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Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Looking unto Jesus
“Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2, NKJV). If you were to ask me what is happening in the world right now, I would answer, “Everything Jesus warned us would happen in the last days!” He foretold that men’s hearts would fail them for fear of what is happening on earth. He warned of earthquakes in various places, nation rising against nation and ethnic group against ethnic group. We have lived to see the beginning of all the end-time prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes. What did Jesus tell us to do when we see this? “Now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near” (Luke 21:28). Now, this sounds counter-intuitive because it’s a natural human response to be anxious when we see and hear dire news. We read the prediction of earthquakes in the Bible, and here they are in today’s headlines. Rumors of wars and uprisings today echo old prophesies that are now coming to life before our very eyes. We are flooded with foreboding; our adrenaline spikes, and we can feel the anxiety coursing through our veins. Our hearts “fail us for fear.” Will we make it? Will our families survive? Jesus is adamant. “Look up,” he says. “Stay focused on me.” He continually pulls our thoughts back to him. Psalm 46:2 should be written on our hearts: “Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.” David’s calming words are a reminder that God has brought us this far and he will take us to the finish line. God’s desire is that we draw close to him and never forget that he has all things under his control. Let your heart be encouraged that he is coming soon. Our redemption is at hand! “Let us hold fast the profession of our hope without wavering; for He who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Hope in the Coming Storm
David gives us a clear picture of Jesus’ attitude in the face of the coming storm. Peter preached from David’s psalms, which speak prophetically of Christ, saying, “I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is at my right hand, that I may not be shaken” (Acts 2:25, NKJV). The literal meaning here is “I was always in his presence, beholding his face.” David added, “Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope” (Acts 2:26). Here is the secret: Jesus kept the Father always before his face! He continually sought out secret places to be shut in with his Father. It was only after being in God’s presence that Christ came forth to minister, fully persuaded that his Father was always with him. “He’s right beside me and nothing on this earth can move me.” The Greek word for move here means “agitated, shaken or disturbed.” Jesus was saying, “No evil, trouble or misfortune can cast me down or shake my confidence. My Father is in complete control.” Beloved, if we’re going to face the coming storm, we must be prepared so nothing disturbs our spirit. The only way to do that is to spend time in the Father’s presence beholding his face. We have to be shut in with him in prayer, practicing his presence, seeking him until we’re thoroughly persuaded that he is at our right hand. The Lord assures us, “Don’t be moved or agitated by anything you see. Keep your eyes focused on me and you’ll retain your joy.” Peter quoted the psalms and David’s words, saying, “You have made known to me the ways of life; You will make me full of joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28). He was essentially declaring, “I faced everything that you will face in the closing days of time. I had the same foreboding because I saw the coming storm. I ran into the presence of my Father, and he calmed my spirit by showing me the outcome. In his presence I found all the joy, hope and rest I would ever need to the very end.” My flesh will rest in hope. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
When our enemies heard that it was known to us and that God had frustrated their plan, we all returned to the wall, each to his work. From that day on, half of my servants worked on construction, and half held the spears, shields, bows, and coats of mail. And the leaders stood behind the whole house of Judah, who were building on the wall. Those who carried burdens were loaded in such a way that each labored on the work with one hand and held his weapon with the other. And each of the builders had his sword strapped at his side while he built. The man who sounded the trumpet was beside me. And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us." - Nehemiah 4:15-20
Before these verses, we read in verse 14, "And I looked and arose and said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your homes." In this verse, Nehemiah set the table for his and the Israelites' work of building the wall and defending themselves. Nehemiah motivated them, but that was not enough to finish the job. The Israelites recognized that each had a specific role in building the wall. For the job to be completed, the Israelites had to understand their role and that every assignment was significant, and they had to be in a place to hear the trumpet. This is also true of our spiritual roles; as followers of Jesus, we function best when we use the gifts and talents given to us by God. We must recognize that each gift is meaningful and all are necessary to accomplish the assignments God has for us. The kingdom work before us can be achieved with greater unity when followers are using their God-given gifts and talents and not functioning out of jealousy or competition with someone else's gifts and talents. Living out the Great Commandment and the Great Commission should be our focus as followers of Christ. We should take this to heart as followers of Jesus so we can stand together and be about our heavenly Father's business until the trumpet sounds. Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gifts, talents, and assignments You have given Your followers. May each follower of Christ be faithful in carrying out their assignment while using the gifts and talents You have given them. Lord Jesus, may Your Kingdom come, and Your will be done here on earth as in Heaven. In Jesus' Name. Amen. As we seek to advance faith, family, and freedom together, may the Holy Spirit be free to work in your life. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Tested by Our Falls and Failing
Our failures constantly test us. I do not mean that Christians who fall back into old sins and turn back to the world are being tested. No, those believers face a shipwreck of faith. I am talking about believers who are growing in holiness and are set on following the Lord. Peter gave them a warning: “You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked” (2 Peter 3:17 NKJV). Some of you may have taken a fall in spite of all the progress you’ve made with the Lord. For example, maybe you’ve had a family disagreement. You may say, “It was a fit of anger. I was provoked by my own family, and I blew up. I can’t understand it. I thought I was becoming a little sweeter, a little more like Jesus, but somebody pushed the wrong button, and I lost it. I’m only human.” It doesn’t matter that you were provoked or even that you were in the right. The provoking simply proved you need deliverance. Scripture says, “Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31). God is going to keep testing you until you say, “I’ve got a spirit in me that’s got to go.” You will see no growth in Christ, no peace at home or on the job, until you can say, “You’re right, Lord. Take it out!” If you’re being tested in this area or any other area for that matter, you may be thinking, “I feel so unworthy. How much ground have I lost? Does the Lord still love me?” Friend, if you have truly repented, you haven’t lost any ground whatsoever. God puts his loving arms around you and says, “I allowed that to happen so you would see what is in your heart, but be assured that you’re making progress. You have said you want to walk with me, and I am teaching you. I know what is inside of you and will allow you to be provoked until you are free.” Are you being tested? If so, pray, “Lord, you have put your finger on some areas in me that need to change. Help me make those changes and encourage me that I’m not going backward. I’m going forward with you!” |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Fine-Tuning Your Mind and Spirit
