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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 1:19, 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 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. 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 asked myself what are the implications for my own life?
Calling Jesus and 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. 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.

Yesterday, I had extreme right arm pain from the shoulder blade all the way to my right hand. Recently, I had dislocated my right shoulder after a dangerous fall and experienced this much pain after weeks. Immediately, I wrote to the pastors that I know and was so touched by the intercessory prayer of Pastor Hugo praying for us. This intercessory prayer can also be used by you to pray for others in your life substituting your loved ones name so I share it here even though it is personal.

"Dear Father God, we lift up our brother Ramesh and his family to you and and bring him before your throne of grace in this time seeking and asking for your all sufficient mercy, help, and grace. You know all things and do all things well. You love Ramesh and know his needs, his pain, his injury, and his situation better than anyone else. Please bring him peace, healing, and provide for his family. We trust you and we know you have a good purpose for our dear brother. Help him to find great comfort in you, help him not to be anxious, help him to seek and listen to you all the more during this time of waiting and watching. In Jesus' powerful and precious name we pray Amen!"

My body felt the prayers of Pastor Hugo from MD and the pastors of PCCO/OIF [Pastor Josh, Pastor Mike, Pastor Lake, Pastor Bucknell, Pastor Terence] in PGH who have been praying for our family in these challenging times that are also filled with the excitement of working towards fulltime ministry after working 22 years for a great company.  It is intercessory prayer of family and friends that is getting us through. When I thought about what the apostle Paul was facing in jail, it is nothing compared to losing my job after 22 years or dislocating my shoulder for the first time. Yet, he is able to say that 'what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance'. We as a family are believing what has happened to me will also turn out for our deliverance through the prayers of brothers and sisters in Christ. Like Paul, we are excited to say, "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 1:19, NIV)

My precious wife Chandraleela also called upon the Name of the Lord as we trust in Him and fundraise for fulltime ministry of writing, etc. It was also such a touching prayer to reach the heart of Father God. We wait upon Him. Thank you Jesus!

 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 watching and waiting for deliverance. My all time favorite prayer song is, 'While I Am Waiting' by John Waller.

I ask you now dear friend, who should you C.A.L.L often in life as you intercede for others?
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. In that call, you can also intercede for others for intercessory prayer reaches the Lord and gives results. Thank you Jesus!

Jesus wants to be your Immovable Rock, your Strength and Skill in battle, your Fortress, your Shield, etc so come as you are and receive your help from the Lord.

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. 

Yes, you can friend for Jesus also intercedes on your behalf before the Father. Yes, He does! My favorite prayer of Jesus is found in John 17. We have been given the privilege to intercede on behalf of others in our call to Jesus, so they can know what has happened to them will turn out for their deliverance. That is so exciting! Thank you Jesus!

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 should you C.A.L.L often in life as you intercede for others?"

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!

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