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"Christ  Awaits Listening Lovingly! (C.A.L.L)"

Ramesh C. Reddy
Publisher

SCRIPTURE:
"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance." (Philippians 1:18-19, NIV)

Approach Question:
When your loved ones need deliverance, what is the first specific thing you do?

OBSERVATION:
I asked myself, what 3 things do I learn about Paul?
1. I will continue to rejoice.
2. I know through your prayers what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.
3. I know through the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.

I decided to focus on points 2& 3 today:

Interpretations:
I asked myself what is the significance of Paul writing, "I know through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance!" (Philippians 1:19, NIV)
Paul is expecting his brothers and sisters to pray for him. He does not deal with his afflictions alone, thinking he will just pray for himself, but realizes the importance of intercessory prayer from the Philippians for his deliverance. Yet, Paul also knows it cannot be any kind of prayer to anyone.  Paul understands prayer alone cannot bring deliverance in people's lives if the prayer is directed in the wrong direction. People could believe in idols and pray to them without praying to the Lord of the Bible and they could just get a wrong number without getting the answer from the Lord, our God. It is interesting that Paul's letter has a conjunction: 'for I know through your prayers AND the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance'. Paul wanted the Philippians to focus on intercessory prayer through the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ. Wow! Amazing!

Implications:
I saw important implications for my own life. Intercessory prayer should become a priority in my life. When I pray for myself or others, I need to remember that it is the Spirit of Jesus Christ that brings deliverance through praying to Jesus. I cannot expect to pray to anyone who has no power and expect results. Paul wanted the Philippians to be focused on Jesus Christ through His Spirit. I need to do the same expecting deliverance in the Name of Jesus for myself and for others as I only call the Name of Jesus and no one else. Of course, Jesus is God so I can pray to God, the Father who is also referred to as Jehovah and receive an answer as I pray in the Name of Jesus. Paul may have remembered what promises Jesus gave in John 14, John 15, and John 16.

HOW GOSPEL GIVES ME TESTIMONY REGARDING C.A.L.L.
I have a wonderful senior pastor in Pastor Hugo of the church Oakland International Fellowship. He and the congregation have been calling on the Name of the Lord for Chandra, my dear wife and I to be together in the U.S.A. soon as she waits on her visa. Right now I praise the Lord even as my sweetheart waits on the visa, we can be together side by side in India. It is all the Lord's doing through the intercessory prayers of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I love how Jason & Andrea Huang, staff workers with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Thomas Grosh IV of IVCF, Brother Paul Bucknell of BFF, Faith Sadar of Campus Crusade for Christ, etc send prayer letters asking for the intercessory prayers of brothers and sisters for the work of the Lord. They realize the importance of prayers for their own deliverance in different situations.

I am glad the Apostle Paul did not forget the way Jesus delivered him time after time so now he still expects deliverance from the Spirit of Jesus Christ as the Philippians intercede for him. I want to intercede on behalf of my brothers and sisters too even as I know they intercede for me. I wait on the Lord and so can you trusting in the Lord as you call on Him.

I ask you now dear friend, who do you often C.A.L.L in life?
Dear friend, you may spend most of your time calling your boy/girl friend, friends, parents, husband/wife, etc. In the process, you may overlook the most important One to call often. It is good to call others we love but what about the One who loves you so much that He went to the cross as nails of three pierced His broken body so you can be set free. Jesus is His Name and He came to deliver you and me from the flame. Now, He wants to give us a new Aim.

Is that not exciting?
It is exciting for me! Jesus waits for your call often, for He loves you and wants to help you just as He helps so many others.

I also know I have not always gotten what I have prayed for or asked for but I do know that Jesus is in control and everything serves His purposes even if I don't understand. I did not want my beloved daddy of 37 years to die but it happened. Yet, through the pain, the Lord Jesus has given us peace that my dad is at a better place with no more suffering or pain. I need to trust in the Lord and so should you.

"Since the Lord is directing our steps, why try to understand everything that happens along the way!" (Proverbs 20:24)

Why don't you talk to Him?
It is not hard; just speak to Him as a friend. For He will be the best friend you can ever have.

Are you in pain?
Is your heart growing faint? 
Is trouble all around you?
Are you confused about your life?
The Lord wants to be your refuge and tower.

Why don't you give Him a call now?

Call Him where you are right now. Don't wait for some other time. Yes, friend now is the time to call. Jesus waits to hear from you. Oh yes, even as I write this, He waits to hear from you. He waits to hear from us all. There is no hassle with phone cards, telephone bills, quarters, etc. You can make a direct call to Heaven and it will reach our Savior. You have a direct line to God and you can access that line 24 hrs a day, seven days a week.

The number you have to dial is JESUS. You can talk to the Lord as long as you want. Speak to the Lord about all of your concerns. Lay them before our Father in Heaven who waits in anticipation that we do talk to Him about requests or life in general. He created you and everything around you. He loves you so much. Later on, Paul gives the same Philippians a promise to claim which is for you too to claim:
 
"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, 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." (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV)

"And how happy I was with what he created---his wide world and all his family of mankind!" (Proverbs 8:31)

"Christ Awaits Listening Lovingly! (C.A.L.L)"/"Who do you C.A.L.L often in life?"