If there is one word that expresses God’s nature, it’s harmony. From the moment he spread out the heavens and filled the earth with life, every component worked together. We see this symphony all around us, from the stars to the jungles to the hidden caverns deep in the ocean. It is the same with humans. God designed every part of us to work together in divine synchronicity. Today, even with our advanced knowledge, we have only scratched the surface of the interconnection between mind, body and spirit. What we know for sure is that good, balanced health is up to us and that we are stronger in some areas than in others. Squeezing in time for physical exercise competes with my need to spend time with God. My phone and computer threaten me with mental overload, and I’m then stressed around my loved ones. Where do we find balance? First, ask God to show you the areas in your life that need nourishment. Sometimes we even need to ask for desire and motivation. Ask for wisdom, for resources, for help from others. He is the source, so ask big! Scripture gives us a boost of faith: “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16, ESV). Second, take it one step at a time. One phone call to encourage someone, ten minutes in prayer or a walk around the block are more beneficial than you think. It’s important to set realistic goals that give us confidence to move forward. Third, reach out. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Asking for help honors God and gives others an opportunity to serve. People in leadership often struggle with this, feeling like they should always be the ones to help. It’s important to remember how much Jesus relied on his disciples and modeled relational living. Don’t underestimate your value. You and I are exquisitely designed and worthy of care. As “instruments of righteousness” (see Romans 6:13), our lives are a song of praise to our creator. “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Thessalonians 5:23). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
"For the people of Israel and the sons of Levi shall bring the contribution of grain, wine, and oil to the chambers, where the vessels of the sanctuary are, as well as the priests who minister, and the gatekeepers and the singers. We will not neglect the house of our God." - Nehemiah 10:39
We often hear of work deferred on buildings because the owner sees it as someone else's responsibility or does not want to use his or her financial resources to maintain the structure. What could have been a minor repair turns into a significant undertaking with a heftier price tag. When the Israelites began rebuilding the temple and the city of Jerusalem, they agreed not to neglect the house of God. They also agreed to bring in tithes and offerings throughout the year. In Nehemiah 10:28 and the following verses, we see that they agreed to spend money in ways that brought glory to God. The Bible calls us to be givers, aligning ourselves with God, the ultimate giver. While church and other ministry buildings exist and house good work, there is a house of God that is greater than any physical building. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body." These two verses should motivate us to read and study the Bible, pray, and spend time in the presence of God. Sadly, we often allow our hearts to instead be divided by the things of this world. Today, I urge you not to neglect your spiritual body, so you don't fall into spiritual death. In John 10:10, we read, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." God desires the best for your life. May you receive what He has for you today and never neglect it. Heavenly Father, I thank you for every person reading this word. I pray that they have professed their faith in Jesus, have a hunger to read and study the Bible, and will not neglect their dwelling place. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
God’s Military Outpost in Us
Peter said, “[We] are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:5, NKJV). I see in this a prophecy that in these last days God is once more going to reveal his keeping power to his people. Christ prayed to the Father concerning his disciples, saying, “While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you gave me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the scripture might be fulfilled” (John 17:12). The disciples were sustained by a mighty power outside of themselves. They could not have made it a single day without Christ's keeping power. What a glorious prayer Christ prayed on our behalf! “I do not pray that you should take them out of the world, but that you should keep them from the evil one” (John 17:15). In the Greek, the work ‘kept’ is very expressive. As used in 1 Peter 1:5, it means “to establish a military outpost, to guard, hem in, protect with a garrison, to establish a fortress with a full military line, with full military apparatus, to discern the enemy far in advance and protect from danger.” Not only is the Lord a strong tower, but he establishes in us a fully-manned military base. We actually become a powerful outpost with armies of soldiers and weapons ready for combat and with a lookout who sees the oncoming enemy far in advance. Jesus prayed, “Keep them from the evil...” The Greek word for ‘keep’ means “deliverance from the effect or influence of anything bad, evil, grievous, harmful, lewd, malicious, or wicked” and “deliverance from Satan himself and all that is corrupt or diseased.” Put it all together, and it seems almost too good to believe. We are God's military outpost, protected by a fully-equipped spiritual army in full battle array, completely informed of every enemy plan and device, wholly defended against Satan and every evil power. We can now understand what the scripture means when it says, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Investing in Morals or Hearts?
At the beginning of Acts when Jesus was resurrected and found the disciples, do you remember what they asked him when they saw him? “So when they had come together, they asked him, ‘Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?’ He said to them, ‘It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority’” (Acts 1:6-7, ESV). They wanted a type of Christian nationalism for Israel. We have to be careful when we start asking God questions like “When will you heal the sick? When will you take my prodigal children and bring them back to the cross? When will you cause churches to be holy and righteous?” When we ask these questions, are we asking deep down, “When will you come and let the glory of your name be known?” Or are we asking, “Will you at this time restore the nation of America to its former glory?” If we are invested more in changing the morals of our nation than we are in people’s hearts turning to God, we are living under a theology of man’s glory rather than a theology of the cross. We used to be ‘moral’ in America. In the 1950s, our culture was very ‘moral’, but so many people were still lost. People down in the South almost all went to church. If you were a real estate agent or salesman of some sort, the best place to make contacts and build a better business was in church. So many people back then were no more Christian than they are, or aren’t, today. People desperately needed a theology of the cross that didn’t depend on their hard work to perfect themselves or earn God’s blessing. This is why Paul wrote, “But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles” (1 Corinthians 1:23). We should be like him and say, “I don't preach personal glory that comes through prosperity and materialism and God doing what I want for my life. Nor do I preach national glory that says my nation is better than yours. I don't preach anything but the cross of Jesus Christ. Through him and him alone will people be saved and lives transformed!” |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Just Before Victory If you are suffering, it may be that God is working things out for you in his own way. It is most often the sovereign work of our God unfolding a master plan known only to him. Through all the suffering of God's people, he is at work. Study your Bible, and you will discover these same patterns in the lives of all of God's people. In case after case, when God began to fulfill his promise, the roof seemed to cave in first! Think of Daniel and the three Hebrew children. They gave themselves to a life of holiness and separation from the world and all its pleasures. Daniel pledged himself to a life of prayer, tears and intercession, but what did that get him and his three friends? Testing just before victory. You don't go from the prayer closet to some mountaintop victory; you go to the lions' den. You don't go from consecration to a life of ease and blessing only; you go to the fiery furnace. These men were not afraid to face pain and suffering, because they knew it always ended in God having his way. Think of Elijah. God gave him a glorious promise of a spiritual awakening in the land, an outpouring of abundant rain and a new day of victory for God's people. Look at all the confusion that broke out after the promise was given. Jezebel threatened his life, chasing him into hiding in the mountains. Wicked forces killed the prophets of God, and the land continued in wickedness and drought. Can you imagine how confused Elijah must have been? “What kind of answered prayer is this? I'm left all on my own. Where is the Lord? Has his promise failed?” All the while God was doing exactly what he said he would do. The confusion would soon pass and the answer would be forthcoming. Christ left his disciples a promise that could have seen them through all the confusion and pain, but they were too broken up in sorrow to remember. He had told them, “After I am risen, I will go before you into Galilee” (Matthew 26:32, NKJV). In other words, “Don't try to figure it all out. Don't question the time of confusion. It's not your battle. God is at work! When this is all over, I will still be going before you. Your shepherd will still be there.” What an encouraging word! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Why Do the Righteous Suffer?
