The Artist AKA Prince Might Be With The King

Many people all over the world are mourning the passing of the artist, AKA Prince. Personally, I hope he is in heaven, in the bosom of my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Last night I watched one of the programs that profiled some of his life. He followed a principle I admire and that was if he had guests at his home, alcoholic beverages, smoking, cursing and cell phones were not allowed.

At the close of the program, they showed him making a comment that I liked. I might not have written what he said verbatim but here goes.

"Every night I pray. I don't ask much. Then I thank Him."

I don't know anything about his spiritual affiliation but I was additionally touched by a song entitled, "THE CROSS" that he penned and set to music. And it follows:

THE CROSS

by Prince

Black day, stormy night

No love, no hope in sight

Don't cry, he is coming

Don't die without knowing the cross

Ghettos to the left of us

Flowers to the right

There'll be bread for all of us

If we can just bear the cross

Sweet song of salvation

A pregnant mother sings

She lives in starvation

Her children need all that she brings

We all have our problems

Some big, some are small

Soon all of our problems

Will be taken by the cross

Black day, stormy night

No love, no hope in sight

Don't cry for he is coming

Don't die without knowing the cross

Ghettos to the left of us

Flowers to the right

There'll be bread for all, y'all

If we can just, just bear the cross, yeah

We all have our problems

Some are big, some are small

Soon all of our problems, y'all

Will be taken by the cross

The cross

The cross

So I wonder if The Artist, AKA Prince just might be with the King. I think he would like it.

Areli MediaWorks | 2016

www.praywhatgodsays.weebly.com

READ AN eBook Week at Smashwords

THIS IS READ AN eBOOK WEEK!!!

From March 6 thru 12th

ALL ebooks by Christine Brooks Martin are FREE at Smashwords.com

Visit the Author page or click on preferred book titles below to access

Use coupon code RW100 before checkout.

Titles are:
PrayWhat God Says
Talk to God with Affirmations of Faith
He That Healeth Thee
El Dios Que Te Sana (Spanish version of He That Healeth Thee)
God Is... Each and Everyday
Little Book, Big Prayers (4-book series)
--Spiritual Growth
--Mental and Physical Wholeness
--Career and Finances
--Intercession for the Body of Christ
Christine's Short-Shorts

Areli MediaWorks  |  2016

www.praywhatgodsays.weebly.com

Any Seat is the Best Seat in the House of the Lord

One Sunday afternoon, I watched the Periscope of a pastor I had never seen before. Every word of his message was powerful and ministered to me greatly. It was just what I needed, when I needed it. From time to time, the person who was recording the scope panned the sanctuary. I noticed there were about nine people sitting in the first two pews. But the three pews in the back of the church were packed. And there were seven or eight rows of empty pews between the front and the back. I got so distracted by these empty pews that I decided it would be best to listen to the sermon and not watch it.

The presence of God was truly in that sanctuary. By the time the pastor was coming to the close of his message, everyone was standing and praising the Lord. And people came to the altar for prayer.

I dare not reason why the physical distance in that particular congregation was so pronounced. But I think about those "back of the church" seats I occupied throughout my Christian walk. Here are a few reasons why I sat in the back:

-- Before I accepted the Lord in my life and couldn't say no to invitations from friends.

-- So I could tip out at will for other appointments.

-- To be seen clocking in and out.

-- Whenever I yielded to sin, felt guilty and/or unworthy to be in the house of God.

-- When I was bound with depression.

-- Mad at God for not fixing my stuff on my schedule.

One time I sat so far in the back of the church that my seat was in my car in the parking lot. But the day came when I changed my mind about the need to occupy the back seat. I was a new Christian dealing with an emotional challenge and had skipped church for a few weeks. I was nursing and rehearsing that episode with a lack of faith. Then when I felt some conviction and decided to go to church, I sat on the last row, end seat. I figured I could tip out after I felt I had fulfilled my Christian duty and due diligence of "forsaking not the assembling with other believers." But the presence of the Lord hung in the sanctuary long after praise and worship. So much so that I can't even remember the pastor's message. I experienced a constant, overwhelming joy and all I could do was weep and thank God for touching my heart. I couldn't wait until there was an altar call to seal the deliverance.

Now I will sit in the last pew, last seat in the sanctuary if I HAVE to. But I like to sit as close to the altar as possible. I pray that in the future, the people in that Periscope, the members of that body of believers, will honor the shepherd of the house by sitting closer as he delivers the Word of the Lord to them. But I know that when the Spirit of the Lord is in the house of God, He fills every inch of the room. God won't force you to receive Him, or praise and worship Him. People can purposefully sit in the back seat, last row, whatever, and put on a spiritual haz-mat suit if they want to. But when you are willing to receive from Him, He can touch and heal you of whatever, whenever and wherever you are.

"For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand.
I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness."
Psalm 84:10