DEAR HARDENED HEARTS

I pray for the ones who are hardened. My heart pleads, "not so!" for the ones I love.

The Scripture speaks of the Pharaoh of Moses' time:

. . . “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” So then he has mercy on whomever he wills, and he hardens whomever he wills. - from Romans 9:17-18

Speaking of his own people, the Paul writes in Romans:

. . . the rest were hardened, 8 as it is written, “God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear . . . ” - from Romans 11:7-8

I plead for those who are hardened! I ask that hard hearts be softened, that their eyes will see and ears will hear. Only God can change the ones I love, and He will because I'm asking! Who are YOU asking for today?

The Price of a Life

Last week's reading reminded me of the value of an individual life:

Truly no man can redeem another,

or give to God the price of his life,

for the ransom of their life is costly

and can never suffice . . . - Psalm 49:7-8

It is true that we can't buy or give the gift of freedom to another person. Those who are trapped in darkness can be led out by God alone, but we CAN pronounce a blessing over our loved ones in prayer. Jesus defined the purpose of "Christian" work to the apostle Paul. We can pray along these lines as well:

. . . open their eyes, so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ - from Acts 26:16-18