Some people read the Book of Job and think that the driving question behind it is “Why does God allow suffering?” The real issue behind Job, though, is “The righteous suffer, and we sometimes don’t know why.” The Bible openly admits that the righteous will suffer simply because of their acts of faith. “We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you” (1 John 3:12-13, ESV). “Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). As a missionary in the Middle East for many years, I saw believers endure persecution that would be unimaginable in the West, at least for now. A pastor swept off to jail where interrogators break his arms. A girl murdered by her own father for leaving Islam. It can become so easy to murmur in our hearts, “God, why do you allow this?” When we process this question outside of scripture, we will be tempted to bitterness and despair. The righteous suffer for doing what is right. We deserve glory and get pain instead. It may feel bitterly unfair, and it is. That said, suffering helps to sever us from our umbilical cord to the world. I do not say this to make light of anyone’s suffering. Pain is never easy to address because it’s always complicated and deeply personal. However, it is also a stark reminder that we will only experience the blessings of heaven after death, not in this world. When we engage with suffering, especially when it’s for doing good, we may easily become overwhelmed. Meditating on scripture is never more important than at these moments. “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. …Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:7-8,11). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Root of Our Perfection
Billy Graham once said, “Anxiety is the natural result when our hopes are centered in anything short of God and his will for us.” When we believe we're meant to live a perfect life, there is a sense of a mandate to be flawless. It’s good to desire holiness and perfection, but the angst that comes from failure to attain them often generates anxiety, stress and fear that we aren’t right with God. We’re never at peace, and we can’t enjoy the fullness of the presence of God and a hunger satisfied because we think our perfection is up to us. It’s exhausting and unattainable. All the anxiety in the world won’t make you a better person or a more perfect Christian. Rather than tormenting ourselves with what we lack, we are called to examine our hearts and offer our insufficiency up to him. Hear the words of the apostle Paul: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6, ESV). The coastal forests stretching from central California to southern Oregon are home to the giant redwoods, some of earth’s oldest, most magnificent trees. These towering beauties are a literal look back through time. When we stand awestruck at the foot of an old-growth redwood tree, it’s hard to believe that it began its climb as a mere seedling. Although tiny and hundreds of years away from become a giant, the small plant is perfect at every stage of growth. Its size and vulnerability belie the greatness in its DNA. We too, as God’s handiwork, are complete at every phase of growth when we receive our sustenance from him. When Jesus said, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), he was compelling us to take on his perfection. His words and Spirit are the nourishment that pushes us upward. Our struggles to please others and impress God are real, sometimes lifelong battles, but the Lord offers a way out. “My power is made perfect in weakness,” he says (2 Corinthians 12:9). He takes the long view sees our great potential even when we are small and wavering. When we entrust our lives to him, we are complete, perfect at every stage of growth. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Prayer Post
But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, "Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid." And Peter answered him, "Lord, if it is you, command me to come to you on the water." He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" - Matthew 14:27-31 This passage is probably familiar to you. You might have heard it as early as Vacation Bible School or Sunday School, or in a read-aloud Bible Storybook. But this is not simply a story for children. Even as adults, it is applicable to our walk with Christ. Two concepts found in these verses can hinder a person from living courageously for Jesus: doubt and fear. In verse 30, we see that Peter is afraid, and then in verse 31, Jesus rebukes Peter for his doubt. We must recognize that when we give into doubt and fear, we are no longer focused on Jesus. We are allowing a lie to take over when we should and can be living courageously for God. Here are a few verses that remind us of God's faithfulness and should encourage us to live courageously for Him: Isaiah 41:10, Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1:5, Matthew 28:20, and Philippians 4:6. So many people get caught up in doubt, but Jesus asked Peter, "Why did you doubt?" We have the Word of God, which tells us we don't need to live life as doubters. Make the decision today that when storms come your way, you will have the courage to trust in Jesus. Take a moment to thank the Lord for Hebrews 13:5, which says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." And may you be ready to say and live out Hebrews 13:6: "So we can confidently say, "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?" Heavenly Father, we thank and praise that you never leave or forsake us. Forgive us for our doubt and fear. Lord Jesus, today we commit to being Your faithful followers. We will keep our eyes fixed upon You and trust You with our lives. We commit, as followers of Jesus, to live courageously for You. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Nothing but the Cross of Christ
In Galatians, the Apostle Paul wrote, “But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world” (Galatians 6:14, ESV). The crucifixion and resurrection of our Lord is the unique, incomparably central point for all of mankind and all of history. All of history is split before Jesus and after his work on the cross. It radically changed the whole world. However, it not only changed the world, it also radically changed us. So for how many of you is the ‘before and after Christ’ not just a historical thing but also a personal BC and AD in your life? The realization of the cross and Jesus’ presence changes everything. The cross is not only the unchanging reminder of God’s eternal intentionality but also his invitation into an eternity with him. Nothing before that invitation is comparable to what comes afterward. Everything that has been ruined and broken by men can be restored at the cross of Jesus Christ, and you would never want to go back. No one was better equipped to talk about the power of the cross than the Apostle Paul. Very few people had the level of formal training in religious matters and scripture than him. On top of that, very few people had a deeper revelation of the nature of God, salvation and grace; yet Paul also was a man who experienced some of the most incredible manifestations of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, visions, healings and visitations. He even talked about being transported in the Spirit to the third heaven. Despite all that, he declared that his message, ministry, mind, soul, heart, passion, priorities, convictions and preaching would all be fixed on the cross. The world and all of his achievements and accomplishments in it had been crucified to him. It was dead. That’s how much it was worth to him, compared to the cross. The glory of the gospel and his Lord Jesus Christ crucified on the cross and raised from the grave eclipsed every other thing in Paul’s life. Do we also live and think that way about the cross? Do we truly grasp how beautiful and powerful God’s work there was? Let’s be crucified to the world and everything it offers to give us value. Let’s fully embrace the cross and the glory of Christ! |
