Articles and thoughts by Steve Green.
Another prayer by Scotty
February 2nd, 2010For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. Romans 8:14-27
Dear Lord Jesus, I am deeply moved today as I ponder your compassionate heart for the broken and suffering. And I’m equally, a tad fearful and more than a bit humbled, by the call to be a co-sufferer with you in the pain and suffering of those around me.
Oh for sure, for gloriously sure… your sufferings as our sin-bearer are over, Lord Jesus. As the Lamb of God, you offered yourself once and for all upon the cross. No additional sacrifice for my sin remains to be offered… NONE. No fear of being judged by God for my sin remains. Your perfect love has driven away all fear, uncertainty, pride and anxiety about Judgment Day. I boast and rest in your sufferings for me, Lord Jesus… and I also shout a hearty, “Hallelujah!”
I also cry out, “Help me, Lord Jesus!”, help me go with you into the sufferings of friends, family… even further into the groans of my own heart. Like most, I have an aversion to pain and suffering. Like many, too many… I would love the Christian life to be a spiritualized antidote for all discomfort and distress. I would love to “confess and possess”… “name and claim”… “gab and grab” my way right out of any more pain and suffering of any kind.
And yet the very Spirit that is telling me I’m a beloved child of God is also convincing me that co-heirs of Christ’s glory are also co-sharers in his sufferings.
So, Lord Jesus, here’s my peace, my only peace. You’re not calling me to suffer for you, but to suffer with you, and that makes all the difference in the world. You’ll never lead me into hard places where you’re not present. You’ll never ask me to do anything for which you will not give me sufficient mercy and grace, and the Spirit’s power. You’ll never leave me or forsake me.
Indeed, I want to know you better and better, Lord Jesus, and more of the power of your resurrection and more of the sacred fellowship of sharing in your sufferings… so very Amen, I pray, in your kind and compassionate name.
9 Comments »
Amen. And if we are dead and buried with Him, we shall be raised with Him also. As I read this prayer, I am reminded of the beautiful chorus from the Phillips, Craig & Dean song “Crucified With Christ”:
For I am crucified with Christ,
And yet I live,
Not I, but Christ who lives within me.
His cross will never ask for more
Than I can give.
For it’s not my strength, but his.
There’s no greater sacrifice,
For I am crucified with Christ,
And yet I live.
Comment by Beth — February 4, 2010 @ 5:58 pm
This is such a heart felt prayer, and so true. The Lord is with us through anything and everything. And the sufferings he brings us to and through, are for us to get to know Him more. To realize that we have to put all our trust in Him. He wants to go through it together! Thanks for sharing!
I have listened to your music with my family ever since I can remember (I’m 16 years old). I especially like “Oh I want to know you”. Thank you for letting the Lord shine through you and your ministry!
Comment by Natalie Gross — February 4, 2010 @ 7:39 pm
Steve, I love this - thanks for posting it.
Comment by Jeff Hooper — February 5, 2010 @ 1:32 am
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” - Galations 2:20
Comment by jonathan abel — February 8, 2010 @ 10:37 pm
Thank so very much for your absolute love of God and bringing into the world His wonderous truths with your Music. The words are so heartfelt and people can tell you love the Lord with all your heart. Your music in my eyes is the most significant because of the Glory and Honor and Praise your words are and combined with the music is the most beautiful music I have heard. You surely do “serve the Lord” and you surely hear “Enter In”. God Bless and keep you and your family.
Comment by Vicky L. Gash — February 11, 2010 @ 5:15 pm
WOW! Amazing! I am reading Breakthrough Prayer by Jim Cymbala for the 2nd time and today I was on the chapter about Fear Not / Be Not Afraid and how we should have Faith no matter what we see or feel, even if the mountains are cast into the sea, to trust the Lord. I love this and the other prayer from Lam. I needed hear both of these today. I have been going through some tough years as I pray for God’s purpose for my life sometimes it gets worse before it gets better. Was a rough day and this helped a lot. Thanks for always sharing and being such a blessing.
Comment by Jason — February 11, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
Steve, I wanted to share a review of your album Somewhere Between that I found on iTunes the other day. It was so moving and heartfelt, I just had to post it here:
“We lost a dear friend this weekend at age 26, leaving his first child, a little girl not a year old and his wife. He lost his battle to a brain tumor on June 16, 2007. I can’t tell you how much this CD has helped me, his parents, his wife, and so many… I’ve given so many copies away and am so glad to see that it’s available here on iTunes. May the Lord continue to richly bless you Steve and your family and staff. Your ministry through the years has changed my life and so many in my life. Praise the Lord for your faithfulness.”
What an achingly beautiful testimony to the impact of your music and ministry! May God find you as faithful as we have found you, Steve.
Comment by Beth — February 15, 2010 @ 12:35 pm
The more I read this..the deeper the message resounds on my soul.
For some reason, it reframes for me the idea of bearing one another’s burdens..and being willing to feel with those that are in pain.
As a counselor and a problem solver..sometimes I grow weary of the cares and concerns of others, if I am honest. But, Pastor Scotty reminds us that this is what we are called to do…so I should not be surprised that in my human nature…it is an impossibility. Because it is God who gives the grace and enduring power by His Holy Spirit. Steve, I am reminded of one of my favorite songs you did about “People Need the Lord.”
Thanks for sharing your life with us!
In Jesus,
Natalie
Comment by Natalie Kleefisch — February 21, 2010 @ 6:29 pm
Dear Bro.Steve,
Wow!!! what a Spirit filled,God focused prayer that was.Totally amazing and God glorifing.
I am not too certain if you remember what I wrote previous about my situation.The Lord has graciously allowed me to continue to suffer the adverse reactions to the Hepatitis B Vaccine.I will be honest it has been extremely hard.I definitely know what the “”Refiners Fire”"” is like.However,God has been so gracious in it all.I have seen bits and pieces of why He allowed this into my life.I have grown in a more intimate,personal,growing faith with my precious Lord and Saviour.
There are those days that are harder then others and there are days that I just go through them and even though I am trusting the Lord,I don’t really want to deal with the situation at hand.However,the Lord has so deeply shown me that “”"He was bruised for ME….why should not God the Father do likewise in my life…”"There is another thought that I feel deeply lead to tell and I feel that the Lord has laid this upon my heart.As we watch the world almost spine out of control to a certain degree–world events,etc….I truly feel that God is preparing His Bride for eternity & His soon return–(which is VERY everdent just turning on the news:: i.e.::CNN,ect….that things are rapidly drawing us closer to Christ return.
Again, God has so richly blessed my life through your ministry,or should I say the ministry that He has entrusted to you.
In Christ,
Ruth~~Phil.1:6
Comment by Ruth — February 21, 2010 @ 9:37 pm