PRAYER:
To get you started, make this your prayer:
"Hear my cry, Oh God; listen to my prayer. From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe. I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings." (Psalm 61:1-4)

Dear Jesus, I want to thank you so much that we can talk to you anytime and any place. You are always there for us. It means a lot to me Jesus that you don't hang up on us or say that you are too busy. But, you actually actively listen to whatever we tell you. Even if we keep talking, you listen. Oh Lord, you listened to the Psalmist in Psalm 119 and that is a pretty long prayer. Thank you whether our talking to you is considered short or long, you are there. You know the things we are going through Lord and we ask you for your deliverance. I pray for the one right now Lord who is so confused about how things are going. You know Lord the situation that person is faced with. You know the wishes they make. You know the pain they are in. Come Lord Jesus and please bring your deliverance and healing in that person's life. Hear us Oh Lord and please answer us for the glory and honor of your Name. Thank you for being our refuge and a strong tower against the foe. I love you Jesus. Thank you for answering our prayers and deliverance only comes from you. Help me to show my love to you the way I live my life. I thank you Savior. Thank you for dying for my sins and coming back to life to save me. I give myself to you and ask you to use me and lead me for your glory. Whatever your will is Oh Lord give us the willingness and strength to bear it. Thank you so much Jesus. In Your Name I Pray Jesus! Amen! Thank you hearing my prayer and answering me being my Lord and Personal Savior! Amen!

May the Lord Jesus guide you in His love leading you! Amen!

No matter what you feel in your heart, know that Jesus has come in and resides with you! You are not alone! To make your walk strong with the Lord, spend time in prayer talking to Him as you would to a friend. You don’t need special words to talk to the Lord. Spend time in His Word reading Psalms and turniLOVINGg them into prayer. Next allow God to heal you and speak to you through the Gospel of John or Gospel of Mark before moving on to other Books of the Bible! Slowly, let the Lord show you to which Scriptures He wants you to go to next. It is also important to be part of a body of believers to help you grow in the faith. Find a Bible believing church that preaches the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation proclaiming Jesus Christ our crucified and risen Lord who brings us hope, healing, and help by His grace alone!

Feel free to email me at reddy4hisglory2004@yahoo.com if you want to meet to study the Bible, pray with, talk about Spiritual issues or whatever is on your mind! My number is 412-641-9426

"This is my work and I can do it only because Christ's mighty energy is at work within me." (Colossians 1:29, TLB)

Express Your View

2011 DEVOTIONALS:

Philippians 1:19: "What reason do you have to R.E.J.O.I.C.E in life?" (June 15, 11, 6:24 p.m.( IST) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:15-18: "How are your M.O.T.I.V.E.S in life?" (June 08, 11, 6:45 a.m.( IST) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:12-14: "What have the C.H.A.I.N.S done to you in your own life?" (June 02, 11, 7:41 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:12: "How can you feel S.P.E.C.I.A.L when things are going so wrong in your life?" (June 01, 11, 9:26 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:9-11: "What is your L.O.V.I.N.G response be based on?" (May 31, 11, 9:01 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12:24: "Why should M.E.M.O.R.I.A.L day not be limited to a Picnic/BBQ Holiday?" (May 30, 11, 7:47 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:8: "Why cannot you be in a loving R.E.L.A.T.I.O.N.S.H.I.P in life?" (May 28, 11, 12:34 aPm.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:7: "Why cannot you be saved by G.R.A.C.E alone?" (May 27, 11, 9:23 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:6: "Where are you C.O.N.F.I.D.E.N.T in?" (May 26, 11, 1:03 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:3-5: "How can you attain a P.A.R.T.N.E.R.S.H.I.P in the Gospel?" (May 25, 11, 10:15 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:3: "How will others R.E.A.C.T towards God when they remember you?" (May 24, 11, 10:50 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1-2: "What do you do to B.L.E.S.S others in life?" (May 20, 11, 9:18 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why bother to let others T.R.A.I.N you when you are already a leader?" (May 19, 11, 10:42 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: "Why should you believe you are H.O.L.Y instead of being a sinner?" (May 18, 11, 8:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 1:1: Who will you be a S.L.A.V.E to in life? (May 17, 11, 7:21 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Philippians 2:8: "Why bother with the C.R.O.S.S. when you are living in the 21st century?" (April 23, 11, 1:32 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

2010 DEVOTIONALS:

John 12: "Will you be the offspring of the S.E.E.D cultivated?" (Mon, March 29, 10, 10:09 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

John 12:3: "What costly S.A.C.R.I.F.I.C.E will you make for Jesus remembering His stinky/dirty feet?" (Sat, March 27, 10, 11:06 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Proverbs 23: "What  has  A.L.C.O.H.O.L done to you in life?" (March 20, 10, 9:17 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with an I.N.T.E.R.R.U.P.T.I.O.N in life?" (March 13, 10, 11:40 p.m.)

Mark 10:13: "Why S.H.A.R.E Jesus with others in life?" (March 09, 10, 4:59 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10:13: "Why B.R.I.N.G Doggy Poo to Jesus?" (March 08, 10, 9:01 a.m) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "When have you become an A.D.U.L.T.E.R.E.R in life and what now?" (Feb 24, 10, 9:31 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Why D.I.V.O.R.C.E the one you marry in life?" (Feb 22, 10, 12:15 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "What do you do with what is P.E.R.M.I.T.T.E.D in your life?" (Feb 20, 10, 10:08 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

1 Corinthians 13: "How will you be someone's V.A.L.E.N.T.I.N.E using 16?" (Feb 13, 10,  12:16 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 10: "Who do you become an A.T.T.R.A.C.T.I.O.N to and why?" (Feb 05, 10, 9:43 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "How can you be a S.A.L.T in someone's life today?" (Feb 04, 10, 11:27 a.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "What do you help your friends E.S.C.A.P.E from?" (Feb 03, 10, 12:30 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "Why bother with H.E.L.L in life?" (Feb 02, 10, 2:39 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

Mark 9: "When are you planning to cut your hand, foot, or eye to escape Hell?"" (Feb 01, 10, 1:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy

 Mark 9: "Why heed Jesus' W.A.R.N.I.N.G in your life?" (Jan 30, 10, 12:41 p.m.) By Ramesh C. Reddy