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The Power of Being Forgiven Jesus tells us, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24, NKJV). Indeed, the scriptures tells us from cover to cover that once the Lord forgives our sins, he wipes them from his memory. “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake; and I will not remember your sins” (Isaiah 43:25). “I have blotted out, like a thick cloud, your transgressions, and like a cloud, your sins. Return to me, for I have redeemed you” (Isaiah 44:22). “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: ‘I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds I will write them,’ then He adds, ‘Their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.’” (Hebrews 10:16-17). Here is abundant good news for every Christian who’s ever sweated, striven or worked to mortify the deeds of his flesh in his own strength. Does this include you? How many promises have you made to God, only to break them? Here is your good news, reported in the book of Micah: “I, the Lord, will subdue all your iniquities.” God has given us image after image in these passages of how he wipes our sins from memory. He blots them out; he remembers them no more; he buries them in the sea; he “subdues” them, meaning he chases them down and captures them. Isaiah even tells us God takes our trespasses and flips them over his shoulder. “But you have lovingly delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for you have cast all my sins behind your back” (Isaiah 38:17). This means God will never look at our sins or acknowledge them again. Now let me ask you, if God forgets our sins, why don’t you and I? Why do we always allow the devil to dig up some muck or mire from our past and wave it in our face, when all our sin is already covered by Christ’s blood? The cleansing, forgiving power of Christ’s blood is all-encompassing. It covers our entire lives! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Faith and Finance: A Winning Combination
There are few topics more fraught with anxiety than money. Because it is one of the most personal areas of life, even talking about it is socially taboo. If we have been taught poor money skills, we are ashamed and have a hard time seeking help. Christians often carry additional stress about money. Some have been taught that having wealth is sinful. We all know the parable of the stingy rich man who would not help Lazarus. Here’s another verse most Christian are familiar with: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25, ESV). Conversely, there are those who preach that prosperity is manifest evidence of God’s favor on our lives. Fortunately, balance and focus are found in scripture. “Keep your heart with all vigilance,” we are cautioned, “for from it flow the springs of life” (Proverbs 4:23). God is far more interested in our attitude toward money than he is in money itself. Diligence in knowing our appetites and aligning them with God’s values determines the financial direction our lives will take. In the process, we must be mindful of our vulnerabilities. Jeremiah 17:9 says, “The heart is deceitful and desperately sick; who can understand it?” The heart and mind are cunning and can convince us that a poor choice is actually a great one. Anxiety shows up when we realize that we’ve diverged from sound scriptural principles. Staying focused requires a two-pronged approach. Number one is the practical: Am I spending more than I have? The guide is to live principally, modestly and below our means. Don’t buy things you can’t afford and bury yourself in debt. Decide daily to make good decisions and seek sound advice. When you feel that cautionary nudge of the Spirit, listen to it. God may be steering you away from trouble. Second, decide to live in contentment. Don’t covet what others have. Resist allowing social media and shopping sites to feed your hunger for more stuff. Surround yourself with like-minded people. Evaluate your spending habits and examine your motives. Ask yourself, “Am I pleasing God? Am I living a life of balance and deliberation?” Good stewardship requires our full attention. The rewards are peace of mind, confidence, wisdom and a fruitful life that is pleasing to God. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
A Life of Prayer
The Holy Spirit has come to lead us into a life of prayer. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered” (Romans 8:26, NKJV). Consider what Paul is saying about the Holy Spirit’s role in our prayer life. We get so confused about prayer, making it seem so complicated. Go into any Christian bookstore, and you’ll find countless books on the subject, replete with detailed formulas on how to pray. These theories end up raising even more questions. For example: · When does prayer become intercession? · Is intercession measured by fervency, loudness or the amount of time I spend on my knees? · I am instructed to pray according to God’s will, but how do I know his will? · How do I go about praying? Do mental prayers count? · What exactly do I pray for? Such confusion can be so overwhelming that it causes many to avoid praying. Never has there been a time when the prayers of God’s people are needed more than now. We live in a world gone mad. As global events worsen, conspiring to rob people of peace, societies everywhere are looking for a source of comfort. They aren’t finding it in psychotherapy, dead religion or worthy causes. The Bible has told us, “The world cannot receive [him], because it neither sees him nor knows him; but you know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you” (see John 14:17). One of our greatest concerns should be that we maintain a prayer life. When we neglect prayer, we grieve the Spirit of God. Yes, it is possible for us to grieve the Holy Spirit. Paul writes as much when he says, “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” (Ephesians 4:30). Indeed, the Spirit shares God’s grief over his people’s unbelief and prayerlessness. There are many powerful ways the Holy Spirit plays a role in our prayers. · The Holy Ghost manifests the presence of Christ in us. · The Spirit seals God’s promises in our hearts. · The Comforter speaks hope to us. · The Spirit releases his rivers of comfort, peace and rest in our souls. |
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The New Life
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed. That, however, is not the way of life you learned when you heard about Christ and were taught in him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Taking Up Our Cross
When Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me,” he wasn’t speaking about self-flagellation. The cross is the Holy Spirit showing us how to live through the mind of Christ. It is a lifelong process of shedding our need for control and daily giving our will to God. Say you’re a new Christian and are hit with a serious adversity, a life-threatening illness, tragedy or financial loss. Not only does it hit, but it begins to drag out. “This isn’t fair,” you might say. “I’m a little mad at God for allowing this to overtake my life.” We’re so full of questions and bereft of answers that we want to turn away. God seems insufficient and uninterested in our welfare. Although we feel faithless, this is the time to stay faithful. These times of holding on to God rather than ourselves are when wisdom and maturity are established deep within us. This is the taking up of the cross of Christ. Throughout our lives, giving up our own will and submitting to God will include seasons of heartache and soul-searching. There will be pressure from the enemy to pull away and reclaim our self-will. Satan wants nothing more than to separate us from the power of the cross. It is a certainty that we will become discouraged, tired, frustrated and sorely tempted. Jesus addressed this on two fronts. “He said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.’” (Luke 9:23-24, ESV). First, he said to take up his cross every day. Our life in Christ is renewed every morning and requires the nourishment of prayer and time in the Word. This helps us to be alert to the nudges of the Spirit as well as the subtle attacks of the enemy. Second, Jesus reminds us that the Christ-life is a kingdom upside down: controlling your own life will cause you to lose it; giving your will over to the mind of Christ will save your soul. The reward is a life rich with wisdom and the gaining of an understanding of God that is only accessed through adversity. Not only that, it provides us with opportunities to lift up fellow men and women who also struggle with letting go. |
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The River of Life
