prayer life, do not be discouraged. The fact that you are reading this writing means that God is piquing your interest in a power filled prayer life. Continue with us on this journey as we explore the power of Paul’s prayer life through his teaching and his example from the Bible.

The following is the script from a funeral service for an infant in our congregation. Several in our congregation were unable to attend and the family has agreed that it would be ok to publish this sermon for our church community and others who might find comfort from these words.

Friends and Family, I am especially glad you have come today to join with us as we seek for a healing embrace of the Living God, as we cry out for understanding, ask for a divine touch of comfort, and worship our Lord who is completely righteous, perfect in wisdom, and always on time with His actions.

“In the most beautiful of gardens, even those tended by the most skillful of botanists, there is an occasional rose that buds, but never opens.  In all respects the rose is like all the others,  but something keeps it from blooming.  It fades away – or disappears – without having reached maturity.”

What happens in nature’s garden happens once in a while also in the garden of God’s human family.  A baby is born, beautiful, precious, but fails to come to its rightful unfolding.  This child, like the bud that never fully opens, is gathered back into God’s heavenly garden of souls – where all imperfections are made perfect; all injustices made right; all mysteries are explained; and all sorrows turned to happiness (Marjory MacMartin marj.macmartin@sympatico.ca)

Today we mourn our loss of such a child.  We weep, just as Jesus himself wept at the death of his friend Lazarus.  Even if we knew the answers to the questions that rise so naturally to our hearts and minds at times like this, there still would be no adequate explanation for this loss.  It is painful.

Let us Pray.

Matt 6:20-21

20 “But store up for yourselves atreasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;  21 for awhere your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Last Sunday morning, the treasure chest in heaven gained a new jewel as the soul of Addison Hernandez made her flight from here to arms of Jesus. Not only did Addison make her transport, but as the Scripture indicates, a little bit of our hearts made the transition to heaven as well. You see, the greatest treasure in heaven is the Lord Jesus Christ, but other rewards capture our hearts as well. There are the treasures that constitute the rewards for our works on this earth, but there are the treasures who have gone before. At times one who has lived out a fruitful long journey on this earth makes their way to heaven and we can easily celebrate with them even as we mourn for them. When they have struggled with difficult diseases it seems much easier to let them go. The fact that we can celebrate their lives and accept their homegoing makes them no less of a treasure in heaven. In these days our hearts are in heaven because that is the place of our treasure.

But a circumstance like this is not so easy to accept. With one so tiny yet with such promise for so many things it leaves us with more questions than we have answers. We will likely never know the answer to the questions of why this life was orchestrated in such a way? Why were our hopes and dreams not allowed to enter into a life with Addison?  We will not answer these questions today, and I find it more satisfying in this world to deal with what we know than what might have been or what could have been because I have learned that although we can dream and speculate about such things, we cannot really know such things.

We can know the things that God has taught us in the Scriptures. He has taught us that there are treasures in heaven. He has also taught us about the event that follows death.

He has said to us that those who die in Christ Jesus are transported immediately to be with Him. To the one beside him on the cross who believed, He said today you shall be with me in paradise. Through the Apostle Paul He said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  He has said to us if we possess a faith in God that changes our lives we will have eternal life.

But what about an infant? Aren’t we all born guilty due to our sin nature? Yes, you are theologically correct. The Scripture teaches us that there is none righteous, no not one. Even the most innocent of babies has been born with a sinful nature and is in need of redemption. No doubt, that truth is one most difficult to grasp, however, there is within the Bible teachings about little children who die before their mental capacity could develop in order to grasp the sinfulness of their heart and make the spiritual and mental step from self to God.

A great passage to teach us this truth is found in 2 Sam 12:21-23

21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? While the child was alive, you fasted and wept; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, ‘Who knows, the Lord  may be gracious to me, that the child may live.’ 23 “But now he has died; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but bhe will not return to me.”

If the child died, where did he go – into the arms of Jesus – to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

King David had an understanding that he would go to the child. The indication here is that the child has gone to a place of eternity where David would also go. Notice some things about this truth, there was no baptism, no circumcision, and no great prayer meeting to deliver a soul from purgatory. There was an immediate transport to the gates of heaven.

I believe this is proof enough of the biblical teaching about infants and heaven. Even so there is no direct confirmation of this Scripture from the Lord.  On this passage I find nothing else in the Bible that would contradict David’s proclamation. I do find support for his statement such as when Jesus said you can only come to Jesus if you come as little child. I find confirmation when Paul writes to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.

So Chris and Kathy, I believe today you have a treasure in heaven and that treasure is a human being which I believe is the capstone of God’s creation

In these days there will be many of us who will try to bring you comfort through words that we say.  Some of our words may be helpful and some may not. Please know that each of us are at a loss for words in trying to grasp the mystery of life and death that is before us. There is no human rationalizing capable of knowing exactly why God extends the life of some while shortening the lives of others. We do know that we live in an imperfect world due to the fall of man in the garden. We know that when sin entered into humanity, all of creation was affected and sickness, disease, and death will be a part until Jesus comes back.

Some may tell you that God wanted or needed a child in heaven. While that may seem to give purpose to a life, I am certain God is not the selfish deity that statement implies, He is complete in Himself. Some may say it was God’s will and in a sense we must say it fits within His permissive will. But understand, it was never in God’s perfect will for man to sin and death to enter in although He gave man a choice in many matters which resulted in sin and death.

Some may tell you that you are young and you can have other children. And while that may be true, we must remember that other children will not replace the emptiness you feel in your heart. Addison was a special gift from the Lord, unique and precious. Nothing could replace nor should replace her in your heart.

Chris and Kathy, we mean well when we say things that may even bring more pain than healing so we ask you to simply bless us for our effort to be of comfort and hold to the fact that there are mysteries in this life for which we have no answers.

Even though we may not know the answers, we can go on. King David, picked himself up and worshipped upon news that his child had died. What a great and challenging reminder of two very important truths for us to be able to deal with tragedy and in particular, a tragedy like this:

1.  While Addison has been transported to the arms of Jesus, we remain on this earth and our time is not over. We have other family that God has included for us to enjoy this life. We have a continuing ministry and walk with Him here. We must go on. We must, just as did King David, make a decision that life continues and we must continue our journey.

God is our greatest and only strength to cope with the tragedy at hand. King David prepared himself and worshipped the Lord. We must also turn a corner to worship the Lord even in the midst of our pain. CS Lewis once said, God whispers to us in our pleasure, He speaks to us in our conscience, but He shouts to us in our pain. While we are well aware that God has the power to intervene and that leads us to the place that we can desire that God would have intervened in a different way than He did, He is also the God of all wisdom and comfort. If we can come to the place where we can trust Him, even in this action, we are not far from receiving strength for our days and great blessing through his great pipeline of faith.