The prophet Ezekiel was given an incredible vision. Scripture says the hand of God carried him to a very high mountain, where a man appeared to him “whose appearance was like the appearance of bronze” (Ezekiel 40:3, NKJV). Of course, the man was none other than Christ himself. He ushered Ezekiel to the door of God’s house where he gave the prophet an amazing vision of the future of God’s people. It revealed what the body of Christ will become as the end-times draw to a close. “He brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east…” (Ezekiel 47:1). Images of water in the Bible almost always represent the Spirit of God. This vision clearly reveals a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last days. The vision was so overwhelming in scope, Ezekiel couldn’t comprehend it. He couldn’t even comment on its meaning; all he could do was report it. In fact, before the vision was finished, the Lord stopped and asked Ezekiel, “Have you seen this?” God was asking, “Do you grasp the magnitude of what you’re seeing? Do you see what these rising waters speak of? I know this revelation is awesome and mind-boggling to you, but I don’t want you to miss the true meaning. The waters indicate the way all things will end.” The prophet Isaiah had a glimpse of the same river that appeared in Ezekiel’s vision, yet Isaiah saw even more. According to Isaiah, God’s people in the last days will enjoy great protection against all satanic attack: “There the majestic Lord will be for us, a place of broad rivers and streams, in which no galley with oars will sail, nor majestic ships pass by” (Isaiah 33:21). Isaiah is speaking here of slave-driven warships. He’s giving us a picture of the enemy, the devil, as he tries to launch an attack on all who swim in the river. God is making it clear to us in these passages that his living waters are off-limits to Satan. As the psalmist testifies, “Let those be put to shame and brought to dishonor who seek after my life; let those be turned back and brought to confusion who plot my hurt. … let the angel of the Lord chase them” (Psalm 35:4-6). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Love Aligned to the Word When our love is aligned with God’s Word—when we embrace his love for us and love one another unconditionally—we live without fear. We can live in the here and now and stand before him with boldness on the day of judgment. When all fear is gone, we are in perfect love. Listen to these words sung by David: “Honor and Majesty are before him; strength and gladness are in his place” (1 Chronicles 16:27, NKJV). The root word for “gladness” in the Old Testament means “jumping for joy” and enjoying the fullness of perfect love. Right now, the world is drowning in fear. Humankind trembles over global warming, terrorism, war, shaky economies, mass murders, political chaos and widespread addiction to drugs, alcohol and porn. How can we make any impact for Christ if we’re tormented with the same spirit of fear the world has? What kind of hope can we offer — indeed, what kind of gospel do we preach — if it doesn’t change us and deliver us from fear? God brought in the New Covenant to assure his church of his love and full pardon of sin. With joy, he revealed his delight in us so that we could feel his heart of love and live our days without fear. “The ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing, with everlasting joy on their heads. They shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away” (Isaiah 35:10). “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?... Though an army may encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war may rise against me, in this I will be confident” (Psalm 27:1, 3). It is time for God’s people to put everything in his hands. I urge you to stop trying to think your way out of trouble. Instead, rest in the power of God’s Word. Let the Lord put gladness in you today. Your glad heart will encourage all those who are fearful around you. “The Lord will open to you his good treasure, the heavens, to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand” (Deuteronomy 28:12). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Precious Promises of God
Where does corruption and trouble in the world come from? It comes from evil desires in depraved people. Even Christians deal with evil desires that want to pop up in their lives. There’s corruption in the world, but God said, “I’ve sent my Son into the world that you might not only have eternal life but that you will also be saved from the evil in the world” (see John 3:16). How do we take hold of this freedom? Let’s look at the life of the great Christian man of faith George Muller. He ran orphanages and was led peculiarly to not ask for funds. He just trusted God through prayer and faith to see all the needs supplied. Muller once said, “I can’t make it through the day with all my responsibilities without starting the day with God in his Word. I can’t even pray effectively until I have faith, but faith comes by hearing the Word of God.” In the Bible, there are commands, historical narrative, poetry, worship songs, but there are also lots of promises that God is making. Every part of the Bible is important, but what are the promises God makes to us, to you specifically, in his Word? The apostle Peter encouraged the persecuted church by saying, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence, by which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire” (2 Peter 1:3-4, ESV). By believing God’s promises of salvation, we become partakers in the divine nature. Now, we don’t become gods like some new age religions would claim, but we share in God’s divine nature. How? By trusting God more and more, and having our faith grow. Increasingly, we share in the power and goodness of the Holy Spirit who has come to live inside us. Peter said that we gain that by believing and hanging onto God’s promises. How about asking God to give you more wisdom and discipline to read the Bible and search for his promises? |
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We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.
Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what they already have? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God's people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Mustard Seed Faith
And he said, "With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown, it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade." - Mark 4:30-32 The Parable of the Mustard Seed, recorded three times in the Gospels, is one of Jesus' shorter parables. We find it in Matthew and Luke, in addition to being recorded in Mark 4:30-32. In studying, I learned that a mustard plant can grow between 6 and 20 feet high. Yes, one of the tiniest seeds becomes a tree where birds come and perch in its branches. I also learned that mustard trees have eight growth stages: germination, leaf development, stem elongation, inflorescence emergence, flowering, fruit development, ripening, and senescence. I also learned that farmers find it helpful as a cover crop that can help if erosion in their fields is an issue. We also know that the leaves and the seeds can be used for consumption. Growing a mustard plant or tree requires care and attention. Just so, if we want our faith to grow in Christ, we need to be sure we are giving care and attention to our relationship with Him. Spiritual transformation is a lifelong process of obedience to Jesus. This parable shows us that the kingdom of God starts small and that through the faithfulness of Jesus and His disciples, it is growing and spreading throughout the world. Jesus teaches that the faith of His followers is like the mustard seed. The kingdom of God is established and grows through these humble beginnings. May you be encouraged today to lean more than ever into Jesus and pursue a mustard-seed faith. Heavenly Father, may our faith be like a mustard seed, and may we grow to be used as your servants to accomplish much for the kingdom of God. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Comforter Has Come Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Comforter.” It is one thing to know the Holy Spirit as our comforter, but we must also know how he comforts us, so we can distinguish what comfort is of flesh and what is from the Spirit. Consider the person who is overcome with loneliness. He prays for the comfort of the Holy Spirit and expects that comfort to come as a feeling. In fact, he imagines it as a kind of sudden breath from heaven, like a spiritual sedative to his soul. This feeling of peace may actually come to him, but the next morning it is gone. As a result, he starts to believe the Holy Spirit has refused his request. No, never! The Holy Spirit doesn’t comfort us by manipulating our feelings. His way of comforting is vastly different and is clearly outlined in scripture. No matter what the problem, trial or need, his ministry of comfort is accomplished by bringing truth. “When he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth” (John 16:13, NKJV). The fact is that our comfort springs from what we know, not what we feel. Only truth overrules feelings! The comforting ministry of the Holy Spirit begins with this foundational truth: God is not mad at you; he loves you. “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us” (Romans 5:5). The Greek meaning here is even stronger than the translation suggests, saying that the love of God is made to “gush forth” into our hearts by the Holy Spirit. You may be carrying an unbearable burden caused by fear, shame, sorrow, afflictions, temptations or discouragement. No matter how it happened, comfort is needed. This is the moment when a voice is heard, echoing through every corridor of your soul. It is the voice of the Holy Spirit declaring, “Nothing can separate you from the love of God.” Once you believe it, this truth quickly becomes a fountain of living water, sweeping away every stumbling block. “But the Helper [Comforter], the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you” (John 14:26). |
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On the New Self
Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, but Christ is all, and is in all. Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. AMEN |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Pray for Boldness in the Name of Jesus
"And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness." - Acts 4:31 A meeting of religious leaders had gathered in Jerusalem and they were annoyed by the missionary efforts of Peter and John (Acts 4:1-18). You see, Peter and John were out teaching and proclaiming the Gospel, and these leaders were trying to shut them down. They were questioned about what authority they had to do this teaching, and they responded that their authority came from the name of Jesus. When word spread to other believers about the effort to shut them down, they began praying. They did not give in to fear and threats; they started praying for boldness. God answered! I know of situations where religious leaders and people in authority have attempted to shut down and discourage the work of Christ for reasons they feel are justifiable. Today, we have examples where people are praying and reading scripture on the street and being told to stop, and some have even been arrested with no clear evidence they are breaking the law. We also encounter situations that bring on personal discouragement and fear that keep us from fulfilling what God wants to do in our lives. May we not fall into the traps of despair and judgment but rather call on Jesus. The Lord wants the Gospel to be shared, people to be praying, and ministry to be happening that glorifies Him, so all the world will know that He gave His life for us to have life abundant and eternal. As a follower of Christ, may you pursue what God has called you to do in the name of Jesus despite the hurdles you may need to overcome. Today would be a good day for you to pray and call others to pray. May you gather with fellow believers to pray for boldness to go and proclaim the gospel. I encourage you to also pray that religious leaders and those in authority would not hinder the work of the gospel. Heavenly Father, we praise You, Lord, that You give us the authority to go and proclaim the gospel. Lord Jesus, may we call out in Your name as we pray for boldness to daily share the gospel and to live our life in a way that glorifies You. Lord Jesus, I also ask that we, as leaders in churches and communities, not hinder the work of the gospel but that you would position each of us to lead or cheer others who are championing the cause of Christ. In Jesus Name, Amen. |
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Living above the Storm Clouds
You and I need a greater understanding of God’s love. After reading 1 John, I realized how very little I know about living in God’s love. “And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love and he who abides in love abides in God and God in him” (1 John 4:16, NKJV). Many Christians know about God’s love for them only theologically. They have learned the scriptures and have heard them preached, and yet their understanding is limited to a line from a children’s chorus: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.” We believe God loves us, the world and the lost, but it is an abstract faith! Not many Christians can say with authority, “I know Jesus loves me because I understand what his love is. It is the foundation of my daily walk.” Is your daily walk bereft of belief in God’s love? Do you instead live under a cloud of guilt, fear and condemnation? God did not save you to live in condemnation. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes in him who sent me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life” (John 5:24). “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Guilt and condemnation are of the devil. One meaning of condemnation is wrath. This means that on the Judgment Day you will be free from God’s wrath. But condemnation also means “the feeling of never measuring up to standards.” And the Word is teaching us that the believer will not be subject to the feeling of never measuring up! “That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height – to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19). Rooted and grounded means “to have a deep and stable foundation of knowing and understanding God’s love for you.” That knowledge is the foundational truth upon which all other truths must build! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Earnest Prayer
"So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church." - Acts 12:5 In Acts 12, we see that Peter was obedient and the church was stunned, despite their earnest prayers. In Acts 12:5, we know the church was praying for Peter, and while they were praying, Peter was sleeping. According to Acts 12:7, when an angel struck Peter to wake him up, as he got up, the chains fell off his hands. After he was delivered from prison, he went to the house of Mary, where people had gathered to pray for his deliverance. The scriptures tell us that Peter knocked on the door, and while they recognized his voice, they did not believe it was him. We can learn from the early church to earnestly pray about a matter before us. We need to gather as the early church did to pray about the issues before us today, like parental rights, life issues, gender ideology issues, family matters, prodigals, troubled marriages, and so much more. We can find humor in what happened as Peter was delivered. The church did not give in as they prayed, but even so, they were stunned by the results. We may find ourselves in similar situations of surprise as we pray and God answers. We read in Acts 12:24, "But the word of God increased and multiplied." As I was reading and praying over these verses in preparation to share, I had a thought. What if those who read this post would commit to earnest prayer by calling or texting a friend or friends at noon each day to pray about a matter that is on their heart or commit to praying every day at noon for the family and our nation? As I see it, both the family and our nation are under attack, and it's time we earnestly pray. Beloved, I am not talking about a campaign but a time of prayer that becomes a part of your daily life. Please consider the idea, and if you are willing, reach out to a friend, start praying, and see how the Holy Spirit begins working in families and our nation. Heavenly Father, thank you for the example of praying people in the early church. Lord, would you move on our hearts to constantly pray for families and our nation? Lord, we confess we cannot do this without the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, so deliver us from our lack of earnest prayer, and help us join with a friend or family member to cry out to you to strengthen and restore our families and our nation to bring glory and honor to You. In Jesus' name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Go Confidently to the Storehouse
Here is how you go to God’s storehouse to get what you need. 1. Come boldly to his throne, and ask large for all the grace and mercy you need to see you through every temptation and trial. The devil has a million ways to make you feel guilty, fearful and confused; and he’ll tell you, “You feel this way because you’ve got junk in your heart!” However, I stopped looking in my heart a long time ago because it’s always blackened and stained, yet it’s as white as snow to my Father because it is covered with the blood of the Lamb. It does not matter how you feel. Simply look to God’s Word for what Jesus has done. He has wiped your slate clean. 2. Remind God that it was his idea for you to come in. You didn’t go the Lord saying, “Father, I want everything you have.” He invited you in saying, “All I have is yours. Come and get it!” 3. Take God at his Word. The Bible says that everything he has for us is obtained by faith. You need only say in faith, “Lord Jesus, flood me with your peace because you have said that it is mine. I claim rest for my soul.” You can’t work this up or praise it down. It comes from being rooted and grounded in a deep understanding of God’s love for you. This comes not in a feeling but rather in the Word that he himself has spoken: “In my house is bread enough to spare!” 4. Take God’s Word and hammer all your fear, guilt and condemnation to pieces. Reject it all; it is not of God. You can say, “Let the devil come at me with his lies. My Father knows it already, and he has forgiven and cleansed me. There is no guilt or condemnation toward me. I am free!” Dear ones, I believe that if you ask the Spirit right now to help you seize this truth, to become rooted and grounded in it, the coming days will be the greatest you have ever had. You can say, “Lord Jesus, I know I will make mistakes, but nothing can shake me because you have everything I need to be an overcomer.” Come into his storehouse, and claim all that is yours from your loving Father! |
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Essential Faith "But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, 'Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.' And after Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and debate with them, Paul and Barnabas and some of the others were appointed to go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and the elders about this question. So, being sent on their way by the church, they passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and brought great joy to all the brothers. When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, 'It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.' The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, 'Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.'" - Acts 15:1-11 A debate arose in the early church about the requirements for salvation. It was believed by some that to be saved, Gentile believers must follow the customs and laws of Moses, including circumcision. This belief threatened the unity of believers. We see Paul, Barnabas, and other believers leave for Jerusalem to address this issue with the apostles and elders. What transpired was a discussion about essential beliefs. May we all strive to promote unity within the body of Christ as we focus on the gospel's essential message. Peter stood up among the people to question what they were saying, asking why they would call for a requirement they could not fulfill. He began telling the stories of Gentiles and how the Holy Spirit brought transformation regardless of their background. Peter's words affirm that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and not works. Christianity does not require any work for salvation, unlike all other religions. Thankfully, we do not live under the Old Testament law, where people were required to live a certain way and do certain things to be made right with God. As we see what happened in the Garden of Eden, man could not fulfill those requirements. People have put on human requirements for salvation that are not from God. People hear they must clean up their lives before coming to Christ, or they must go to a particular church, or dress a certain way, and if they do not do these actions or others, they cannot receive salvation. You will not find anywhere in the Bible where God has works requirements for a person to receive salvation. The Bible is clear that a person must confess his sins, believe in Jesus, and publicly proclaim that Jesus is Lord. It is trusting in the grace, mercy and atoning work of Jesus that brings salvation, not any work or action of our own doing. Acts 15 is a beautiful reminder to followers of Jesus that our unity is grounded in our faith in Christ. May you be free from legalism and artificial requirements or expectations, knowing that what matters most is the condition of our hearts and our faith in God. Heavenly Father, thank You for salvation through Jesus. Lord, let us take this lesson to heart, seeking unity with fellow believers and placing our trust in the grace that flows from the cross of Christ. Lord Jesus, may we live out our spiritual walk with humility, love, and a life-long commitment to the gospel -- that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith, and available to all who believe. Amen |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Hearing and Knowing His Voice
Peter warns us believers living in the last days that Satan will come to them with a loud voice, trying to bring fear. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, NKJV). Here is my point: If Satan is making his voice known in these last days, showing his power to a world full of lost people, how much more important is it for God’s people to know their heavenly father’s voice? Do you think the Lord would sit by as Satan roars at the world and yet remain silent? Never! Isaiah said, “The Lord will cause his glorious voice to be heard” (Isaiah 30:30). Since the time of Adam and Eve, God has been speaking to man. “And they heard the sound of the Lord God” (Genesis 3:8). Adam said, “I heard your voice in the garden” (Genesis 3:10). From Genesis through to the end of the New Testament, God made his voice known to his people. In the books of the prophets, we see the phrase “And God said . . .” repeated time after time. Through prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah and Joel, God’s voice was known and understood. Jesus confirmed this in the New Testament, using the example of the good shepherd. “To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice” (John 10:3-4). Adam hid from God’s voice because of the guilt and shame of his sin. That is exactly where many of God’s people are today, hiding and afraid to hear God speak! If you want to hear God’s voice, you must be ready to have your soul purged and cleansed. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
We Have Absolute Access
Every four years in January, America inaugurates a president to what is called “the most powerful office on earth.” His signature turns bills into law. He commands the world’s most powerful army. He can simply push a button and bring destruction upon nations. The power he holds is nothing compared to the power Jesus has given to you and me! We have absolute access to the very presence of the living God. “Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way…let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith” (Hebrews 10:19-22, NKJV). That access came only after Jesus was crucified, died and was resurrected. It came at the moment the veil in the temple was rent in two. When that happened, it meant that man could go in, and God would come out. We could now meet with him face to face! The word “boldness” in this verse means “with open, undisguised publicity.” Beloved, that “publicity” is for the devil’s sake. It means we can say to every demon, “I have a right by the blood of Jesus Christ to walk into the presence of God and talk to him and he with me.” Do you believe that God is willing to come out and meet you? Let us draw near to him with a heart full of the assurance of faith. We do not come by the blood of animals but by the blood of our Lord Jesus. “Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with his own blood he entered the Most Holy Place once and for all, having obtained eternal redemption. For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” (Hebrews 9:12-14). Nothing thrills the heart of God more than when his children come to him in boldness, without timidity. He wants us to come, saying, “I have a right to be here. Even if my heart condemns me, God is greater than my heart! (see 1 John 3:20). |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Beloved, I encourage you to stand firm as a Christ follower and one who has invited Jesus into your life, placing your faith and trust in Him that no matter your circumstances, God loves you, and He is your hope, strength, and salvation.
The Hymn My Hope is Built on Nothing Less, written in 1834 by Edward Mote, can serve as a reminder of the wonderful hope we have in Jesus: My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. Refrain: On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand. When darkness veils his lovely face, I rest on his unchanging grace; in every high and stormy gale, my anchor holds within the veil. [Refrain] His oath, his covenant, his blood, support me in the whelming flood; when all around my soul gives way, he then is all my hope and stay. [Refrain] When he shall come with trumpet sound, O may I then in him be found: dressed in his righteousness alone, faultless to stand before the throne. [Refrain] Heavenly Father, thank You that our hope is in You. Please help us to be firmly rooted in Your Word and never give up. Lord, we thank You for salvation and the knowledge that we will spend eternity with You. Lord, we thank You for Your love, mercy, and grace. Lord, bring hope to those who are discouraged and without hope. In Jesus' name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Fulfilling the Law Through Love Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Does God Really Care?
God asks, “Do you truly believe that I see exactly what you are enduring right now?” Perhaps as you read this you are going through something that calls for him to act on your behalf. The very nature of your problem demands an answer. Beloved, are you truly convinced that God monitors your every move as a father does his infant child? Do you know in your heart that he is interpreting every thought you think? Do you believe he is at work bottling every tear, hearing every sigh, hovering over you, loving and caring for you? The Bible describes him as doing just that! “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears are open to their cry. …The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles” (Psalm 34:15,17, NKJV). “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to him” (2 Chronicles 16:9). Do you trust that God is absolutely, totally aware of your every thought, grief, pain, trial, financial burden, family problem and that he wants to see you through them all? The psalmist tells us, “As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). The Hebrew word for pity here means “to cuddle, love, be compassionate.” Scripture is saying the Lord cradles in his arms those who fear him. He says, “I know your thoughts, your concerns and every battle you face, and I care.” No matter what you are going through, no matter how you feel, the Lord feels the very feelings of your infirmities. He knows every move you make. God is not mad at you. No! He is thinking loving thoughts about you. He knows the way you feel, and he cares. He is saying, “Yes, you are going through rough waters; you are being tempted and tossed. But you are my child, and I will never allow the enemy to ensnare you. I am going to bring you through!” |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Power over Fear I am afraid. Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me. Terrors of death are fallen upon me. Afraid because there is more evil in me than good, lying rather than righteousness, weakness instead of strength. I am like an unripe olive tree without fruit. Oh, that I had wings like a dove, I would fly away and be at rest. I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. Afraid God may cast me off and curse this green tree, for He came seeking fruit and found none. So afraid that all I can do is trust in him. I will call and he will save me. He shall hear my voice and deliver my soul in peace from the battle that is against me. He will bottle my tears. God is for me. He will keep my feet from falling, that I my walk before him in the light of the living. Are you engulfed in fear? Does your mind often stray from the safety of God’s presence into the frightening places that imagine every worst-case scenario? You are not alone, dear friends! Every person battles fear, even the bravest and strongest among us. The psalmist David expressed his fears and his need to return to the care and protection of the Lord. “Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in you” (Psalm 56:3, NKJV). This protection isn’t just for the physical body; our minds need fortifying, too. The enemy of our souls wants to weaken and conquer us with fear before the battle even begins. His strategy is to make us feel frail and defeated by sin and to be paralyzed by fears of things that will never happen. However, God has other plans for us. “Trust in me!” he says. “Satan has already been defeated. You are my sons and daughters. Nothing is too hard for me, and you have my full protection. I am your mighty fortress! Give your fears to me.” Here is the apostle Paul’s powerful antidote to fear. “And [the Lord] said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). We have the power of Christ! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
The Language of Revolution “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18, NKJV). With great and swelling words The revolutionaries speak. Like the piercing of a sword, They lash with their tongues The established order of the day. An evil man digs up evil And in his lips there is a burning fire, The unquenchable fire of hell. But the wicked man shall be snared By the transgression of his own lips. He that keeps his mouth, Keeps his life, But he that opens wide his mouth Shall have destruction. For righteous men hate lying lips And lips that have no healing. The lamp of the wicked shall be put out And his lips sealed; For wicked language Shall be overthrown And the tongue of the wise Shall send forth health. “The tongue of the wise promotes health.” King Solomon knew what he was talking about when he wrote these words; his 40-year reign was an unprecedented time of peace and prosperity. The words don’t sound very revolutionary, but they are more world-changing than you can imagine. Solomon enjoyed God’s favor because he sought God’s wisdom, not his own. The revolution of peace during his reign was due to the words that flowed from that wisdom, and the people in his vast sphere of influence acted upon them. He had learned this lesson well from his father David, who had prayed, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3). Solomon didn’t just want to be kind and good; he wanted wisdom! He wanted his people to feel the security of truth and justice. He was passionate for them to hear the words of a loving God through his leadership, the words of one who understood the desires of their heart and who cared for them beyond measure. He was intent on teaching his people how to live lives of value and service. Lord, I seek your wisdom! Reset my thoughts, my heart, my actions to be in harmony with yours. May my words bring peace and order and good health into the lives I influence. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Impartiality of God
"To those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury." - Romans 2:7-8 In this passage, Paul brings clarity to the impartiality of God, telling the reader that God will reward them for their work. According to our key verses, for those who seek truth and persevere in doing good, the reward is eternal life. For selfishly ambitious people who reject truth, the reward is God's wrath. As followers of Jesus, we are not to be self-seeking. As we place our faith and trust in God, we are to serve and die to self. This stands in contrast to what we see around us, where we are encouraged to put ourselves above everything and everyone else. The world teaches us to want more than we need, which not only plays into how we live and treat others but also dramatically affects our relationship with God. You see, in the world, self-seeking is encouraged and acceptable behavior. One can quickly fall prey to a self-seeking world that offers no accountability, leading to worldly desires where one no longer heeds the truth, falling into a sinful lifestyle. It's where we turn our backs on truth, seeing evil as good and good as evil. It usually happens quickly, without people realizing how far they have drifted. A question some ask is why many people in churches act just like those outside the church. Perhaps they have never been born again, or they have a greater desire for self-pleasure than obedience to the truth, putting their faith in God, and seeking His Kingdom first. We are in an urgent hour. The Bible tells us we have all sinned and need God's forgiveness. God desires that not one person perish without Him, but the truth remains that those who reject Him will be separated from Him throughout eternity. All who receive God will spend eternity with Him. Today, I call you to turn from the world's ways and seek God and His Kingdom. Commit to His Lordship over your life. Intentional discipleship in the church is part of the solution to seeing people spiritually transformed. If you want to pray and discuss this further, please reach out to me at the email address below. Heavenly Father, I pray for all who read this post. If they are without You as their Savior, I pray they will ask You into their heart, turn from their selfish ways, and live daily for You. For those who have already accepted You as their Savior, I pray they will recommit their life to seek You first and live each day sharing the gospel story of what You have done for them as their Savior and Lord. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Finding Answers at Bethel
Jacob was in a crisis yet again, and he did not know what to do. The Bible says, “Then God said to Jacob, ‘Arise, go up to Bethel and dwell there’ . . . And Jacob said . . . ‘Let us arise and go up to Bethel; and I will make an altar there to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and has been with me in the way which I have gone’” (Genesis 35:1-3, NKJV). Bethel is a place where we can go in our time of distress. The lesson for Israel and for us today is this: Whenever Jacob was in trouble, he knew where to go and what to do. God was saying to Jacob, “You know where I will speak to you, where you will hear my voice. Go back to Bethel, to the altar where I met you. Get down on your face before me, and cleanse your house of idolatry.” Jacob called his sons to bring forth all their idols, and he buried them under an oak tree. He then led his family to Bethel where he built an altar before God. God assured him again, “I am with you” (see Genesis 35:9-13). Scripture says, “The terror of God was upon the cities that were all around them, and they did not pursue the sons of Jacob” (Genesis 35:5). The surrounding cities were afraid of Jacob and his little Jewish clan because God had put a dread in them. The Lord is still God of Bethel. He implores us, “Go to Bethel, and I will meet you there. Every time you are in trouble or distress, run to the altar. Cry out and get alone with me.” He is waiting for us to meet him in the secret closet of prayer. Jacob knew where to go to get a clear word from Lord. He shut himself in with God in a secret place. I believe God speaks to us, but it happens in our alone time with him. God is calling you today to get your eyes off of your circumstances. Do not judge anything by your present condition. Don’t try to figure it all out or let fear cast you down. God will meet you in prayer! |
Re: POWER of PRAYER- No Matter Which Faith You Follow=GOD is With You
Praying for the Lost
"Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes." - Romans 10:1-4 In these verses, Paul reveals his heart to see salvation come to the Israelites. We discover several important lessons about salvation from Romans 10:1-4: First, salvation is not something we can purchase, earn, or even deserve. Salvation is God's gift to us and is available to all who believe in Jesus Christ. Second, our works cannot save us. Friends, we are saved by faith in Jesus Christ, who died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins. Third, we must repent of our sins and turn to God in faith to be saved. If you have never placed your faith and trust in Jesus and repented of your sin (meaning to turn away from your ways to the ways of God), I encourage you to do so today. God loves you and wants to save you. May you believe that Jesus is Lord and invite Him into your life as the Holy Spirit leads you. If you have placed your faith in Jesus and know where you will spend eternity, pray for someone else who needs Jesus as Savior. Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation. Lord, I ask that You open the eyes and hearts of all without Jesus so they will see that You are The Way, The Truth, and The Light. Lord Jesus, may they repent of their sins and turn to You in faith. I pray You will help me and all who are already Your followers to grow in our love and knowledge of You. Lord, help us understand Your Word is true and apply it to our lives. In Jesus' Name, Amen. |
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